This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God's Word.
Seeing God's Kingdom
The Life of Christ Series
By Greg Johnson
July 1, 2007
Take a moment and try to comprehend God's Kingdom. What does it look like? How does one see the Kingdom of God? How does one become a part of God's Kingdom? How would you explain it to someone that inquires of you?
Recognizing that Jesus was sent of God, Nicodemus was attracted to Him. John 3:1-21 records the opportunity that Jesus uses to stretch Nicodemus' faith and reveal to Him and to us what it takes to see God's Kingdom. According to Jesus, Seeing God's Kingdom requires a new birth, a cross and a faith.
SEEING GOD'S KINGDOM REQUIRES A NEW BIRTH
When Nicodemus comes to Jesus recognizing that Jesus is anointed of God, Jesus says (John 3:3-8 NIV) "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." {4} "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" {5} Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. {6} Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. {7} You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' {8} The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Concerning new birth, Jesus places the emphasis on the working of the Holy Spirit in the individual. We can not cause ourselves to be born again any more than we can cause ourselves to be born into this world physically. We are cleansed through the water of the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit gives us new birth. The moment we drop the nets and get out of the boat and start following Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes into us and regenerates us. We become born again by the Spirit of God that resides within us and continually molds and shapes us into the image of Christ as we permit Him to do so.
SEEING GOD'S KINGDOM REQUIRES A CROSS
Next, Jesus points us to the cross and illustrates to us the "how" of the new birth. Jesus said (John 3:14 NIV) "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up." Jesus is referring to the incident in Numbers 21 where the Israelites were on route to the promise land after being supernaturally delivered out of Egypt. On their journey, they complained about God's provision and God sends venomous snakes that bite the people. The people repented of their sin of complaining and God told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole so that anyone who is bitten can look at it and live thus pointing to Christ and what He did for us at the cross.
Sin has bitten all of us. We are all guilty and deserve the full force of God's wrath, but God who is rich in mercy and grace lifted His own Son up on a cross so that all who look upon Him will live. Glory be to God! Praise be to Jesus! For us to even have the possibility to see God's Kingdom required the cross of Christ.
SEEING GOD'S KINGDOM REQUIRES A FAITH
Next, Jesus talks about faith in God's provision of eternal live through the One that was raised up on a cross. Jesus said (John 3:16-18 NIV) ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. {17} For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. {18} Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
God did not send Jesus into the world to judge the world. Jesus came the first time to save the world. The next time Jesus comes, He will judge the world and all of those who have turned from Him in unbelief and went their own way. Seeing God's Kingdom requires faith; believing that God loves us so much, He sent Jesus to take care of our sin problem so that we can have eternal life.
Beloved, God's Kingdom is coming. Every time you pray, as Jesus suggested in the model prayer, for His Kingdom to come, God's Kingdom draws closer. His Kingdom is coming and you have a piece of that Kingdom that is within you. The Holy Spirit has brought a new life to you through a new birth. Rejoice today and be glad!
Founding Pastor
Loving God Fellowship
http://www.GAJohnson.org
Loving God Fellowship is an interdenominational Christ following fellowship in Salem, Oregon, with a worldwide Internet church community @ http://www.LGFinternetChurch.org .
