John Chapter 3 - Christ The Divine Teacher

 

    Introduction: The aim of this lesson is faith building. There has always been challenges to faith, but today they are more sophisticated and subtle.
        1. It is my view that FAITH in God as Creator, Christ His Son as the savior of mankind, and the Bible as His word are essentials to stability, happiness, and the development of desirable character!
        2. Notice proposition: Word, Created, Divine, made flesh (1:1-18).
        3. Purpose of the book: 20:30-31 memorize
        4. Factors that establish His deity.
                                                     I. As a TEACHER illustrated He is Divine
        A. He is the greatest ever!
        1. Newspaper writer advised men who would learn to be effective teachers to look to the N.T. and Jesus' Teaching!
        2. Truly He has influenced more people for good than any and all others!
        3. He gained attention by what He did, v. 2.
        a.Thou art a teacher from God! Acts 10:38; 2:22
        b. No man can "do these miracles" except God be with him!
        c.To be an effective teacher, life and work must harmonize!
        4. His method: plain and to the point, direct mostly!
        a. However uses figure of birth.
        b. Must look at plain passages:
        1) Begotten by word, IPet.1:23; James 1:18
        2) Begotten by gospel ICor.4:15
        3) Water: buried and raised to a new life, Rom. 6:3-4
        B. His message: contents, most important
        1. He expressed need for a new life.
a. Necessary to understand doctrine, but NOT enough!
                b. Transformation is necessary
        2. Response reveals lack of understanding
                a. Uninformed is bad; mis- worse!
                b. A man cannot be born again physically
        3. Jesus Explains: Of water and spirit!
       
II. Divine Teacher Regarding Unbelief, V.s 16-21
        A. God sent His Son that the believer might have life and not perish.
        1. Primary mission to SAVE
        2. Not to condemn, they were judged!

        B.But when the light came. all who really want it, desire to learn what is right -- willing to investigate!
        C. However, some HATE the light; won't come to it! No investigation!
        III. Question Regarding Jesus and John, vs. 22-30
        A. John was baptizing where there was much water! (Vs. 22-24)
        B. John shows inquirer that Jesus is the one to increase
1. Man can't receive anything except given by God 2. Never denied Christ the one to follow, not me
3. He the bridegroom; just a friend!
IV. Son Above All In that He came From HEAVEN vs 31-36
        A. He is the Son, being from above.
        1. He spoke the words from above
        2. Has the Spirit without measure
        3. He is loved of the father, v. 35
        4. All things are places in His hands
B. The man who believes -- obediently -- has life!
C. He who does not believe, cannot see life!
        1. While in that state he'll never see life.
        2. What if he changes? Can He?
        3. What about the believer? Can he cease? Results
        a. Wrong ideas are advocated!
        b. See truth works both ways
Conclusion: Divine Teacher - shows the need for an Active FAITH! Let us see the qualities of the divine teacher, understanding He is Deity. --William C. Sexton


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