June 7, 2009 - John 3

Starting Over

In this chapter, Jesus answers Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who was considered a well educated and wealthy man, asks the ultimate question. The question was, "How do you get into Heaven?" or in other words, "Where is the start over button in my life?"

This question may have a simple answer (1 Peter 1:16), but people often misconstrue this simple answer. There are two inadequate answers: the curve and the balance.

The curve is like the bell shaped grading curve you get in your classes. You want to get good enough grades so that you are better than the majority of the people.

The balance is the balancing instrument with the two sides: one side is heavier than the other or they are both equal.

People often fall for these misinterpretations. You just have to be more holy than most people and you will be fine. Or you just have to have more holy deeds than sinful deeds and you will be fine. Pastor Green gave us an example about the church offering that is collected every service. A church would get a new roof just because the mafia thinks that they could knock off a guy and atone for their sin by just paying it back to God.

This "start over button" that God offers is only available through Jesus Christ! Only through faith in Jesus Christ can one reach Heaven!

And we know that people judge us view us differently as Christians and I'm glad they do! Hopefully they will see Heaven hungry, Christ-like servants and really question themselves about Christ. Now we know that we are ambassadors of Christ, but our faith in Him tell us more than just about ourselves:

Our faith in Christ reveals to others about just how faithful Christ really is!

He offers us this start over button that we never deserved and even allowed us to live with Him!

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

Amen.