John 3:16 Religion is not enough!

Many people know John 3:16 either from memory or at least from a sign in the end zone of a football stadium.  Yet many do not know the passage surrounding this famous verse.

In the beginning of the chapter Jesus makes it clear that religion is not enough to get to heaven.

-    The setting is night time because this ruler of the Jews Nicodemus was a Pharisee and the Pharisees were out to get Jesus to meet with him could have caused great conflict for Nicodemus.  Possibly even removing him and taking away his way of life and support for his family.

-    As a Pharisee Nicodemus would have been extremely religious even to the point of being meticulous in details regarding does and don’ts. 

-    Jesus rebuked the Pharisees at one point because they tithed of their mint and cumin, that is spices, but they didn’t do other things they should have.  Can you imagine someone being so careful as to count out the mint leaves so that they could tithe?  They were also careful how many steps they took on Saturdays so they would not violate the Sabbath. 

-    As Jesus talked with Nicodemus his comment was not, “You are so faithful in your religion.  Thank you for your sincerity.”  Rather he said, “Ye must be born again.”  He needed “new life”.  He needed eternal life.  He needed to be “regenerated” by the Holy Spirit.

o Then when Nicodemus asked questions about what he meant Jesus replied in verse 10, “Are you not a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?

-    He finally gets to verse 16 where he says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

-    What became clear is that Nicodemus’ religion was not enough.  He needed to believe in Jesus Christ and Him alone for salvation.  This belief is not just that Jesus existed, that he was a good person, but that He is Lord of all.  And that as Lord of all the blood he shed on the cross is the only thing that is sufficient to pay the penalty of your sins.  This belief is putting all your trust in that shed blood for your eternal salvation and bowing the knee to Him as Lord of the universe.

-    I hope today that no matter how religious you are you realize that you cannot achieve the level of perfection necessary to get into heaven, but that you must trust in Jesus Christ and him alone for salvation.

The video version of this is available at www.youtube.com/churchoflittleton  FW #26