Why Jesus Came

Text: John 3:13-21

Introduction:

A. Illus. As a little boy was being put to bed by his mother he asked, “Am I going to be left alone in the dark?” “Yes, son, but just remember that you have God with you all of the time.” Quickly the child responded, “Yes, I know God is here, but I want someone who has a face.” God sent Jesus to reveal Himself to us in the flesh.

B. More than revealing Himself, why did God send Jesus?

1. Teach us

2. Example to us

3. Represent us (Heb. 4:15)

4. MOST IMPORTANTLY: TO REDEEM US! (Matt. 1:21, Luke 2:11)

C. We can’t separate Bethlehem from Calvary, the cradle from the cross, the birth from the death.

Big Idea: Christ came not to condemn, but to redeem.

Transition: I want us to notice 2 simple truths from this passage.

I. We Were Condemned Already

A. Sinners

1. By nature

a) Passed on from Adam

b) Illus/desc. Adam was spiritual, mental, physical creature. When he sinned, he died. His spiritual nature did not cease to exist, it became corrupted and separated from God.

c) Adam passed this corrupt spiritual nature onto his descendants

d) Note: even though a saved person has a new nature, they also still have their old nature and this is what is passed on at procreation

e) The new nature will ultimately be joined with a new body

2. Sinners by choice

a) Freedom of choice

b) Personal responsibility

c) We are not pre-programmed so that we have to sin (Skinnerism)

B. Condemned because we believe not (v. 19)

1. Men love darkness

2. Hate light

3. Won’t come to the light (ultimately a matter of the will)

II. Christ Came To Redeem

A. Motivation: “God so loved the world”

B. Jesus did a lot of things, but His primary purpose, main mission, was the salvation

C. “Thou shalt call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins.”

D. Whatever your past, you don’t have to feel condemned or defeated by it. You are not condemned if you are saved.

1. Sexual sin, drugs, rebellion, are all wiped away

2. You don’t have to live under the stress of guilt

3. God is a God of second chances, multiple chances

4. v. 1 Cor. 6:9-11

Conclusion:

A. If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If or greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior!

B. Poem

Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

Twas the night before Jesus came and all thorough the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom n her rocker with baby on her lap

Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray

I knew in a moment this must the THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head

It was Jesus returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him is spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in his hand

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as he searched for my name;

when He said, “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love,

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound

While the rest were left all standing around;

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, of only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;

the coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call,

We’ll find that that Bible was true after all!