February 8th, Sunday: John chaps. 3-4

John 3

We'll learn about the birth from above.

In our first birth, we're born of the flesh and born of water.

But in our second birth, we're born from above.

In other words, we're born again, and born of the Spirit.

Our first birth leads to death.

But our second birth brings eternal life.

The new birth is a new beginning that results in newness of life.

And we'll learn about our Saviour who is from above.

The Scripture will plainly state it for us, 'Jesus is the Son of God come down from heaven.'

He is the serpent Moses wrote about. .

He is the Father's lovegift.

He is the light in the dark world.

Like the serpent He was lifted up and He died on the cross for the sins of the world.

All who looked to Him by faith receive eternal life, as in the olden days of Moses the people looked at the serpent on the pole and got healed.

Now John's ministry was given to him from heaven.

His task was to bear witness to Jesus.

Jesus is the Word, and John was only a voice proclaiming the Word.

Jesus was the Bridegroom, but John was only the best man.

John did no miracles, but his witness was used to win people to Christ - even after he was dead.

Can you honestly say, 'He must increase, but I must decrease?'

John 4

We'll learn about thirst.

Because Jesus was truly human, he experienced weariness, hunger and thirst.

But His deepest desire was for the salvation of the sinful woman He met there at the well.

He forgot His physical needs and concentrated on her spiritual needs.

Patiently, He revealed Himself to her.

A Jew greater than Jacob, a prophet, a Messiah.

He told her plainly, 'I am the Messiah.'

And she believed in Him.

And her life was so changed, that she immediately shared the good news with others.

He was hungry.

The will of God should be food that nourishes us, not medicine that upsets us.

The disciples were satisfied with material food, but Jesus wanted the satisfying spiritual food from God.

The will of God gives us the strength we need to do our job in the great harvest all around us.

Salvation is to the inner person what health is to the body.

The boy would have died had Jesus not intervened and given him health.

You see, the father of the boy heard, believed and then he knew – which is a normal Christian experience.

Jesus won the woman, and the woman won many Samaritans.

And the father won his whole household.

Are you busy working in the harvest?

Are you trusting Him is everything?