GOD’S LOVE FOR MANKIND–JOHN 3:14-21–LESSON 7
Introduction:
Jesus continues to talk to Nicodemus about the new birth. He says in verse 12, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” Now Jesus goes back into Hebrew history to something to which Nicodemus could relate. He speaks of an incident that will show how Jesus would die for the sins of mankind.
I. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,” v. 14
A. The problem that faced Moses in the wilderness, Numbers 21:4-9.
1. The people became discouraged and murmured against Moses, vs. 4-5.
2. They call God’s provision for them “light bread,” v. 5, “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.”
a. They spoke evil of God’s provision.
b. They call the bread “contemptible, despicable.”
3. God’s judgement fell upon everyone, v. 6, “And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”
B. The solution to the problem.
1. The people repent, v. 7.
2. Moses is instructed what to do, v. 8, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.”
3. Moses instructs the people to look and live, v. 9, “And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”
a. Brass speaks of judgement.
b. Looking speaks of faith, Isaiah 45:22, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
II. “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish,” v. 15
A. The Son of Man was lifted up on the Cross just as the serpent was lifted up on a pole, “even so must the Son of man be lifted up:”
B. Look in faith, that is, BELIEVING was the key to life in Moses’ day just as it is today.
III. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,” v. 16-18
A. Here God’s love is demonstrated.
1. While we were yet sinners, Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
2. He loved us first, 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us”
B. Here His grace is extended to us, “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
1. God’s purpose was never to destroy the world, v. 17.
2. Trusting Jesus Christ is all that is necessary to be saved from hell, v. 18.
a. Those not condemned, v. 18a, “He that believeth on him is not condemned:”
b. Those already condemned, v. 18b, “but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
CONCLUSION:
The solution to the whole problem discussed with Nicodemus is faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
LESSON 8 TO FOLLOW: