Out of Darkness – John 3:1-21

The detail that Nicodemus came “by might” to see Jesus shows that he and the other Jewish leaders associated with Jesus only in secret. Since Nicodemus’ questions were inquiry and not interrogation, it is evident that he understood there were elements of misunderstanding amoung the Jewish leaders regarding Jesus. Nicodemus was seeking information, but he was blind to the truth of God.

Are we Christians often blind to the truth of God? Do we really understand what God wants through us and from us, or are we as blind as Nicodemus? Nicodemus didn’t understand Jesus or His mission because he was looking for a Messiah of a political kingdom. He didn’t understand that Jesus had come to be the Messiah of a “New Birth” resulting from the impregnation of the heart by the Spirit of God. Like Nicodemus, many come to Jesus in the dark for the wrong reasons? Are we more concerned about the miracles He will do for us or are we concerned about true change of being Born Again? Worse, do we ever grow enough in our Christian walk to know the difference?

In John 3:1-32, Nicodemus got it wrong, but did he later get it right? Maybe the answer is found in John 19:38-42. Most importantly, where do you stand and are you willing to grow?

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Your Greatest Resource is Yourself

The greatest resource that you have dominion over is yourself. The Macedonian church was able to give generously and far above expectations because they gave themselves first. 2 Corinthians 8:5 “And they did not do as expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”

Permissible but not Benificial

Life brings on all kinds of challenges, such as family, home, occupation, and relationships. Because we are saved by the blood of Christ, there also will be challenges in our walk with Christ. With freedom in Christ there are responsibilities. We must always remember that, because a solution is non-sinful, it may not always be a responsible solution. Paul in speaking to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 6:12) reminds them that with freedom “everything is permissible to me”- but everything is not beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” – but I will not be mastered by anything. Always remember that with the freedom of salvation through Jesus, you always have responsibilities.

Our First Stewardship Assignment

Genesis 1: 26
Then God said, “Let us make man in our own image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground”.

Our First Stewardship assignment is found in Genesis 1:26

“Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.”1
Biblical Steward therefore is the management of all that God has entrusted us with.

1. Merriam-Webster Online, An Encyclopedia Britannica Co. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stewardship

Genesis 14:18-20

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram saying,

“Blessed be Abraham by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.