September 24, 2006

Dying For a Drink

Born of Water

John 3:3-15

Opening Words: Did you know our physical bodies need about 3 quarts of water a day to operate efficiently. Water helps digest food. The blood, which is 90 percent water, carries nutrients to the cells. Water acts as a cooling agent on a hot day. Without water’s lubricating properties, our joints and muscles would grind and creak like unused parts of some old rusty machinery. Our spirits need water as well, the living water of Jesus! Without him our spirits become restless and parched. In the Gospel of John there are six wonderful stories about water. Each one reminds us how important Jesus is to our souls. It is for this reason I have called this sermon series Dying For a Drink.

This morning we are in the third chapter of John. The main character in the story is Nicodemus. He came at night to ask Jesus a question. He came at night for two reasons. First, the activities of the day are over. He would have time to talk to Jesus. Second, he came at night because the darkness would help him hide for the general population and protect his reputation. How would it look for him, a Pharisee, a leader of the orthodox faith, to be going to this itinerate preacher. He takes the risk because he wants to ask Jesus a question. It asks the question that everyone who has ever lived wants to ask, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Let me call this message this morning Born of Water.

Back in 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the U.S. Mail and was sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon for Wilson, but he refused to accept it. The matter went to Chief Justice Marshall, who concluded that Wilson would have to be executed. "A pardon is a slip of paper," wrote Marshall, "the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged." For some, the pardon comes too late. For others, the pardon is not accepted.

George Wilson’s story is the story of many in our world today. Their pardon has arrived but they refuse it. Let me give you some basic Christian theology. We are saved by grace and by grace alone. It is only through the precious blood of Jesus that our sins are washed away. Being a good person will not get you to heaven. God is not a master book keeper who keeps records of everyone’s good and bad deeds. You can never earn your way into heaven. However, your pardon is waiting, in the name of Jesus. All you have to do is accept it. We are saved by grace and by grace alone!

You understand that little part of theology but that was the part the Pharisees didn’t understand. In Pharisee school they were taught the key was obeying the laws of Moses and the unwritten “tradition of the Elders.” However, there was something about those laws that seemed dead to Nicodemus. He knew there had to be more so he appears at Jesus’ door on that dark night to ask the question, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus’ answer is simple and complex. The Master said, “You must be born again.” Jesus says there is a physical birth. However, Jesus also says there must be a spiritual birth. It is Jesus, who beings our spirits alive. It is Jesus, who died for our sins. It is Jesus, who is our pardon. Without Jesus your spirit is dead and your soul remains restless. Without Jesus you are going to hell. I have asked you many questions through the years but this is the most important question I will ever ask you. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? There is not hoping. Your answer is either yes or no.

What I want to talk about today is three powerful states. These three powerful statements outline for us the meaning of salvation. So if you are ready to have a better understanding of salvation say, “Amen!”

You Are Loved

This is the first powerful statement. You are loved by the God of the universe! There are six billion people in the world today. Each person has a different story. Each person has different dreams and nightmares. God has the power to love each one passionately. God loves you passionately. You are special to God. You are more then a face in the crowd.

May of 2005 I was part of Kathy’s Volunteers in Missions group who went to St. Petersburg. They are amazing life changing trips. The trip itself was long. It was not a non-stop flight Pittsburgh to St. Petersburg, Russia. We actually flew from Pittsburgh to Kennedy Airport in New York to Paris to St. Petersburg. When we were heading to our gate at Kennedy the hall way was filled with people. I didn’t know a single person and to tell you the truth I felt a little insignificant. Everyone was pressing in on me. In that sea of people I felt a little intimidated. I was feeling a little small. It was at that moment in the middle of that terminal that something quite miraculous happened. Over the Public Address system I heard my name being called. It said, “Will Russell and Kathryn Adams please report to gate 57?” Kathy and I looked at each. We couldn’t believe our ears. We were in the middle of this crowd of people and they were calling for us! Then they made the announcement again, “Will Russell and Kathryn Adams please report to gate 57?” The reason for that announcement was our flight was going to leave a few minutes early and they wanted us to get on. However, when I heard my name in the middle of that crowd I felt like a person of significance. I was walking tall!

There are six billion people in the world today and the God of the universe is calling out to you! You are special to God. Jesus’ sacrificial acts on the cross confirm God’s love for you! This is the truth. You will never know how much God loves you until you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

You Are Forgiven

This is the second powerful statement. You are forgiven by the God of the universe! The world does not like to forgive. The world loves to remind you of your mistakes and punish you over and over again.

If you don’t believe me then you can ask Fred Snodgrass. In 1974 the New York Times printed this headline; FRED SNODGRASS, 86, DEAD. BALL PLAYER WHO DROPPED FLY BALL IN 1912. The headlines were correct. The Yankees were in the World Series. Fred was in the outfield and dropped a simple fly ball which lead to the winning run by the Giants. It was not a good day for Fred but he moved on. He moved the Oxnard, California. He became a banker and a rancher. He became the mayor and raised a wonderful family. He was loved and respected by all but the people of New York could never forget his little mistake. Sixty-two years later the fans had to be reminded of his mistake.

Has anyone here ever made a mistake? Has anyone here ever made a mistake you wish the world would forget? It may have been some wild night in Los Vegas. Does everything that happens in Vegas really stay in Vegas? It may be a mistaken marriage or some poor job performance. The world doesn’t forget easily but God does. On the day you accepted Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior you were forgiven. You got an opportunity to start over again. This is the truth. You will never know how being forgiven will effect your life until you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

You Are Needed

This is the third powerful statement. You are needed by the God of the universe! The Sunday Express of London said, “Most people wish to serve God -- but in an advisory capacity only.” You are placed in this world to be more then a consumer. You are in this world to make a difference. The Westminster Confession of Faith says the purpose of life is glorify God. Our world has a few problems. God needs people to make a difference. You may not feel qualified but God believes in you! You are needed by God! This is the truth. You will never know how much you are needed until you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” We are saved by grace and by grace alone!

During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her, wanted to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. But she refused to sell him any. Roosevelt was perplexed. His men needed the help and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, "Colonel, just ask for it!" A smile broke over Roosevelt's face. Now he understood--the provisions were not for sale. All he had to do was simply ask and they would be given freely.

TR didn’t get it! Do you get it? Jesus died on the cross for your sins. Jesus was your perfect sacrifice. You have the opportunity to go to heaven for eternity. Your pardon is waiting. All you have to do is accept it. We are saved by grace and by grace alone! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”