Must
Today we complete John chapter 3 (3:22-36). Now looking back over this favorite chapter of John's Gospel I want you to note three verses: vs.7, 14, 30. These three verses contain the three "musts". These three 'musts' are eternally essential. Note them:
1. The 'Must' of the Sinner 3:7
"Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" The Colonial preacher, George Whitefield, was asked why he always preached that a man must be born again. "Don't you have another sermon? Why do you always preach that a man must be born again? Over and over!" He simply replied, "Because you MUST be born again." Jesus said, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." -v.3.
2. The 'Must' of the Savior 3:14
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up." This refers back to Numbers 21. Bronze represents judgment. The serpent represents sin. You and I have been bitten by the snake of sin. So Jesus came and was judged in our place. He who knew no sin became sin for us. As Spurgeon once said, "This is 'like' curing 'like'." By man came death, and by Man-the Son of Man- came the resurrection from the dead. If you'll look upon Jesus and believe, you will be saved.
3. The 'Must' of the Servant 3:30
"He must increase, but I must decrease." These seven words capture the essence of true ministry. It's not about us. It's all about Him! When you got saved, that was the most important decision you ever made. But know this, it was the last decision you made. Now He is the Lord of your life. He calls the shots. You simply say, like Paul, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" (Acts 9:5). Selah! Meditate on this today.
1. The 'Must' of the Sinner 3:7
"Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" The Colonial preacher, George Whitefield, was asked why he always preached that a man must be born again. "Don't you have another sermon? Why do you always preach that a man must be born again? Over and over!" He simply replied, "Because you MUST be born again." Jesus said, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." -v.3.
2. The 'Must' of the Savior 3:14
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up." This refers back to Numbers 21. Bronze represents judgment. The serpent represents sin. You and I have been bitten by the snake of sin. So Jesus came and was judged in our place. He who knew no sin became sin for us. As Spurgeon once said, "This is 'like' curing 'like'." By man came death, and by Man-the Son of Man- came the resurrection from the dead. If you'll look upon Jesus and believe, you will be saved.
3. The 'Must' of the Servant 3:30
"He must increase, but I must decrease." These seven words capture the essence of true ministry. It's not about us. It's all about Him! When you got saved, that was the most important decision you ever made. But know this, it was the last decision you made. Now He is the Lord of your life. He calls the shots. You simply say, like Paul, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" (Acts 9:5). Selah! Meditate on this today.
posted by Royce Hendry at
6:41 AM
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