March 12, 2017
Opening Hymns:
We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh569.sht
We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh569.sht
Scripture
Reading:
John 3:1-17
3:1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
3:2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."
3:3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
3:4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?"
3:5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
3:6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
3:7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'
3:8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
3:9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"
3:10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
3:11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.
3:12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
3:15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
3:17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Message:
It can be so easy to judge others. When we are a child we are taught by our parents what is right or wrong. I remember when I was in elementary school, and I saw older kids littering. I called them “litter bugs!”, and I was so upset to see them do something so bad. Shame on them for littering, everyone knows that littering is wrong! As I’ve grown older I still notice myself judging others, even though “right” and “wrong” are not always easy to distinguish. I find myself judging people on how appropriately they’re dressed, I judge my friends on who they’re dating, and I even judge people’s work ethics.
John 3:1-17
3:1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
3:2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."
3:3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
3:4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?"
3:5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
3:6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
3:7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'
3:8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
3:9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"
3:10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
3:11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.
3:12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
3:15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
3:17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Message:
It can be so easy to judge others. When we are a child we are taught by our parents what is right or wrong. I remember when I was in elementary school, and I saw older kids littering. I called them “litter bugs!”, and I was so upset to see them do something so bad. Shame on them for littering, everyone knows that littering is wrong! As I’ve grown older I still notice myself judging others, even though “right” and “wrong” are not always easy to distinguish. I find myself judging people on how appropriately they’re dressed, I judge my friends on who they’re dating, and I even judge people’s work ethics.
It is good to let people know
when they are doing something that is wrong, or disrespectful, but how we do it
is important. How we talk to someone begins with how we view them. Yelling and
calling someone a “litter bug” doesn’t show that we care for them much. If I
would have let the other kids know that they had dropped some garbage… maybe
they didn’t realize it, and would have politely thrown it away. Judging others
isn’t a good call to action. But respecting others, and helping one another
continue to improve can make a difference.
In today’s scripture, we are
told why Jesus came into the world. He came here in order that we might be
saved. He didn’t come here to condemn us, but to save us! This scripture
reminds me that God is the one who sits in judgment, not me. He has looked upon
the world, and though we are sinners, He has saved us. I am not perfect, and
yet Jesus has forgiven me anyway. When I remember that it can be easier to set
aside judgments.
In this scripture, we are
reminded that Jesus came to love and forgive an imperfect world. We can all be
grateful that the one who sits in judgment is a loving and forgiving God, who
washes away our sins instead of condemning us because of them.
Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, forgive us when we judge others. Help us to see others as Your children too, so that we can work with them to help make the world a better place. Amen.
The Lord’s
Prayer
Closing Hymn
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh462.sht
Closing Hymn
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh462.sht
May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God
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