"One Came Seeking"
Rescue those being led
away to death;
Hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we knew nothing about
this,”
Does not he who weighs the heart perceive
it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay each person
according to what he has done?
Proverbs 24:11-12
Scripture makes the general
statement about mankind that “no one seeks God”
(Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:10-12). In our natural
(fallen) condition, and without some external
influence, we simply say “There is no God”
(Psalm 14:1) and go merrily on our way. Even
religious people can be in this condition, and
go about religious activity without really
seeking God. The external influence that might
lead one to seek God could be anyone who, being
like Jesus, opens the way.
I. Our life must INVITE
INQUIRY, John 3:1-2.
A. A life that shines
LIGHT.
B. A life that is
APPROACHABLE.
II. Our concern must be real
SPIRITUAL NEED, John
3:3-18.
A. Pass by unnecessary
ISSUES (3:2).
B. Seek a CONNECTING
POINT (3:3-8).
C. Persevere through any
FOG (3:9-12).
D. Point to the SAVIOR
(3:13-18).
III. Our strategy must leave
an OPEN INVITATION,
John 3:19-21.
A. There remains an
opportunity for
“WHOEVER”.
B. The process of coming to light
CONTINUES (see
John 7:37-52; John 19:38-42).
C. Jesus knows understanding will come by
the SPIRIT, 3:6.
People may not naturally seek
God, yet sometimes they are encouraged to seek
him by things they encounter in life. You could
be one of those things, as a follower of Jesus
faithfully shining the light of God through your
life. Be ready to handle that opportunity well,
inviting inquiry, focusing on real spiritual
needs, and making sure to leave the door open
for the seeker to continue seeking, until they
are born to new life in Christ!
For God did not send his
Son into the world
To condemn the world,
But to save the world through him.
John 3:17
For Further Study, Thought, and Discussion:
[
Download
]
1. Miraculous sign miracles
are one way to shine the light of God. What are
some other ways our life can “shine the light of
God”? What can we do to be approachable to the
person who might begin to seek God? Are there
things we should be careful not to do?
2. When Jesus met Nicodemus, there were several
issues he might have taken up for discussion.
Yet he bypassed these to get to the heart of the
need Nicodemus had (and every person has), for a
relationship with God through faith in Christ.
What are some common “sidetrack” issues raised
by those who are seeking God? How should we
handle these?
3. In John 3:10 Jesus seems to express surprise,
or perhaps is just underscoring the reality,
that Nicodemus doesn’t understand the things
Jesus is saying. Based on who he is, why should
Nicodemus understand? Based on how spiritual
truth must be discerned and how spiritual birth
must come (3:6), why can’t Nicodemus understand
(yet)?
3. What can we do to incorporate the strategy of
leaving an open invitation when we talk to
people?
Offering Water To The Thirsty, John 4:1-42.
Dr. Steve Hardy |
