Thank you Brett Harris for last week’s sermon! It is very encouraging to have our elders not only shepherding and teaching, but preaching God’s Word as well!

Brett Harris preached on John 3:16-21, one of the most well-known sections of the Scriptures to believers and unbelievers alike. John 3:16 is most often removed from its context to look for it’s meaning. How have you experienced this verse being used? Was it used according to it’s context? How did the sermon this week challenge your view on God’s work in salvation? What should your salvation look like?

Thinking through the message, God’s work is done in salvation for those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ through repentance and faith. But as Brett so clearly pointed out, this salvation is for a purpose and should have results beyond that we will go to heaven. Our lives here on earth should be drastically changed and there should be evidence through the “good works God prepared beforehand” (Eph 2:10). Do you think that the good works you are now in are some gift you offer to God that allow you more grace or favor? Whose works are they?

Brett displayed that Nicodemus’ conversation with Jesus and the rich, young ruler from the sermon in Matthew 19 the previous week are very closely tied together. Both are seeking Jesus on answers to eternal questions. How do you relate to them in their responses to Jesus? Examine your salvation and what your life looks like now verses prior to your salvation, what is the difference? Is there a difference?

We should go into the world with the Good News that God so love the world that he gave His son so that we would not perish, but let us never forget what it means to believe in Him. From Jesus’ own words, “repent and believe in the gospel”. Once we do, we must follow him in our deeds and words. How has the sermon changed your thinking on how you use this verse to share the Gospel with unbelievers?

Looking forward to the sermon this week on the parable of the laborer’s in the vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16, let’s examine our heart motives in our good works and see if we are trying to twist the glory from God to ourselves and expose the desire of our worship.