I want to start by making a totally negative statement. The good thing about that is it can only go up from there. 🙂 There is an old spiritual which says, “Everybody talkin’ about heaven ain’t goin’ there.”

How is that for negative?

In truth that statement is true. It accurately describes many in the church today. Outwardly they identify with Christ but inwardly they have never been genuinely converted. I honestly don’t say that to be mean or snarky. Jesus Himself said it: “Not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 7:21). The rest of the verses clarifies that statement a tad bit more: “…but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (7:21b-23)

If anyone thought they were entitled to having it all it was the Pharisees. In John 3 Jesus had a late night visitor, a Pharisee, named Nicodemus (Nic). Nic approached Jesus and got the lesson of his life. “You must be born again.” “You have to start all over Nic.”

“How?”

“Well, not what you think. Salvation is not a matter of adding something to all your efforts, not topping off your religious devotion with whipped cream, but rather cancelling everything and starting all over.”

Talk about blowing someone out of the water! But Jesus was not done yet.

“Just as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, so the Son of Man will be lifted up.” Then the bomb shell.

JOHN 3:16

Max Lucado calls this “the numbers of hope.” He also says, “If you know nothing of the Bible, start here. If you know everything in the Bible, return here.” I like that!

Sunday’s sermon, “From Old to New,” will continue the series “Transformation.” And lest I be remiss, I also would like for you to read this verse. Meanwhile, thanks for your prayers.