Where Have We Been?

Born innocent, without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:29)
All who have reached an accountable age have sinned (Romans 3:23)
Sin separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 2:1-3)
Without direction (Jeremiah 10:23)

Where Are We Now?

Those who have not had their sins forgiven are still in the condition described above
Christians have been saved by the grace of God [...]

Text: John 18:37
Jesus Claimed to be a King (John 18:36-37)
Some Mock His Kingship (John 19:1-3)
Some Reject His Kingship (John 19:14-15)
Some Affirm His Kingship, but with Ulterior Motives (John 19:17-22)
We Must Accept Jesus’ Claim

Text: John 18:1-3
What Judas Brought to the Garden

Roman cohort — the military of the world empire of the day; would later be overthrown (Daniel 2:44)
Officers from the chief priests — those who should have been the spiritual leaders of the people; but they were not helping them (Matthew 9:35-36)
Some of the Pharisees — supposedly the [...]

Text: Isaiah 2:2-4
Mountain – government, authority (Daniel 2:44; John 18:36-37; Matthew 28:18)
House – the church (1 Timothy 3:15), linked to the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19)
Nations – Gentiles, kingdom open to all (Acts 2:37-39; Ephesians 2:13-16)
Come – individual responsibility to follow Christ (Joshua 24:15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
Teach – we must know God’s will (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17)
Walk [...]

Text: John 3:1-8
The Kingdom is Open to All

Jew or Gentile, young or old, etc.
But one must be born again – even the Jews, God’s chosen people

What is the New Birth?

Of water and the Spirit
Baptism – by water (Acts 8:36-38) and by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13)

Comparison between Physical & Spiritual Births

New life (Romans 6:4,6; Colossians [...]

Sometimes we’re guilty of speaking or acting before knowing what God expects.
A Woman’s Praise of Mary (Luke 11:27-28)]

She directed praise & attention to Mary
Jesus directed the focus on hearing & obeying the word of God

A Dinner Guest’s Statement about the Kingdom (Luke 14:15)

Stated how wonderful it would be to be part of the kingdom
Jesus responded [...]