The Road to Redemption
By Assistant Pastor Dr. Jaden Fitzpatrick | January 26, 2025
Turn with me to John chapter 3. We’re so thankful to be here this morning—are you thankful to be in church? Amen, some of us are—praise God for that! Our message today is titled "The Road to Redemption," and we’ll start in John 3:12, though Jesus here is speaking to Nicodemus, a leader among the Jews. The Bible tells us Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest legislative body in Jewish Palestine. As a Pharisee, he knew God in his head through traditions, but tradition can’t get you to heaven. Jesus told him, “You must be born again.” Let’s read John 3:12-21: "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
Before we pray, let’s read the most known verse in the Bible together—John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Amen, thank you. Let’s pray: Father, we thank You for this day, for being in Your house, hearing Your praises through wonderful songs. I’m ready for the invitation already, but as we open Your Word, apply it to our lives. Remove all distractions, every spirit but the Holy Spirit. Clothe me in my calling, loose me this morning. We pray for the unction to function. If any are lost, may they not leave that way but come to You as Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The Gospel in John 3:16
In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit… Ye must be born again.” Verse 17 says, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Verse 18 adds, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already.” If Jesus isn’t your Savior, you’re already condemned—headed for hell if you died today without knowing Him 100%. But this morning, let’s explore "The Road to Redemption," and I believe the entire gospel story is in John 3:16. Let’s break it down into four parts: the person, the price, the people, and the prospect.
1. The Person: God
“For God so loved the world”—the person is God. The Bible rests on its first four words: “In the beginning God.” If you can believe that, the rest falls into place. If you can wrap your mind around a sovereign, almighty Creator, you’re on solid ground. People ask, “If God created all things, who created God?” The beauty is, He’s always been—eternal! Jeremiah 10:10 says, “The Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king.” He’s omniscient (knows everything), omnipresent (everywhere), and omnipotent (all-powerful). He spoke the world into existence—John 1:1-3, 14 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” He formed man from dust, breathed life into him, and man became a living soul. In Genesis, after Adam and Eve sinned, they heard God’s familiar voice walking in the garden. Imagine that perfect fellowship—no distractions! God’s purpose is to fellowship with His creation. He designed us with a desire to worship, hoping we’d choose Him. When a good thing becomes a “god thing,” it’s an idol. Sin separated us—Romans 5:12 says death passed on all because all sinned, and Romans 3:23 adds we’ve come short of God’s glory. Like a photo-finish race, we’re so close but fall short without Him.
2. The Price: The Cross
“That he gave his only begotten Son”—the price. Jesus left glory, born of a virgin in a lowly manger, not a palace. The angel told Mary she was favored, so yes, she knew—sorry, “Mary Did You Know” fans! He lived a human life and died a human death to become our kinsman-redeemer. When we couldn’t reach Him, as Squire Parsons says, “He came to me.” Think of Abraham and Isaac—God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Isaac asked, “Where’s the lamb?” Abraham replied, “God himself will provide.” A ram appeared then, but ultimately, God provided Jesus. Other gods demand our sacrifice; our God sacrificed Himself for us—hallelujah! He bore our sins on the cross. Hebrews 9:12 says it’s not by animal blood but His own that we’re redeemed, for “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Romans 6:23 adds, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.” The cross isn’t just a charm, symbol, or jewelry—it’s torture, agony, death. Many died on crosses, but only Jesus rose again. He suffered—whipped, mocked, suffocating—bearing God’s wrath for us. A poem I found says: “They borrowed a bed to lay His head… but the crown that He wore and the cross that He bore were His own… The thorns on His head were worn in my stead… they were rightly mine.” Our good deeds, attendance, or singing didn’t save us—His blood did.
3. The People: Whosoever
“That whosoever believeth in him”—the people. “Whosoever” means whoever—amen! God’s not willing that any perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Rich, poor, addicts, proper—those put-together or falling apart—He died for us all. He’s no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34); class or status won’t save you—only His work will. Beggar or billionaire, we come the same way: the cross humbles us all. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Remember the song, “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight”? America has diversity, but at the cross, there’s none—Jesus says, “Whosoever will, let him come.” Revelation 22:17 echoes, “Let him that is athirst come… whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from—if you’re willing, come!
4. The Prospect: Everlasting Life
“Should not perish, but have everlasting life”—the prospect. “Perish” means complete ruin; instead, we get eternal life. John 10:28 promises, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” Hebrews 13:14 adds, “Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Heaven! If you’re looking forward to heaven, say amen! If someone’s waiting there, amen! If you’re waiting for someone to join, amen! Heaven’s a place of “no mores”—no sorrow, separation, sickness, suffering, struggle, agony, disease, distress—but full of hope, happiness, holiness, peace, worship, wonder. Squire Parsons sang, “Beulah Land… my home shall be eternal.” A Christian’s death is falling asleep in Christ’s arms, waking up home. Heaven’s our prospect!
Head or Heart?
One last thought—free this morning, not in my notes! Verse 16 says, “whosoever believeth in him should not perish.” “Should,” not “shall.” “Shall” is a promise—like “whosoever shall call… shall be saved.” But “should” suggests a condition. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, a Pharisee who knew Him in his head, not his heart. Some today know Jesus up here—Sunday school, hymns, verses—but not here, in their heart. If we cut you open, would we find Jesus there? “What’s in the well comes up in the bucket”—your actions reveal your heart. A friend’s dad, a church trustee, got sick, left church, grew bitter, and turned to alcohol. My friend, his youth student, dumped out the liquor, praying for him. I’d visit, urging him back to Jesus. One Sunday, visiting family in Adams County, I heard him behind me singing, “Let me tell you about my Jesus… He’ll do for you what He’s done for me.” Tears flowed—he’d returned! We’re not here to boast but to tell you how good Jesus is. If you’re condemned already, trust Him—you too can be saved! Amen.