The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (John 3:9–21) — A Sermon by R.C. Sproul

Summary

In this sermon, R.C. Sproul explores the profound theological connection between the Old Testament story of Moses lifting up a bronze serpent in the wilderness and Jesus' own prophesied "lifting up" as a means of salvation. Drawing from John 3 and Numbers 21, Sproul illustrates how God's judgment and mercy are intertwined, using the narrative of poisonous serpents sent among complaining Israelites as a typological precursor to Christ's redemptive work. The key message is that salvation comes through believing and looking to Christ, just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, emphasizing that faith—not works or circumstances—is the pathway to redemption and eternal life.