WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.900 If you would open up your Bibles to John chapter 3, we're going to be looking at John 3, 1-15. I'll read it in just a second. 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:13.120 It's on page 1055 of your pew Bible. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:22.620 Hear the word of the Lord. 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:32.079 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:42.200 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:50.980 Jesus answered him, truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:00:50.979 --> 00:00:55.640 Nicodemus said to him, how can a man be born when he is old? 00:00:55.779 --> 00:00:58.819 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:06.159 Jesus answered, truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water in the spirit, isn't that interesting? 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:09.479 He cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:01:10.739 --> 00:01:14.400 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. 00:01:14.539 --> 00:01:16.780 Do not marvel that I say to you, you must be born again. 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:23.480 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:27.379 So it is with everyone who is born of the spirit. 00:01:27.960 --> 00:01:31.820 Nicodemus said to him, how can these things be? 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:39.840 Jesus answered him, are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:46.480 Truly, truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and bear witness to what we have seen, 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:50.320 but you, you all do not receive our testimony. 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:54.359 If I told you all earthly things and you all did not believe me, 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:59.379 how can you all believe if I tell you heavenly things? 00:01:59.520 --> 00:02:04.200 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:11.860 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:15.560 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:18.659 May God bless the hearing of his word. 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:19.180 Amen. 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:23.240 Do you see this thing behind me on the screen? 00:02:25.580 --> 00:02:29.020 Everyone in the room who sees a number, raise your hand. 00:02:30.420 --> 00:02:31.360 Yeah, I figured. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:32.480 What number is it? 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:39.159 Now, everyone who cannot see the number seven, raise your hand. 00:02:40.620 --> 00:02:41.699 We are the few. 00:02:43.179 --> 00:02:44.299 The anomalies. 00:02:45.659 --> 00:02:47.000 We are the colorblind. 00:02:48.959 --> 00:02:51.239 We have this thing in our eyes. 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:53.939 It's an anatomical defect of cones. 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:58.599 We can't discern green from reds or have a hard time doing that at least. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:00.780 But there's another kind of blindness. 00:03:01.019 --> 00:03:01.939 You can take that down. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:04.539 It's called spiritual blindness. 00:03:04.539 --> 00:03:10.120 By the way, I didn't even know what the number was until our dear sister Robin Town told me, 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:11.899 hey, when do you want me to put up the number seven? 00:03:12.079 --> 00:03:12.799 I'm like, number seven? 00:03:14.139 --> 00:03:15.379 You mean the colorblind test? 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:15.899 Yeah. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:18.580 There's another kind of blindness. 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:19.240 There's another kind of blindness. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:20.240 It's spiritual blindness. 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:24.280 And it's not the result of some anatomical defect in us. 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:27.900 It's a result of spiritual deadness. 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:33.800 We are born spiritually blind because we're born spiritually dead. 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:42.400 And the spiritually dead are unable to see the salvation that God has provided in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:45.159 So this morning, God has a lesson for us. 00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:56.020 And it comes from a conversation between this man named Nicodemus, who was a religious leader in Jesus. 00:03:56.020 --> 00:04:04.280 The thing is, this highly respected and influential religious leader who knew his Old Testament inside and out. 00:04:05.040 --> 00:04:06.620 The thing is, he's in the dark. 00:04:07.480 --> 00:04:08.640 He is spiritually blind. 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:15.719 And Jesus tells him the only cure for that spiritual blindness, you must be born again. 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:23.839 This dialogue that we're going to see between Nicodemus and Jesus, it unfolds in three exchanges. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:26.120 And it's kind of like watching a tennis match. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:27.120 Any tennis fans? 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:28.360 Didn't think so? 00:04:31.479 --> 00:04:36.000 Each exchange begins with Nicodemus serving up a statement or a question. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:40.819 And then Jesus returns volley with a truly, truly. 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:47.160 I'm going to walk us through the conversation, then summarize the lesson that God has for us. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:52.199 And then I'm going to apply it to the non-Christians in the room and to the Christians in the room. 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:55.980 Because to be born again is to make a huge difference in our lives. 00:04:57.420 --> 00:05:04.100 So now let's look at the first exchange in this dialogue between Nicodemus and Jesus. 00:05:04.100 --> 00:05:05.759 And it's in verses 1 through 3. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:08.699 So John chapter 3, verses 1 through 3. 00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:13.740 And in verses 1 and 2, John introduces us to this man named Nicodemus. 00:05:13.779 --> 00:05:15.180 And we learn he's a Pharisee. 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:20.980 Now a Pharisee was a certain kind of theological school of thought within Judaism at that time. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:24.300 The apostle Paul was a Pharisee. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:26.139 And Nicodemus was a Pharisee. 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:28.319 And he was also a ruler of the Jews. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:29.480 Did you see that in verse 1? 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:34.120 Which means he was a member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin, 00:05:34.520 --> 00:05:39.520 which was a highly esteemed position with a lot of responsibility and influence. 00:05:39.700 --> 00:05:44.140 So this was a well-educated, accomplished, respected, influential guy. 00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:45.420 This guy named Nicodemus. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:49.780 And in verse 2, he comes to Jesus at night, which is interesting. 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:52.639 So John includes that detail for a reason. 00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:56.379 Likely two reasons. 00:05:58.699 --> 00:06:01.739 Nicodemus didn't want to be seen meeting with Jesus. 00:06:01.859 --> 00:06:06.419 He doesn't want to give people the wrong impressions because Jesus is already making some waves. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:09.540 But Nicodemus wants to know what's going on with this guy. 00:06:10.960 --> 00:06:20.360 Secondly, and more symbolically, John includes this detail because Nicodemus is in the dark. 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:25.220 He's living in spiritual night. 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:29.020 And we're going to see that unfold as this dialogue continues. 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:33.280 So in verse 2, Nicodemus serves up the start of the conversation. 00:06:33.279 --> 00:06:36.919 Nicodemus is aware of the signs that Jesus has performed. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:41.419 Rabbi, which is a way to respect Jesus. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:44.679 Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:48.859 For no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:52.819 So Nicodemus was aware of signs that Jesus was doing. 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:59.739 And we know from the end of the Gospel of John that John doesn't include all the signs that Jesus does. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:04.280 He says, if I were to conclude that there's not enough books to contain what Jesus has done. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:09.420 So Nicodemus is aware of signs that Jesus has done that John doesn't record. 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:14.079 But all of these signs were intended to reveal who Jesus was. 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:22.860 So we can conclude this, that Nicodemus sees something unique about Jesus. 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:24.639 I mean, look what he says. 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:28.919 He says, Rabbi, we know that you're a teacher come from God. 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:30.439 That's unique. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:38.719 And then he goes on to say, and then you do these signs that no one can do unless God is with him. 00:07:38.919 --> 00:07:40.680 From God, God is with him. 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:44.099 God is with you, Nicodemus starts. 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:46.279 Now, this is a great way to start a conversation. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:49.120 Oh, Jesus, I see God's hand on you. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:54.379 But it's interesting what Nicodemus isn't saying. 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:58.780 He's not saying, Jesus, you are the Christ, the Messiah. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:03.240 He doesn't see that Jesus is God in the flesh. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:09.680 He sees Jesus as God with him, not God is him. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:18.220 And so what we're already getting to see is that Nicodemus has some sense that Jesus is unique, 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:21.680 but he doesn't see Jesus for who he truly is. 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:22.379 He's in the dark. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:27.560 So in verse 3, we see Jesus return volley to Nicodemus' greeting. 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:33.759 And in verse 3, it's almost like, did Jesus just hear what he said? 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:35.120 Look what he says. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:41.659 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:43.759 That just doesn't seem to match. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.039 I see God's hand on you. 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:52.120 And Jesus is like, truly, truly, unless you're born again, you can't see the kingdom of God. 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:54.279 What is going on there? 00:08:55.960 --> 00:09:03.659 Well, that little phrase, truly, truly, that shows up 25 times in the Gospel of John. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:05.799 And here's what that does. 00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:11.819 It's Jesus exercising his authority and bringing clarity to something. 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:15.079 It's how Jesus introduces a definitive statement. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:22.779 It's like Jesus saying, okay, let the Son of Man just be clear on this. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:24.259 Truly, truly, I say to you. 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:26.120 That's what's going on. 00:09:26.439 --> 00:09:30.679 And in this passage, what makes this passage interesting is that there are three truly, 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:31.360 trulies in it. 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:39.480 He is repeatedly clarifying things for this highly esteemed teacher of Israel who's in the dark. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.460 Unless one is born again. 00:09:45.960 --> 00:09:47.180 Let me just be clear. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:51.460 Unless one is born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:57.940 When he says, unless one is born again, Jesus is referring to some kind of second birth, 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:04.980 some kind of spiritual event that he does not elaborate on here, but it qualifies something. 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:12.360 You've got to be spiritually born again in order to see the kingdom of God. 00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:15.740 What is this kingdom of God? 00:10:16.900 --> 00:10:19.160 And why do you need to be born again to see it? 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:24.280 Well, the kingdom of God is not this kind of geographic kingdom with boundaries. 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:34.000 The kingdom of God is a reign of God that transcends all geographies, borders, and governments. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:39.379 In fact, if you want to, I want to give you a taste of the kingdom of God, what it is, 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:42.279 by pointing you back to the book of Daniel chapter 7. 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:46.720 Would you go back in your Bibles to Daniel chapter 7, verse 14? 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:49.580 It's on page 884 of your pew Bible. 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:54.519 Now, this was a vision given to Daniel, who was a prophet. 00:10:56.340 --> 00:11:02.160 And as you're turning there, what we're going to see is that there is a particular kind of kingdom 00:11:02.160 --> 00:11:07.440 that the ancient of days, God the Father, is going to give the Son of Man. 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:10.240 I'll start in verse 13. 00:11:10.420 --> 00:11:16.120 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, there came one like a Son of Man. 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:17.140 Mark that. 00:11:18.660 --> 00:11:22.580 And he came to the ancient of days, God the Father, and was presented before him. 00:11:22.900 --> 00:11:30.020 And to him, the Son of Man was given dominion, rule, authority, and glory, and a kingdom 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:38.039 that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him, the Son of Man. 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:45.000 His dominion, the Son of Man's dominion, is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away. 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:49.620 And his kingdom, the Son of Man's kingdom, one that shall not be destroyed. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:58.039 And so what we're told here is that this kingdom of God is a God kingdom that is everlasting and is indestructible. 00:11:58.039 --> 00:12:01.279 And the Son of Man has something to do with it. 00:12:02.219 --> 00:12:09.719 And what we're being told Jesus is saying here is you can't see that kingdom without being born again. 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:19.019 Before you enter this kingdom, you're a rebel against God and you're dead in your sins. 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:27.500 But when you enter this kingdom, you are made spiritually alive and you are a child of God forevermore. 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:32.919 So how does Jesus' response to Nicodemus make sense? 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:39.339 The only way that it makes sense is when you realize that Nicodemus is in the dark. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:43.799 Jesus is explaining something to him that he doesn't get. 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:57.359 So here is the spiritually blind Nicodemus looking at Jesus, thinking that he's from God, that God is with him, when it's actually God is him. 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:59.419 So Jesus' response is more like, 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:04.759 Hey, Nicodemus, you do not know who you are talking to. 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:13.139 Because if you were born again, you would see the king of the kingdom standing in front of you. 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:17.019 God with us. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.699 This is the first volley. 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:22.319 Nicodemus serves. 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.379 Jesus returns. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:25.679 Point Jesus. 00:13:27.199 --> 00:13:28.059 Second volley. 00:13:29.579 --> 00:13:30.779 Verses 4 through 8. 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:41.259 It's pretty safe to say that Nicodemus was not expecting Jesus to return volley that way. 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:49.860 He wasn't expecting Jesus to respond to his greeting and his kind, generous greeting like that. 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:59.320 Because here is this accomplished, seasoned, influential, Bible teacher who sought after in Israel. 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:04.379 And Jesus is implying that Nicodemus can't see the kingdom of God. 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:05.960 That he's got to be born again. 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:08.080 It's like Jesus is saying, 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:12.519 You can't see the kingdom of God when he's staring at you in the face. 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:12.639 Yes. 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:20.159 So in verse 4, Nicodemus serves up his next serve with a question. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.579 Verse 4. 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:26.279 How can a man be born when he is old? 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:30.439 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb? 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:37.079 Now, if you were inside Nicodemus' head, 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:43.480 and you were able to like see what he was thinking on a screen inside of his head, 00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:45.000 do you know what it would say? 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.620 It would be this alarm. 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:47.379 Err. 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.259 Err. 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.000 Err. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.560 Does not compute. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.480 Err. 00:14:51.780 --> 00:14:52.259 Err. 00:14:52.520 --> 00:14:52.860 Err. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:55.720 He hears what Jesus says about being born again, 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:57.180 and it does not compute. 00:14:57.520 --> 00:15:00.139 So he is like all people living in darkness, 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:03.340 tries to make sense of it in a humanistic way. 00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:06.060 So he goes to biology. 00:15:06.979 --> 00:15:08.539 Literally anatomical. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:14.699 He's like, wait, I'm like, you know, 54. 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:18.539 How can I be born again? 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.619 What are you talking about? 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:23.359 How can I get back into my mother's womb? 00:15:25.239 --> 00:15:27.599 He's not getting it. 00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:31.759 He thinks born again means something anatomical, 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.959 something literal. 00:15:33.219 --> 00:15:34.839 He doesn't get what Jesus is saying. 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:36.759 He's spiritually blind. 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.500 He's in the dark. 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.759 Maybe you are in the dark. 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.840 You hear people talk about Jesus, 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.879 and you're like, I don't know what the big deal is. 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.019 What's the big deal? 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:52.699 Or this Jesus guy is a major crutch for these weakling Christians. 00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:59.100 In verse 5 through 8, Jesus responds, 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:01.779 returns volley with a second truly, truly. 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:07.139 Let me just read you what he says in its entirety through verse 8. 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.559 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:11.620 unless one is born of water in the Spirit, 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:13.539 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.860 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:17.679 and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.559 Do not marvel that I say to you, 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.819 you must be born again. 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:22.819 The wind blows where it wishes, 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.120 and you hear its sound, 00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:26.339 but you do not know where it comes from 00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:27.139 or where it's going. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:30.139 So it is with everyone who's born of the Spirit. 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:35.000 So Jesus returns volley with an explanation 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:38.679 of what it means to be born again. 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:41.240 It's going to be very helpful for us 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:44.139 to understand what Jesus is saying. 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:46.039 So let's unpack this a little bit. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:48.220 First thing I want you to note 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:51.840 is that Jesus is kind of raising the bar a little bit. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:55.639 He's talking about moving from seeing the kingdom of God 00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:57.860 to now entering the kingdom of God, 00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:59.779 which has to do with your will. 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:01.600 To enter the kingdom of God 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:04.220 means you must decide to enter the kingdom of God. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:08.639 And he says you must be born of water in the Spirit. 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.559 In other words, 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:13.339 if you're not born of water in the Spirit, 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.420 whatever that means, 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:17.680 you cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:20.779 You cannot come under God's saving reign. 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:23.500 You cannot experience the eternal life 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.879 that is in Christ alone. 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:26.940 You've got to be born again. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:33.540 If you want to experience God's salvation 00:17:33.540 --> 00:17:34.680 that is in Christ Jesus, 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:37.100 you must be born again. 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:40.560 Otherwise, you remain in a state of spiritual death, 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.280 spiritual blindness, 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:43.540 and under God's wrath for all of your sin. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:46.960 So what does it mean to be born of water 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.360 in the Spirit? 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:51.260 Well, there's been a number of explanations, 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.620 and I'm guessing many of you in the room 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.579 have heard some of these. 00:17:55.479 --> 00:17:56.839 Some people think, 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:58.279 some Christians think that water 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.419 is a reference to baptism, 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:04.139 and the Spirit is Spirit rebirth, regeneration. 00:18:04.699 --> 00:18:06.099 Other people interpret this, 00:18:06.159 --> 00:18:07.459 this water in Spirit, 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:09.799 as your physical birth. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.619 You must be born of water, 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:13.939 the water that you, 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:17.099 your mom's womb, 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.179 the water broke, 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.099 that water, 00:18:19.659 --> 00:18:20.439 and the Spirit. 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.059 But I've been convinced 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:27.500 by what Dr. D.A. Carson 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:31.159 makes a very convincing case. 00:18:31.739 --> 00:18:33.419 Have you ever experienced in your Bible 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:35.019 where you're reading something, 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:35.360 and you're like, 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:37.539 I do not know what he's saying here? 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:40.440 One of the best things that you can do 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.680 at that point is ask, 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:43.420 hey, is this making a reference 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:45.400 to something back in the Old Testament? 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:48.160 Because that's what's going on here. 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:51.380 Jesus is very intentionally 00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:53.140 using water in Spirit 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.740 for a reason, 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:57.500 a reason that Nicodemus 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.640 should get. 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:02.240 what Jesus is doing 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.140 is referring back 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:04.800 to a passage in Ezekiel, 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:07.820 chapter 36, 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:09.360 verses 24 through 27. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.920 I want you to turn there with me. 00:19:12.300 --> 00:19:13.620 That's on page 860 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.940 of your pew Bible, 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:17.380 Ezekiel 36, 24 through 27. 00:19:17.780 --> 00:19:18.900 And as you're turning there, 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.660 I just want to let you know, 00:19:19.780 --> 00:19:22.140 this is Ezekiel's version 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:24.680 of a new covenant prophecy. 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:26.140 It's like Jeremiah 31 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.740 where Jeremiah spells out 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.340 the new covenant. 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:28.959 that's coming. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:29.859 Here, 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.779 we see Ezekiel 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:33.619 kind of alluding, 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:35.459 prophesying to what will come 00:19:35.459 --> 00:19:36.699 with the new covenant. 00:19:39.659 --> 00:19:40.879 In other words, 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:43.799 this water in Spirit 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:46.179 is rich 00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:48.839 with theological freight. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:52.039 So let me just read for you 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:53.099 chapter 36, 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:55.139 verses 24 through 27. 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.159 Remember, 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.099 we're talking about water 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:57.659 and Spirit. 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.820 Let's see if you can see it 00:19:58.820 --> 00:19:59.300 in the passage. 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.519 I will take you, 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:02.300 this is God speaking, 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.720 I will take you from the nations 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:05.300 and gather you from all the countries 00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:06.900 and bring you into your own land. 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:10.120 I will sprinkle clean water on you 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:11.440 and you shall be clean 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:13.100 from all your uncleanlinesses. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.960 And from all your idols, 00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.100 I will cleanse you 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:18.600 and I will give you a new heart 00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:19.779 and a new spirit 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.820 I will put within you 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.079 and I will remove your heart 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:22.079 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.000 of stone from you, 00:20:23.659 --> 00:20:25.259 remove your heart of stone 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:27.059 from your flesh 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.399 and give you a heart of flesh 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.939 and I will put my Spirit within you 00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:31.599 and cause you to walk in my statutes 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:34.159 and be careful to obey my rules. 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.839 Did you see it in verse 25? 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.480 There's a reference to water 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:42.079 that cleanses from our sin. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.939 Did you see in verse 26 00:20:43.939 --> 00:20:45.980 this reference to a new heart, 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:46.960 a new spirit 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:49.919 where God takes the old heart 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:51.579 that is hard towards Him 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:55.480 and He does this spiritual cardiac surgery 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:57.559 and replaces it with a new heart, 00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:58.419 a new spirit 00:20:58.419 --> 00:21:00.939 that now has new affections. 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:04.559 What God is showing us here 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:07.440 is that this is a prophecy fulfilled 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.960 that Jesus is talking about. 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:11.600 That this being born again 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:13.600 by the Spirit, verse 8, 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.880 is the coming of the new covenant. 00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:19.160 And we see in verse 27 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:22.580 that the Spirit comes to indwell us, 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.720 to cause us to obey. 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:26.320 We want to obey now. 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:28.279 And there's no coincidence 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:30.299 that the Valley of Dry Bones, 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.259 chapter 37, 00:21:31.419 --> 00:21:32.220 follows this. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.759 Resurrection. 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.960 This is what it means 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.980 to be born again. 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:41.359 To be made a new creation. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.079 The old has gone. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.940 If anyone is in Christ, 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.180 he's a new creation. 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.039 The old is gone. 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:49.059 The new is come. 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:50.779 It's a distinct and unique work 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.740 of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.879 Only the Holy Spirit 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.579 can take someone 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.659 who's spiritually dead 00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:57.480 and make them spiritually alive, 00:21:57.859 --> 00:21:59.059 applying the finished work 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:00.279 of Christ to them. 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:02.559 In verse 6, 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:04.419 we see this distinction 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.940 of those who are born 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.359 of the flesh are flesh. 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:12.579 That which is born 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.500 of the Spirit is spirit. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.440 There are two types 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.680 of people on the planet. 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.919 Those who are born 00:22:17.919 --> 00:22:18.720 of the flesh 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.299 and are spiritually dead. 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.259 And those who are born 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.839 of the flesh 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.819 and also born 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.599 of the Spirit, 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.039 second birth, 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:28.000 who have been cleansed 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.599 from their sin 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:30.039 and made alive to God 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.139 and are children of His 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:32.740 through Christ's finished work. 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.099 What we're seeing here 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:40.200 is Jesus saying, 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:43.740 with me comes the age 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.900 of the Spirit. 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.960 The age of the Spirit 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.559 that comes with the new covenant. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.900 And it's set into motion 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.559 by the death 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.819 and resurrection of Jesus. 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.960 In verses 7 and 8, 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.380 we read, 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:59.200 He says to Nicodemus, 00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.720 Nicodemus, 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.660 do not marvel 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:02.519 what I said to you. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.500 You must be born again. 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:05.580 Nicodemus, 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:08.620 you've got Ezekiel 36 memorized. 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.620 You shouldn't marvel 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:11.660 what I'm telling you here. 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:13.420 And then he compares 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.840 this activity 00:23:14.840 --> 00:23:15.620 of the Holy Spirit 00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.559 to the wind blowing. 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.660 The wind blows 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.240 where it wishes 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.200 and you hear it sound. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.319 You can't see the wind, 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:22.480 but you see the effects 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.180 of the wind. 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.120 But you do not 00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:24.980 where it comes from 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:26.299 or where it goes. 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.580 You hear its sound. 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:29.319 You see it blowing the leaves. 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.919 The leaves rustling, 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:31.819 but you actually 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.699 don't see the wind. 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.980 You see clouds moving. 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.740 And Jesus says, 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.679 so it is with everyone 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.559 who's born of the Spirit. 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:41.359 You can't see the Holy Spirit, 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.799 but you see the effects 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.000 of the Holy Spirit 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.460 in the life of those 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.779 who are spiritually dead. 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.980 Let me tell you some of them. 00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:54.679 When someone starts 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:55.519 to become aware 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.819 that, 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.839 that they are doing wrong, 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:01.379 this is John 16, 8. 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.480 Jesus said, 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.299 the Spirit will come 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:03.939 and when He comes, 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.740 He will convict the world 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.460 of sin, righteousness, 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:06.019 and judgment. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:06.919 And so, 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.439 when someone is not, 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.599 is recognizing 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.480 that they're doing wrong, 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:12.199 but they recognize 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:13.000 that they're wrong 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:14.039 is against God. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.879 Not just against 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:17.199 other human beings, 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.460 but against God. 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.299 That when I sin, 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:20.980 when I do something 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.579 that's wrong, 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.579 it's grievous 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:24.039 in God's sight. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.859 When you start, 00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:26.759 when that starts registering, 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:28.480 I think there's a work 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.460 of the Spirit going on. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.299 Or, 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:36.279 when someone recognizes 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.579 how sinful they are, 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.339 and they're like, 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:40.500 I cannot do anything 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:42.240 about this wicked heart. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.299 I am so sinful. 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:44.680 I, 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.039 in God's eyes, 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:47.240 I must be condemned. 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.940 There's nothing 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.740 that I can do 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:50.720 to dig myself out of this. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.700 Nothing I can do. 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:54.980 I need some kind 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.660 of forgiveness. 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:57.980 I need some kind 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.660 of new work in me. 00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:01.580 That inclination 00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:02.840 is something 00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:03.319 that you don't 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.240 generate yourself. 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.539 God's Spirit 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.460 grants repentance. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:12.120 When you start recognizing 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.900 your sinfulness 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.580 against God, 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:13.980 and you're like, 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.160 oh, 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.140 that must grieve you. 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.759 I want to turn 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.340 from that, 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.480 and God, 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.160 through His Spirit, 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.560 gives you eyes 00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:21.279 to see Jesus. 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:21.820 Remember, 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.100 John 16, 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.540 14, 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:24.920 Jesus speaks about 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.960 the primary ministry 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.500 of the Spirit 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.259 in terms of this. 00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:28.860 He will glorify me. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:29.680 And so, 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.180 one of the things 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.860 that the Holy Spirit 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:31.420 will do is, 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.300 He will convict 00:25:32.300 --> 00:25:33.279 of sin against God, 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.660 and then He will set 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.660 your gaze 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:37.200 upon Jesus 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:39.259 in His finished work 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.040 on the cross 00:25:40.040 --> 00:25:42.820 so that you can be saved, 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.800 so you can believe 00:25:44.800 --> 00:25:45.259 in Him. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.420 All of these things 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.180 are from the Spirit. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:51.920 So, 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.720 we have the second 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:54.180 serve and return 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:56.720 where Jesus unpacks 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.440 what it means 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.320 to be born again, 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.040 point Jesus. 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.080 He's saying, 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:02.440 hey, 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:04.160 this is Ezekiel 36 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:05.360 being carried out 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.120 in front of you. 00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:07.860 The new covenant, 00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:09.060 this great salvation. 00:26:10.040 --> 00:26:10.620 The Spirit does 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.240 what He wills. 00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:14.160 During the summertime, 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:17.440 oftentimes, 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:19.220 we see news clips 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.279 of tornadoes 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.400 that are ripping 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:23.540 through towns 00:26:23.540 --> 00:26:24.279 in Nebraska, 00:26:24.560 --> 00:26:25.140 in Oklahoma, 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.720 and even Wisconsin, 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.480 and they leave 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.480 this trail 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.620 of destruction 00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.440 and death. 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:32.340 It is a windstorm 00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:34.380 out of control. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.480 Destruction, 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:35.980 death. 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.279 The Holy Spirit 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:39.900 leaves His own path, 00:26:40.560 --> 00:26:41.420 not of destruction 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.000 and death. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.740 new life, 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.240 recreation, 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.960 children of God. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.839 The Holy Spirit 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:50.420 is a person, 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.240 He's at work, 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.039 He's moving, 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.880 and He brings 00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:54.579 new life. 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.680 Exchange number three. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:27:01.640 verses nine through 15. 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.180 In verse nine, 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.380 Nicodemus serves up 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:09.080 his last question. 00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:12.180 How can these things be? 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.480 How is this possible? 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.420 It appears as though 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.440 Nicodemus is having 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.900 his world rocked. 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:25.060 Are his lights going on? 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:30.100 In verse 10, 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.320 Jesus starts 00:27:31.320 --> 00:27:32.680 His return 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:34.039 with a bit of a rebuke. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.400 Are you the teacher 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:37.880 of Israel 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.360 and yet 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:40.140 you do not understand 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.680 these things? 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:43.560 Do you not know 00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:44.160 your Bible? 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:46.820 Nicodemus, 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:49.140 this is clear. 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:52.320 This has been made aware. 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.480 This has been 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.500 in your hands. 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.340 You have read this 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:56.420 over and over again. 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.680 you've just not 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.740 had eyes to see. 00:27:59.800 --> 00:28:01.300 In a very subtle way, 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.200 Jesus is actually 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.900 claiming to be 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:04.140 the true teacher 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.820 of Israel. 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:09.940 And then we see 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.980 in verse 11, 00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:12.420 the last of these three 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.080 truly, truly, 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.160 I say to you's, 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:17.120 truly, truly, 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.759 I say to you, 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:19.640 we speak of what we, 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.640 this is Jesus speaking, 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.220 truly, truly, 00:28:22.300 --> 00:28:23.060 I say to you, 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:25.980 we speak of what we know 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.720 and bear witness 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:28.039 to what we have seen, 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:28.799 but you, 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.799 which is literally 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.539 you all, 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.579 do not receive 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.659 our testimony. 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:33.579 This is really interesting. 00:28:33.679 --> 00:28:33.819 Who, 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.299 who's the we? 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:37.659 Who's the our? 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.159 I mean, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.000 could Jesus be talking 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.839 about His disciples? 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:41.879 No, 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:43.419 because a lot of them 00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:44.240 really don't get it 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.079 at this point either. 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.779 Is Jesus somehow 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.879 talking about Nicodemus 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.919 just kind of being friendly 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:50.119 like Nicodemus was him 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:51.619 when He greeted him? 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.199 No, 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.799 because when you see 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.559 at the end, 00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:56.099 but you all do not receive 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:56.719 our testimony, 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.639 it kind of defeats 00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.679 that line of thinking. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:00.639 So who could this we be? 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.399 And grammatically speaking, 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.419 from the text, 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.359 you know what you do? 00:29:04.459 --> 00:29:05.179 You go back 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:06.119 to the last reference 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.679 of a person. 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.799 And do you know who it is? 00:29:08.419 --> 00:29:09.419 The Holy Spirit. 00:29:11.719 --> 00:29:13.639 Could this we be 00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:15.899 Jesus referring to 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:16.799 the Holy Spirit 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.859 in His ministry 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:19.500 under the new covenant 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:23.099 to bring about salvation? 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.960 What a we. 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:29.119 Jesus and the Holy Spirit 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:33.000 speaking of what we know 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.359 and bear witness 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:35.799 to what we've seen? 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:40.180 They know because they're God. 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.460 They've seen heaven. 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.400 But you do not receive 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.000 our testimony. 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.640 This harkens back to John 1. 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.759 Where Jesus came to His own 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.980 and His own did not receive Him. 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.859 They don't have eyes to see, 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.700 hearts to believe. 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.400 It's further evidence 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.460 of the spiritual blindness 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.920 that we see in Nicodemus. 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:04.299 But I just want to let you know, 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:05.779 there's a rest of the story 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.480 with Nicodemus. 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.500 In chapter 7, 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.079 verse 15 and 51, 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:13.439 the other Jews of the Sanhedrin, 00:30:13.439 --> 00:30:16.599 they're starting to attack Jesus. 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.960 In that sequence, 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.759 Nicodemus seeks to defend Him. 00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:23.339 And then at the very end 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:24.240 of the Gospel of John 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.000 in chapter 19, 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:28.359 we see Nicodemus present 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:30.339 at the death of Jesus 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.879 and at His burial. 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:34.740 Helping His body 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:36.359 to be received and buried. 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:39.240 That kind of willingness 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:40.879 to be identified with Jesus 00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:42.039 at great cost 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:43.099 at that point, 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:45.099 I think it's likely 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:46.079 that Nicodemus, 00:30:46.219 --> 00:30:47.019 at this point, 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:48.059 at the end of John, 00:30:48.159 --> 00:30:49.439 the lights have gone on. 00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:53.019 He had moved from death to life 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.240 and he had seen 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.339 and entered the kingdom 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.399 of God, 00:30:56.459 --> 00:30:57.719 the saving reign of God. 00:31:00.179 --> 00:31:01.259 In verse 12, 00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:02.719 we read, 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.799 Jesus says, 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:05.180 I have told you earthly things 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:08.619 and you did not believe. 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.720 How can you believe 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.559 if I tell you 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:12.279 heavenly things? 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.559 It's like, 00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.599 I've been telling you 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:18.000 what it means 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.940 for Ezekiel 36 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:21.099 to be fulfilled here 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.500 on earth right now 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.519 and how you can enter 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.879 the kingdom of God right now. 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:25.539 How, 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.119 if you don't believe that, 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.279 you're not going to believe 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.039 what I've got to tell you 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.879 about heavenly things 00:31:29.879 --> 00:31:31.379 which I have seen firsthand. 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.380 Again, 00:31:34.300 --> 00:31:34.980 Jesus is speaking 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.960 of spiritual blindness. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:41.420 You must be born again, 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:42.220 Nicodemus. 00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:46.620 In verse 13, 00:31:48.360 --> 00:31:49.940 Jesus further elaborates 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.120 on what he's seen. 00:31:53.520 --> 00:31:54.700 No one has ascended 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.200 into heaven 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:56.700 except he who descended 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.240 from heaven, 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.260 the Son of Man. 00:31:58.259 --> 00:32:03.839 what Jesus is saying here 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.279 is 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:07.500 no one has had 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:09.700 an eyewitness view 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.259 of heaven 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.640 except me 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:13.059 because 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:15.140 I am from heaven. 00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:18.039 He has eternally existed 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:19.000 as a second person 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.619 of the Trinity 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:21.440 and he has eternally existed 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:23.019 with God the Father 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.980 and God the Spirit 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.180 in heaven together 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:27.099 and he left heaven 00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.980 and took on flesh 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.839 and walked this planet. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.779 He has seen heaven 00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:33.019 firsthand 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:34.099 is what he's saying 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.980 and then he drops 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.480 the title, 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.319 the Son of Man. 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.740 No one has ascended 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.219 into heaven 00:32:41.219 --> 00:32:42.119 except he descended 00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:42.599 from heaven, 00:32:42.679 --> 00:32:44.139 the Son of Man. 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.799 This is a title 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:47.240 that Jesus uses 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.079 exclusively 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:49.679 for himself 00:32:49.679 --> 00:32:50.839 and it is 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:52.519 a big claim 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.679 and that title 00:32:53.679 --> 00:32:54.079 is used 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:55.399 in a few different places 00:32:55.399 --> 00:32:56.480 in your Bibles 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.819 but if you flip back 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:59.420 to Daniel chapter 7 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:01.559 I just want to help you 00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.779 see what's going on 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:03.720 here in this passage. 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.799 Again, 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.980 page 884 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:07.019 of your Pew Bible. 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:11.039 Jesus says 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:12.460 or God says 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.599 through Daniel, 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.079 Daniel says 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.279 with these night visions 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.539 and behold 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:19.659 I saw in the night visions 00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:20.119 and behold 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:21.019 with clouds of heaven 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.720 there came one 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.740 like a Son of Man 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.899 and he came 00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:25.059 to the ancient of days 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.000 and was presented 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.019 before him 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:27.579 and to him 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.500 was given dominion 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:28.940 and glory 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.460 and a kingdom 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:31.139 that all people's nations 00:33:31.139 --> 00:33:31.700 and languages 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.559 serve him, 00:33:32.639 --> 00:33:33.180 the Son of Man. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:33.899 His, 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:35.119 the Son of Man's dominion 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:36.339 is an everlasting dominion 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.460 which shall not pass away 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:39.119 and the Son of Man's kingdom 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:39.960 one that shall 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:41.240 not be destroyed 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:42.339 everlasting, 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.759 indestructible. 00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:45.180 This is the kingdom 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:45.759 of God 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:47.519 that the Son of Man 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:49.220 brings with him 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.299 when he descends 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:50.960 from heaven. 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.900 The Son of Man 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:57.700 is given full authority 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.840 over this eternal, 00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:00.279 indestructible, 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:02.240 saving reign of God 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:04.000 and the Son of Man 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:05.440 has descended 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:06.039 of heaven 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.519 from heaven. 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:07.220 He is the word 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.900 became flesh 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:09.240 that has dwelt among us. 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:10.440 We beheld his glory. 00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:11.700 Glory is of the one 00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:12.680 and only of the Father. 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.159 How can these things 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.539 be, 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:16.619 says Nicodemus, 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:19.219 the Son of Man 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:19.879 is standing 00:34:19.879 --> 00:34:21.179 in front of him. 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:24.420 Ezekiel 36 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.219 is fulfilled 00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:26.699 in front of him. 00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:28.920 That's how 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.839 these things can be. 00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:33.039 God is being faithful 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:34.460 to his word. 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.799 Nicodemus 00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:39.239 was looking 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:40.159 at the Son of Man. 00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:43.379 In verse 14 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.380 we read, 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:46.280 and as Moses 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:47.280 lifted up the serpent 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:47.820 in the wilderness, 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:49.360 so must the Son of Man 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:49.980 be lifted up. 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:51.380 That serpent 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.059 in the wilderness 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.720 is a reference 00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:53.720 to Numbers 21. 00:34:54.340 --> 00:34:54.860 It's an account 00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:55.740 where Israel 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:57.039 grumbles and complains 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:57.920 against God 00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.980 and God 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:00.019 disciplines them 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:01.519 by sending fiery serpents 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.360 who bite them. 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.740 Many of the Israelites 00:35:03.740 --> 00:35:04.280 die. 00:35:04.740 --> 00:35:05.680 They realize 00:35:05.680 --> 00:35:06.740 they've been naughty 00:35:06.740 --> 00:35:07.960 so they cry out 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.500 to God 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.920 and God provides 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:11.380 a mercy 00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:11.920 to them. 00:35:12.180 --> 00:35:13.079 He tells Moses 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.820 to construct 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:16.559 a brazen serpent, 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:18.039 a bronze servant, 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:19.440 and to lift it up 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.079 on a pole 00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:21.340 and when Israel 00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:21.900 is bitten 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.559 they are to 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:24.559 look upon 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:27.139 this bronze serpent 00:35:27.139 --> 00:35:28.099 and be healed 00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:29.639 to live. 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.380 And Jesus is saying, 00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.019 you remember that? 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.920 That was actually 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:36.579 in an incredible way 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:38.099 pointing to me. 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:42.659 so must the Son of Man 00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:43.339 be lifted up. 00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:45.219 We've all been 00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:46.380 bitten by sin. 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:49.239 We're all deserved 00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:50.819 death because of sin 00:35:50.819 --> 00:35:52.000 and God has sent 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:53.739 Jesus as the Son of Man 00:35:53.739 --> 00:35:55.159 who brings this kingdom 00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:56.319 of eternal life 00:35:56.319 --> 00:35:57.400 and the way 00:35:57.400 --> 00:35:59.039 to be healed, 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.400 the way to receive 00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.440 eternal life, 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.619 to be cleansed 00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.319 from your sin, 00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:03.940 to be given 00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.759 a new spirit 00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:06.819 is to look upon 00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:08.080 the Son of Man 00:36:08.080 --> 00:36:09.519 hanging on the cross 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:11.000 to be lifted up, 00:36:11.640 --> 00:36:12.760 to believe. 00:36:14.700 --> 00:36:16.120 And whoever believes 00:36:16.120 --> 00:36:17.420 who looks upon him 00:36:17.420 --> 00:36:18.580 with eyes of faith 00:36:18.580 --> 00:36:20.160 may have eternal life. 00:36:20.640 --> 00:36:21.440 You're born again. 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:23.300 That life starts 00:36:23.300 --> 00:36:23.980 immediately. 00:36:24.580 --> 00:36:25.360 You enter into 00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:26.280 a relationship 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:27.360 with God 00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:28.300 through Christ 00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:29.980 and it's the best. 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:35.579 it's quite a response. 00:36:39.260 --> 00:36:40.219 Point Jesus. 00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:42.699 Match. 00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:44.079 Set. 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:45.440 Game. 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:48.039 Three exchanges. 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:50.400 All responded 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.300 by truly, truly 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:53.559 by the Son of Man. 00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:54.099 We learn about 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:54.860 the kingdom of God, 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.280 what it means 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.260 to be born of the Spirit, 00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.320 that Jesus is 00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:57.980 the Son of Man 00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:59.380 who's been lifted up 00:36:59.380 --> 00:36:59.880 on the cross. 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:00.719 This is the way 00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.579 to be born again. 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:03.400 You know what the lesson is? 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:06.800 You must be born again. 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:11.960 You must be born again. 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.860 And this passage 00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:15.219 points to three realities. 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:16.019 The depth 00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.900 of our sinfulness. 00:37:18.280 --> 00:37:19.320 Our sinfulness 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.639 is so deep 00:37:20.639 --> 00:37:21.760 that we are 00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:22.960 flat liners 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.740 spiritually 00:37:23.740 --> 00:37:25.300 from the get-go. 00:37:25.820 --> 00:37:26.760 Our sinfulness 00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:28.400 is so deep 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:29.840 that we have no 00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:31.380 God-honoring 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:32.600 brain activity. 00:37:33.300 --> 00:37:34.280 We're brain dead 00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:35.180 when we come out. 00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:38.180 So in an 00:37:38.180 --> 00:37:39.360 extraordinary display 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.340 of God's grace 00:37:40.340 --> 00:37:41.520 so that we could see 00:37:41.520 --> 00:37:41.980 and enter 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.900 the kingdom of God, 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.500 He gives us 00:37:44.500 --> 00:37:45.460 spiritual life 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.740 by the Holy Spirit. 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:48.780 We can't 00:37:48.780 --> 00:37:49.760 self-start 00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:50.760 our 00:37:51.300 --> 00:37:52.620 spiritual life. 00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:52.719 life. 00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:57.539 So what we see here 00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:58.779 is apart from Christ 00:37:58.779 --> 00:37:59.920 we are all 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:01.699 in the valley 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.619 of dry bones, 00:38:03.619 --> 00:38:05.400 dead in our sins, 00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:08.380 with only one hope 00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:10.179 to be made alive 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:10.839 by God. 00:38:11.940 --> 00:38:12.380 And so 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:13.460 the first thing 00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:14.299 reality that comes 00:38:14.299 --> 00:38:14.739 to the fore 00:38:14.739 --> 00:38:15.960 is our utter 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:17.000 spiritual sinfulness. 00:38:17.319 --> 00:38:18.079 Have you come to terms 00:38:18.079 --> 00:38:18.420 with that? 00:38:19.239 --> 00:38:20.279 Can you see that? 00:38:20.279 --> 00:38:20.279 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:23.759 The second reality 00:38:23.759 --> 00:38:24.339 is 00:38:24.339 --> 00:38:26.039 the glory of Christ. 00:38:26.259 --> 00:38:27.599 The love of God 00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:28.759 in Christ Jesus. 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:30.319 Behold the glory 00:38:30.319 --> 00:38:30.960 of Jesus 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:32.279 who lovingly, 00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:32.900 willingly 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:34.400 left heaven 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:35.699 to take on flesh, 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:37.779 to live a sinless life 00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:38.599 and was 00:38:38.599 --> 00:38:39.940 willingly 00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:41.000 lifted up 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.940 on the cross 00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:42.839 to die 00:38:42.839 --> 00:38:43.539 for our sins. 00:38:43.639 --> 00:38:44.599 He's the Lamb of God. 00:38:46.440 --> 00:38:47.319 His death 00:38:47.319 --> 00:38:47.859 ushered in 00:38:47.859 --> 00:38:48.759 a new era 00:38:48.759 --> 00:38:49.579 of salvation. 00:38:50.179 --> 00:38:50.719 He ushered in 00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:51.399 the kingdom 00:38:51.399 --> 00:38:52.379 of God, 00:38:52.459 --> 00:38:53.459 the saving reign 00:38:53.459 --> 00:38:54.239 of God, 00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.279 the age 00:38:55.279 --> 00:38:56.379 of the Spirit. 00:38:57.759 --> 00:38:58.859 Glory be to Him. 00:39:04.319 --> 00:39:05.439 Your sin is worse 00:39:05.439 --> 00:39:10.079 than you can possibly imagine, 00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:11.379 but God's grace 00:39:11.379 --> 00:39:12.019 and His love 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:13.859 is beyond that still. 00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:17.599 The third reality 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.639 is the Spirit alone 00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:20.099 is able to give us life. 00:39:20.719 --> 00:39:21.579 The only way 00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:22.759 to enter God's kingdom 00:39:22.759 --> 00:39:23.839 of eternal life, 00:39:24.439 --> 00:39:24.980 the only way 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:25.539 to see 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.879 and enter salvation 00:39:26.879 --> 00:39:27.859 is you must 00:39:27.859 --> 00:39:29.399 be born of the Spirit. 00:39:29.599 --> 00:39:30.879 You must be born again. 00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:32.899 You must be able 00:39:32.899 --> 00:39:33.359 to see 00:39:33.359 --> 00:39:34.419 you're so dead 00:39:34.419 --> 00:39:35.359 that there needs 00:39:35.359 --> 00:39:35.879 to be a work 00:39:35.879 --> 00:39:36.439 of the Spirit 00:39:36.439 --> 00:39:38.319 to incline 00:39:38.319 --> 00:39:38.799 your hearts 00:39:38.799 --> 00:39:39.399 to Christ. 00:39:40.239 --> 00:39:40.980 So it is 00:39:40.980 --> 00:39:41.480 with everyone 00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.239 born of the Spirit. 00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:45.359 The Spirit alone 00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:50.760 give spiritual eyes 00:39:50.760 --> 00:39:52.059 to the spiritually blind. 00:39:52.860 --> 00:39:54.200 You must be born again. 00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:58.079 Are you born again? 00:40:00.620 --> 00:40:01.820 If you're a non-Christian, 00:40:02.820 --> 00:40:04.480 you cannot save yourself. 00:40:05.320 --> 00:40:06.420 There's not enough 00:40:06.420 --> 00:40:07.400 communions to take 00:40:07.400 --> 00:40:08.900 that will give you life, 00:40:09.099 --> 00:40:09.980 the life you need. 00:40:10.400 --> 00:40:11.780 You can't attend church 00:40:11.780 --> 00:40:12.820 enough times 00:40:12.820 --> 00:40:14.019 to be born again. 00:40:14.019 --> 00:40:15.239 It doesn't come that way. 00:40:15.699 --> 00:40:17.199 You can't be good enough. 00:40:17.500 --> 00:40:18.980 You're doing good deeds 00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:20.099 does not give you 00:40:20.099 --> 00:40:20.920 new life. 00:40:22.179 --> 00:40:23.219 Only God's Spirit 00:40:23.219 --> 00:40:24.219 gives you new life. 00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:27.860 There's a device 00:40:27.860 --> 00:40:29.039 called F4 Opter. 00:40:30.599 --> 00:40:31.460 And if you've been 00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:32.559 to your optometrist, 00:40:32.699 --> 00:40:33.960 you've sat in front of it. 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:35.380 You sit in a chair 00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:36.400 and this big metal thing 00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:37.300 comes in front of your eyes 00:40:37.300 --> 00:40:37.699 and it's got 00:40:37.699 --> 00:40:38.780 like thousands 00:40:38.780 --> 00:40:40.320 of different lens options. 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:42.300 and your optometrist 00:40:42.300 --> 00:40:42.860 will say, 00:40:43.300 --> 00:40:44.220 hey, will you look 00:40:44.220 --> 00:40:45.480 at the letters 00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:46.080 in front of you 00:40:46.080 --> 00:40:46.920 on the eye chart? 00:40:47.160 --> 00:40:47.820 Big E 00:40:47.820 --> 00:40:48.360 and then there's 00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:49.059 smaller and smaller 00:40:49.059 --> 00:40:49.860 lines of letters 00:40:49.860 --> 00:40:51.220 and she will say 00:40:51.220 --> 00:40:51.660 something like, 00:40:51.740 --> 00:40:53.120 hey, can you see that now? 00:40:53.180 --> 00:40:53.539 And you're like, 00:40:53.580 --> 00:40:54.700 yeah, I can see that. 00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:55.500 And then she'll do 00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:56.360 some click, click, click, clicks 00:40:56.360 --> 00:40:58.220 and she'll be like, 00:40:58.340 --> 00:40:59.420 is that clear 00:40:59.420 --> 00:41:00.960 or is that clear? 00:41:01.059 --> 00:41:01.440 And you're like, 00:41:01.500 --> 00:41:02.100 the second one 00:41:02.100 --> 00:41:03.120 and then click, click, click, click, click. 00:41:03.380 --> 00:41:04.380 And then she'll go 00:41:04.380 --> 00:41:05.860 down to the third line 00:41:05.860 --> 00:41:07.260 and is that clear 00:41:07.260 --> 00:41:08.039 or is this clear? 00:41:08.039 --> 00:41:09.099 And so what she's doing 00:41:09.099 --> 00:41:10.880 is she's testing the clarity 00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:11.599 by what you see. 00:41:11.699 --> 00:41:13.340 Let me run through a test, 00:41:13.460 --> 00:41:13.960 non-believer. 00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:17.380 Do you see your own sin 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:18.759 is against God? 00:41:19.259 --> 00:41:19.599 Yes. 00:41:20.320 --> 00:41:20.960 Click, click, click, click. 00:41:21.039 --> 00:41:21.579 Let's move on. 00:41:22.659 --> 00:41:23.559 Do you see that 00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.579 you cannot save yourself? 00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:26.360 Yes. 00:41:26.759 --> 00:41:27.039 Good. 00:41:27.300 --> 00:41:28.039 Click, click, click, click, click. 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.840 Do you see the Son of Man 00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:31.079 lifted up on the cross 00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:33.079 died for you? 00:41:34.460 --> 00:41:34.860 Yes. 00:41:35.860 --> 00:41:37.179 Click, click, click, click, click. 00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:38.980 That is the work 00:41:38.980 --> 00:41:39.679 of God's Spirit. 00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:41.880 Do you have new desires 00:41:41.880 --> 00:41:43.000 for God in your heart? 00:41:43.219 --> 00:41:44.579 A desire to please Him 00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:45.320 and honor Him? 00:41:45.639 --> 00:41:47.239 Do you want that yes? 00:41:49.440 --> 00:41:51.480 The way to be born again 00:41:51.480 --> 00:41:54.460 is to put your trust 00:41:54.460 --> 00:41:55.420 in Jesus Christ. 00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:58.159 To believe on Him. 00:41:58.920 --> 00:42:00.539 And today, you can do that. 00:42:01.639 --> 00:42:02.539 You simply say, 00:42:02.639 --> 00:42:03.599 Jesus, I need you. 00:42:04.739 --> 00:42:06.019 Would you give me the life 00:42:06.019 --> 00:42:07.460 that's only found in you? 00:42:08.039 --> 00:42:08.880 Amen. 00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:11.179 Christians, 00:42:12.179 --> 00:42:14.039 do you have 00:42:14.039 --> 00:42:15.699 spiritual glaucoma? 00:42:16.579 --> 00:42:18.259 It's not spiritual blindness. 00:42:19.440 --> 00:42:21.699 It's something that's in the way 00:42:21.699 --> 00:42:22.739 of you seeing clearly. 00:42:22.900 --> 00:42:24.219 Maybe it's materialism. 00:42:25.019 --> 00:42:26.519 Maybe it's your pride. 00:42:27.539 --> 00:42:28.860 Maybe it's your lust. 00:42:28.860 --> 00:42:31.920 But what you do is ask 00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:33.420 the Holy Spirit, 00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:34.780 ask your Father 00:42:34.780 --> 00:42:36.440 to pour out the Holy Spirit 00:42:36.440 --> 00:42:37.140 upon you 00:42:37.140 --> 00:42:39.860 and to revitalize your soul 00:42:39.860 --> 00:42:42.240 that you can see clearly. 00:42:44.140 --> 00:42:45.380 There's more I can say. 00:42:47.380 --> 00:42:48.740 Those who've been born again, 00:42:49.019 --> 00:42:50.099 they see clearly, 00:42:50.660 --> 00:42:51.559 they are grateful, 00:42:51.559 --> 00:42:53.799 and in evangelism, 00:42:54.000 --> 00:42:54.579 they are dependent 00:42:54.579 --> 00:42:55.579 on the Holy Spirit 00:42:55.579 --> 00:42:57.539 because it's the Holy Spirit 00:42:57.539 --> 00:42:58.699 who convicts people 00:42:58.699 --> 00:42:59.719 of their sin. 00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:03.119 Do you remember 00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:05.159 that little color blindness test 00:43:05.159 --> 00:43:05.820 that we started 00:43:05.820 --> 00:43:07.059 this sermon off with? 00:43:08.340 --> 00:43:09.179 There's no cure 00:43:09.179 --> 00:43:09.900 for color blindness, 00:43:10.059 --> 00:43:10.820 but there is a cure 00:43:10.820 --> 00:43:11.759 for spiritual blindness. 00:43:12.900 --> 00:43:14.179 You must be born again. 00:43:14.179 --> 00:43:16.159 The Holy Spirit 00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:17.359 gives eyes to see 00:43:17.359 --> 00:43:18.519 and a heart to believe 00:43:18.519 --> 00:43:19.319 the Son of Man 00:43:19.319 --> 00:43:20.899 lifted up for you. 00:43:23.000 --> 00:43:24.339 It changes what you see 00:43:24.339 --> 00:43:24.819 in the Bible. 00:43:26.179 --> 00:43:27.239 It changes from you 00:43:27.239 --> 00:43:28.179 looking at the Bible 00:43:28.179 --> 00:43:29.799 as page after page 00:43:29.799 --> 00:43:31.219 of blah, blah, blah, 00:43:31.419 --> 00:43:32.379 blah, blah, blah, 00:43:32.379 --> 00:43:35.759 to seeing page after page 00:43:35.759 --> 00:43:37.460 of the glory of God 00:43:37.460 --> 00:43:39.019 in the face of Jesus Christ, 00:43:39.739 --> 00:43:40.519 the Son of Man 00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:41.579 lifted up for you. 00:43:42.679 --> 00:43:43.899 You must be born again. 00:43:44.179 --> 00:43:44.940 Let's pray. 00:43:48.279 --> 00:43:49.460 Father, you alone 00:43:49.460 --> 00:43:50.279 give new life 00:43:50.279 --> 00:43:50.940 to the Spirit 00:43:50.940 --> 00:43:53.279 based upon the finished work 00:43:53.279 --> 00:43:53.719 of Jesus, 00:43:53.859 --> 00:43:54.899 and would you 00:43:54.899 --> 00:43:56.799 give new life 00:43:56.799 --> 00:43:58.319 to those who are dead 00:43:58.319 --> 00:43:59.099 in the room? 00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:01.940 Would you, God, 00:44:02.699 --> 00:44:05.519 use our witness of Christ 00:44:05.519 --> 00:44:08.399 for people to hear 00:44:08.399 --> 00:44:10.299 what Christ has done 00:44:10.299 --> 00:44:11.019 and believe? 00:44:12.019 --> 00:44:13.419 God, we trust you 00:44:13.420 --> 00:44:15.900 would you, God, 00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:17.039 add to our number 00:44:17.039 --> 00:44:18.920 through conversions 00:44:18.920 --> 00:44:20.639 more and more 00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:22.559 who move from being dead 00:44:22.559 --> 00:44:23.579 to being alive, 00:44:24.019 --> 00:44:24.880 from being rebels 00:44:24.880 --> 00:44:26.000 to being children, 00:44:26.460 --> 00:44:27.539 and for those of us 00:44:27.539 --> 00:44:28.200 who have already been 00:44:28.200 --> 00:44:29.000 born again, God, 00:44:29.680 --> 00:44:31.559 would you just continue 00:44:31.559 --> 00:44:32.760 to reveal the glory 00:44:32.760 --> 00:44:33.220 of God 00:44:33.220 --> 00:44:33.720 in the face 00:44:33.720 --> 00:44:34.619 of Jesus Christ? 00:44:35.360 --> 00:44:36.119 It's your name we pray. 00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:37.159 Amen. 00:44:37.159 --> 00:44:37.320 Amen. 00:44:37.320 --> 00:44:37.380 Amen. 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.380 00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:39.380 Amen. 00:44:39.380 --> 00:44:39.380 00:44:39.380 --> 00:44:39.380