WEBVTT

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 Good morning, Foothills, that's my other church.

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 Christ Family, my other church, you know what I mean.

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! Good morning, Christ Family Church, all you strangers.

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 Actually, some of you are strangers. I don't recognize some of you.

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 If you don't know me, my name is Zach Skilling,

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 and I used to be the assistant to the pastor, as I was affectionately called by many.

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 I think it was affectionate.

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 At CFC about a year ago.

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 And, yeah, Nathan asked me to come back and guest preach.

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 And I'm excited to be here.

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 It feels both strange and familiar all at the same time.

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 I'm going to break the rule and move this.

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 But, yeah, I'm glad to be here.

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 Our text today is John chapter 3.

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 John chapter 3, verses 1 through 15.

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 And I'll just tell you now, because I know how I think.

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 I'm somewhat, I don't know, I guess cynical maybe is the word.

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 I'm not sure.

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 But I'm always trying to figure out people's motives,

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 why they're doing what they're doing.

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 So, in case you're wondering why this text,

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 well, there's no motive other than just,

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 when you're a guest preacher,

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 what's better to preach on than Christ and the gospel?

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 And this seemed as good a text as any.

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 So, no secret agenda here or anything like that.

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 So, if you have your Bibles,

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 please turn with me to John chapter 3, verses 1 through 15.

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 And we will read together in full in just a moment.

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 John chapter 3, verses 1 through 15.

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 I will give you the outline ahead of time,

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 just so you can think about this as we read through.

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 And our text today, I'm going to divide in four parts.

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 And I'll repeat these as we go,

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 so if you don't get this now, it's okay.

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 But four parts.

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 Heading number one,

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 we're going to see the problematic posture of Nicodemus.

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 The problematic posture of Nicodemus.

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 Number two, we're going to see the nature of rebirth,

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 or you might call it regeneration or being born from above,

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 all kind of talking about the same thing.

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 But secondly, we'll see the nature of rebirth.

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 Number three, we'll see Nicodemus' fundamental problem.

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 And number four, we'll see the solution.

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 So, with that in mind,

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 please read with me John chapter 3, verses 1 through 15.

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 The Apostle John writes,

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 Now there was a man from the Pharisees,

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 his name Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

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 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him,

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 Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,

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 for no one is able to do these signs which you do

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 unless God is with him.

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 Jesus answered and said to him,

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 unless one is born from above,

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 he is not able to see the kingdom of God.

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 Nicodemus said to him,

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 How is a man, being old,

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 able to be born?

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 He is not able to enter into his mother's womb a second time and be born.

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 And Jesus answered,

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 unless one is born by water and spirit,

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 he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.

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 What is born of the flesh is flesh,

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 and what is born of the spirit is spirit.

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 Do not marvel that I say to you,

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 it is necessary for you to be born from above.

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 The wind blows where it wishes,

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 and you hear its sounds,

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 but you do not know from where it came or where it goes.

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 So it is with everyone born of the spirit.

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 Nicodemus answered and he said to him,

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 How can these things happen?

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 And Jesus answered and said to him,

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 You are the teacher of Israel,

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 and these things you do not know.

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 that which we know we have spoken of,

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 that which we have seen we testify,

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 and our testimony you did not receive.

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 If I speak to you of earthly things,

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 and you do not believe,

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 how, if I speak to you of heavenly things,

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 will you believe?

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 And no one has ascended into heaven,

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 but the one who has come down,

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 the Son of Man.

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 And just as Moses exalted the serpent in the wilderness,

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 so also,

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 or excuse me, lifted up,

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 so also it is necessary

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 that the Son of Man be lifted up,

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 in order that all who believe in Him

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 may have eternal life.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Heading number one,

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 the problematic posture of Nicodemus.

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 So we're looking at verses one through two.

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 We're going to see this unpacked.

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 And just before we get straight to the problem,

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 I want to try and read this

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 as charitably as possible,

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 as if we are defending Nicodemus.

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 If you know the story,

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 you know he's not really worth defending

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 in this particular instance.

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 But I want to do this nonetheless,

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 just to get an idea of who we're talking about.

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 Okay, so,

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 Nicodemus, we learn,

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 verse one,

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 he is a man from

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 the Pharisees.

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 Now, as Christians,

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 we've read the Gospels,

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 so we know those are the bad guys.

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 So we're right away alert.

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 But again,

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 think about this in a first century context.

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 They didn't necessarily think of Pharisees

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 as the bad guys.

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 They were the super-duper holy people,

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 so to speak, right?

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 He's probably a good guy

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 is kind of the impression.

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 And because he's a Pharisee,

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 he probably knew his Old Testament really well,

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 probably paid zealous and critical attention

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 to keeping the Torah,

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 along with the traditions of the Pharisees

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 and so forth.

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 Now, we also see that he was a ruler of the Jews

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 in verse one.

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 So, this is a man of respect,

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 a man of means,

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 a man of influence.

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 And of course,

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 in our cynical age,

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 you might hear all that

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 and think he's got to be bad.

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 But again,

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 not necessarily the case.

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 He's prominent.

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 And so,

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 in some ways,

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 he's being set up as potentially

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 a great figure,

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 a significant figure.

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 And then in verse two,

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 we see him pay respect to Jesus.

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 And again,

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 this is kind of shocking

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 because John,

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 it's the last of our four Gospels written.

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 And if you read the Gospel of Matthew,

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 for instance,

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 that's notoriously the most critical,

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 maybe negative,

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 Gospel about the Pharisees.

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 I mean,

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 Jesus does not hold up

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 in saying what he thinks about them

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 and their hypocrisy,

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 their sinfulness,

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 and so forth.

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 And so,

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 you get to John,

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 and here Nicodemus says,

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 Rabbi.

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 Rabbi, right?

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 He's referring to him as a teacher.

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 Rabbi is a term of great respect

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 in this culture.

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 And so,

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 again,

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 this is kind of shocking

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 when you think about a Pharisee doing this.

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 And he seems sincere in it, right?

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 He's not trying to trap Jesus.

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 He's come to genuinely talk to him

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 as a rabbi.

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 And Nicodemus goes on.

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 He says,

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 We know you have come from God.

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 So, you know,

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 again,

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 just think of other stories

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 where the Pharisees accused Jesus

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 of doing things by Satan's power.

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 Well,

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 Nicodemus is not one of those Pharisees.

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 He's saying,

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 I know you come from God.

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 I know you to be a just,

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 good person,

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 a teacher,

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 a rabbi.

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 And then he adds,

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 We know God is with you.

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 So,

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 he doubles down.

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 So,

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 he's honoring Christ

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 to an extent that should be recognized.

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 And he even acknowledges

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 the uniqueness

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 of Jesus' abilities.

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 He says,

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 We know these signs you do,

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 you can only do if God is with you.

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 So,

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 he's not questioning those things.

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 He's showing respect.

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 So,

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 on a first glance of reading,

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 Nicodemus seems like

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 one of the,

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 quote-unquote,

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 good guys,

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 so to speak,

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 in the Gospel of John.

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 You may even think he is a Christian

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 or a baby Christian.

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 I've heard people say that about this text.

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 But,

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 when we look closer,

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 I think

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 this is so evidently

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 not the case.

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 Okay,

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 so again,

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 he is a Pharisee.

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 And so,

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 this tips us off,

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 as I already alluded.

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 Pharisees tend to be

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 extreme enemies of Jesus

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 in the Gospels.

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 And,

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 you know,

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 there are exceptions.

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 Some people think

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 Joseph of Arimathea

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 was a Pharisee.

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 And if you recall,

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 he did not want Jesus

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 to be crucified.

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 And he came and sought

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 Jesus' body

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 so that he could bury him

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 in his own family tomb.

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 Of course,

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 the Apostle Paul

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 was a Pharisee

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 who eventually

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 turned away from that

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 and came to Christ.

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 And so,

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 there's exceptions,

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 but by and large,

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 in the New Testament,

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 they're viewed

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 pretty negatively.

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 So,

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 right away,

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 our alert

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 should be going off.

00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:05.179
 Okay,

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 this is a Pharisee.

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 Further,

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 Nicodemus is a ruler

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 of the Jews

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 in verse 1.

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 Now,

00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.820
 in John's Gospel,

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 he often retells stories

00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:19.919
 that the other three Gospels

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 will tell.

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 But what John does,

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 one of the things he does

00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:24.960
 that's a little different,

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 is you might have a story

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 where in Matthew,

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 Mark,

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 and Luke,

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 it's specifically

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 the Pharisees

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 who come to Jesus

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 because they sought

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 to trap him

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 or to kill him

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 or something like that,

00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:36.019
 oftentimes,

00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:37.320
 in John's Gospel,

00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:38.019
 instead of saying

00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:38.779
 the Pharisees,

00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:39.539
 he'll simply say

00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.159
 the Jews.

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 The Jews came.

00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:42.120
 The Jews came.

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 And lots of people

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 speculate about

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 why that is.

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 And we don't have time

00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:48.300
 to get into all of that.

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 But I simply mention that

00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:51.399
 to point out that

00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:52.399
 when John says

00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:53.420
 a ruler of the Jews,

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 it's maybe not

00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.300
 as positive

00:09:55.300 --> 00:09:56.240
 as you might think

00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:57.399
 if you're trying

00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:58.019
 to be as charitable

00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:58.700
 as possible.

00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:00.540
 because it's the Jews

00:10:00.540 --> 00:10:01.340
 after all,

00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:02.280
 in John's Gospel

00:10:02.280 --> 00:10:03.340
 and the other Gospels,

00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:04.920
 along with the Romans,

00:10:05.780 --> 00:10:07.000
 that reject Christ,

00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:09.340
 that crucify Christ.

00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:09.640
 So,

00:10:09.800 --> 00:10:10.879
 John is really

00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:11.440
 showing us

00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:12.640
 that in a double sense

00:10:12.640 --> 00:10:13.820
 this man is identifying

00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:14.759
 with those

00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:16.740
 who reject Christ.

00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:17.759
 He's a Pharisee,

00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:18.720
 he's a ruler

00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:19.540
 of the Jews,

00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:20.840
 right,

00:10:20.940 --> 00:10:21.920
 and doesn't introduce

00:10:21.920 --> 00:10:22.600
 him as a follower

00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:23.160
 of Christ,

00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.240
 but as a ruler

00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:26.399
 of the Jews.

00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:26.580
 So,

00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.080
 this is more

00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:27.840
 of a negative

00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:29.240
 connotation

00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:31.980
 in John's Gospel.

00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.019
 And literarily,

00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:35.200
 not literally,

00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:36.220
 but literarily,

00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:37.100
 as in literature,

00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:39.960
 John is highly symbolic

00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:40.980
 and creative

00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:41.399
 in the way

00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:42.200
 that he writes.

00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:43.440
 And so,

00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:44.340
 here he's saying

00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:46.759
 by presenting Nicodemus

00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:47.720
 as this ruler

00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:48.480
 of the Jews

00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.120
 that Nicodemus

00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:50.860
 in a way

00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.379
 is personifying

00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.139
 all of Israel

00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:53.860
 in this story.

00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.060
 So,

00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:55.860
 this is a true story,

00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:56.840
 it's about an interaction

00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:57.440
 that happened

00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:57.840
 with Jesus

00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:58.600
 and Nicodemus,

00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.379
 but in another sense

00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:01.080
 Nicodemus

00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:01.980
 is representing

00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:02.919
 all of Israel

00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:04.820
 that rejected Christ.

00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:05.039
 So,

00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:05.600
 in a sense,

00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:06.600
 this is a conversation

00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:10.039
 between Yahweh

00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.840
 and Israel

00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:11.800
 much like you read

00:11:11.800 --> 00:11:12.919
 in the prophets,

00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:13.639
 right,

00:11:13.680 --> 00:11:14.379
 why have you gone

00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.300
 the way of the wicked?

00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:17.460
 That kind of thing.

00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:20.300
 And the other thing,

00:11:20.420 --> 00:11:20.539
 too,

00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:22.159
 to add to that

00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:22.960
 is this language

00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.500
 of we.

00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:23.899
 So,

00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:25.639
 if you know this story

00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:25.879
 well,

00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:26.899
 you know Nicodemus,

00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:28.080
 he comes by night.

00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:29.519
 We'll talk about that

00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:29.919
 in a second.

00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.600
 But he's clearly alone

00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:33.000
 and it's just Nicodemus

00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:33.559
 and Jesus

00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:34.779
 speaking.

00:11:35.419 --> 00:11:36.259
 But in verse 2,

00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.139
 Nicodemus says,

00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:37.899
 we know.

00:11:38.059 --> 00:11:38.240
 So,

00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:39.320
 who's the we?

00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:40.379
 Right?

00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:40.740
 Well,

00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:42.059
 some have said

00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:42.820
 it's the Pharisees

00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:43.740
 because he's a Pharisee.

00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:45.100
 Some have said

00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:45.919
 it's the Jews

00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:47.399
 in large,

00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:47.679
 right,

00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.679
 like all of Israel.

00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:50.139
 Either way,

00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:50.319
 though,

00:11:50.359 --> 00:11:51.819
 I think it covers both

00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:52.819
 because if you say Pharisees,

00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:53.959
 they're the leaders of Israel

00:11:53.959 --> 00:11:54.579
 in many ways.

00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.519
 If you say all the Jews,

00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:55.719
 well,

00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.519
 that certainly includes

00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:57.759
 the Pharisees.

00:11:57.839 --> 00:11:57.959
 So,

00:11:58.079 --> 00:11:58.299
 again,

00:11:58.439 --> 00:11:59.719
 Nicodemus is kind of

00:11:59.719 --> 00:12:00.500
 representing

00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:02.679
 Israel that rejected

00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:03.379
 the stone,

00:12:03.719 --> 00:12:04.620
 Israel that rejected

00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.899
 Christ.

00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:08.359
 And that is all just

00:12:08.359 --> 00:12:10.139
 background to who

00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.839
 Nicodemus is.

00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:11.259
 John,

00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:12.180
 in one verse,

00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.080
 masterfully,

00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:14.700
 quickly catches us up

00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:16.100
 to the political,

00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.800
 religious tensions

00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:19.100
 and dynamics going on

00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:20.180
 between Nicodemus

00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:21.180
 and Jesus

00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:22.540
 before they start

00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:23.360
 this conversation.

00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:25.040
 And then verse 2,

00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:25.560
 he adds,

00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:26.160
 this man,

00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:27.740
 Nicodemus,

00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:28.540
 came to Jesus

00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:30.399
 by night.

00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:30.639
 So,

00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:30.940
 again,

00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:32.620
 if you've ever read John,

00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:34.019
 you know he's highly symbolic,

00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:35.300
 highly metaphorical

00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:36.360
 in the way he writes.

00:12:37.040 --> 00:12:38.100
 And one of his favorite

00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:39.879
 go-to's

00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:41.519
 is this light-darkness

00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:43.299
 metaphor or symbolism.

00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:44.820
 For instance,

00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.939
 John 8, 12,

00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:47.419
 John writes,

00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:47.799
 again,

00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.820
 Jesus spoke to them

00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:49.200
 saying,

00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:50.799
 I am the light

00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:51.279
 of the world.

00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:53.039
 Whoever follows me

00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.220
 will not walk in darkness

00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:55.439
 but will have the light

00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.100
 of life.

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:56.360
 So,

00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:57.899
 there's a clear contrast,

00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:58.919
 two ways of living,

00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.600
 one in darkness,

00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.279
 one in light.

00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:02.460
 John also wrote

00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:03.259
 1 John,

00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:04.139
 and in 1 John,

00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:04.879
 chapter 1,

00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:05.960
 verses 5 through 7,

00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.480
 John himself

00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.000
 says this,

00:13:08.059 --> 00:13:08.460
 he says,

00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.860
 this is the message

00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.060
 we have heard from Jesus

00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:12.220
 and proclaimed to you

00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:15.680
 that God is light

00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:16.919
 and in him

00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:17.940
 is no darkness

00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:18.860
 at all.

00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:20.340
 If we say we have

00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:21.259
 fellowship with him

00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:22.399
 while we walk in darkness,

00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:23.539
 we lie and do not

00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.500
 practice the truth.

00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.500
 But if we walk in the light

00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.800
 as he is in the light,

00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.399
 we have fellowship

00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:30.100
 with one another

00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:30.980
 and the blood of Jesus,

00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:31.560
 his son,

00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:32.740
 cleanses us

00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.519
 from all sins.

00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:33.720
 So,

00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:33.960
 again,

00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.960
 these are common metaphors

00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:36.860
 for John.

00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:37.720
 There's a hundred more

00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.639
 verses like that

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.379
 in the literature

00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:42.080
 written by John.

00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:42.279
 So,

00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.460
 the wise reader

00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.500
 of the Gospel of John

00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.460
 is going to know

00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:47.379
 that in this story,

00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:48.240
 in chapter 3,

00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:48.919
 when Nicodemus

00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:49.960
 shows up by night,

00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:51.379
 John's not merely

00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:51.960
 telling us

00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.159
 when this conversation

00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:53.580
 happened.

00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:54.399
 He's telling us

00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:56.120
 where Nicodemus is.

00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:56.940
 Nicodemus

00:13:56.940 --> 00:13:57.980
 is in

00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.279
 darkness,

00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.840
 that he is not

00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:02.560
 in the light,

00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.300
 that he's not

00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:04.819
 in Christ.

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.679
 And if that's

00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:08.339
 not clear enough,

00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.019
 let's look at

00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.879
 what Nicodemus

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.819
 says to Jesus

00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:12.319
 more carefully

00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:13.000
 in verse 2.

00:14:13.099 --> 00:14:13.199
 So,

00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:13.899
 getting more at

00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.899
 the problematic

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:16.399
 posture of Nicodemus.

00:14:16.479 --> 00:14:16.599
 So,

00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.379
 he says,

00:14:17.479 --> 00:14:17.740
 Rabbi,

00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.579
 that sounds good

00:14:18.579 --> 00:14:18.919
 and well.

00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.599
 We like that.

00:14:19.699 --> 00:14:20.639
 We call Jesus

00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:21.139
 teacher,

00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:22.399
 and rightly so.

00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:24.939
 And more than that,

00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.399
 we would say

00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:26.620
 Jesus is the teacher.

00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.419
 There's no teacher

00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.120
 greater,

00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.579
 and that's a good thing.

00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:30.079
 He certainly

00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:31.479
 is that.

00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:34.759
 But it would be

00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.539
 wrong to think of

00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.399
 Jesus as merely

00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.879
 a teacher,

00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:39.139
 just another teacher

00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:39.860
 like me,

00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.600
 or like Nathan,

00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.840
 or like MacArthur,

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.639
 or whoever else

00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.019
 you might think of.

00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:44.820
 That he's just

00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:45.620
 another guy,

00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:46.300
 he's just another

00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:47.560
 dude teaching.

00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:49.100
 And it's that

00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.060
 latter sense

00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:51.600
 that Nicodemus

00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.600
 seems to

00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:53.840
 think of Jesus

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.320
 as,

00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.180
 just a

00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.420
 teacher.

00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:58.840
 And notice,

00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.680
 he refers to

00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.379
 Jesus as teacher,

00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.440
 but never does

00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:01.760
 he say,

00:15:01.880 --> 00:15:02.200
 Lord,

00:15:02.640 --> 00:15:02.980
 King,

00:15:03.160 --> 00:15:03.620
 God,

00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:04.240
 Savior,

00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:04.780
 Messiah,

00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:05.480
 Son of Man,

00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.280
 Son of God,

00:15:06.380 --> 00:15:08.340
 or any of these

00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.000
 other titles

00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:09.460
 that would have

00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.080
 been good and

00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.500
 well and

00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.060
 appropriate

00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:12.560
 to describe

00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:14.060
 Jesus as.

00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:14.800
 He just

00:15:14.800 --> 00:15:15.500
 thinks of him

00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:17.280
 as a teacher.

00:15:18.640 --> 00:15:18.940
 Now,

00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:19.820
 for now,

00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.460
 we're going to

00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.120
 keep coming back

00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.820
 to Nicodemus,

00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.120
 but simply

00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.900
 understand

00:15:23.900 --> 00:15:25.980
 that it is

00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.940
 disrespectful

00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.280
 disrespectful for

00:15:28.280 --> 00:15:28.960
 Nicodemus to

00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.300
 approach Jesus

00:15:30.300 --> 00:15:31.180
 and minimize

00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:32.300
 who he actually

00:15:32.300 --> 00:15:32.920
 is,

00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:34.280
 however well-mannered

00:15:34.280 --> 00:15:35.120
 and well-intended

00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.040
 he may have been.

00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.140
 Right?

00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:37.560
 It is

00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.740
 disrespectful

00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.580
 to walk up to

00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.380
 the King of Kings

00:15:41.380 --> 00:15:42.180
 and just say,

00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:42.740
 Rabbi,

00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.560
 and that's all

00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.080
 you are.

00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.400
 You have

00:15:46.400 --> 00:15:46.900
 failed.

00:15:47.260 --> 00:15:47.400
 Right?

00:15:47.400 --> 00:15:48.080
 You have not

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.880
 recognized

00:15:48.880 --> 00:15:50.020
 who's standing

00:15:50.020 --> 00:15:50.540
 before you.

00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.460
 King of

00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.700
 Kings.

00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:55.240
 And he goes

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.860
 on and says,

00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.660
 we know you

00:15:56.660 --> 00:15:57.560
 come from

00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.140
 God.

00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.320
 Right?

00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.560
 Again,

00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.100
 that sounds

00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.560
 nice.

00:16:00.640 --> 00:16:01.080
 It sounds

00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:01.840
 flattering.

00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:02.780
 Right?

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.259
 I'd love to

00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.700
 hear that.

00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.220
 That would

00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:04.920
 be probably,

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:05.400
 you know,

00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.180
 it would be

00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:06.660
 complimentary

00:16:06.660 --> 00:16:07.280
 for somebody

00:16:07.280 --> 00:16:07.840
 like me.

00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:09.220
 But for

00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.540
 Jesus,

00:16:09.900 --> 00:16:10.259
 again,

00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:10.860
 this is

00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.520
 disrespectful

00:16:11.520 --> 00:16:12.280
 to say

00:16:12.280 --> 00:16:13.140
 to Jesus.

00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.700
 You come

00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.259
 from God.

00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:14.580
 In other

00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:14.900
 words,

00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.220
 you're not

00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:16.840
 God.

00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:18.540
 You just

00:16:18.540 --> 00:16:19.420
 come from

00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:19.660
 him.

00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:21.920
 The other

00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:22.080
 thing,

00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:22.240
 too,

00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:22.580
 is notice

00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:23.340
 Nicodemus

00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.480
 is consciously

00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:25.860
 distancing

00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.680
 himself

00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.400
 from

00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:28.040
 Jesus.

00:16:28.780 --> 00:16:29.120
 He says,

00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:29.720
 we know

00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.180
 this,

00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:31.360
 implying

00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.139
 there's a

00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:32.540
 you and

00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:33.139
 your people,

00:16:33.280 --> 00:16:33.600
 there's a

00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:33.940
 me and

00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.580
 my people.

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.740
 We know

00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.220
 this about

00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:36.660
 you and

00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.320
 your kind.

00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:38.480
 Right?

00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:38.900
 And again,

00:16:39.020 --> 00:16:39.379
 I don't think

00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:39.960
 he's trying

00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.540
 to be rude,

00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:42.160
 but he is

00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:42.960
 careful to

00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:43.759
 draw that

00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.480
 distinction,

00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:44.879
 which,

00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:45.700
 in another

00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:45.960
 way,

00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:46.860
 is disrespectful

00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.720
 to the

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.020
 King of

00:16:48.020 --> 00:16:48.360
 Kings.

00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.080
 Right?

00:16:50.160 --> 00:16:50.440
 And so,

00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:50.700
 he

00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.500
 consciously

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.820
 distances

00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.220
 himself.

00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:53.480
 He

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:53.700
 doesn't

00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:54.080
 recognize

00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.259
 that

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.480
 Jesus

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.200
 is

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.700
 God.

00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:57.000
 And again,

00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.600
 as readers

00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.080
 of John's

00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:58.379
 gospel,

00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:58.679
 we have

00:16:58.679 --> 00:16:59.139
 the benefit

00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.539
 of knowing

00:16:59.539 --> 00:16:59.899
 this.

00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.000
 John

00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.679
 chapter 1,

00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:02.899
 verses 1

00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.259
 through 3,

00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.059
 so the

00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.380
 beginning of

00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:04.660
 John's

00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:04.940
 prolong.

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.200
 John writes,

00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:06.519
 in the

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:06.799
 beginning

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.279
 was the

00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.619
 Word,

00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:08.440
 and the

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:08.740
 Word was

00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.440
 with God,

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.180
 and the

00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:10.880
 Word was

00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:11.420
 God,

00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.039
 referring to

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.319
 Jesus.

00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:13.420
 He says,

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:13.880
 he was in

00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:14.200
 the beginning

00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.759
 with God.

00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.299
 All things

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.640
 were made

00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.079
 through him,

00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.539
 and without

00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.180
 him was not

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:17.960
 anything made

00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.299
 that was

00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:18.720
 made.

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.480
 And when

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:19.779
 you jump

00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.160
 down to

00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:20.400
 John

00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.019
 chapter 1,

00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.779
 verse 14,

00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.839
 John continues,

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.460
 and he says,

00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:24.519
 And the

00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.220
 Word became

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:25.759
 flesh,

00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.440
 and dwelt

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.220
 among us,

00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:27.620
 and we

00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.220
 have seen

00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.079
 his glory,

00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.480
 glory as

00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:30.839
 of the

00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.519
 only Son

00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:31.960
 from the

00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.440
 Father,

00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:33.500
 full of

00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:33.980
 grace

00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:35.339
 and truth.

00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.360
 So,

00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:37.700
 we have the

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.120
 benefit of

00:17:38.120 --> 00:17:38.620
 knowing this.

00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.140
 By the time

00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:39.339
 you get

00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:40.759
 God incarnate,

00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.360
 and clearly,

00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:41.960
 when we see

00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.819
 Nicodemus say,

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.539
 God must be

00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:43.880
 with you,

00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.339
 you must have

00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:44.720
 come from

00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.079
 God,

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.919
 we immediately

00:17:46.919 --> 00:17:48.000
 recognize that

00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.179
 Nicodemus does

00:17:49.179 --> 00:17:49.919
 not believe

00:17:49.919 --> 00:17:50.980
 Jesus is

00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.779
 God incarnate.

00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:53.659
 So,

00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:53.980
 again,

00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.119
 Jesus,

00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.000
 however great

00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.720
 in Nicodemus'

00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.199
 mind,

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.000
 is just a

00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.279
 great other

00:17:59.279 --> 00:17:59.679
 guy.

00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.119
 He's just

00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:01.220
 another guy.

00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:01.859
 That's all he

00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:02.799
 is to

00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.460
 Nicodemus.

00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.179
 And the

00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:06.819
 thought seemingly

00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.359
 hasn't even

00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:07.960
 crossed his

00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:09.559
 mind that

00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:10.639
 this is

00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:11.079
 God.

00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.559
 So,

00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:13.960
 John has

00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.659
 introduced us

00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:15.680
 to Nicodemus,

00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:17.540
 more friendly

00:18:17.540 --> 00:18:18.440
 and open

00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.220
 Pharisee than

00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:19.680
 maybe what

00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.540
 we're accustomed

00:18:20.540 --> 00:18:21.100
 to in the

00:18:21.100 --> 00:18:21.720
 Gospels,

00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.200
 but still

00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.019
 very much

00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.300
 in darkness

00:18:25.300 --> 00:18:26.320
 and alienated

00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:26.779
 from the

00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.279
 light and

00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.779
 life of

00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.279
 the world,

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.279
 Jesus.

00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.420
 And so,

00:18:31.560 --> 00:18:31.840
 Jesus,

00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:32.519
 in verse

00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:34.120
 three and

00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:34.360
 on,

00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:34.700
 he's going

00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.160
 to take

00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.000
 the opportunity

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.600
 to lovingly

00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:38.160
 talk about

00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:38.840
 the nature

00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:40.460
 of rebirth,

00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.519
 or if you

00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.220
 like systematic

00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.660
 theology,

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.240
 this is what

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.940
 theologians

00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.519
 often call

00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.259
 regeneration.

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:46.599
 So,

00:18:46.639 --> 00:18:46.839
 he's going

00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.180
 to talk

00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.519
 about

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.160
 rebirth,

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.879
 being born

00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:50.359
 from above.

00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:51.879
 And this

00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:52.319
 leads to

00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:52.940
 our second

00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.779
 heading,

00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.420
 the nature

00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.680
 of rebirth,

00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.639
 the nature

00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:57.639
 of rebirth.

00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.440
 John writes

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.859
 in verses

00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.500
 three through

00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:03.940
 eight,

00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.740
 and Jesus

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.440
 answers

00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.099
 Nicodemus

00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:08.359
 and says

00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:08.740
 to him,

00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.960
 truly,

00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:10.279
 truly,

00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.680
 I say

00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.099
 to you,

00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:18.219
 Nicodemus

00:19:18.219 --> 00:19:18.459
 said to

00:19:18.459 --> 00:19:18.579
 him,

00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:18.980
 how can

00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:20.059
 a man

00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:20.500
 being old

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:20.899
 be born

00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:21.240
 again?

00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.279
 Is he

00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.679
 not able

00:19:22.679 --> 00:19:23.919
 to enter

00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:24.339
 into his

00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:24.659
 mother's

00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:24.980
 womb a

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.639
 second time

00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:25.899
 and be

00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:26.199
 born?

00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:27.959
 Jesus

00:19:27.959 --> 00:19:28.299
 answered,

00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:28.559
 truly,

00:19:28.679 --> 00:19:28.839
 truly,

00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:29.199
 I say

00:19:29.199 --> 00:19:29.559
 to you,

00:19:29.719 --> 00:19:30.039
 unless

00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.439
 one is

00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:30.819
 born by

00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.419
 water and

00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:31.819
 spirit,

00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:32.699
 he is

00:19:32.699 --> 00:19:33.299
 not able

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.879
 to enter

00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:34.659
 into the

00:19:34.659 --> 00:19:34.959
 kingdom

00:19:34.959 --> 00:19:36.179
 of God.

00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:38.799
 what's

00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.100
 born of

00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:39.500
 the flesh

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.240
 is flesh

00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.740
 and what's

00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.000
 born of

00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.460
 the spirit

00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.299
 is spirit.

00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.600
 Do not

00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.240
 marvel that

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.539
 I say

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:44.840
 to you,

00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.100
 it is

00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:45.600
 necessary

00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:45.960
 for you

00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.160
 to be

00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:46.580
 born from

00:19:46.580 --> 00:19:46.960
 above.

00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.279
 The wind

00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.720
 blows where

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.080
 it wishes

00:19:49.080 --> 00:19:49.700
 and you

00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:49.960
 hear it

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.240
 sounds,

00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:50.460
 but you

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:50.680
 do not

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.000
 know from

00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.259
 where it

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.799
 comes or

00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.100
 where it

00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:52.460
 goes.

00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.700
 So it

00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.299
 is with

00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.700
 everyone

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:56.060
 born of

00:19:56.060 --> 00:19:56.580
 the spirit.

00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:58.900
 Now in

00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.320
 these five

00:19:59.320 --> 00:19:59.660
 verses,

00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:00.340
 we see

00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:01.019
 at least

00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:02.640
 three aspects

00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:03.460
 concerning the

00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:03.960
 nature of

00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.740
 rebirth or

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.620
 regeneration.

00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:07.179
 Three aspects

00:20:07.179 --> 00:20:07.799
 you could tease

00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.259
 out more,

00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.619
 but there are

00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.059
 three for

00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.679
 our purposes

00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:11.139
 that I want

00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:11.659
 to highlight.

00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:13.059
 A physical

00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:14.239
 earthly

00:20:14.239 --> 00:20:15.039
 rebirth,

00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:15.979
 and we'll

00:20:15.979 --> 00:20:16.619
 unpack that

00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:16.839
 and these

00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.279
 other two

00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.859
 more in a

00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.139
 moment.

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.500
 But secondly,

00:20:19.719 --> 00:20:20.179
 we see that

00:20:20.179 --> 00:20:20.819
 rebirth

00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.839
 includes a

00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.559
 miraculously

00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.659
 transformed

00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.819
 life.

00:20:25.959 --> 00:20:27.019
 It dramatically

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.119
 changes the

00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:28.599
 person.

00:20:29.959 --> 00:20:30.399
 And third,

00:20:30.479 --> 00:20:30.959
 we see that

00:20:30.959 --> 00:20:31.919
 rebirth is a

00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:32.559
 work of

00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.839
 the spirit,

00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.599
 not man.

00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.039
 So firstly,

00:20:37.219 --> 00:20:38.099
 rebirth is a

00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.599
 spiritual,

00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.679
 heavenly work,

00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.339
 not a

00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.319
 physical

00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.479
 rebirth.

00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:43.899
 So when you

00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.299
 look at verse

00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:44.559
 three,

00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:45.339
 admittedly,

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.119
 at first

00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:46.639
 glance,

00:20:47.719 --> 00:20:47.959
 Jesus'

00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.839
 response seems

00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.699
 somewhat out

00:20:49.699 --> 00:20:50.359
 of left field.

00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:51.599
 Okay,

00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.539
 Nicodemus has

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.299
 technically not

00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.139
 asked Jesus

00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:55.379
 anything.

00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.859
 So what

00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.599
 prompts Jesus

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.399
 to respond

00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:58.959
 as he does?

00:20:59.059 --> 00:20:59.919
 Why start

00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:00.539
 talking about

00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.000
 rebirth?

00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:01.839
 What does this

00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.379
 have to do

00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.139
 with Nicodemus

00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:04.040
 and everything

00:21:04.040 --> 00:21:04.740
 going on?

00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:06.259
 Well,

00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:06.680
 clearly,

00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.400
 as I've already

00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:07.680
 said,

00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.660
 Nicodemus still

00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.100
 does not

00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:09.860
 really know

00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:11.220
 what to do

00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.700
 with Jesus.

00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.759
 Who is this

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.120
 guy?

00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:14.220
 Nicodemus is

00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.920
 still kind of

00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.900
 wondering.

00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.920
 He's confused.

00:21:17.040 --> 00:21:17.740
 He's inquiring,

00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.420
 maybe even.

00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.259
 And so in

00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.680
 verse two,

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.360
 Nicodemus is

00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.220
 essentially saying,

00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.980
 hey, we know

00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.860
 this much about

00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.000
 you.

00:21:24.060 --> 00:21:24.759
 That's kind of

00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.220
 the effect.

00:21:25.300 --> 00:21:25.640
 He's saying,

00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.340
 we know you

00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:26.840
 must come from

00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:27.100
 God.

00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:27.920
 Like, here's what

00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.620
 we've figured out

00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.440
 so far on our

00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.400
 own, even though

00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:30.820
 they're wrong,

00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.839
 partially.

00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:32.939
 But he's saying,

00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.519
 here's what we've

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.019
 kind of figured

00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:35.980
 out, but what

00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.599
 aren't you telling

00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:36.720
 us?

00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.399
 Like, that's kind

00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:38.579
 of the vibe,

00:21:38.679 --> 00:21:39.099
 so to speak,

00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.839
 with Nicodemus

00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.559
 in this moment.

00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.700
 He's trying to

00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.000
 figure out,

00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.980
 who is this

00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.619
 guy?

00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.579
 And when we

00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.019
 look closer,

00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.919
 we see Jesus,

00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.639
 per usual,

00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.439
 he hits the

00:21:49.439 --> 00:21:50.099
 nail on the

00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.019
 head in a

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.539
 concise manner.

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.179
 So in Jesus'

00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:54.220
 response about

00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.659
 rebirth, which

00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:56.419
 again, at first

00:21:56.419 --> 00:21:57.259
 seems maybe out

00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.939
 of left field or

00:21:57.939 --> 00:21:59.339
 unrelated, in

00:21:59.339 --> 00:21:59.980
 talking about

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.059
 it, Jesus

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.480
 is actually

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:01.980
 what to do

00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.440
 with Jesus.

00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.559
 Or better,

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.480
 why Nicodemus

00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.299
 does not know

00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.120
 or understand

00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:07.319
 who Jesus

00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:07.660
 is.

00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.700
 It's related

00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.880
 to regeneration,

00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:10.640
 to rebirth.

00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.579
 This is why

00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.839
 Nicodemus does

00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:14.160
 not know who

00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.900
 Jesus is.

00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.440
 You see,

00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.420
 Jesus, as the

00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.380
 king, and as

00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:20.200
 God incarnate,

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.700
 which again,

00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.680
 John 1 has

00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.640
 made very clear

00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.140
 for the reader

00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.620
 of John,

00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.779
 as the king,

00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.360
 as God

00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:26.920
 incarnate,

00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.640
 Jesus represents

00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.400
 the kingdom

00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.740
 of God.

00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:31.280
 It is not

00:22:31.280 --> 00:22:32.000
 wrong, in a

00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.520
 sense, to

00:22:32.520 --> 00:22:32.980
 say that

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.040
 Jesus is

00:22:34.040 --> 00:22:35.180
 the kingdom

00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.900
 of God

00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:36.580
 because he's

00:22:36.580 --> 00:22:36.960
 the king.

00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.440
 In ancient

00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:38.980
 thought, the

00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.780
 king was often

00:22:39.780 --> 00:22:41.220
 the representative

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.000
 of the kingdom,

00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.759
 so anywhere the

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.500
 king went, you

00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.120
 could say the

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:45.160
 kingdom went as

00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.160
 well, even

00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:46.540
 though the

00:22:46.540 --> 00:22:47.520
 villager, like

00:22:47.520 --> 00:22:48.240
 me, might not

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.880
 go with him,

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.540
 and I'm part of

00:22:49.540 --> 00:22:49.880
 the kingdom.

00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:51.360
 So there's a

00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:52.180
 sense, there's a

00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:52.960
 degree to which

00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:54.880
 Jesus is the

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:56.160
 kingdom of God.

00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.700
 Just a quick

00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.420
 example of that,

00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:58.840
 you think of

00:22:58.840 --> 00:22:59.800
 Luke 17,

00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.920
 verses 20

00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.680
 through 21,

00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.160
 it's another

00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:03.800
 encounter with

00:23:03.800 --> 00:23:04.580
 some Pharisees,

00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.259
 Luke writes,

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.740
 being asked by

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.360
 the Pharisees

00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:07.820
 when the

00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:08.180
 kingdom of

00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.519
 God would

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.500
 come, Jesus

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.300
 answered them,

00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.100
 the kingdom

00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:11.620
 of God is

00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.279
 not coming in

00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:12.840
 ways that can

00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:13.460
 be observed,

00:23:14.040 --> 00:23:14.620
 nor will they

00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.100
 say, look,

00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:15.600
 here it is,

00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.019
 or there,

00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:16.680
 for behold,

00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.640
 the kingdom

00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.279
 of God is

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.820
 in the midst

00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.340
 of you,

00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:19.700
 and I

00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.640
 understand him

00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.440
 to be referring

00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.040
 to himself,

00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.759
 I, the

00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.100
 kingdom of

00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:23.440
 God, am

00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.880
 standing in

00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.360
 your midst,

00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:25.859
 I'm right

00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.359
 here, but

00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:26.659
 you are

00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.479
 blind and

00:23:27.479 --> 00:23:28.559
 cannot see

00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:28.899
 it.

00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:30.639
 And so

00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:30.919
 when you go

00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:31.359
 back to

00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.959
 John 3,

00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:33.740
 verse 3,

00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.579
 the reason

00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.219
 Nicodemus

00:23:36.219 --> 00:23:36.879
 cannot see

00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:38.919
 Christ as

00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:39.500
 he truly

00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:41.319
 is, is

00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:41.679
 because he's

00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:42.079
 not been

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.899
 born from

00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.679
 above, he's

00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:45.000
 not regenerate,

00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:45.639
 he is not

00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:47.039
 a Christian.

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.379
 And so

00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:49.679
 what does

00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.219
 born from

00:23:50.219 --> 00:23:50.859
 above mean?

00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.439
 What are we

00:23:51.439 --> 00:23:52.019
 talking about?

00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.259
 I keep

00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.699
 throwing this

00:23:52.699 --> 00:23:53.399
 word rebirth

00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:53.699
 around.

00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.000
 Well,

00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:55.219
 clearly,

00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:56.079
 it's not

00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.099
 referring to

00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:57.479
 a second

00:23:57.479 --> 00:23:57.939
 physical

00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:59.859
 birth, as

00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.779
 even Nicodemus

00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.559
 understands in

00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.619
 verse 4,

00:24:02.719 --> 00:24:02.879
 right?

00:24:02.939 --> 00:24:03.459
 Verse 4,

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.059
 he says,

00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.119
 how can

00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.079
 a man being

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:06.500
 old be

00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.099
 born again?

00:24:07.979 --> 00:24:08.279
 Is he

00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.659
 able to

00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:09.219
 enter into

00:24:09.219 --> 00:24:09.740
 his mother's

00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.119
 womb a

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.859
 second time?

00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.059
 Really not.

00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:13.539
 The way it's

00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.159
 constructed in

00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:14.599
 Greek, and I

00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.059
 won't bore you

00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.259
 with the

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.939
 details, is

00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.879
 the question

00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:17.759
 expects the

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.379
 answer no.

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.059
 Like, Nicodemus

00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.599
 knows that's

00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.619
 not possible.

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.059
 What are you

00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.779
 talking about,

00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.119
 Jesus?

00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.599
 That's his

00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.240
 question, right?

00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.500
 So he

00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.220
 doesn't get

00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.440
 it.

00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.319
 And he's

00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.880
 thinking about

00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.400
 it in an

00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.299
 earthly sense.

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.319
 So there's

00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.180
 somewhat of a

00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:32.380
 wordplay going

00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:32.759
 on here.

00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:33.240
 So in verse

00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.980
 3, when Jesus

00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.839
 says, you

00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.480
 must be born

00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.500
 from above,

00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:38.019
 the Greek

00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.480
 term is

00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.160
 anothen.

00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.200
 And this

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.599
 word can

00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.200
 mean either

00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.339
 again or

00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.019
 above.

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.480
 And so

00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.039
 Nicodemus

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.720
 seems to

00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.500
 understand Jesus

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:46.940
 to be talking

00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.420
 about being

00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.240
 born again,

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:48.960
 which is

00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:49.359
 ironic.

00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.959
 But really

00:24:50.959 --> 00:24:51.419
 what Jesus

00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:51.939
 is talking

00:24:51.939 --> 00:24:52.319
 about is

00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.019
 being born

00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.299
 from above.

00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:55.519
 And so

00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.179
 Nicodemus,

00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:56.519
 and you'll

00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:56.859
 see this

00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:57.279
 throughout this

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.759
 entire

00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.399
 pericope,

00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:58.959
 this entire

00:24:58.959 --> 00:24:59.479
 story,

00:25:00.219 --> 00:25:01.000
 Nicodemus

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.500
 is interpreting

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.159
 everything Jesus

00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:03.659
 says in a

00:25:03.659 --> 00:25:04.459
 very earthly,

00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.619
 literal,

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.240
 human way,

00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.139
 when Jesus

00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.859
 is constantly

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.559
 speaking of

00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.000
 heavenly,

00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.519
 spiritual

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:13.139
 realities that

00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:13.619
 have invaded

00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:13.979
 earth.

00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:14.579
 It's not to

00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:14.879
 say they're

00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:15.240
 separate,

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.759
 but we are

00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.259
 talking about

00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.059
 two different

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.679
 things here

00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.019
 between

00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.700
 Nicodemus

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.919
 and Jesus.

00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.519
 So thus to

00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.619
 be born

00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.440
 from above

00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:26.059
 is at least

00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:26.659
 saying that

00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:27.319
 we require

00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.299
 heaven to

00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:28.980
 act in

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.740
 some way

00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.179
 on our

00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:30.579
 behalf,

00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:31.139
 for God

00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:32.419
 himself to

00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.960
 intervene and

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.500
 make things

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:34.899
 right,

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.440
 that we are

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.059
 waiting for

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.740
 God to do

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.440
 something to

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.240
 save his

00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.519
 people.

00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.319
 We must be

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.879
 born from

00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:42.220
 above.

00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.960
 That is a

00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.460
 work of

00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.899
 God.

00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:44.940
 God.

00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.259
 And secondly,

00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:48.759
 we see that

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.220
 the nature

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.900
 of rebirth

00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:49.900


00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.740
 includes a

00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.480
 miraculously

00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.380
 transformed

00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.780
 life.

00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:55.040
 So in

00:25:55.040 --> 00:25:55.600
 verse 5,

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.740
 you likely

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.420
 notice Jesus

00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.160
 switched.

00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.320
 So in

00:25:59.320 --> 00:25:59.980
 verse 3,

00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.019
 he talked

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.480
 about being

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.060
 born from

00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:02.519
 above.

00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:03.920
 In verse 5,

00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.500
 he talks about

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.300
 being born by

00:26:05.300 --> 00:26:06.380
 water and

00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:07.100
 spirit.

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:08.860
 Now some

00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.180
 have said

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.700
 Jesus is

00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.240
 talking about

00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.080
 baptism in

00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:11.660
 this passage,

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:11.900
 right?

00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.259
 We think of

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.940
 water and

00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.440
 this kind of

00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:13.660
 thing.

00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:15.360
 I think

00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:16.160
 that's wrong

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.759
 because one,

00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:19.420
 baptism to

00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:19.900
 enter the

00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:21.000
 church did

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.620
 not exist

00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.000
 yet.

00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:24.019
 And so as

00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.320
 D.A.

00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:24.980
 Carson points

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.600
 out, that

00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:25.880
 would have

00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:26.240
 been a

00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.580
 meaningless

00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.240
 thing for

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.720
 Jesus to

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.040
 say to

00:26:28.040 --> 00:26:28.600
 Nicodemus

00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:28.960
 when there's

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.400
 no church

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:29.680
 to be

00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.019
 baptized

00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.560
 into.

00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.279
 Like of

00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:31.920
 course Nicodemus

00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.320
 doesn't know

00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:32.519
 what he's

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.080
 talking about.

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.340
 And so I

00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:34.820
 don't think

00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.660
 he's talking

00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:37.259
 about church

00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.019
 membership and

00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.660
 baptism and

00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.220
 all that.

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.320
 Others have

00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:40.980
 said perhaps

00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.360
 it's the

00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:42.060
 baptism of

00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:42.560
 John the

00:26:42.560 --> 00:26:42.920
 Baptist.

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.060
 Now if you

00:26:44.060 --> 00:26:44.640
 recall that

00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.360
 baptism, which

00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:46.060
 is different,

00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.360
 is merely a

00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:48.140
 baptism to

00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:50.180
 express repentance.

00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.580
 There was

00:26:51.580 --> 00:26:52.480
 nothing powerful

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:55.160
 within John's

00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:56.080
 baptism, however,

00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.279
 to transform a

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.680
 life.

00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:58.900
 And so I

00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.519
 don't think

00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.120
 this is talking

00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:01.320
 about John the

00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:02.100
 Baptist's

00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:02.820
 baptism.

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.060
 I don't think

00:27:04.060 --> 00:27:04.420
 he's talking

00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:05.100
 about baptism

00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:05.640
 at all.

00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.120
 I think this

00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:06.680
 has nothing

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.140
 to do with

00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:07.620
 baptism.

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.860
 I say that

00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.700
 as a Baptist

00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.120
 who cares

00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:10.700
 about baptism.

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:12.400
 it's best to

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:12.980
 see in Jesus'

00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.080
 words rather

00:27:14.080 --> 00:27:16.200
 an allusion to

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.660
 the Old

00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.539
 Testament,

00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.700
 especially since

00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.740
 Nicodemus and

00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:22.160
 Jesus themselves

00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:23.860
 share that

00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:24.440
 text.

00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.500
 They both view

00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:25.920
 it as the

00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.360
 Word of God.

00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:26.860
 So I think

00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:27.880
 that's probably

00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.660
 a good place

00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.980
 to go and

00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.539
 look to see

00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.480
 what might

00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.019
 these words

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.299
 evoke for a

00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.819
 first century

00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.600
 Jew who knows

00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:34.880
 his Old

00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.480
 Testament well

00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.880
 as a Pharisee.

00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:38.660
 And again,

00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:39.240
 throughout the

00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:39.640
 Old Testament

00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.460
 you will find

00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.240
 language of the

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.820
 Spirit being

00:27:41.820 --> 00:27:42.860
 poured out.

00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.400
 Probably most

00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:44.860
 famously,

00:27:45.060 --> 00:27:45.920
 Joel 2,

00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:47.720
 verse 28.

00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.760
 This is the

00:27:48.760 --> 00:27:49.360
 prophecy about

00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:49.800
 the day of

00:27:49.800 --> 00:27:50.620
 Pentecost that's

00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.180
 fulfilled in

00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.840
 Acts 2.

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.220
 And there,

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.240
 Joel writes,

00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:54.800
 the Spirit will

00:27:54.800 --> 00:27:55.780
 be poured out.

00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.960
 So that very

00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.460
 verb,

00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:59.460
 you think of

00:27:59.460 --> 00:27:59.800
 water,

00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:00.440
 water being

00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:00.840
 poured out,

00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.280
 but it's the

00:28:01.280 --> 00:28:01.800
 Spirit being

00:28:01.800 --> 00:28:02.360
 poured out.

00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.140
 And so

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:04.120
 oftentimes water

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.720
 and Spirit

00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:06.080
 are connected

00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.699
 in some

00:28:06.699 --> 00:28:07.599
 symbolic,

00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.519
 metaphorical

00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.899
 way in

00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:10.179
 the Old

00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:10.599
 Testament.

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.699
 But specifically,

00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:13.460
 I think John

00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.419
 probably has

00:28:14.419 --> 00:28:15.839
 Ezekiel 36

00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.859
 in mind.

00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.119
 Many would

00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:18.579
 say this.

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.859
 In Ezekiel 36,

00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.159
 God is

00:28:21.159 --> 00:28:21.699
 foretelling

00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:22.460
 Israel of

00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.139
 things to

00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:23.480
 come,

00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.359
 realities to

00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:24.740
 come.

00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.659
 And specifically,

00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:27.579
 he's giving

00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.079
 them a word of

00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.720
 hope to tell

00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.939
 them that one

00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:30.779
 day God will

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.859
 change the

00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.559
 hearts of

00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.240
 his chosen,

00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:33.839
 his elect,

00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:35.039
 in a way that

00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.579
 he hadn't

00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.119
 previously,

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.579
 in a way

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.299
 that's special,

00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:37.659
 in a way

00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:38.379
 that's unique.

00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:39.519
 And of course,

00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:39.779
 we don't have

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.179
 time to teach

00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:40.399
 that,

00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:40.899
 but essentially

00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:41.599
 he's talking

00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:41.879
 about the

00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.359
 new covenant

00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:42.639
 era,

00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.259
 the era that

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.839
 we are in

00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.899
 right now.

00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:45.939
 He's saying,

00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:46.439
 when that day

00:28:46.439 --> 00:28:46.720
 comes,

00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.059
 I will

00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:48.259
 transform their

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.599
 hearts.

00:28:48.699 --> 00:28:49.240
 And let's

00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.679
 read it real

00:28:49.679 --> 00:28:49.879
 quick.

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.519
 Ezekiel 36,

00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:53.039
 verses 25

00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.699
 through 27,

00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:54.519
 God says,

00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.379
 so notice this

00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.059
 water and

00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:56.759
 spirit language,

00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.339
 he says,

00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.879
 I will sprinkle

00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.919
 clean water

00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:02.039
 on you,

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:03.060
 and you

00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:03.400
 shall be

00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:03.940
 clean from

00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.340
 all your

00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.039
 uncleanness,

00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:05.720
 and from

00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.060
 all your

00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:06.620
 idols I

00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:07.120
 will cleanse

00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:07.360
 you,

00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.200
 and I

00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.440
 will give

00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:08.720
 you a

00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.320
 new heart

00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:09.800
 and a

00:29:09.800 --> 00:29:10.420
 new spirit

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.940
 I will put

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.420
 within you,

00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.180
 and I

00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:12.640
 will remove

00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.100
 the heart of

00:29:13.100 --> 00:29:13.480
 stone from

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.100
 your flesh

00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:14.800
 and give

00:29:14.800 --> 00:29:15.080
 you a

00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.360
 heart of

00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:15.700
 flesh,

00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.460
 and I

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:16.759
 will put

00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.680
 my spirit,

00:29:17.800 --> 00:29:18.180
 the Holy

00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.600
 Spirit,

00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.700
 within you

00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.580
 and cause

00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:20.840
 you,

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:21.900
 I will

00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:22.320
 cause you,

00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:22.660
 God,

00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.279
 to walk

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:23.640
 in my

00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.100
 statues

00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:24.680
 and be

00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.920
 careful to

00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:27.519
 obey my

00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.019
 rules.

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:30.660
 And so I

00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.259
 think that is

00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.079
 what Jesus

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:33.220
 is referencing.

00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.139
 He's talking

00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.559
 about this

00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.579
 transformed life

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.079
 that comes

00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.660
 by this

00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.920
 cleansing water,

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.400
 by this

00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.079
 act of the

00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.400
 spirit

00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:39.859
 indwelling

00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:40.119
 us.

00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.660
 Some have

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.759
 said this

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.599
 cannot be.

00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.680
 They'll argue,

00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.019
 well, if that's

00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.480
 the case,

00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.440
 Pentecost hasn't

00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.200
 happened yet

00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.680
 when Jesus

00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.139
 talked to

00:29:48.139 --> 00:29:48.700
 Nicodemus,

00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.180
 so why would

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.660
 Jesus be

00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.900
 talking about

00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.019
 it?

00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.480
 But again,

00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.240
 D.A. Carson,

00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:52.980
 super helpful,

00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:53.720
 he said,

00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.359
 quote,

00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.680
 the charge

00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.279
 is ill

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.279
 conceived.

00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.839
 Jesus is not

00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.700
 presented as

00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.660
 demanding that

00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:03.039
 Nicodemus experience

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.740
 the new birth

00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.859
 in that moment

00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.460
 or in the

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:05.980
 instant.

00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:07.639
 Rather,

00:30:07.879 --> 00:30:08.720
 he is forcefully

00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.480
 articulating

00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.519
 what must be

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.200
 experienced

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.779
 if one is to

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.879
 enter the

00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.359
 kingdom of

00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:14.559
 God.

00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.180
 So Jesus is

00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.680
 simply telling

00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:15.799
 him,

00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:17.019
 this is the

00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.819
 condition in

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.099
 the new

00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:18.720
 covenant era.

00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:19.819
 This is what's

00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.460
 about to unfold.

00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:21.220
 This is how

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.960
 one enters

00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.319
 the kingdom

00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:22.740
 of God,

00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.399
 being born

00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.680
 again.

00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:25.879
 And so he's

00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.660
 letting Nicodemus

00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.380
 know that,

00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:27.740
 that that's

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.380
 coming and

00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:28.800
 he needs

00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:29.120
 to be

00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:30.800
 born again.

00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:33.000
 And this

00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.440
 will lead

00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:33.920
 to this

00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.700
 transformed

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.180
 life.

00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.860
 This is why

00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.820
 not everyone

00:30:37.820 --> 00:30:38.600
 who claims

00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.019
 Lord,

00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:39.500
 Lord,

00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.279
 and as you

00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.680
 think of the

00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.080
 Sermon on the

00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.380
 Mount,

00:30:42.040 --> 00:30:42.740
 will enter

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.380
 the kingdom

00:30:43.380 --> 00:30:44.440
 of heaven.

00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.440
 Because

00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:45.900
 claiming the

00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.360
 work of

00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:47.100
 God in

00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:47.820
 their life,

00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.080
 and the

00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:49.580
 proof that

00:30:49.580 --> 00:30:49.960
 God has

00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.720
 worked in

00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.300
 their life,

00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:52.440
 is that

00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:52.960
 transformed

00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.259
 life,

00:30:53.320 --> 00:30:53.940
 a life that

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.500
 is bearing

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:54.980
 fruit,

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.519
 a life that

00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.059
 is growing

00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.259
 in holiness.

00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:57.559
 And this

00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:57.839
 is why

00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.559
 Jesus says

00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.000
 in Matthew

00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.400
 7,

00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.279
 16,

00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:01.319
 you will

00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:01.940
 recognize

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.480
 them,

00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.240
 true believers,

00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:03.599
 you will

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:03.940
 recognize

00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:05.839
 them by

00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:06.700
 their fruits.

00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.299
 There will

00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.420
 be fruit.

00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.180
 And this

00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:10.440
 does not

00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:10.740
 mean we

00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.460
 live sinless

00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:11.940
 lives,

00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.180
 right?

00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:12.420
 We are

00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.599
 not morally

00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.220
 perfect by

00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.079
 no means.

00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.539
 After all,

00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.279
 John himself

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.799
 writes in

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.740
 1 John 1,

00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.920
 8-9,

00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.220
 he says,

00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.620
 if we

00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.600
 say we

00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:22.100
 have no

00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:22.480
 sin,

00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.440
 we deceive

00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.200
 ourselves.

00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.059
 In other

00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:26.200
 words,

00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:26.660
 of course

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.059
 you have

00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.339
 sin,

00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:27.759
 of course

00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.259
 you sin.

00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.079
 We deceive

00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.600
 ourselves if

00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.039
 we say we

00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.319
 have no

00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.600
 sin and

00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:31.940
 the truth

00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.240
 is not

00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.620
 in us.

00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:33.339
 But then

00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:33.700
 he says,

00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.120
 if we

00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:34.640
 confess

00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.360
 our sins,

00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:36.380
 God is

00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:36.920
 faithful and

00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.299
 just to

00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:37.759
 forgive us

00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.259
 our sins

00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.660
 and to

00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.259
 cleanse us

00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:40.160
 from all

00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.339
 unrighteousness.

00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:42.819
 And so

00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.120
 he's not

00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.620
 talking about

00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:44.559
 moral perfection,

00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.140
 but he is

00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:45.860
 talking about

00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.660
 a radically

00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.440
 transformed

00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.960
 life.

00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.299
 And so

00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:49.700
 let me

00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:51.279
 just invite

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.799
 you now,

00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.360
 you who

00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:53.259
 profess Christ,

00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.799
 to consider

00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.440
 your life.

00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:56.680
 Right?

00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.180
 Can you

00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:58.100
 point to

00:31:58.100 --> 00:31:59.000
 a transformed

00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.779
 life?

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:01.019
 Not proudly,

00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.319
 but humbly.

00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:02.720
 Can you

00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.380
 point out

00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:03.980
 how God

00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.220
 has changed

00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.519
 you?

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.140
 And do

00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:07.880
 you remember

00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:08.519
 when you

00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.079
 lived in

00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:09.680
 darkness and

00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.380
 understand how

00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:11.160
 different it

00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:12.299
 is to

00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:12.759
 live in the

00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.380
 light now?

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.660
 Or does

00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.160
 life really

00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.660
 just seem

00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.200
 the same?

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:18.900
 Right?

00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.380
 Are you

00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.059
 growing in

00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:20.360
 holiness?

00:32:20.620 --> 00:32:21.420
 What fruit

00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.059
 are you

00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.539
 bearing?

00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:23.799
 How have

00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.360
 you gotten

00:32:24.360 --> 00:32:26.180
 closer to

00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:26.620
 God?

00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.819
 And I

00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.180
 pray these

00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:29.460
 things are

00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.799
 true of

00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.880
 all of us.

00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:32.259
 And for

00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.559
 those of

00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:32.799
 you who

00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.120
 may be

00:32:33.120 --> 00:32:33.500
 visiting

00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.019
 today,

00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:34.500
 who do

00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:34.720
 not

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.059
 profess

00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:35.500
 faith in

00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:35.920
 Christ,

00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.960
 I just

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.279
 genuinely

00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:38.640
 want to

00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.000
 ask,

00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:39.640
 aren't you

00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.980
 tired of

00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.380
 the same

00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:41.720
 old,

00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.400
 same

00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:42.700
 old?

00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.420
 When I

00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:46.200
 was in

00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:46.600
 darkness,

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.079
 that is to

00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:47.200
 say,

00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.579
 when I was

00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.180
 an unbeliever,

00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:48.799
 I remember

00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:50.200
 many hours

00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:52.019
 of just

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.460
 kind of

00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:54.220
 this inbred

00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:55.220
 loop of

00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:56.840
 introspective

00:32:56.840 --> 00:32:59.580
 pain and

00:32:59.580 --> 00:33:00.000
 suffering,

00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:00.900
 just wondering

00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.560
 over and

00:33:01.560 --> 00:33:02.240
 over again,

00:33:02.600 --> 00:33:03.880
 why am I

00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:04.400
 the way that

00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:04.820
 I am?

00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.580
 Why do I

00:33:07.580 --> 00:33:08.799
 do the

00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.340
 things that I

00:33:09.340 --> 00:33:09.640
 know I

00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:10.000
 shouldn't be

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.180
 doing?

00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:10.740
 Why do I

00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.539
 mess up so

00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.140
 many times?

00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:12.860
 Why do I

00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.980
 get angry?

00:33:14.080 --> 00:33:14.519
 Why do I

00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.160
 hate some

00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.480
 people?

00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.259
 Why am I

00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.339
 this and

00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:17.740
 that and

00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.140
 so on

00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:18.579
 and so

00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.160
 forth?

00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:20.779
 If you're

00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.180
 a visitor

00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:21.599
 and that

00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:22.120
 resonates,

00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:23.380
 aren't you

00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:24.420
 tired of

00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:24.779
 that?

00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.599
 Are you

00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:26.240
 not desiring

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.620
 to be

00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.819
 made new,

00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:28.120
 to be

00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:28.680
 made whole,

00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.319
 to see all

00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.680
 your sins

00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:31.519
 and brokenness

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.140
 turned into

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.500
 something

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.160
 meaningful

00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:34.019
 and something

00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:35.299
 beautiful?

00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.539
 And Christ

00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:38.039
 bids you,

00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:39.279
 come all you

00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:39.860
 who are weary,

00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.440
 for I am

00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.860
 gentle and

00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:42.799
 lowly in

00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.140
 heart.

00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:46.460
 Third, we

00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.800
 see that

00:33:46.800 --> 00:33:47.780
 rebirth is

00:33:47.780 --> 00:33:48.320
 a work of

00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:48.880
 the spirit,

00:33:49.060 --> 00:33:50.259
 not man.

00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:52.560
 Verse 6

00:33:52.560 --> 00:33:53.200
 tells us that

00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:53.759
 there are two

00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.780
 kinds of

00:33:54.780 --> 00:33:55.560
 people.

00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.300
 There are

00:33:57.300 --> 00:33:57.820
 those born

00:33:57.820 --> 00:33:58.200
 of the

00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:58.960
 flesh and

00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.220
 there are

00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.880
 those born

00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:01.280
 of the

00:34:01.280 --> 00:34:01.680
 spirit.

00:34:03.800 --> 00:34:04.060
 Now,

00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:04.600
 while flesh

00:34:04.600 --> 00:34:05.060
 in the

00:34:05.060 --> 00:34:05.560
 New Testament

00:34:05.560 --> 00:34:07.620
 often connotes

00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.240
 primarily the

00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:08.880
 idea of our

00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:10.039
 sin nature or

00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:10.420
 maybe even

00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.340
 original sin,

00:34:12.180 --> 00:34:12.760
 that is not

00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:13.180
 the main

00:34:13.180 --> 00:34:14.680
 emphasis in

00:34:14.680 --> 00:34:14.920
 Jesus'

00:34:15.120 --> 00:34:15.920
 usage of

00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.560
 that term

00:34:16.560 --> 00:34:17.500
 in this

00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:17.900
 particular

00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.620
 passage.

00:34:19.140 --> 00:34:19.480
 That's not

00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:19.900
 to say he's

00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.500
 denying those

00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:20.880
 things or

00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.480
 contradicting

00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:21.940
 those things,

00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.380
 it's just to

00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:23.400
 say he's

00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.760
 using the

00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:24.020
 word a

00:34:24.020 --> 00:34:24.140
 little

00:34:24.140 --> 00:34:24.540
 differently.

00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:25.860
 So I

00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.120
 know you

00:34:26.120 --> 00:34:26.400
 all are

00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:26.720
 going through

00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:27.200
 Romans right

00:34:27.200 --> 00:34:27.640
 now or

00:34:27.640 --> 00:34:28.320
 maybe finished

00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:28.740
 recently,

00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:28.980
 I don't

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.380
 recall.

00:34:30.020 --> 00:34:30.440
 So all

00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:30.840
 that stuff

00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.140
 you learned

00:34:31.140 --> 00:34:31.460
 about the

00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.000
 flesh in

00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.500
 Romans from

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:32.760
 Paul,

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.220
 that's good

00:34:33.220 --> 00:34:33.620
 and true

00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:34.060
 and worthy

00:34:34.060 --> 00:34:34.480
 of thinking

00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:34.880
 about,

00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.000
 that's not

00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.540
 exactly what

00:34:36.540 --> 00:34:36.980
 Jesus is

00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.380
 talking about,

00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:37.720
 so don't

00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.520
 just transport

00:34:38.520 --> 00:34:39.240
 all that into

00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:40.320
 John 3.

00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.040
 It's there,

00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.559
 it's lurking

00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:41.800
 in the

00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:42.179
 background,

00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.059
 but rather

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:44.800
 what Jesus

00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:45.259
 is doing

00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.639
 here is

00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:46.079
 he's

00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.820
 emphasizing

00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:48.460
 that there

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:48.900
 are those

00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.199
 who have

00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:50.460
 only experienced

00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.579
 this natural

00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.619
 earthly birth,

00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.679
 the birth we've

00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:54.480
 all had with

00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:54.880
 our mothers,

00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:56.219
 that we've all

00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:57.420
 been born of

00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:58.199
 human flesh,

00:34:58.239 --> 00:34:58.759
 that we all

00:34:58.759 --> 00:34:59.539
 descend from

00:34:59.539 --> 00:34:59.840
 Adam,

00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:00.420
 this kind of

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.759
 thing,

00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.800
 and that those

00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:03.579
 who remain in

00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:04.239
 that birth,

00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.400
 remain sons of

00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:05.759
 Adam,

00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:08.099
 will perish,

00:35:08.279 --> 00:35:09.400
 whereas there

00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:09.920
 are those who've

00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.720
 been born again

00:35:10.720 --> 00:35:11.639
 and born by

00:35:11.639 --> 00:35:12.320
 the Spirit

00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.119
 from above,

00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:14.300
 and have been

00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:14.900
 given the right

00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.300
 to become

00:35:15.300 --> 00:35:17.039
 children of

00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.559
 God.

00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.639
 So in other

00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:18.800
 words,

00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:19.680
 Jesus' emphasis

00:35:19.680 --> 00:35:21.240
 is not so much

00:35:21.240 --> 00:35:23.059
 on sin nature

00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:25.440
 and all those

00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:25.980
 things that Paul

00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.619
 talks about,

00:35:26.740 --> 00:35:27.420
 rather his

00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:29.059
 emphasis is on

00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:29.659
 our need for

00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.200
 a heavenly

00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:31.420
 birth,

00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.539
 this work of

00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.519
 the Spirit.

00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:34.559
 Only God

00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:36.019
 can do it.

00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.539
 And just think

00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.500
 about the

00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:39.340
 imagery of birth,

00:35:39.340 --> 00:35:39.940
 why that's a

00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:41.460
 good metaphor,

00:35:41.660 --> 00:35:41.760
 right?

00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:42.240
 Just ask,

00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:43.320
 did you tell

00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:43.880
 your parents

00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:44.440
 they ought to

00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.059
 conceive you

00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:45.440
 because you'd

00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:45.880
 be great?

00:35:47.160 --> 00:35:47.840
 Obviously not.

00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.200
 You didn't

00:35:48.200 --> 00:35:48.620
 exist,

00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:48.920
 right?

00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:49.820
 Were you a

00:35:49.820 --> 00:35:50.360
 human agent

00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:51.200
 with responsibility

00:35:51.200 --> 00:35:51.980
 that brought

00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:52.400
 about your

00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:52.920
 own birth?

00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:54.340
 Obviously

00:35:54.340 --> 00:35:54.680
 not.

00:35:55.600 --> 00:35:56.079
 And so it

00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:56.720
 is with those

00:35:56.720 --> 00:35:57.960
 born of the

00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:58.280
 Spirit.

00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:58.960
 We don't

00:35:58.960 --> 00:35:59.760
 seek God,

00:36:00.260 --> 00:36:00.740
 we don't

00:36:00.740 --> 00:36:01.760
 influence God

00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:02.740
 to save us,

00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.460
 unless you

00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.000
 want to count

00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:04.800
 our sin that

00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:06.039
 made salvation

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.880
 necessary,

00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:07.400
 which would be

00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:08.000
 a backwards

00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:08.579
 way of saying

00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:08.860
 that.

00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.340
 But we

00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:11.319
 don't do

00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:11.920
 anything in

00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.099
 this.

00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:12.519
 This is

00:36:12.519 --> 00:36:13.599
 God's story.

00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.659
 He's the

00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:14.920
 Savior,

00:36:15.059 --> 00:36:15.739
 not me

00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:17.000
 or you.

00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:18.679
 And so

00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.559
 rather God,

00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:20.539
 who is lavish

00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.159
 in grace,

00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:22.019
 chooses to

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.440
 send His

00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:23.019
 Spirit to

00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:24.119
 save His

00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:25.279
 elect.

00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.000
 And thus

00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:28.619
 we get to

00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.759
 verse 7.

00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:31.860
 Jesus says,

00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:32.980
 do not

00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:33.940
 marvel.

00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.139
 So when you

00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:36.400
 read the

00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:36.920
 Gospels,

00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:37.539
 Jesus is

00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:37.940
 known to

00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:38.539
 drop some

00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:39.360
 truth bombs,

00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:40.360
 some jaw-dropping

00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:40.880
 comments,

00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.340
 things that

00:36:41.340 --> 00:36:41.940
 are shocking

00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:42.579
 to people.

00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:44.860
 But here

00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.440
 it's as if

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:45.960
 He's saying,

00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:46.539
 I know you're

00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.079
 shocked by

00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:47.440
 this,

00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:47.940
 but you

00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:48.440
 shouldn't

00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:48.740
 be.

00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:49.960
 This is no

00:36:49.960 --> 00:36:51.380
 strange thing.

00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:51.820
 This is

00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:53.000
 nothing new.

00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:53.340
 This should

00:36:53.340 --> 00:36:54.099
 not surprise

00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:54.639
 any of you.

00:36:54.720 --> 00:36:55.000
 This was

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:56.099
 not some

00:36:56.099 --> 00:36:57.420
 mystery hidden

00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:58.000
 and waiting

00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.780
 for Ephesians

00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.360
 or something.

00:36:59.900 --> 00:37:00.860
 This was in

00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:01.920
 Ezekiel 36.

00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:02.539
 This was

00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:03.360
 everywhere in

00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:03.639
 the Old

00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.019
 Testament.

00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:06.539
 They

00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:07.239
 anticipated

00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:07.579
 this

00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:08.519
 transformed

00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.539
 life,

00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:10.179
 this life

00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:10.539
 that is

00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.079
 indwelled

00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:12.279
 by God's

00:37:12.279 --> 00:37:13.119
 very own

00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:14.019
 Spirit.

00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:16.619
 So He

00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:17.000
 goes on,

00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:17.259
 do not

00:37:17.259 --> 00:37:17.900
 marvel that I

00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:18.239
 say to

00:37:18.239 --> 00:37:18.480
 you it

00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.420
 is necessary

00:37:19.420 --> 00:37:20.099
 for you

00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:20.859
 all to

00:37:20.859 --> 00:37:21.420
 be born

00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:22.219
 from above.

00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:23.960
 I don't

00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:24.179
 know what

00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:24.519
 translation

00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:25.239
 you're using.

00:37:25.400 --> 00:37:25.940
 Sometimes it

00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.379
 just says

00:37:26.379 --> 00:37:27.019
 for you

00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:27.299
 to be

00:37:27.299 --> 00:37:27.599
 born,

00:37:28.139 --> 00:37:28.480
 and you

00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:28.699
 get the

00:37:28.699 --> 00:37:29.039
 idea that

00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.420
 he's just

00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:29.940
 talking to

00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:30.519
 Nicodemus,

00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:31.039
 but the

00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:31.379
 Greek

00:37:31.379 --> 00:37:32.079
 pronoun there

00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:32.579
 is plural,

00:37:32.759 --> 00:37:33.019
 so he's

00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:33.619
 actually saying

00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.799
 you all,

00:37:34.900 --> 00:37:35.279
 or you's

00:37:35.279 --> 00:37:35.659
 guys,

00:37:35.819 --> 00:37:36.179
 or however

00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:36.460
 you want

00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:36.699
 to say

00:37:36.699 --> 00:37:36.880
 it,

00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.099
 right?

00:37:37.739 --> 00:37:38.059
 He's saying

00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:38.739
 you all,

00:37:38.819 --> 00:37:39.380
 you all

00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.079
 need to be

00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:40.980
 born from

00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:41.659
 above.

00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:41.839
 Well,

00:37:41.859 --> 00:37:42.139
 who's He

00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:43.019
 talking about?

00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:43.319
 It's just

00:37:43.319 --> 00:37:43.659
 the two of

00:37:43.659 --> 00:37:43.699
 them.

00:37:43.739 --> 00:37:43.859
 Well,

00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.219
 again,

00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:45.440
 remember

00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:45.960
 Nicodemus

00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:46.359
 says we

00:37:46.359 --> 00:37:46.880
 know this,

00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.299
 we know

00:37:47.299 --> 00:37:47.599
 that,

00:37:47.679 --> 00:37:47.980
 look how

00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.420
 smart we

00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:48.699
 are.

00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:50.000
 And Jesus

00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:50.199
 says,

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:50.380
 yeah,

00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:51.440
 you and

00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:51.759
 all of

00:37:51.759 --> 00:37:52.000
 them,

00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:52.920
 whether it's

00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:53.279
 the Jews

00:37:53.279 --> 00:37:53.460
 He's

00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:53.880
 representing

00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:54.179
 or the

00:37:54.179 --> 00:37:54.719
 Pharisees,

00:37:54.799 --> 00:37:55.000
 it's up

00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.440
 for debate,

00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:55.819
 I don't

00:37:55.819 --> 00:37:56.059
 think it

00:37:56.059 --> 00:37:56.219
 really

00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:56.659
 matters.

00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.299
 All of

00:37:58.299 --> 00:37:58.960
 you people,

00:37:58.960 --> 00:38:00.019
 people you

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.619
 represent,

00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:02.740
 must be

00:38:02.740 --> 00:38:04.019
 born from

00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.440
 above.

00:38:06.280 --> 00:38:06.740
 And in

00:38:06.740 --> 00:38:07.119
 verse 8,

00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:07.760
 Jesus gives

00:38:07.760 --> 00:38:08.460
 a powerful

00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:09.380
 analogy to

00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:09.780
 the work of

00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:10.280
 the Spirit

00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:12.019
 in bringing

00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:12.539
 about this

00:38:12.539 --> 00:38:13.139
 new birth.

00:38:14.240 --> 00:38:14.480
 Jesus,

00:38:14.659 --> 00:38:15.220
 describing the

00:38:15.220 --> 00:38:15.659
 work of the

00:38:15.659 --> 00:38:16.019
 Spirit,

00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:16.780
 says,

00:38:17.539 --> 00:38:17.960
 the wind

00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:18.720
 blows where

00:38:18.720 --> 00:38:19.460
 it wishes.

00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:20.480
 You hear

00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.059
 its sounds,

00:38:21.179 --> 00:38:21.539
 but you do

00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.159
 not know

00:38:22.159 --> 00:38:22.579
 from where

00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:22.920
 it came

00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:23.220
 or where

00:38:23.220 --> 00:38:23.440
 it is

00:38:23.440 --> 00:38:23.800
 going.

00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:24.820
 So it

00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.159
 is with

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:25.699
 everyone

00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:26.119
 born of

00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:26.579
 the Spirit.

00:38:26.579 --> 00:38:27.980
 So the

00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.559
 Spirit gives

00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.099
 life to

00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:29.659
 whom He

00:38:29.659 --> 00:38:30.619
 will.

00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.099
 We do

00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:31.779
 not control

00:38:31.779 --> 00:38:32.360
 the wind.

00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:33.400
 How much

00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:33.819
 more true

00:38:33.819 --> 00:38:34.239
 is that

00:38:34.239 --> 00:38:35.299
 of the

00:38:35.299 --> 00:38:35.639
 Spirit?

00:38:36.860 --> 00:38:37.460
 We do

00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:37.779
 not even

00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:38.360
 possess the

00:38:38.360 --> 00:38:38.960
 knowledge of

00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:39.380
 who the

00:38:39.380 --> 00:38:40.139
 Spirit will

00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:40.599
 give birth

00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:40.819
 to.

00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:41.199
 We just

00:38:41.199 --> 00:38:42.420
 know that

00:38:42.420 --> 00:38:42.659
 they are

00:38:42.659 --> 00:38:43.159
 people from

00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:43.759
 every tribe,

00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:44.099
 tongue,

00:38:44.279 --> 00:38:44.759
 and nation,

00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:45.400
 as Revelation

00:38:45.400 --> 00:38:46.500
 7-9 says.

00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:47.719
 But whether

00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:48.420
 it's Joe

00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:49.139
 or Jim

00:38:49.139 --> 00:38:49.739
 or Johnny

00:38:49.739 --> 00:38:50.299
 or whoever,

00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:50.960
 we do

00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:52.239
 not know.

00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:53.639
 Yet,

00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:54.139
 if it is

00:38:54.139 --> 00:38:54.900
 Joe and

00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:55.500
 or Jim

00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:56.079
 or Johnny

00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:56.699
 or whoever,

00:38:57.639 --> 00:38:58.299
 we'll hear

00:38:58.299 --> 00:38:58.719
 wind,

00:38:58.860 --> 00:38:59.519
 so to speak.

00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:00.460
 We'll see

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.440
 trees bend,

00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.599
 grass bend.

00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:02.880
 There will

00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:03.639
 be evidence

00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:04.059
 that the

00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:04.659
 Spirit is

00:39:04.659 --> 00:39:05.239
 at work

00:39:05.239 --> 00:39:05.779
 in Jim,

00:39:05.940 --> 00:39:06.179
 Joe,

00:39:06.259 --> 00:39:06.840
 and Johnny.

00:39:07.619 --> 00:39:08.000
 Jim,

00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:08.239
 Joe,

00:39:08.299 --> 00:39:08.579
 and Johnny

00:39:08.579 --> 00:39:10.139
 will talk

00:39:10.139 --> 00:39:10.380
 differently.

00:39:10.380 --> 00:39:10.639
 All those

00:39:10.639 --> 00:39:12.000
 guys will

00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.819
 talk differently.

00:39:13.619 --> 00:39:14.119
 They'll be

00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:14.500
 different.

00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:14.960
 They'll use

00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:15.400
 their tongues

00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:16.179
 to talk about

00:39:16.179 --> 00:39:17.179
 the glory

00:39:17.179 --> 00:39:17.739
 of God,

00:39:17.880 --> 00:39:18.360
 love for

00:39:18.360 --> 00:39:18.679
 God,

00:39:18.799 --> 00:39:19.199
 love for

00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:19.519
 neighbor.

00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:20.980
 And not only

00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:21.239
 will they

00:39:21.239 --> 00:39:21.840
 talk about

00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:22.039
 it,

00:39:22.219 --> 00:39:22.579
 but more

00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:22.980
 importantly,

00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:23.739
 they'll

00:39:23.739 --> 00:39:24.460
 actually do

00:39:24.460 --> 00:39:24.639
 it.

00:39:24.779 --> 00:39:24.940
 They'll

00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:25.960
 actually love

00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:26.920
 God and

00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:28.260
 love neighbor.

00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:28.800
 And we'll

00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:29.900
 see that.

00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:30.400
 Though they'll

00:39:30.400 --> 00:39:30.679
 do it

00:39:30.679 --> 00:39:31.380
 imperfectly,

00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:31.820
 it will

00:39:31.820 --> 00:39:32.800
 be different.

00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.099
 We'll

00:39:33.099 --> 00:39:34.760
 see fruit.

00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:37.119
 They won't

00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.880
 be earthly

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.820
 anymore.

00:39:41.519 --> 00:39:42.099
 The

00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:42.440
 rebirth

00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:43.000
 that every

00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.940
 human needs

00:39:43.940 --> 00:39:44.780
 to enter

00:39:44.780 --> 00:39:45.220
 the kingdom

00:39:45.220 --> 00:39:45.880
 of God

00:39:45.880 --> 00:39:47.260
 is entirely

00:39:47.260 --> 00:39:47.880
 a work

00:39:47.880 --> 00:39:48.639
 of God.

00:39:49.139 --> 00:39:49.720
 There's no

00:39:49.720 --> 00:39:50.099
 amount of

00:39:50.099 --> 00:39:50.720
 good you

00:39:50.720 --> 00:39:51.159
 and I

00:39:51.159 --> 00:39:51.800
 can do

00:39:51.800 --> 00:39:52.420
 to earn

00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:53.000
 salvation.

00:39:53.159 --> 00:39:53.380
 There is

00:39:53.380 --> 00:39:54.539
 no magical

00:39:54.539 --> 00:39:55.300
 prayer to

00:39:55.300 --> 00:39:55.880
 pray to

00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:56.440
 be saved.

00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:56.900
 You cannot

00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:58.260
 even desire

00:39:58.260 --> 00:39:59.039
 to be

00:39:59.039 --> 00:40:00.519
 saved left

00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:01.519
 to yourselves.

00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:03.580
 As John

00:40:03.580 --> 00:40:04.060
 writes in

00:40:04.060 --> 00:40:04.760
 John 3

00:40:04.760 --> 00:40:05.660
 verse 19,

00:40:05.780 --> 00:40:06.039
 so just

00:40:06.039 --> 00:40:06.700
 further along

00:40:06.700 --> 00:40:07.180
 after our

00:40:07.180 --> 00:40:07.560
 text,

00:40:08.560 --> 00:40:09.400
 he says,

00:40:09.760 --> 00:40:10.340
 people loved

00:40:10.340 --> 00:40:11.260
 the darkness

00:40:11.260 --> 00:40:13.140
 rather than

00:40:13.140 --> 00:40:13.539
 the light

00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.180
 because their

00:40:14.180 --> 00:40:14.980
 works were

00:40:14.980 --> 00:40:15.420
 evil.

00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:15.740
 In other

00:40:15.740 --> 00:40:15.920
 words,

00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:16.700
 they hated

00:40:16.700 --> 00:40:17.760
 Jesus because

00:40:17.760 --> 00:40:18.300
 they loved

00:40:18.300 --> 00:40:19.820
 their wickedness.

00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:21.560
 Right?

00:40:21.640 --> 00:40:21.980
 How would

00:40:21.980 --> 00:40:22.519
 somebody who

00:40:22.519 --> 00:40:23.460
 loves wickedness

00:40:23.460 --> 00:40:24.340
 ever seek

00:40:24.340 --> 00:40:25.380
 the Holy

00:40:25.380 --> 00:40:25.639
 One?

00:40:26.500 --> 00:40:27.000
 It doesn't

00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:27.579
 make sense.

00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:28.820
 If that's not

00:40:28.820 --> 00:40:29.480
 clear enough,

00:40:29.619 --> 00:40:30.099
 Paul says

00:40:30.099 --> 00:40:30.720
 Romans 3

00:40:30.720 --> 00:40:31.079
 11,

00:40:31.320 --> 00:40:31.679
 maybe you'll

00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:32.139
 recall this

00:40:32.139 --> 00:40:32.440
 from your

00:40:32.440 --> 00:40:32.820
 series,

00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:33.500
 he says,

00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:35.019
 no one

00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:35.720
 seeks

00:40:35.720 --> 00:40:36.740
 God.

00:40:37.260 --> 00:40:37.800
 Period.

00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.639
 No one

00:40:39.639 --> 00:40:40.340
 seeks

00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:41.519
 God.

00:40:44.240 --> 00:40:44.980
 But praise

00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:45.280
 the Lord

00:40:45.280 --> 00:40:45.579
 that he

00:40:45.579 --> 00:40:46.139
 came from

00:40:46.139 --> 00:40:46.659
 heaven to

00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:47.179
 save his

00:40:47.179 --> 00:40:47.500
 people.

00:40:47.619 --> 00:40:48.240
 This Jesus

00:40:48.240 --> 00:40:48.860
 who John

00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.800
 introduced as

00:40:49.800 --> 00:40:51.099
 full of

00:40:51.099 --> 00:40:52.800
 grace and

00:40:52.800 --> 00:40:53.300
 truth.

00:40:54.720 --> 00:40:55.440
 So why

00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:55.760
 wouldn't

00:40:55.760 --> 00:40:56.340
 Nicodemus

00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:56.900
 embrace

00:40:56.900 --> 00:40:57.620
 Christ?

00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:59.120
 Why would

00:40:59.120 --> 00:40:59.420
 he not

00:40:59.420 --> 00:40:59.960
 turn to

00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:00.720
 Jesus the

00:41:00.720 --> 00:41:02.340
 Savior when

00:41:02.340 --> 00:41:02.580
 this has

00:41:02.580 --> 00:41:02.920
 been made

00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.740
 so abundantly

00:41:03.740 --> 00:41:04.840
 clear over

00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:05.180
 and over

00:41:05.180 --> 00:41:05.780
 again in

00:41:05.780 --> 00:41:06.280
 the life

00:41:06.280 --> 00:41:07.200
 of Christ?

00:41:09.060 --> 00:41:09.880
 This takes

00:41:09.880 --> 00:41:10.280
 us to our

00:41:10.280 --> 00:41:11.240
 third heading,

00:41:11.380 --> 00:41:11.940
 Nicodemus'

00:41:12.120 --> 00:41:12.840
 fundamental

00:41:12.840 --> 00:41:14.280
 problem.

00:41:14.420 --> 00:41:14.539
 His

00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:15.100
 fundamental

00:41:15.100 --> 00:41:15.780
 problem.

00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:17.120
 Look at

00:41:17.120 --> 00:41:17.700
 verses 9

00:41:17.700 --> 00:41:18.240
 through 12

00:41:18.240 --> 00:41:18.600
 with me

00:41:18.600 --> 00:41:19.019
 again.

00:41:21.180 --> 00:41:21.740
 Nicodemus

00:41:21.740 --> 00:41:22.340
 answered and

00:41:22.340 --> 00:41:22.660
 said to

00:41:22.660 --> 00:41:22.880
 him,

00:41:23.019 --> 00:41:23.700
 How can

00:41:23.700 --> 00:41:23.920
 these

00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.380
 things

00:41:24.380 --> 00:41:25.120
 happen?

00:41:26.400 --> 00:41:26.920
 And

00:41:26.920 --> 00:41:27.120
 Jesus

00:41:27.120 --> 00:41:27.700
 answered and

00:41:27.700 --> 00:41:27.920
 said to

00:41:27.920 --> 00:41:28.059
 him,

00:41:28.160 --> 00:41:28.760
 You are

00:41:28.760 --> 00:41:29.360
 the teacher

00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:30.260
 of Israel

00:41:30.260 --> 00:41:30.640
 and these

00:41:30.640 --> 00:41:31.120
 things you

00:41:31.120 --> 00:41:31.559
 do not

00:41:31.559 --> 00:41:32.019
 know.

00:41:32.960 --> 00:41:33.320
 Truly,

00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:33.740
 truly,

00:41:33.880 --> 00:41:34.300
 I say

00:41:34.300 --> 00:41:34.800
 to you,

00:41:35.300 --> 00:41:35.880
 that which

00:41:35.880 --> 00:41:36.480
 we know

00:41:36.480 --> 00:41:37.660
 we have

00:41:37.660 --> 00:41:38.260
 spoken of.

00:41:38.660 --> 00:41:39.200
 That which

00:41:39.200 --> 00:41:39.660
 we have

00:41:39.660 --> 00:41:40.100
 seen,

00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:40.980
 we testify.

00:41:41.860 --> 00:41:42.420
 And our

00:41:42.420 --> 00:41:43.640
 testimony you

00:41:43.640 --> 00:41:44.440
 did not

00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:45.140
 receive.

00:41:45.920 --> 00:41:46.500
 You all

00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:47.100
 did not

00:41:47.100 --> 00:41:47.440
 receive.

00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:49.220
 If I

00:41:49.220 --> 00:41:49.600
 speak to

00:41:49.600 --> 00:41:49.880
 you of

00:41:49.880 --> 00:41:50.260
 earthly

00:41:50.260 --> 00:41:50.980
 things and

00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:51.200
 you do

00:41:51.200 --> 00:41:51.860
 not believe,

00:41:51.860 --> 00:41:53.019
 how,

00:41:53.240 --> 00:41:53.460
 if I

00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:53.800
 speak to

00:41:53.800 --> 00:41:54.039
 you of

00:41:54.039 --> 00:41:54.440
 heavenly

00:41:54.440 --> 00:41:54.960
 things,

00:41:55.120 --> 00:41:55.539
 will you

00:41:55.539 --> 00:41:55.880
 all

00:41:55.880 --> 00:41:57.200
 believe?

00:41:59.180 --> 00:41:59.700
 So you

00:41:59.700 --> 00:42:00.000
 get the

00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:00.460
 sense in

00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:01.200
 verse 9

00:42:01.200 --> 00:42:02.280
 that Nicodemus

00:42:02.280 --> 00:42:03.940
 is frustrated.

00:42:04.500 --> 00:42:04.920
 Nicodemus

00:42:04.920 --> 00:42:05.920
 specifically is

00:42:05.920 --> 00:42:06.460
 questioning,

00:42:06.800 --> 00:42:08.079
 how can one

00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:08.579
 be born again?

00:42:08.660 --> 00:42:09.180
 How can this

00:42:09.180 --> 00:42:09.380
 happen?

00:42:09.480 --> 00:42:10.079
 How can this

00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:10.640
 thing be

00:42:10.640 --> 00:42:11.200
 true that

00:42:11.200 --> 00:42:11.500
 you are

00:42:11.500 --> 00:42:12.059
 describing?

00:42:13.380 --> 00:42:13.660
 Now it's

00:42:13.660 --> 00:42:14.180
 not a

00:42:14.180 --> 00:42:14.800
 question of

00:42:14.800 --> 00:42:15.280
 theology.

00:42:15.420 --> 00:42:15.800
 He's not

00:42:15.800 --> 00:42:16.400
 nerding out

00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:16.559
 and going,

00:42:16.660 --> 00:42:17.059
 how does

00:42:17.059 --> 00:42:17.440
 that work?

00:42:17.480 --> 00:42:17.740
 What's the

00:42:17.740 --> 00:42:18.320
 process like?

00:42:18.559 --> 00:42:18.740
 No,

00:42:18.800 --> 00:42:20.539
 he's in

00:42:20.539 --> 00:42:21.579
 disbelief.

00:42:21.860 --> 00:42:22.360
 How can

00:42:22.360 --> 00:42:23.120
 that be?

00:42:23.700 --> 00:42:23.880
 Right?

00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:25.099
 How could

00:42:25.099 --> 00:42:25.599
 he be

00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:26.000
 president?

00:42:26.160 --> 00:42:26.840
 It's that

00:42:26.840 --> 00:42:27.340
 kind of

00:42:27.340 --> 00:42:27.780
 question.

00:42:28.599 --> 00:42:29.120
 How can

00:42:29.120 --> 00:42:29.820
 that be?

00:42:30.760 --> 00:42:31.220
 So recall

00:42:31.220 --> 00:42:31.960
 that Nicodemus

00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:32.360
 is a

00:42:32.360 --> 00:42:32.920
 Pharisee.

00:42:33.680 --> 00:42:34.180
 And scholars

00:42:34.180 --> 00:42:34.820
 have long

00:42:34.820 --> 00:42:35.480
 pointed out

00:42:35.480 --> 00:42:37.720
 that Nicodemus

00:42:37.720 --> 00:42:38.500
 surely spent

00:42:38.500 --> 00:42:39.120
 much of his

00:42:39.120 --> 00:42:39.680
 life as

00:42:39.680 --> 00:42:40.360
 the teacher

00:42:40.360 --> 00:42:40.960
 of Israel

00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:42.320
 telling people

00:42:42.320 --> 00:42:42.740
 how to be

00:42:42.740 --> 00:42:43.000
 saved,

00:42:43.079 --> 00:42:43.360
 how to be

00:42:43.360 --> 00:42:43.900
 made right

00:42:43.900 --> 00:42:45.099
 with God.

00:42:45.240 --> 00:42:45.700
 And so we

00:42:45.700 --> 00:42:46.300
 can infer

00:42:46.300 --> 00:42:47.019
 from things

00:42:47.019 --> 00:42:47.460
 we read in

00:42:47.460 --> 00:42:48.260
 the rest of

00:42:48.260 --> 00:42:48.660
 the Gospels

00:42:48.660 --> 00:42:49.280
 what he might

00:42:49.280 --> 00:42:49.720
 have said.

00:42:49.900 --> 00:42:50.700
 Keep Torah,

00:42:50.920 --> 00:42:51.640
 love God,

00:42:51.860 --> 00:42:52.740
 love neighbor,

00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:53.360
 things that

00:42:53.360 --> 00:42:54.099
 are good,

00:42:54.660 --> 00:42:55.460
 but not

00:42:55.460 --> 00:42:55.840
 things that

00:42:55.840 --> 00:42:56.300
 can save

00:42:56.300 --> 00:42:56.500
 you.

00:42:57.620 --> 00:42:58.000
 And then of

00:42:58.000 --> 00:42:58.360
 course there's

00:42:58.360 --> 00:42:58.620
 all the

00:42:58.620 --> 00:42:59.340
 traditions they

00:42:59.340 --> 00:42:59.980
 wrapped around

00:42:59.980 --> 00:43:00.440
 it and all

00:43:00.440 --> 00:43:00.980
 these other

00:43:00.980 --> 00:43:01.700
 things.

00:43:03.079 --> 00:43:03.780
 But in the

00:43:03.780 --> 00:43:04.680
 prior verses,

00:43:04.820 --> 00:43:05.099
 in verses

00:43:05.099 --> 00:43:05.900
 3 through

00:43:05.900 --> 00:43:06.519
 8,

00:43:07.340 --> 00:43:07.559
 Jesus

00:43:07.559 --> 00:43:08.240
 completely

00:43:08.240 --> 00:43:09.120
 demolished

00:43:09.120 --> 00:43:09.840
 those wrong

00:43:09.840 --> 00:43:10.420
 ideas.

00:43:10.579 --> 00:43:11.079
 They're buried

00:43:11.079 --> 00:43:12.220
 behind the

00:43:12.220 --> 00:43:12.780
 woodshed.

00:43:12.860 --> 00:43:13.519
 They're gone,

00:43:14.000 --> 00:43:14.460
 dead,

00:43:15.280 --> 00:43:15.620
 meaningless.

00:43:17.360 --> 00:43:17.700
 And so

00:43:17.700 --> 00:43:18.440
 Nicodemus,

00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:18.880
 as I said,

00:43:18.920 --> 00:43:19.360
 he's not

00:43:19.360 --> 00:43:19.860
 asking a

00:43:19.860 --> 00:43:20.559
 sincere question.

00:43:20.559 --> 00:43:21.199
 He knows

00:43:21.199 --> 00:43:21.719
 the answer.

00:43:21.880 --> 00:43:22.239
 He knows

00:43:22.239 --> 00:43:23.539
 the process,

00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.159
 so to speak,

00:43:24.179 --> 00:43:24.759
 because Jesus

00:43:24.759 --> 00:43:25.179
 had already

00:43:25.179 --> 00:43:25.920
 talked about

00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:26.159
 it in

00:43:26.159 --> 00:43:26.619
 verses 3

00:43:26.619 --> 00:43:27.139
 through 8.

00:43:27.980 --> 00:43:28.639
 So Nicodemus

00:43:28.639 --> 00:43:29.299
 is expressing

00:43:29.299 --> 00:43:31.279
 his unbelief.

00:43:31.380 --> 00:43:31.579
 He does

00:43:31.579 --> 00:43:32.320
 not want

00:43:32.320 --> 00:43:33.119
 to believe

00:43:33.119 --> 00:43:34.320
 that man

00:43:34.320 --> 00:43:34.860
 must be

00:43:34.860 --> 00:43:35.299
 born from

00:43:35.299 --> 00:43:35.940
 above by

00:43:35.940 --> 00:43:36.480
 the Spirit.

00:43:38.079 --> 00:43:38.639
 And you

00:43:38.639 --> 00:43:39.099
 can imagine

00:43:39.099 --> 00:43:39.579
 why.

00:43:39.699 --> 00:43:39.880
 I mean,

00:43:39.980 --> 00:43:41.340
 the suffering

00:43:41.340 --> 00:43:41.820
 he'd have to

00:43:41.820 --> 00:43:42.199
 go through

00:43:42.199 --> 00:43:42.719
 to give up

00:43:42.719 --> 00:43:43.139
 his title

00:43:43.139 --> 00:43:43.639
 as teacher,

00:43:44.039 --> 00:43:44.639
 to acknowledge

00:43:44.639 --> 00:43:45.460
 that everything

00:43:45.460 --> 00:43:45.860
 he's taught

00:43:45.860 --> 00:43:46.500
 is wrong,

00:43:46.980 --> 00:43:47.500
 the social

00:43:47.500 --> 00:43:48.099
 standing he

00:43:48.099 --> 00:43:48.639
 might lose

00:43:48.639 --> 00:43:49.480
 as a Pharisee,

00:43:49.559 --> 00:43:50.139
 as a ruler.

00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:51.500
 So there's

00:43:51.500 --> 00:43:52.199
 those aspects

00:43:52.199 --> 00:43:52.839
 that I'm

00:43:52.839 --> 00:43:53.259
 helpless

00:43:53.259 --> 00:43:54.159
 in and of

00:43:54.159 --> 00:43:55.219
 myself.

00:43:55.699 --> 00:43:56.119
 And there's

00:43:56.119 --> 00:43:57.159
 nothing a man

00:43:57.159 --> 00:43:57.960
 hates more

00:43:57.960 --> 00:43:59.159
 than feeling

00:43:59.159 --> 00:43:59.799
 like he needs

00:43:59.799 --> 00:44:00.839
 somebody's

00:44:00.839 --> 00:44:01.359
 help.

00:44:02.159 --> 00:44:02.599
 Right?

00:44:02.639 --> 00:44:03.400
 We love

00:44:03.400 --> 00:44:05.039
 self-sufficiency

00:44:05.039 --> 00:44:05.900
 even though

00:44:05.900 --> 00:44:06.420
 we are

00:44:06.420 --> 00:44:07.679
 painfully,

00:44:07.920 --> 00:44:08.480
 laughably

00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:09.059
 not

00:44:09.059 --> 00:44:11.119
 self-sufficient.

00:44:13.059 --> 00:44:13.739
 And in

00:44:13.739 --> 00:44:14.179
 verse 10,

00:44:14.279 --> 00:44:15.319
 Jesus essentially

00:44:15.319 --> 00:44:17.000
 rebukes

00:44:17.000 --> 00:44:17.639
 Nicodemus.

00:44:17.699 --> 00:44:18.019
 He says,

00:44:18.159 --> 00:44:18.519
 you,

00:44:19.820 --> 00:44:20.519
 there's a

00:44:20.519 --> 00:44:21.000
 cut here,

00:44:21.039 --> 00:44:21.619
 he's mocking

00:44:21.619 --> 00:44:21.940
 him,

00:44:22.460 --> 00:44:23.320
 you are the

00:44:23.320 --> 00:44:23.780
 teacher of

00:44:23.780 --> 00:44:24.119
 Israel,

00:44:24.699 --> 00:44:25.539
 and these

00:44:25.539 --> 00:44:26.059
 things you

00:44:26.059 --> 00:44:26.400
 do not

00:44:26.400 --> 00:44:26.860
 know?

00:44:27.960 --> 00:44:28.219
 In other

00:44:28.219 --> 00:44:28.360
 words,

00:44:28.400 --> 00:44:28.940
 how can

00:44:28.940 --> 00:44:29.780
 you teach

00:44:29.780 --> 00:44:30.099
 the Word

00:44:30.099 --> 00:44:30.519
 of God

00:44:30.519 --> 00:44:30.820
 if you

00:44:30.820 --> 00:44:31.000
 don't

00:44:31.000 --> 00:44:31.460
 understand

00:44:31.460 --> 00:44:31.940
 this most

00:44:31.940 --> 00:44:32.599
 basic

00:44:32.599 --> 00:44:33.440
 truth,

00:44:33.800 --> 00:44:34.280
 this most

00:44:34.280 --> 00:44:35.139
 fundamental

00:44:35.139 --> 00:44:35.880
 teaching of

00:44:35.880 --> 00:44:36.239
 Scripture

00:44:36.239 --> 00:44:37.039
 for how

00:44:37.039 --> 00:44:37.619
 one is

00:44:37.619 --> 00:44:38.239
 made right

00:44:38.239 --> 00:44:39.380
 with God?

00:44:40.159 --> 00:44:40.860
 Time and

00:44:40.860 --> 00:44:41.420
 time again,

00:44:41.539 --> 00:44:41.840
 from the

00:44:41.840 --> 00:44:42.360
 Garden to

00:44:42.360 --> 00:44:42.639
 the New

00:44:42.639 --> 00:44:43.179
 Jerusalem,

00:44:44.219 --> 00:44:44.800
 God,

00:44:44.920 --> 00:44:45.599
 one way or

00:44:45.599 --> 00:44:45.940
 another,

00:44:45.940 --> 00:44:47.139
 is telling

00:44:47.139 --> 00:44:47.980
 his people,

00:44:48.300 --> 00:44:49.099
 this is how

00:44:49.099 --> 00:44:49.440
 you are

00:44:49.440 --> 00:44:49.900
 saved,

00:44:50.139 --> 00:44:50.519
 and being

00:44:50.519 --> 00:44:51.320
 saved leads

00:44:51.320 --> 00:44:51.900
 to a

00:44:51.900 --> 00:44:52.500
 transformed

00:44:52.500 --> 00:44:53.500
 life,

00:44:53.960 --> 00:44:54.539
 and this

00:44:54.539 --> 00:44:54.980
 thing,

00:44:55.179 --> 00:44:56.000
 these things,

00:44:56.740 --> 00:44:57.420
 Nicodemus,

00:44:57.820 --> 00:44:58.260
 man,

00:44:58.619 --> 00:44:59.900
 despite man's

00:44:59.900 --> 00:45:01.320
 best efforts.

00:45:03.000 --> 00:45:03.559
 And there's

00:45:03.559 --> 00:45:04.720
 some Johannine

00:45:04.720 --> 00:45:05.619
 irony here,

00:45:05.720 --> 00:45:05.840
 right?

00:45:05.900 --> 00:45:06.619
 John's being a

00:45:06.619 --> 00:45:07.400
 little bit ironic

00:45:07.400 --> 00:45:07.700
 here,

00:45:07.740 --> 00:45:08.260
 he does that a

00:45:08.260 --> 00:45:08.539
 lot.

00:45:09.039 --> 00:45:09.700
 I actually got

00:45:09.700 --> 00:45:10.700
 into a group

00:45:10.700 --> 00:45:11.280
 text the other

00:45:11.280 --> 00:45:12.039
 day with Alex

00:45:12.039 --> 00:45:12.380
 and Ian

00:45:12.380 --> 00:45:13.079
 Kohler and

00:45:13.079 --> 00:45:13.740
 Thomas Fisher,

00:45:13.940 --> 00:45:14.780
 and I was

00:45:14.780 --> 00:45:15.099
 just saying,

00:45:15.179 --> 00:45:15.240
 you know,

00:45:15.260 --> 00:45:15.559
 has it ever

00:45:15.559 --> 00:45:15.940
 occurred to

00:45:15.940 --> 00:45:16.039
 you,

00:45:16.079 --> 00:45:16.420
 John's

00:45:16.420 --> 00:45:16.799
 probably

00:45:16.799 --> 00:45:17.159
 like the

00:45:17.159 --> 00:45:17.779
 funny guy

00:45:17.779 --> 00:45:18.019
 in the

00:45:18.019 --> 00:45:18.299
 group?

00:45:19.119 --> 00:45:19.400
 You know,

00:45:19.420 --> 00:45:19.599
 when you

00:45:19.599 --> 00:45:19.980
 read the

00:45:19.980 --> 00:45:20.440
 Gospel of

00:45:20.440 --> 00:45:20.579
 John,

00:45:20.659 --> 00:45:20.920
 there's a

00:45:20.920 --> 00:45:21.159
 lot of

00:45:21.159 --> 00:45:22.019
 funny irony

00:45:22.019 --> 00:45:22.460
 where he's

00:45:22.460 --> 00:45:23.259
 mocking people

00:45:23.259 --> 00:45:23.799
 or showing

00:45:23.799 --> 00:45:24.219
 something to

00:45:24.219 --> 00:45:25.519
 be dumb

00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:26.039
 or silly

00:45:26.039 --> 00:45:26.699
 or just

00:45:26.699 --> 00:45:27.340
 outrageous.

00:45:28.099 --> 00:45:28.440
 Well,

00:45:28.460 --> 00:45:28.900
 this is one

00:45:28.900 --> 00:45:29.219
 of them,

00:45:29.380 --> 00:45:29.559
 right?

00:45:29.659 --> 00:45:31.380
 You are

00:45:31.380 --> 00:45:31.920
 the teacher.

00:45:32.880 --> 00:45:33.400
 The irony

00:45:33.400 --> 00:45:33.659
 is,

00:45:33.719 --> 00:45:33.980
 remember,

00:45:34.559 --> 00:45:35.000
 Nicodemus

00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:35.599
 came to

00:45:35.599 --> 00:45:36.219
 Jesus saying,

00:45:36.320 --> 00:45:36.639
 Rabbi,

00:45:37.759 --> 00:45:38.420
 and Nicodemus,

00:45:38.519 --> 00:45:38.980
 well-known,

00:45:39.099 --> 00:45:39.500
 reputable,

00:45:39.880 --> 00:45:40.460
 the teacher

00:45:40.460 --> 00:45:40.980
 of Israel,

00:45:41.119 --> 00:45:41.739
 not just a

00:45:41.739 --> 00:45:42.000
 teacher,

00:45:42.099 --> 00:45:42.679
 but Nicodemus

00:45:42.679 --> 00:45:43.420
 is the

00:45:43.420 --> 00:45:44.000
 teacher of

00:45:44.000 --> 00:45:44.340
 Israel.

00:45:44.340 --> 00:45:45.320
 So you

00:45:45.320 --> 00:45:45.720
 can imagine

00:45:45.720 --> 00:45:46.300
 he probably

00:45:46.300 --> 00:45:46.780
 came to

00:45:46.780 --> 00:45:47.500
 Jesus maybe

00:45:47.500 --> 00:45:48.059
 as equals,

00:45:48.840 --> 00:45:49.440
 maybe even

00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:49.840
 thinking he

00:45:49.840 --> 00:45:50.360
 was above

00:45:50.360 --> 00:45:51.000
 Jesus because

00:45:51.000 --> 00:45:51.480
 after all,

00:45:51.519 --> 00:45:52.039
 he's the

00:45:52.039 --> 00:45:52.480
 teacher.

00:45:53.720 --> 00:45:54.320
 And here,

00:45:54.440 --> 00:45:55.220
 Jesus just

00:45:55.220 --> 00:45:56.380
 outclasses him,

00:45:56.539 --> 00:45:57.500
 checkmates him,

00:45:58.059 --> 00:45:58.680
 you're a

00:45:58.680 --> 00:45:59.019
 teacher?

00:45:59.280 --> 00:45:59.780
 Really?

00:45:59.780 --> 00:46:03.540
 And so there's

00:46:03.540 --> 00:46:04.300
 some irony here.

00:46:04.500 --> 00:46:05.340
 And Jesus is

00:46:05.340 --> 00:46:05.980
 pointing out to

00:46:05.980 --> 00:46:06.580
 Nicodemus,

00:46:07.040 --> 00:46:07.780
 we are not

00:46:07.780 --> 00:46:08.120
 equal.

00:46:08.860 --> 00:46:09.500
 You are not

00:46:09.500 --> 00:46:10.220
 even a teacher

00:46:10.220 --> 00:46:11.880
 and you lack

00:46:11.880 --> 00:46:12.460
 the basic

00:46:12.460 --> 00:46:13.560
 credentials to

00:46:13.560 --> 00:46:14.480
 claim such

00:46:14.480 --> 00:46:15.320
 a role.

00:46:16.640 --> 00:46:16.900
 And so,

00:46:16.940 --> 00:46:17.100
 beloved,

00:46:17.200 --> 00:46:17.920
 I can say to

00:46:17.920 --> 00:46:18.300
 you with

00:46:18.300 --> 00:46:19.019
 confidence,

00:46:19.160 --> 00:46:19.540
 because of

00:46:19.540 --> 00:46:20.120
 this passage

00:46:20.120 --> 00:46:20.680
 and others

00:46:20.680 --> 00:46:21.280
 like it,

00:46:22.460 --> 00:46:22.780
 that you

00:46:22.780 --> 00:46:23.540
 should never

00:46:23.540 --> 00:46:24.400
 sit under

00:46:24.400 --> 00:46:24.960
 a preacher

00:46:24.960 --> 00:46:25.940
 or a teacher

00:46:25.940 --> 00:46:27.340
 who tells

00:46:27.340 --> 00:46:27.760
 you what

00:46:27.760 --> 00:46:28.440
 you can

00:46:28.440 --> 00:46:29.440
 do in

00:46:29.440 --> 00:46:29.700
 and of

00:46:29.700 --> 00:46:30.200
 yourself

00:46:30.200 --> 00:46:31.559
 in order

00:46:31.559 --> 00:46:31.940
 to be

00:46:31.940 --> 00:46:32.400
 saved.

00:46:33.200 --> 00:46:34.139
 That idea,

00:46:34.300 --> 00:46:34.960
 whatever name

00:46:34.960 --> 00:46:35.700
 it goes by

00:46:35.700 --> 00:46:36.200
 of Roman

00:46:36.200 --> 00:46:37.019
 Catholicism

00:46:37.019 --> 00:46:37.940
 or some

00:46:37.940 --> 00:46:38.260
 kind of

00:46:38.260 --> 00:46:38.579
 liberal

00:46:38.579 --> 00:46:39.119
 theology

00:46:39.119 --> 00:46:39.579
 and so

00:46:39.579 --> 00:46:39.920
 forth,

00:46:39.920 --> 00:46:40.539
 I don't

00:46:40.539 --> 00:46:40.900
 care the

00:46:40.900 --> 00:46:41.200
 name,

00:46:41.300 --> 00:46:41.579
 but that

00:46:41.579 --> 00:46:41.860
 is a

00:46:41.860 --> 00:46:42.599
 man-centered

00:46:42.599 --> 00:46:43.720
 religion

00:46:43.720 --> 00:46:44.840
 and man-centered

00:46:44.840 --> 00:46:46.039
 salvation,

00:46:46.300 --> 00:46:46.519
 and that

00:46:46.519 --> 00:46:47.619
 idea bleeds

00:46:47.619 --> 00:46:48.340
 and permeates

00:46:48.340 --> 00:46:48.840
 and pops

00:46:48.840 --> 00:46:49.240
 its head

00:46:49.240 --> 00:46:49.780
 in so many

00:46:49.780 --> 00:46:50.420
 ugly ways

00:46:50.420 --> 00:46:51.320
 in so many

00:46:51.320 --> 00:46:51.880
 places.

00:46:53.000 --> 00:46:53.639
 But the

00:46:53.639 --> 00:46:54.240
 true church

00:46:54.240 --> 00:46:54.800
 teaches we

00:46:54.800 --> 00:46:55.159
 are saved

00:46:55.159 --> 00:46:55.799
 by faith

00:46:55.799 --> 00:46:56.299
 alone

00:46:56.299 --> 00:46:56.839
 in Christ

00:46:56.839 --> 00:46:57.279
 alone.

00:46:58.179 --> 00:46:58.539
 And as we

00:46:58.539 --> 00:46:58.719
 know,

00:46:58.799 --> 00:46:59.239
 even that

00:46:59.239 --> 00:46:59.739
 faith

00:46:59.739 --> 00:47:00.539
 is a

00:47:00.539 --> 00:47:00.739
 gift

00:47:00.739 --> 00:47:01.000
 from

00:47:01.000 --> 00:47:01.480
 God,

00:47:02.059 --> 00:47:02.519
 according

00:47:02.519 --> 00:47:03.039
 to Paul

00:47:03.039 --> 00:47:03.259
 in

00:47:03.259 --> 00:47:03.679
 Ephesians

00:47:03.679 --> 00:47:04.059
 2,

00:47:04.619 --> 00:47:05.039
 8.

00:47:06.920 --> 00:47:07.599
 So in

00:47:07.599 --> 00:47:08.279
 verse 11,

00:47:09.719 --> 00:47:10.219
 Jesus

00:47:10.219 --> 00:47:11.039
 affirms

00:47:11.039 --> 00:47:11.379
 the

00:47:11.379 --> 00:47:12.000
 distinctions

00:47:12.000 --> 00:47:13.059
 Nicodemus

00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:13.679
 made earlier.

00:47:13.799 --> 00:47:14.000
 So we

00:47:14.000 --> 00:47:14.440
 have some

00:47:14.440 --> 00:47:14.779
 further

00:47:14.779 --> 00:47:15.779
 kind of

00:47:15.779 --> 00:47:16.179
 irony

00:47:16.179 --> 00:47:16.659
 here,

00:47:17.559 --> 00:47:18.179
 a battle

00:47:18.179 --> 00:47:18.659
 of wits,

00:47:18.779 --> 00:47:19.039
 so to

00:47:19.039 --> 00:47:19.379
 speak.

00:47:20.199 --> 00:47:20.719
 And Jesus

00:47:20.719 --> 00:47:21.139
 says in

00:47:21.139 --> 00:47:21.679
 verse 11,

00:47:21.859 --> 00:47:22.319
 we have

00:47:22.319 --> 00:47:23.159
 this and

00:47:23.159 --> 00:47:23.659
 we have

00:47:23.659 --> 00:47:24.079
 that.

00:47:24.699 --> 00:47:25.079
 So remember

00:47:25.079 --> 00:47:25.659
 Nicodemus

00:47:25.659 --> 00:47:26.079
 came and

00:47:26.079 --> 00:47:26.440
 he made

00:47:26.440 --> 00:47:26.579
 the

00:47:26.579 --> 00:47:27.039
 distinction.

00:47:28.099 --> 00:47:28.460
 Jesus

00:47:28.460 --> 00:47:28.779
 is

00:47:28.779 --> 00:47:29.380
 acknowledging

00:47:29.380 --> 00:47:29.719
 that

00:47:29.719 --> 00:47:30.199
 distinction.

00:47:30.559 --> 00:47:30.759
 He's

00:47:30.759 --> 00:47:30.920
 saying,

00:47:31.000 --> 00:47:31.099
 yeah,

00:47:31.139 --> 00:47:31.299
 you're

00:47:31.299 --> 00:47:31.599
 not

00:47:31.599 --> 00:47:31.779
 one

00:47:31.779 --> 00:47:31.920
 of

00:47:31.920 --> 00:47:32.179
 us.

00:47:32.179 --> 00:47:32.500
 You're

00:47:32.500 --> 00:47:32.799
 not

00:47:32.799 --> 00:47:33.239
 born

00:47:33.239 --> 00:47:33.500
 again.

00:47:33.599 --> 00:47:33.719
 You're

00:47:33.719 --> 00:47:34.079
 not

00:47:34.079 --> 00:47:34.619
 a

00:47:34.619 --> 00:47:35.000
 Christian.

00:47:36.759 --> 00:47:37.420
 He says,

00:47:37.639 --> 00:47:38.639
 we have

00:47:38.639 --> 00:47:39.279
 seen this,

00:47:39.380 --> 00:47:39.639
 we have

00:47:39.639 --> 00:47:40.340
 spoken of

00:47:40.340 --> 00:47:40.519
 it,

00:47:41.099 --> 00:47:41.639
 we have

00:47:41.639 --> 00:47:41.940
 witnessed

00:47:41.940 --> 00:47:42.179
 this,

00:47:42.239 --> 00:47:42.440
 we have

00:47:42.440 --> 00:47:42.940
 testified,

00:47:43.279 --> 00:47:43.500
 and you

00:47:43.500 --> 00:47:44.019
 did not

00:47:44.019 --> 00:47:45.000
 accept

00:47:45.000 --> 00:47:45.440
 that.

00:47:46.900 --> 00:47:47.179
 And so

00:47:47.179 --> 00:47:47.739
 Jesus in

00:47:47.739 --> 00:47:48.519
 this verse,

00:47:48.719 --> 00:47:49.299
 verse 11,

00:47:49.420 --> 00:47:49.819
 he's speaking

00:47:49.819 --> 00:47:50.219
 of a

00:47:50.219 --> 00:47:51.139
 particular

00:47:51.139 --> 00:47:51.880
 knowledge,

00:47:52.360 --> 00:47:52.639
 and a

00:47:52.639 --> 00:47:52.900
 particular

00:47:52.900 --> 00:47:53.619
 thing that

00:47:53.619 --> 00:47:54.139
 he and

00:47:54.139 --> 00:47:54.739
 his disciples

00:47:54.739 --> 00:47:55.059
 have

00:47:55.059 --> 00:47:55.879
 witnessed.

00:47:56.079 --> 00:47:56.679
 What is

00:47:56.679 --> 00:47:57.779
 he describing?

00:47:59.779 --> 00:48:00.519
 And again,

00:48:00.639 --> 00:48:01.119
 you go back

00:48:01.119 --> 00:48:02.219
 to John's

00:48:02.219 --> 00:48:03.079
 prologue in

00:48:03.079 --> 00:48:03.839
 John 1,

00:48:04.879 --> 00:48:05.699
 so verses 1

00:48:05.699 --> 00:48:06.139
 through 3,

00:48:06.199 --> 00:48:06.659
 which I already

00:48:06.659 --> 00:48:07.299
 read a moment

00:48:07.299 --> 00:48:07.719
 ago,

00:48:08.219 --> 00:48:09.119
 makes it clear,

00:48:09.339 --> 00:48:10.460
 Jesus is God,

00:48:10.559 --> 00:48:10.980
 he was with

00:48:10.980 --> 00:48:11.420
 God,

00:48:11.920 --> 00:48:12.539
 all things

00:48:12.539 --> 00:48:12.980
 created through

00:48:12.980 --> 00:48:13.159
 him,

00:48:13.219 --> 00:48:13.719
 by him.

00:48:14.819 --> 00:48:15.219
 But he

00:48:15.219 --> 00:48:15.779
 picks up,

00:48:16.059 --> 00:48:16.519
 we'll pick up

00:48:16.519 --> 00:48:17.219
 in verse 4

00:48:17.219 --> 00:48:17.960
 and hear the

00:48:17.960 --> 00:48:18.579
 rest of what

00:48:18.579 --> 00:48:19.239
 John has to

00:48:19.239 --> 00:48:19.579
 say in his

00:48:19.579 --> 00:48:20.059
 prologue.

00:48:20.059 --> 00:48:21.799
 So John

00:48:21.799 --> 00:48:22.239
 writes of

00:48:22.239 --> 00:48:22.519
 Jesus,

00:48:22.619 --> 00:48:23.119
 he says,

00:48:23.900 --> 00:48:25.059
 in him

00:48:25.059 --> 00:48:25.659
 was life,

00:48:25.799 --> 00:48:26.000
 and the

00:48:26.000 --> 00:48:26.480
 life was

00:48:26.480 --> 00:48:26.860
 the light

00:48:26.860 --> 00:48:27.259
 of men.

00:48:27.759 --> 00:48:28.320
 The light

00:48:28.320 --> 00:48:29.099
 shines in

00:48:29.099 --> 00:48:29.619
 the darkness,

00:48:29.779 --> 00:48:30.000
 and the

00:48:30.000 --> 00:48:30.299
 darkness

00:48:30.299 --> 00:48:30.739
 has not

00:48:30.739 --> 00:48:31.099
 overcome

00:48:31.099 --> 00:48:31.360
 it.

00:48:32.059 --> 00:48:32.279
 There

00:48:32.279 --> 00:48:32.559
 was a

00:48:32.559 --> 00:48:32.960
 man sent

00:48:32.960 --> 00:48:33.440
 from God

00:48:33.440 --> 00:48:33.840
 whose name

00:48:33.840 --> 00:48:34.480
 was John,

00:48:35.279 --> 00:48:36.119
 talking about

00:48:36.119 --> 00:48:36.440
 John the

00:48:36.440 --> 00:48:36.699
 Baptist,

00:48:37.360 --> 00:48:37.920
 he came

00:48:37.920 --> 00:48:38.279
 as a

00:48:38.279 --> 00:48:38.880
 witness to

00:48:38.880 --> 00:48:39.460
 bear witness

00:48:39.460 --> 00:48:39.960
 about the

00:48:39.960 --> 00:48:40.759
 light that

00:48:40.759 --> 00:48:41.259
 all might

00:48:41.259 --> 00:48:41.980
 believe through

00:48:41.980 --> 00:48:42.360
 him.

00:48:43.320 --> 00:48:43.840
 John was

00:48:43.840 --> 00:48:44.219
 not the

00:48:44.219 --> 00:48:44.420
 light,

00:48:44.519 --> 00:48:44.840
 but came

00:48:44.840 --> 00:48:45.099
 to bear

00:48:45.099 --> 00:48:45.480
 witness

00:48:45.480 --> 00:48:46.099
 about the

00:48:46.099 --> 00:48:46.400
 light.

00:48:46.820 --> 00:48:47.340
 The true

00:48:47.340 --> 00:48:47.599
 light,

00:48:47.699 --> 00:48:48.019
 which gives

00:48:48.019 --> 00:48:48.519
 light to

00:48:48.519 --> 00:48:48.940
 everyone,

00:48:48.940 --> 00:48:49.700
 was coming

00:48:49.700 --> 00:48:50.059
 into the

00:48:50.059 --> 00:48:50.380
 world.

00:48:51.200 --> 00:48:51.460
 He,

00:48:51.679 --> 00:48:51.880
 Jesus,

00:48:52.059 --> 00:48:52.480
 was in

00:48:52.480 --> 00:48:52.860
 the world,

00:48:52.920 --> 00:48:53.119
 and the

00:48:53.119 --> 00:48:53.460
 world was

00:48:53.460 --> 00:48:53.940
 made through

00:48:53.940 --> 00:48:54.260
 him,

00:48:54.480 --> 00:48:54.960
 yet the

00:48:54.960 --> 00:48:55.340
 world did

00:48:55.340 --> 00:48:55.980
 not know

00:48:55.980 --> 00:48:56.320
 him.

00:48:56.920 --> 00:48:57.480
 He came

00:48:57.480 --> 00:48:57.780
 to his

00:48:57.780 --> 00:48:58.000
 own,

00:48:58.039 --> 00:48:58.220
 and his

00:48:58.220 --> 00:48:58.740
 own people

00:48:58.740 --> 00:48:59.220
 did not

00:48:59.220 --> 00:49:00.019
 receive him.

00:49:00.440 --> 00:49:00.860
 But to

00:49:00.860 --> 00:49:01.280
 all who

00:49:01.280 --> 00:49:02.019
 did receive

00:49:02.019 --> 00:49:02.260
 him,

00:49:02.320 --> 00:49:02.860
 who believed

00:49:02.860 --> 00:49:03.200
 in his

00:49:03.200 --> 00:49:03.579
 name,

00:49:03.820 --> 00:49:04.380
 he gave

00:49:04.380 --> 00:49:04.860
 the right

00:49:04.860 --> 00:49:05.300
 to become

00:49:05.300 --> 00:49:06.159
 children of

00:49:06.159 --> 00:49:06.579
 God,

00:49:07.320 --> 00:49:07.880
 who were

00:49:07.880 --> 00:49:08.360
 born,

00:49:08.659 --> 00:49:09.059
 not of

00:49:09.059 --> 00:49:09.420
 blood,

00:49:09.659 --> 00:49:09.980
 nor of

00:49:09.980 --> 00:49:10.220
 the will

00:49:10.220 --> 00:49:10.460
 of the

00:49:10.460 --> 00:49:10.840
 flesh,

00:49:11.000 --> 00:49:11.340
 nor of

00:49:11.340 --> 00:49:11.579
 the will

00:49:11.579 --> 00:49:12.079
 of man,

00:49:12.860 --> 00:49:13.659
 but of

00:49:13.659 --> 00:49:14.539
 God.

00:49:15.820 --> 00:49:16.300
 Now,

00:49:16.380 --> 00:49:16.659
 you could do

00:49:16.659 --> 00:49:17.480
 a whole study

00:49:17.480 --> 00:49:18.240
 just comparing

00:49:18.239 --> 00:49:18.979
 that passage

00:49:18.979 --> 00:49:19.519
 with this

00:49:19.519 --> 00:49:20.039
 Nicodemus

00:49:20.039 --> 00:49:20.439
 passage.

00:49:20.639 --> 00:49:20.879
 There are

00:49:20.879 --> 00:49:21.500
 countless

00:49:21.500 --> 00:49:22.719
 parallels,

00:49:22.959 --> 00:49:23.179
 but the

00:49:23.179 --> 00:49:23.519
 thing to

00:49:23.519 --> 00:49:24.359
 note with

00:49:24.359 --> 00:49:24.839
 our time

00:49:24.839 --> 00:49:25.079
 and for

00:49:25.079 --> 00:49:25.599
 our purposes

00:49:25.599 --> 00:49:26.979
 is that

00:49:26.979 --> 00:49:28.059
 the testimony

00:49:28.059 --> 00:49:28.719
 in John's

00:49:28.719 --> 00:49:29.179
 gospel,

00:49:30.039 --> 00:49:30.579
 the testimony

00:49:30.579 --> 00:49:31.139
 is this,

00:49:31.239 --> 00:49:31.939
 that Jesus

00:49:31.939 --> 00:49:32.739
 is God

00:49:32.739 --> 00:49:33.599
 incarnate who

00:49:33.599 --> 00:49:34.000
 has come

00:49:34.000 --> 00:49:34.679
 to save

00:49:34.679 --> 00:49:35.879
 the world.

00:49:36.899 --> 00:49:37.419
 And in

00:49:37.419 --> 00:49:38.079
 John 3,

00:49:38.239 --> 00:49:38.819
 this is the

00:49:38.819 --> 00:49:39.559
 testimony Jesus

00:49:39.559 --> 00:49:40.299
 refers to.

00:49:40.379 --> 00:49:40.739
 He's saying,

00:49:41.079 --> 00:49:41.939
 we've told

00:49:41.939 --> 00:49:42.119
 you,

00:49:42.539 --> 00:49:43.159
 I'm God,

00:49:43.319 --> 00:49:43.899
 I'm here to

00:49:43.899 --> 00:49:44.539
 save everyone,

00:49:45.159 --> 00:49:45.879
 and you have

00:49:45.879 --> 00:49:46.500
 not believed

00:49:46.500 --> 00:49:46.739
 me.

00:49:46.739 --> 00:49:48.179
 You have

00:49:48.179 --> 00:49:48.679
 not come

00:49:48.679 --> 00:49:49.000
 to me

00:49:49.000 --> 00:49:49.419
 as I

00:49:49.419 --> 00:49:49.859
 truly

00:49:49.859 --> 00:49:50.719
 am.

00:49:50.819 --> 00:49:51.159
 Though I've

00:49:51.159 --> 00:49:51.500
 given you

00:49:51.500 --> 00:49:51.959
 signs and

00:49:51.959 --> 00:49:52.479
 wonders which

00:49:52.479 --> 00:49:53.139
 you yourself

00:49:53.139 --> 00:49:53.659
 acknowledge,

00:49:55.279 --> 00:49:55.719
 but you

00:49:55.719 --> 00:49:56.159
 have not

00:49:56.159 --> 00:49:57.279
 believed.

00:49:57.839 --> 00:49:58.319
 And this

00:49:58.319 --> 00:49:59.599
 is Nicodemus'

00:49:59.799 --> 00:50:00.479
 fundamental

00:50:00.479 --> 00:50:02.299
 problem.

00:50:03.639 --> 00:50:04.079
 He cannot

00:50:04.079 --> 00:50:05.039
 see nor

00:50:05.039 --> 00:50:06.439
 enter the

00:50:06.439 --> 00:50:06.819
 kingdom,

00:50:07.539 --> 00:50:08.939
 nor has

00:50:08.939 --> 00:50:09.379
 he been

00:50:09.379 --> 00:50:10.039
 born again,

00:50:10.139 --> 00:50:10.559
 nor can he

00:50:10.559 --> 00:50:10.979
 understand

00:50:10.979 --> 00:50:11.539
 spiritual

00:50:11.539 --> 00:50:12.359
 things,

00:50:12.859 --> 00:50:13.559
 because he

00:50:13.559 --> 00:50:14.139
 has failed

00:50:14.139 --> 00:50:14.859
 to recognize

00:50:14.860 --> 00:50:15.340
 whom he

00:50:15.340 --> 00:50:15.960
 is speaking

00:50:15.960 --> 00:50:16.460
 with,

00:50:16.620 --> 00:50:17.200
 Yahweh,

00:50:17.700 --> 00:50:18.539
 in the

00:50:18.539 --> 00:50:19.079
 flesh.

00:50:21.660 --> 00:50:22.160
 And so

00:50:22.160 --> 00:50:22.720
 verse 12,

00:50:22.820 --> 00:50:23.280
 Jesus makes

00:50:23.280 --> 00:50:23.780
 a lesser

00:50:23.780 --> 00:50:24.220
 to greater

00:50:24.220 --> 00:50:24.559
 argument.

00:50:24.680 --> 00:50:25.120
 He essentially

00:50:25.120 --> 00:50:25.519
 says,

00:50:26.120 --> 00:50:26.440
 how do you

00:50:26.440 --> 00:50:26.860
 expect to

00:50:26.860 --> 00:50:27.340
 understand

00:50:27.340 --> 00:50:27.860
 heavenly

00:50:27.860 --> 00:50:28.260
 things,

00:50:28.340 --> 00:50:28.660
 the things

00:50:28.660 --> 00:50:30.079
 you want

00:50:30.079 --> 00:50:30.320
 to know

00:50:30.320 --> 00:50:30.660
 about?

00:50:31.440 --> 00:50:31.700
 If you

00:50:31.700 --> 00:50:31.860
 can't

00:50:31.860 --> 00:50:32.180
 understand

00:50:32.180 --> 00:50:32.420
 these

00:50:32.420 --> 00:50:32.700
 things,

00:50:32.780 --> 00:50:32.920
 these

00:50:32.920 --> 00:50:33.160
 earthly

00:50:33.160 --> 00:50:33.480
 things,

00:50:34.440 --> 00:50:35.400
 if you

00:50:35.400 --> 00:50:35.660
 can't

00:50:35.660 --> 00:50:36.019
 understand

00:50:36.019 --> 00:50:36.500
 God in

00:50:36.500 --> 00:50:36.980
 the flesh,

00:50:36.980 --> 00:50:37.340
 how will

00:50:37.340 --> 00:50:37.820
 you understand

00:50:37.820 --> 00:50:38.320
 God in

00:50:38.320 --> 00:50:38.880
 heaven in

00:50:38.880 --> 00:50:39.320
 the spirit?

00:50:40.740 --> 00:50:40.980
 Right?

00:50:41.300 --> 00:50:41.780
 You're not

00:50:41.780 --> 00:50:42.740
 ready for

00:50:42.740 --> 00:50:43.099
 that.

00:50:43.300 --> 00:50:43.780
 You're not

00:50:43.780 --> 00:50:44.420
 born again.

00:50:44.519 --> 00:50:44.820
 You don't

00:50:44.820 --> 00:50:45.500
 have eyes

00:50:45.500 --> 00:50:46.120
 to see.

00:50:46.340 --> 00:50:46.860
 You are

00:50:46.860 --> 00:50:48.019
 blind.

00:50:50.500 --> 00:50:50.860
 And so

00:50:50.860 --> 00:50:51.200
 he says,

00:50:51.280 --> 00:50:51.960
 I'm right

00:50:51.960 --> 00:50:52.200
 here,

00:50:52.280 --> 00:50:52.860
 Nicodemus,

00:50:53.019 --> 00:50:53.480
 look at

00:50:53.480 --> 00:50:53.720
 me.

00:50:55.440 --> 00:50:56.080
 Because all

00:50:56.080 --> 00:50:56.800
 of Scripture

00:50:56.800 --> 00:50:57.760
 testifies

00:50:57.760 --> 00:50:59.440
 about Jesus.

00:51:00.960 --> 00:51:01.440
 So,

00:51:01.500 --> 00:51:01.780
 Christian,

00:51:01.880 --> 00:51:02.200
 if you have

00:51:02.200 --> 00:51:03.060
 lost confidence

00:51:03.060 --> 00:51:03.580
 in the

00:51:03.580 --> 00:51:04.060
 faith,

00:51:04.140 --> 00:51:04.440
 or if you

00:51:04.440 --> 00:51:05.019
 find yourself

00:51:05.019 --> 00:51:06.620
 growing murky

00:51:06.620 --> 00:51:07.260
 or lacking

00:51:07.260 --> 00:51:07.920
 understanding,

00:51:08.120 --> 00:51:08.820
 perhaps cold

00:51:08.820 --> 00:51:09.380
 to God

00:51:09.380 --> 00:51:09.660
 and his

00:51:09.660 --> 00:51:10.120
 word,

00:51:11.519 --> 00:51:11.860
 I think

00:51:11.860 --> 00:51:12.200
 from this

00:51:12.200 --> 00:51:12.980
 passage you

00:51:12.980 --> 00:51:13.680
 can glean

00:51:13.679 --> 00:51:14.279
 that you

00:51:14.279 --> 00:51:14.639
 ought to

00:51:14.639 --> 00:51:15.379
 focus on

00:51:15.379 --> 00:51:16.159
 Christ again,

00:51:16.659 --> 00:51:17.019
 go back

00:51:17.019 --> 00:51:17.399
 to square

00:51:17.399 --> 00:51:17.759
 one,

00:51:17.859 --> 00:51:18.099
 so to

00:51:18.099 --> 00:51:18.460
 speak,

00:51:18.619 --> 00:51:18.980
 and work

00:51:18.980 --> 00:51:19.519
 from there.

00:51:19.980 --> 00:51:20.339
 All of

00:51:20.339 --> 00:51:20.739
 Scripture is

00:51:20.739 --> 00:51:21.440
 about him,

00:51:21.719 --> 00:51:21.980
 all of

00:51:21.980 --> 00:51:22.379
 Scripture is

00:51:22.379 --> 00:51:22.799
 meant to

00:51:22.799 --> 00:51:23.399
 point you

00:51:23.399 --> 00:51:24.379
 to him,

00:51:24.440 --> 00:51:24.759
 and so

00:51:24.759 --> 00:51:25.659
 look for

00:51:25.659 --> 00:51:26.379
 him in

00:51:26.379 --> 00:51:27.279
 the

00:51:27.279 --> 00:51:27.639
 Scriptures.

00:51:29.039 --> 00:51:29.159
 And

00:51:29.159 --> 00:51:29.419
 visitor,

00:51:29.619 --> 00:51:30.179
 if like

00:51:30.179 --> 00:51:30.819
 Nicodemus,

00:51:30.899 --> 00:51:31.139
 you are

00:51:31.139 --> 00:51:31.759
 inquiring,

00:51:32.059 --> 00:51:32.359
 you want

00:51:32.359 --> 00:51:32.899
 to understand

00:51:32.899 --> 00:51:33.299
 the faith,

00:51:33.379 --> 00:51:33.659
 maybe you

00:51:33.659 --> 00:51:33.940
 want to

00:51:33.940 --> 00:51:34.279
 have

00:51:34.279 --> 00:51:35.440
 faith,

00:51:36.379 --> 00:51:36.839
 then don't

00:51:36.839 --> 00:51:37.440
 continue in

00:51:37.440 --> 00:51:38.219
 unbelief about

00:51:38.219 --> 00:51:39.379
 Jesus Christ

00:51:39.379 --> 00:51:40.199
 as Nicodemus

00:51:40.199 --> 00:51:40.599
 does.

00:51:40.599 --> 00:51:42.799
 today is

00:51:42.799 --> 00:51:43.199
 the day to

00:51:43.199 --> 00:51:43.980
 profess faith

00:51:43.980 --> 00:51:44.579
 in Christ

00:51:44.579 --> 00:51:45.059
 and begin

00:51:45.059 --> 00:51:45.360
 to see

00:51:45.360 --> 00:51:46.019
 with eyes,

00:51:46.400 --> 00:51:47.079
 new eyes

00:51:47.079 --> 00:51:47.480
 and a

00:51:47.480 --> 00:51:48.940
 new heart.

00:51:51.119 --> 00:51:51.799
 We now

00:51:51.799 --> 00:51:52.199
 see that

00:51:52.199 --> 00:51:52.719
 Nicodemus'

00:51:52.860 --> 00:51:53.279
 fundamental

00:51:53.279 --> 00:51:55.460
 problem is

00:51:55.460 --> 00:51:55.819
 that he has

00:51:55.819 --> 00:51:56.480
 not embraced

00:51:56.480 --> 00:51:57.199
 the testimony

00:51:57.199 --> 00:51:58.159
 concerning

00:51:58.159 --> 00:51:58.980
 Jesus Christ,

00:51:59.759 --> 00:52:00.579
 that Jesus

00:52:00.579 --> 00:52:01.259
 is the light

00:52:01.259 --> 00:52:01.699
 of the world,

00:52:01.799 --> 00:52:02.159
 that Jesus

00:52:02.159 --> 00:52:02.920
 is life,

00:52:03.059 --> 00:52:03.380
 that Jesus

00:52:03.380 --> 00:52:04.000
 is God

00:52:04.000 --> 00:52:04.819
 incarnate.

00:52:04.820 --> 00:52:05.840
 And if

00:52:05.840 --> 00:52:06.180
 that is

00:52:06.180 --> 00:52:06.720
 Nicodemus'

00:52:06.860 --> 00:52:07.580
 problem,

00:52:07.860 --> 00:52:08.100
 and by

00:52:08.100 --> 00:52:08.539
 extension

00:52:08.539 --> 00:52:09.100
 everyone

00:52:09.100 --> 00:52:10.080
 in the

00:52:10.080 --> 00:52:10.380
 world,

00:52:10.500 --> 00:52:10.860
 as John

00:52:10.860 --> 00:52:11.360
 says in

00:52:11.360 --> 00:52:11.940
 John 1,

00:52:13.320 --> 00:52:13.720
 then what

00:52:13.720 --> 00:52:14.039
 is the

00:52:14.039 --> 00:52:14.519
 solution

00:52:14.519 --> 00:52:15.880
 to such

00:52:15.880 --> 00:52:17.120
 a problem?

00:52:18.760 --> 00:52:19.180
 Well,

00:52:19.220 --> 00:52:19.740
 let's look at

00:52:19.740 --> 00:52:20.340
 verses 13

00:52:20.340 --> 00:52:20.980
 through 15.

00:52:22.240 --> 00:52:22.680
 Jesus

00:52:22.680 --> 00:52:23.120
 continues,

00:52:23.280 --> 00:52:23.580
 he says,

00:52:23.660 --> 00:52:24.039
 no one

00:52:24.039 --> 00:52:24.519
 has ascended

00:52:24.519 --> 00:52:25.100
 into heaven

00:52:25.100 --> 00:52:25.559
 but the

00:52:25.559 --> 00:52:25.840
 one who's

00:52:25.840 --> 00:52:26.440
 come down,

00:52:27.059 --> 00:52:27.340
 the Son

00:52:27.340 --> 00:52:27.700
 of Man.

00:52:28.800 --> 00:52:29.380
 And just

00:52:29.380 --> 00:52:29.820
 as Moses

00:52:29.820 --> 00:52:30.360
 lifted up

00:52:30.360 --> 00:52:30.780
 the serpent

00:52:30.780 --> 00:52:31.140
 in the

00:52:31.140 --> 00:52:31.440
 wilderness,

00:52:32.280 --> 00:52:32.880
 so also

00:52:32.880 --> 00:52:33.160
 it is

00:52:33.160 --> 00:52:33.519
 necessary

00:52:33.519 --> 00:52:33.820
 that the

00:52:33.820 --> 00:52:34.080
 Son of

00:52:34.080 --> 00:52:34.280
 Man

00:52:34.280 --> 00:52:34.460
 can be

00:52:34.460 --> 00:52:34.980
 lifted up

00:52:34.980 --> 00:52:35.680
 so that

00:52:35.680 --> 00:52:36.080
 all who

00:52:36.080 --> 00:52:36.440
 believe in

00:52:36.440 --> 00:52:36.600
 his

00:52:36.600 --> 00:52:37.060
 clearly

00:52:37.060 --> 00:52:37.600
 speaking

00:52:37.600 --> 00:52:38.500
 of

00:52:38.500 --> 00:52:38.960
 himself

00:52:38.960 --> 00:52:39.180
 and

00:52:39.180 --> 00:52:39.360
 giving

00:52:39.360 --> 00:52:39.640
 his

00:52:39.640 --> 00:52:40.620
 credentials,

00:52:40.780 --> 00:52:41.060
 so to

00:52:41.060 --> 00:52:41.380
 speak.

00:52:42.640 --> 00:52:43.000
 In effect,

00:52:43.100 --> 00:52:43.360
 he says,

00:52:43.519 --> 00:52:43.860
 no one

00:52:43.860 --> 00:52:44.400
 else has

00:52:44.400 --> 00:52:44.920
 ascended

00:52:44.920 --> 00:52:46.280
 to heaven.

00:52:46.460 --> 00:52:46.820
 No one

00:52:46.820 --> 00:52:47.300
 can claim

00:52:47.300 --> 00:52:47.840
 to have

00:52:47.840 --> 00:52:48.400
 the heavenly

00:52:48.400 --> 00:52:49.040
 knowledge

00:52:49.040 --> 00:52:50.220
 but me,

00:52:50.360 --> 00:52:50.680
 the Son

00:52:50.680 --> 00:52:51.120
 of Man.

00:52:51.760 --> 00:52:52.080
 So again,

00:52:52.120 --> 00:52:52.760
 he's further

00:52:52.760 --> 00:52:53.500
 questioning

00:52:53.500 --> 00:52:54.500
 Nicodemus'

00:52:54.740 --> 00:52:55.660
 credentials.

00:52:56.900 --> 00:52:57.220
 Further,

00:52:57.360 --> 00:52:57.800
 Jesus is

00:52:57.800 --> 00:52:58.300
 pointing out

00:52:58.300 --> 00:52:59.460
 that Nicodemus

00:52:59.460 --> 00:53:00.300
 ought to

00:53:00.300 --> 00:53:00.800
 listen to

00:53:00.800 --> 00:53:02.440
 him because

00:53:02.440 --> 00:53:02.960
 of who he

00:53:02.960 --> 00:53:03.280
 is and

00:53:03.280 --> 00:53:03.700
 where he

00:53:03.699 --> 00:53:05.639
 has come

00:53:05.639 --> 00:53:06.039
 from.

00:53:06.839 --> 00:53:07.539
 By referring

00:53:07.539 --> 00:53:08.039
 to himself

00:53:08.039 --> 00:53:08.359
 as the

00:53:08.359 --> 00:53:08.619
 Son of

00:53:08.619 --> 00:53:08.859
 Man,

00:53:08.980 --> 00:53:09.619
 he's alluding

00:53:09.619 --> 00:53:10.219
 to Daniel

00:53:10.219 --> 00:53:11.139
 7,

00:53:11.239 --> 00:53:12.039
 which prophesies

00:53:12.039 --> 00:53:12.259
 of the

00:53:12.259 --> 00:53:12.500
 Son of

00:53:12.500 --> 00:53:13.000
 Man coming

00:53:13.000 --> 00:53:13.399
 who will

00:53:13.399 --> 00:53:13.879
 rule for

00:53:13.879 --> 00:53:14.299
 eternity

00:53:14.299 --> 00:53:15.119
 and have

00:53:15.119 --> 00:53:15.699
 dominion and

00:53:15.699 --> 00:53:16.339
 dynasty and

00:53:16.339 --> 00:53:16.879
 so forth.

00:53:16.960 --> 00:53:17.339
 So Jesus

00:53:17.339 --> 00:53:18.079
 is identifying

00:53:18.079 --> 00:53:19.339
 himself as

00:53:19.339 --> 00:53:19.839
 that king.

00:53:19.939 --> 00:53:20.319
 I'm the

00:53:20.319 --> 00:53:20.859
 eternal king.

00:53:20.939 --> 00:53:21.279
 I'm the

00:53:21.279 --> 00:53:21.659
 king of

00:53:21.659 --> 00:53:21.879
 kings.

00:53:21.980 --> 00:53:22.359
 That's what

00:53:22.359 --> 00:53:23.079
 Son of

00:53:23.079 --> 00:53:24.119
 Man is

00:53:24.119 --> 00:53:24.639
 referring to

00:53:24.639 --> 00:53:24.919
 in this

00:53:24.919 --> 00:53:25.500
 context.

00:53:27.339 --> 00:53:27.559
 And then

00:53:27.559 --> 00:53:28.179
 verse 14,

00:53:28.299 --> 00:53:29.079
 Jesus references

00:53:29.079 --> 00:53:30.179
 a story

00:53:30.179 --> 00:53:30.460
 from

00:53:30.460 --> 00:53:30.779
 Numbers

00:53:30.779 --> 00:53:31.199
 21,

00:53:31.400 --> 00:53:32.460
 6-9.

00:53:32.539 --> 00:53:32.759
 You may

00:53:32.759 --> 00:53:33.400
 recall it.

00:53:34.619 --> 00:53:34.960
 In this

00:53:34.960 --> 00:53:35.279
 story,

00:53:35.400 --> 00:53:36.279
 God punishes

00:53:36.279 --> 00:53:37.019
 Israel in

00:53:37.019 --> 00:53:37.440
 the wilderness.

00:53:37.699 --> 00:53:38.000
 He sends

00:53:38.000 --> 00:53:38.719
 serpents into

00:53:38.719 --> 00:53:39.380
 their camp and

00:53:39.380 --> 00:53:39.719
 they start

00:53:39.719 --> 00:53:40.659
 biting everybody

00:53:40.659 --> 00:53:41.039
 and they're

00:53:41.039 --> 00:53:41.480
 dying.

00:53:42.340 --> 00:53:42.719
 But then

00:53:42.719 --> 00:53:43.239
 Moses

00:53:43.239 --> 00:53:44.199
 intercedes.

00:53:45.099 --> 00:53:45.539
 And God

00:53:45.539 --> 00:53:46.480
 tells Moses

00:53:46.480 --> 00:53:47.360
 what to do

00:53:47.360 --> 00:53:47.799
 so that

00:53:47.799 --> 00:53:49.039
 Israel can

00:53:49.039 --> 00:53:49.539
 be spared.

00:53:49.639 --> 00:53:49.779
 And he

00:53:49.779 --> 00:53:50.039
 gives a

00:53:50.039 --> 00:53:50.380
 promise.

00:53:50.539 --> 00:53:50.860
 So Numbers

00:53:50.860 --> 00:53:51.259
 21,

00:53:51.380 --> 00:53:51.880
 verse 8,

00:53:53.299 --> 00:53:54.579
 God had

00:53:54.579 --> 00:53:55.039
 just told

00:53:55.039 --> 00:53:55.500
 Moses to

00:53:55.500 --> 00:53:56.039
 take a

00:53:56.039 --> 00:53:56.340
 serpent,

00:53:56.799 --> 00:53:57.199
 put it on

00:53:57.199 --> 00:53:57.579
 a pike,

00:53:57.719 --> 00:53:58.059
 lift it

00:53:58.059 --> 00:53:58.339
 up.

00:53:58.859 --> 00:53:59.139
 And then

00:53:59.139 --> 00:53:59.439
 he says

00:53:59.439 --> 00:53:59.799
 in Numbers

00:53:59.799 --> 00:54:00.179
 21,

00:54:00.279 --> 00:54:00.739
 verse 8,

00:54:01.439 --> 00:54:01.639
 And it

00:54:01.639 --> 00:54:01.980
 shall come

00:54:01.980 --> 00:54:02.519
 about that

00:54:02.519 --> 00:54:03.119
 everyone who

00:54:03.119 --> 00:54:03.599
 is bitten,

00:54:03.739 --> 00:54:04.299
 so those who

00:54:04.299 --> 00:54:04.919
 are dead,

00:54:05.139 --> 00:54:05.319
 right,

00:54:05.379 --> 00:54:05.719
 dying,

00:54:06.339 --> 00:54:07.159
 everyone who's

00:54:07.159 --> 00:54:08.500
 bitten and

00:54:08.500 --> 00:54:09.519
 looks at it,

00:54:09.619 --> 00:54:10.019
 referring to

00:54:10.019 --> 00:54:10.500
 the serpent,

00:54:10.779 --> 00:54:11.139
 everyone who

00:54:11.139 --> 00:54:12.059
 looks at it

00:54:12.059 --> 00:54:13.859
 will live.

00:54:15.139 --> 00:54:15.859
 So back in

00:54:15.859 --> 00:54:16.339
 John 3,

00:54:16.419 --> 00:54:16.879
 14,

00:54:17.019 --> 00:54:17.719
 Jesus is

00:54:17.719 --> 00:54:19.119
 evoking this

00:54:19.119 --> 00:54:19.500
 promise,

00:54:19.619 --> 00:54:20.199
 this story.

00:54:20.919 --> 00:54:22.019
 It's typologically

00:54:22.019 --> 00:54:22.839
 saying this applies

00:54:22.839 --> 00:54:23.659
 to me and then

00:54:23.659 --> 00:54:24.159
 some because I'm

00:54:24.159 --> 00:54:24.779
 talking about

00:54:24.779 --> 00:54:26.839
 eternal life.

00:54:27.199 --> 00:54:28.819
 And so,

00:54:29.279 --> 00:54:30.079
 Jesus is

00:54:30.079 --> 00:54:31.519
 foreshadowing

00:54:31.519 --> 00:54:33.159
 his crucifixion.

00:54:34.079 --> 00:54:34.859
 It's great to

00:54:34.859 --> 00:54:35.299
 hear babies

00:54:35.299 --> 00:54:36.219
 crying at my

00:54:36.219 --> 00:54:36.719
 other church.

00:54:36.879 --> 00:54:37.359
 It's mostly

00:54:37.359 --> 00:54:37.799
 old,

00:54:38.019 --> 00:54:38.339
 so you might

00:54:38.339 --> 00:54:38.859
 hear like a

00:54:38.859 --> 00:54:39.480
 knee crack,

00:54:40.059 --> 00:54:42.279
 but that's

00:54:42.279 --> 00:54:42.879
 about it.

00:54:45.859 --> 00:54:46.319
 But,

00:54:46.399 --> 00:54:48.119
 I forgot

00:54:48.119 --> 00:54:48.460
 this is

00:54:48.460 --> 00:54:48.839
 recorded.

00:54:51.039 --> 00:54:51.480
 Shoot.

00:54:52.939 --> 00:54:53.319
 But back

00:54:53.319 --> 00:54:54.059
 to John 3,

00:54:54.139 --> 00:54:54.779
 verse 14,

00:54:54.960 --> 00:54:55.679
 he's evoking

00:54:55.679 --> 00:54:56.579
 this context.

00:54:57.199 --> 00:54:57.960
 He's saying,

00:54:58.159 --> 00:54:58.460
 if you would

00:54:58.460 --> 00:54:59.619
 only look

00:54:59.619 --> 00:55:00.539
 to me,

00:55:01.539 --> 00:55:02.159
 the serpent

00:55:02.159 --> 00:55:02.939
 was just a

00:55:02.939 --> 00:55:03.719
 picture of

00:55:03.719 --> 00:55:04.599
 me to come.

00:55:05.000 --> 00:55:05.339
 I,

00:55:05.419 --> 00:55:05.759
 the son of

00:55:05.759 --> 00:55:05.960
 man,

00:55:06.000 --> 00:55:06.379
 who must

00:55:06.379 --> 00:55:06.799
 be lifted

00:55:06.799 --> 00:55:07.179
 up.

00:55:08.000 --> 00:55:08.239
 If you

00:55:08.239 --> 00:55:08.619
 would just

00:55:08.619 --> 00:55:08.960
 look to

00:55:08.960 --> 00:55:09.139
 me,

00:55:09.279 --> 00:55:10.259
 you will

00:55:10.259 --> 00:55:10.799
 live.

00:55:10.879 --> 00:55:11.500
 All those

00:55:11.500 --> 00:55:11.839
 who look

00:55:11.839 --> 00:55:12.319
 to Christ

00:55:12.319 --> 00:55:13.359
 will live.

00:55:13.480 --> 00:55:13.899
 That's

00:55:13.899 --> 00:55:15.019
 the solution.

00:55:15.759 --> 00:55:15.980
 And to

00:55:15.980 --> 00:55:16.439
 look at him

00:55:16.439 --> 00:55:17.019
 not merely

00:55:17.019 --> 00:55:17.480
 as a

00:55:17.480 --> 00:55:18.199
 teacher or

00:55:18.199 --> 00:55:18.699
 merely with

00:55:18.699 --> 00:55:19.179
 some level

00:55:19.179 --> 00:55:19.839
 of respect.

00:55:20.559 --> 00:55:21.119
 Just the

00:55:21.119 --> 00:55:21.619
 other day,

00:55:21.719 --> 00:55:22.000
 I've been

00:55:22.000 --> 00:55:22.819
 following all

00:55:22.819 --> 00:55:23.259
 this stuff

00:55:23.259 --> 00:55:23.699
 with Richard

00:55:23.699 --> 00:55:24.239
 Dawkins,

00:55:24.239 --> 00:55:24.500
 if you

00:55:24.500 --> 00:55:24.699
 know.

00:55:24.779 --> 00:55:24.919
 He's

00:55:24.919 --> 00:55:25.959
 about

00:55:25.959 --> 00:55:26.599
 atheists.

00:55:26.699 --> 00:55:27.079
 He hates

00:55:27.079 --> 00:55:28.000
 Christianity,

00:55:28.179 --> 00:55:28.519
 but all of

00:55:28.519 --> 00:55:28.759
 a sudden he

00:55:28.759 --> 00:55:29.179
 likes it

00:55:29.179 --> 00:55:29.399
 because the

00:55:29.399 --> 00:55:29.639
 world's

00:55:29.639 --> 00:55:30.239
 going crazy,

00:55:30.359 --> 00:55:30.599
 even though

00:55:30.599 --> 00:55:30.799
 it's the

00:55:30.799 --> 00:55:31.099
 world he

00:55:31.099 --> 00:55:31.439
 invented.

00:55:32.399 --> 00:55:33.319
 And now

00:55:33.319 --> 00:55:33.759
 he's saying,

00:55:33.859 --> 00:55:33.939
 oh,

00:55:34.039 --> 00:55:34.559
 I'm a

00:55:34.559 --> 00:55:34.979
 cultural

00:55:34.979 --> 00:55:35.459
 Christian.

00:55:35.579 --> 00:55:35.879
 I like

00:55:35.879 --> 00:55:36.279
 what Jesus

00:55:36.279 --> 00:55:36.759
 said.

00:55:36.879 --> 00:55:37.199
 I just

00:55:37.199 --> 00:55:37.539
 don't think

00:55:37.539 --> 00:55:38.119
 he existed.

00:55:39.079 --> 00:55:39.319
 Well,

00:55:39.379 --> 00:55:40.179
 that's not

00:55:40.179 --> 00:55:40.500
 enough.

00:55:40.579 --> 00:55:41.039
 That's not

00:55:41.039 --> 00:55:41.659
 looking to

00:55:41.659 --> 00:55:42.099
 Christ.

00:55:43.359 --> 00:55:43.759
 That's

00:55:43.759 --> 00:55:45.259
 actually worse

00:55:45.259 --> 00:55:45.479
 than

00:55:45.479 --> 00:55:46.139
 Nicodemus.

00:55:47.259 --> 00:55:47.599
 And there

00:55:47.599 --> 00:55:47.819
 are many

00:55:47.819 --> 00:55:48.259
 today who

00:55:48.259 --> 00:55:48.699
 do that.

00:55:48.779 --> 00:55:49.159
 So don't

00:55:49.159 --> 00:55:49.459
 look to

00:55:49.459 --> 00:55:49.699
 him in

00:55:49.699 --> 00:55:50.059
 that way,

00:55:50.139 --> 00:55:50.539
 but look

00:55:50.539 --> 00:55:51.000
 to him

00:55:51.000 --> 00:55:52.039
 as the

00:55:52.039 --> 00:55:52.299
 son of

00:55:52.300 --> 00:55:52.500
 man,

00:55:52.620 --> 00:55:53.120
 as king

00:55:53.120 --> 00:55:53.519
 of kings,

00:55:53.620 --> 00:55:54.060
 as lord

00:55:54.060 --> 00:55:54.440
 of lords,

00:55:54.580 --> 00:55:55.019
 believing

00:55:55.019 --> 00:55:55.519
 what he

00:55:55.519 --> 00:55:55.980
 says and

00:55:55.980 --> 00:55:56.580
 has shown

00:55:56.580 --> 00:55:57.840
 and demonstrated

00:55:57.840 --> 00:55:58.940
 about

00:55:58.940 --> 00:55:59.580
 himself,

00:55:59.900 --> 00:56:00.200
 and you

00:56:00.200 --> 00:56:01.380
 will live.

00:56:02.900 --> 00:56:03.480
 And he

00:56:03.480 --> 00:56:03.820
 says in

00:56:03.820 --> 00:56:04.360
 verse 14,

00:56:04.420 --> 00:56:05.200
 it's necessary

00:56:05.200 --> 00:56:05.600
 that I'm

00:56:05.600 --> 00:56:05.980
 lifted up.

00:56:06.039 --> 00:56:06.500
 It must

00:56:06.500 --> 00:56:07.060
 be so.

00:56:07.160 --> 00:56:08.300
 This has

00:56:08.300 --> 00:56:08.920
 to be.

00:56:10.039 --> 00:56:10.519
 Why is it

00:56:10.519 --> 00:56:10.800
 necessary?

00:56:10.900 --> 00:56:11.120
 Well,

00:56:11.120 --> 00:56:11.880
 for Jesus

00:56:11.880 --> 00:56:12.539
 to die

00:56:12.539 --> 00:56:13.920
 for us,

00:56:14.700 --> 00:56:15.600
 sin requires

00:56:15.600 --> 00:56:16.180
 a blood

00:56:16.180 --> 00:56:16.980
 payment,

00:56:17.200 --> 00:56:17.480
 death,

00:56:17.620 --> 00:56:17.900
 and all

00:56:17.900 --> 00:56:18.220
 that it

00:56:18.220 --> 00:56:18.720
 entails.

00:56:19.700 --> 00:56:20.280
 The wages

00:56:20.280 --> 00:56:20.820
 of sin

00:56:20.820 --> 00:56:21.920
 is death.

00:56:21.920 --> 00:56:22.440
 So Jesus

00:56:22.440 --> 00:56:23.380
 must die

00:56:23.380 --> 00:56:23.780
 on our

00:56:23.780 --> 00:56:25.240
 behalf if

00:56:25.240 --> 00:56:25.900
 he is to

00:56:25.900 --> 00:56:26.380
 be able

00:56:26.380 --> 00:56:26.760
 to be

00:56:26.760 --> 00:56:27.740
 merciful and

00:56:27.740 --> 00:56:29.380
 gracious while

00:56:29.380 --> 00:56:30.200
 upholding his

00:56:30.200 --> 00:56:31.760
 justice and

00:56:31.760 --> 00:56:32.300
 goodness.

00:56:33.180 --> 00:56:33.619
 So friends,

00:56:33.720 --> 00:56:34.659
 if you haven't

00:56:34.659 --> 00:56:35.420
 gotten it by

00:56:35.420 --> 00:56:35.820
 now,

00:56:36.420 --> 00:56:37.200
 Jesus Christ

00:56:37.200 --> 00:56:37.760
 is our

00:56:37.760 --> 00:56:38.079
 Savior.

00:56:38.700 --> 00:56:39.680
 Not yourselves,

00:56:40.039 --> 00:56:40.340
 not your

00:56:40.340 --> 00:56:40.960
 parents,

00:56:41.340 --> 00:56:41.800
 not your

00:56:41.800 --> 00:56:42.240
 pastor,

00:56:42.460 --> 00:56:43.059
 certainly not

00:56:43.059 --> 00:56:43.480
 your guest

00:56:43.480 --> 00:56:43.880
 preacher,

00:56:44.420 --> 00:56:46.099
 but Jesus

00:56:46.099 --> 00:56:48.380
 Christ alone.

00:56:50.099 --> 00:56:50.460
 And then

00:56:50.460 --> 00:56:51.059
 verse 15,

00:56:51.139 --> 00:56:51.820
 this is why

00:56:51.820 --> 00:56:53.800
 Jesus came.

00:56:53.860 --> 00:56:54.220
 He says,

00:56:54.280 --> 00:56:54.920
 in order that

00:56:54.920 --> 00:56:55.580
 everyone who

00:56:55.580 --> 00:56:57.260
 believes in

00:56:57.260 --> 00:56:57.760
 him may

00:56:57.760 --> 00:56:59.000
 have eternal

00:56:59.000 --> 00:57:00.620
 life.

00:57:01.600 --> 00:57:02.019
 Now,

00:57:02.059 --> 00:57:02.860
 don't hear in

00:57:02.860 --> 00:57:03.620
 that verse

00:57:03.620 --> 00:57:04.680
 a passive

00:57:04.680 --> 00:57:05.880
 threat of doom

00:57:05.880 --> 00:57:06.420
 and judgment

00:57:06.420 --> 00:57:07.760
 for those who

00:57:07.760 --> 00:57:08.580
 do not believe,

00:57:09.180 --> 00:57:10.140
 though that's

00:57:10.140 --> 00:57:11.140
 absolutely true

00:57:11.140 --> 00:57:11.800
 and important,

00:57:11.940 --> 00:57:12.260
 and if you're

00:57:12.260 --> 00:57:12.880
 not in Christ,

00:57:12.960 --> 00:57:13.539
 I encourage you

00:57:13.539 --> 00:57:14.120
 to think about

00:57:14.120 --> 00:57:14.440
 that.

00:57:15.640 --> 00:57:16.840
 But what Jesus

00:57:16.840 --> 00:57:17.660
 is doing here

00:57:17.660 --> 00:57:18.260
 is now,

00:57:18.400 --> 00:57:18.960
 I think,

00:57:18.960 --> 00:57:20.340
 a warm

00:57:20.340 --> 00:57:21.059
 invitation.

00:57:21.059 --> 00:57:22.240
 He is offering

00:57:22.240 --> 00:57:23.260
 to Nicodemus.

00:57:23.340 --> 00:57:23.840
 He's saying

00:57:23.840 --> 00:57:25.519
 to him

00:57:25.519 --> 00:57:26.360
 as if he was

00:57:26.360 --> 00:57:27.260
 Israel of old.

00:57:27.960 --> 00:57:28.380
 Again,

00:57:28.500 --> 00:57:28.820
 the leader of

00:57:28.820 --> 00:57:29.260
 the Jews.

00:57:29.940 --> 00:57:30.559
 Believe in me.

00:57:30.720 --> 00:57:31.300
 Look to me

00:57:31.300 --> 00:57:32.119
 as Israel of

00:57:32.119 --> 00:57:32.360
 old.

00:57:32.920 --> 00:57:33.400
 Look to

00:57:33.400 --> 00:57:33.639
 Moses'

00:57:33.820 --> 00:57:34.099
 serpent,

00:57:34.500 --> 00:57:34.960
 and you

00:57:34.960 --> 00:57:36.720
 will live.

00:57:39.860 --> 00:57:40.300
 Now,

00:57:40.340 --> 00:57:40.720
 in closing,

00:57:41.119 --> 00:57:42.039
 I know I'm

00:57:42.039 --> 00:57:42.400
 going a little

00:57:42.400 --> 00:57:42.760
 over,

00:57:42.900 --> 00:57:43.599
 so I'll cut

00:57:43.599 --> 00:57:44.220
 some of this,

00:57:44.219 --> 00:57:45.759
 but I just

00:57:45.759 --> 00:57:46.159
 want to offer

00:57:46.159 --> 00:57:46.619
 a few

00:57:46.619 --> 00:57:47.480
 reflections

00:57:47.480 --> 00:57:48.039
 in light of

00:57:48.039 --> 00:57:48.339
 this.

00:57:49.719 --> 00:57:50.239
 I hope no

00:57:50.239 --> 00:57:50.759
 one is

00:57:50.759 --> 00:57:51.239
 thinking,

00:57:51.639 --> 00:57:52.199
 I also

00:57:52.199 --> 00:57:53.219
 understand why

00:57:53.219 --> 00:57:53.739
 you may be,

00:57:55.119 --> 00:57:55.759
 I hope no

00:57:55.759 --> 00:57:56.019
 one is

00:57:56.019 --> 00:57:56.819
 thinking that

00:57:56.819 --> 00:57:58.859
 what's the

00:57:58.859 --> 00:57:59.199
 point of

00:57:59.199 --> 00:57:59.500
 this?

00:57:59.799 --> 00:58:00.299
 Aren't we

00:58:00.299 --> 00:58:00.679
 Christians?

00:58:00.819 --> 00:58:01.419
 Is this not

00:58:01.419 --> 00:58:01.959
 church?

00:58:02.599 --> 00:58:02.959
 You might be

00:58:02.959 --> 00:58:03.079
 thinking,

00:58:03.179 --> 00:58:03.899
 I already

00:58:03.899 --> 00:58:04.619
 believe in

00:58:04.619 --> 00:58:04.859
 Jesus.

00:58:04.859 --> 00:58:05.339
 What does

00:58:05.339 --> 00:58:06.599
 this have

00:58:06.599 --> 00:58:06.859
 to do

00:58:06.859 --> 00:58:07.219
 with me?

00:58:08.319 --> 00:58:08.739
 Well,

00:58:08.759 --> 00:58:09.059
 I hope you

00:58:09.059 --> 00:58:09.500
 already know,

00:58:09.579 --> 00:58:09.719
 right?

00:58:09.779 --> 00:58:10.459
 As Christians,

00:58:10.619 --> 00:58:11.079
 we never

00:58:11.079 --> 00:58:11.980
 outgrow

00:58:11.980 --> 00:58:13.399
 the gospel.

00:58:13.619 --> 00:58:13.980
 We are

00:58:13.980 --> 00:58:15.480
 daily in

00:58:15.480 --> 00:58:16.079
 need of

00:58:16.079 --> 00:58:17.719
 gospel hope.

00:58:17.840 --> 00:58:18.260
 As a

00:58:18.260 --> 00:58:18.619
 Christian,

00:58:18.840 --> 00:58:19.320
 I still

00:58:19.320 --> 00:58:20.079
 find myself

00:58:20.079 --> 00:58:20.639
 wanting to

00:58:20.639 --> 00:58:21.139
 turn to

00:58:21.139 --> 00:58:22.000
 self-sufficiency,

00:58:22.400 --> 00:58:23.099
 and I

00:58:23.099 --> 00:58:23.420
 look in

00:58:23.420 --> 00:58:23.900
 all the

00:58:23.900 --> 00:58:24.519
 dumbest

00:58:24.519 --> 00:58:25.099
 places.

00:58:25.820 --> 00:58:26.219
 I have

00:58:26.219 --> 00:58:26.539
 an MD,

00:58:26.820 --> 00:58:27.519
 we're a

00:58:27.519 --> 00:58:27.860
 tie to

00:58:27.860 --> 00:58:28.480
 church now,

00:58:28.599 --> 00:58:28.820
 right?

00:58:28.940 --> 00:58:29.420
 I don't

00:58:29.420 --> 00:58:29.840
 actually think

00:58:29.840 --> 00:58:30.179
 that way,

00:58:30.300 --> 00:58:31.619
 but that's

00:58:31.619 --> 00:58:32.059
 about how

00:58:32.059 --> 00:58:32.760
 dumb all

00:58:32.760 --> 00:58:33.079
 of that

00:58:33.079 --> 00:58:33.940
 thinking is.

00:58:34.900 --> 00:58:35.340
 And we're

00:58:35.340 --> 00:58:36.280
 so prone

00:58:36.280 --> 00:58:36.559
 to it,

00:58:36.579 --> 00:58:37.079
 we're so

00:58:37.079 --> 00:58:38.099
 ensnared by

00:58:38.099 --> 00:58:38.480
 this

00:58:38.480 --> 00:58:39.679
 self-sufficiency,

00:58:39.920 --> 00:58:40.900
 this ability

00:58:40.900 --> 00:58:41.780
 to drive

00:58:41.780 --> 00:58:42.159
 ourselves,

00:58:42.240 --> 00:58:42.480
 to be

00:58:42.480 --> 00:58:42.740
 better,

00:58:42.820 --> 00:58:43.000
 to be

00:58:43.000 --> 00:58:43.380
 greater,

00:58:43.380 --> 00:58:44.780
 and we

00:58:44.780 --> 00:58:45.780
 are poor,

00:58:45.980 --> 00:58:47.099
 blind beggars

00:58:47.099 --> 00:58:48.420
 apart from

00:58:48.420 --> 00:58:48.940
 Christ.

00:58:50.340 --> 00:58:50.820
 And so we

00:58:50.820 --> 00:58:51.440
 are in need

00:58:51.440 --> 00:58:51.700
 of this

00:58:51.700 --> 00:58:52.380
 reminder of

00:58:52.380 --> 00:58:52.900
 our daily

00:58:52.900 --> 00:58:53.280
 need.

00:58:53.400 --> 00:58:54.039
 Every hour,

00:58:54.200 --> 00:58:54.400
 Lord,

00:58:54.480 --> 00:58:54.840
 I need

00:58:54.840 --> 00:58:55.099
 thee.

00:58:56.220 --> 00:58:56.900
 That our

00:58:56.900 --> 00:58:57.420
 faith and

00:58:57.420 --> 00:58:57.980
 our justification

00:58:57.980 --> 00:58:58.980
 come from

00:58:58.980 --> 00:58:59.700
 Christ,

00:58:59.800 --> 00:59:00.200
 not our

00:59:00.200 --> 00:59:01.000
 works or

00:59:01.000 --> 00:59:01.619
 anything else

00:59:01.619 --> 00:59:01.900
 that are

00:59:01.900 --> 00:59:02.700
 standing before

00:59:02.700 --> 00:59:03.800
 God is

00:59:03.800 --> 00:59:04.480
 found in

00:59:04.480 --> 00:59:05.380
 looking to

00:59:05.380 --> 00:59:05.900
 Christ and

00:59:05.900 --> 00:59:06.460
 his life,

00:59:06.579 --> 00:59:07.119
 his death,

00:59:07.480 --> 00:59:07.720
 and

00:59:07.720 --> 00:59:08.500
 resurrections.

00:59:09.280 --> 00:59:09.640
 And friends,

00:59:09.760 --> 00:59:10.380
 if nothing

00:59:10.380 --> 00:59:11.019
 else from

00:59:11.019 --> 00:59:11.480
 this text,

00:59:11.619 --> 00:59:13.039
 consider how

00:59:13.039 --> 00:59:14.559
 everything is

00:59:14.559 --> 00:59:14.860
 meant to

00:59:14.860 --> 00:59:15.179
 point us

00:59:15.179 --> 00:59:15.800
 to Christ,

00:59:16.679 --> 00:59:17.380
 to make

00:59:17.380 --> 00:59:18.179
 us look

00:59:18.179 --> 00:59:19.320
 to Christ,

00:59:19.380 --> 00:59:19.719
 not just

00:59:19.719 --> 00:59:20.500
 for salvation,

00:59:21.239 --> 00:59:21.659
 that's where

00:59:21.659 --> 00:59:22.139
 it starts,

00:59:22.199 --> 00:59:22.800
 but even

00:59:22.800 --> 00:59:23.139
 for our

00:59:23.139 --> 00:59:24.059
 very purpose

00:59:24.059 --> 00:59:24.880
 and existence

00:59:24.880 --> 00:59:26.440
 as human

00:59:26.440 --> 00:59:26.699
 beings,

00:59:26.759 --> 00:59:27.079
 for our

00:59:27.079 --> 00:59:27.759
 sanctification,

00:59:27.960 --> 00:59:28.259
 for our

00:59:28.259 --> 00:59:28.679
 drive,

00:59:28.800 --> 00:59:29.400
 why we do

00:59:29.400 --> 00:59:29.980
 what we do,

00:59:30.059 --> 00:59:30.599
 why we are

00:59:30.599 --> 00:59:31.159
 what we are,

00:59:31.460 --> 00:59:32.179
 all these

00:59:32.179 --> 00:59:33.820
 things must

00:59:33.820 --> 00:59:34.300
 be in

00:59:34.300 --> 00:59:35.099
 submission to

00:59:35.099 --> 00:59:35.840
 the Lordship

00:59:35.840 --> 00:59:36.679
 and to the

00:59:36.679 --> 00:59:37.800
 glory of

00:59:37.800 --> 00:59:38.039
 Christ.

00:59:38.039 --> 00:59:38.460
 as Paul

00:59:38.460 --> 00:59:38.820
 says in

00:59:38.820 --> 00:59:39.159
 Colossians

00:59:39.159 --> 00:59:39.800
 1.16,

00:59:40.279 --> 00:59:40.599
 for by

00:59:40.599 --> 00:59:41.420
 Christ all

00:59:41.420 --> 00:59:41.940
 things were

00:59:41.940 --> 00:59:42.380
 created,

00:59:42.880 --> 00:59:43.380
 in heaven

00:59:43.380 --> 00:59:43.820
 and on

00:59:43.820 --> 00:59:44.019
 earth,

00:59:44.139 --> 00:59:44.719
 visible and

00:59:44.719 --> 00:59:45.079
 invisible,

00:59:45.599 --> 00:59:45.779
 whether

00:59:45.779 --> 00:59:46.400
 thrones or

00:59:46.400 --> 00:59:47.000
 dominions or

00:59:47.000 --> 00:59:47.519
 rulers or

00:59:47.519 --> 00:59:48.000
 authorities,

00:59:48.860 --> 00:59:49.840
 all things

00:59:49.840 --> 00:59:50.400
 were created

00:59:50.400 --> 00:59:51.199
 through him

00:59:51.199 --> 00:59:52.539
 and for

00:59:52.539 --> 00:59:52.900
 him.

00:59:54.779 --> 00:59:55.440
 And another

00:59:55.440 --> 00:59:56.039
 thought for us

00:59:56.039 --> 00:59:56.599
 to consider

00:59:56.599 --> 00:59:58.079
 in light of

00:59:58.079 --> 00:59:58.639
 John 3

00:59:58.639 --> 01:00:00.179
 is this,

01:00:01.340 --> 01:00:01.920
 who are

01:00:01.920 --> 01:00:02.679
 the Nicodemuses

01:00:02.679 --> 01:00:03.619
 in my life?

01:00:04.619 --> 01:00:05.199
 Now the way

01:00:05.199 --> 01:00:05.820
 I worded that

01:00:05.820 --> 01:00:06.340
 might evoke

01:00:06.340 --> 01:00:07.099
 cringy youth

01:00:07.099 --> 01:00:07.679
 group memories

01:00:07.679 --> 01:00:08.139
 for you,

01:00:08.239 --> 01:00:08.599
 it kind of

01:00:08.599 --> 01:00:09.259
 does for me,

01:00:09.899 --> 01:00:10.179
 and I

01:00:10.179 --> 01:00:10.460
 totally

01:00:10.460 --> 01:00:11.199
 understand the

01:00:11.199 --> 01:00:11.599
 whole you're

01:00:11.599 --> 01:00:12.039
 not David

01:00:12.039 --> 01:00:12.419
 thing,

01:00:12.460 --> 01:00:12.859
 I'm there,

01:00:12.960 --> 01:00:13.319
 I agree.

01:00:14.899 --> 01:00:15.319
 But what I

01:00:15.319 --> 01:00:15.819
 mean is this,

01:00:15.899 --> 01:00:16.019
 right,

01:00:16.059 --> 01:00:17.000
 we live in

01:00:17.000 --> 01:00:17.399
 the south,

01:00:17.500 --> 01:00:17.859
 we live in

01:00:17.859 --> 01:00:18.259
 Georgia,

01:00:18.339 --> 01:00:18.859
 this is the

01:00:18.859 --> 01:00:19.719
 hotbed of

01:00:19.719 --> 01:00:20.299
 false,

01:00:20.699 --> 01:00:21.039
 fake

01:00:21.039 --> 01:00:21.899
 Christianity,

01:00:22.059 --> 01:00:22.659
 there are

01:00:22.659 --> 01:00:23.399
 Nicodemuses

01:00:23.399 --> 01:00:24.159
 everywhere,

01:00:24.299 --> 01:00:24.699
 people who

01:00:24.699 --> 01:00:25.480
 respect Christ,

01:00:25.579 --> 01:00:25.940
 who look up

01:00:25.940 --> 01:00:26.339
 to Christ,

01:00:26.419 --> 01:00:26.859
 I'm trying

01:00:26.859 --> 01:00:27.519
 to do better,

01:00:28.099 --> 01:00:28.500
 but they

01:00:28.500 --> 01:00:29.559
 are not

01:00:29.559 --> 01:00:30.679
 actually in

01:00:30.679 --> 01:00:31.859
 Christ.

01:00:32.980 --> 01:00:33.480
 You work

01:00:33.480 --> 01:00:33.940
 with them,

01:00:34.019 --> 01:00:34.440
 you might be

01:00:34.440 --> 01:00:35.059
 related to

01:00:35.059 --> 01:00:35.339
 them,

01:00:35.419 --> 01:00:36.079
 I guarantee

01:00:36.079 --> 01:00:36.579
 you work

01:00:36.579 --> 01:00:36.879
 with them

01:00:36.879 --> 01:00:37.079
 and you're

01:00:37.079 --> 01:00:37.500
 related to

01:00:37.500 --> 01:00:37.679
 them,

01:00:37.719 --> 01:00:37.880
 I mean,

01:00:37.900 --> 01:00:38.360
 they're just

01:00:38.360 --> 01:00:39.400
 everywhere.

01:00:41.380 --> 01:00:42.199
 And sadly

01:00:42.199 --> 01:00:42.920
 and ironically,

01:00:43.119 --> 01:00:43.420
 while they

01:00:43.420 --> 01:00:44.320
 profess Christ,

01:00:45.219 --> 01:00:45.739
 which is maybe

01:00:45.739 --> 01:00:46.500
 a step above

01:00:46.500 --> 01:00:47.179
 Nicodemus,

01:00:47.360 --> 01:00:47.800
 I guess,

01:00:48.420 --> 01:00:49.280
 they still are

01:00:49.280 --> 01:00:49.940
 not actually

01:00:49.940 --> 01:00:51.000
 looking to

01:00:51.000 --> 01:00:51.460
 Christ.

01:00:52.739 --> 01:00:53.559
 They have not

01:00:53.559 --> 01:00:54.219
 believed in

01:00:54.219 --> 01:00:54.380
 him,

01:00:54.440 --> 01:00:54.920
 but are still

01:00:54.920 --> 01:00:55.820
 clinging to

01:00:55.820 --> 01:00:56.360
 some other

01:00:56.360 --> 01:00:56.840
 thing,

01:00:56.920 --> 01:00:57.300
 maybe it's

01:00:57.300 --> 01:00:58.440
 their morality,

01:00:58.679 --> 01:00:59.019
 maybe it's

01:00:59.019 --> 01:00:59.719
 their priest,

01:01:00.059 --> 01:01:00.800
 their culture,

01:01:00.960 --> 01:01:01.619
 their membership

01:01:01.619 --> 01:01:02.359
 with the

01:01:02.359 --> 01:01:03.460
 Republican Party

01:01:03.460 --> 01:01:04.000
 or some

01:01:04.000 --> 01:01:04.859
 other nonsense

01:01:04.859 --> 01:01:06.219
 thing.

01:01:07.359 --> 01:01:07.940
 And I

01:01:07.940 --> 01:01:08.359
 don't say

01:01:08.359 --> 01:01:08.799
 that as a

01:01:08.799 --> 01:01:09.039
 joke,

01:01:09.079 --> 01:01:09.440
 that's a

01:01:09.440 --> 01:01:10.179
 very real

01:01:10.179 --> 01:01:11.299
 thing.

01:01:13.239 --> 01:01:14.000
 And as

01:01:14.000 --> 01:01:14.639
 disciples of

01:01:14.639 --> 01:01:14.980
 Christ,

01:01:15.079 --> 01:01:15.579
 we ought to

01:01:15.579 --> 01:01:16.500
 confront those

01:01:16.500 --> 01:01:18.099
 people in

01:01:18.099 --> 01:01:19.119
 love with the

01:01:19.119 --> 01:01:20.239
 true gospel as

01:01:20.239 --> 01:01:21.319
 Jesus did with

01:01:21.319 --> 01:01:22.219
 Nicodemus.

01:01:22.679 --> 01:01:23.639
 He didn't care

01:01:23.639 --> 01:01:24.299
 that Nicodemus

01:01:24.299 --> 01:01:25.219
 was the teacher

01:01:25.219 --> 01:01:26.059
 of Israel.

01:01:26.059 --> 01:01:27.559
 He identified

01:01:27.559 --> 01:01:28.279
 the fundamental

01:01:28.279 --> 01:01:29.880
 problem and

01:01:29.880 --> 01:01:30.599
 addressed it

01:01:30.599 --> 01:01:31.599
 head-on,

01:01:32.059 --> 01:01:32.880
 full of grace

01:01:32.880 --> 01:01:34.059
 and truth,

01:01:34.199 --> 01:01:34.980
 inviting him

01:01:34.980 --> 01:01:36.539
 into a life

01:01:36.539 --> 01:01:37.299
 of peace

01:01:37.299 --> 01:01:38.420
 and joy

01:01:38.420 --> 01:01:39.639
 and love

01:01:39.639 --> 01:01:41.000
 with the

01:01:41.000 --> 01:01:41.400
 Father.

01:01:42.420 --> 01:01:42.880
 So let us

01:01:42.880 --> 01:01:43.299
 go and do

01:01:43.299 --> 01:01:44.960
 likewise to

01:01:44.960 --> 01:01:45.480
 the glory of

01:01:45.480 --> 01:01:45.840
 Christ.

01:01:46.340 --> 01:01:46.719
 And let's

01:01:46.719 --> 01:01:46.920
 pray.