WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:06.799 Well, this morning we're going to be reading or focusing our attention on John's gospel. 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:12.939 But very often, as you know, in the New Testament, the New Testament authors or the New Testament 00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:17.080 preachers reference the Old Testament narratives. 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:23.920 So we're going to read from Numbers chapter 21, Numbers 21, because this is one of the 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:29.760 passages that was referenced by Jesus when he met with Nicodemus in John chapter 3. 00:00:30.739 --> 00:00:34.259 Now you heard the old quip, nostalgia isn't what it used to be. 00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:37.359 And we have a tendency to look back. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:42.759 And we have a tendency to look back with rose-colored or rose-tinted spectacles. 00:00:43.380 --> 00:00:44.939 Things in the past were great. 00:00:45.219 --> 00:00:46.719 Things in the present are bad. 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:49.079 Things in the future are likely to get worse. 00:00:49.659 --> 00:00:52.280 Now the people of God had been rescued, you remember. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:53.640 It was in all the papers. 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:55.120 They were rescued from Egypt. 00:00:55.780 --> 00:00:57.640 They were slaves in the land of Egypt. 00:00:57.640 --> 00:01:01.280 And with a mighty hand, God parted the Red Sea. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:03.079 God rescued his people. 00:01:03.259 --> 00:01:04.960 And God vanquished his enemies. 00:01:06.040 --> 00:01:07.480 But now they're on a journey. 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:08.739 They're going through the wilderness. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:12.060 Egypt looks much better than it was. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:14.260 The food was wonderful. 00:01:14.740 --> 00:01:16.439 The living conditions were superb. 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:18.480 Those were the days. 00:01:19.379 --> 00:01:20.900 Numbers chapter 21. 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:26.540 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea to go around Edom. 00:01:26.960 --> 00:01:29.300 But the people grew impatient on the way. 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:34.160 They spoke against God and against Moses and said, 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:38.120 Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? 00:01:38.880 --> 00:01:39.920 There is no bread. 00:01:40.320 --> 00:01:41.300 There is no water. 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:43.719 And we detest this miserable food. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:47.380 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them. 00:01:47.379 --> 00:01:48.819 They bit the people. 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:50.699 And many Israelites died. 00:01:51.420 --> 00:01:53.039 The people came to Moses and said, 00:01:53.640 --> 00:01:57.159 We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. 00:01:57.699 --> 00:02:01.379 Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us. 00:02:01.939 --> 00:02:04.079 So Moses prayed for the people. 00:02:05.039 --> 00:02:06.219 The Lord said to Moses, 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:08.900 Make a snake and put it up on a pole. 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:12.780 Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:17.500 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:20.259 And when anyone was bitten by a snake, 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:22.580 they looked at the bronze snake. 00:02:23.099 --> 00:02:25.300 And they lived. 00:02:26.139 --> 00:02:26.520 Amen. 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:31.960 We're now going to sing the hymn, 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:34.780 How Deep the Father's Love for Us. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:37.560 And we will stand together to sing. 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:37.620 Amen. 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:58.139 How deep the Father's love for us. 00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:03.159 How vast beyond all measure 00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:10.080 That he should give his only Son 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:15.320 To make a wretch his treasure 00:03:15.320 --> 00:03:22.320 How great the pain of searing loss 00:03:22.320 --> 00:03:28.260 The Father turns his face away 00:03:28.260 --> 00:03:34.439 As wounds which mar the chosen one 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:39.600 Bring many sons to glory 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:55.979 Behold the man upon the cross 00:03:55.979 --> 00:04:01.060 My guilt upon his shoulders 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:07.900 Ashamed I hear my mocking voice 00:04:07.900 --> 00:04:12.900 Call out among the scoffers 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:19.899 It was my sin that held him there 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:25.100 Until it was accomplished 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:32.139 His dying breath has brought me alive 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:37.139 I know that it is finished 00:04:37.139 --> 00:04:38.139 I know that it is finished 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:52.139 I will not boast in anything 00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:57.959 No gifts, no power, no wisdom 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:03.959 But I will boast in Jesus Christ 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:08.959 His death and resurrection 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:14.959 Why should I gain from his reward? 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:20.959 I cannot give an answer 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:27.959 But this I know with all my heart 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:32.959 His wounds have paid my ransom 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:37.959 I cannot give an answer 00:05:37.959 --> 00:05:40.239 To the Lord 00:05:40.239 --> 00:05:43.959 And I know with all my heart 00:05:43.959 --> 00:05:45.959 He has made me alive 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:49.899 So we're now going to watch a short video 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:51.240 From WFM 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:53.959 It's on a charitable work 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:56.019 Called Release International 00:05:56.019 --> 00:05:57.799 So let's see. 00:06:12.599 --> 00:06:18.299 Hello, my name's Paul Robinson, and I'm CEO of a Christian ministry called Release International, 00:06:18.979 --> 00:06:24.479 which for more than 50 years has been called by God to love and serve persecuted Christians. 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:30.620 Statistics vary, but it's reckoned that more than 300 million Christians around the world 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:34.200 are being persecuted for their faith in Christ alone. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:39.180 Today, we love and serve persecuted Christians by raising their voice, 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:44.340 and with your help, we give them the tools they need to live for Jesus Christ. 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:50.180 We're active in many countries, always working through trusted Christian partners on the ground 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:55.980 as they provide prayerful, pastoral, and practical support to Christians suffering persecution. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:59.280 At the beginning of the final chapter of the book of Hebrews, 00:06:59.900 --> 00:07:04.579 the writer urges Christians to continue to remember those who are in prison 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:10.500 as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:33.980 With a population of 219 million, Nigeria is the largest country in Africa. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:40.780 54% of Nigerians are Christian and are located mainly in the southern states. 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:45.939 However, there are also many Christian communities in the predominantly Muslim north. 00:07:46.700 --> 00:07:51.900 In these areas, Christians have faced sustained persecution for many decades. 00:07:51.899 --> 00:07:59.039 In recent years, with the rise of the terrorist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, 00:07:59.599 --> 00:08:05.239 and with the increased arming of Fulani tribal militants, the violence has intensified. 00:08:06.479 --> 00:08:10.979 Thousands of Christians have been killed, and tens of thousands have been forced to flee. 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:18.640 villages are attacked, churches and homes are burned, pastors are kidnapped, 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:22.660 and the Nigerian government seems powerless to control the violence. 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:28.879 Those who have been displaced have had to leave their homes and possessions behind. 00:08:29.840 --> 00:08:32.980 They have been deprived of the means of supporting themselves, 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:36.920 and many now live in camps or other temporary facilities 00:08:36.920 --> 00:08:40.800 where they are in need of emergency food and sanitary provision. 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:45.879 In response to the many needs of those who have been displaced, 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:52.340 Release International's partner, the Stephanos Foundation, runs the Love in Action project. 00:08:53.300 --> 00:08:59.100 Over the course of a year, Love in Action provides essential food and hygiene relief items 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:02.700 to around 1,000 families affected by the violence. 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:08.580 Items are purchased from local markets and packed in durable containers 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:14.620 before being distributed in camps, villages and resettlement areas across northern Nigeria. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:20.759 The packs are designed to sustain a family of six for two to four weeks 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:27.520 and contain items such as rice, beans, salt, sugar, milk, soap and laundry detergent. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:35.620 As a result of this support, vulnerable families are having their immediate practical needs met. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:40.019 This reduces the impact of the hardship and trauma they face, 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:42.840 and they are encouraged to persevere in faith 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:48.299 and know that they are not abandoned by their Christian brothers and sisters in the UK. 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:57.219 Thank you so much to Women for Mission for partnering with Release International and the Love in Action project. 00:09:57.819 --> 00:10:01.799 We truly value your prayers and financial support. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.379 May God bless you. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:17.659 So if you want to support the work of Women for Mission, come along on Saturday for breakfast. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.360 You can give. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:23.500 I'm sure there's, on the Free Church website, there's a way to give with WFM, 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:27.940 but you can give through Buclew, and if you earmark your donation to WFM, 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:29.980 we'll make sure that it gets there. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:35.300 300 million is a lot of people in the world who suffer for their faith, 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:40.019 and organizations like Release International makes life a bit better 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:45.779 for a significant number of Christian brothers and sisters across this world. 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:49.620 So as we have seen, let us pray. 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:50.500 Let's pray. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:55.340 Father in heaven, we thank you for organizations like Relief International 00:10:55.340 --> 00:11:01.340 and for others who are seeking to reach brothers and sisters who are persecuted. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:07.519 We recognize that throughout this world there are many situations and circumstances 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:13.780 where persecution accompanies the people of God in their daily existence. 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:20.240 We think of that border area between North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:25.120 where there are large Christian populations intersecting with large Muslim populations. 00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:31.139 We recognize that there is violence, that there is uncertainty, that there is terrorism, 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:35.120 and yet we come to you as the one who has all power and all authority. 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:39.120 We pray that you would sustain your people in the midst of these situations. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:44.700 We pray that you might still the hand of those who are seeking to do evil. 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:49.899 But even more than that, you are the God who is able to take your enemies and make them your friends. 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:56.340 You are able to take those who are violently opposed to your cause and to your people, 00:11:56.560 --> 00:12:03.740 and you are able to transform them into those who now become advocates and spokesmen on your behalf. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:08.779 So what you have done in the life of Saul of Tarsus, we pray that you might do that again, 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:12.539 and that those today who are bent on destruction and violence, 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:18.980 that they might become those who become preachers of good news gospel. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:23.120 We pray that you would remember WFM, and we pray for their work. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:28.759 We pray for the way in which they support work overseas and at home. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:32.379 We thank you for the way in which they have raised thousands upon thousands, 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:35.299 hundreds of thousands of pounds over these years. 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:38.500 We thank you for the Disaster Relief Fund, 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:43.019 which exists to respond to immediate disasters across the world. 00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:45.939 And we pray that though we are a small church, 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:48.059 though we might appear to be few in number, 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:52.439 Lord, you are able to take small gifts and to do great things. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:58.100 So Lord, help us to pray for our brothers and sisters who are under pressure and under threat, 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:01.779 and help us to consider ways in which we might practically, 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:04.159 as well as prayerfully support them. 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:08.159 So Lord, we thank you for privileges like this to learn a little bit 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:11.680 about what life is like in a very different part of the world, 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:15.340 and to learn a little bit about organizations which, in the name of Jesus, 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:19.200 seek to provide help and hope and comfort. 00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:21.940 So for Release International, we commit them to you 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:24.740 for love in action for their program in Nigeria. 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:29.419 We ask, Lord, that the love of Jesus would be seen in action and heard in word, 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:32.600 and that you might accompany all that is done in your name 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.720 with your blessing and with your presence, 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:38.580 because your blessing and presence are powerful and transformative. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:42.340 And we pray these things in Jesus' name and for his sake. 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:43.060 Amen. 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:48.399 Well, we're going to read again from God's word, 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:54.139 and it is tempting as a preacher to say that the text that we are looking at 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:56.459 is the most important text in the Bible. 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:59.939 I don't know if I could say that about John chapter 3, 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:03.699 but I can certainly say that there is no more important text in the Bible 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:05.459 than John 3, 1 to 21, 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:11.620 and hopefully we'll see something of its significance as we continue today. 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:17.420 John chapter 3, page 1065 in your pew Bibles, if you have one, 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:19.420 or on your devices. 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:24.200 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus, 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:27.240 who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:30.200 He came to Jesus at night and said, 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:34.780 Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:39.600 for no one could perform the signs you were doing if God were not with him. 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.480 Jesus replied, 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.879 Very truly, I tell you, 00:14:43.300 --> 00:14:47.360 no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:50.960 How can someone be born when they are old? 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:53.280 Surely, Nicodemus asked, 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:57.120 surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.920 Jesus answered, 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:00.259 Very truly, I tell you, 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:05.419 no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.759 Flesh gives birth to flesh, 00:15:08.199 --> 00:15:10.179 but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:14.939 You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born again. 00:15:15.599 --> 00:15:17.860 The wind blows wherever it pleases. 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.039 You hear its sound, 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:23.360 but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. 00:15:23.959 --> 00:15:26.059 So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:29.279 But how can this be, Nicodemus asked. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:32.059 You are Israel's teacher, said Jesus. 00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:34.719 Do you not understand these things? 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:38.199 Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:40.899 and we testify to what we have seen. 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:44.339 But still you people do not accept our testimony. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:47.559 I have spoken to you of earthly things, 00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:48.959 and you do not believe. 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:53.300 How then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:57.820 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven, 00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.200 the Son of Man. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:02.420 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:05.680 so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:09.220 that everyone who believes may have life, 00:16:09.300 --> 00:16:11.060 eternal life in him. 00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:15.639 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:18.239 that whoever believes in him shall not perish, 00:16:18.359 --> 00:16:19.639 but have eternal life. 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:24.039 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:26.659 but to save the world through him. 00:16:27.619 --> 00:16:29.979 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, 00:16:30.619 --> 00:16:34.059 but whoever does not believe stands condemned already, 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:39.159 because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:41.100 This is the verdict. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:43.759 Light has come into the world, 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:46.379 but people love darkness instead of light, 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:48.139 because their deeds were evil. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:51.100 Everyone who does evil hates the light, 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:53.279 and will not come into the light, 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:56.139 for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 00:16:57.319 --> 00:17:00.600 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, 00:17:00.819 --> 00:17:02.799 so that it may be seen plainly 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:08.139 that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.259 Amen. 00:17:09.800 --> 00:17:14.520 And may God add his own blessing to this reading of his word. 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.340 We're going to sing, 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:19.320 and we're going to sing a psalm, Psalm 124, 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:23.400 which is a well-known psalm of the 150. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:26.080 And this is a psalm that reminds us, 00:17:26.520 --> 00:17:30.720 that's maybe particularly relevant to the video that we just saw, 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:34.240 that if God had not been on our side, 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.740 we would have been lost. 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:37.620 We would have been washed away. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:39.059 We would have been overwhelmed. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:42.839 But this is a psalm that reminds the people of God now, 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.920 and in the past, 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.900 that our God is with us. 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:47.599 Our God is for us. 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:49.440 And our God protects us, 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.599 and preserves us. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.779 So let's sing, 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:54.759 let's stand to sing Psalm 124, 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:57.680 If the Lord Had Not Been On Our Side. 00:17:57.680 --> 00:18:08.820 If God the Lord had not been on our side, 00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:12.820 let Israel say, 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:18.279 had not the Lord been near, 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:24.000 when foes attacked us, 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:28.420 filling us with fear, 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:38.720 and when their wrath against us reached its height, 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:49.660 a life we had been swallowed in their spite, 00:18:49.660 --> 00:19:00.700 we would have been enveloped by the flood, 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:11.420 over our heads the torrent would have gone, 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:22.039 the waters would have carried us along, 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:26.519 But praise the Lord, 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:32.079 for he has set us free, 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:42.639 and has not left us to their cruelty. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:49.120 We have escaped, 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:55.660 just as a captured bird, 00:19:55.660 --> 00:20:05.400 out of the fowler's net has been set free, 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:10.460 the snare is cut, 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:15.460 we are at liberty. 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:27.860 Our help is in the name of God the Lord, 00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:39.880 who made the earth and heavens by his word. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:49.380 If you were to go out of this church, 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:50.460 and turn left, 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.680 and turn left again, 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.900 walk along to the Royal Mile, 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:54.940 turn right, 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:57.840 just before John Knox's house, 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:58.579 on the left, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:00.440 there's a very large church, 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.620 called Corubber's Christian Center, 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:05.600 and that church was built with money, 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:08.319 that was raised from an evangelistic mission. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:13.500 The American preacher and soloist, 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:15.519 D.L. Moody and Ira Sankey, 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:18.319 they came to Scotland in 1874, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:24.299 and for months they had rallies in the city, 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:27.639 and one of the outworkings was funds were raised 00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:29.319 to build a permanent structure 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:34.319 structure that continues to be a source of gospel outreach 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:37.379 right in the center of the Royal Mile. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:40.559 This reminds me of a story told of Moody, 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:43.960 because Moody not only was known for his evangelistic addresses, 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:48.359 Moody would often accompany the evangelistic evening meetings 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.659 with daytime meetings. 00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:52.380 Sometimes he would have meetings for parents, 00:21:52.560 --> 00:21:54.259 and they would be praying for their children. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:57.000 Sometimes he would have meetings for workers, 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.880 to pray for the work of the gospel. 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:03.920 Well, one time there was a gathering of church workers, 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:05.140 and after the meeting, 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:08.400 an angry woman came up to Moody and said, 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.700 Mr. Moody, 00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:11.320 do you mean to tell me 00:22:11.320 --> 00:22:12.320 that I, 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:15.440 an educated woman taught from childhood in good ways, 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:18.920 and all my life interested in the church and doing good, 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:21.180 must enter heaven the same way 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:23.380 as the worst criminal in our day? 00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:24.880 No, madam. 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.060 I don't. 00:22:26.540 --> 00:22:27.160 God does. 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:29.820 He says everyone who would enter heaven, 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:32.380 no matter how good they think they are, 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:35.980 how well educated or zealous in good works, 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:38.759 must be born again. 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:41.160 This is not my message. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:43.120 This is not my material. 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:47.839 But Jesus gives to us our clear text. 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:50.720 John chapter 3, verse 7, 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:54.360 you must be born again. 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.740 This is not an optional extra. 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:58.460 This is not a piece of advice. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.319 You see, there are a lot of books, 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:02.120 and there's some really good books out there. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:04.620 You know, there are books that will give you 12 lessons 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:06.939 to live a happy life, 00:23:06.979 --> 00:23:08.919 or 10 tips for, you know, 00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:10.739 being fulfilled and happy. 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:13.039 The Bible is not one of those books. 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:15.359 The Bible does not give you tips. 00:23:15.719 --> 00:23:17.419 The Bible does not offer you advice. 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:19.319 The Bible doesn't make suggestions. 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:21.359 The Bible actually tells you 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:24.339 that things are absolutely necessary, 00:23:24.879 --> 00:23:26.239 absolutely required, 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:29.199 and if we needed any underscore, 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:32.159 the Lord Jesus himself is the speaker, 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:34.399 and he says to Nicodemus, 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:37.299 you should not be surprised at my saying, 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:39.779 you must be born again. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.279 And as we look at this text, 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.859 and as we look at this truth, 00:23:44.219 --> 00:23:47.119 what we see is that time and time again, 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:50.479 the Bible commands the impossible. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.879 You must be born again. 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:57.199 I was speaking of about an hour or so ago, 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.619 I was in Edinburgh prison, 00:23:58.619 --> 00:24:00.639 and I said, you know, the command, 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:02.060 Jesus was once asked, 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.080 what is the greatest command? 00:24:03.780 --> 00:24:04.900 And he answered, he said, 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:06.060 love the Lord your God, 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.120 with all your heart, 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.840 with all your mind, 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.520 with all your soul, 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.540 and with all your strength. 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:11.500 And he said, the second is like it. 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:13.020 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:24:13.820 --> 00:24:15.200 Now again, that's a command. 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:16.880 It's an authoritative command. 00:24:17.280 --> 00:24:18.660 Love God above all else, 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:20.140 and love your neighbor as yourself. 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:22.980 Now, I can't do that. 00:24:23.780 --> 00:24:25.100 I'm not able to do that. 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:27.000 And what's more, neither are you. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:29.340 Because when I hear that command, 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.840 I affirm that it's true, 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:32.220 and I affirm that it's right, 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.560 but deep down, 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:35.940 the love that I express 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:38.220 is a love not for God above all else, 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:41.100 not a love for a neighbor before myself, 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.900 but it's a love for me. 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.100 I'm good at that. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.640 I'm good at loving me. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:46.280 I'm good at doing what I want, 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.680 when I want, how I want. 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:50.640 But the Bible confronts me with the command, 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:52.220 you must love God, 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.759 and you must love your neighbor, 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:55.299 and you must be born again. 00:24:56.100 --> 00:24:57.700 And as we look at this text, 00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.100 Nicodemus, 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:01.660 it's quite a remarkable encounter, isn't it? 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.900 It's very atmospheric. 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.759 It's as if you were there. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:08.080 You feel like you're there in John chapter 3, 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:09.720 just like in John chapter 4, 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:11.100 you feel like you're at the well 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:12.140 in the middle of the day. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.519 In John chapter 3, 00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:14.560 you're there with Jesus. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.299 It's nighttime, 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:18.000 and this one-on-one encounter. 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:21.940 Now, the setting is quite significant 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:25.519 because Jesus at this stage is a public figure. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.519 He's out and about. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.379 He's preaching. 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.079 He's teaching. 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:29.519 He's performing miracles. 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:31.799 He's telling parables. 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:34.200 His reputation is on the rise. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:37.039 So why do you go to Nicodemus at night? 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.899 Why the secrecy? 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.879 Well, I think the answer is obvious, isn't it? 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:45.580 If you're doing something under the cloak of darkness, 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.740 if you're doing something 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:49.000 and, you know, you don't want people to know, 00:25:50.060 --> 00:25:52.300 Nicodemus was a Pharisee 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:54.340 and he was a member of the Jewish ruling council, 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:56.980 so he was religious and political. 00:25:57.620 --> 00:26:00.160 He had a standing in his society 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:02.440 and coming to Jesus at night 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:06.080 was something that he did not want people to know about. 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:09.639 And he comes with a word of flattery. 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.559 And, you know, we do this all the time. 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:13.339 We say nice things to people. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:16.599 We want, you know, we want to keep people on their side. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.939 You know, again, one of the most, 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:21.119 one of the best-selling books in the 20th century 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.779 in the United States and further afield 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:24.279 was Dale Carnegie's 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:26.519 How to Win Friends and Influence People. 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:29.419 Well, I don't, Nicodemus didn't read that book, 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:31.939 but he, you know, he had the similar principles here. 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:35.180 Rabbi, we know, we know you're a teacher 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.740 who has come from God, 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:39.100 for no one could perform the signs you were doing 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.240 if God were not with him. 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:44.039 So word of praise, word of flattery, word of compliment, 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:48.539 but then Jesus shifts things quite significantly, doesn't it? 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:50.740 Because, well, this is the NIV, 00:26:51.340 --> 00:26:53.340 but if you have the ESV, 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.820 I think it will say something like, 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:56.420 Jesus answered. 00:26:57.779 --> 00:27:00.240 Jesus answers Nicodemus, 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:02.440 but Nicodemus doesn't ask a question. 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:05.960 Jesus answers an unasked question. 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:08.759 And that's the difference between Jesus and us. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:10.059 That's one of many differences, 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:12.000 but that's a significant difference. 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.720 If you ask me a question, 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:15.980 I can answer it or not, as the case may be. 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:20.059 But I'm not really good at answering your unasked questions 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.779 because you haven't asked them. 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.259 I don't know what you're thinking. 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.720 I don't know what's in your heart. 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.420 He does. 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:28.539 So he answers Nicodemus' unasked question. 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.579 What's the unasked question? 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.980 Nicodemus is looking for the truth. 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:35.599 Nicodemus is not content with what he has. 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.859 Nicodemus is searching for something. 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.759 Well, how do you know that? 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.440 It doesn't say that. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:43.519 Well, why on earth is he visiting Jesus at night? 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:47.200 Why on earth is he having a one-to-one with a rabbi? 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:49.220 He himself is a religious authority. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:53.000 Something is missing in Nicodemus' life. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:56.980 And something's missing in each of our lives. 00:27:57.700 --> 00:28:00.420 You know, we naturally have questions. 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:02.880 Sometimes we articulate, sometimes we say it. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:04.799 But we have questions about life. 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:05.900 What's the meaning of life? 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.359 Why am I here? 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.859 Where have I come from? 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.599 Where am I going? 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:13.659 Now, Jesus answers the unasked questions. 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:17.639 And he says, Nicodemus, let's cut to the chase here. 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:22.300 I tell you, verily, verily, amen, amen. 00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:28.940 Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.480 That's it. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:35.559 You really, we're not going to talk about, you know, my reputation. 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:37.259 We're not going to talk about your flattery. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:41.700 But if you're interested in seeing the kingdom, if you're interested in being in the kingdom, 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:45.839 you must, Nicodemus, be born again. 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:48.299 Now, I said this is the NIV. 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:55.480 If it was the NJV, NJ meaning New Jersey, if it was the New Jersey version, which I'm familiar with, 00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:57.700 the answer would be, I don't get it. 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.180 I don't get it. 00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.820 And that's what Nicodemus says. 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:02.279 Jesus, I don't get it. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:06.460 He says, how can someone be born when they are old? 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.279 He doesn't get it. 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:11.880 You see, because Jesus is talking, again, there's a footnote. 00:29:12.560 --> 00:29:17.220 The footnote will tell you that again can sometimes mean from above, and that's true. 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:26.200 But the again also means, the again here means the one who did the thing must do the thing again, 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.120 the exact person. 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:31.959 So, you know, you come to Becclew and you enjoy the preaching, right? 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:34.659 And you say, I want to hear that again. 00:29:35.439 --> 00:29:38.839 Okay, so what you're saying is, I want to hear a good sermon. 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:40.139 It doesn't matter who preaches it. 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:41.059 I want to hear a good sermon. 00:29:41.459 --> 00:29:46.159 But if, you know, if tonight you come and you hear the Reverend James Ross, you say, I want to hear that again. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:53.560 And you use the word that Jesus used, that means you want to hear the same person deliver the same message. 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:58.240 And that gives us an insight because Nicodemus now thinks about his mother, right? 00:29:59.140 --> 00:30:00.240 Nicodemus is thinking about it. 00:30:00.300 --> 00:30:02.720 So Nicodemus understands what Jesus is saying. 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:06.300 And he thinks to himself, the person who gave me birth was my mother. 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:11.200 And now you're telling me that the same person who gave me birth must give birth to me again. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:13.480 I don't get it. 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:18.279 Jesus, or Nicodemus is on to something. 00:30:18.419 --> 00:30:20.700 He just doesn't go back far enough. 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:23.000 So this word again has two meanings. 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:27.519 It means above and it means before or you go back. 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:30.019 So actually it's not Nicodemus. 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:31.539 We're not talking about your mother here. 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:35.400 We're talking about the first person who gave birth to the first human being. 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:37.279 Who gave life? 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.440 Well, the answer to that is God. 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:41.160 Who did God give life to? 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:41.720 Adam. 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:44.480 Adam, God breathed into Adam. 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:46.440 Adam became a living soul. 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:50.400 So Jesus is saying you need to look back and you need to look up. 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:53.559 You see, this new birth does not come from you. 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:57.839 So it's not surprising that Nicodemus says, I don't get it. 00:30:58.200 --> 00:31:01.319 What he's saying is, I just can't understand what you're saying. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:06.039 Then verse 5, Jesus goes on to explain, very truly I tell you, 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:10.759 no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the spirit. 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:15.159 Flesh gives birth to flesh and the spirit gives birth to spirit. 00:31:15.679 --> 00:31:18.819 You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born again. 00:31:19.419 --> 00:31:21.399 The wind blows wherever it pleases. 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:25.580 You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:29.180 So it is with every one born of the spirit. 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:32.759 So Nicodemus begins with, I don't get it. 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.460 But then he progresses. 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:36.340 How can this be? 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:39.100 I can't do it. 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:43.220 Now, I was in London for a few days. 00:31:43.320 --> 00:31:46.980 And when I'm wandering around, believe it or not, I talk to random people. 00:31:47.120 --> 00:31:48.259 That's just the way I do things. 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:49.440 I talk to random people. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.940 I meet somebody on the door. 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.660 It's a nightclub. 00:31:52.820 --> 00:31:53.940 Somebody's standing at the door. 00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.880 And I say, good evening. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.840 He says, good evening. 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.259 I said, it's quite warm. 00:31:57.320 --> 00:31:58.340 He said, yes, it is. 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.039 Where are you from? 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:01.960 I'm from America. 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.740 I live in Scotland. 00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:03.320 What do you do? 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:04.259 I teach theology. 00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:05.880 What's theology? 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:09.360 Well, theology tells us about God. 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.880 And theology tells us about us. 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:12.500 And theology tells us about Jesus. 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.759 He said, that's really interesting. 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.019 I'm lost. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:19.379 I said, well, actually, that's really good. 00:32:19.879 --> 00:32:22.799 Because if you realize that you're lost, you might ask for directions. 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:25.119 If you don't think you're lost, you won't. 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:28.299 So Nicodemus is actually moving forward here. 00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:30.039 You think he's not getting it. 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:31.359 He doesn't understand it. 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.259 He can't do it. 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.240 Well, that's bad. 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:33.539 No, no. 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.660 Actually, that's quite good. 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:38.680 He realizes that Jesus is asking him to do something that he can't do. 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.759 That's the first step. 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:44.379 Because if you think the Bible is asking you to do something that you can do, you really 00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:45.119 don't get it. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.680 Because you can't. 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:52.099 If you think the Bible is explaining something to you that you can get with your mind, you 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.619 can't. 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:56.700 I was reading Winnie the Pooh the other day. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:58.940 You know, highly educated person. 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:03.099 Reading Winnie the Pooh and I came across this phrase where Winnie the Pooh described 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:06.640 himself as a bear with a very small brain. 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:12.840 And very often we think of ourselves as people with small brains. 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:15.120 It's hard to keep things in our head. 00:33:16.100 --> 00:33:18.560 I'm going to tell you about a man who had a big brain. 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:22.600 He was active in the 1600s. 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.460 He was living in Oxford. 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.900 He wrote a lot of books. 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:28.020 And John Owen said this. 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:30.560 He said, we speak a lot about God. 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:33.020 But the truth is we know very little of him. 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:37.299 And we know very little of him because it is God thus to be known. 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:39.680 So you see, we're gathering here together. 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:42.139 And I think Nicodemus is being honest. 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:44.400 He doesn't get it and he can't do it. 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:48.400 And if we share that response, we're on to something. 00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:52.500 Because much of what Jesus is saying here, we don't get. 00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:55.000 This is beyond our capacity. 00:33:55.559 --> 00:33:59.359 Our brains are small and Jesus is telling us something big. 00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:04.779 Our capacity is limited and Jesus is telling you must do something big. 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:10.159 So Nicodemus is on to something because he doesn't get it and he can't do it. 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:14.019 So the message of the Bible says you must. 00:34:14.359 --> 00:34:15.359 You must do. 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:16.659 You must be. 00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:17.859 You must avoid. 00:34:18.359 --> 00:34:24.279 And the first step in your understanding of the message is I can't. 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:26.279 I can't do. 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:28.039 I can't be. 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:30.300 I am not able to. 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:35.980 So the impossible is commanded and the honest response is no. 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.380 I can't. 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.420 I don't get it. 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.440 I'm not able. 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:43.300 But then Jesus doesn't leave Nicodemus where he finds him. 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:48.960 Now, Yassine, who was on the door down in London, I hope I didn't leave him where I found him. 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:55.420 I said, you know, if you're lost, the best thing to do is to find someone who knows the way. 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:58.780 I said, if I was lost in London, I would come to you. 00:34:58.880 --> 00:35:00.099 You've lived here all your life. 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:02.380 And you'd tell me how to go places, wouldn't you? 00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:06.320 You'd direct me where to go and how to get to where I wanted because you know London. 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:11.240 And I said, if you want to go to heaven, ask someone who knows the way. 00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:14.299 The one who knows the way is someone who's come from heaven. 00:35:14.399 --> 00:35:15.439 Jesus says that here. 00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:16.859 He's come from heaven. 00:35:16.939 --> 00:35:17.959 He's going back to heaven. 00:35:18.259 --> 00:35:23.579 So if you ask Jesus for the way, he'll show you the way because not only does he know it, he is it. 00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:27.439 So Jesus doesn't leave people where he finds them. 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:33.639 He gives the impossible command and then he illustrates the impossible. 00:35:34.299 --> 00:35:36.159 He said, this is just like the wind. 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:38.199 Now here we live in Scotland. 00:35:38.319 --> 00:35:39.159 We get a lot of gales. 00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:40.480 We get a lot of strong winds. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:42.099 And you hear the wind. 00:35:42.319 --> 00:35:44.460 And you see the effects of the wind. 00:35:44.519 --> 00:35:45.539 But you don't see the wind. 00:35:46.359 --> 00:35:47.899 So it is with the spirit. 00:35:48.819 --> 00:35:51.559 Jesus says you cannot see the Holy Spirit. 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:54.559 But you can see the spirit when he's working. 00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:57.059 You cannot see him physically. 00:35:57.339 --> 00:36:00.219 But you can see the effects of the spirit. 00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:03.059 So Jesus is a great teacher, is he not? 00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:04.539 He's the great preacher. 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:08.380 And he doesn't leave Nicodemus where he finds Nicodemus. 00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:10.360 Or Nicodemus finds him, I know. 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:17.739 But this encounter, when you have a life-changing encounter with Jesus, you are never the same again. 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:20.400 Nicodemus was never the same again. 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:23.860 The first illustration was a nature illustration. 00:36:24.759 --> 00:36:25.779 We can get that. 00:36:26.199 --> 00:36:30.699 The second illustration was why I read from Numbers 21 was a Bible illustration. 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:33.500 Now we're on safe ground with Nicodemus. 00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:34.760 Nicodemus knows the Bible. 00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:37.559 Nicodemus knows the wilderness journey. 00:36:38.300 --> 00:36:39.420 Nicodemus knows Moses. 00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:41.519 Nicodemus knows the serpent in the wilderness. 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:47.079 So Jesus is saying, look, the impossible command is you must be born again. 00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:48.960 Nicodemus says, I can't. 00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:50.579 And I'm not able to. 00:36:51.159 --> 00:36:52.500 And then he says, the wind. 00:36:52.820 --> 00:36:55.980 You can see the effects of the wind even if you can't see the wind. 00:36:56.219 --> 00:36:59.099 You can see the effects of the spirit even though you can't see the spirit. 00:36:59.099 --> 00:37:02.739 And just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness. 00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:04.539 Ah, now. 00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:08.559 Maybe, maybe the penny's beginning to drop. 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:12.279 Because that Old Testament story is quite evocative. 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:13.599 It's quite memorable, isn't it? 00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:16.199 Again, it feels like you're there in the camp. 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.980 You can hear the complaints. 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:21.840 Now, we believe that the Bible is the word of God. 00:37:21.940 --> 00:37:23.599 That the Bible is authoritative. 00:37:23.760 --> 00:37:24.940 That the Bible is accurate. 00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:29.960 But isn't it the case that so often you read the Bible and you think, that's human nature. 00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.240 That's exactly. 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:33.360 We know the Bible is the word of God. 00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:34.300 But we know it. 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:38.420 But we just see it so often that it captures real human beings. 00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:40.740 We constantly complain. 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.920 Rains for a week. 00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:44.219 Boy, it's really wet. 00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:48.599 It's, you know, the sun is shining brightly for a week. 00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:50.039 Boy, it's really hot. 00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:51.939 You know, you get a cold spell. 00:37:52.019 --> 00:37:52.579 It's freezing. 00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:53.339 You get a hot spell. 00:37:53.639 --> 00:37:55.359 You know, it's the Goldilocks effect. 00:37:55.459 --> 00:37:56.239 Goldilocks effects. 00:37:56.359 --> 00:37:57.939 It's just never the right. 00:37:58.239 --> 00:37:59.459 We constantly complain. 00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:02.459 And the people of God constantly complain then. 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:05.639 The people of God have a tendency to complain now. 00:38:06.399 --> 00:38:08.899 But here we have the serpent in the wilderness. 00:38:09.899 --> 00:38:10.619 They complain. 00:38:11.759 --> 00:38:12.579 Judgment occurs. 00:38:12.759 --> 00:38:13.619 Punishment happens. 00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:15.380 And then they change their tune. 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:17.179 They say, Moses, we're sorry. 00:38:17.400 --> 00:38:18.759 We didn't mean to say that about you. 00:38:18.819 --> 00:38:20.199 We didn't mean to say that about God. 00:38:20.339 --> 00:38:21.099 We need help. 00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:22.099 God says, I'll help you. 00:38:22.839 --> 00:38:24.219 God says, make a serpent. 00:38:24.339 --> 00:38:25.159 Make it out of bronze. 00:38:25.279 --> 00:38:26.059 Put it on a pole. 00:38:26.259 --> 00:38:27.339 Anybody that looks lives. 00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:30.000 Now, maybe it's hard to tell. 00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:34.079 But maybe Nicodemus is now beginning to, okay, right. 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:35.920 People were dying. 00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:37.839 They couldn't save themselves. 00:38:37.980 --> 00:38:39.239 They couldn't heal themselves. 00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:42.380 God provides a way where there is no way. 00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:47.039 God provides an answer to the problem that was caused by the people. 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:57.619 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. 00:38:57.619 --> 00:39:00.059 So, Numbers 21 is the gospel. 00:39:00.880 --> 00:39:02.579 The gospel is look and live. 00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:05.219 The gospel is not do and live. 00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:07.219 The gospel is not be and live. 00:39:07.519 --> 00:39:10.359 We cannot do and we cannot be, but we can look. 00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:11.539 We can look. 00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:13.059 You know, you're bit by a serpent. 00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:15.500 You're in danger of dying. 00:39:15.759 --> 00:39:17.719 You can look at the serpent on the pole. 00:39:17.719 --> 00:39:20.959 We can't be born again ourselves. 00:39:21.359 --> 00:39:23.939 We can't love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, body, and strength. 00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:25.500 We cannot love our neighbors ourself. 00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:29.899 But when Jesus says the Son of Man will be lifted up, and we can look. 00:39:30.319 --> 00:39:31.279 We can look to him. 00:39:31.699 --> 00:39:32.679 And we can be saved. 00:39:32.779 --> 00:39:34.619 We can look to the one who has done. 00:39:34.939 --> 00:39:36.679 We can look to the one who has achieved. 00:39:36.819 --> 00:39:38.339 We can look to the one who is able. 00:39:38.340 --> 00:39:43.760 So, the impossible is commanded, and then the impossible is illustrated. 00:39:44.680 --> 00:39:46.260 The wind and the serpent. 00:39:47.320 --> 00:39:51.019 But thirdly, the impossible is made possible. 00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:53.620 Because it doesn't stop there. 00:39:54.300 --> 00:39:57.100 Not only does Jesus tell us about the wind and the spirit. 00:39:57.240 --> 00:40:00.400 Not only does he tell us about Old Testament history, Moses and the serpent. 00:40:00.720 --> 00:40:03.240 He previews his coming, death. 00:40:03.239 --> 00:40:09.479 Because three times in the Bible, here in John 3, I think it's John 8 and John 12, 00:40:09.619 --> 00:40:14.579 this phrase lift up is used in John's Gospel. 00:40:15.059 --> 00:40:17.899 And it's, again, one of these strange words that has two meanings. 00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:21.919 I was down in Windsor. 00:40:22.199 --> 00:40:23.899 I went to Windsor Palace. 00:40:24.699 --> 00:40:26.579 And you went into the throne room. 00:40:26.639 --> 00:40:30.219 And you saw the thrones on which the queen or the king sat. 00:40:30.219 --> 00:40:31.559 And they were elevated. 00:40:31.859 --> 00:40:37.399 So that when the king or the monarch sat, they were higher than everyone else. 00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:40.699 So the idea is that the king would be lifted up. 00:40:40.859 --> 00:40:42.939 Meaning, given a place of honor. 00:40:43.179 --> 00:40:44.219 A place of recognition. 00:40:45.039 --> 00:40:48.319 But this word also had another meaning, which is quite different. 00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:53.959 This word was the word of lifting something or someone up. 00:40:54.279 --> 00:40:57.000 For public, not praise, not honor. 00:40:57.000 --> 00:41:00.300 But for public ridicule and for public shame. 00:41:01.119 --> 00:41:04.179 So Jesus on the cross was lifted up. 00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:06.860 And you remember the abuse. 00:41:07.400 --> 00:41:08.400 You remember the mocking. 00:41:08.980 --> 00:41:11.880 You remember, you know, all that was said and all that was done. 00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:16.699 And here, even the sign, Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. 00:41:17.159 --> 00:41:19.639 What kind of people would have this kind of king? 00:41:19.639 --> 00:41:23.759 So that word, those three times it's used in John's gospel. 00:41:23.879 --> 00:41:25.599 John 3, John 8, and John 12. 00:41:26.139 --> 00:41:27.659 It all has this double meaning. 00:41:27.719 --> 00:41:30.659 Because the cross is both a place of humiliation. 00:41:31.119 --> 00:41:33.759 And a place of shame. 00:41:34.179 --> 00:41:36.659 But it also is a place of honor. 00:41:36.940 --> 00:41:40.279 Where the son is elevated and lifted up. 00:41:41.379 --> 00:41:43.259 As you read John's gospel. 00:41:43.260 --> 00:41:51.880 In John, uniquely, John sees the Friday event triumphantly. 00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:58.680 Now we of course know the Sunday event, the resurrection, was the triumph of Jesus over the grave, over death and over evil. 00:41:59.000 --> 00:42:04.040 But even on the cross, even on the Friday, Jesus says, it is finished. 00:42:04.640 --> 00:42:09.360 Tetelestai, the debt has been paid and paid in full. 00:42:09.360 --> 00:42:13.300 So the impossible is now made possible. 00:42:14.380 --> 00:42:15.599 Not because of us. 00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:17.760 Not because of what we can do. 00:42:18.000 --> 00:42:19.840 Or have done or might be able to do. 00:42:20.099 --> 00:42:21.680 But because of who he is. 00:42:21.920 --> 00:42:24.680 And because of what he has done. 00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:27.059 I mentioned John Owen earlier. 00:42:27.160 --> 00:42:28.260 John Owen wrote a lot of books. 00:42:28.860 --> 00:42:30.800 And he wrote this two-volume set. 00:42:30.900 --> 00:42:32.700 The first book was about Jesus. 00:42:32.860 --> 00:42:34.680 The second book was about the Holy Spirit. 00:42:37.140 --> 00:42:38.920 He used fancier titles. 00:42:38.920 --> 00:42:43.559 But basically the idea was saying that the thing of first magnitude. 00:42:44.059 --> 00:42:48.720 The truth of first magnitude is who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. 00:42:49.760 --> 00:42:51.900 And that of not second magnitude. 00:42:52.099 --> 00:42:55.280 But that of equal importance is who the Holy Spirit is. 00:42:55.480 --> 00:42:57.159 And what the Holy Spirit has done. 00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:59.900 And he said, without him, the Spirit. 00:43:00.200 --> 00:43:02.680 All that the Son achieved. 00:43:02.880 --> 00:43:06.720 All that the Son accomplished without the Spirit would be of no benefit. 00:43:06.719 --> 00:43:09.159 Would be of no benefit to us. 00:43:09.480 --> 00:43:13.659 So we not only need the Son who dies on the cross. 00:43:13.679 --> 00:43:15.179 And is raised from the dead. 00:43:15.359 --> 00:43:18.359 But we need the Spirit of God who is poured out. 00:43:18.559 --> 00:43:20.459 Who now dwells in our hearts. 00:43:21.459 --> 00:43:22.639 What does that say? 00:43:23.619 --> 00:43:25.379 That's the depth of the problem. 00:43:25.380 --> 00:43:31.519 The depth of the problem requires God to send his Son on a rescue mission. 00:43:31.519 --> 00:43:32.559 To live a perfect life. 00:43:32.640 --> 00:43:33.820 To die a sacrificial death. 00:43:33.900 --> 00:43:35.619 And to rise triumphant from the dead. 00:43:36.059 --> 00:43:41.340 And the Son, the Spirit of God, is poured out on the people of God. 00:43:41.340 --> 00:43:44.980 So that the Spirit of God now comes to live within me. 00:43:44.980 --> 00:43:51.860 A small man of great stature was a man called John Wesley. 00:43:52.780 --> 00:43:56.099 The Queen, the late Queen, Her Majesty. 00:43:56.659 --> 00:43:58.639 She would often unveil statues. 00:43:58.840 --> 00:44:05.219 And she said, it's a very rare occasion where she unveiled a statue of someone who was shorter than herself. 00:44:06.079 --> 00:44:07.780 John Wesley was barely five foot. 00:44:07.860 --> 00:44:09.760 The Queen was slightly higher than five foot. 00:44:09.760 --> 00:44:13.980 And the statue of John Wesley in the Methodist Central Hall in London is tiny. 00:44:14.620 --> 00:44:16.040 You know, it's a tiny man. 00:44:16.260 --> 00:44:17.280 Like here. 00:44:18.380 --> 00:44:21.920 But here was a man who had a big impact. 00:44:22.200 --> 00:44:23.580 Small man, big impact. 00:44:24.420 --> 00:44:27.620 John Wesley preached, it's estimated, 40,000 times. 00:44:28.140 --> 00:44:32.720 40,000 times in 50 years is 800 times a year for 50 years. 00:44:33.260 --> 00:44:35.420 So let's say he's an active preacher. 00:44:35.420 --> 00:44:44.519 It's estimated that 20% of his sermons, 8,000 sermons, was on the text John 3, 7, you must be born again. 00:44:44.599 --> 00:44:45.380 That was his theme. 00:44:46.019 --> 00:44:48.619 George Whitefield, John Wesley, the great awakening. 00:44:49.119 --> 00:44:51.760 The great theme was the person and work of the Spirit. 00:44:52.260 --> 00:44:54.220 Because the people were dead. 00:44:54.880 --> 00:44:55.599 They were sleeping. 00:44:55.720 --> 00:44:56.680 They needed to be awakened. 00:44:56.860 --> 00:44:58.139 They were spiritually dead. 00:44:58.220 --> 00:45:00.200 They needed to be revived and given life. 00:45:00.800 --> 00:45:02.079 But Wesley put it this way. 00:45:02.079 --> 00:45:07.400 He said, if any doctrines within the whole compass of Christianity be properly termed fundamental, 00:45:08.099 --> 00:45:09.480 they are doubtless these two. 00:45:10.019 --> 00:45:12.559 The doctrine of justification and that of the new birth. 00:45:13.380 --> 00:45:18.599 The former relating to that great work which God does for us in forgiving our sins. 00:45:18.920 --> 00:45:23.920 The latter to the great work which God does in us in renewing our fallen nature. 00:45:24.779 --> 00:45:25.559 We need both. 00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:30.039 My sin has separated me from God. 00:45:30.039 --> 00:45:32.099 I am not a friend of God. 00:45:32.199 --> 00:45:33.360 I am an enemy of God. 00:45:33.579 --> 00:45:36.800 I am naturally turning my back towards God. 00:45:37.539 --> 00:45:41.340 What is now required is that there is a sacrifice or a substitute. 00:45:41.599 --> 00:45:48.880 One who takes that sin, that guilt, that shame, that punishment in my place and allows me to go free. 00:45:50.139 --> 00:45:52.900 But what's more, I'm dead. 00:45:53.480 --> 00:45:55.500 Not only am I an enemy, but I'm dead. 00:45:55.940 --> 00:45:57.139 I need to be made alive. 00:45:57.139 --> 00:46:00.279 And I can't make myself alive. 00:46:00.699 --> 00:46:01.900 I need to be born again. 00:46:02.019 --> 00:46:03.920 And I can't make myself born again. 00:46:04.500 --> 00:46:08.319 So the Holy Spirit must take all that Christ has done. 00:46:08.639 --> 00:46:14.000 And he must apply that work to me personally and powerfully. 00:46:14.440 --> 00:46:20.019 And not only that, he now comes to live in my heart by faith. 00:46:20.019 --> 00:46:26.199 So that's why the Apostle Paul puts it this way at the end of 1 Corinthians chapter 6. 00:46:26.980 --> 00:46:31.119 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you? 00:46:31.480 --> 00:46:33.619 Who you have received from God. 00:46:34.079 --> 00:46:35.079 You are not your own. 00:46:35.179 --> 00:46:36.460 You are bought at a price. 00:46:37.139 --> 00:46:39.259 Therefore, honor God with your bodies. 00:46:39.960 --> 00:46:40.960 Bought with a price. 00:46:41.759 --> 00:46:42.699 Temples of the Spirit. 00:46:43.679 --> 00:46:44.880 Christ for us. 00:46:45.199 --> 00:46:46.579 The Spirit in us. 00:46:46.579 --> 00:46:49.559 But I've just told you this is impossible. 00:46:50.380 --> 00:46:51.619 I've told you that you don't get it. 00:46:51.799 --> 00:46:52.599 And can't get it. 00:46:52.759 --> 00:46:54.239 And I've told you you can't do it. 00:46:55.000 --> 00:46:57.539 So is this just a message of frustration? 00:46:57.819 --> 00:46:59.440 You know, a counsel of despair? 00:46:59.719 --> 00:47:00.039 No. 00:47:00.619 --> 00:47:01.960 Because what does Jesus say? 00:47:02.519 --> 00:47:05.340 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son. 00:47:05.400 --> 00:47:08.679 That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:47:10.019 --> 00:47:12.599 We can't love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul. 00:47:12.719 --> 00:47:13.480 Body and strength. 00:47:13.559 --> 00:47:15.279 We cannot love our neighbor as ourself. 00:47:15.280 --> 00:47:17.080 We cannot be born again. 00:47:17.480 --> 00:47:21.440 But Jesus commands us to do something. 00:47:22.360 --> 00:47:27.100 He commands us in the words of the Old Testament to look and live. 00:47:27.260 --> 00:47:31.200 Or he commands us in the New Testament to believe and live. 00:47:31.940 --> 00:47:33.560 All that has been done. 00:47:34.040 --> 00:47:35.920 All that is required has been done. 00:47:36.220 --> 00:47:38.340 And we are required to look. 00:47:38.880 --> 00:47:41.920 We look to the Son who is lifted up. 00:47:42.200 --> 00:47:43.420 We look in faith. 00:47:43.420 --> 00:47:45.440 We believe in him. 00:47:45.619 --> 00:47:47.340 We take him at his word. 00:47:47.860 --> 00:47:52.500 And we are promised that all who believe now will live. 00:47:53.200 --> 00:47:55.700 How this is possible, I do not know. 00:47:56.159 --> 00:47:59.440 How God is able to do this, I cannot tell you. 00:47:59.740 --> 00:48:02.880 But the fact that he says it is crystal clear. 00:48:02.880 --> 00:48:14.980 And it's as if God is saying to anyone and everyone, you believe in Jesus and you go to heaven. 00:48:15.200 --> 00:48:17.240 You believe in Jesus, your sins are forgiven. 00:48:17.500 --> 00:48:21.500 You believe in Jesus and you are welcomed into eternal life. 00:48:21.579 --> 00:48:24.059 You will see the kingdom and you will be part of the kingdom. 00:48:24.059 --> 00:48:26.779 He makes no qualifications. 00:48:26.779 --> 00:48:28.239 He makes no limitations. 00:48:28.239 --> 00:48:34.420 He makes no small print for whosoever, whoever believes in him. 00:48:34.840 --> 00:48:35.960 It's an open invitation. 00:48:37.400 --> 00:48:39.539 I don't know how he can do it, but he does it. 00:48:39.880 --> 00:48:42.019 I don't know how he can say it, but he says it. 00:48:42.259 --> 00:48:47.579 I don't know how he can achieve it, but he achieves it because he is who he is. 00:48:47.579 --> 00:48:50.539 All I can do is to tell you what he says. 00:48:50.739 --> 00:48:53.619 All I can do is to exhort you as he exhorts you. 00:48:54.019 --> 00:48:56.400 But his work is perfect. 00:48:56.819 --> 00:48:58.219 His word is reliable. 00:48:58.739 --> 00:49:03.599 If you take him at his word, you will never, ever be disappointed. 00:49:04.699 --> 00:49:09.639 The sad reality is that people hear the invitation, not now. 00:49:10.360 --> 00:49:12.119 People hear the invitation, not me. 00:49:12.739 --> 00:49:15.460 People hear the invitation, and like the children in the wilderness, 00:49:15.460 --> 00:49:17.579 life is too good. 00:49:18.360 --> 00:49:19.599 Egypt is too fun. 00:49:20.240 --> 00:49:23.420 The living conditions are too, you know, just too enjoyable. 00:49:24.740 --> 00:49:25.900 God is tough. 00:49:26.380 --> 00:49:27.880 The people of God are difficult. 00:49:28.340 --> 00:49:30.260 It's much easier just to stay in Egypt. 00:49:31.340 --> 00:49:38.179 Jesus says if you love darkness, even though you're invited to life and life eternal, 00:49:38.519 --> 00:49:41.420 if ultimately your love is in darkness, you'll stay in darkness. 00:49:41.420 --> 00:49:46.340 If ultimately your desire is here on this earth and for the things of this world, 00:49:46.680 --> 00:49:49.900 ultimately you will find yourself saying, no, not now, not me. 00:49:50.700 --> 00:49:53.420 But the great thing, and I don't know how he does this, 00:49:53.820 --> 00:49:57.079 the great thing is that when God's word goes forth, 00:49:57.500 --> 00:50:00.360 the same Holy Spirit who he spoke of a moment ago, 00:50:00.659 --> 00:50:05.559 the same Holy Spirit takes the word of God and applies the word of God powerfully. 00:50:05.559 --> 00:50:07.039 So I don't need to know. 00:50:07.360 --> 00:50:10.079 I don't need to know how he does it, but he does. 00:50:10.420 --> 00:50:13.059 I don't need to know how it works, but he does. 00:50:13.659 --> 00:50:17.920 And there's something about the gospel that goes forth with power, 00:50:18.440 --> 00:50:21.299 so that Paul, using the language of Romans 1 16, 00:50:21.840 --> 00:50:23.699 I am not ashamed of the gospel, 00:50:24.239 --> 00:50:28.239 because it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe, 00:50:28.820 --> 00:50:31.299 first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 00:50:31.300 --> 00:50:33.500 It's an impossible command, 00:50:33.940 --> 00:50:37.160 but it's an impossible command that's made possible, 00:50:37.460 --> 00:50:41.280 because Jesus Christ has made the impossible possible, 00:50:41.700 --> 00:50:45.140 because the Holy Spirit has made the impossible possible. 00:50:45.840 --> 00:50:47.519 Do you mean to tell me 00:50:47.519 --> 00:50:52.800 that I, an educated person, taught from childhood in good ways, 00:50:52.860 --> 00:50:55.380 and all my life interested in the church and doing good, 00:50:55.440 --> 00:50:59.140 must enter heaven the same way as the worst criminal of our day? 00:50:59.139 --> 00:51:01.420 No, madam, I don't. 00:51:01.759 --> 00:51:02.500 God does. 00:51:03.279 --> 00:51:05.039 He says everyone who would enter heaven, 00:51:05.559 --> 00:51:07.440 no matter how good they think they are, 00:51:07.639 --> 00:51:09.000 or how well educated, 00:51:09.500 --> 00:51:11.139 or zealous in good works, 00:51:11.920 --> 00:51:12.619 you might add, 00:51:13.000 --> 00:51:14.480 or how bad they think they are, 00:51:14.900 --> 00:51:16.579 how inadequate they think they are, 00:51:16.879 --> 00:51:18.639 how incapable they think they are, 00:51:19.059 --> 00:51:21.559 must be born again. 00:51:22.299 --> 00:51:25.699 The command of Jesus is you must be born again. 00:51:25.699 --> 00:51:28.739 The command is accompanied by the gospel, 00:51:29.199 --> 00:51:31.759 by which the impossible is now made possible. 00:51:32.539 --> 00:51:34.139 The Israelites who looked, 00:51:34.719 --> 00:51:36.239 they would have a lasting testimony. 00:51:36.879 --> 00:51:37.859 They could tell their children, 00:51:37.960 --> 00:51:38.819 their children's children, 00:51:39.259 --> 00:51:40.819 I was bit by a poisonous serpent. 00:51:41.019 --> 00:51:41.699 I was dying. 00:51:42.239 --> 00:51:42.919 All of a sudden, 00:51:43.019 --> 00:51:45.119 Moses put up a serpent of bronze, 00:51:45.199 --> 00:51:46.460 and he said to us to look. 00:51:46.759 --> 00:51:48.099 And I looked, and I lived. 00:51:48.839 --> 00:51:51.919 And I can tell you as a Christian now of 31 years, 00:51:51.920 --> 00:51:56.260 on that day, on the 19th of January, 1993, 00:51:57.019 --> 00:51:59.220 I looked, I believed. 00:52:00.200 --> 00:52:01.900 And God was true to his word. 00:52:02.800 --> 00:52:04.700 God came to dwell in my heart. 00:52:05.119 --> 00:52:07.000 God changed me from the inside out. 00:52:07.619 --> 00:52:10.420 It's a lingering testimony of the grace of God, 00:52:10.659 --> 00:52:12.099 of the power of God, 00:52:12.200 --> 00:52:14.440 that is found in the gospel of God, 00:52:14.440 --> 00:52:17.360 that is vouched safe by the spirit of God, 00:52:17.480 --> 00:52:19.300 on behalf of the son of God. 00:52:19.800 --> 00:52:20.920 May God bless his word.