WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.160 Father God, with this creed before us, 00:00:02.760 --> 00:00:07.440 we confess to you that we don't always understand 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:08.839 who you are. 00:00:09.720 --> 00:00:14.099 We don't always understand your three persons in one. 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:19.059 Father God, would you open our eyes to see who you are, 00:00:19.559 --> 00:00:22.260 to see who you are as Father, 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:24.920 to see who you are as Son and who you are as Holy Spirit. 00:00:26.980 --> 00:00:29.100 Father, you're here with us this morning. 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:31.880 We ask that you would show yourself to us. 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:32.980 Amen. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:34.160 Please be seated. 00:00:37.660 --> 00:00:40.000 When I was in school at the University of Ottawa, 00:00:40.579 --> 00:00:43.340 I had a favorite professor. 00:00:43.780 --> 00:00:45.340 He taught mechanical engineering. 00:00:46.400 --> 00:00:49.460 And his specialty, the thing that he researched, 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:52.260 the thing that he spent all his time doing 00:00:52.260 --> 00:00:53.939 when he wasn't hanging out with students, 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:57.700 was studying fuel combustion. 00:00:57.880 --> 00:00:58.480 That was his thing. 00:00:58.479 --> 00:00:59.519 He burned things. 00:00:59.939 --> 00:01:01.239 And if you went into his lab, 00:01:01.299 --> 00:01:02.459 you would see big equipment. 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:04.780 And all that equipment did was burn things. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:07.700 And every student of his, 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:10.060 who was even just a little bit of a peromaniac, 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:12.019 loved having him. 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:14.679 Because whenever there was a chance for a demonstration 00:01:14.679 --> 00:01:16.560 that had anything to do with burning something, 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:19.000 he would come to class with his demo equipment 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:21.939 to make fireballs, to make explosions, 00:01:22.179 --> 00:01:25.359 to blow little fuel droplets into the air to burn, 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:26.099 and things like that. 00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:29.019 Basically, whatever you'd expect from a professor 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:30.420 who studies combustion. 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:31.659 He did it in class. 00:01:32.459 --> 00:01:32.879 It was great. 00:01:32.980 --> 00:01:34.480 However, one day, 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:38.480 one day, instead of his burning demo equipment, 00:01:39.019 --> 00:01:42.980 he brought a big fat stack of paper in a folder. 00:01:42.980 --> 00:01:46.760 That was his demonstration for the day. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:49.659 Instead of burning equipment, 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:52.320 inside that folder were plans, 00:01:52.980 --> 00:01:54.380 were schematics, 00:01:54.740 --> 00:01:56.219 were drawings, 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:57.400 were instructions 00:01:57.400 --> 00:02:00.820 for all manner of machines and gadgets 00:02:00.820 --> 00:02:02.580 that were supposed to be 00:02:02.580 --> 00:02:04.000 perpetual motion machines, 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:05.760 machines that never would stop. 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:07.980 Never would stop. 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:11.420 People would just sort of walk into the university, 00:02:11.580 --> 00:02:12.460 bring these into his office, 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:13.159 and show him, 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:15.960 and ask him to verify that they really did work. 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:18.439 And in 30-odd years of teaching, 00:02:18.540 --> 00:02:19.980 he still had yet to find one, 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:20.939 believe it or not, 00:02:20.980 --> 00:02:21.420 that worked. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:24.080 Our assignment that day 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:24.860 was to sit down, 00:02:24.920 --> 00:02:25.640 each with a plan, 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:27.219 and to figure out 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:28.639 why each one didn't work. 00:02:29.339 --> 00:02:30.179 To debunk 00:02:30.179 --> 00:02:32.099 why each scheme wouldn't work. 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:33.919 I got to meet 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:34.659 one of these 00:02:34.659 --> 00:02:36.239 crackpots one day. 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:39.559 I was working in a machine lab. 00:02:40.419 --> 00:02:42.379 I had a bunch of stuff in front of me, 00:02:42.419 --> 00:02:43.659 and this fellow just sort of walked in 00:02:43.659 --> 00:02:44.139 out of nowhere 00:02:44.139 --> 00:02:45.039 and just started talking. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:47.599 And he was a nice enough guy. 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:48.879 He was a nice enough guy. 00:02:49.619 --> 00:02:51.259 He was quite pleasant to talk to. 00:02:51.419 --> 00:02:53.139 He knew his engineering history. 00:02:53.799 --> 00:02:55.019 And he was quite practical. 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:56.380 He knew how to put things together. 00:02:57.100 --> 00:02:58.340 And he told a good story. 00:02:58.700 --> 00:03:00.360 But what he did not have, however, 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:01.800 was an understanding 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:03.939 of the fundamentals of thermodynamics. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:05.760 The fundamentals that would tell you 00:03:05.760 --> 00:03:06.600 that you can't build 00:03:06.600 --> 00:03:08.300 a perpetual motion machine. 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:10.980 One that will work forever. 00:03:12.100 --> 00:03:13.280 And I can only just imagine 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:14.100 that Nicodemus 00:03:14.100 --> 00:03:16.240 must have felt 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:17.719 something similar, 00:03:18.020 --> 00:03:19.000 going to see Jesus 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:21.800 as a professor would feel, 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:24.240 coming with plans 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:24.780 and documents 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:25.860 that clearly aren't going to work. 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:27.820 Nicodemus the Pharisee, 00:03:28.160 --> 00:03:29.719 member of a ruling council. 00:03:30.920 --> 00:03:32.040 He was well-educated. 00:03:32.380 --> 00:03:33.200 He was smart. 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:34.280 He was probably wise. 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:35.980 He was certainly well-respected 00:03:35.980 --> 00:03:36.719 among his peers. 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:38.020 He probably had a tremendous 00:03:38.020 --> 00:03:39.240 amount of influence 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:39.920 among Jews. 00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:41.500 Maybe he even had a few 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:42.360 Roman contacts 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:42.960 in the government. 00:03:44.140 --> 00:03:45.040 Jesus was just some 00:03:45.040 --> 00:03:45.880 upstart preacher 00:03:45.880 --> 00:03:46.620 from Galilee, 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:48.000 from Hicktown nowhere. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:48.699 No training, 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:50.080 no contacts, 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:51.840 not even any sort of 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.520 noble birth 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:53.659 to get him started. 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:55.360 Nicodemus probably felt 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:56.139 like my professor 00:03:56.139 --> 00:03:57.180 talking to one of these 00:03:57.180 --> 00:03:58.199 crackpots. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:03:59.000 He probably felt like 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:00.379 he was beneath him 00:04:00.379 --> 00:04:01.599 to talk to Jesus, 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:02.900 to talk to this 00:04:02.900 --> 00:04:03.800 upstart preacher. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:06.280 Just like my professor 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:07.199 probably could have sent 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:08.240 any one of us students 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:09.360 to talk to these 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:10.439 crackpot inventors, 00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:12.939 Nicodemus probably felt 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:13.900 like he could have just 00:04:13.900 --> 00:04:15.060 sent a student 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:15.960 to deal with Jesus. 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:17.879 Send a student 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:19.560 to straighten out 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:20.300 this upstart 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:20.959 and move on. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:22.600 But, 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:24.120 Nicodemus is there 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:24.500 in person 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:25.040 and if you have 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:25.439 your Bible, 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:26.860 open it up will you 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:29.439 to John chapter 3. 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:36.500 Now there was a man 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:37.399 of the Pharisees 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:38.339 named Nicodemus, 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:40.139 a ruler of the Jews. 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:42.420 This man came to Jesus 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:43.000 by night 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:44.500 and he said to him, 00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:44.740 Rabbi, 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:45.879 we know that you're 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:47.019 a teacher come from God. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:48.519 We know that you're 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:49.560 a teacher come from God 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:50.699 for no one can do 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:51.339 these signs, 00:04:51.459 --> 00:04:52.000 these miracles 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:53.159 that you do 00:04:53.159 --> 00:04:54.300 unless God 00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:55.360 is with him. 00:04:57.560 --> 00:04:58.339 Nicodemus is there 00:04:58.339 --> 00:04:58.860 in person. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:00.240 He's there under 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:00.980 the cover of night 00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:01.779 quite possibly 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:03.079 to hide the fact 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:04.000 that he's there at all. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:06.040 And that's because 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:06.800 there's a problem. 00:05:07.219 --> 00:05:07.839 He's there because 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:08.560 there's a problem. 00:05:09.100 --> 00:05:10.899 Just as if my professor 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:12.819 found among that 00:05:12.819 --> 00:05:14.139 giant stack of papers 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:15.339 a machine that 00:05:15.339 --> 00:05:16.259 actually did work, 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:17.319 a machine that 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:18.639 actually did work 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:19.060 forever, 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:20.779 Nicodemus has found 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:21.740 a crackpot preacher 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:23.980 with God's power. 00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:26.099 And that's troubling. 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:27.579 That's troubling. 00:05:27.699 --> 00:05:27.879 You see, 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:29.019 Nicodemus is a good Jew. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:29.879 Being a Pharisee, 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:32.159 he's zealous for holiness. 00:05:32.420 --> 00:05:33.480 He's zealous for the law. 00:05:34.579 --> 00:05:35.860 He follows the customs 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:37.099 of his people. 00:05:37.659 --> 00:05:38.740 He follows the traditions 00:05:38.740 --> 00:05:39.860 of his people. 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:42.379 He has stature. 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:43.240 He has respect. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:45.759 But Nicodemus does not 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:46.759 have power from God. 00:05:47.639 --> 00:05:48.579 And Jesus does. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:51.060 This nobody from Galilee 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:52.600 has power. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:54.939 So Nicodemus comes, 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:56.720 representing himself 00:05:56.720 --> 00:05:57.819 certainly and maybe 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:58.840 a couple of like-minded 00:05:58.840 --> 00:05:59.900 friends among the leaders 00:05:59.900 --> 00:06:00.900 of the Jews to find out 00:06:00.900 --> 00:06:01.660 what's going on. 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:03.560 He's there alone. 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:04.280 His friends haven't 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:04.860 come with him. 00:06:05.220 --> 00:06:06.079 Maybe they're too chicken 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:07.139 to ruin their reputations. 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:08.540 Maybe they don't want a crowd 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:09.560 walking down the street. 00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:11.740 It's a small gathering, 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:12.680 just the two of them. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:15.000 And finally, 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:16.540 they're going to speak frankly. 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:17.960 Finally, 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:19.560 Nicodemus hopes 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:22.079 he's going to finally 00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:23.300 see who Jesus is. 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:24.660 Finally figure out 00:06:24.660 --> 00:06:25.300 what's going on. 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:26.139 He's going to see 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:27.480 who Jesus is. 00:06:28.579 --> 00:06:29.579 Being the in-charge 00:06:29.579 --> 00:06:30.420 fellow that he is, 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:31.560 Nicodemus starts 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:32.400 this conversation 00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:35.480 by just simply 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:36.740 stating what he knows. 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:38.460 Stating what he knows. 00:06:38.540 --> 00:06:39.220 Let's read it from 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:40.879 John chapter 3. 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:42.639 Teacher, 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:43.879 we know that you're 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:45.040 a teacher come from God. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:46.600 For no one can do 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:47.879 these signs that you do 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:49.000 unless, 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:51.639 unless 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:53.800 they come from God. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:55.399 Unless God is with them. 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:57.100 There you have it. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:58.219 That's what Nicodemus knows. 00:06:58.980 --> 00:06:59.939 That's what Nicodemus 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:00.519 comes with. 00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:03.519 It actually seems 00:07:03.519 --> 00:07:05.000 like pretty sound logic 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:05.360 to me. 00:07:05.980 --> 00:07:06.639 It tells us that 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:07.259 Nicodemus knows 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:08.100 something about God. 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:09.620 He knows that God 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:10.759 is not a magical force 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:12.300 that you can control. 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:13.060 He knows that God 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:14.180 is a person. 00:07:14.580 --> 00:07:16.520 God is someone 00:07:16.520 --> 00:07:17.580 who's never coerced. 00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:19.400 Therefore, 00:07:19.520 --> 00:07:20.319 God chose to work 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:20.780 through Jesus. 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:21.920 This is important to know. 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:22.860 He knows that 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:23.780 if God chose 00:07:23.780 --> 00:07:24.560 to work through Jesus, 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:25.160 then there's something 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:26.639 important about Jesus. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:27.980 There's something 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:29.580 important about Jesus. 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:31.819 And Nicodemus concludes 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:32.660 that the important thing 00:07:32.660 --> 00:07:33.240 about Jesus 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:35.400 is that he's a teacher. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:36.639 A good teacher, 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:37.000 certainly. 00:07:37.900 --> 00:07:38.639 Maybe at best, 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:40.040 Jesus will turn 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:41.560 the Jews back to God. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:42.960 Maybe he will turn 00:07:42.960 --> 00:07:43.860 the Jews back 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:44.560 to God's law. 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:46.100 That's what Nicodemus knows. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:47.560 That's what he sees 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:48.400 in Jesus. 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:50.800 And how does Nicodemus 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:51.400 know these things? 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:52.500 He has seen. 00:07:52.840 --> 00:07:53.900 He has seen the signs 00:07:53.900 --> 00:07:54.759 that Jesus has done. 00:07:55.460 --> 00:07:56.100 He's seen them. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:57.259 Perhaps he's even seen them 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.079 with his own eyes. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:00.300 He's seen these signs 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:01.079 that Jesus is doing. 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:03.339 So God is clearly 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:04.919 with this Jesus. 00:08:05.979 --> 00:08:07.319 I'm sure that Nicodemus 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:08.180 thought that his statement 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:09.879 was perfectly reasonable. 00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:11.120 And it seems so. 00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.699 But instead of responding 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:13.519 with a question, 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:15.379 maybe a clarification, 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:19.379 Jesus simply makes 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:20.060 another statement. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:20.680 And here it is 00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:21.279 from the text. 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:24.319 John 3, verse 3. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:26.039 Jesus answered him, 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:27.719 Truly, truly, 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:28.500 I say to you, 00:08:29.640 --> 00:08:33.220 unless one is born again, 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:34.879 he cannot see 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.639 the kingdom of God. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.399 Unless one is born again, 00:08:42.800 --> 00:08:43.660 he cannot see 00:08:43.660 --> 00:08:45.379 the kingdom of God. 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:48.300 Let's put that up 00:08:48.300 --> 00:08:48.720 on the screen. 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:50.000 I don't get a chance 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:50.759 to do this very often, 00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:52.000 so put it up 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:52.399 on the screen. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:54.740 And in two sentences, 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:56.160 this conversation 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.339 starts to go off the rail. 00:08:57.860 --> 00:08:58.860 Nicodemus makes a statement 00:08:58.860 --> 00:08:59.879 and Jesus makes 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:00.559 another statement. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:02.439 Okay? 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:04.799 And in two sentences, 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:05.459 this conversation 00:09:05.459 --> 00:09:06.120 seems to be 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:07.159 going off the rails. 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:07.779 Where is it going? 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:08.100 You see, 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:09.779 you might even have 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:10.699 a note in your margin 00:09:10.699 --> 00:09:11.659 of your Bible 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:12.480 if you look carefully, 00:09:13.579 --> 00:09:14.299 stating that the words 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:15.139 for born again 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:16.699 might also be 00:09:16.699 --> 00:09:17.839 born from above. 00:09:19.699 --> 00:09:20.639 Now our translators 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.620 have picked one of those. 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:23.579 Nicodemus would have heard 00:09:23.579 --> 00:09:24.419 both of those things. 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.000 He would have heard 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:25.539 born again 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:26.559 and born from above. 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:28.819 And he would have to guess 00:09:28.819 --> 00:09:30.360 which one Jesus meant. 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:33.159 Nicodemus would have heard 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.559 those two words 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:35.139 and had to guess 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:35.779 what Jesus meant. 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:36.699 Did he just say 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:37.579 born again? 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:38.740 Or did he say 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:39.620 born from above? 00:09:39.719 --> 00:09:40.659 Which did he just say? 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:41.980 Let's put that up there. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:42.639 Again, 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.299 I don't get to do this 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:43.679 very often. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:44.199 There we go. 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:46.819 When I was growing up, 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:48.339 my dad had a friend. 00:09:48.959 --> 00:09:49.480 A friend. 00:09:49.939 --> 00:09:50.699 And we used to go 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:51.339 on these long 00:09:51.339 --> 00:09:52.419 road trip vacations 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:53.719 every year 00:09:53.719 --> 00:09:54.899 with this couple, 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.799 this man and his wife. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:57.620 We traveled all over 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:58.120 the country. 00:09:58.720 --> 00:09:59.939 We camped in all sorts 00:09:59.939 --> 00:10:00.399 of places. 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:01.779 But thinking back, 00:10:02.319 --> 00:10:03.000 the only thing 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:03.819 that I actually remember 00:10:03.819 --> 00:10:04.360 about this guy 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:05.559 besides the way he looked, 00:10:06.459 --> 00:10:07.919 the only thing I remember 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:09.379 is that he and my dad 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:11.199 spoke almost exclusively 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:11.980 in puns 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:12.659 to each other. 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:14.240 One of my 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:15.559 crowning achievements 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:17.220 as a young guy, 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:18.139 I was probably like six, 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.720 one of my crowning achievements 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:20.399 of my young life 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.620 was coming up with a pun 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.240 that was worthy 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:24.120 of this conversation 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:24.960 that these two men 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:25.500 were having. 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:28.399 Some 25 years later, 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:29.279 believe it or not, 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:30.419 I can still remember 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:31.419 what that pun was. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:33.639 My pun was funny, 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:34.879 and if you ask me 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:35.779 about it after the service, 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:36.279 I'll tell you, 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:37.299 you'll probably be disappointed. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.940 Jesus' pun, however, 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:41.120 is not funny. 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:44.519 Jesus is pointing out 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.779 something very important 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:46.799 in this conversation 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:48.240 that Jesus is having 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:49.039 with Nicodemus. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:52.279 Nicodemus chooses 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:53.059 one meaning. 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:54.579 He has two meanings 00:10:54.579 --> 00:10:55.219 to choose from, 00:10:55.339 --> 00:10:56.599 or both together. 00:10:57.099 --> 00:10:58.439 He chooses one meaning, 00:10:58.699 --> 00:10:59.819 and it's the farthest 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:00.759 from what Jesus 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:02.019 is actually trying to say. 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:04.159 He takes Jesus 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:05.579 to mean born again, 00:11:05.939 --> 00:11:07.099 born again here and now 00:11:07.099 --> 00:11:08.879 on this earth right now. 00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:10.879 Hence his question, 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:12.559 which isn't quite a question. 00:11:13.079 --> 00:11:13.579 Let's read it 00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:14.279 from the text here. 00:11:15.819 --> 00:11:16.860 John 3, 4. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:18.279 Nicodemus said to him, 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:19.699 How can a man be born 00:11:19.699 --> 00:11:20.360 when he's old? 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:21.879 How can he enter 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:22.740 a second time 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:23.740 into his mother's womb 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:24.720 and be born? 00:11:25.459 --> 00:11:26.500 Not really a question. 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:30.240 Not really a question. 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:32.240 The important thing 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:32.860 that's betrayed 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:35.519 by Nicodemus' answer 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.899 is that he isn't looking 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:37.819 at this situation 00:11:37.819 --> 00:11:39.480 with what we might call 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:40.779 spiritual eyes. 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:44.500 He has an earthly perspective 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.039 on everything 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:46.000 that's going on here. 00:11:46.699 --> 00:11:47.659 Remember what he's seen. 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:49.779 He's seen miracles. 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:50.699 He's seen signs. 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:51.799 He has an earthly perspective 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:52.919 of what's going on. 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:54.819 And this has often been 00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:56.919 Jesus' critique of Pharisees, 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:57.939 other Pharisees certainly. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.860 They have a spiritual heritage 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:00.799 that's second to none. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:02.699 They have a great grasp 00:12:02.699 --> 00:12:04.139 of the scriptures for sure. 00:12:05.819 --> 00:12:06.959 They have tradition 00:12:06.959 --> 00:12:08.100 to back all of this up 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:08.959 for better or worse. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:11.179 But they have no spiritual sight. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:13.919 They can't see 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:16.019 what God is doing before them. 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:18.620 can't see who truly Jesus is. 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:20.159 It's the same reason 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:24.179 why Nicodemus mistakes Jesus 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:25.919 for just another teacher. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:28.740 That brings me to my next simple point. 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:30.559 Unless you see Jesus 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.779 for who he really is, 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:33.360 you cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.620 Let me put that on the screen here. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:40.600 Nicodemus has completely misjudged 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:43.379 where Jesus is coming from. 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:45.840 And so he's completely missed 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:47.500 what he's being told here. 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:50.679 He's being told that he doesn't just 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:51.679 have to be born again, 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:54.220 but he has to be born again 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:55.539 from above as well. 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.639 I find it kind of funny 00:12:57.639 --> 00:13:00.620 that Nicodemus doesn't really even mention 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:02.279 the second part of what Jesus said, 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.860 talking about the kingdom of God 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:04.980 in his follow-up question. 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:06.519 We've used the term 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:08.240 a couple of times this morning already 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:10.860 without comment. 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:13.519 We regularly use the term 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:15.319 as we see Jesus using it 00:13:15.319 --> 00:13:17.299 here and in other places 00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:18.399 in other parts of the gospel. 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.179 He frequently uses it 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:22.299 to refer to a spiritual reality 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:23.899 that people are a part of 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.860 as they come to Jesus. 00:13:25.959 --> 00:13:27.279 Now, I can't actually know 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:28.559 what Nicodemus would have thought 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:29.679 of this term. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:31.719 There's a lot of possibilities 00:13:31.719 --> 00:13:33.459 and maybe the top two 00:13:33.459 --> 00:13:36.399 are most likely. 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.839 The term kingdom of God 00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:39.179 would have had a strong 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.259 messianic association 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.479 to some Jews. 00:13:41.579 --> 00:13:42.159 They would have seen it 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:44.419 as a coming king 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:45.819 sort of thing to say. 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.259 If that's the way 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:49.159 that Nicodemus saw it, 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:49.959 it seems a little odd 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:51.439 that he misses the reference completely. 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:54.059 Just goes right over his head. 00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:55.139 The other strong possibility 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:57.199 is that he would have heard it 00:13:57.199 --> 00:13:58.899 as referring to Israel 00:13:58.899 --> 00:14:00.120 as the kingdom of God. 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:01.779 And if that's the case, 00:14:01.819 --> 00:14:02.340 it should have seemed 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:03.720 very odd to Nicodemus 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:05.340 that in Jesus' conversation, 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:07.019 he's referring to Nicodemus 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:07.819 as being outside 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:09.000 of the kingdom of God, 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:10.279 not being included. 00:14:11.179 --> 00:14:11.819 Nicodemus probably 00:14:11.819 --> 00:14:12.559 had a good lineage. 00:14:12.699 --> 00:14:13.100 Why on earth 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.139 would he have to be reborn 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:14.779 to be a Jew? 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:16.959 Why would he have to be 00:14:16.959 --> 00:14:18.620 reborn to be a better Jew? 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:19.980 It doesn't make any sense. 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:21.179 Why would you ever 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:22.120 preach that to Jews? 00:14:23.199 --> 00:14:23.699 Yet again, 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:26.960 it seems the most earthly answer 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:28.100 is the one that Nicodemus 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:30.000 is using in his head. 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:33.280 The most earthly reason. 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.980 Nicodemus doesn't see Jesus 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:36.820 for who he is. 00:14:38.060 --> 00:14:39.600 And unless he can see Jesus 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.340 for who he is, 00:14:40.400 --> 00:14:41.320 he won't be able to see 00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:42.400 the kingdom of God either. 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:43.900 He won't be able to see 00:14:43.900 --> 00:14:44.640 this new thing 00:14:44.640 --> 00:14:45.420 that God is doing. 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:46.800 This new reality 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:48.200 that's giving birth 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:49.060 right in front of him. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.259 This new thing 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:50.860 that's happening. 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.420 Let's go back to the text. 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:54.479 Starting at 5, 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.319 let's continue reading. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:59.459 Jesus answers Nicodemus 00:14:59.459 --> 00:15:00.059 talking about 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:01.219 being born again. 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.500 Truly, truly, 00:15:03.599 --> 00:15:04.120 I say to you, 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:05.699 unless one is born of water 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:06.799 and the spirit, 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:07.860 he cannot enter 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.679 the kingdom of God. 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.819 That which is born of flesh 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:11.699 is flesh. 00:15:12.599 --> 00:15:13.779 And that which is born of spirit 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.620 is spirit. 00:15:15.339 --> 00:15:15.979 Do not marvel 00:15:15.979 --> 00:15:16.719 that I have said to you, 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.759 you must be born again. 00:15:18.599 --> 00:15:20.059 The wind blows where it wishes 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:21.480 and you hear its sound. 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.860 Do not know where it comes from 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.199 or where it goes. 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.559 So it is with everyone 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:28.059 born of the spirit. 00:15:28.979 --> 00:15:30.360 So Jesus mercifully 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:32.479 rephrases his original 00:15:32.479 --> 00:15:33.559 statement for Nicodemus. 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.759 Maybe make this a little clearer. 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:35.959 Truly, truly, 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:36.719 I say to you, 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:38.839 unless one is born of water 00:15:38.839 --> 00:15:39.879 and the spirit, 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.000 he cannot come 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.939 to the kingdom of God. 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:45.000 So to clear up the confusion, 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.360 Jesus uses the terms 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.679 water and spirit 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:48.739 spirit, 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:50.899 or water and wind, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:52.000 as it is in the text, 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:53.539 instead of this 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:55.359 again from above word. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:57.519 So we're left wondering now, 00:15:57.599 --> 00:15:58.439 instead of what he meant 00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.239 by the first thing, 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.579 what he means by 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:01.819 water and spirit. 00:16:02.979 --> 00:16:03.679 At least we're not 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:04.879 left wondering 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.659 if there's some sort of 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:06.739 natural birth in mind. 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.719 At least Nicodemus 00:16:07.719 --> 00:16:08.259 isn't wondering 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.699 if Jesus is that 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.739 sort of crank anymore. 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.399 The problem is 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:13.759 that it's not a matter 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.139 of natural rebirth. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.340 earth. 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.480 We're talking 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.939 about then, 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:19.960 if it's not 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:21.120 natural water 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.699 and wind, 00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:23.779 we're talking about 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.659 water and spirit 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.399 from above. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:27.779 And this starts 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.379 to remind me 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.000 a little bit 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:31.519 of the Samaritan lady 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.600 who Jesus runs into 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.960 when he and his disciples 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.620 are traveling 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.120 through Samaria. 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.559 In fact, 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.480 the story comes 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.519 nearly directly 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.159 after this one, 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.779 so if you get curious 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.039 later, 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.840 you can just turn the page 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.240 and read it. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:44.860 Jesus offers 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.379 this woman 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.299 sitting at the well 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:47.279 living water 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.779 that will quench 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.779 her thirst forever. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:52.759 It's a fantastic story. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:53.639 And do you remember 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.360 her response? 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.180 Living water 00:16:56.180 --> 00:16:56.600 that will quench 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.299 her thirst forever. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:57.799 And she says, 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.360 yeah, 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.299 please give me that water. 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.060 I don't want to come back 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:01.000 to this well every day. 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.620 And I always thought 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.659 that was a funny answer. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:05.039 Funny, 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.039 mostly because 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.240 it sounded like, 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:07.859 I don't know, 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.519 something my mom 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:08.880 would say 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:10.460 when we would complain 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.160 about chores 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:11.920 that we had to do. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.880 However, 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.039 it's the same 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:15.099 earthly vision, 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:15.759 the same 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.980 earthly thinking 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.279 that Nicodemus 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.759 is showing. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:21.339 So Jesus goes on 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:23.220 from the text, 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.740 that which is born 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.599 of the flesh 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.200 is flesh 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.500 and that which is born 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.579 of the spirit 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.599 is spirit. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.259 That makes it 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.759 pretty clear 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.700 that to be born again 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.579 we're talking about 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.960 spiritual rebirth. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.680 If only spirit 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.440 can give birth 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:38.960 to spirit, 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.480 then that's our 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.079 only chance 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.460 of entering 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:41.960 this kingdom 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.460 of God 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.220 that Jesus 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.139 is talking about. 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:45.960 We can see 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.599 this now, 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:47.299 today, 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.699 as a clear reference 00:17:48.699 --> 00:17:49.519 to the Holy Spirit. 00:17:50.919 --> 00:17:51.819 It's so clear 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.179 that probably 00:17:52.179 --> 00:17:52.919 most of your Bibles 00:17:52.919 --> 00:17:54.839 use a capital S 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.339 on spirit. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:57.259 George said 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.839 Holy Spirit 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.279 directly 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.339 when he was 00:17:59.339 --> 00:17:59.779 reading it. 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:02.339 It's clear 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.139 from this 00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:03.619 that unless 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:04.279 you see 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.740 the Holy Spirit 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:07.240 for who he is, 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.019 you cannot see 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.819 the kingdom of God. 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:10.240 that's just 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.919 one more point. 00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:12.720 It's the Holy Spirit 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.359 who fills us 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.220 with life everlasting. 00:18:14.919 --> 00:18:15.599 It's the Holy Spirit 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.319 who regenerates 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:17.960 our broken spirits, 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.639 our spirits 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:19.359 that have been broken 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.619 in years of sin. 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.179 Without him, 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.480 we cannot be part 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.139 of what God 00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:25.039 is doing in eternity. 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.599 He goes on 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.139 to describe 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:28.799 what it's like 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.700 to be 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:31.220 born of the spirit. 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:33.759 This is 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:36.660 verse 8. 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.640 The wind blows 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.200 where it wishes 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.480 and you hear 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.039 its sound 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.420 but you do not 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:42.980 know where it 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.599 comes from 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.680 or where it goes. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.319 So it is 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:46.859 with everyone 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.400 who is 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.400 born of the spirit. 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.160 Again, 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.240 we see that 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.019 those born 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.480 of the spirit 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.640 have a direction 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.819 that can't be seen 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:57.279 with earthly eyes. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.440 It can't be seen 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.460 from an earthly's 00:18:59.460 --> 00:18:59.900 perspective. 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.180 The work of the spirit 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:01.980 goes unseen 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:03.440 when all you have 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.440 is an earthly perspective. 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.339 Think, 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.559 for example, 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.839 of Jesus himself 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.779 and his own work. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.599 He was born 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.160 of the spirit. 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.620 Early in his ministry 00:19:14.620 --> 00:19:15.440 he was baptized 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.640 and the spirit 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.519 came down on him. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.000 He was 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.740 born of the spirit. 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.279 And remember 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.880 that the spirit 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:24.299 pushed him onward 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.180 to Jerusalem 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.740 to die. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.099 His purpose 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.279 was real 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.299 and his purpose 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.339 was clear to him. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.720 People couldn't 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.720 see it from the outside. 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.539 Even when he talked 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.200 to them about it, 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:36.920 it was hard 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.620 for them to see. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.099 But to Jesus 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:39.660 his purpose 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.299 was clear 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:42.339 and it was real 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:44.480 but invisible. 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.140 But Nicodemus 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:48.980 sees just signs 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.940 in Jesus' life. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.579 He doesn't see 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.460 that clear, 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.720 real purpose 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.539 which is portrayed 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.079 so well 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.660 in the Gospel of Luke 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.360 as we've been reading. 00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.140 Nicodemus 00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.960 just doesn't see it. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.460 He sees 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.539 just signs. 00:20:02.340 --> 00:20:02.880 Jesus' purpose 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.779 is huge. 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.759 Jesus' purpose 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:05.500 is glorious. 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:06.559 Jesus 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.819 is working 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.559 on a scale 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.259 bigger than anything 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:10.200 that we've ever 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.960 seen before. 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.259 And Nicodemus 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.120 sees the very tip. 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.480 He sees 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.319 miracles. 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.579 That's what he's seeing. 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.539 Just some signs. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.120 He must be 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.680 a good teacher 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.420 because I see 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.019 some signs. 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.799 Nicodemus 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.900 sees neither Jesus 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.500 nor does he see 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:26.799 the work 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.579 of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:30.199 He doesn't see 00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:30.759 either one 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:32.240 for who they are. 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.119 And so he can 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.619 neither see 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:36.099 the kingdom of God 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.399 that's about 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:37.919 to be born. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.599 So here's 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.559 Nicodemus' answer 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.419 to everything 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:42.799 that Jesus 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.519 has just said. 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.039 You ready? 00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:46.299 This is verse 9. 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.619 How can these 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.179 things be? 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.579 That's it. 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.240 How can these 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:51.759 things be? 00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:56.259 There you go. 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:57.000 Nicodemus can't 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.359 see it. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.400 He started off 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.019 not being able 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.359 to see 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:02.440 who Jesus is 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:04.359 and he still can't. 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:06.099 Now in a move 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:07.259 that's very unusual 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:08.579 for Jesus 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:09.660 he continues 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.519 to explain 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.359 himself 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:11.900 to someone 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:13.000 who's already 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.599 tuned out, 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.079 who's already 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.819 lost the plot. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.619 He's about to 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.579 state his purpose 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.220 and identity 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.779 more clearly 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:20.299 than he does 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.380 for most people 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.079 in the Gospels. 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.740 He's about to 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.579 show Nicodemus 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:25.779 who he is, 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.220 who Jesus 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.899 himself 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:29.279 sees himself 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:29.740 to be. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:31.980 Nicodemus 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.700 can't see it. 00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:33.539 Nicodemus 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.019 can't see 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.460 who Jesus 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:34.799 is, 00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:35.460 but he's 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:35.819 about to 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.200 state it. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:36.940 Let's continue 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.259 reading, 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.379 starting at 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:38.879 verse 10. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:43.220 How can 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.580 these things 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:43.820 be? 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.200 He said. 00:21:44.280 --> 00:21:44.500 Jesus 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.120 answered him, 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.400 Are you a 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.840 teacher of 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.340 Israel and 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:47.660 yet do you 00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:48.540 not understand 00:21:48.540 --> 00:21:49.060 these things? 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:50.000 He's implying 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.380 you should be 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:50.740 able to see 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.220 these things 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:51.620 reading the 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:52.080 Old Testament. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:53.360 Truly, 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:53.660 truly, 00:21:53.760 --> 00:21:54.140 I say to 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.300 you, 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.280 we speak 00:21:55.280 --> 00:21:55.480 of what 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:55.840 we know, 00:21:56.280 --> 00:21:56.780 we bear 00:21:56.780 --> 00:21:57.280 witness to 00:21:57.280 --> 00:21:57.540 what we 00:21:57.540 --> 00:21:57.980 have seen, 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:58.960 but you 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.240 do not 00:21:59.240 --> 00:21:59.740 receive our 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.240 testimony. 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:02.640 You do 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:03.020 not receive 00:22:03.020 --> 00:22:03.520 our testimony. 00:22:03.820 --> 00:22:04.400 If I 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:04.900 have told 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.840 you earthly 00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:06.380 things, 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.380 things that 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:07.740 are happening 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.140 here and 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.420 now, 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:11.039 how can 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.400 you believe 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:11.880 if I tell 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.740 you heavenly 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.180 things? 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:13.900 He's saying, 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.400 you haven't 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:14.820 been able to 00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:15.320 see who I 00:22:15.320 --> 00:22:15.720 am and 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.060 you haven't 00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:16.480 been able to 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.180 see who 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:17.500 the Holy 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.120 Spirit is and 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:18.440 you haven't 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:18.820 been able to 00:22:18.820 --> 00:22:20.039 recognize the 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.400 work that 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:20.900 either of us 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.320 are doing. 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.740 You haven't 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.160 been able to 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:24.000 see what 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.440 we're doing 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:24.800 here on 00:22:24.800 --> 00:22:25.019 earth. 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:25.360 You haven't 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:25.759 been able to 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.060 see the 00:22:26.060 --> 00:22:26.360 kingdom. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.620 How can I 00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:28.240 ever describe 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.500 to you what 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:29.840 things will 00:22:29.840 --> 00:22:30.300 look like in 00:22:30.300 --> 00:22:30.680 the end? 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:31.900 Where this 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:32.340 kingdom is 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:33.000 actually going? 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:33.940 And here it 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.100 is. 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.680 Here's Jesus' 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.640 grand statement. 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.039 Here's who 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.800 Jesus himself 00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:38.400 sees himself 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.860 to be. 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.180 You ready? 00:22:40.300 --> 00:22:40.720 Starting at 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.940 verse 13. 00:22:44.780 --> 00:22:45.620 No one has 00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:46.220 ascended into 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.100 heaven except 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.960 he who descended 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.460 from heaven, 00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:48.940 the Son of 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.200 Man. 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.100 That's a 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.720 self-reference. 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.880 And as Jesus 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.640 lifted up the 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:53.280 serpent in the 00:22:53.280 --> 00:22:53.560 wilderness, 00:22:54.300 --> 00:22:55.140 so must the 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:55.759 Son of Man be 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.280 lifted up, 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.440 that whoever 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.100 believes in 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.900 him may have 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.600 eternal life. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:03.699 for God so 00:23:03.699 --> 00:23:04.259 loved the world 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.819 that he gave 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.500 his only Son 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:06.500 that whoever 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.059 believes in 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.919 him should 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:08.559 not perish 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:08.939 but have 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:09.639 eternal life. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.419 That's who 00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:13.459 Jesus sees 00:23:13.459 --> 00:23:14.439 in himself, 00:23:15.439 --> 00:23:16.559 the one 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.559 descended from 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:17.839 heaven, 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.759 the one who 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.039 will be 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.980 lifted up. 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.199 Jesus has 00:23:21.199 --> 00:23:21.779 descended from 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.019 heaven, 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.219 the very Son 00:23:23.219 --> 00:23:23.639 of the 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:23.980 Father, 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.399 not confused 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.719 in their 00:23:25.719 --> 00:23:26.159 persons, 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.259 as we said 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.599 earlier, 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.440 but also 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.079 not divided 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.480 in their 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:29.879 substance. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.539 He has 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:33.400 descended to 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:33.859 earth only 00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.319 to be lifted 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.220 up on a 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:37.140 cross and 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:37.740 further to be 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.299 lifted up on 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.460 high so that 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:39.900 we can be 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.059 born again of 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.619 God's Holy 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:42.039 Spirit, 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.839 Holy Spirit 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:43.539 sent from the 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.299 Father to us 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.539 by Jesus' 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:45.900 will. 00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:47.879 Again, 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.359 not confused 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:49.680 in their 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:51.339 persons and 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:51.879 not divided 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.200 in their 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:52.619 substance. 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.819 Our good 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.319 news this 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:54.799 morning is 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.079 that our 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.920 God is 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.700 three persons, 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.259 that's 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.740 good news, 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.379 all three 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.039 working 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.440 together for 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.059 our salvation. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.220 It's 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:06.359 something we 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:07.019 don't deserve, 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.299 three gods 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.640 in one 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:08.980 person, 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.640 one single 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.900 God rescuing 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.240 us. 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:12.900 Our good 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.299 news is 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:13.740 summed up 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.140 so well in 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.539 these words 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:15.799 that we 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.299 just read. 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.500 For God 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:18.920 so loved 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.259 the world 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.579 that he 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:19.960 gave his 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.500 only Son, 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.480 that whoever 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.059 believes in 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.859 him should 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.379 not perish 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:23.759 but have 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.440 eternal life. 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.500 For God 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:26.839 the Father 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.319 did not 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.819 send his 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.240 Son into 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:28.559 the world 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.019 to condemn 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.459 the world 00:24:29.459 --> 00:24:30.159 but in 00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:30.539 order that 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:30.879 we might 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.480 be saved 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.059 through him. 00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:33.299 Let's 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.500 pray. 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.359 Father, 00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:36.699 would you 00:24:36.699 --> 00:24:37.179 help us 00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:37.619 to see 00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.399 you clearly? 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:40.119 Would you 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:40.720 teach us 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.539 who you 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:41.879 are? 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:43.359 Would you 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.019 teach us 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:46.220 who Jesus 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.579 is, 00:24:46.699 --> 00:24:46.859 Father? 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:46.959 Father, 00:24:46.959 --> 00:24:47.019 Father, 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:51.659 we love 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:52.039 you and 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.439 we thank 00:24:52.439 --> 00:24:52.759 you that 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.599 you revealed 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.220 yourself to 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.059 us in 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.839 three persons. 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.779 Father, 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.179 we thank 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.519 you that 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.159 we are 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:58.500 not 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.220 completely 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.619 ignorant 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.019 as to 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.179 who 00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:00.359 you 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:00.579 are 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:00.859 and 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.240 what 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.399 you 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:01.599 look 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:01.859 like. 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:02.980 Father, 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.500 we thank 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:03.779 you for 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.079 this 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.980 unmerited 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.539 favor and 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.019 this grace 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.379 that you 00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.439 show us. 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:08.419 Father, 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:08.899 we thank 00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:09.139 you and 00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:09.899 we pray 00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:10.439 these things 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:11.299 in the 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.599 name of 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:11.879 Jesus 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:13.199 who came 00:25:13.199 --> 00:25:13.519 to earth 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:13.919 to save 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.179 us. 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.299 Amen.