WEBVTT

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 Well, if you would, please open up your Bibles this morning to the Gospel of John.

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 The Gospel according to John. Last week we ended chapter 2, and we ended with the end of chapter 2, verses 23 through 25.

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 I'm going to read those verses again for us this morning for the sake of context,

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 because verses 23 through 25 of chapter 2 serve both as the end of chapter 2 and as a bridge here to the beginning of chapter 3.

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 So if you would, follow along with me as I read chapter 2, verses 23 through 25, all the way through chapter 3, verse 12.

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 Now, when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

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 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man,

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 for he himself knew what was in man.

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 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

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

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

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 for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.

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 Jesus answered him,

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 unless one is born again,

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 he cannot see the kingdom of God.

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 Nicodemus said to him,

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 How can a man be born when he is old?

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 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?

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 Jesus answered,

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 unless one is born of water and the Spirit,

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 he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

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 That which is born of the flesh is flesh,

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 and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

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 Do not marvel that I said to you,

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 you must be born again.

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 The wind blows where it wishes,

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 and you hear its sound,

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

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 So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

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 Nicodemus said to him,

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 How can these things be?

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 Jesus answered him,

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 Are you the teacher of Israel,

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 and yet you do not understand these things?

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 we speak of what we know

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 and bear witness to what we have seen,

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 but you do not receive our testimony.

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 If I have told you earthly things

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 and you do not believe,

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 how can you believe

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 if I tell you heavenly things?

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 This is the word of God.

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 Let's bow and pray once more.

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 Lord, we pray again and ask,

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 and as your word is preached,

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 that you would move with power

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 and accomplish the purposes for which you sinned.

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 We pray this in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 We are on sacred ground here

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 with John chapter 3.

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 Martin Lloyd-Jones, the famous preacher,

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 he preached 39 sermons

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 on this one chapter of John's gospel,

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 at least 39 that were recorded,

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 and I'm fairly certain

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 that if he were still with us today,

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 he probably would have preached

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 a handful more.

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 This chapter, John chapter 3,

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 probably more than any other chapter

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 in the New Testament,

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 possibly more than any other chapter

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 in the entire Bible,

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 is very familiar

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 in the minds of believers

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 and non-believers alike.

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 In it, we see two very familiar phrases.

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 We see a great condition.

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 You must be born again

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 to enter the kingdom of God,

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 and we see a great provision.

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 For God so loved the world

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 that he gave his only son,

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 that whoever believes in him

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 should not perish,

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 but have eternal life.

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 These are two familiar words

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 to most of us in the room this morning,

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 but let me caution you

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 as we begin John chapter 3

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 that familiarity can be deceiving.

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 Many are familiar with these words,

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 but do not truly understand

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 what Jesus is saying here to us.

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 So let me encourage you

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 as we begin our journey

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 into John chapter 3

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 over the next several weeks

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 to listen to these words carefully

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 with attentive ears

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 as if this were the first time

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 you were hearing these words.

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 Essentially, what I'm asking you to do

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 is I want you to place yourself

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 in Nicodemus' shoes

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 as we journey through John chapter 3 together.

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 As you hear these words of Jesus,

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 this command is not just for Nicodemus,

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 it's for you and for me.

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 If we would enter the kingdom of God,

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 you must be born again.

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 What does this mean?

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 What does this mean?

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 I want us to see four answers

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 to that question this morning

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 in our passage.

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 What does it mean to be born again?

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 What does it mean to be spiritually reborn?

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 Four answers to that question.

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 First, spiritual rebirth

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 is a matter of necessity.

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 Number one, first,

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 spiritual rebirth

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 is a matter of necessity.

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 Two times,

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 once in chapter 3, verse 3,

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 again in chapter 3, verse 5,

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 Jesus tells us that

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 spiritual rebirth

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 is a matter of necessity.

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 Truly, truly, I say to you,

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 unless one is born again,

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 unless one is born again,

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 he cannot see the kingdom of God.

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 Verse 3,

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 and unless one is born again,

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 you cannot enter the kingdom of God.

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 Verse 5,

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 this is a necessary condition

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 that must be met

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 in order for anyone

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 to enter into the kingdom of God.

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 Chapter 3, verse 1,

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 it tells us that Nicodemus was a man,

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 which doesn't sound like much

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 of a detail to us,

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 but we've read the context,

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 and so we understand

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 that John is making a connection

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 for us

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 with the end of chapter 2

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 to the beginning

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 of chapter 3,

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 the end of chapter 2

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 where he says that

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 some believed in Jesus' name

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 when they saw the signs

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 that he was doing,

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 but Jesus, on his part,

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 did not entrust himself to them

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 because he knew all people

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 and needed no one

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 to bear witness about man,

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 for he himself knew

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 what was in man.

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 John is showing us

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 that many are seeing Jesus' signs

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 and do not truly believe

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 who he is.

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 They acknowledge something

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 special about Jesus.

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 They acknowledge something

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 miraculous is happening.

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 They acknowledge that

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 he is unique in his ministry,

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 but they do not truly yet believe

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 that Jesus is in fact

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 the Messiah,

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 the Son of God,

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 and Jesus knows the difference.

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 So chapter 3,

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 John says,

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 now there was a man.

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 If you mark in your Bibles,

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 I want to encourage you

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 to draw a circle around

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 that word man

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 at the end of chapter 2

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 as well as here

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 at the beginning of chapter 3

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 because again,

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 John is connecting

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 these ideas for us.

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 Verse 2,

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 he says,

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 this man came to Jesus by night

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 in the cover of darkness

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 and said to him,

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 Rabbi,

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 we know,

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 speaking on behalf

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 of the Pharisees,

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 that you are a teacher

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 come from God

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 for no one can do

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 these signs that you do

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 unless God is with him.

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 And of course,

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 he is partially correct.

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 He recognizes Jesus' uniqueness

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 and prophets

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 throughout the Old Testament.

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 They performed signs

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 and often performed

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 validating works

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 to validate their ministry,

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 to profess that they were

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 in fact speaking

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 on behalf of God.

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 But as we've seen already

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 in the Gospel of John

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 and will continue to see

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 as we move forward,

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 Jesus' signs are meant

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 to show us

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 he's not just a prophet,

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 he's the Messiah.

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 He's not just a teacher

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 teaching on behalf of God,

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 he is the very Son of God.

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 It's clear that Nicodemus

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 was familiar with Jesus,

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 familiar with his works,

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 but not yet convinced.

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 And Jesus,

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 in his omniscience,

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 he knows.

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 He sees right through

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 the state of Nicodemus' heart

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 and he utters these famous words

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 here in verse 3,

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 Truly, truly,

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 I say to you,

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 unless one is born again,

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 he cannot see

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 the kingdom of God.

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 It's a matter of necessity.

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 Spiritual birth

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 precedes spiritual sight.

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 Say that again.

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 Spiritual birth

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 precedes,

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 it comes before,

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 it's a necessary condition

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 for spiritual sight.

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 Here's the thing,

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 anybody with physical eyes

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 can see the signs.

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 Anybody with physical eyes

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 can look and can see

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 that Jesus is unique.

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 All sorts of world religions

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 claim to have a high esteem

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 for Jesus as a prophet,

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 as a teacher,

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 as one who did a lot of good,

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 as one who has a lot of followers,

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 but only those with spiritual eyes

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 can see who he is.

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 That he is God.

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 Unless you're born again

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 from the inside of the Spirit,

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 you cannot begin to see

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 or perceive the kingdom.

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 Simply acknowledging the signs

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 does not mean

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 that you acknowledge

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 the message of the signs.

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 Simply seeing the wonders

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 that Jesus did

00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:00.939
 does not mean

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 that you worship Jesus.

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 Simply being familiar

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 with who Jesus is

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 does not mean

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 that you have faith

00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:09.200
 in Jesus.

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 This was

00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:11.939
 the beginning

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 of the unraveling

00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:14.539
 of Nicodemus'

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 entire view

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 of everything.

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 His mind

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 is completely blown

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 to pieces

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 here

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 by what Jesus

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 has just said.

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 And here's the reason why.

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 Nicodemus

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 is limited

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 to physical sight.

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 He's limited

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 to physical understanding.

00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.740
 He does not have

00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.639
 the necessary

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 spiritual perception

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 to even begin

00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:45.840
 to understand

00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:47.060
 Jesus' words here.

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 He's only thinking

00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:48.960
 in terms of

00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:50.060
 what is physical,

00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:51.440
 what is tangible.

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 And so he asks

00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:54.220
 a very physical question.

00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:54.560
 Now,

00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.440
 they say there are

00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:57.480
 no dumb questions.

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 I disagree.

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 He says,

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 how can a man

00:11:03.160 --> 00:11:03.639
 be born

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 when he's old?

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 Can he enter

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 a second time

00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:08.980
 into his mother's womb

00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:09.900
 and be born?

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 Now,

00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:12.919
 clearly,

00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:13.679
 Nicodemus

00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.539
 was not dumb.

00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:16.939
 He was

00:11:16.939 --> 00:11:18.620
 highly educated.

00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:19.899
 He was a Pharisee.

00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:20.319
 In fact,

00:11:20.699 --> 00:11:21.679
 not just that.

00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:22.179
 It says he was

00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:22.779
 a ruler

00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:23.759
 of the Jews,

00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:24.539
 meaning he was

00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:26.279
 one of the 70 members

00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:27.539
 of the Sanhedrin.

00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:28.899
 It's a pretty elite

00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:30.039
 ruling class

00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:30.600
 that ruled

00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:31.259
 over the rest

00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:31.840
 of the Jews.

00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:32.679
 This man was,

00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:34.079
 as far as the physical

00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:35.100
 eye could tell,

00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:36.659
 he was the cream

00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:37.240
 of the crop

00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:37.980
 for the Jews.

00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:38.720
 And yet,

00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:40.340
 he simply

00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:42.139
 doesn't get it.

00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:44.159
 He can't,

00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.860
 he can't see it.

00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.759
 To a Jew,

00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:49.759
 the Jewish understanding

00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.200
 to,

00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.680
 the requirement

00:11:51.680 --> 00:11:52.800
 to be included

00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:53.680
 in the family

00:11:53.680 --> 00:11:54.519
 of God

00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:56.399
 was to be born.

00:11:58.180 --> 00:11:58.639
 Nicodemus

00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:59.800
 met that requirement.

00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:00.180
 He,

00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.300
 he was born

00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:01.879
 physically

00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:02.940
 into a Jewish

00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:03.539
 community,

00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:04.360
 into a Jewish

00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:04.840
 family.

00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:05.980
 He was physically

00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:06.759
 a descendant

00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:07.440
 of Abraham.

00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:08.480
 he was physically

00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.520
 circumcised.

00:12:09.640 --> 00:12:10.460
 He had hope

00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:11.140
 of a physical

00:12:11.140 --> 00:12:12.100
 kingdom to be

00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:13.380
 restored to Israel

00:12:13.380 --> 00:12:14.100
 with a coming

00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:15.220
 physical king

00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:16.420
 to reign here

00:12:16.420 --> 00:12:17.240
 and now.

00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:18.560
 In his understanding,

00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.840
 his relationship

00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:20.600
 with God

00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.340
 was on the basis

00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:22.980
 of his physical

00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.780
 identity,

00:12:24.040 --> 00:12:25.400
 his physical being,

00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:26.820
 his physical doing,

00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:28.200
 his physical belonging.

00:12:28.900 --> 00:12:29.720
 Jesus says,

00:12:30.060 --> 00:12:31.280
 all of that's great.

00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:32.340
 None of that

00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:33.060
 is necessary

00:12:33.060 --> 00:12:34.480
 to enter my kingdom.

00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:36.820
 what is necessary

00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:37.700
 for you

00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:39.560
 is to be born

00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.700
 again.

00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.580
 Not of flesh,

00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:44.360
 not of blood,

00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:45.800
 not of the will

00:12:45.800 --> 00:12:46.399
 of man,

00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:48.680
 but of the spirit.

00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:49.940
 We often wonder,

00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:50.399
 don't we,

00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:53.159
 why the world

00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.840
 doesn't see

00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.500
 the worth

00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.279
 of Christ?

00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:58.139
 Why don't they,

00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:59.259
 why don't they get it?

00:12:59.300 --> 00:12:59.980
 Why doesn't the world

00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.320
 understand the depth

00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.080
 of their sin,

00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:02.860
 the consequence

00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:04.320
 of their beliefs,

00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:05.020
 the consequence

00:13:05.020 --> 00:13:06.200
 of their actions?

00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.639
 Why are they so

00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:08.639
 unaware?

00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:09.440
 Why can't they

00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:11.320
 just get the beauty

00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:12.000
 and the worth

00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:12.720
 of God?

00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:15.040
 It's because they can't.

00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:18.040
 They can't see it.

00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:21.000
 They can't perceive it.

00:13:21.060 --> 00:13:22.660
 They're blind to it.

00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:24.420
 Until they are born

00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:26.420
 again of the spirit,

00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.940
 all they know

00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:30.460
 is the flesh.

00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:32.500
 So they think

00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.900
 according to the flesh.

00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:35.280
 They reason

00:13:35.280 --> 00:13:36.480
 according to the flesh.

00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.200
 They act

00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.220
 according to the flesh.

00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:39.080
 They worship

00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:40.780
 according to the flesh.

00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:43.220
 And so did we.

00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:45.860
 Until the spirit

00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.960
 of God came

00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.820
 and caused you

00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:49.660
 to be born

00:13:49.660 --> 00:13:50.740
 again.

00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.460
 Gave you

00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:54.280
 a new identity

00:13:54.280 --> 00:13:56.379
 from the inside out.

00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.040
 This is our

00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:58.420
 second point

00:13:58.420 --> 00:13:59.080
 this morning.

00:13:59.080 --> 00:13:59.500
 Second,

00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.660
 spiritual rebirth

00:14:00.660 --> 00:14:01.740
 is a matter

00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:03.340
 of identity.

00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.420
 Spiritual rebirth

00:14:06.420 --> 00:14:08.220
 is a matter

00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:09.080
 of identity.

00:14:10.400 --> 00:14:10.639
 Look there

00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.379
 to verse 6.

00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.180
 Chapter 3.

00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:15.540
 Jesus tells us

00:14:15.540 --> 00:14:16.020
 that there is

00:14:16.020 --> 00:14:17.080
 a categorical

00:14:17.900 --> 00:14:18.080
 difference

00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.900
 between those

00:14:19.900 --> 00:14:20.480
 who are

00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.700
 physically born

00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:22.340
 only

00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:23.040
 and those

00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:23.680
 who are

00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.080
 spiritually

00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.080
 born.

00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:26.360
 What does he say

00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:27.120
 there in verse 6?

00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:27.519
 He says

00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.659
 that which is

00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.740
 born of the flesh

00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.740
 is flesh

00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:32.419
 and that which is

00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:33.919
 born of the spirit

00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:35.560
 is spirit.

00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.179
 According to the flesh

00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.360
 Nicodemus had

00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:40.460
 everything going for him.

00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.179
 He was religious.

00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:41.720
 He was

00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.340
 highly educated,

00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:44.320
 deeply devoted,

00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.419
 well respected,

00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.240
 successful,

00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:46.940
 Jewish.

00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.159
 Jesus says

00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:48.919
 none of that

00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.779
 really matters

00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:50.580
 at all.

00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.620
 You may believe

00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:54.399
 that for whatever

00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:54.820
 reason,

00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.519
 maybe because of

00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.179
 your religious

00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:57.019
 upbringing,

00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.179
 maybe your

00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.220
 family line,

00:14:59.340 --> 00:14:59.659
 maybe your

00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:00.700
 religious devotion,

00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:01.419
 maybe you have

00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:02.179
 just a lot of

00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:03.019
 knowledge about

00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.980
 Christ and about

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.500
 the Bible,

00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:05.460
 you may think

00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.419
 that because of

00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.360
 these things

00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:08.100
 that you are

00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:08.759
 in the kingdom

00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.360
 of God,

00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.299
 you would be

00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:11.039
 wrong.

00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:12.679
 Jesus says

00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.320
 that's not how

00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:14.659
 this works at all.

00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.919
 The very best,

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.720
 most religious,

00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.220
 kindest person

00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:19.919
 you know,

00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:20.979
 if they have

00:15:20.979 --> 00:15:21.719
 not been

00:15:21.719 --> 00:15:22.339
 transferred

00:15:22.339 --> 00:15:23.399
 from the flesh

00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.360
 to the spirit,

00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.539
 they're still

00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:25.979
 flesh.

00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.620
 They're still

00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.479
 sinful.

00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:29.120
 They're still

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:31.199
 hostile to God.

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.279
 Jesus says

00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.639
 the requirement

00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.360
 for you to

00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:35.159
 enter into

00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:35.879
 his kingdom

00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:36.679
 is that you

00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:37.360
 must have

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.279
 an identity

00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.339
 change from

00:15:39.339 --> 00:15:40.579
 flesh to

00:15:40.579 --> 00:15:41.379
 spirit.

00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:41.899
 You must

00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:42.839
 become something

00:15:42.839 --> 00:15:44.059
 entirely different

00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:45.139
 than what

00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.659
 you are.

00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.439
 How does

00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:48.919
 this happen?

00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.659
 not by our

00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:52.000
 doing.

00:15:54.339 --> 00:15:55.319
 There is

00:15:55.319 --> 00:15:57.379
 no amount

00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.139
 of effort

00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:00.339
 that you

00:16:00.339 --> 00:16:01.939
 or I

00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:03.319
 can put

00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:04.379
 into this

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.299
 fleshly

00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:06.000
 identity

00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.379
 to cause

00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.099
 it to be

00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:08.740
 spiritually

00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.379
 reborn.

00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.319
 You can

00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:11.759
 change a lot

00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.319
 of things

00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:13.159
 about who

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.579
 you are.

00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:13.860
 You can

00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.299
 change

00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:15.099
 behavior.

00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:15.639
 You can

00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:15.939
 change

00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.360
 attitude.

00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:16.819
 You can

00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.099
 change

00:16:17.099 --> 00:16:17.699
 actions.

00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:18.099
 You can

00:16:18.099 --> 00:16:18.360
 change

00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.919
 physical

00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.439
 appearance.

00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:19.840
 You can

00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.560
 change the

00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:20.860
 way you

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.240
 dress,

00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:21.540
 the way

00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:21.980
 you talk,

00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:22.260
 the way

00:16:22.260 --> 00:16:22.740
 you act,

00:16:22.800 --> 00:16:23.040
 what you

00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:23.400
 drive,

00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:23.700
 what you

00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:23.960
 do,

00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:24.280
 what you

00:16:24.280 --> 00:16:24.620
 eat.

00:16:25.160 --> 00:16:26.080
 None of

00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:27.200
 that determines

00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.100
 your identity

00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.840
 because you

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.940
 cannot change

00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:32.240
 who you

00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.200
 belong to.

00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.220
 I had a

00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:34.540
 seminary

00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.320
 professor who

00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:36.420
 used to say

00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:36.960
 all the time

00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.360
 the most

00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.980
 important thing

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.460
 about you

00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:38.860
 is not

00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.480
 who you

00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:39.800
 are,

00:16:39.900 --> 00:16:40.040
 it's

00:16:40.040 --> 00:16:40.620
 whose

00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.220
 you are.

00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:43.100
 Not who

00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.620
 you are.

00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:45.100
 To whom

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.540
 do you

00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:46.000
 belong?

00:16:46.140 --> 00:16:46.360
 If you

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.120
 belong to the

00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.440
 flesh,

00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:47.779
 you are

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.240
 flesh.

00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:48.519
 If you

00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.240
 belong to

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.919
 God,

00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:50.840
 you are

00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:52.179
 of the

00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:52.580
 spirit.

00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.060
 I drive

00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:55.000
 a Chevy

00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.720
 Equinox.

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.220
 It's fine.

00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.740
 It does

00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.220
 the job.

00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.600
 I'm not a

00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.799
 car guy

00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.480
 at all,

00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:03.919
 but I can

00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.380
 usually pick

00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.460
 out the

00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:05.940
 nice cars

00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.259
 when I

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:06.819
 see one.

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.099
 I tell

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:08.579
 y'all what,

00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.319
 I've never

00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.839
 seen as

00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.519
 many Teslas

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.480
 in my

00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.900
 life as I

00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.539
 see in

00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.079
 Mount Pleasant

00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.640
 when I drive

00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.099
 the boys to

00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:15.339
 school,

00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:15.779
 when I go

00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.220
 into town,

00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.700
 those things

00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:18.079
 are everywhere.

00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.539
 I saw one

00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.019
 this week

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.319
 that had

00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.039
 this nice

00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.859
 shiny white

00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.519
 paint job.

00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:22.839
 I could

00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:24.019
 tell just

00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.559
 by looking

00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:24.899
 at it,

00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.639
 that car

00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:26.180
 was an

00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:26.779
 entirely

00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.460
 different

00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.339
 thing than

00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.859
 my car.

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.619
 They were

00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.660
 entirely in

00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.200
 different

00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.240
 categories

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.720
 all together.

00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:35.539
 That Tesla,

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.859
 my Equinox,

00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.680
 not the

00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.200
 same thing.

00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.960
 Imagine

00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.379
 if I

00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.180
 went home

00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:44.580
 and took

00:17:44.580 --> 00:17:45.460
 a can

00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:45.960
 of white

00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.900
 spray paint,

00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:48.380
 took it

00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:49.220
 outside and

00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.279
 sprayed my

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.240
 car white,

00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.600
 went back

00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:53.259
 inside,

00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:53.880
 came back

00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.519
 out with a

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.000
 Sharpie,

00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:55.560
 wrote with

00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:56.000
 permanent

00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.680
 marker a

00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.519
 big Tesla

00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.279
 T right on

00:17:59.279 --> 00:17:59.880
 top of the

00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.600
 Chevy logo,

00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.460
 and then imagine

00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.140
 I drove that

00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:03.100
 car into town

00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:03.759
 and parked it

00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.259
 right there

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.779
 next to all

00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.340
 the Teslas.

00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.340
 What did

00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:07.820
 they say?

00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:10.460
 you're crazy.

00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.480
 A little

00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.740
 paint and

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.939
 a handmade

00:18:14.939 --> 00:18:15.819
 logo does

00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.439
 not make

00:18:16.439 --> 00:18:17.220
 a Chevy

00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.339
 a Tesla.

00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.240
 There is no

00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:19.980
 amount of

00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.480
 work that

00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.019
 you can put

00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.960
 in to

00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.819
 change that

00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:24.179
 car into

00:18:24.179 --> 00:18:25.059
 that.

00:18:25.179 --> 00:18:25.720
 It simply

00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.879
 cannot be

00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.419
 done.

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.919
 In a way,

00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.879
 this is what

00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:32.559
 Jesus is

00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.179
 saying to

00:18:33.179 --> 00:18:33.839
 Nicodemus.

00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:34.240
 He says,

00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.659
 you think

00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:35.399
 your worldly

00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:36.240
 accomplishments,

00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.720
 your worldly

00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.600
 belonging,

00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.539
 is of any

00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.000
 value.

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:40.779
 You are

00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.880
 just decorating

00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.660
 the flesh.

00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.380
 What you

00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.960
 need is to

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:47.440
 be born of

00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:48.120
 the Spirit.

00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.779
 You need

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.319
 something entirely

00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:52.380
 new in

00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:53.140
 your identity.

00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.740
 So how is

00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.900
 this done?

00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.240
 Look to

00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.779
 verse 5.

00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.940
 He says,

00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:00.440
 truly,

00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:00.920
 truly,

00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.559
 I say to

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:01.920
 you,

00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:03.299
 unless one

00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.539
 is born of

00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.920
 water and

00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.700
 the Spirit,

00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:08.120
 he cannot

00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:08.940
 enter the

00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:09.519
 kingdom of

00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:09.860
 God.

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.380
 That which

00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:10.840
 is flesh

00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.480
 is flesh.

00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.120
 That which

00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:13.220
 is born of

00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.860
 Spirit is

00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:15.299
 Spirit.

00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:15.779
 Many

00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.799
 suggestions,

00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.440
 as you can

00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:17.779
 imagine,

00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:18.140
 have been

00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:18.680
 made as

00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.120
 to what

00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.000
 exactly he's

00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.700
 talking about

00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:20.980
 here.

00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.880
 Water and the

00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:22.240
 Spirit.

00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.080
 Some see a

00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:23.559
 reference to

00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:23.980
 baptism.

00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.460
 Some see a

00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:25.940
 reference to

00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:27.539
 physical birth.

00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.519
 I'm convinced

00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.120
 this is a

00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:30.759
 reference to

00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.319
 the prophecy

00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:31.960
 that was read

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.559
 this morning

00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.919
 from Ezekiel

00:19:33.919 --> 00:19:35.259
 chapter 36,

00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.359
 a passage

00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.220
 that Nicodemus

00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.039
 as a Pharisee

00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.460
 should have

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.200
 been well

00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.339
 familiar and

00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:41.159
 acquainted with,

00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.339
 where the

00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:44.059
 Lord tells

00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.940
 the exiled

00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:46.299
 people of

00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:46.740
 Israel,

00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:48.319
 I will take

00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:48.779
 you from

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.480
 the nations

00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:51.039
 and gather

00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.859
 you from all

00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:52.500
 the countries

00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.720
 and bring you

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.599
 into your own

00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.039
 land.

00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:55.519
 Listen to

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:55.819
 this.

00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.079
 I will sprinkle

00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.079
 clean water

00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.879
 on you and

00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.419
 you shall be

00:19:59.419 --> 00:20:00.500
 clean from

00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.000
 all your

00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.859
 uncleanness.

00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.959
 and from

00:20:02.959 --> 00:20:03.479
 your idols

00:20:03.479 --> 00:20:04.079
 I will

00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.619
 cleanse you

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:04.959
 and I

00:20:04.959 --> 00:20:05.439
 will give

00:20:05.439 --> 00:20:06.119
 you a new

00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.799
 heart and

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.159
 a new

00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:08.819
 spirit I

00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.379
 will put

00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.079
 within you.

00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:11.119
 I will remove

00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:11.979
 the heart of

00:20:11.979 --> 00:20:12.699
 stone from

00:20:12.699 --> 00:20:13.479
 your flesh and

00:20:13.479 --> 00:20:14.099
 I will give

00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.899
 you a heart

00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.500
 of flesh.

00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:16.240
 I will put

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.939
 my spirit

00:20:16.939 --> 00:20:17.659
 within you

00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.279
 and cause

00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.279
 you to

00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.899
 walk in

00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.740
 my statutes

00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.079
 and be

00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:22.379
 careful to

00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.819
 obey my

00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.359
 rules.

00:20:24.479 --> 00:20:25.079
 How is this

00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.459
 done?

00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.339
 God does

00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.579
 it.

00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.599
 God does

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.599
 it in

00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:30.959
 you.

00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.459
 Does this

00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.039
 sound like

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.700
 anything we

00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.160
 can do

00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.440
 in the

00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:34.819
 flesh?

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.680
 This is a

00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:38.259
 work of

00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.059
 God in

00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.539
 you to

00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.039
 give you

00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.039
 a new

00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.980
 identity

00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:44.200
 by purifying

00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.039
 you as

00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:46.039
 with water

00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.220
 and by

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.200
 recreating

00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.880
 you with

00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.259
 a new

00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.100
 heart by

00:20:50.100 --> 00:20:50.860
 putting his

00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.819
 own spirit

00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:53.100
 in you.

00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:54.180
 This is a

00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.539
 miracle.

00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.460
 We can

00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.319
 describe it.

00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:58.640
 We can

00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.480
 see it

00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.400
 clearly here

00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.640
 in the

00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.160
 pages of

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:01.600
 scripture.

00:21:01.840 --> 00:21:02.040
 We've

00:21:02.040 --> 00:21:03.000
 experienced

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.700
 this.

00:21:03.780 --> 00:21:04.080
 If we're

00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:04.759
 in Christ

00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.100
 we have

00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:06.020
 experienced

00:21:06.020 --> 00:21:06.580
 this

00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:07.040
 firsthand

00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:07.400
 but I

00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:07.740
 have to

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.140
 be honest

00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.020
 we cannot

00:21:09.020 --> 00:21:09.960
 fully

00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.080
 understand

00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:11.640
 this.

00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.800
 We can't

00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:15.960
 fully grasp

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.220
 the depth

00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.020
 of what God

00:21:18.020 --> 00:21:18.759
 is doing

00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.360
 here and

00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:20.040
 giving us

00:21:20.040 --> 00:21:20.660
 his own

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.900
 spirit and

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.220
 recreating

00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:24.360
 our

00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:24.980
 identity.

00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:25.600
 It's a

00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.600
 wonderful

00:21:26.600 --> 00:21:28.039
 beautiful

00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.339
 spiritual

00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.640
 mystery

00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:32.200
 which is

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.759
 our third

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.799
 point this

00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.180
 morning.

00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.039
 Spiritual

00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.700
 rebirth

00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:37.140
 is a

00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.440
 matter of

00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.380
 mystery.

00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.579
 It's a

00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.180
 matter of

00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.100
 mystery.

00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:43.720
 It certainly

00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.200
 was to

00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.819
 Nicodemus.

00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.259
 We don't

00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.019
 see his

00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.640
 response

00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.539
 recorded here.

00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:49.880
 I'm just

00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.620
 speculating but

00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:50.920
 I'm just

00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.160
 going to

00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:51.819
 assume that

00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.380
 his jaw

00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:52.920
 had dropped

00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.440
 all the

00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:54.160
 way down

00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:54.580
 to the

00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:54.880
 floor.

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.000
 Jesus says

00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.400
 in verse

00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.600
 7 do

00:21:58.600 --> 00:21:59.340
 not marvel

00:21:59.340 --> 00:22:01.279
 that I

00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.700
 said to

00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.120
 you you

00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:02.700
 must be

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.440
 born again

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.000
 and he

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.620
 gives this

00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:06.860
 wonderful

00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.779
 illustration

00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.580
 the wind

00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:09.539
 blows where

00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.100
 it wishes

00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:11.039
 and you

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.519
 hear it

00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.120
 sound but

00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:12.680
 you do

00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.259
 not know

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.660
 where it

00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.340
 comes from

00:22:14.340 --> 00:22:14.840
 or where

00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:16.200
 it goes.

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.180
 So it

00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:17.800
 is with

00:22:17.800 --> 00:22:18.440
 everyone

00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.759
 who is

00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:21.360
 born of

00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:22.000
 the spirit.

00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.380
 What's he

00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:22.800
 saying?

00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.640
 What's he

00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.019
 saying?

00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:26.759
 Well for

00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.320
 one he's

00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:27.840
 making a

00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.640
 play on

00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.360
 words here.

00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:29.800
 The same

00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:30.220
 word in

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.580
 the Greek

00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.340
 for spirit

00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:32.140
 is the

00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:32.680
 exact same

00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.080
 word that

00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:33.560
 they translate

00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:34.680
 wind and

00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.019
 so he's

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.460
 making a

00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:35.980
 connection,

00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:36.779
 a comparison

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.160
 here,

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:37.660
 a play on

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.220
 words between

00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.259
 spirit and

00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.160
 wind.

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:40.759
 He's comparing

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.519
 the movement

00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.480
 of the wind

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:42.920
 with the

00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.779
 movement of

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.360
 the spirit.

00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:44.920
 Here's the

00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.360
 point I think

00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:45.880
 he's making

00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.720
 is the

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.300
 movement of

00:22:47.300 --> 00:22:47.700
 the spirit

00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:47.980
 is a

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.380
 mystery.

00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:50.840
 who can

00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:51.560
 predict

00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:53.720
 with 100%

00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.960
 certainty,

00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.720
 accuracy,

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.940
 when someone

00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.640
 is going to

00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:58.380
 come to

00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:58.920
 faith in

00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.340
 Christ?

00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.480
 Who could

00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.060
 have foreseen

00:23:02.060 --> 00:23:03.040
 it in your

00:23:03.040 --> 00:23:03.820
 own life?

00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.020
 What would

00:23:05.020 --> 00:23:05.760
 happen to you

00:23:05.760 --> 00:23:06.360
 when the spirit

00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.600
 gave you life

00:23:07.600 --> 00:23:08.680
 and caused

00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.120
 you to be

00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:09.880
 born again?

00:23:10.020 --> 00:23:10.740
 Weathermen only

00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.380
 get their job

00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:11.880
 right maybe

00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.620
 half the time,

00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:13.460
 right?

00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:13.980
 Maybe,

00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:14.660
 if that,

00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:15.819
 predicting the

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.180
 wind,

00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.140
 and we're

00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:17.680
 maybe,

00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.579
 maybe that

00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.380
 accurate in

00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.039
 understanding

00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.160
 the spirit.

00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.000
 In some cases

00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.799
 it seems like

00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.640
 someone should

00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.120
 come to

00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:24.420
 faith,

00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.100
 everything that

00:23:25.100 --> 00:23:25.420
 you can

00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:25.799
 perceive,

00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.500
 it seems like

00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:26.900
 they're a

00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:28.059
 great candidate

00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.519
 God.

00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.500
 What's going

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:29.920
 on?

00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.460
 They're kind,

00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.180
 they're generous,

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:32.940
 they seem

00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:34.000
 interested,

00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.980
 why won't

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.779
 they believe?

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.240
 And they

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.720
 never do.

00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.380
 In another

00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:38.900
 case,

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.819
 someone else

00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:41.039
 seems so far

00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.519
 from the

00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:41.880
 kingdom,

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.660
 so hostile

00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.380
 to God,

00:23:43.380 --> 00:23:44.000
 so turned

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.600
 off to the

00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:45.120
 things of

00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.600
 the Lord,

00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:45.980
 and yet

00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.620
 it's like

00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:47.100
 the wind

00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:47.700
 blows and

00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.040
 everything

00:23:48.040 --> 00:23:48.800
 changes.

00:23:50.020 --> 00:23:50.820
 All of a

00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:51.040
 sudden,

00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.060
 they're willing

00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:52.940
 to sell

00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.380
 everything

00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:55.060
 and go

00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:55.640
 and make

00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:56.340
 Christ

00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:57.240
 known.

00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.260
 How do

00:23:58.260 --> 00:23:59.180
 we explain

00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.860
 this movement

00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.500
 of the spirit?

00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.560
 We can't.

00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.040
 It's a

00:24:02.040 --> 00:24:03.160
 mystery.

00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:04.840
 But another

00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:05.540
 point I think

00:24:05.540 --> 00:24:06.100
 that he's making

00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.860
 here is that

00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:08.020
 the spirit,

00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.560
 like wind,

00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.520
 cannot be

00:24:11.520 --> 00:24:12.800
 controlled by

00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.539
 the flesh,

00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.819
 cannot be

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:17.680
 controlled by

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.279
 the flesh.

00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.139
 How do you

00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:19.779
 get born

00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.159
 again?

00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:20.819
 What must

00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.019
 I do to

00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.460
 be born

00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:22.839
 again?

00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.779
 You can't

00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.379
 do it.

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.980
 You can't

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.639
 control it.

00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.019
 You can't

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.279
 manufacture it.

00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.000
 You can't

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.899
 manipulate it.

00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.359
 You might as

00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.220
 well reenter

00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.899
 your mother's

00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.200
 womb.

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.460
 It's an

00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.779
 impossibility

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.879
 for the

00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.319
 flesh.

00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:36.740
 It's like

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.240
 wind.

00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.480
 Where does

00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:38.740
 the wind

00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.460
 come from?

00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.799
 How do we

00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.460
 know where it

00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.160
 will go next?

00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.880
 You can

00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.579
 observe it.

00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.140
 At times,

00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.980
 you can feel

00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.140
 it.

00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:45.400
 You can

00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.340
 respond to

00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:46.600
 it.

00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.680
 You cannot

00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.539
 control it.

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.700
 My boys

00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.200
 this week

00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.519
 have been

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.019
 playing with

00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.400
 kites.

00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.840
 Out in the

00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:56.200
 yard,

00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:56.799
 they got some

00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.100
 kites.

00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.380
 They've been

00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:57.980
 running around

00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.500
 playing with

00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:58.860
 kites.

00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.579
 When the

00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:00.279
 wind blows,

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:00.860
 the kite

00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:01.980
 lifts off.

00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.460
 It takes

00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.500
 off.

00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:03.960
 It has

00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.519
 life.

00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.779
 It flies.

00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.480
 When the

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.079
 wind doesn't

00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.380
 blow,

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:07.960
 guess what?

00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:09.559
 It lies

00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:09.860
 dead.

00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:11.819
 boys had

00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.099
 a great

00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.539
 time when

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:12.779
 the wind

00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.259
 was blowing.

00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:14.819
 When the

00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.500
 wind stops,

00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:15.919
 they look

00:25:15.919 --> 00:25:16.399
 at me.

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:17.939
 They,

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.399
 Dad,

00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.059
 make my

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.799
 kite fly.

00:25:20.699 --> 00:25:21.179
 I have to

00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:21.379
 say,

00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:21.619
 son,

00:25:21.699 --> 00:25:22.339
 I cannot

00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.179
 control the

00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:23.500
 wind.

00:25:25.699 --> 00:25:26.139
 Neither

00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:26.759
 can we

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:28.599
 control the

00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.000
 spirit.

00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.219
 Nothing

00:25:31.219 --> 00:25:31.740
 that we

00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.279
 have done

00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.579
 in the

00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.099
 flesh

00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:35.279
 causes our

00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:35.819
 spiritual

00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.199
 rebirth.

00:25:37.479 --> 00:25:38.119
 We need

00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:38.559
 to understand

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:38.959
 this.

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.900
 nothing that

00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.340
 we can

00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:40.940
 do in

00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.480
 the flesh

00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:43.140
 causes our

00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.920
 spiritual

00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.880
 rebirth.

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.680
 Walking an

00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.120
 aisle,

00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.660
 saying a

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.200
 prayer.

00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.240
 Faith and

00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.240
 repentance are

00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.559
 the results

00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.440
 of rebirth,

00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.480
 not the

00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.759
 cause of

00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.100
 rebirth.

00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.539
 I'll say

00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.000
 that again.

00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.920
 Faith and

00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.900
 repentance are

00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:01.259
 the results

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.460
 of spiritual

00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.140
 rebirth,

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.799
 not the

00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:06.400
 cause of

00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:06.819
 rebirth.

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:06.899
 earth.

00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.379
 The kite

00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:08.319
 can't fly

00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.960
 unless the

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.559
 wind blows

00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.220
 and gives

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.879
 it flight.

00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.779
 Dead men

00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.659
 cannot have

00:26:12.659 --> 00:26:13.179
 faith.

00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.740
 Dead men

00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:15.099
 cannot repent

00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.899
 unless they're

00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:16.579
 brought to

00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.000
 life,

00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.740
 born again

00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.220
 by the

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.539
 spirit.

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.519
 Baby

00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.059
 Christians

00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.799
 can't take

00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.539
 a single

00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.480
 step of

00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.359
 faith until

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.879
 they are

00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.619
 first born

00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:25.740
 again of

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.359
 the spirit.

00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.399
 Blind men

00:26:27.399 --> 00:26:28.839
 cannot perceive,

00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.919
 cannot see,

00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.579
 unless they're

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.759
 first given

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.759
 spiritual sight.

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.200
 Think of

00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.539
 your own

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.119
 story.

00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.559
 Christian,

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:37.920
 you were

00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.420
 going about

00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.140
 your life

00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:39.960
 far from

00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.440
 the Lord.

00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:40.740
 Someone

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.420
 comes along,

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.039
 invites you

00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.519
 to church,

00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.200
 shares the

00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:44.000
 gospel with

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.319
 you.

00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.379
 Maybe you

00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:46.079
 grew up in

00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.599
 church all

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.059
 your life.

00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:47.279
 You were

00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.180
 like Nicodemus,

00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.099
 familiar with

00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.519
 the Lord,

00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.119
 but did not

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:51.099
 yet truly

00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.879
 understand,

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.859
 truly trust,

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.440
 truly have

00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.420
 faith in

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:54.799
 Christ.

00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:55.400
 But then now

00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.019
 all of a

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.299
 sudden,

00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.460
 something happens.

00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.180
 All of a

00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.599
 sudden, you

00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.759
 feel this new

00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.960
 desire for the

00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.680
 Lord, this new

00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:04.240
 love for God.

00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.320
 Something awakens

00:27:05.320 --> 00:27:05.940
 in you.

00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.660
 You're aware

00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.660
 of the depth

00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.420
 of your sin.

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.000
 You begin to

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.920
 hate sin and

00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.539
 love God.

00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.039
 Where did that

00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.600
 come from?

00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.000
 You didn't

00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:15.240
 manufacture that

00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.360
 in yourself.

00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.779
 What did he

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.980
 promise in

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.539
 Ezekiel?

00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.080
 Again, I'll

00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:22.700
 read it again.

00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:25.420
 I will remove

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:25.980
 the heart of

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.580
 stone from

00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.200
 your flesh,

00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:29.080
 and I will

00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:29.900
 give you a

00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.259
 heart of

00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.360
 flesh, and I

00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.500
 will put my

00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.299
 spirit within

00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.579
 you.

00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.599
 I will cause

00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.819
 you to walk

00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.180
 in my

00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.740
 statutes.

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.759
 I will cause

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.819
 you to be

00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.519
 careful to

00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.839
 obey my

00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.539
 rules.

00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.660
 This new

00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:45.359
 birth is

00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:46.299
 God's work.

00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:49.099
 To us, it's

00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.640
 a mystery.

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.119
 But here's

00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.640
 what we do

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:52.880
 know.

00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.440
 We know

00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.279
 the means

00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.960
 that God

00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:58.480
 uses to

00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:58.980
 do it.

00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.000
 It's the

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.460
 authoritative

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:04.519
 message of

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.079
 the gospel.

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:06.740
 The

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.660
 authoritative

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:09.700
 message of

00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.380
 the gospel.

00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.259
 For everyone

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.500
 who calls upon

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.279
 the name of

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.059
 the Lord will

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.920
 be saved.

00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.619
 How then

00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.619
 will they call

00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:17.259
 on him in

00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:17.759
 whom they've

00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.660
 not believed?

00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:19.920
 How are they

00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.579
 to believe in

00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.400
 him of whom

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:21.900
 they have never

00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:22.299
 heard?

00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:22.819
 How are they

00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.579
 to hear without

00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:24.539
 someone preaching?

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.240
 How are they to

00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.859
 preach unless

00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.740
 they are sent?

00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:28.079
 as it is

00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.339
 written.

00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.120
 How beautiful

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.160
 are the feet

00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.180
 of those who

00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.759
 preach the

00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.319
 good news.

00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.640
 But they've

00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.539
 not all obeyed

00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.120
 the gospel.

00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:34.799
 For Isaiah

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.460
 says, Lord,

00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:35.980
 who has

00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.579
 believed what

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.019
 he has heard

00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.559
 from us?

00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:38.759
 So faith

00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.779
 comes through

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.240
 what?

00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.099
 Through hearing

00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:43.700
 and hearing

00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:44.440
 through the

00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:46.039
 word of

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.660
 Christ.

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.660
 Being born

00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:49.259
 again is a

00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:50.579
 work of God

00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:52.660
 in you that

00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.420
 he brings

00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.779
 about through

00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:56.099
 the proclamation

00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.660
 of the gospel

00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:59.519
 as you listen

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.700
 to the word

00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.379
 of Christ

00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.539
 and believe.

00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.420
 Which means

00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:04.980
 fourth.

00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:06.799
 And finally,

00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.839
 spiritual

00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.180
 rebirth is

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.639
 a matter

00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:12.339
 of authority.

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.339
 Spiritual

00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.720
 rebirth is

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.200
 a matter

00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:18.119
 of authority.

00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.980
 If you

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.200
 want to

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.779
 learn about

00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.720
 engineering,

00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.399
 ask an

00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:22.859
 engineer.

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.440
 If you

00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:24.599
 want to

00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:24.899
 learn about

00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.299
 gardening,

00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:25.980
 ask a

00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.519
 gardener.

00:29:26.659 --> 00:29:26.799
 If you

00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:26.959
 want to

00:29:26.959 --> 00:29:27.399
 learn about

00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:28.480
 mathematics,

00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.319
 go ask a

00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.879
 mathematician.

00:29:30.199 --> 00:29:30.500
 And if you

00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:30.719
 want to

00:29:30.719 --> 00:29:31.219
 know about

00:29:31.219 --> 00:29:31.759
 being born

00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.399
 again as

00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:32.959
 a child

00:29:32.959 --> 00:29:33.500
 of God,

00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.199
 ask the

00:29:35.199 --> 00:29:35.500
 Son of

00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.859
 God.

00:29:37.219 --> 00:29:37.799
 If you

00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.019
 want to

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.779
 know about

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.519
 eternal

00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.079
 life,

00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:40.679
 life from

00:29:40.679 --> 00:29:41.199
 the dead,

00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.699
 ask the

00:29:41.699 --> 00:29:42.159
 one who

00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:43.079
 rose up

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.740
 from the

00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.079
 grave.

00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.399
 If you

00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:44.619
 want to

00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.099
 know about

00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:45.759
 things of

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.459
 the Spirit,

00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.259
 ask the

00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.659
 one who

00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.419
 sins the

00:29:48.419 --> 00:29:48.799
 Spirit.

00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.240
 Nicodemus

00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:52.699
 says to

00:29:52.699 --> 00:29:53.039
 him in

00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.559
 verse 9,

00:29:53.679 --> 00:29:54.019
 how can

00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.500
 these things

00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:54.880
 be?

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.160
 Nicodemus

00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.039
 was a

00:29:58.039 --> 00:29:58.599
 man again

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.500
 of great

00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.059
 authority.

00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.640
 His peers

00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.079
 had great

00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.799
 authority from

00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.759
 a human

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.599
 perspective.

00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.099
 He was

00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:05.440
 the authority

00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:05.900
 on the

00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.339
 law,

00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:07.759
 on righteousness,

00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:09.279
 on God.

00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.119
 But Jesus

00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:11.859
 says,

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.480
 are you a

00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.079
 teacher of

00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:13.440
 Israel?

00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:14.720
 And yet you

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.279
 don't even

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.539
 understand these

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.220
 things?

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:18.799
 Truly,

00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:19.440
 truly,

00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.180
 I say to

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.380
 you,

00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.220
 we speak

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.839
 of what we

00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.119
 know.

00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:23.539
 we bear

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.619
 witness to

00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.059
 what we

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:26.059
 have seen,

00:30:26.159 --> 00:30:26.619
 but you

00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.059
 do not

00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:28.599
 receive our

00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.159
 testimony.

00:30:29.419 --> 00:30:29.759
 If I've

00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.199
 told you

00:30:30.199 --> 00:30:30.699
 earthly

00:30:30.699 --> 00:30:31.839
 things and

00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.139
 you don't

00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.619
 believe,

00:30:32.739 --> 00:30:33.279
 how can

00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:33.859
 you believe

00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:35.459
 if I tell

00:30:35.459 --> 00:30:36.879
 you heavenly

00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:37.639
 things?

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.839
 Jesus is

00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.379
 asserting

00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:42.659
 himself here

00:30:42.659 --> 00:30:43.819
 as an

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:46.019
 authority of

00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.759
 all things

00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.419
 spiritual,

00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:49.339
 of all things

00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:49.740
 that we

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.179
 need to

00:30:50.179 --> 00:30:50.699
 know and

00:30:50.699 --> 00:30:51.199
 understand

00:30:51.199 --> 00:30:52.099
 to enter

00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:52.779
 into the

00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:53.379
 kingdom of

00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:53.720
 God.

00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.539
 Jesus says,

00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.539
 I am the

00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.119
 one that

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:56.819
 needs to

00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:58.139
 be listened

00:30:58.139 --> 00:30:58.799
 to.

00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.379
 And then to

00:30:59.379 --> 00:31:00.399
 add to his

00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:01.279
 resume here in

00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.939
 verse 13,

00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.419
 he says,

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.959
 hey, you

00:31:02.959 --> 00:31:03.099
 know,

00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.859
 no one has

00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.539
 ascended into

00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.099
 heaven except

00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.679
 he who has

00:31:06.679 --> 00:31:07.679
 descended from

00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:08.079
 heaven,

00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.339
 the son of

00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:09.679
 man.

00:31:09.899 --> 00:31:10.259
 In other

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.659
 words,

00:31:11.699 --> 00:31:12.339
 Nicodemus,

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.459
 forget everything

00:31:14.459 --> 00:31:15.339
 you thought

00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:15.959
 you knew

00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:17.740
 and listen

00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.620
 to me.

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.299
 We speak

00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.279
 of what we

00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:20.799
 know and

00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.340
 bear witness

00:31:21.340 --> 00:31:21.980
 to what we've

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.319
 seen.

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:22.759
 You still

00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.279
 don't receive

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.980
 our testimony.

00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:24.700
 Why?

00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.960
 Because you

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:27.299
 have not yet

00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.200
 been born

00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.019
 again.

00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:29.740
 You are

00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.380
 still of

00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.140
 the flesh.

00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.220
 To be

00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.960
 born again,

00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.400
 you must

00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:39.059
 set aside

00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:41.620
 all self-trust,

00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:44.319
 self-reliance,

00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:46.419
 self-righteousness

00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:46.980
 and believe

00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.480
 in your

00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.599
 heart and

00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:49.599
 confess with

00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.159
 your mouth

00:31:50.159 --> 00:31:51.079
 that Jesus

00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:52.779
 Christ is

00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.279
 Lord.

00:31:54.419 --> 00:31:55.359
 That he

00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:56.159
 alone is

00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:57.119
 the supreme

00:31:57.119 --> 00:31:57.980
 authority,

00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:59.059
 that he has

00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.619
 the authority

00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:00.500
 to lay down

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.439
 his life and

00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:02.240
 take it up

00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.700
 again,

00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:04.019
 that by his

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.460
 authority,

00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.319
 by his word

00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:05.720
 alone,

00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.519
 can anyone

00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.240
 enter into

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.659
 the kingdom

00:32:07.659 --> 00:32:08.259
 of God.

00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.079
 And if the

00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:09.779
 Lord says

00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.419
 that the way

00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:10.859
 into the

00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:11.379
 kingdom is

00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.079
 you must be

00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:12.839
 born again,

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.700
 the debate

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.220
 is settled.

00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:16.480
 You must be

00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.200
 born again

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.980
 to enter

00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.980
 in to

00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.480
 the kingdom

00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.059
 of God.

00:32:20.139 --> 00:32:20.859
 It is

00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.939
 amazing to

00:32:21.939 --> 00:32:24.220
 me how

00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.200
 anyone can

00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.419
 just assume

00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:28.059
 that if

00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.119
 they're good

00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:29.579
 enough,

00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.819
 they will

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.240
 enter the

00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.519
 kingdom.

00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:33.179
 On whose

00:32:33.179 --> 00:32:34.579
 authority do

00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:34.919
 you base

00:32:34.919 --> 00:32:35.460
 that on?

00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:36.980
 Yours?

00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:38.779
 Somebody

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.839
 else tell

00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.359
 you that?

00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:41.779
 It's just

00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.119
 what you

00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:43.299
 assume to

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:43.819
 be true?

00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.859
 Any

00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:47.240
 other path,

00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:47.779
 any other

00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.619
 suggested

00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:49.599
 way to

00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.159
 be right

00:32:50.159 --> 00:32:50.779
 with God,

00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:51.200
 all the

00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:51.779
 many different

00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.579
 world religions

00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.279
 that claim

00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.299
 a path to

00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:54.659
 God,

00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.480
 it all comes

00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:55.980
 down at the

00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.279
 end of the

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.720
 day to

00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.700
 a question

00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:59.119
 of authority.

00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:00.659
 Whose word

00:33:00.659 --> 00:33:01.000
 are you

00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.939
 trusting to

00:33:01.939 --> 00:33:02.700
 be true?

00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.879
 I'll speak

00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:04.599
 for myself.

00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.599
 If we're

00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.220
 talking about

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.679
 eternity,

00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:07.119
 I'm going

00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:07.659
 to put my

00:33:07.659 --> 00:33:08.339
 trust in

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:08.659
 the one

00:33:08.659 --> 00:33:09.259
 who rose

00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:09.679
 from the

00:33:09.679 --> 00:33:09.939
 dead.

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:12.440
 only one,

00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:14.660
 only Jesus

00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:16.120
 has conquered

00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:16.740
 the grave.

00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.680
 Only Jesus

00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.320
 has died

00:33:18.320 --> 00:33:18.680
 for your

00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:18.980
 sin.

00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.340
 Only

00:33:20.340 --> 00:33:20.820
 Jesus.

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.259
 He says,

00:33:21.340 --> 00:33:21.820
 I am the

00:33:21.820 --> 00:33:22.200
 way,

00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.180
 the truth,

00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:23.940
 the life.

00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:24.539
 No one

00:33:24.539 --> 00:33:24.980
 comes to

00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.440
 the Father

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.059
 but by

00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.440
 me.

00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:27.320
 This

00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:27.860
 gospel

00:33:27.860 --> 00:33:29.019
 call is

00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.580
 for all

00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:29.960
 of us

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.440
 here this

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.740
 morning.

00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.259
 If you

00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.940
 would repent

00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:32.660
 and believe

00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:32.960
 in the

00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.360
 name of

00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:33.759
 Christ,

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.840
 you will

00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:35.799
 be born

00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:37.039
 again.

00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:40.639
 This is

00:33:40.639 --> 00:33:41.279
 Lord willing

00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:43.099
 what we'll

00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:43.579
 see next

00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:43.960
 week.

00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.339
 An

00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:47.879
 incredible

00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:49.599
 detail as

00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.980
 we see

00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.839
 from John

00:33:51.839 --> 00:33:52.639
 3.16

00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:54.079
 this great

00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:55.200
 need of

00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:55.759
 ours.

00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:56.480
 How can

00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.119
 one be

00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.960
 born again?

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.700
 How can

00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.200
 one be

00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:00.099
 given a

00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:00.779
 new heart?

00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.559
 It's not

00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.359
 by doing.

00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.500
 It's not

00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.180
 by earning.

00:34:04.419 --> 00:34:04.680
 It's not

00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.519
 by being.

00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:07.059
 But by

00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:07.559
 believing.

00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.699
 God so

00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.179
 loved the

00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:10.739
 world that

00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:11.199
 he gave

00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:11.639
 his only

00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:12.079
 son.

00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.400
 Whoever

00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:14.199
 believes

00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:14.800
 should not

00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:16.340
 perish but

00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:17.340
 have eternal

00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:18.599
 life.

00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:20.619
 But here

00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.079
 today,

00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:22.380
 church,

00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:22.820
 we need to

00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:23.179
 see that

00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:23.779
 this call

00:34:23.779 --> 00:34:24.239
 that Jesus

00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:24.800
 makes to

00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.500
 Nicodemus,

00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.820
 to the

00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.400
 Pharisees,

00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:27.820
 is not

00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.719
 just for

00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:29.019
 them,

00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:29.340
 it's for

00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:29.739
 us.

00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.719
 If you

00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.239
 would enter

00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:32.900
 into the

00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:33.420
 kingdom of

00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:33.840
 God,

00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.360
 there is

00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:35.239
 one requirement.

00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.940
 you must

00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.420
 be born

00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:37.760
 again.

00:34:41.200 --> 00:34:41.920
 We don't

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.380
 know what

00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:44.240
 happened to

00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:44.840
 Nicodemus

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.720
 immediately after

00:34:45.720 --> 00:34:46.400
 this encounter,

00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:47.580
 but I guarantee

00:34:47.580 --> 00:34:48.460
 you his head

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.180
 was spinning.

00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:50.840
 I'm sure he

00:34:50.840 --> 00:34:51.260
 probably didn't

00:34:51.260 --> 00:34:51.960
 get any sleep

00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.519
 that night.

00:34:52.620 --> 00:34:52.680
 He was

00:34:52.680 --> 00:34:53.640
 probably tossing

00:34:53.640 --> 00:34:54.140
 and turning,

00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.620
 thinking,

00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:55.320
 reflecting,

00:34:55.600 --> 00:34:56.140
 reading on

00:34:56.140 --> 00:34:56.680
 the passages

00:34:56.680 --> 00:34:57.400
 Jesus was

00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:58.220
 referencing,

00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.160
 thinking back

00:34:59.160 --> 00:34:59.940
 to the words

00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:01.180
 of Christ,

00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.100
 probably went

00:35:02.100 --> 00:35:02.780
 home questioning

00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:03.640
 everything he

00:35:03.640 --> 00:35:04.320
 thought that he

00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.559
 ever knew.

00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.620
 Maybe when we

00:35:06.620 --> 00:35:07.220
 get to heaven,

00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:07.820
 we can ask

00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:08.019
 him.

00:35:10.580 --> 00:35:11.220
 Because I

00:35:11.220 --> 00:35:11.920
 believe that

00:35:11.920 --> 00:35:13.080
 this encounter

00:35:13.080 --> 00:35:15.080
 changed Nicodemus'

00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:16.559
 view on

00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:16.980
 Jesus.

00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.640
 And that he,

00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.340
 by the grace

00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:20.960
 of God,

00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:22.559
 was eventually

00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:24.580
 born again.

00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.100
 Why do I

00:35:25.100 --> 00:35:25.580
 say that?

00:35:25.640 --> 00:35:25.780
 Well,

00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.160
 we see

00:35:26.160 --> 00:35:26.980
 Nicodemus two

00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.580
 more times

00:35:27.580 --> 00:35:28.340
 here in the

00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:28.820
 Gospel of

00:35:28.820 --> 00:35:29.080
 John.

00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:31.019
 chapter 7.

00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.019
 The people

00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:34.819
 are disputing

00:35:34.819 --> 00:35:35.739
 and arguing

00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:36.319
 over who

00:35:36.319 --> 00:35:37.059
 Jesus is.

00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:37.719
 The Pharisees

00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:38.679
 wanted Jesus

00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:39.380
 arrested,

00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:41.239
 but Nicodemus,

00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:43.139
 who previously

00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:44.019
 had come by

00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:44.679
 the cover of

00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:45.380
 night to

00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:45.960
 avoid any

00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:46.980
 association with

00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.440
 this man,

00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.799
 he spoke up,

00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:50.699
 came to his

00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:51.239
 defense,

00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.259
 he faced the

00:35:52.259 --> 00:35:53.099
 social criticism

00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:53.960
 that he once

00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:55.119
 avoided.

00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:55.900
 The second

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.619
 time,

00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.839
 we see

00:35:57.839 --> 00:35:58.539
 Nicodemus

00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.219
 again in

00:35:59.219 --> 00:36:00.480
 chapter 19.

00:36:01.759 --> 00:36:02.719
 After Jesus

00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:03.799
 was crucified,

00:36:04.339 --> 00:36:04.739
 a man

00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:06.339
 named Joseph

00:36:06.339 --> 00:36:07.599
 of Arimathea

00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.679
 asked Pilate

00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:09.359
 for the body

00:36:09.359 --> 00:36:10.500
 of Jesus,

00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:11.259
 and it says,

00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:12.460
 Nicodemus also,

00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:14.039
 who earlier

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.679
 had come to

00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:15.659
 Jesus by night,

00:36:15.759 --> 00:36:16.900
 now came

00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:17.579
 publicly,

00:36:17.739 --> 00:36:18.139
 bringing a

00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.659
 mixture of

00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.199
 myrrh and

00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:19.759
 aloes,

00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:21.059
 about 75

00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:22.319
 pounds in

00:36:22.319 --> 00:36:22.699
 weight.

00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.460
 The average

00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:27.420
 Jewish burial

00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:29.059
 required five

00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:30.480
 pounds of

00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:32.019
 spices to

00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:32.880
 prepare someone

00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:34.320
 for burial.

00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:34.920
 Nicodemus

00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:36.019
 brought 15

00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:37.320
 times that

00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:37.840
 much.

00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.579
 So together,

00:36:39.780 --> 00:36:40.820
 Joseph and

00:36:40.820 --> 00:36:41.740
 Nicodemus,

00:36:41.760 --> 00:36:42.460
 they took the

00:36:42.460 --> 00:36:43.320
 body of Jesus,

00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.240
 they bound it

00:36:44.240 --> 00:36:44.720
 in linen

00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:45.599
 cloths with

00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.420
 the spices,

00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:47.179
 an abundance

00:36:47.179 --> 00:36:48.440
 of spices,

00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:49.740
 to honor the

00:36:49.740 --> 00:36:50.800
 Lord who

00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:51.679
 had changed

00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:53.079
 their lives.

00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:55.320
 Has he changed

00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:55.740
 yours?

00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:59.039
 let's pray.

00:37:02.279 --> 00:37:03.019
 Lord, we

00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:03.879
 thank you for

00:37:03.879 --> 00:37:05.939
 the mystery

00:37:05.939 --> 00:37:06.939
 of the new

00:37:06.939 --> 00:37:07.439
 birth.

00:37:09.179 --> 00:37:10.059
 This is not

00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:10.879
 something that

00:37:10.879 --> 00:37:12.759
 we can do

00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:13.359
 ourselves,

00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:14.019
 it's only by

00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.579
 the power of

00:37:14.579 --> 00:37:15.359
 your spirit

00:37:15.359 --> 00:37:16.979
 that comes as

00:37:16.979 --> 00:37:17.799
 you send it,

00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:18.179
 Lord,

00:37:18.279 --> 00:37:19.379
 that blows as

00:37:19.379 --> 00:37:19.899
 the wind.

00:37:19.979 --> 00:37:20.339
 We can't

00:37:20.339 --> 00:37:21.179
 understand it,

00:37:21.739 --> 00:37:22.299
 but Father,

00:37:22.419 --> 00:37:23.359
 we praise you

00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:23.800
 for it.

00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:24.380
 We praise you

00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:25.320
 for the new

00:37:25.320 --> 00:37:25.900
 life that you've

00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:26.579
 given us who

00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:27.260
 are in Christ,

00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:27.720
 and if there

00:37:27.720 --> 00:37:28.519
 are any here

00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:29.480
 who don't know

00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.079
 you, Lord,

00:37:30.140 --> 00:37:30.720
 we pray,

00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:31.880
 Father,

00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.579
 that that same

00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:33.280
 spirit would

00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:34.460
 blow and move

00:37:34.460 --> 00:37:35.140
 in their hearts

00:37:35.140 --> 00:37:35.700
 even now,

00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:36.320
 we ask in

00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:36.900
 Christ's name.

00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:38.340
 Amen.