WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.

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 Kids, we're going to start the sermon by inviting you up here.

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 Isn't that what you always wanted to do? Come up here during the sermon?

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 Come up here and we're going to talk on the steps for just a minute before some of you leave us.

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 We'll talk right over here.

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 Anybody who thinks you're a kid, you know.

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 All right. Do any of y'all like gifts?

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 Do you like presents?

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 Can I tell you something about this one?

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 It's empty. It's not a real present, okay?

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 I want to get that out of the way early before I disappoint you.

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 There's nothing inside, okay?

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 But I brought it because I really like presents too.

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 And we get presents at different times.

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 We've had multiple birthdays at my house this week.

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 Does anybody like having birthdays?

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 Yes.

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 Do you sometimes get presents on your birthdays?

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 Yes.

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 My birthday.

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 Yes.

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 Sometimes the gifts that we really, really want are ones that we don't have enough money to buy.

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 Have you ever had that?

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 There's something you really want, but you can't get it for yourself?

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 We had someone turn 16 in our house this week.

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 And I don't think she had enough money to buy a car.

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 Unfortunately, neither did her parents.

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 But when our kids were younger, they used to say things like,

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 Dad, will you buy me Disney?

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 Now, does any of you have enough money to buy Disney?

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 Yes.

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 I don't think so.

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 Buy me Disney?

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 I was like, oh, man.

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 But they really wanted to go to Disney World, right?

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 Sometimes there's something that you really want that you don't have enough money to get.

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 And your parents love you so much that they're able to give you a gift like that, right?

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 Something that you wanted that you couldn't give for yourself.

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 There's a verse that we're going to talk about in the sermon this morning that I think some of y'all have heard.

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 It talks about God giving us a gift that we can't get for ourselves.

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 Does anybody know John 3, 16?

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 Have you heard of that?

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 Can any of y'all help me figure out how it goes?

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 God so loved the world that he gave us his only son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

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 Very good.

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 Each of us got parts of that, right?

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 God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

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 God, can you give yourself life?

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 Did you give yourself life when you were born the first time?

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 No, you weren't in charge of that.

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 Can you give yourself life?

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 No.

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 But what does God do?

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 God gives us Jesus.

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 That's right.

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 God gives us Jesus, his son, so that we can have life.

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 Life with him.

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 Life forever.

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 Forever.

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 Did you know God loves you that much?

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 Kind of like sometimes your parents give you a picture of that in their love for you.

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 He loves you so much that he gives his son for you.

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 I want you, some of y'all are about to leave, I know.

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 But those of you who stay in here, I want you to listen to the sermon.

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 I especially want you to watch when we celebrate the Lord's Supper.

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 Maybe you'll come up with your family as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.

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 And remember, as you do, how much God loves you and the gift that God gave you through his son of life with him forever.

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 Okay?

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 Can we pray about that before you go back?

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 God, thank you for that great gift.

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 Thank you that you love us so much.

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 I pray that these kids would know that love.

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 That they'd experience that from others and their families and this church family.

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 That they would know today that they can live with you forever.

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 For the rest of their lives here and through eternity.

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 We thank you for that great gift.

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 In Jesus' name, amen.

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 Amen.

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 All right, those of you in kindergarten and first grade, if you go right out that back door,

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 Miss Beth will be back there to meet you for kids' worship.

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 And the rest of you can go back to where you were sitting.

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 Thank you all for coming up here.

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 Perhaps you've heard that verse before.

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 It's a great verse.

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 We're going to cover 21 verses this morning.

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 Maybe you've forgotten.

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 You've heard it so many times you forgot the context that we find it in.

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 The context of John 3.16 is a conversation between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus.

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 Nicodemus is a religious leader in Jerusalem.

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 Perhaps the foremost Jewish theologian of his day.

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 And he comes to this new on the scene teacher with some questions.

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 He's wrestling with who Jesus is.

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 And what the implications of that would be for his life.

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 And so he comes to Jesus.

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 Before we start reading this story, let me just say, that's such a great idea.

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 Maybe you have questions of your own.

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 Things that you're uncertain about in life.

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 Confusion surrounding who Jesus is and what that will mean.

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 Jesus welcomes those questions.

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 What better place to go with questions like that than to him.

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 Virtually everyone agrees that Jesus is one of, if not the single most influential person in world history.

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 So figuring out what you think about him is so important.

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 This morning we get to listen in on his conversation with Nicodemus and see what we learn.

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 Okay.

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 First, John sets the stage.

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

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 Nicodemus has seen or heard some things about Jesus.

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 Maybe reports of turning water into wine at the wedding, right?

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 Surely he's heard about the authority with which Jesus just cleansed the temple.

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 Perhaps other powerful words or deeds that Jesus has been doing.

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 But Jesus has attracted the attention of this really impressive, very religious leader.

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 Nicodemus is intrigued by all that's going on.

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 He's excited because he sees signs of God's kingdom.

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 Display of God's power.

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 Nicodemus knows about this.

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 He's looked forward to this and he's not even asking something specific yet.

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 He just wants to hear Jesus' take on all this.

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 How's all this kingdom signs and power fit together?

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 I think many of us are like Nicodemus, growing up around the things of God,

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 learning about the Bible, being taught to live according to God's law.

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 What's on his heart as he comes to Jesus will likely represent us well.

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 And if you're not so religious by background, stick with the conversation because we're about to see that that's maybe not so important as we might think.

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 Or as Nicodemus might have imagined.

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 Because no matter our backgrounds, we're all wondering the same types of things like Nicodemus.

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 Where do I find life?

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 How can I fix what's wrong with me?

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 Where can I have real solid hope?

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 Something I can count on.

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 Those are the kinds of issues that would be on his heart as he explores the signs of God's kingdom that he's seeing.

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 What does Jesus say to him?

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 Jesus answered him,

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 Nicodemus, you won't even see the kingdom.

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 You won't recognize it clearly unless you are born again.

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 It is hard to describe how shocking this would have been to a leader like Nicodemus.

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 He would have assumed that being born a Jew, being born into Abraham's family, that he was in the kingdom of God.

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 Unless he did something really bad to mess that up.

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 What do you mean be born again?

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 Nicodemus said to him,

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 How can a man be born when he's old?

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

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 Now Jesus is going to explain again.

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 I love that he speaks Nicodemus' language here.

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 For the first of two times, he's going to cite the Old Testament that Nicodemus knows so well.

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 Jesus answered,

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 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

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 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.

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 Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again.

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 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, 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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 You must be born again, Jesus says.

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 Three times now he has made the necessity of new birth clear.

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 And that's for everyone, by the way, not just Nicodemus specifically.

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 The you is plural.

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 Y'all must be born again.

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 New birth is essential, even for the most religious.

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 We're all on the same level here, right?

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 No matter what our backgrounds are.

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 We need a complete restart.

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 We need everything to be new.

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 Not merely a small adjustment to your approach to things.

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 Not a little additional knowledge to perfect that which you've really known all your life,

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 and you're already pretty good at.

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 No, no.

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 A new birth.

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 A new birth from above.

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 That's another translation of the same word for again.

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 You may see a note in your Bible to that effect.

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 Born again from above.

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 Remember in John's prologue, the first chapter, he said those who received Jesus,

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 who believed in him, could become children of God.

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 How?

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 How would they be born into that family?

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 Not of blood.

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 Not of the will of the flesh.

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 Not of the will of man.

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 But born of God.

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 Here's the rub, right?

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 You must be born again.

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 Necessity.

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 But you can't.

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 Impossibility.

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 Just as you couldn't make your birth happen the first time,

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 just as Nicodemus realizes you can't do it again physically,

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 you can't give yourself new birth.

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 Jesus is quite clear.

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 The thing you most need is something you can't give yourself.

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 See, new birth is not something you do,

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 like obey a little bit more,

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 or be a little more theologically precise.

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 No, it's not like that.

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 It's something you receive.

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 That's what Jesus means when he equates being born again

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 with born of water and the Spirit.

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 That's one thing, by the way, one birth.

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 He's sending Nicodemus back to the prophets

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 to show him that this birth from God

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 has always been the hope of God's people.

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 Listen to the prophet Ezekiel

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 when he tells God's people about their future hope,

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 the new covenant to redeem them,

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 to return them from the nations they've been scattered to,

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 to restore them to relationship with God.

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 He writes this in chapter 36,

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 I will sprinkle clean water on you

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 and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.

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 From all your idols, I will cleanse you

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 and I will give you a new heart,

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 a new spirit I will put within you.

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 And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh

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 and give you a heart of flesh.

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 And I will put my spirit within you

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 and cause you to walk in my statutes

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 and be careful to obey my rules.

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 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers

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 and you shall be my people

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 and I will be your God.

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 What a glorious, glorious picture.

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 What a great promise from God, right?

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 This is what he is going to do.

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 Cleansed with water.

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 Filled with the spirit.

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 Who gives life by the water and the spirit?

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 God says, I will.

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 I will.

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 I will.

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 I will.

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 In fact, as Ezekiel keeps talking,

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 he gives God's people a picture of a valley of dry bones.

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 It's in chapter 37, the next chapter.

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 A huge pile of bones, just dead and dry like Israel.

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 But thus says the Lord to these dry bones,

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 I will cause breath to enter you and you shall live.

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 And God sends the spirit, the breath,

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 the bones come to life like a great army.

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 And verse 14,

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 I will put my spirit within you and you shall live.

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 And I will place you in your own land.

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 Then you shall know that I am the Lord.

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 I have spoken and I will do it, declares the Lord.

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 Do you hear what God's saying?

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 God is saying to his people then,

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 and Jesus is reiterating to his people in Nicodemus' day,

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 I give life by water and the spirit.

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 That's how you first came to be

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 when I breathed life into you,

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 the breath of life.

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 And you became a living being

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 and that's how you become part of my kingdom.

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 You need cleansing and a new heart

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 and relationship where I dwell with you.

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 So even though you can't explain it,

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 even though you may not know it's happening,

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 the spirit will blow like the wind

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 and you'll see and you'll feel life,

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 completely new and different,

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 born of God, born from above.

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 That's, by the way, all Christians, right?

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 Born again.

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 Jesus says that's all Christians,

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 not some political interest group,

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 not just the especially zealous kind of weird,

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 fringe Christians who are really radical.

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 No, no, no.

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 All Christians must be born again.

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 But of course they can't themselves.

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 Now maybe you hear that

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 and you think that new birth is such good news.

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 It is.

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 New life from God, right?

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 But maybe if you're honest,

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 you're still kind of confused.

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 You're like Nicodemus.

00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.440
 You're like me.

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:38.240
 You've been around church.

00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.280
 You've lived there.

00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:41.560
 You've been around people talking about God

00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:43.460
 and calling themselves Christians.

00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.920
 And so being a Christian

00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:46.680
 is just what you thought you were

00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:48.700
 because you were born that way

00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:51.100
 and you never decided to change.

00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:54.659
 So this impossible necessity

00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:57.080
 could be pretty confusing

00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:59.779
 or even discouraging.

00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:01.320
 Am I born again?

00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.580
 Can I be?

00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.579
 How?

00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:07.519
 I mean, I'm in church all the time,

00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.720
 but I don't know what to do.

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.860
 Nicodemus understands.

00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:15.579
 He's hearing the concept too,

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:17.920
 but he still wants to know how.

00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:21.519
 How, verse nine, Nicodemus says to Jesus,

00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:24.120
 how can these things be?

00:17:24.580 --> 00:17:25.460
 How's that happen?

00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:28.640
 What Jesus is about to do

00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:29.779
 in the next few verses

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:31.440
 is he's going to open up

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:33.539
 the wonder of heaven,

00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:39.019
 the glory of God's amazing love,

00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:42.880
 the beauty of the heart of God

00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:45.080
 to help Nicodemus understand

00:17:45.080 --> 00:17:46.259
 something very simple.

00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:50.000
 that because you can't give yourself

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.740
 what you most need,

00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:55.400
 God gives you that gift.

00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:58.279
 It is necessarily simple.

00:17:58.879 --> 00:18:00.859
 Verse 10, Jesus answered him,

00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.099
 are you the teacher of Israel

00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:04.299
 and yet you do not understand these things?

00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:07.019
 Connect the dots, Nicodemus.

00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.960
 Truly, truly, I say to you,

00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.519
 we speak of what we know

00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:13.480
 and bear witness to what we have seen,

00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:15.599
 but you do not receive our testimony.

00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:18.180
 If I have told you earthly things

00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:19.200
 and you do not believe,

00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.380
 how can you believe

00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:22.680
 if I tell you heavenly things?

00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.720
 Here they come.

00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:25.960
 Heavenly things.

00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:28.079
 It's going to get even more glorious.

00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.480
 Verse 13,

00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:33.380
 no one has ascended into heaven

00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:36.599
 except him who descended from heaven,

00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.339
 the son of man.

00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:41.859
 That new birth, Nicodemus,

00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:44.359
 it comes from above

00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:47.299
 and because you must have it

00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:50.740
 and you couldn't find your way to heaven,

00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:52.539
 to God,

00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:57.259
 God himself has come to you.

00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.579
 Uniquely in Jesus,

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.480
 the son of man,

00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:02.359
 that's what he calls himself,

00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:06.179
 heaven comes to you, Nicodemus.

00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.880
 That's what's going on.

00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:10.580
 This is what you need to grasp, Nicodemus,

00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:11.180
 if you're still confused.

00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:12.560
 I'm going to give you

00:19:12.560 --> 00:19:14.200
 one more Old Testament example,

00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:14.900
 Jesus says,

00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.180
 Numbers chapter 21.

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:19.180
 God's people have gotten impatient

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.039
 in the wilderness.

00:19:21.600 --> 00:19:23.120
 They're complaining, right?

00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:25.039
 They're complaining about the food.

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.779
 They're complaining about Moses.

00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:29.360
 They're complaining about God.

00:19:30.060 --> 00:19:30.680
 Not good.

00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.180
 And God sends serpents

00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:35.980
 serpents to bite them

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:38.420
 and they begin to die.

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.039
 Moses prays to God

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:44.019
 on behalf of the people

00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.519
 and the Lord responds,

00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.140
 verse 8,

00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.400
 he says to Moses,

00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:48.840
 make a fiery serpent

00:19:48.840 --> 00:19:51.080
 and set it on a pole

00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:52.900
 and everyone who is bitten

00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:54.080
 when he sees it

00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:55.320
 shall live.

00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:57.680
 So Moses made a bronze serpent

00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:59.080
 and set it on a pole

00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:01.500
 and if a serpent bit anyone,

00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.660
 he would look up

00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.619
 at the bronze serpent

00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:05.519
 and live.

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.599
 People,

00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:10.380
 deservingly condemned to die,

00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.539
 look up

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.579
 at something

00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.839
 outside of themselves,

00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:14.880
 in fact,

00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.880
 at the very thing

00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:17.099
 that was killing them

00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:19.400
 and they live.

00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.660
 Mercy, right?

00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.079
 Deliverance,

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.319
 salvation.

00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.900
 Remember that, Nicodemus?

00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.799
 Verse 14,

00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:32.859
 and as Moses lifted up

00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:34.279
 the serpent in the wilderness,

00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.339
 so must the Son of Man

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.319
 be lifted up

00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:40.500
 that whoever believes in him

00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:43.079
 may have eternal life.

00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:44.299
 When Jesus says,

00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.079
 lift it up,

00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:45.559
 to be clear,

00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:46.319
 he's talking,

00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.159
 we find this out

00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:48.639
 later in John's story,

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.940
 about his death

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:51.779
 on the cross.

00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:53.839
 When Jesus takes our sin

00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.639
 upon himself,

00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:57.119
 when he becomes sin

00:20:57.119 --> 00:20:58.599
 for us,

00:20:58.599 --> 00:21:00.039
 so that just like

00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.000
 with the snake,

00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:03.179
 people deservingly condemned

00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:03.859
 to die,

00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:04.699
 like you and me,

00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:06.199
 look up at something

00:21:06.199 --> 00:21:07.559
 outside of themselves,

00:21:07.719 --> 00:21:08.059
 in fact,

00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:09.179
 the very thing,

00:21:09.439 --> 00:21:09.699
 sin,

00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:11.119
 that is killing them

00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:13.019
 and they live.

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.959
 That is the good news,

00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.699
 Nicodemus.

00:21:16.979 --> 00:21:18.139
 You're trying to figure out

00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:19.359
 exactly how Jesus

00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.679
 fits into the kingdom

00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:21.379
 of God,

00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:23.179
 how you can have hope,

00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.379
 where your problems

00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:25.000
 get solved,

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.200
 and Jesus is saying,

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.059
 listen, listen,

00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.839
 look to me.

00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.440
 Trust me.

00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.640
 God is giving you

00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:34.500
 the gift

00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:36.039
 that you must have

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.099
 and you receive

00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.099
 the gift of life

00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:39.119
 that you could not

00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.319
 afford for yourself

00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:42.759
 by looking to me,

00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:45.180
 by trusting me.

00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:47.759
 And now our beloved verse,

00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.940
 for God so loved the world

00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:53.940
 that he gave his only son,

00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:56.740
 that whoever believes in him

00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.740
 should not perish,

00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:00.640
 but have eternal life.

00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.600
 I know you love this verse already.

00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.539
 I want to help you love it

00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.559
 a little bit more, okay?

00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:07.500
 Even more of God's gracious heart

00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.600
 than you've ever seen here.

00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:12.440
 The world stands against God,

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.000
 separated from him

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.880
 by sin and rebellion,

00:22:17.340 --> 00:22:19.320
 deserving to die,

00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.500
 so this,

00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.179
 that this verse

00:22:21.179 --> 00:22:21.960
 is talking about

00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:23.019
 is God's love

00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.519
 for the unlovely,

00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.839
 the unlovable.

00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:28.159
 This is grace, right?

00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:30.799
 God so loved the world,

00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.299
 in other words,

00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:32.639
 God loved the world

00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:34.039
 in this way,

00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.700
 like God did

00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.579
 with the serpent

00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.519
 in the wilderness,

00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:39.059
 that even though

00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.200
 they, the world,

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.500
 deserved to die,

00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:43.659
 he would give new life

00:22:43.659 --> 00:22:44.720
 as a gift

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:47.700
 to anyone,

00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:50.100
 not just those

00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:51.880
 with less venom

00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:53.759
 in their veins,

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.080
 not as,

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:56.340
 not as bad off,

00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.080
 not, no, no,

00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.819
 not just those,

00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.340
 what does it say?

00:22:59.100 --> 00:22:59.660
 Whoever,

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.740
 whoever would look

00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.360
 to his son,

00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.900
 God would in fact,

00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.960
 this is amazing love,

00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:07.880
 amazing grace,

00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.080
 for this to happen,

00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.319
 God would actually

00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.920
 give his own son

00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.620
 and watch him

00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:15.220
 go to the cross

00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.940
 and die.

00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.900
 Maybe it didn't cost

00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.500
 a lot to see

00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.299
 a serpent

00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:19.360
 put up on a pole,

00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.620
 but God sends

00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.500
 his own son

00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.500
 to be lifted up

00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.319
 on a cross

00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.539
 to die

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.400
 so that those

00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.759
 who believe in him,

00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.259
 whoever believes in him,

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:30.220
 would have life.

00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:33.700
 And don't read

00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:35.660
 eternal life

00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.660
 there

00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:38.680
 and think that

00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.259
 you have to wait

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.059
 until you die

00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:42.059
 for that.

00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:42.980
 No, no,

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.940
 that's not what it's like.

00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:46.080
 God gives this life

00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:47.100
 now.

00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.720
 The word means

00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:50.160
 the life of the age

00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:51.100
 to come.

00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:51.840
 True,

00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:53.240
 abundant life

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.259
 in relationship

00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.860
 with God,

00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:56.360
 that's what makes it life,

00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:56.740
 right?

00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:59.059
 It's a present reality here.

00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.559
 It tastes of glory.

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.980
 It's life that looks

00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.320
 to Jesus for comfort

00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:04.279
 in every sorrow

00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.360
 and disappointment.

00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.720
 It's life that trusts

00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:08.120
 Jesus for his guidance

00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.160
 in every step

00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:09.620
 of the journey

00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.420
 and every decision

00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.140
 that you make.

00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.100
 And it's life

00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:13.259
 that continues forever,

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:13.640
 yes.

00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:15.200
 It never ends,

00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:17.020
 but it starts now

00:24:17.020 --> 00:24:19.680
 when you are born again.

00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:21.800
 That's the new life starting.

00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.100
 Born again

00:24:23.100 --> 00:24:24.160
 from above

00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:26.000
 by trusting Jesus.

00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.980
 Your new life

00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.560
 with God,

00:24:28.780 --> 00:24:29.560
 the life that you were

00:24:29.560 --> 00:24:30.300
 made for,

00:24:30.540 --> 00:24:31.420
 the life that you will

00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:33.080
 enjoy forever

00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:34.680
 begins now

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.720
 and in that life

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.820
 the best is always

00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:37.600
 yet to come.

00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.320
 Never now will it be

00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:40.120
 what it will be then,

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.980
 but it starts now

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.200
 because God has moved in.

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.860
 Heaven has come to you.

00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.340
 Boundless love

00:24:47.340 --> 00:24:49.460
 from the heart of God

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.960
 that the Son of God

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:52.740
 is not sent

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:54.319
 to condemn God's enemies.

00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.580
 That might have made sense.

00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:58.519
 but to rescue them

00:24:58.519 --> 00:25:00.439
 and make them sons.

00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:01.579
 Verse 17,

00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.859
 for God did not send

00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:04.159
 his Son into the world

00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:06.139
 to condemn the world,

00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:08.679
 but in order that the world

00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:10.599
 might be saved

00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:12.299
 through him.

00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:14.039
 Listen, y'all,

00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:15.319
 if the problem is

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:17.099
 that the thing we most need

00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:19.099
 is the thing we can't do,

00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.879
 the solution is as hopeful

00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:23.859
 as that seems hopeless.

00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:26.799
 God does for us

00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.279
 what we can't do

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.240
 for ourselves.

00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:31.179
 He takes the death sentence

00:25:31.179 --> 00:25:32.639
 that we were under

00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:35.099
 so that we can be born again

00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:37.139
 to new life.

00:25:38.679 --> 00:25:40.199
 A pastor friend of mine

00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:43.359
 tells a tragic yet beautiful story

00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:45.019
 that I've shared with you before.

00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.859
 It's of two brothers

00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.899
 playing together

00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:50.559
 in a small town in Missouri.

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:53.359
 And one afternoon

00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.379
 they rode their bikes

00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:55.779
 down to the sandbanks

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.599
 by the river

00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:58.079
 but soon got caught

00:25:58.079 --> 00:26:00.240
 in really dangerous quicksand.

00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:02.879
 When they didn't return home

00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.419
 for dinner,

00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.679
 their parents organized

00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:06.859
 a search for the two boys

00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:08.700
 and they went rushing

00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.440
 all around,

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.700
 eventually saw the bikes

00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:13.139
 and then they saw

00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:13.919
 the younger brother

00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:16.200
 up to his neck in sand.

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.259
 They rushed over to him

00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.220
 and as they freed him

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.279
 from the sand

00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.180
 they said to him,

00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.099
 where is your brother?

00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.420
 He said,

00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.240
 I'm standing

00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.700
 on his shoulders.

00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.920
 The sacrificial death

00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:33.519
 of the older brother

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.480
 was the only way

00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.359
 to give life

00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:37.400
 to the one he loved.

00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.759
 And the sacrificial death

00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.539
 of Jesus

00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:42.099
 was the only way

00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.039
 to give life

00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.339
 to the world

00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.640
 that God loved.

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.980
 He entered into

00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:48.960
 our condemnation, right?

00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:51.700
 That we might stand on him

00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:54.240
 and have his salvation.

00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.859
 Our older brother

00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:57.099
 gives his life

00:26:57.099 --> 00:26:58.599
 to give us life

00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.440
 and welcome us

00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.200
 for the first time

00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.980
 into the family.

00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:04.900
 Now as wonderfully simple

00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.759
 as that is,

00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:08.299
 to get what you most need

00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:08.839
 as a gift

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:10.519
 by just trusting Jesus,

00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:12.539
 just by standing on him,

00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:15.720
 it is equally necessary.

00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:20.079
 You must believe.

00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.779
 Verse 18,

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:24.460
 whoever believes in him,

00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.599
 his son,

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.740
 the son of God,

00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:28.460
 is not condemned.

00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:31.079
 But whoever does not believe

00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:32.440
 is condemned already

00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:34.500
 because he has not believed

00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.480
 in the name

00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:38.380
 of the only son of God.

00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.099
 Listen,

00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:41.559
 there's plenty of condemnation

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.819
 to go around, right?

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.619
 Remember how I said

00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:47.019
 you must be born again?

00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:49.599
 If you haven't entrusted yourself

00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.920
 to the son of God,

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.640
 then you stand condemned.

00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.480
 In fact,

00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:55.000
 you are hiding from him

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.920
 in the dark.

00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.460
 This is the judgment.

00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.700
 The light has come

00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.359
 into the world

00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:01.579
 and people loved the darkness

00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:03.420
 rather than the light

00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.800
 because their deeds

00:28:04.800 --> 00:28:05.340
 were evil.

00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.980
 For everyone who does

00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:08.380
 wicked things hates the light

00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:09.600
 and does not come to the light

00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.620
 lest his deeds

00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:11.480
 should be exposed.

00:28:12.060 --> 00:28:12.720
 But whoever does

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.300
 what is true

00:28:13.300 --> 00:28:14.259
 comes to the light

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.160
 so that it may be

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.019
 clearly seen

00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.779
 that his deeds

00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:18.180
 have been carried out

00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.400
 in God.

00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.759
 You've been hiding

00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.720
 in the dark perhaps,

00:28:22.840 --> 00:28:23.860
 but there is an invitation

00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:25.000
 to the light,

00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.940
 to life in the light.

00:28:27.560 --> 00:28:28.620
 There may well be

00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.779
 plenty of condemnation

00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.539
 to go around

00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:32.259
 when we stand on our own,

00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.559
 but when we stand

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.680
 in the sun,

00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:36.579
 there is none.

00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.579
 Do you sometimes

00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:40.539
 condemn yourself

00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:43.000
 in your own thoughts?

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:45.579
 Does Satan accuse you?

00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:48.140
 Are the voices

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:49.420
 of condemnation

00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.140
 around you

00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:51.740
 really loud?

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:55.220
 If you trust Jesus,

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.660
 know that he came

00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:59.220
 not to condemn you,

00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.940
 but to save you.

00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:02.200
 No matter what

00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.700
 those loud voices say,

00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.100
 there is therefore now

00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:06.740
 no condemnation

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.559
 for those

00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:09.420
 who are in Christ Jesus.

00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.759
 Amen?

00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.480
 No condemnation.

00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:14.779
 Listen, Nicodemus,

00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.039
 Jesus says.

00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.779
 Listen,

00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.180
 uncertain,

00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:21.240
 confused,

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:23.140
 questioning friend.

00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:25.040
 even if you don't

00:29:25.040 --> 00:29:26.720
 have it all figured out yet.

00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:29.100
 It's being born again

00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:30.280
 throwing you off.

00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.780
 It may have happened

00:29:32.780 --> 00:29:33.220
 to you

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.620
 and you didn't even realize

00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.320
 that the spirit

00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.700
 blew through your heart.

00:29:38.540 --> 00:29:39.600
 Jesus is saying,

00:29:40.020 --> 00:29:41.580
 go home considering this.

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:44.980
 Whoever believes in me

00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:47.240
 is not condemned.

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.660
 Stick with me,

00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.800
 Jesus says.

00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:52.259
 Trust me

00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.399
 to have it figured out

00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.019
 when you don't.

00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.720
 It's why God sent me.

00:29:56.159 --> 00:29:58.720
 Know that you can find life today,

00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.159
 life forever

00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:01.859
 in relationship with me.

00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:02.599
 Friend,

00:30:02.659 --> 00:30:03.839
 if you are looking to Jesus

00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.720
 for life,

00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.960
 you've found it.

00:30:06.379 --> 00:30:08.180
 If you have tasted

00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.279
 his goodness

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.259
 and grace,

00:30:10.399 --> 00:30:11.839
 then you will feast on it

00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.539
 forever.

00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:15.000
 It's his promise to you.

00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.039
 What a great offer

00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.839
 that is this morning

00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.799
 to all of us

00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.899
 to taste and know today

00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:21.680
 of his love.

00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.859
 But if you're honest,

00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:28.559
 maybe you're still

00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.259
 not quite there.

00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:31.180
 Maybe Jesus' answer

00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:33.139
 sounds like

00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:34.339
 all talk to you.

00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:37.119
 I can relate to that.

00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:38.180
 We come to Jesus

00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.359
 longing for hope,

00:30:39.879 --> 00:30:41.680
 wanting to be made new,

00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:43.539
 searching for life,

00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:45.240
 and we come to Jesus

00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.740
 and all he says is,

00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.259
 trust me.

00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:52.339
 If that's all it was,

00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.819
 I'd say you'd be right

00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.579
 to be skeptical.

00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.759
 Anyone can say those words,

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:58.559
 right?

00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.920
 People have said them

00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:01.480
 to you before,

00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.059
 trust me,

00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:04.319
 and they've let you down

00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.920
 and you're not about

00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.839
 to be let down again.

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:10.439
 Maybe you'll just keep

00:31:10.439 --> 00:31:11.599
 looking for another way

00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.419
 to avoid death

00:31:12.419 --> 00:31:14.039
 and find real life.

00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:17.359
 Jesus doesn't stop there.

00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:20.039
 He doesn't just give

00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:21.359
 these words as an answer.

00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.740
 Jesus' other answer

00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.679
 to our questions

00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.799
 backs up his words,

00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.539
 and don't miss this.

00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:29.139
 He is in essence here

00:31:29.139 --> 00:31:30.220
 inviting Nicodemus

00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.559
 to continue with him,

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:33.480
 to keep following after him

00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.240
 as he walks

00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.339
 in order to find

00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:36.119
 that eternal,

00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.659
 everlasting life.

00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.980
 And as Nicodemus does that,

00:31:40.199 --> 00:31:40.879
 follows with him

00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.599
 in one of the most

00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:43.059
 widely attested events

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:44.359
 in all of human history,

00:31:45.659 --> 00:31:45.939
 Jesus,

00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.740
 in just a couple short years,

00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:50.359
 dies on a Roman cross,

00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:51.959
 being lifted up

00:31:51.959 --> 00:31:53.579
 as he promised

00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:55.419
 in agonizing death

00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:58.459
 to offer everlasting life.

00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.799
 Nicodemus, by the way,

00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.299
 is there

00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:03.359
 and helps prepare

00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:04.879
 Jesus' body for burial

00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:06.060
 and place it

00:32:06.060 --> 00:32:06.900
 in the tomb.

00:32:09.540 --> 00:32:10.460
 I don't care

00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.520
 if you've been in church

00:32:11.520 --> 00:32:12.340
 one day,

00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.420
 this is your first time,

00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:16.280
 or if you've been in church

00:32:16.280 --> 00:32:18.480
 for 90 years.

00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:20.480
 Either way,

00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:23.340
 I want to invite you

00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.540
 to bring your questions

00:32:24.540 --> 00:32:26.540
 and your uncertainties

00:32:26.540 --> 00:32:27.520
 and your confusion

00:32:27.520 --> 00:32:29.000
 all the way

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.360
 to the cross

00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.740
 this morning.

00:32:32.939 --> 00:32:34.019
 To listen

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:35.139
 to the promises

00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:35.699
 of Jesus,

00:32:35.939 --> 00:32:36.159
 yes,

00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.299
 to hear

00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.719
 the good news

00:32:38.719 --> 00:32:39.879
 of the new birth

00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:40.519
 and the life

00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:42.099
 that he offers to you

00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:43.019
 that you could never

00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:44.159
 afford for yourself,

00:32:44.479 --> 00:32:45.519
 and then

00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:47.279
 to see at the cross

00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.599
 him

00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:49.059
 take your death

00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:50.279
 so that he can

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.119
 give you

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.679
 that new life

00:32:52.679 --> 00:32:53.559
 with him

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.179
 today

00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:55.819
 and forever.

00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:56.740
 Let's pray.

00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:58.700
 God,

00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.920
 your love

00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:01.019
 must really be

00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.559
 beyond

00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:03.319
 our imagination.

00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.140
 That you would

00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:05.700
 sacrifice

00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:07.079
 your beloved son

00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:09.480
 for your sworn enemies.

00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.359
 Father,

00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.339
 you know how I long

00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.579
 for every person

00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.120
 in here,

00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.819
 for every soul

00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.680
 in this room

00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:19.039
 to know new birth

00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:20.240
 and true life

00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:22.000
 and unending joy

00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:23.180
 and relationship

00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.400
 with you,

00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:25.519
 and so I ask

00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.080
 that you would

00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:27.120
 send your spirit

00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:28.460
 that I can't control

00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:30.180
 to give sight

00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:30.860
 to our eyes,

00:33:31.280 --> 00:33:32.220
 faith to our hearts,

00:33:32.340 --> 00:33:32.980
 use these very

00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:34.080
 common elements

00:33:34.080 --> 00:33:36.660
 for that very

00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.620
 special purpose

00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:38.140
 that we would

00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:39.000
 see your love

00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.540
 in the broken body,

00:33:40.800 --> 00:33:41.759
 in the shed blood,

00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.200
 in the saving death

00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.019
 of your son.

00:33:45.060 --> 00:33:45.800
 And we ask it

00:33:45.800 --> 00:33:46.460
 in his name.

00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:47.780
 Amen.

00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:51.460
 For more information,

00:33:51.780 --> 00:33:52.720
 visit us online

00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.759
 at southwood.org.

00:33:54.800 --> 00:33:55.540
 1

00:33:55.540 --> 00:33:56.320
 oder

00:33:56.320 --> 00:33:56.400
 northwood.org.

00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:57.700
 1

00:33:57.700 --> 00:34:15.960
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00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:19.200
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