WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.179 If you have your Bible with you, please open it up to the Gospel of John, the Gospel of John chapter 3. 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:22.280 Well, I've been looking forward to this particular message for a little while now. 00:00:23.300 --> 00:00:26.440 We're talking this morning about being born again. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:33.500 And it's one of those terms that has come to mean a lot of different things. 00:00:35.480 --> 00:00:39.760 It's not just used inside the church, but it's used outside the church now. 00:00:40.820 --> 00:00:44.359 I wonder what you think of when you hear the term born again. 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:52.939 I know some people might be thinking back to Watergate and Charles Coulson and his book, Born Again, 00:00:52.939 --> 00:00:59.259 to former presidents who have said that they were born again, 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:06.840 to some of the more controversial ways that that term has been used, 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:13.719 especially down in the States, to refer to, I guess we could say, fundamentalists, some would say. 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:18.000 It's a very loaded term, born again. 00:01:18.179 --> 00:01:22.260 Even within the church, there's a lot of different meaning by it. 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:26.760 Some people simply mean those who are Christians, those who have professed faith in Jesus. 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:32.759 Others mean, very specifically, those who aren't just people who say that they're Christians, 00:01:32.980 --> 00:01:39.439 but those who are the real deal, true followers of Jesus, those who have been born again. 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:42.780 Others, again, have that kind of negative connotation. 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:49.959 You know, it's that sect of Christianity that maybe takes things a little bit too seriously. 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:52.140 You know, one of those born-again Christians. 00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:56.599 You know, so what does it really mean to be born again? 00:01:57.219 --> 00:02:00.120 And to answer that, we're going to go back to the source. 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:01.259 We're going to go back to Jesus. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:03.900 He's the one who said it the first time. 00:02:04.259 --> 00:02:06.879 What did he mean when he said that? 00:02:07.180 --> 00:02:09.020 What does it mean to be born again? 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:11.859 So, we're in John chapter 3. 00:02:12.919 --> 00:02:20.659 And this follows really closely to what we looked at last Sunday too. 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:24.000 Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:28.180 He had done the cleansing of the temple there. 00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:31.520 It says in verse 23, 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:55.640 John continues on. 00:02:55.639 --> 00:03:00.699 Now, there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus. 00:03:01.539 --> 00:03:05.879 And so, what John's about to tell us, this story of Nicodemus is actually an example. 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:08.399 John has already just said, 00:03:08.859 --> 00:03:13.359 many were believing in Jesus because of the signs that he was doing, 00:03:14.019 --> 00:03:16.219 but Jesus wouldn't entrust himself to them. 00:03:16.959 --> 00:03:18.699 And we kind of wonder, well, why not? 00:03:18.699 --> 00:03:23.799 They believed, or was it not genuine belief? 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:24.739 Was it superficial? 00:03:26.299 --> 00:03:28.879 He said that Jesus knows what's in a man. 00:03:29.459 --> 00:03:33.000 He didn't need anybody else to come give a report about so-and-so. 00:03:33.119 --> 00:03:36.060 He knew what was in that person, 00:03:36.839 --> 00:03:39.359 or in each person, as my translation says. 00:03:39.839 --> 00:03:41.899 And so, this is really an example of this. 00:03:42.019 --> 00:03:43.679 John's saying, now there was a man 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:47.099 who Jesus knew some things about. 00:03:47.580 --> 00:03:49.260 And we're going to see how this unfolds. 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:52.080 This man's name was Nicodemus. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:54.740 Chapter 3, verse 1. 00:03:54.819 --> 00:03:57.780 Now, there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus, 00:03:57.920 --> 00:04:01.100 who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:04.460 He came to Jesus at night. 00:04:05.379 --> 00:04:07.260 So, Nicodemus is a Pharisee. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:14.500 The Pharisees, probably all of you know quite well who they are. 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:16.579 Jesus had lots of run-ins with them. 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:19.699 They were that denomination of Judaism, 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:24.560 which kind of really put forward strict adherence to the law of Moses, 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:27.459 and even added all kinds of rules 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:30.740 and things that you needed to do to be right with God. 00:04:31.599 --> 00:04:34.920 But we also know that Jesus had many run-ins with the Pharisees, 00:04:34.920 --> 00:04:37.640 in which he kind of denounced them 00:04:37.640 --> 00:04:42.120 and their empty religion, their hypocrisy. 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:43.660 They had all these rules, 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:45.360 and yet, on the inside, 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:47.540 they didn't have a love for God. 00:04:48.580 --> 00:04:51.540 They wanted to look good on the outside to other people. 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:53.879 They loved the praise of men. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:57.240 They were the kind of mentality, 00:04:57.540 --> 00:04:59.939 and Les kind of hit it on the head this morning in Sunday school, 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:04.560 where, you know, we, to be right with God, 00:05:04.660 --> 00:05:05.519 to be righteous, 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:07.779 we need to obey. 00:05:08.019 --> 00:05:08.879 We need to do works. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:10.199 We need to observe the law. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:12.420 And the better we do that, the more righteous we are, 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:13.939 the better we are in God's sight. 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:17.939 Well, Nicodemus was one of these guys, 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:22.399 and probably a high-up guy in this order as well. 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:25.600 He was also a member of the Jewish ruling council, 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:27.079 the Sanhedrin. 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:30.699 Now, there were some other representation on there 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:33.199 of the Sadducees and others, perhaps. 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:36.079 But this is no... 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:38.339 This is a man of reputation. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:39.479 I'll say it that way. 00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:43.259 He's come to pay Jesus a visit at night. 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:48.099 And this is what Nicodemus says to Jesus in verse 2. 00:05:48.219 --> 00:05:50.459 He came to Jesus at night and said, 00:05:50.979 --> 00:05:53.939 Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:55.699 who has come from God. 00:05:55.699 --> 00:05:59.659 For no one could perform the signs you are doing 00:05:59.659 --> 00:06:01.879 if God were not with him. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:07.519 Now, this is such a loaded thing to say to Jesus. 00:06:08.779 --> 00:06:10.539 He starts with a term of respect, 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:12.680 Rabbi, teacher. 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:15.079 We know. 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:18.439 It's interesting that he uses the plural. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:18.939 We. 00:06:19.539 --> 00:06:20.579 You kind of get the sense. 00:06:20.659 --> 00:06:21.959 He's not just speaking for himself. 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:23.599 He's speaking on behalf, 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:27.560 probably, of some of his other religious colleagues 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:31.079 of the Pharisees or in the ruling council. 00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:35.039 And what does he have to say for himself 00:06:35.039 --> 00:06:36.079 and on their behalf? 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:36.680 He says, 00:06:38.039 --> 00:06:43.199 We know that you are a teacher who has come from God, 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:47.500 for no one could perform the signs you are doing 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:49.539 if God were not with him. 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:52.700 In other words, 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:56.420 me and some of the other religious leaders 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:59.020 have seen the signs 00:06:59.020 --> 00:07:01.640 that you have been doing here in Jerusalem. 00:07:03.640 --> 00:07:06.439 And Nicodemus actually just straight up admits 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:10.020 no one could do these kinds of things 00:07:10.020 --> 00:07:11.939 unless God was with him. 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:12.600 In other words, 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:14.180 they were miraculous things. 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:16.960 There's probably things that just weren't recorded 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:18.519 in the Gospels here for us. 00:07:19.039 --> 00:07:20.620 I mean, the cleansing of the temple itself 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:21.819 wasn't really a miracle. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:24.019 It was a sign. 00:07:24.979 --> 00:07:28.079 But there were probably other things that Jesus did. 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:29.899 And the religious leaders, 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:30.899 including Nicodemus, 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:32.479 are looking at these things and thinking, 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:34.039 That's impossible. 00:07:34.899 --> 00:07:37.519 The only way that he could do those things 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:39.859 is if God was with him. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:43.279 So they saw the signs that Jesus was doing, 00:07:43.359 --> 00:07:44.419 the miraculous signs. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:47.640 And not only did they see the signs, 00:07:48.020 --> 00:07:51.199 but they kind of reasoned it out 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:54.020 to the right conclusion 00:07:54.020 --> 00:07:57.060 or to something that was right. 00:07:57.480 --> 00:07:59.540 What was the conclusion that they came to? 00:08:00.140 --> 00:08:00.560 He says, 00:08:00.700 --> 00:08:03.660 We know that you are a teacher 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:04.920 who has come from God. 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:08.100 That word know is a strong word. 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:10.180 You know, we know. 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:14.360 Interesting words here. 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:18.360 And I wonder, 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:21.019 even as Nicodemus says this, 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:24.639 I wonder what the other members of the Pharisees 00:08:24.639 --> 00:08:25.879 and the ruling council 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:28.000 would have thought about him saying this. 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:31.439 It's almost like an admission that 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:34.379 we know that you're from God 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:36.700 because how else could you do these things? 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:38.120 We've seen the signs. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:39.480 I wonder, 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:40.799 would some of the other members 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:42.220 be quick to say, 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:43.320 Well, yeah, I agree. 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:47.039 Or is it more of kind of an admission 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:48.799 of the conversations 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:50.320 that they had had together 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:52.200 as religious leaders in the back room? 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:55.159 I mean, look at the things this guy is doing. 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:57.159 How else could he do it? 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:00.259 Well, he must be from God. 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:02.560 Otherwise, there's just no other way. 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:07.099 I think perhaps Nicodemus speaks to 00:09:07.099 --> 00:09:09.479 what they knew deep down inside. 00:09:09.859 --> 00:09:12.319 That yes, Jesus has come from God. 00:09:13.579 --> 00:09:15.859 But perhaps something that others 00:09:15.859 --> 00:09:18.319 were not ready to admit. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:19.679 I mean, we're going to see this 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:21.519 as the Pharisees kind of 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:24.539 come into connection with Jesus. 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:26.439 Tensions are going to rise. 00:09:26.440 --> 00:09:30.180 But even as those tensions rise, 00:09:30.400 --> 00:09:32.260 it's not because the Pharisees 00:09:32.260 --> 00:09:33.460 are completely ignorant 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:35.720 and just came to the wrong conclusion about him. 00:09:36.640 --> 00:09:38.760 I mean, what Nicodemus says here is, 00:09:38.880 --> 00:09:39.540 We know. 00:09:40.260 --> 00:09:41.680 We've seen the miracles. 00:09:42.880 --> 00:09:44.620 We know that you are from God. 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:49.060 But what's interesting 00:09:49.060 --> 00:09:52.399 is just when we look at this confession, 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:53.320 this admission, 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:55.980 at first, it really does seem like, 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:56.980 Wow, Nicodemus, 00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:58.519 you hit the nail on the head. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:00.320 You're on the right track. 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:01.600 He has come from God, 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:03.779 which has big implications. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:06.700 If he is a teacher from God, 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:08.240 then we must listen to him. 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:10.220 We should follow his teaching 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:11.220 and do what he says. 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:14.620 And so we're kind of left 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:15.879 with this question of, 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:18.700 So Nicodemus, do you believe? 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.360 Do you believe that 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:26.879 Jesus is who they've been saying? 00:10:29.420 --> 00:10:31.580 But when we kind of compare this 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:33.440 to some of the other things 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.259 that have been said 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:36.500 about Jesus by his disciples, 00:10:36.660 --> 00:10:37.000 all of a sudden, 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.740 it kind of just puts it in perspective. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:40.740 We see just how far short 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.539 this falls. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:44.419 Notice, I mean, back, 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.279 we looked at this. 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:46.220 Nathanael said, 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:48.019 Rabbi, you are the son of God. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.899 You are the king of Israel. 00:10:51.060 --> 00:10:52.360 Philip and Andrew, 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.460 you are the Messiah, 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:56.279 the one spoken of by the prophets 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:57.360 long ago. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:59.220 And now we come to Nicodemus. 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:01.120 Well, we've seen the signs, 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:02.279 the miraculous signs 00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:03.919 that only God could do. 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:07.639 So we know that you're a teacher. 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:10.159 That's it? 00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:11.899 Just a teacher? 00:11:12.680 --> 00:11:13.639 How about a prophet? 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.340 How about the Messiah? 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:18.460 You know, like it falls short. 00:11:18.560 --> 00:11:19.440 And so we're kind of left 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:20.100 with this question. 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:22.460 Do you believe, Nicodemus? 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:25.419 Do you really believe? 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:30.139 We're going to find out 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:32.659 not this Sunday, 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.599 but next Sunday 00:11:33.599 --> 00:11:35.799 as we explore more of this. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:37.439 But we want to get into this discussion 00:11:37.439 --> 00:11:39.199 of being born again. 00:11:39.199 --> 00:11:41.279 And this is where the conversation goes. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.139 Nicodemus says this to him 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:45.879 and then Jesus replies in verse three. 00:11:45.959 --> 00:11:46.319 He says, 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:47.100 Very truly, 00:11:47.640 --> 00:11:48.420 I tell you, 00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:51.900 no one can see the kingdom of God 00:11:51.900 --> 00:11:54.020 unless they are born again. 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:57.140 Now you might read that and wonder, 00:11:57.260 --> 00:11:58.260 well, what does that have to do 00:11:58.260 --> 00:11:59.740 with what Nicodemus just said? 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:02.540 We know you're a teacher 00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:03.520 who comes from God. 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.780 Nobody could do the signs. 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:06.200 I tell you, 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.420 you must, 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:08.920 to see the kingdom of God, 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:10.040 you must be born again. 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:12.959 At first I kind of thought, 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:15.899 well, maybe Jesus is just ignoring him 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:18.179 and just kind of going straight to the heart 00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:19.240 or something like that. 00:12:19.719 --> 00:12:21.240 Actually, if you look really closely, 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:24.379 it's not as though Jesus just ignored him. 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:26.339 He heard what Nicodemus said. 00:12:26.459 --> 00:12:28.219 Jesus actually structures his statement 00:12:28.219 --> 00:12:29.899 in the exact same way 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:31.899 that Nicodemus did his. 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:35.299 For no one could perform the signs 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:35.819 you are doing 00:12:35.819 --> 00:12:38.259 unless God were with him. 00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:40.000 Jesus says back to him, 00:12:40.599 --> 00:12:43.199 no one can see the kingdom of God 00:12:43.199 --> 00:12:45.539 unless they are born again. 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:49.480 It seems as if Jesus just kind of decides 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.939 to take over the conversation 00:12:50.939 --> 00:12:52.939 and steer it the direction 00:12:52.939 --> 00:12:54.199 that he wants it to go. 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.559 Maybe I'm, 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:59.059 I don't want to speculate too much, 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:00.539 but reading between the lines 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.620 a little bit here, 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:04.120 it's almost as if Nicodemus 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:05.279 has come to Jesus saying, 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.819 let's talk about you. 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:09.039 We've seen the signs you're doing. 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:12.459 And Jesus' reply almost seems to be, 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:16.099 first, let's talk about you, 00:13:16.959 --> 00:13:17.579 Nicodemus. 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.980 Let's talk about you 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:23.719 and how you must be born again. 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.159 Verse six. 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:26.659 As Jesus says this, 00:13:26.839 --> 00:13:28.759 no one can see the kingdom of God 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.740 unless they are born again. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.399 He's including Nicodemus in it. 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:32.899 No one, 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:34.019 including you, 00:13:34.819 --> 00:13:35.480 Nicodemus, 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:38.279 can see the kingdom of God 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:40.480 unless they're born again. 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:44.459 Why does he say this to Nicodemus? 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.980 My best guess is because 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:48.580 Nicodemus is a Pharisee. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.300 He's one of those people 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:52.780 who very much 00:13:52.780 --> 00:13:54.560 with the order of that day 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.960 has this mentality of, 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:59.420 I can get a right standing with God. 00:13:59.540 --> 00:14:01.500 I am a part of the kingdom of God. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:01.860 I can, 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.720 I will enter 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:05.460 by doing enough good works, 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:07.259 by observing the law well enough. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.940 And I have done it very well. 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:10.880 And so, 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:11.700 I'm in. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.460 It's almost as if Jesus 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.700 just kind of strikes 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:16.980 right to the heart of that 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.300 with this word. 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.300 No one, 00:14:20.880 --> 00:14:21.840 including you, 00:14:21.900 --> 00:14:22.520 Nicodemus, 00:14:22.780 --> 00:14:24.640 doesn't matter how good 00:14:24.640 --> 00:14:25.400 a life you've lived, 00:14:25.520 --> 00:14:26.800 how well you've kept the law, 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:29.060 no one can see 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:30.300 the kingdom of God 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:32.700 unless they are born again. 00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:36.320 Now, 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.340 what does Jesus mean 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:39.240 by see the kingdom of God? 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:42.259 Does he mean perceive 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.840 the kingdom of God 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:45.860 as in it's invisible, 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.379 like understand it? 00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:48.500 Or does he mean 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:50.540 enter the kingdom of God? 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:52.100 I think that the answer comes 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.920 as we keep reading. 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:53.580 Verse 4, 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:55.080 Nicodemus responds, 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:55.460 he says, 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:57.220 how can someone be born 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:58.000 when they are old? 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.519 Surely they cannot enter 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.360 a second time 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:03.480 into their mother's womb 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.139 to be born. 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.040 Jesus answered, 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:07.740 very truly, 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.099 I tell you, 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:11.740 no one can enter 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.259 the kingdom of God 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:15.000 unless they are born 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.959 of water 00:15:15.959 --> 00:15:17.240 and the spirit. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.439 Okay, 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:20.459 so Jesus kind of clarifies 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:22.099 what he means by see. 00:15:22.219 --> 00:15:23.120 He means enter, 00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:25.039 enter into the kingdom of God. 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:25.779 That's what Jesus 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.740 is talking about. 00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:29.279 In this language, 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.659 he uses it elsewhere too 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:31.699 in verse 36. 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.539 Whoever rejects the sun 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:35.539 will not see life. 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.959 He's using it 00:15:36.959 --> 00:15:38.779 kind of metaphorically. 00:15:39.480 --> 00:15:40.539 He's talking about 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:41.919 entrance into the kingdom 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.539 of God. 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:46.719 What is the kingdom of God? 00:15:48.099 --> 00:15:50.740 What is Jesus really getting at here 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.959 for Nicodemus? 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.659 It's not the easiest thing 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:56.219 to describe or define 00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.639 or to sum up. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:59.840 Those of you who've read 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:00.659 through the gospels 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:02.220 know that Jesus taught 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.120 a lot about the kingdom 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.620 of God. 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.960 He told many parables 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:06.580 about it. 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:09.039 Like earthly kingdoms, 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.259 it's a kingdom 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.559 that has a king. 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.179 God's chosen king, 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.340 the Christ. 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:17.659 Jesus is that king. 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.699 And like earthly kingdoms, 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:21.019 it too has citizens. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.120 People who belong 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.980 to this kingdom. 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:28.240 But unlike earthly kingdoms, 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.740 these citizens, 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:33.100 these people of the kingdom, 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:34.159 they kind of stretch 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:35.039 through time. 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.720 They're God's people 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.940 throughout generations, 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.700 throughout the generations. 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:41.480 And they're not necessarily 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:44.139 confined to a specific spot. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:44.460 I mean, 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.060 it kind of seemed 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:45.980 to start that way 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.740 with the Israelites 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.639 in the Old Testament, 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.159 with the descendants 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.820 of Israel. 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:49.860 Israel. 00:16:50.520 --> 00:16:51.360 But then, 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.820 it kind of grows 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:54.020 and expands from there 00:16:54.020 --> 00:16:55.980 to include people 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:57.100 from among the nations, 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:59.660 all who belong to God 00:16:59.660 --> 00:17:01.660 through faith in Christ. 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.620 Jesus talked about 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.620 how this kingdom is, 00:17:05.100 --> 00:17:06.100 it's got like this 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:07.799 invisible aspect to it. 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.559 It's hard to see. 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.420 It's like yeast 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:10.840 in the dough. 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.080 But that one day, 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.759 we will see 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.080 the kingdom of God. 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.799 There will be this 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.279 day when the kingdom 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.639 breaks forth 00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:21.579 into our world 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:23.720 in all its glory, 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.700 in all its greatness. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.319 Isaiah speaks about 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.279 how, you know, 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.019 it'll be a time 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.480 when justice is brought, 00:17:30.399 --> 00:17:32.000 when God's king 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.399 brings peace, 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.119 and that peace 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:35.339 will last forever. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.279 No other kingdom 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:37.940 will challenge 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.619 this kingdom. 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:40.180 This is the kingdom of God. 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.519 This is the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:43.799 One of the places 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.440 where Jesus 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:46.339 had quite a lot 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.079 to say about it, 00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:47.940 but the parables 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.960 that I love 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.180 is in Matthew 13, 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:52.140 the parable of the weeds. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:54.180 Some of you may recall 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:54.900 that story. 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.420 A farmer 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:58.100 or a landowner 00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:59.180 sows seed 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.080 into his field, 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.920 and then an enemy 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.380 comes and sows weeds 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:03.100 into the field, 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.440 or false wheat. 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.019 And when they finally 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.299 realize what has happened, 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.480 it's, you know, 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.720 it would threaten 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:10.279 the good wheat 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.340 to just rip out 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:12.840 the false wheat, 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.859 and so they decide 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:16.079 to let both grow 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.439 until the harvest. 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:18.899 And Jesus talks 00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:19.639 in that parable 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:20.220 about how 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.779 the field is the world, 00:18:22.179 --> 00:18:23.659 and the good wheat 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.899 represents the sons 00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:26.019 of the kingdom. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:27.919 And those who are 00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:28.519 false wheat 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.519 are those who are not 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.319 sons of the kingdom. 00:18:30.459 --> 00:18:31.119 And one day, 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.199 for now, 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.259 they're growing together 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.099 in the world. 00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:35.299 They live among each other. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.379 But one day, 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.779 there will come a day 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.359 where he will 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:39.559 do the separation. 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:41.059 He will send forth 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:41.639 his angels, 00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:43.399 and they will take 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.579 those who are not 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.379 sons of the kingdom, 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:47.139 and they will be 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:47.740 ripped out 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.779 and thrown into 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.779 the blazing furnace. 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:51.940 Judgment. 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.460 The judgment. 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:56.559 There's a future aspect 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:58.519 to the kingdom of God. 00:18:59.919 --> 00:19:01.179 And the question is, 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.039 are you a true 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.980 son of the kingdom? 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:05.559 That's really what's 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:07.119 at stake here 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:08.480 as Jesus talks 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:09.319 to Nicodemus. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:12.220 You think you're in. 00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:13.419 You think you're 00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:14.919 a true son of the kingdom. 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.299 That you are one of those 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.819 who will remain 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.740 at the end. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.659 But no one 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.599 will enter 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:23.539 the kingdom of heaven. 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:24.500 No one can enter 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.960 the kingdom of God 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:28.139 unless they are born again. 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.039 Says Jesus. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.339 Unless they are born again. 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.139 Nicodemus, 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.799 I think, 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:37.819 does his best 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.759 to try to figure out 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:40.059 what Jesus is talking about. 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.339 Like, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.039 what do you mean 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.079 born again? 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.960 I try to give him 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.960 the benefit of the doubt 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.519 a little bit 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:49.200 that he didn't actually 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:50.660 think Jesus meant 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:52.119 an old man 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:52.799 climbing back 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.819 into his mother's womb 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.500 a second time. 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.200 I think these are 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.359 rhetorical questions. 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:57.339 You know, 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.859 how can someone 00:19:58.859 --> 00:19:59.400 be born 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.319 when they are old? 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.859 Surely they cannot 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.980 enter a second time 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.879 into their mother's womb 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.520 to be born. 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.440 It can't be 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.380 physical birth 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.640 that you're talking about. 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:13.060 So what do you mean, 00:20:13.300 --> 00:20:13.560 Jesus? 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.680 What kind of birth 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:16.640 do you mean 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:18.000 born again? 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:19.980 We've heard that term 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.700 so many times, 00:20:20.800 --> 00:20:21.340 it almost, 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.540 we don't hear it 00:20:22.540 --> 00:20:23.040 the same way 00:20:23.040 --> 00:20:24.340 that Nicodemus hear it. 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.140 Perhaps we could 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.320 paraphrase it like this. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.580 No one can see 00:20:27.580 --> 00:20:28.340 the kingdom of God 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:28.900 unless they are 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.860 birthed again. 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:32.980 That's what Nicodemus 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.520 is hearing. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:35.440 And he's trying 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:36.039 to wrestle through 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.319 what do you mean 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.940 by this? 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.440 Jesus answers 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.200 in verse 5 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:41.139 and he clarifies. 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:43.019 But in many ways 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.920 he says the same 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.559 thing again. 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.420 Very truly, 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.240 I tell you, 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:49.139 no one can enter 00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:50.200 the kingdom of God 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.980 unless they are 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.379 born of water 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:54.180 and the Spirit. 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.980 Born of the Spirit. 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.139 Flesh gives birth 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.759 to flesh, 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.920 says Jesus, 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.200 but the Spirit 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.279 gives birth 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.440 to Spirit. 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:06.700 So Nicodemus, 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.120 I think, 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:08.080 was on the right track. 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.019 It's not a physical 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:09.560 rebirth 00:21:09.560 --> 00:21:11.440 that Jesus is talking 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.740 about. 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:13.140 It's a spiritual birth. 00:21:14.820 --> 00:21:16.200 It's a spiritual birth. 00:21:16.820 --> 00:21:17.840 The birth that is 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:18.920 flesh in nature 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:20.340 kind of comes 00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:20.940 from a person 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.720 who is flesh 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.420 just like we were 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.800 born from our mothers. 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:25.420 But the birth 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.060 that is Spirit 00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:26.600 in nature, 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.539 the birth that Jesus 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.420 is talking about 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.400 comes from a person 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.620 who is Spirit. 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:30.799 Spirit. 00:21:31.959 --> 00:21:33.379 The Spirit of God. 00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:38.399 It's a spiritual birth. 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.879 And Nicodemus 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:43.039 is probably 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.159 thinking 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:45.719 what we're all thinking. 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:47.719 What does that mean? 00:21:48.719 --> 00:21:50.599 What is a spiritual birth? 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.539 It says in verse 7, 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.819 Jesus says, 00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.619 you should not be surprised 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.679 or you should not wonder 00:21:56.679 --> 00:21:57.419 at my saying. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:59.360 Nicodemus is wondering, 00:21:59.519 --> 00:21:59.620 like, 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.860 what are you talking about? 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.820 In verse 9, 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.800 Nicodemus says, 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:05.360 how can these things be? 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:08.100 What do you mean? 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.259 This is not something 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:13.600 that's easy to understand. 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:16.160 And I think part of the reason 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:17.000 for that is that 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.220 we're creatures 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:19.600 of flesh and blood. 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:21.500 We have an immaterial part 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:22.039 to us too, 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:22.980 soul or spirit. 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:24.500 But we're creatures 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.320 of flesh and blood. 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.480 And we take the world in 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.379 through our physical, 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.919 material senses. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.720 Taste, 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.439 touch, 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:32.519 sight. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.659 Jesus is talking about 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:38.419 a whole nother realm. 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:40.500 A whole nother reality. 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:42.000 A spiritual birth. 00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:44.019 A birth that is not material. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:47.220 And so we are right 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:49.000 to be kind of perplexed. 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.639 And like, 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.920 how do we describe that? 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:52.000 What does that mean? 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.879 What does it look like? 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:56.119 Jesus even seems 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:56.740 to acknowledge 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.480 that it's not 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.720 the, 00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:00.119 it's not easy 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:01.039 to understand. 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.400 He goes on to say this, 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.700 you should not be surprised 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.559 at my saying, 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.319 you must be born again. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.900 And then he gives 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.799 a bit of an analogy. 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.339 He says, 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:09.759 the wind blows 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.980 wherever it pleases. 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:13.240 You hear its sound, 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.860 but you cannot tell 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:15.860 where it comes from 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:17.360 or where it is going. 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.160 So it is 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.420 with everyone 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.640 born of the spirit. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.240 The wind is kind of 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.319 a mysterious thing. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.200 It's something 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:27.180 that we can't see. 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.519 It's invisible. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.360 It just kind of 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:32.240 comes and goes. 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.400 It's unpredictable. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.400 One day, 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.720 I'm on my way 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.400 to the church, 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.339 walking down 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:38.839 Third Street, 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.720 and it's calm. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.519 It's wonderful. 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.639 The next morning, 00:23:44.139 --> 00:23:44.899 I'm walking down 00:23:44.899 --> 00:23:45.699 the same street 00:23:45.699 --> 00:23:46.959 and I'm getting blasted 00:23:46.959 --> 00:23:48.119 like I'm in a wind tunnel. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.039 How do we know 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.480 what day, 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.259 what's going to happen 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.759 on what day? 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.359 We don't. 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:53.699 It's a mystery. 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.059 Some of you 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.679 may have seen 00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:58.480 some of those 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:00.500 golf shots 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.819 or those 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:03.019 field goal kicks 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.599 which were, 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.799 they were lined up 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.579 perfect to be 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.359 right on mark 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:07.339 and hit the target. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:09.159 And then at the last 00:24:09.159 --> 00:24:09.419 minute, 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.240 out of nowhere, 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:11.179 a gust of wind 00:24:11.179 --> 00:24:12.519 carries it off course 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:14.939 and they miss. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.539 The wind is like that. 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:17.819 I mean, 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.939 we see its effects. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.259 We can hear it. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:23.179 We see how it blows things. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.559 But we don't understand it. 00:24:26.159 --> 00:24:27.720 We can put a windsock up 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:29.419 and we can figure out 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.039 what direction 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.539 it's blowing 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.559 at any given moment. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:33.179 but we can't really 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:34.460 predict with any certainty 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.259 where it's going, 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:36.460 what it's going to do 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.579 in the next five minutes. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.179 If it's going to switch 00:24:39.179 --> 00:24:40.919 or blow hard 00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:41.659 or just stop. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.639 Jesus uses this 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.399 as an analogy. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.639 It's the same. 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.899 So it is 00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:50.019 with everyone 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:52.019 born of the spirit. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.940 The spiritual 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.679 is something 00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:57.539 that's invisible to us. 00:24:57.679 --> 00:24:58.700 We can't see it. 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.600 It's mysterious. 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.880 It's unpredictable. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.360 We can see 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.340 the effects of it. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:07.200 We see the effects 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.059 of the spirit 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.360 on a person's life. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.380 We see that 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.840 radical transformation. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:15.000 But we couldn't tell you, 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.160 well, 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.840 who's going to be next? 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.620 Who's going to be 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.539 born again next? 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:20.940 We couldn't tell you 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:22.100 just what the spirit 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:22.480 of God 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.640 is going to do next 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.840 because we just 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:26.000 simply don't 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.920 understand that. 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:31.720 So what is 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.500 the new birth? 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:35.360 There are a number 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.160 of other passages 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:37.259 that speak to it. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.100 Drawing from all of them, 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.500 trying to bring them together. 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.080 That's kind of what 00:25:43.080 --> 00:25:45.320 systematic theology is, 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:45.860 they call it, 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.340 in school. 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.140 And I'm borrowing 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.320 from another guy here, 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:50.980 Wayne Grudem. 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:51.940 This is his 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.300 explanation. 00:25:53.300 --> 00:25:53.860 He says, 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:55.580 or definition, 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.399 the new birth 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.579 is a secret work 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:59.220 in which God 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.139 gives new 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:02.139 spiritual life 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:03.399 to his people. 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:03.440 people. 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:07.000 It's a secret work 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.259 in which God 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.060 gives new 00:26:09.060 --> 00:26:10.980 spiritual life 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.140 to his people. 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.320 And if you look 00:26:14.320 --> 00:26:14.840 at some of those 00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.740 other passages, 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.500 you see that 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.820 this is 00:26:17.820 --> 00:26:18.540 first, 00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:19.860 this is, 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.620 I'd say, 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.680 even 100%, 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.820 this is something 00:26:22.820 --> 00:26:23.920 that God does 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.940 to people. 00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:25.640 It's not something 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:26.240 that we do 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.019 for ourselves, 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:28.960 just like we can't 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.620 give birth 00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.340 to ourselves. 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.899 it's something 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:32.839 God, 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:34.500 by his spirit, 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.779 does to people. 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.559 He gives them 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.619 new life. 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.980 It's not something 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.859 that we can earn. 00:26:42.959 --> 00:26:43.839 It's a gift, 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.519 as we've been looking 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.439 at in 1 Peter, 00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:47.439 who, 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.899 praise be to God, 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.259 who, 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.639 in his great mercy, 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:52.059 has given us 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.220 new birth. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.859 It's a gift, 00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.959 and it's undeserved. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:27:01.579 There are other 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.680 passages that speak 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.559 to the reality 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.440 of the new birth 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.200 in different ways. 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:05.860 Paul says, 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:06.559 you know, 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.400 you were dead 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:09.039 in your sins, 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.400 but God, 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.259 in his mercy, 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:11.880 in his grace, 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:13.100 made you alive 00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:14.799 with Christ. 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.519 It involves us 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.880 being united to Christ 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:18.519 and having new life 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.319 in Christ. 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.740 Ezekiel, 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:21.920 in his prophecies, 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.620 he kind of spoke 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.799 of it in this way. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.299 He said, 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.720 there will come a day 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.619 when I will give you 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.980 a new spirit. 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:29.639 I will put 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:31.359 a new spirit in you, 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:33.039 and I will take out 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.200 your heart of stone 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.779 and give you 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.819 a heart of flesh. 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.639 The people had been 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:40.279 unresponsive to God, 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.919 and so God was going 00:27:41.919 --> 00:27:43.480 to perform surgery 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.079 on them, 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:44.819 so to speak. 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.940 This is what 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.839 the new birth is. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.740 It's God's secret 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.720 work upon us 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.659 to give us 00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:52.460 new life, 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:54.240 to join us 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.839 to Christ, 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.939 to put his own 00:27:55.939 --> 00:27:57.240 spirit in us, 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.439 to live within us, 00:27:58.619 --> 00:28:00.699 and its results 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:01.419 are things like 00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:02.699 a change of heart, 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:05.059 a change of desires. 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:07.319 We begin to love 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.039 what is good 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:09.220 and hate 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.980 what is evil. 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:12.059 We begin to see 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.720 and hear 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.519 and value 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.799 the word of God 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.099 and the words 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.740 of Christ. 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.579 We take them 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.159 seriously. 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:20.679 It's like the blinders 00:28:20.679 --> 00:28:21.899 have been lifted off. 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:24.200 this is God's work 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.640 that he does 00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:26.420 through the spirit, 00:28:27.060 --> 00:28:29.240 the new birth. 00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:33.140 And one of the things 00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:34.920 that really strikes me 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.660 most about it 00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.720 is just this simple, 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:37.640 simple truth 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.400 that it's something 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.420 God does 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.880 to us 00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.680 and in us. 00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:42.840 It's not something 00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:43.400 you can do 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.040 for yourself. 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.380 Our world will use 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.880 the term 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.820 born again 00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:48.660 in that way. 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:48.940 You know, 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.560 like I had 00:28:49.560 --> 00:28:50.860 a massive life change, 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:51.759 just a change 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.400 of perspective, 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.660 you know, 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:54.840 or turned a new leaf. 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.820 That's not what 00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.840 Jesus is referring 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.380 to here. 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.640 He's referring 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:01.320 to the spirit 00:29:01.320 --> 00:29:01.779 coming 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:03.320 and giving us 00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:04.480 new life 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:06.519 where there was none. 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:10.040 It's not by works. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.660 It's a gift 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.680 of God's grace 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:14.279 to his people. 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.480 We're going to go on 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.200 and look at the rest 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.559 of this conversation 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.420 with Nicodemus 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.140 next Sunday. 00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:22.779 But I want to focus 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.980 just for the rest 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:25.180 of our few minutes 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:25.940 here on 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.480 what I think 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:29.799 Jesus would say 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:31.240 if he was here. 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:34.380 What John 00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:35.319 is really getting at. 00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:36.400 And that's that question 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:36.880 that we ought 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:37.720 to ask ourselves. 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:39.460 Are you born again? 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.840 Jesus has said 00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:45.660 this is crucial. 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.580 This is critical. 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:48.019 No one 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.960 can enter 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.519 the kingdom 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.539 of God 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:52.119 unless they are 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:52.639 born again. 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:54.220 This is the difference 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.240 maker between 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.740 heaven and hell. 00:29:58.299 --> 00:30:00.019 Between life, 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.879 eternal life, 00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:03.720 and death. 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.740 Are you born again? 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:13.700 no one. 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:14.900 Doesn't matter 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:16.059 how good they've been, 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.220 what they've done, 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.140 will see 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:19.460 the kingdom of God 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.579 unless this reality 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:22.079 has happened 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.799 in their life. 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.059 Unless 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:25.460 they have undergone 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.240 this new 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.940 birth. 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.680 How do I get 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.339 the new birth? 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:32.419 death. 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:35.619 How do I get that? 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.319 Well, 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.019 we've already said 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.879 you can't earn it. 00:30:38.459 --> 00:30:40.099 You can't do this 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.799 for yourself. 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:42.179 It's God's work. 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.879 If you flip back 00:30:43.879 --> 00:30:44.659 just a page, 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.459 I think John 00:30:45.459 --> 00:30:46.039 has given us 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.539 the answer 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.159 right out of the 00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:48.199 start of his gospel. 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.819 John 1, 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.399 verses 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:54.939 11 to 13. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.620 Jesus, 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.600 the word, 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.539 the son of God 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.380 came to that 00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.720 which was his own, 00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:00.700 but his own 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.779 did not receive him. 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.100 Yet, 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.779 to all who did 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.480 receive him, 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:06.580 to those who 00:31:06.580 --> 00:31:07.779 believed in his name, 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:09.400 he gave the right 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.380 to become children 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:10.960 of God. 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.720 Children born 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.120 not of natural descent, 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:16.080 nor of human decision, 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.539 or a husband's will, 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:19.140 but born of God. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:21.220 There it is. 00:31:21.320 --> 00:31:21.779 The effects 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.539 of the new birth, 00:31:22.600 --> 00:31:23.299 the result of it, 00:31:23.340 --> 00:31:24.299 is that we become 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.319 children of God. 00:31:26.399 --> 00:31:27.279 He's not talking 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:27.919 about children 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:28.919 born in the human 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.779 flesh way. 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.940 He makes that clear. 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:33.299 Born of God. 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.819 And the way 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:36.159 to get that, 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:37.079 to receive that, 00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.899 to get that right, 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:41.779 to all who did 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:43.519 receive Jesus, 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.379 to those who 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.399 believed in his name. 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.899 We get it simply 00:31:47.899 --> 00:31:48.579 by believing, 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.539 by receiving him 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.940 for who he truly is, 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.480 the son of God. 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.859 the Christ. 00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.559 By believing, 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:03.819 by taking his words 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.579 seriously, 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.159 yes, 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.319 embracing, 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:07.839 you are the one, 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.899 just like Nathaniel said, 00:32:10.399 --> 00:32:12.419 you are the son of God. 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.579 That's the way. 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.460 We didn't look at this 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:17.359 yet in Sunday school, 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.359 but we're coming to it. 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:20.319 it's through the word. 00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.059 It's through the word 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.719 of the gospel 00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:23.240 that we, 00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:24.119 that we, 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.339 we put our trust 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:25.779 in that 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.079 and, 00:32:26.179 --> 00:32:27.099 and we receive 00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.740 this gift. 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:30.359 And it's still mysterious. 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.500 We don't necessarily 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.699 see or understand 00:32:32.699 --> 00:32:34.199 that moment, 00:32:34.199 --> 00:32:36.299 but we know 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.039 something's different 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:37.879 on the other side. 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.819 It's like the lights 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.740 have gone on. 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.879 The world is different. 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:44.039 We see everything different. 00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:44.939 We see Christ 00:32:44.939 --> 00:32:45.599 differently. 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:48.359 It's a beautiful thing. 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.959 And I know 00:32:49.959 --> 00:32:51.500 probably most of you, 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:54.419 I believe, 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.659 are born again 00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:57.719 and have experienced that. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:32:59.959 But, 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:01.679 I hope that 00:33:01.679 --> 00:33:03.259 just looking at this again 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:03.500 is, 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.480 is just encouragement 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:05.199 and reminder 00:33:05.199 --> 00:33:06.879 of this wonderful gift 00:33:06.879 --> 00:33:07.419 of grace 00:33:07.419 --> 00:33:08.399 that God has done 00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:09.819 for all of us, 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:11.179 giving us new life 00:33:11.179 --> 00:33:13.379 by his spirit 00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:15.200 through faith in Jesus. 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:18.380 Lastly, 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.080 I want to just 00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:21.220 draw our attention 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:21.580 to, 00:33:21.640 --> 00:33:22.160 to the, 00:33:22.320 --> 00:33:23.120 to this one thing 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:24.020 that Nicodemus 00:33:24.020 --> 00:33:25.140 said. 00:33:27.280 --> 00:33:27.880 He said, 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.140 Rabbi, 00:33:28.280 --> 00:33:29.140 we know that you are 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:29.620 the teacher 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:30.840 who has come from God. 00:33:33.820 --> 00:33:34.980 Just kept hitting me. 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:35.340 If, 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:36.500 if you know it, 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.620 will you listen 00:33:38.620 --> 00:33:39.380 to his teaching? 00:33:40.780 --> 00:33:41.740 Will you obey? 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:43.279 Will you do 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.220 what Jesus says? 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.380 And the good news 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:49.359 is that those of us 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:50.640 who are born again, 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:51.640 we know that Jesus 00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:52.839 is more than a teacher. 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.559 We know that he is 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.140 the Messiah 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.319 and that he is 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.120 the Son of God. 00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:59.140 The good news is this, 00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.960 we're not left 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.779 to ourselves 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:02.680 to try to obey him, 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.839 to try to do 00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.500 what he says. 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.799 We have the Spirit 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.880 of God within us 00:34:07.880 --> 00:34:09.519 who enables us, 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.519 who has changed 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.699 our hearts, 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.500 who gives us 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.360 new desires 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:15.199 to do 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.519 what is good, 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:18.420 what is right, 00:34:18.800 --> 00:34:20.000 to love. 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.539 It's an amazing gift 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.719 and it's, 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:26.000 it's a gift of grace. 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.519 Praise be to God 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:30.960 who in his great mercy 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.059 has given us 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:33.119 new birth 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.759 into a living hope. 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:36.980 Let's pray. 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.059 Amen. 00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:37.079 Amen. 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.139 Amen. 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:37.159 Amen. 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:45.079 Lord Jesus, 00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:46.039 we thank you 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:47.199 for your Spirit 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:49.119 and his work 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:49.800 in our lives. 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.659 We don't want to think 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.340 about what life 00:34:53.340 --> 00:34:53.780 would be 00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:55.079 without that. 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.619 We confess 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.179 and we admit 00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:59.000 freely to you 00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:01.579 that apart from you 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.579 and your work 00:35:02.579 --> 00:35:03.039 in us 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:04.559 and Christ 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:06.860 and how he has lived, 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:09.159 we'd be lost. 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:12.300 Thank you 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.099 for the new birth. 00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:16.239 It's in Jesus' name 00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:16.659 we pray. 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:17.739 Amen.