WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.680 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:01.020 --> 00:00:04.620 If you'd like to grab your Bibles and just keep them open there, 00:00:04.679 --> 00:00:06.520 if you already got them open at John 3. 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:09.179 But if you haven't, it'd be great if you could grab one. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:12.880 I'm going to pray and then we'll take a look at that passage. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:18.820 Gracious God, we thank you for the wonderful privilege 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.859 of being able to gather right now in this place 00:00:21.859 --> 00:00:31.560 and to again look at the central message of what it means to be Christian. 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:36.640 We pray that you would help us in our understanding this morning 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:41.739 as we look at the person of Jesus, 00:00:41.739 --> 00:00:45.859 that we would not be clouded by darkness as Nicodemus was, 00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:50.320 but by your Spirit help us to see Jesus 00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:52.240 and to see what he's done for us 00:00:52.240 --> 00:00:56.640 so that we may long for and may receive new birth, 00:00:56.980 --> 00:00:58.299 that we might be born again. 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:01.020 And we thank you for the wonderful testimony we just saw 00:01:01.020 --> 00:01:05.280 of someone who, of Laura, who responded to you, 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:08.560 was born again last year at this time. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:11.079 We pray that there might be many more. 00:01:11.539 --> 00:01:14.219 Come to that point this morning, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:15.000 Amen. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:22.219 Some of you have heard the less than true story 00:01:22.219 --> 00:01:25.719 of four people on a plane that lost all its power. 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:28.579 The pilot announced an imminent crash 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:30.640 and added that there were four of us, 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:32.359 but there was only three parachutes. 00:01:33.140 --> 00:01:35.780 And he added, it's my plane and my parachute, 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:37.240 so I'm taking one of them. 00:01:37.960 --> 00:01:40.079 He strapped on a chute, jumped to safety. 00:01:40.240 --> 00:01:41.920 No one sort of disagreed with that. 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:45.140 The three left on the plane were a brilliant professor, 00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:47.820 minister of religion, and a backpacker. 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:51.900 And the professor jumped to his feet 00:01:51.900 --> 00:01:55.320 and insisted, I'm one of the greatest minds in this country. 00:01:56.040 --> 00:01:57.760 I need to survive. 00:01:58.200 --> 00:01:59.740 This country needs me to survive. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:02.500 I must have one of the remaining parachutes. 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:04.500 He grabbed one of the chutes, 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:07.240 strapped it on and jumped out the plane. 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:10.780 The minister pipes into the young backpacker 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:12.580 and says, look, I've lived a long life. 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:14.479 I don't fear death. 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:17.400 I know where I'm going after death. 00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:20.560 And so you take the last parachute. 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:23.560 And the backpacker stopped him 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:25.439 before he could finish and said, 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:26.400 no, no, no, it's fine. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:29.439 The brilliant professor just jumped out 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.300 with my backpack strapped on. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:38.900 Obviously, it's a really good joke, 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:41.120 or maybe you haven't heard it as much 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:42.100 as I thought you might have. 00:02:42.880 --> 00:02:44.520 I didn't think it was that great. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:45.560 But anyway, 00:02:46.880 --> 00:02:50.120 there's something great about that story. 00:02:50.860 --> 00:02:53.220 There's something inadequate about a PhD 00:02:53.220 --> 00:02:54.060 in that moment. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:56.580 None of us, 00:02:56.740 --> 00:03:00.020 none of us is an expert in everything. 00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:02.539 It's an obvious statement. 00:03:03.659 --> 00:03:05.300 I know it's an obvious statement, 00:03:05.300 --> 00:03:08.819 but it is worth letting it sink in. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:13.860 Despite the collective brilliance 00:03:13.860 --> 00:03:16.640 represented here this morning, 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:19.140 what we don't know 00:03:19.139 --> 00:03:21.199 and can't do 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:22.699 far exceeds 00:03:22.699 --> 00:03:23.759 what we do know 00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:24.459 and can do. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:27.639 And so, 00:03:28.259 --> 00:03:30.399 expertise in one area 00:03:30.399 --> 00:03:31.759 counts for little 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:32.859 in another area. 00:03:33.479 --> 00:03:34.459 And so, therefore, 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:35.219 humility 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:38.060 is just plain common sense. 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:41.619 It's common sense. 00:03:42.679 --> 00:03:43.359 None of us 00:03:43.359 --> 00:03:44.279 knows everything. 00:03:45.119 --> 00:03:46.039 And it's true 00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:47.299 when we come to the subject 00:03:47.299 --> 00:03:48.359 of God, Jesus, 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:49.979 and the truth 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:51.219 surrounding the first 00:03:51.219 --> 00:03:52.919 Easter weekend. 00:03:53.359 --> 00:03:54.719 We all have our opinions. 00:03:56.179 --> 00:03:57.419 And on the most part, 00:03:57.539 --> 00:03:58.959 we'd say that we would believe 00:03:58.959 --> 00:03:59.579 in Jesus. 00:04:00.239 --> 00:04:01.859 That's why we've come here 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:02.979 this morning, I assume. 00:04:03.679 --> 00:04:05.259 And are positive 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:06.379 towards Jesus. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:11.299 And we get this great encounter 00:04:11.299 --> 00:04:13.759 here in John 3 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:15.859 about a man 00:04:15.859 --> 00:04:17.399 or with a man 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:19.579 who kind of figured 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:20.579 he had all God 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:21.279 worked out. 00:04:21.679 --> 00:04:22.419 He was positive 00:04:22.419 --> 00:04:23.359 towards Jesus. 00:04:23.799 --> 00:04:24.699 He was positive 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:25.579 towards God. 00:04:25.659 --> 00:04:26.979 He believed in Jesus 00:04:26.979 --> 00:04:28.019 as we see 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:28.500 at the end 00:04:28.500 --> 00:04:29.519 of chapter 2. 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:32.419 Interestingly, 00:04:33.419 --> 00:04:35.199 it was, in fact, 00:04:35.239 --> 00:04:35.739 his area 00:04:35.739 --> 00:04:36.560 of expertise. 00:04:39.179 --> 00:04:40.539 He was a teacher 00:04:40.539 --> 00:04:41.219 of the law, 00:04:41.479 --> 00:04:42.299 of God's law. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:44.000 But his PhD 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:44.860 on God 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:45.780 was about to be 00:04:45.780 --> 00:04:46.340 revealed 00:04:46.340 --> 00:04:47.500 as lacking. 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:50.120 Nicodemus is a Pharisee. 00:04:50.220 --> 00:04:50.520 He's a member 00:04:50.520 --> 00:04:51.100 of the Jewish 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:52.819 ruling council. 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:54.259 He was a very religious 00:04:54.259 --> 00:04:54.720 man. 00:04:54.819 --> 00:04:55.460 He was zealous 00:04:55.460 --> 00:04:56.680 to obey God's law. 00:04:57.080 --> 00:04:58.240 He was even a teacher 00:04:58.240 --> 00:04:58.860 of God's law 00:04:58.860 --> 00:04:59.319 to others. 00:04:59.420 --> 00:04:59.980 His morality 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:01.139 and his piety 00:05:01.139 --> 00:05:03.080 was well respected 00:05:03.080 --> 00:05:04.120 in the community. 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:05.900 From one perspective, 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:07.300 you'd look at a Nicodemus 00:05:07.300 --> 00:05:08.939 and you'd just say, 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:09.800 this guy has got 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:10.699 it all together 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:12.300 when it comes 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:13.160 to God 00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:14.319 and religious matters. 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:16.060 And that is why 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:17.160 this encounter 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:18.319 between Jesus 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.400 and Nicodemus 00:05:19.400 --> 00:05:20.920 is so crucial 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:21.879 for us to see. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:22.759 You see, 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:23.800 Nic hasn't got it 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:24.500 all worked out 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:25.080 just yet. 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:27.300 It says he came 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:28.019 to Jesus 00:05:28.019 --> 00:05:29.040 at night. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:31.060 He came secretly, 00:05:31.280 --> 00:05:32.259 but more specifically, 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:33.080 it wasn't just 00:05:33.080 --> 00:05:34.160 that he came secretly 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:35.280 under the cover 00:05:35.280 --> 00:05:36.000 of darkness, 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:37.620 but that he came 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:38.220 blindly. 00:05:38.980 --> 00:05:39.819 He came 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:42.079 in the dark. 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:44.240 This clever man 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:46.000 was in the dark 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:46.639 when it came 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:47.180 to Jesus' 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:47.959 true identity 00:05:47.959 --> 00:05:48.519 and what it meant 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:49.000 to have belief 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:49.360 in him. 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:51.540 He was one of those 00:05:51.540 --> 00:05:51.959 people who, 00:05:52.040 --> 00:05:52.800 at the end of chapter 2, 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:53.720 saw the miracles 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:54.420 of Jesus, 00:05:55.079 --> 00:05:55.860 saw all the great 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:56.920 things Jesus did 00:05:56.920 --> 00:05:58.120 and believed, 00:05:58.240 --> 00:05:58.740 it says. 00:06:00.100 --> 00:06:01.259 He didn't doubt 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:02.160 that Jesus 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:03.120 performed miracles, 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:05.160 but merely seeing 00:06:05.160 --> 00:06:05.699 the miracles 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:07.019 wasn't in itself 00:06:07.019 --> 00:06:07.560 faith. 00:06:08.479 --> 00:06:09.300 He hadn't understood 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:10.360 who Jesus really 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.240 was because right 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:11.860 at the very beginning 00:06:11.860 --> 00:06:12.379 here it says 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:13.959 he comes and calls 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:15.479 Jesus rabbi, 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:16.839 teacher. 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:18.420 And so, 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:19.819 Nic puts Jesus 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:20.719 in amongst the 00:06:20.719 --> 00:06:21.639 category of a bunch 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:22.419 of other teachers, 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:24.539 possibly even comes 00:06:24.539 --> 00:06:25.360 asserting himself 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:26.599 over Jesus 00:06:26.599 --> 00:06:27.599 as he himself 00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:28.159 is a teacher 00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:28.740 of the law. 00:06:30.480 --> 00:06:31.000 Nicodemus, 00:06:31.099 --> 00:06:31.579 though clever 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:32.579 and highly accomplished, 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:34.219 stumbles around 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:34.780 in the dark 00:06:34.780 --> 00:06:35.860 blindly to the 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:36.440 true identity 00:06:36.440 --> 00:06:37.160 of Jesus. 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:39.360 His confusion 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:40.220 is pretty obvious 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:41.120 in the next number 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:41.560 of verses 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:42.500 as we go through. 00:06:42.900 --> 00:06:43.700 He thinks Jesus 00:06:43.700 --> 00:06:44.280 is a teacher 00:06:44.280 --> 00:06:45.100 come from God 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.500 and yet Jesus 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:48.740 says something 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:49.340 apparently 00:06:49.340 --> 00:06:50.100 completely 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:51.820 bluntly 00:06:51.819 --> 00:06:52.899 and had nothing 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:53.439 to do with the 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:54.040 topic at all. 00:06:54.139 --> 00:06:54.980 Jesus comes 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:55.459 back to him 00:06:55.459 --> 00:06:55.980 in verse 3 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:56.219 and says, 00:06:56.279 --> 00:06:56.800 I tell you the 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:57.219 truth, 00:06:57.980 --> 00:06:58.879 no one can see 00:06:58.879 --> 00:06:59.480 the kingdom of 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:00.439 God unless he 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:01.240 is born again. 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:05.759 Now, 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:07.019 Nicodemus is 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:08.279 really confused. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:10.420 How on earth 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:11.420 can a person 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:12.139 re-enter their 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:12.759 mother's womb? 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:14.680 Jesus then 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:15.339 responds in 00:07:15.339 --> 00:07:15.959 verses 5 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:16.399 to 8 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:16.959 that he's 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:17.439 talking about 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:18.459 spiritual birth 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:19.159 and unless 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:19.879 you experience 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:20.120 it, 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:21.019 you will never 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:21.480 enter the 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:21.819 kingdom of 00:07:21.819 --> 00:07:22.000 God, 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:22.379 you'll never 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:22.839 be part of 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:23.420 God's family, 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:24.300 you'll never 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:25.000 be reconciled 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.339 to God, 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:25.740 forgiven, 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:26.839 you'll never 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:27.279 be able to 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:28.099 receive eternal 00:07:28.099 --> 00:07:29.959 life unless 00:07:29.959 --> 00:07:30.579 you are born 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:30.959 again. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:32.159 Then he adds 00:07:32.159 --> 00:07:32.740 that it is 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:33.819 God who 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:34.759 causes this 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:35.360 new birth 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:36.079 and not man, 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:37.319 it is a work 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:37.899 of God, 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:39.199 it is not a work 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:40.099 of a clever 00:07:40.099 --> 00:07:41.019 man with a 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:42.079 PhD in religion, 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.659 not even the 00:07:43.659 --> 00:07:44.339 work of good 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:45.419 people like 00:07:45.419 --> 00:07:45.899 Nicodemus. 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:48.099 And in 00:07:48.099 --> 00:07:48.740 verse 9 we 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:49.279 see that Nic 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:50.180 is still at a 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:50.519 loss, 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:52.599 Jesus marvels 00:07:52.599 --> 00:07:53.300 in verse 10 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:54.319 that a teacher 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:55.019 of God's 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:56.120 people doesn't 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:57.139 even understand 00:07:57.139 --> 00:07:57.719 how it is 00:07:57.719 --> 00:07:58.579 that you enter 00:07:58.579 --> 00:07:59.579 to be part of 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:00.279 the family of 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:00.620 God. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:02.579 And then in 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:03.620 verse 11 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:04.579 Jesus reveals 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:05.180 the problem. 00:08:06.479 --> 00:08:07.120 Even though 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:08.680 Nic is hearing 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:10.719 reliable truth 00:08:10.719 --> 00:08:11.719 about Jesus, 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:13.879 he isn't 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:14.939 receiving it. 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:17.019 That is, 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:18.379 it's an issue 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:19.120 of belief 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:20.120 in the heart. 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:22.199 That's the 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:22.519 problem. 00:08:23.479 --> 00:08:23.979 And so in 00:08:23.979 --> 00:08:24.899 verse 12, 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:25.819 Jesus sort of 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:26.419 says to 00:08:26.419 --> 00:08:27.519 Nicodemus, 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:28.740 you keep 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.360 pushing me 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:30.259 here for 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:31.000 clearer and 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.100 clearer explanations 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:32.799 of being born 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:33.799 again so that 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:34.259 you can get 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:34.860 your mind 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:35.539 around it 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:36.519 and you can 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:37.019 fit it into 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:37.899 your theological 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:38.799 systems, 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:40.740 but a 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:41.339 heart of 00:08:41.339 --> 00:08:42.219 unbelief 00:08:42.219 --> 00:08:42.679 can't 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:43.559 understand 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:43.979 the sort 00:08:43.979 --> 00:08:44.099 of 00:08:44.099 --> 00:08:44.719 explanations 00:08:44.719 --> 00:08:45.299 that are 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:45.579 needed 00:08:45.579 --> 00:08:45.959 here. 00:08:47.079 --> 00:08:47.719 And it's 00:08:47.719 --> 00:08:48.079 at this 00:08:48.079 --> 00:08:48.620 point we 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:49.099 see this 00:08:49.099 --> 00:08:49.699 remarkable 00:08:49.699 --> 00:08:50.419 transition 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:51.779 in this 00:08:51.779 --> 00:08:52.199 encounter 00:08:52.199 --> 00:08:52.459 with 00:08:52.459 --> 00:08:53.159 Nicodemus. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:54.579 Jesus 00:08:54.579 --> 00:08:55.399 now makes 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.039 a shift 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:57.240 and he 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:57.659 starts 00:08:57.659 --> 00:09:01.599 talking about 00:09:01.599 --> 00:09:02.079 himself not 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:02.799 so much as a 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:03.679 teacher of 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:04.919 God's people, 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:08.360 telling people 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:08.959 that you need 00:09:08.959 --> 00:09:09.439 to be born 00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:09.939 again, 00:09:11.839 --> 00:09:12.279 he now 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:12.919 starts saying 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:13.599 I am the 00:09:13.599 --> 00:09:14.240 son of man 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:15.439 from heaven 00:09:15.439 --> 00:09:16.939 who came to 00:09:16.939 --> 00:09:17.439 do the thing 00:09:17.439 --> 00:09:17.959 that makes it 00:09:17.959 --> 00:09:18.839 possible for you 00:09:18.839 --> 00:09:19.259 to be born 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:19.579 again. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:22.879 Jesus makes 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:23.659 the claim to 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:24.399 be more than 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:25.139 just a teacher 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:25.979 about God 00:09:25.979 --> 00:09:26.939 but as the 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:28.139 one who came 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:28.959 from God 00:09:28.959 --> 00:09:29.480 to reveal 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:30.000 God. 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:31.519 And so as 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:33.319 Nicodemus, 00:09:33.719 --> 00:09:34.539 PhD in one 00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:34.839 hand, 00:09:34.919 --> 00:09:36.679 comes with 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:37.179 these clever 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:38.559 arguments to 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:39.019 try and 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:39.559 understand 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:40.159 Jesus, 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.459 the expert 00:09:42.459 --> 00:09:43.059 in the law 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:43.500 comes, 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:44.139 Jesus says 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:44.539 in actual 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:45.000 fact, 00:09:45.479 --> 00:09:45.719 Nic, 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:47.219 I am the 00:09:47.219 --> 00:09:47.799 expert on 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:48.079 God. 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:49.719 I have 00:09:49.719 --> 00:09:50.620 just come 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:51.620 from God. 00:09:52.339 --> 00:09:53.199 I am 00:09:53.199 --> 00:09:54.039 God. 00:09:55.819 --> 00:09:56.699 And so 00:09:56.699 --> 00:09:57.219 listen to 00:09:57.219 --> 00:09:57.419 me. 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:00.659 And as 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:01.259 the expert 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:01.980 on God, 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.299 Jesus says 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:03.959 there is an 00:10:03.959 --> 00:10:04.819 obstacle to 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:05.340 being born 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:06.879 again and 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:07.420 entering the 00:10:07.420 --> 00:10:07.900 kingdom of 00:10:07.900 --> 00:10:08.140 God, 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:08.660 being part 00:10:08.660 --> 00:10:08.960 of his 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:09.420 family. 00:10:10.140 --> 00:10:10.520 Something 00:10:10.520 --> 00:10:12.280 has to 00:10:12.280 --> 00:10:13.620 happen to 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:15.040 remove the 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:15.740 anger of 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:16.500 God for 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.460 our sin 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:18.920 and unbelief 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:20.440 and rebellion. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:22.140 And to help 00:10:22.140 --> 00:10:23.080 Nic understand 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.860 what Jesus is 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:25.640 talking about 00:10:25.640 --> 00:10:26.660 here, he 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:27.800 picks up an 00:10:27.800 --> 00:10:28.720 analogy from 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.160 the Old 00:10:29.160 --> 00:10:29.720 Testament. 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:31.660 and it 00:10:31.660 --> 00:10:32.240 gives us a 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:33.139 picture of 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:33.960 what Jesus 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:34.980 is about 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:35.660 to do, 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:37.180 what he's 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:37.660 about to 00:10:37.660 --> 00:10:38.000 do to 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:38.759 remove the 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:39.639 obstacle so 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.180 that we can 00:10:40.180 --> 00:10:40.580 be born 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:41.019 again and 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:41.500 be part of 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:41.920 the family 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:42.340 of God. 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.100 Verse 14, 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:45.540 just as 00:10:45.540 --> 00:10:46.860 Moses lifted 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:47.279 up the 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:47.820 snake in 00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:48.440 the desert, 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:49.779 so the 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:50.100 son of 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:50.600 man must 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:51.080 be lifted 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:51.460 up, 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:52.500 that everyone 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.220 who believes 00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:54.300 in him may 00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:55.340 have eternal 00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:55.879 life. 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:57.120 And so 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:57.720 Jesus is 00:10:57.720 --> 00:10:58.220 referring to 00:10:58.220 --> 00:10:58.980 Numbers 21, 00:10:59.139 --> 00:10:59.539 that first 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:00.360 passage that 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.019 Lindy read out 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:01.539 for us, 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:02.600 where Israel, 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:02.939 they have 00:11:02.939 --> 00:11:03.659 arrived at 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:04.200 Mount Hor, 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:05.059 they have 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:05.620 been there 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.059 before, 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:06.779 about 40 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:07.559 years before 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:08.100 in fact, 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:08.980 their trip 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:09.799 from Egypt 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:10.580 to the 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:11.279 promised land 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:11.820 should have 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:12.360 taken a 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:12.799 couple of 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:13.159 weeks, 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.340 but the 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:14.840 trip from 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:15.559 slavery to 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:16.679 freedom under 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:17.500 God's rule 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:18.059 had taken 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:18.820 much longer. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:21.000 Israel had 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.220 proven unworthy 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.019 to enter the 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:23.700 promised land 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:24.259 because they 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:24.980 did not believe 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:25.419 in God's 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:25.799 power, 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:26.500 all God's 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:26.939 promises, 00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:28.899 repeatedly they 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:29.399 had been 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.240 tried and 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.059 found wanting, 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:32.559 but now they 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:33.139 are back. 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:34.799 They are back 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.740 at the borders 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.659 of the promised 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:37.139 land, 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.779 40 years 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:39.139 later. 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:42.580 But it 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:43.080 would appear 00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:43.519 from that 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.220 passage that 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:44.939 Lindy read out 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:45.360 that little 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:46.200 has changed. 00:11:47.439 --> 00:11:48.259 They grumble, 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.220 they whinge, 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:51.740 they moan, 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:53.580 they grumble 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.240 about their 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:54.919 lack of water, 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:55.860 they grumble 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:56.339 that there's 00:11:56.339 --> 00:11:56.759 too much 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:57.240 food. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.360 They grumble 00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:59.019 against their 00:11:59.019 --> 00:11:59.539 leadership, 00:11:59.699 --> 00:12:00.199 they grumble 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:01.120 against God 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:01.639 because they 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.740 reckon that he 00:12:02.740 --> 00:12:03.679 only rescued 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:04.279 them so that he 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:04.879 could lead them 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:05.299 out in the 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:05.939 desert so they 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:06.500 would die. 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:09.339 40 years of 00:12:09.339 --> 00:12:10.139 God's provision 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:11.179 hasn't changed 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:11.740 the hearts of 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:12.319 these people. 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:13.539 They grumble, 00:12:13.959 --> 00:12:14.419 grumble, 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.379 grumble, 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:16.740 even about 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:17.639 good things, 00:12:17.819 --> 00:12:18.419 they grumble. 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:18.500 people. 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:21.620 And God 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.419 responds by 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:23.219 punishing the 00:12:23.219 --> 00:12:23.659 Israelites, 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.259 by sending 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.539 poisonous snakes 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:27.799 to bite a 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:28.439 number of 00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:29.199 them and 00:12:29.199 --> 00:12:29.919 many die as 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:30.620 a consequence. 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:33.639 The good 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:34.259 thing is that 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:34.659 the people 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:35.379 work out for 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.199 themselves that 00:12:36.199 --> 00:12:36.579 they've been 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.279 pretty dumb 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:38.579 and that 00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:39.079 they've been 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:39.919 pretty much 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:40.759 bad-mouthing 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.439 God and 00:12:41.439 --> 00:12:42.779 Moses and 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.199 so they 00:12:43.199 --> 00:12:44.000 ask Moses 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:44.860 to pray so 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:45.199 that they 00:12:45.199 --> 00:12:45.559 won't be 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:46.039 punished by 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.740 God anymore. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.659 And Moses 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:49.120 does pray and 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.899 God responds 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:52.000 in a very 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.200 strange way. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.139 God says, 00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:55.940 make a 00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:57.680 snake and 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:58.340 put it on 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.139 a pole. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:00.539 Anyone who 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:01.940 is bitten can 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:02.680 look to the 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:03.539 snake on the 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:04.320 pole and 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:04.799 live. 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:06.480 And so 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.899 Moses made a 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:08.539 bronze snake 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.019 and put it 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.419 up on a 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:09.720 pole. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:10.539 Then when 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:11.299 anyone was 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.060 bitten by a 00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:12.680 snake and 00:13:12.680 --> 00:13:13.580 looked at the 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:14.460 bronze snake, 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:15.960 he lived. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:18.419 That's a 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:18.940 weird answer 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.340 to prayer. 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:21.860 So notice a 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.340 few things 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:22.860 here from 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:24.700 Numbers 21. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:25.940 Notice that 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:26.500 the snake on 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.159 the pole did 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:27.639 not prevent 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.080 the people 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:28.500 from being 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:28.799 bitten. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:30.940 It was for 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:31.360 those who 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:31.820 were bitten. 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.340 Notice it 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:35.060 was God who 00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:35.480 sent the 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:35.879 snakes. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.360 God was 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.279 angry with 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:38.740 his people 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:39.360 because of 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.180 their ingratitude 00:13:40.180 --> 00:13:40.440 and their 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:40.940 grumbling and 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:41.480 their complaining 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:41.820 and their 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.279 whinging and 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:42.820 their rebellion. 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.200 Notice that 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:46.580 the way God 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.440 chooses to 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:47.980 rescue the 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.860 people from 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.720 his own 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:51.540 curse, God's 00:13:51.540 --> 00:13:52.379 own curse that 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:52.860 he put on the 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:55.300 people, is a 00:13:55.300 --> 00:13:56.379 picture of the 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:57.240 curse itself. 00:14:00.520 --> 00:14:01.640 And notice 00:14:01.640 --> 00:14:02.920 that all they 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:03.700 had to do to 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:04.500 be saved from 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.520 God's anger 00:14:05.520 --> 00:14:07.500 was to look 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:08.560 to God's 00:14:08.560 --> 00:14:09.080 provision. 00:14:11.400 --> 00:14:12.340 Hang it on a 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:12.560 pole. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:15.459 If someone 00:14:15.459 --> 00:14:16.099 was bitten by 00:14:16.099 --> 00:14:17.319 a snake, they 00:14:17.319 --> 00:14:18.019 looked to the 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.939 bronze snake 00:14:18.939 --> 00:14:20.699 that Moses had 00:14:20.699 --> 00:14:21.199 put on the 00:14:21.199 --> 00:14:22.439 stick and they 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:23.659 wouldn't die. 00:14:26.119 --> 00:14:27.099 The solution 00:14:27.099 --> 00:14:27.459 to their 00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:28.619 punishment is 00:14:28.619 --> 00:14:29.639 to believe 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:31.539 God's answer 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:33.459 and to look 00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:34.359 at a bronze 00:14:34.359 --> 00:14:35.019 snake on a 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:36.179 pole, a 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:36.799 bronze snake 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.619 being a symbol 00:14:37.619 --> 00:14:37.939 of their 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:38.699 punishment and 00:14:38.699 --> 00:14:39.359 their judgment 00:14:39.359 --> 00:14:40.599 and then they 00:14:40.599 --> 00:14:41.279 would be saved 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:41.819 from certain 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.319 death. 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:44.959 So if an 00:14:44.959 --> 00:14:45.479 Israelite 00:14:45.479 --> 00:14:47.779 looked at a 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.119 bronze snake 00:14:49.119 --> 00:14:50.039 which was 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:50.739 their own 00:14:50.739 --> 00:14:51.439 judgment 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.439 portrayed on 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:54.159 a pole and 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:55.319 they believed 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:56.539 they would be 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:57.439 rescued from 00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:58.359 certain death 00:14:58.359 --> 00:15:00.319 and in the 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.139 very act of 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:03.119 looking is a 00:15:03.119 --> 00:15:04.500 trust in God's 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.299 provision. 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:09.339 God provided a 00:15:09.339 --> 00:15:09.839 way for these 00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:10.519 sinful people to 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.120 be saved 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:14.539 and every 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:14.959 time they 00:15:14.959 --> 00:15:15.399 looked 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:17.379 then they 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:17.639 would be 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.859 reminded that 00:15:18.859 --> 00:15:19.559 their rebellion 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:20.639 against God 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.799 means death. 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:24.519 Especially 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:25.519 notice then 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:26.719 that having 00:15:26.719 --> 00:15:27.699 taken Nick 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.679 to this 00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:29.819 shocking picture 00:15:29.819 --> 00:15:31.279 in Numbers 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:32.000 21 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.039 Jesus 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:34.179 then follows 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.600 that picture 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.399 with the 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.039 most famous 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.000 Bible verse 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.699 in the 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:40.000 world. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:41.519 For God 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.139 so loved 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.720 the world 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.779 that he 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.360 gave his 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.299 only son 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:47.079 referring to 00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:47.519 himself 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:48.480 Jesus is 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:48.759 here 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:50.059 so that 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:50.379 whoever 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.419 believes in 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.579 him would 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.399 not perish 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:54.480 but have 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:55.579 eternal life. 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:58.540 Jesus is 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.000 the one 00:15:59.000 --> 00:15:59.620 who was 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.639 raised up 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.500 like the 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:01.860 snake. 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:03.860 He will 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.259 be the 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:04.860 powerful 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.720 portrayal 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.360 of God's 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:06.960 anger and 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.340 judgment. 00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:08.500 When we 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.400 look to the 00:16:09.400 --> 00:16:10.240 crucifixion of 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.300 Jesus which 00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:11.879 is what we 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.259 are doing 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:12.840 here this 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:14.420 morning we 00:16:14.420 --> 00:16:14.980 are supposed 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.040 to see the 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:17.379 consequences of 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.280 our sin. 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:20.500 We are 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.100 supposed to 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:21.480 say to 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.259 ourselves that 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:22.680 should be 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.640 me that is 00:16:23.640 --> 00:16:24.160 what I 00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:24.900 deserve. 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.559 The 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.240 crucifixion 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.779 of Jesus 00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:27.659 doesn't 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.759 hide our 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.259 failures. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.199 They are 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.319 uncovered in 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:31.959 all their 00:16:31.959 --> 00:16:32.720 ugliness. 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.100 We are to 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.699 be confronted 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.139 with our 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:36.799 sinfulness and 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.459 our shame and 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:38.439 our death and 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.139 our complaining 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.860 and our grumbling 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.579 and our whinging. 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:44.639 When we 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:46.100 look we are 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.720 to see our 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:48.199 sin, our 00:16:48.199 --> 00:16:49.639 rebellion, our 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.100 judgment. 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:52.379 Jesus in the 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:53.279 place of the 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:54.879 snake is 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.120 portrayed as 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.659 sin, evil, 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.759 rebellion, guilt 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.460 as a curse. 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.039 Another part of 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.679 the Bible says 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.180 this about 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.460 Jesus' 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.299 crucifixion. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.720 God made 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.940 him who had 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:09.400 no sin to 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.460 be sin for 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:12.779 us so that 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.500 in him we 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.160 might become 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.740 the righteousness 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.400 of God. 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:17.140 In becoming 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:18.220 like the 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.700 snake, Jesus 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.640 was the 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.619 embodiment of 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.720 our sin and 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.880 becoming for 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.279 and in 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.120 becoming sin 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:26.100 for us, he 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:26.920 took our 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:28.240 sins away as 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.420 our substitute. 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.700 And so in 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.180 what is 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.960 apparently a 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:35.039 fleeting reference 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.339 to a strange 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.039 event in the 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.720 Old Testament, 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.799 Jesus was 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.839 telling Nicodemus 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.400 that he, 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.740 Jesus, would 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.600 be the bearer of 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:43.339 the judgment of 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.700 God and that 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.539 through his 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.680 judgment we 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:47.700 can find hope 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.779 and rescue and 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.460 salvation. 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:49.600 salvation. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.000 That is why 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.380 it's called 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:53.920 Good Friday. 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.640 Because the 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.960 crucified one is 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.740 a gift from 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.140 God. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.900 It is because 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:03.620 God so loved 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:05.299 the world that 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:07.880 he gave his 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.480 only son. 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:10.660 Without this 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:12.240 gift we would 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:14.039 perish like the 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:15.400 Israelites did in 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:15.900 the wilderness. 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:18.120 Our only hope is 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:18.940 to look at the 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.820 cross and 00:18:19.820 --> 00:18:20.559 believe that 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.740 God has made 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.840 a way back to 00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:24.680 himself through 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.299 the death of 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.799 his son. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.799 As strange as 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:28.240 it may be, to 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:28.960 look to the 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.680 cross is all 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.420 that's required to 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.820 believe in what 00:18:31.820 --> 00:18:32.720 Jesus has said 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.240 and says, 00:18:33.600 --> 00:18:34.500 look to me. 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.220 The wonderful 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.240 news is that 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.920 Jesus in the 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.480 place of the 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.360 snake is the 00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:40.779 source of 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.640 healing, the 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.039 source of 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:42.600 rescue, the 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:44.000 source, the 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.680 rescue from the 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.880 poison of sin and 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:46.759 the anger of 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.140 God. 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:48.420 what he gives 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:48.920 us for the 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:49.700 cross is eternal 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.240 life. 00:18:50.780 --> 00:18:51.500 When our sin 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.960 and God's 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.780 anger are taken 00:18:54.780 --> 00:18:56.560 away, it means 00:18:56.560 --> 00:18:57.060 that God is 00:18:57.060 --> 00:18:58.220 totally for us. 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.420 And if God is 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.120 for us, we will 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.440 never die but 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.740 live forever with 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.020 him. 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:07.220 And so Jesus' 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.300 call to Nick 00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:09.180 here and to us 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.759 is to believe in 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.660 what God has 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.720 provided for our 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.080 rescue. 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:17.379 you see, the 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.439 Israelites had an 00:19:18.439 --> 00:19:19.019 option in the 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.399 wilderness. 00:19:20.939 --> 00:19:22.079 Believe in God's 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.779 provision and 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:25.779 look or say 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.659 that's ridiculous 00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:30.279 and look for some 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.019 other alternative 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.639 for medicine. 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.980 Verse 14 says, 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:37.799 just as Moses 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.480 lifted up the 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.039 snake in the 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.480 desert, so the 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.220 son of man must 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.099 be lifted up, 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:51.919 look to Jesus. 00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:54.419 Nicodemus, if you 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:56.459 want new birth and 00:19:56.459 --> 00:19:57.599 you must have new 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.879 birth in order to 00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.879 get into the 00:19:59.879 --> 00:20:01.259 family of God, you 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.419 must look to Jesus 00:20:02.419 --> 00:20:03.179 on the cross. 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:06.200 I think this 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.160 conversation between 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:08.560 Jesus and Nicodemus 00:20:08.560 --> 00:20:09.420 under the cover of 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.320 darkness is so 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:11.620 crucial for us to 00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:12.640 be listening in on. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.779 The expert still 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.759 had some things to 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:17.380 learn and Jesus 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:19.039 encourages him here 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:20.840 to move on from 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.880 a shallow, 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.860 superficial belief in 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.220 Jesus. 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.200 Before this 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.000 encounter, 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:30.000 Nicodemus believed 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:31.460 in Jesus, it says, 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.440 at the end of 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:33.100 chapter 2. 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.360 And Jesus says 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:36.059 here, your belief 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.680 is not enough, 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.380 it's a superficial 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.039 belief. 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.400 Move from it. 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:41.980 After all, Satan 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.940 believes in Jesus, 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.019 but he doesn't look 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.519 to him for 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.039 salvation. 00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:47.960 The encouraging 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.980 thing is that 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.640 Nicodemus didn't 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.200 give up when it 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:53.120 got confusing. 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:57.180 He didn't give up. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:59.799 He was there at the 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:01.820 end, at the 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:02.799 crucifixion. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.480 He was there 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.240 taking the body 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.140 down off the 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.660 cross. 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.340 And he prepared 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:11.320 it for burial in 00:21:11.320 --> 00:21:13.160 a significant 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.060 act of devotion 00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:14.660 to Jesus. 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.560 He did look to 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:18.200 Jesus in the 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:18.500 end. 00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:21.340 No doubt we 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:22.039 are gathered here 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.060 this morning because 00:21:23.060 --> 00:21:24.220 we acknowledge some 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.120 sort of belief in 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:25.480 Jesus. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.180 But is it a 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:31.519 belief that 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.519 recognizes who 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:34.480 Jesus is as 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.240 the heaven sent 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.039 son of man, the 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.400 expert on God? 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.660 As with 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.460 Nicodemus, 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.920 religion is a 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:45.860 common cover for 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:46.799 not being born 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.200 again. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:51.720 Each of us 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.580 churchgoers should 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:54.559 examine ourselves 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.519 to see if we are 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.799 truly born again 00:21:56.799 --> 00:22:00.240 or is it just 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.759 religion? 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:03.779 Shallow belief 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.580 that doesn't in 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.259 the end look to 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.759 Jesus. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.500 Does our belief in 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.600 Jesus recognize 00:22:10.600 --> 00:22:12.539 he was crucified 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.680 as our substitute 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:15.480 to turn away 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.880 God's anger from 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.700 us and to 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.220 deal with our 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:18.640 sin? 00:22:21.520 --> 00:22:22.520 Does our belief 00:22:22.520 --> 00:22:23.020 in Jesus 00:22:23.020 --> 00:22:24.000 recognize that 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.040 he is the 00:22:25.040 --> 00:22:25.720 heaven sent 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.380 son of man, 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.240 the expert on 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.140 God who calls 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:29.140 us to follow 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.460 him, to love 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.360 him, to 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:32.740 obey him? 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.740 Is it a 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.880 belief in the 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:39.420 promise that 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.420 whoever believes 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:42.840 in him should 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:43.820 not perish but 00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:44.780 have eternal 00:22:44.780 --> 00:22:45.280 life? 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.600 look to 00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:48.120 Jesus. 00:22:49.340 --> 00:22:50.080 If that's 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:50.540 something that 00:22:50.540 --> 00:22:50.940 you want to 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.300 do this 00:22:51.300 --> 00:22:52.120 morning as we 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.600 found out a 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.080 bit earlier, 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:53.960 Laura did 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:55.640 this time last 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:57.080 year, I would 00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:57.720 invite you to 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.340 come down and 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:59.240 pray with me or 00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:00.060 some others at 00:23:00.060 --> 00:23:00.740 the front at the 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.080 end of the 00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:01.480 service. 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.460 Let's pray. 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.860 Father God, 00:23:05.520 --> 00:23:07.180 we thank you for 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.240 the provision that 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.100 you have made for 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:09.920 us in the Lord 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.280 Jesus. 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.519 Jesus, thank 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.899 you that we, as 00:23:12.899 --> 00:23:13.700 strange as it 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:16.420 seems, all we 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.180 need to do is to 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.480 look to Christ, 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:21.980 look to Jesus, to 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.460 find our rescue and 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.039 our hope. 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.460 And we thank you 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.299 for the gift of the 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.180 Lord Jesus and the 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:28.819 opportunity to be 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:30.000 reminded of it again 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:31.319 this morning and we 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.039 ask it for your 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.339 sake. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.039 Amen.