WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.560 I want to ask you a question this morning, and the question is this, why are you a Christian? 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:17.719 ! What is the ultimate reason that you are a Christian? That there is faith in your heart? 00:00:18.339 --> 00:00:24.300 That you desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ? Why are you a Christian? 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:29.980 You know, that's easy. Some would say, well, that's easy. That's an easy question to answer. 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:37.420 I heard the message of the gospel. I turned from my sins. I repented. I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:37.719 --> 00:00:41.480 I trusted in what he did on the cross, and that is why I am a Christian. 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:51.600 You know, that is true, that these are things that someone who is a Christian has done. 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:57.719 But when a Christian becomes a Christian, there's something else going on. 00:00:58.340 --> 00:01:03.960 Something more than what we merely do. Something on the inside. 00:01:05.240 --> 00:01:13.640 Not something we do, but something that God does to us and in us. 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:18.760 Something that is unseen. Something that is mysterious. Something that is wonderful. 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:21.159 Something that God does first. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:25.540 Then we repent. And then we believe. 00:01:26.980 --> 00:01:32.319 This chapter, Jesus has a name for this mysterious, secret thing that God does. 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:35.900 That causes us to become Christians. 00:01:36.579 --> 00:01:40.920 Jesus calls it being born again. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:45.640 And as we read this chapter, we'll see that this is very important. 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:52.060 Being born again is indeed a life and death issue. 00:01:53.540 --> 00:02:01.640 Jesus teaches here that if a person is born again, he is in God's kingdom. 00:02:02.659 --> 00:02:03.900 He's on his way to heaven. 00:02:03.900 --> 00:02:12.400 But it also teaches here, if a person is not born again, he is not in God's kingdom. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:16.620 And is eternally lost. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:20.740 So follow along as I read our passage of scripture. 00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:24.719 This is John chapter 3, verses 1 through 12. 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:26.200 Hear God's word. 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:30.899 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus. 00:02:31.839 --> 00:02:33.219 A ruler of the Jews. 00:02:34.139 --> 00:02:36.619 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, 00:02:37.179 --> 00:02:40.599 Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God. 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:43.699 For no one can do these signs that you do. 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:45.439 Unless God is with him. 00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:47.819 Jesus answered him. 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:50.060 Truly, truly, I say to you. 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:52.640 Unless one is born again. 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:55.620 He cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:02:56.699 --> 00:02:57.680 Nicodemus said to him. 00:02:57.920 --> 00:03:00.280 How can a man be born when he is old? 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:04.400 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:06.340 Jesus answered. 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:10.199 Truly, truly, I say to you. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:13.980 Unless one is born of water and the spirit. 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:16.960 He cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:20.520 That which is born of flesh is flesh. 00:03:21.040 --> 00:03:23.420 And that which is born of spirit is spirit. 00:03:24.600 --> 00:03:26.439 Do not marvel that I say to you. 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:28.819 You must be born again. 00:03:30.020 --> 00:03:31.520 The wind blows where it wishes. 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:33.460 And you hear it sounds. 00:03:34.379 --> 00:03:37.580 But you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. 00:03:37.980 --> 00:03:40.900 So is everyone who is born of the spirit. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:42.500 Nicodemus said to him. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:44.280 How can these things be? 00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:46.300 Jesus answered him. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:48.400 Are you a teacher of Israel? 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:51.580 And yet you do not understand these things. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:55.040 Truly, truly, I say to you. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:58.480 We speak of what we know and bear witness to what we have seen. 00:03:58.660 --> 00:04:00.620 But you do not receive our testimony. 00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:05.360 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe. 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:10.340 How can you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:16.019 Before we look at this passage. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:19.420 Let's bow for another word of prayer. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:27.480 Father, we thank you for these solemn words from the mouth of our Lord Jesus to Nicodemus. 00:04:27.480 --> 00:04:34.160 Father, we pray this morning for what you would say to us. 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:38.900 Father, we thank you so much for your Holy Spirit that dwells in our hearts. 00:04:38.900 --> 00:04:46.900 We thank you that he authored these words on the hearts of your prophets and apostles. 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:48.440 They've recorded them for us. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:54.439 Father, we pray for the ministry of the Spirit as we consider your word this morning. 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:59.279 We pray that truth would penetrate our hearts. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:05.180 Father, this morning I want to pray for every person that is present here. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:10.600 That you, by the power of your Spirit, would speak to them. 00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:16.319 And that truth would penetrate and go deep into all of our hearts. 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:21.379 Do everything in us today that you desire to do. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:24.180 By your word and by your Spirit. 00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:26.800 We thank you for what you will do. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:30.220 And we pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:31.420 Amen. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:31.600 Amen. 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:37.939 Now, who is this man who has come to Jesus? 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:40.960 He came at night. 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:43.960 He came solo, alone. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:46.920 He came for a private interview. 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:50.360 What do we know about this man? 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:51.920 Well, we know several things about him. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:56.639 From verse 1, we know that he was a ruler of the Jews. 00:05:57.080 --> 00:05:59.259 In other words, he was a member of the Sanhedrin. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:01.339 The Jewish ruling body. 00:06:01.480 --> 00:06:03.079 He was an important man. 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:05.539 He was a powerful man in Israel. 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:12.099 In verse 10, Jesus calls him the teacher of Israel. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:16.120 He was a professional student of the Old Testament. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:19.399 He was a professional teacher of the Old Testament. 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:21.699 He was an expert in the Old Testament. 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:29.120 He would be the equivalent today of a professor at a theological college or a theological seminary. 00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:34.560 We know from John chapter 19, he was probably a wealthy man. 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:43.740 After Jesus' death on the cross, Nicodemus bought very expensive spices to anoint the body of Jesus. 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:48.879 We can see here that he is a respectful man in verse 2. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:56.800 Jesus had not been to the theological schools, the correct theological schools. 00:06:57.160 --> 00:07:00.480 And yet, Nicodemus still gives him a title of respect. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:05.920 He calls him rabbi, teacher, professor. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:11.900 And lastly, we learn here that Nicodemus was a Pharisee. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:17.640 And this is very important to understand his mindset as a Pharisee. 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:26.660 I think this is the key to understanding why Jesus spoke to him in this way, using this metaphor for becoming a Christian. 00:07:27.340 --> 00:07:28.800 Being born again. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:34.960 You remember that a Pharisee was a member of a religious party in Israel. 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:41.840 And the goal of the Pharisees, the thing they gave themselves to, was the keeping of God's law. 00:07:42.020 --> 00:07:45.980 That was paramount for a Pharisee to keep the law of God. 00:07:47.080 --> 00:07:48.439 Sounds like a good thing. 00:07:49.080 --> 00:07:49.600 Right? 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:54.819 But they took a good thing and they did it in a wrong way. 00:07:54.819 --> 00:08:02.019 They reduced law keeping to outward external compliance. 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:03.139 To rules. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:05.500 They just wanted to tick the boxes. 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:06.360 I've done this. 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:07.420 I've done this. 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:09.779 And then I'm right with God. 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:12.219 But they did something else. 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:15.060 They kept God's law. 00:08:15.159 --> 00:08:17.000 They kept these external things. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:18.839 Reading the scripture. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:20.360 Going to the synagogue. 00:08:20.980 --> 00:08:21.399 Praying. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:23.899 They did those external things. 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:26.019 They did them out of a wrong motivation. 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:30.319 They did them to earn and merit. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:31.519 If I'm this good. 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:32.659 If I do all these things. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:34.139 Then God, you'll have to forgive me. 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:35.100 You'll have to bless me. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:36.459 You'll have to take me to heaven. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:39.240 So they took a good thing. 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:40.360 Keeping God's law. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:42.860 And they did it in a wrong way. 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:45.179 They reduced the relationship with God. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.459 Down to just keeping the rules. 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:48.919 Keeping the rules. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:51.799 Hoping that that would merit them heaven. 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:54.759 Now let's ask this question. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:58.759 Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus? 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:01.240 Are we told here? 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:03.659 No, we're not. 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:07.159 But it's not hard to figure out. 00:09:07.599 --> 00:09:13.379 And I think there are two things here that point to why Nicodemus came to Jesus. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:15.299 And the first one is this. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:20.379 Nicodemus realized that Jesus was not a man who could be ignored. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:22.200 Listen to verse 2. 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:25.620 Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:30.019 For no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:34.419 Why could Nicodemus not ignore Jesus? 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:36.039 The signs. 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:38.019 That's John's word for miracles. 00:09:38.439 --> 00:09:39.299 The signs. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:43.139 Nicodemus had come to an inescapable conclusion. 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:46.240 If this man performed miracles. 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:49.879 Therefore, he was from God. 00:09:50.199 --> 00:09:51.919 And if he was from God. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:53.939 Therefore, what he said was true. 00:09:57.220 --> 00:09:58.519 Nicodemus realized. 00:09:59.059 --> 00:10:01.259 This is not a man that I can ignore. 00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:02.919 Nicodemus realized. 00:10:03.179 --> 00:10:06.639 I cannot ignore what this man has to say. 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:09.299 Because what he has to say is from God. 00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:10.600 It is God's message. 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:14.680 And I want to tell us today. 00:10:16.300 --> 00:10:20.960 Jesus is not someone that you and I can ignore. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.759 If Jesus healed the sick. 00:10:25.180 --> 00:10:26.899 If he gave sight to the blind. 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:29.040 If he caused the death to hear. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.500 If he healed the lepers. 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:31.960 If he calmed the storm. 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:33.480 If he raised the dead. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:34.840 And he did. 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:38.200 Then Jesus is not someone that. 00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:40.639 You and I can ignore. 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:44.500 And we're faced with that same inescapable conclusion. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:45.759 If he did these things. 00:10:46.040 --> 00:10:47.440 We cannot ignore this man. 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:49.139 And when this man speaks. 00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:51.120 This is God. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.200 Speaking. 00:10:53.660 --> 00:10:54.300 To us. 00:10:54.299 --> 00:10:58.279 So why did Nicodemus come to Jesus? 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.419 First reason. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:02.159 Jesus was not a man that he could ignore. 00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:05.139 But I believe there's another reason that Nicodemus came to Jesus. 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:06.019 And that is. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:08.079 I believe he had a question for Jesus. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:11.339 What was that question? 00:11:12.339 --> 00:11:13.259 Do you read it here? 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:15.399 Did you hear it here as we read the verse? 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:16.579 No. 00:11:16.579 --> 00:11:17.379 You didn't. 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:20.859 There's no record of a question here that he asked. 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:23.539 But Jesus does a very interesting thing here. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:26.079 And Jesus began to ask. 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:27.480 Began to answer. 00:11:28.599 --> 00:11:31.480 Nicodemus's unasked question. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:34.179 Did Jesus know why Nicodemus had come? 00:11:34.439 --> 00:11:36.559 Of course he knew why Nicodemus had come. 00:11:36.699 --> 00:11:38.179 Did he know the question on his heart? 00:11:38.439 --> 00:11:40.399 Did he know what Nicodemus wanted to know? 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:41.399 Of course he knew. 00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:42.759 So what does Jesus do? 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:49.639 He starts right in to answer the unasked question on Nicodemus's heart. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:52.500 And what did Nicodemus want to know about? 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:54.980 What does Jesus start talking about here? 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.000 And verse 3. 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:59.860 How a person sees God's kingdom. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:00.980 Verse 5. 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:03.679 How a person enters God's kingdom. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.360 What was his question? 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.700 The kingdom of God. 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:09.419 How does a person get into it? 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:11.259 Or saying it in a different way. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:13.980 How does a person become a Christian? 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:18.600 I believe that was his question. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:22.480 But what was Jesus' answer? 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:24.460 Look at verse 3. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.220 Jesus answered. 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:26.800 Truly, truly, I say to you. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:29.600 Unless one is born again. 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:31.980 He cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.700 Verse 7. 00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:34.300 Do not marvel that I say to you. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:37.240 You must be born again. 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:42.360 If you want to get into God's kingdom, you need this experience. 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:46.279 You need the experience of being born again. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:49.460 Now, is that what Nicodemus expected? 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:52.159 I don't think so. 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:55.320 I think this was a huge surprise to him. 00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:57.360 I think this was very puzzling to him. 00:12:57.620 --> 00:13:01.060 I think he never expected Jesus to answer like this. 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:04.639 What did Nicodemus expect Jesus to say? 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:06.699 How do you get into God's kingdom? 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.980 You do the right things. 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:09.980 You keep the law. 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:12.240 You be a God person. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.259 You be a good person. 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:15.659 You do the things you should do. 00:13:15.819 --> 00:13:16.740 If you're good, you're in. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.860 If you're bad, you're out. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:24.019 In other words, Nicodemus expected Jesus to say, 00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:28.759 You get into God's kingdom by something you do. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:32.179 But what did Jesus say? 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:35.759 He said it's not something that you do. 00:13:36.719 --> 00:13:40.759 It's something that God does to you. 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:46.659 You get into God's kingdom by something God does. 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:50.319 He causes you to be born again. 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:54.559 A radical new beginning done to you. 00:13:54.559 --> 00:14:00.879 Now, why did Jesus talk about salvation in this way to this man? 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:08.919 Is there any other place in the Gospels where Jesus talks about salvation in terms about you being born again? 00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:11.319 I don't know of it. 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:18.239 But Jesus used this metaphor with this man to talk about how a person gets into God's kingdom. 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:20.980 Why did Jesus do that with this man? 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:25.820 I believe it is to destroy his false thinking. 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:28.399 To destroy his false concept. 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:31.120 In a way, Jesus is saying to him here, 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:34.779 It's not about what you do that's going to get you into God's kingdom. 00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:37.379 It's not about you being Jewish. 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:38.799 That's not good enough. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:40.639 It's not about you being religious. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.200 That's not enough. 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:44.060 It's not about your law keeping. 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:45.279 That's not enough. 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:48.939 It's not about knowing the Bible and knowing theology. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.179 That's not enough. 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:51.819 Summing up, 00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:55.740 Nicodemus, all that you have done to this point, 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.939 is not enough. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:01.419 It's not about what you do. 00:15:01.959 --> 00:15:03.959 It's about something done to you. 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.720 To get into God's kingdom, 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.919 you need something else. 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:08.419 You need another birth. 00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:10.379 You need a second birth. 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:15.240 You need to be born again. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:19.279 What does that mean to be born again? 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.559 I think there are three things here. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.740 Let me point out to you. 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.039 First of all, 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:27.079 this birth is again. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:32.199 This is beyond a physical birth. 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:35.360 This is another beginning. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:38.539 Another radical new beginning. 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.939 This birth is again. 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.779 It is a second birth. 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:47.759 The next thing I want us to see is this birth is a heavenly birth. 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:48.939 It says here, 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:52.860 Jesus says you must be born again. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:53.959 Could be translated, 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.319 born from above. 00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.839 In other words, 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:59.519 Jesus could be saying right here, 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:02.120 you need a heavenly birth. 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:05.120 You need heaven to reach down and touch you 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.699 and change your heart. 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:10.820 You need the life of heaven placed in your heart. 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.440 This is a heavenly birth. 00:16:13.280 --> 00:16:13.960 So it is being, 00:16:14.140 --> 00:16:15.600 it is another birth. 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:16.580 It's being born again. 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.980 It is a heavenly birth. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.840 But there's a third thing. 00:16:21.640 --> 00:16:24.900 And I think this is really important to understanding what it means to be born again. 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:27.980 This birth is a spiritual birth. 00:16:28.819 --> 00:16:30.240 What causes this birth? 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:33.159 What is the agent of this birth? 00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:35.759 Listen to verse five. 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:36.399 Truly, 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:36.720 truly, 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.459 I say to you, 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:41.220 unless one is born of water and the spirit, 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.399 he cannot mend the kingdom of God. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.179 Verse six, 00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:46.120 that which is born of flesh and flesh, 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:50.320 and that which is born of spirit is spirit. 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.560 Verse eight, 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:55.360 so it is with everyone who is born of the spirit. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.539 Three times, 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:58.060 what causes this birth? 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:00.899 What is the agent of this birth in the heart of a person? 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:04.480 It is the Holy Spirit. 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:07.119 Third person of the Trinity. 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:14.660 The one who is God and yet who is distinct from the Father and the Son. 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:17.940 He is the agent of this birth. 00:17:19.040 --> 00:17:19.240 Now, 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.960 let me show you something very interesting here. 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:23.560 Look again at verse five and listen to it. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:24.779 Truly, 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.140 truly, 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.120 I say to you, 00:17:26.800 --> 00:17:29.880 unless one is born of the spirit, 00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:32.100 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.940 Is that what it says there? 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:35.660 No. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.380 It says, 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:42.160 unless one is born of water and the spirit, 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:44.580 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:46.580 So, 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.320 the question is, 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:52.120 what does water have to do with this experience of becoming a Christian? 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:56.420 What does water have to do with this experience of being born again? 00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:59.040 Is this a reference to baptism? 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.800 I don't think so. 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.779 I think that's unlikely. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:07.440 There was no such thing as Christian baptism at this time. 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.440 So, 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:15.900 what in the world does Jesus mean by being born by water of water? 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:17.539 I'll tell you what I think. 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:29.119 I think the word Jesus using the word water with Nicodemus here connects this experience with something in the Old Testament. 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:31.119 Remember, 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.739 remember, 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.979 it wasn't Nicodemus' job. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:34.359 He's a theological professor. 00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:36.399 He's an expert in the Old Testament. 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:40.739 And surely he would know that famous passage in the Old Testament. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:44.359 All they read it to us this morning from Ezekiel 36. 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:52.059 Where there's a prophecy about being born again by water. 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.079 And listen to it. 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:56.220 This is Ezekiel chapter 36, 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:58.259 verses 25 to 27. 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:01.160 I will sprinkle clean water on you. 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:05.000 And you will be clean from all your uncleanness. 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:07.420 And from all your idols I will cleanse you. 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:09.079 I will give you a new heart. 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:11.360 And a new spirit I will put within you. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:14.059 I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh. 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.759 And give you a heart of flesh. 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:17.960 I will put my spirit within you. 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:20.460 And cause you to walk in my statutes. 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:23.279 What do we see in Ezekiel 36? 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:27.500 We see the same three things that we saw in John chapter 3. 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.500 We saw water. 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:32.139 I will sprinkle clean water on you. 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.379 We saw the spirit. 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:35.339 I will put my spirit in you. 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.660 We saw a new birth. 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:38.480 I will give you a new heart. 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:41.500 I believe these two passages, 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:44.519 Ezekiel chapter 36 and John chapter 3, 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:46.420 they're talking about the same thing. 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:49.000 The Holy Spirit, 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.099 the water of the Spirit, 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:51.879 being sprinkled upon a heart. 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:54.360 And being born again by water of the Spirit. 00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:55.400 It's the same thing. 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:57.200 What's Jesus saying to Nicodemus? 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.180 He's saying, 00:19:58.440 --> 00:20:01.340 No, when I tell you you need to be born again, 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:04.100 I'm not coming up with something new. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:09.940 I'm telling you what was prophesied in the Old Testament. 00:20:10.800 --> 00:20:12.400 For God's people in the Old Testament, 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.540 in the time of Ezekiel, 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.700 it was yet future. 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:17.660 But what is Jesus saying to Nicodemus? 00:20:17.840 --> 00:20:20.060 He's saying what was prophesied in Ezekiel, 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.859 what we get future then, 00:20:22.179 --> 00:20:22.579 now, 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.579 is here. 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:25.000 With my coming, 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.379 my death, 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:26.980 my burial, 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:27.839 my resurrection, 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:29.339 my ascension, 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.899 now, 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.859 God's people can be born again. 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.220 And now, 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.919 Nicodemus, 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.480 this 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.839 is what you need. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.500 It's interesting, 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:45.259 water is the Old Testament image 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.720 for the Holy Spirit. 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.160 But you know, 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.779 there's another image in the Old Testament 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.180 for the Holy Spirit. 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:53.420 Wind 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:55.600 or breath. 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.420 It's very interesting, 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:59.360 we just read from Ezekiel 36, 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.819 but in the very next chapter, 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:01.940 Ezekiel 37, 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.680 there's another famous passage 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:05.960 about a valley of dry bones. 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:09.460 And God tells Ezekiel to prophesy 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:11.100 and to speak to these bones 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:12.680 that are dead and dry. 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:14.400 and says, 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.120 blow, 00:21:15.560 --> 00:21:16.120 wind, 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:16.720 blow, 00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:17.519 blow, 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.420 breath, 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.380 the breath of God, 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:20.820 the breath of God's Spirit. 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:22.279 And he speaks to these bones 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.820 and they become alive. 00:21:26.820 --> 00:21:28.500 Another Old Testament image 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:30.660 of the same thing. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:33.080 Another Old Testament image 00:21:33.080 --> 00:21:34.299 of the Spirit 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.779 giving life. 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:37.500 Now, 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.700 what is really interesting here, 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:41.100 that same second Old Testament image 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:43.559 is in John chapter 3. 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.899 This birth, 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.019 this being born again, 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:49.199 is by the wind of God's Spirit. 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.179 Listen to verse 8. 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:52.399 Back in John chapter 3, 00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:54.240 the wind blows where it wishes, 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.559 you hear its sound, 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.859 but you do not know 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.740 where it comes from, 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.500 where it goes. 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.899 So is everyone 00:21:59.899 --> 00:22:01.219 who is born of the Spirit. 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.679 When Jesus says 00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:04.579 that this birth 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:06.779 is by wind, 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.519 the wind of the Holy Spirit, 00:22:09.459 --> 00:22:10.759 what is he emphasizing? 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:12.439 About being born again. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.779 He's emphasizing 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.980 it's something mysterious. 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:17.279 It's something unpredictable. 00:22:17.719 --> 00:22:19.279 It's something uncontrollable. 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.619 Can you control the wind? 00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:23.980 No. 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.819 Can you control the Holy Spirit? 00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.459 No. 00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:30.959 Can you make a person, 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.079 another person a Christian? 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.819 Can you argue them 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.419 into the kingdom? 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.639 You cannot make another person 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:36.980 a Christian 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.480 because you cannot control 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.219 the Holy Spirit. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:42.480 Can you make yourself 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.019 a Christian? 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.519 Well, you say, 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.000 that's easy. 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.799 Yes, I can do that. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.620 All I have to do is 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:47.640 repent and believe. 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.620 But the question is, 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.960 can you really 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:51.380 do that 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.920 on your own, 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.480 unassisted 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:56.160 by the Holy Spirit? 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.860 Listen to Paul 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:59.180 in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.420 This is what he said 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.079 to the Ephesians, 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:01.740 verse 5. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:03.220 This is pre-conversion. 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.220 Pre-Christian, 00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:04.779 he said, 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:06.700 you were 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:08.460 dead. 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.140 But now, 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.920 you've been made alive. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:12.980 Verse 6, 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.940 Ephesians chapter 2, 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.299 he says, 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.860 you have been 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.900 raised. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.680 Paul is saying 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.900 here in Ephesians chapter 2 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:21.120 that becoming a Christian 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:23.100 is a resurrection 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:24.240 from the dead. 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.920 Paul's implication 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:28.579 here in Ephesians chapter 2 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.680 is you cannot 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.539 make yourself 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.000 a Christian 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.460 because pre-conversion, 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.460 pre-Christian, 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.039 you were dead 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.799 spiritually. 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:39.400 And the point is this, 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.500 the new birth 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:43.859 is not something 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:44.579 that you do 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:46.500 because you were dead. 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:48.079 It is something 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:49.400 that God 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.539 does to you. 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.359 You know, 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.339 this new birth, 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:56.099 this spiritual birth, 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:58.099 is like physical birth 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:59.579 in this respect. 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.839 What part 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.640 did you have 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.660 in your physical birth? 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.839 Do you remember 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.400 back then? 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.099 Do you remember it? 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.099 Do you remember, 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.400 well, 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.940 I'm on the inside here 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.599 and I think it's time 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.140 to come out? 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.400 Did you do that? 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.119 Did you think that? 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.019 No. 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.559 What part 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.380 did you have 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:22.680 in your physical birth? 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.059 You didn't have any. 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.720 You were passive. 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:27.799 And so it is 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.640 with this birth 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.839 that Jesus is describing 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.120 here. 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.960 It's not something 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.660 that you do. 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.339 It's something 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.200 that is done 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.579 to you. 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.339 You say, 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:36.660 well, 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.019 in my spiritual birth, 00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:38.539 I repented, 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.140 I believed, 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:40.400 I trusted in Jesus. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.220 That's true. 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:47.059 But why did you do it? 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.480 It's because God 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.480 did something first. 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:51.019 He sprinkled the water 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.799 of the Holy Spirit 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.120 on you. 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:53.239 He caused the wind 00:24:53.239 --> 00:24:53.799 and breath 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.779 of the Holy Spirit 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.959 to blow upon your heart 00:24:55.959 --> 00:24:56.879 and gave you 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:58.219 new life. 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.299 Then, 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.759 you repented 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.739 and you believed. 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:02.519 You know, 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.279 I believe the order 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.099 here is important. 00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.599 Look at the order 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.619 here in verse 3. 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.779 Jesus answered him, 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.099 Truly, 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:09.439 truly, 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.299 I say to you, 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:12.639 unless one is born again, 00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:14.899 he cannot see 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:16.419 the kingdom of God. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:16.959 Do you see 00:25:16.959 --> 00:25:17.699 the order here? 00:25:18.439 --> 00:25:19.619 What comes first? 00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:21.500 The new birth. 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:24.339 Then a person 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:26.679 sees spiritually. 00:25:27.439 --> 00:25:28.919 Then he understands. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.699 Then he believes. 00:25:32.979 --> 00:25:34.179 Summing it all up, 00:25:34.979 --> 00:25:36.179 I believe that we're taught here, 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.259 John chapter 3, 00:25:38.199 --> 00:25:39.239 that in salvation, 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:43.059 God does it all. 00:25:44.219 --> 00:25:44.839 Did you realize 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:46.159 our salvation is trinitarian? 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:49.700 God does it. 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:50.660 The Father 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:52.960 sends the Son. 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:54.820 The Son 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:56.779 dies on the cross 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.720 for God's people 00:25:57.720 --> 00:26:00.060 and in the Spirit. 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:02.540 He blows upon our hearts. 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.300 He's poured out 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:03.860 on our hearts. 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.500 He gives us new hearts. 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:07.279 Then we repent 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:09.160 and we believe. 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:14.140 Now, 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.259 why preach about this? 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.100 Why teach about it? 00:26:19.320 --> 00:26:20.940 Does this make any difference 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.960 in the way we live? 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:24.620 Or is this just some 00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:27.279 obscure theological point 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:29.000 that Presbyterians 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.820 are hung up on? 00:26:31.580 --> 00:26:32.480 I want to tell you, 00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:33.480 I believe this is 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:35.539 very practical 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:37.259 to believe 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.779 that we are Christians 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.920 not because of 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.720 what we've done, 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.220 but because of 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.860 what God has done. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.620 Very quickly, 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.319 let me give you 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.039 six reasons 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.880 why I believe 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.680 this is important. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.700 If you believe 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.599 that God does it all, 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.420 number one, 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.259 this gives 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:52.339 God the glory 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:53.980 in our salvation. 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:55.640 You know, 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.500 what do we want to say? 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:56.860 I'll tell you 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:57.860 what my fallen nature 00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.539 wants to say. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.500 I want to say, 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.920 God, 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.920 you did most of it. 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.640 You sent your Son. 00:27:03.060 --> 00:27:03.380 Jesus, 00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:04.240 you died for me, 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:04.780 but hey, 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:06.560 I did a little of it. 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.520 God, 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.240 you did your part, 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:09.100 but you know, 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.320 I have my part to do too. 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.480 I turned from my sin. 00:27:12.560 --> 00:27:13.320 I saw the errors 00:27:13.320 --> 00:27:13.960 in my way. 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.320 I turned from my sin 00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:16.160 and I believed 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.720 and trusted in Jesus. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.080 But you know, 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:21.020 to believe that God 00:27:21.020 --> 00:27:21.660 does it all, 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:23.360 what does it do? 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.440 It gives Him 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.820 all the glory. 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:28.240 If you are a Christian 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.180 and you realize 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:30.180 God has done it all, 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.160 the only thing 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.780 that you can do, 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.000 what, 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.480 is look up 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.200 into God's face 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.779 and say, 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:36.980 you have done it all. 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.660 You get all the glory. 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.900 What is the reason 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:43.099 for our salvation anyway? 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.400 What is it ultimately 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.039 all about? 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:45.839 It's about 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:47.900 this great God 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:49.640 glorifying Himself. 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.019 Second reason 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.799 this is important. 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:52.880 Second reason 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.880 this is so practical. 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.660 If you believe 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.559 that God does it all 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.240 in salvation, 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.799 this is the basis 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:59.519 of our assurance. 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:00.940 This is why 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.000 we can feel safe 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.099 and secure as Christians. 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:03.980 How do we know 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.799 that one day 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:06.859 God will not say, 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:07.519 well, 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.919 you just sinned too much. 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.440 I'm just not going to 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.019 put up with you 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.500 any longer. 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.899 You just sinned 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:14.000 too many bad things. 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.700 You're out of here. 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.240 I'm forgetting you. 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.399 You know, 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.240 here's the point. 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:21.859 If you did not 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:23.500 become a Christian 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:26.299 because of what you did, 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:29.599 neither will you lose it 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:32.200 because of what you do. 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.000 By your failure 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:34.120 to do good things 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:35.380 or by doing 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.660 too many bad things. 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:37.559 You see, 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.200 when we believe 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.359 that it's a joint effort, 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.660 God and us, 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.339 there's always 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.859 an element of uncertainty. 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.120 Is it safe? 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.859 Is it secure? 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.940 But if the reason 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.839 for our salvation 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:48.480 is in God alone, 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.799 it's eternally 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.019 safe and secure 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.579 and we can have peace 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.420 and assurance 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.200 in our hearts. 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:57.000 Third reason 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:57.539 why I believe 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.559 this is so experienced 00:28:58.559 --> 00:29:00.259 is this makes us humble. 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:02.279 If we believe 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.500 that God does it all, 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:05.039 it makes us humble 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:06.860 before God. 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.519 It destroys 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.799 our boasting. 00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:11.120 It destroys 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:12.039 our pride 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.579 of religious achievement. 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:15.259 But you know something? 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.740 It also makes us 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.180 humble 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.380 toward 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:19.540 other people. 00:29:21.540 --> 00:29:22.020 You know something? 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.280 I think we've lost 00:29:23.280 --> 00:29:24.740 our testing, 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.160 testing. 00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:31.120 The stamp, 00:29:31.280 --> 00:29:32.020 this mic right here. 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:32.300 Okay. 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.520 You know, 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:38.040 to believe 00:29:38.040 --> 00:29:38.560 that God 00:29:38.560 --> 00:29:39.360 does it all, 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.820 it makes us 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.100 humble 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:42.980 toward other people. 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.440 You know what I find 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.140 in my own heart? 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.200 It's so easy 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:49.300 to feel superior 00:29:49.300 --> 00:29:50.740 to other people. 00:29:51.820 --> 00:29:52.180 Particularly 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:53.340 to feel superior 00:29:53.340 --> 00:29:55.020 to non-Christians. 00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:56.780 You know, 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:58.360 I look at non-Christians, 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.020 I look at their 00:29:59.020 --> 00:30:00.360 destructive ways 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:00.960 in their lives 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.440 and I think 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.580 it's so easy to feel 00:30:02.580 --> 00:30:03.640 if you were as smart 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.000 as me, 00:30:04.040 --> 00:30:04.720 you'd be a Christian. 00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:06.560 If you were as good 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:06.940 as me, 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.700 you'd be a Christian. 00:30:08.080 --> 00:30:08.660 If you were as 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.340 spiritual me, 00:30:09.520 --> 00:30:10.660 you would be a Christian. 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:13.800 But if the only reason 00:30:13.800 --> 00:30:15.279 that you and I 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:15.820 are Christians 00:30:15.820 --> 00:30:16.800 is because of what 00:30:16.800 --> 00:30:17.500 God has done, 00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:20.820 we cannot feel 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:21.440 superior 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:23.100 to anyone 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:24.960 on the face 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.279 of the earth. 00:30:27.300 --> 00:30:28.360 So this destroys 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:30.060 our pride 00:30:30.060 --> 00:30:30.759 before God. 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.420 This destroys 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.400 our pride 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:32.980 in the face 00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.759 of other people. 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.620 It keeps us 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.340 from that feeling 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:36.019 of superiority 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.800 applied to our hearts. 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.259 It makes us humble. 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:41.259 poor thing, 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:41.759 if we believe 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.700 that God does it all, 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:44.240 it enables us 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.900 to love other people. 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.700 Guess what? 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:50.180 You cannot love 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:52.119 and help 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.200 another person 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:54.460 if you feel 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:55.339 superior to them. 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:56.140 It's a wall. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.359 They can sense it. 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.700 We need to cut 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.680 to help other people. 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.400 We need to come 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.359 alongside them 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:04.259 as fellow sinners 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.660 who found 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.879 the grace of God. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.559 This truth 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.599 applied to our hearts 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.839 that God does it all. 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.799 It enables us 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.659 to love other people. 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.039 Fifth thing, 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:15.099 this gives us hope 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.399 for everyone. 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.000 You know, 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.659 throughout my Christian life, 00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.659 I found myself 00:31:20.659 --> 00:31:22.119 playing this little game 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.019 in my mind. 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.500 You know, 00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:25.779 I look at non-Christians 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:27.319 and I divide them 00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.179 into two groups. 00:31:28.719 --> 00:31:29.699 The first group 00:31:29.699 --> 00:31:30.859 is those 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.899 who are likely 00:31:31.899 --> 00:31:32.859 to convert 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.259 and to become Christians. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.420 Christians. 00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:36.119 And the last group 00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:36.700 is those 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.779 who would never 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.640 become Christians. 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.500 Their hearts 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.420 are just too hard. 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.819 They're just so confirmed 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.859 in their unbelief. 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.779 They just believe 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.660 so many lies 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.440 and errors. 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:47.240 So I put people 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.240 in these two groups 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.700 and I give up 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.299 on one group 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.879 because I think 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.879 they're unlikely 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:52.619 to be saved. 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:53.740 This is wrong. 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.440 This gives us hope 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.319 for everyone. 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.940 In the new birth, 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.099 what does God do? 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.819 He takes 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:02.019 a hard heart, 00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:03.099 a heart of stone, 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:04.719 and he makes it 00:32:04.719 --> 00:32:05.740 into a heart of flesh. 00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:07.259 That is God's 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.459 speciality 00:32:08.459 --> 00:32:09.899 in regeneration. 00:32:11.419 --> 00:32:12.500 So there's hope 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.539 for everyone. 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.740 And the last thing 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.879 that this does for us, 00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:18.980 this gives us confidence 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.839 in prayer 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:23.039 and evangelism. 00:32:24.219 --> 00:32:25.539 Confidence to pray 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.419 for everyone. 00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:27.539 Even that person 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:28.480 that you don't think 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.299 is likely 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.259 to become a Christian. 00:32:30.439 --> 00:32:31.379 That person you think 00:32:31.379 --> 00:32:32.319 their heart is too hard. 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:33.559 This gives us confidence 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.700 to pray for them 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.700 and to share 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:37.299 the gospel with them. 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:43.119 The Bible teaches 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:45.319 in salvation, 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:48.179 Jesus told Nicodemus, 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:50.639 you must be born again. 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.399 This is something 00:32:52.399 --> 00:32:53.399 that God does. 00:32:54.439 --> 00:32:55.819 God does it all 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:57.359 in salvation. 00:32:58.439 --> 00:32:59.700 It's a wonderful truth. 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:01.660 It brings us peace. 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:03.160 It brings us assurance. 00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:04.580 It makes us humble. 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:08.279 One last question 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.080 I want to address. 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.539 You may be saying, 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:10.819 well, 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.660 I'm not a Christian. 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:13.720 Yeah. 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.420 Or you may be saying, 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.200 I'm not sure 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.960 that I'm a Christian. 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:18.920 If God does it all 00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:19.700 in salvation, 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:22.059 what can I do? 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.440 There is nothing 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:23.900 I can do. 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.519 I just have to 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.660 sit around and wait. 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.500 Maybe he'll do it. 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.220 Maybe he won't. 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:29.519 Is that the view 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.019 of the Bible? 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:31.759 No. 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.839 Let me tell you, 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:36.480 the appeal of the Bible, 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:38.019 the invitation of the Bible, 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.839 the command of the Bible 00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:41.059 is threefold. 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:42.039 If you're not a Christian, 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:44.100 it is come. 00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:45.900 Jesus said in Matthew 11, 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.480 come unto me, 00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:49.620 all you that are heavy laden, 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.759 and I will give you rest. 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.420 The command of the Bible 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.180 is seek, 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:54.100 Isaiah 55, 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:55.420 seek the Lord 00:33:55.420 --> 00:33:56.500 while he may be found. 00:33:57.320 --> 00:33:58.300 The command of the Bible 00:33:58.300 --> 00:33:59.700 is call. 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:00.640 Again, 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.580 in Isaiah 55, 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.860 call upon him 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:04.100 while he is near. 00:34:05.340 --> 00:34:05.920 And then Paul, 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.759 in Romans 11, 00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:07.380 he's quoting 00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:08.539 the Old Testament 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.360 prophet Joel, 00:34:09.680 --> 00:34:10.940 everyone who calls 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.840 on the name of the Lord 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.760 will be saved. 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:13.360 Yes, 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:14.180 God does it all 00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:14.840 in salvation, 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.740 but if you're not 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.220 a Christian, 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:17.400 what does he command 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:18.059 you to do? 00:34:18.220 --> 00:34:19.180 What does he invite 00:34:19.180 --> 00:34:19.720 you to do? 00:34:19.720 --> 00:34:20.880 What does he appeal 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.559 to you to do? 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.480 To come, 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.480 to seek, 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.840 to call upon him. 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.720 Not to be passive. 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.880 And when you seek him, 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:32.619 and when you call upon him, 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.840 and when you come to him, 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.519 what do you say? 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:38.159 The very same things 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:39.480 we talked about this morning. 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:42.019 I cannot do it. 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:44.519 I cannot save myself. 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.220 I cannot make myself 00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:46.619 a Christian. 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:48.119 I cannot die for my sins. 00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:49.200 I cannot be good enough. 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.460 I cannot even repent 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:50.920 and believe. 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:52.860 You must do for me 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:54.420 what I cannot do 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:55.159 for myself. 00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.680 And when a person 00:34:59.680 --> 00:35:00.480 does that, 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:03.700 what happens? 00:35:06.280 --> 00:35:07.659 God causes him 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:09.820 to be born again. 00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:12.059 Let's pray.