1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,980 please open your Bible at Johns Gospel in chapter 3. we’re looking at the story 2 00:00:04,980 –> 00:00:10,520 of this man Nicodemus today and if I was to choose one character from the bible 3 00:00:10,520 –> 00:00:16,459 whose story speaks more than any other to us I think it would be this man 4 00:00:16,459 –> 00:00:23,200 Nicodemus more than any other person I think his profile fits who we are and 5 00:00:23,200 –> 00:00:29,459 there are hundreds, hundreds of people very, very much like Nicodemus across the 6 00:00:29,500 –> 00:00:34,060 congregations of the orchard this weekend and I want to describe this man 7 00:00:34,060 –> 00:00:39,380 to you I think you will very, very quickly recognize him and many will feel 8 00:00:39,380 –> 00:00:42,459 that they are looking in the mirror as it were 9 00:00:42,459 –> 00:00:47,340 John chapter 3 then verse 1 notice how he’s first introduced to us. there was a 10 00:00:47,340 –> 00:00:52,459 man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. so two descriptions 11 00:00:52,459 –> 00:00:56,619 here one he was a ruler of the Jews which means he got to the top of his 12 00:00:56,900 –> 00:01:02,020 profession he was successful he had had a great career he’d done very well for 13 00:01:02,020 –> 00:01:07,739 himself behind that of course meant that there was a special talent no doubt a 14 00:01:07,739 –> 00:01:13,779 good education and certainly a very great deal of hard work then we’re told 15 00:01:13,779 –> 00:01:18,260 he was a Pharisee now I know that the word Pharisee sometimes sounds negative 16 00:01:18,260 –> 00:01:22,199 in our ears you know pretentious arrogant and so forth and certainly 17 00:01:22,199 –> 00:01:26,180 there would have been some of the Pharisees like that but remember that 18 00:01:26,279 –> 00:01:31,440 when the Apostle Paul made a list of his credentials before he met Christ one of 19 00:01:31,440 –> 00:01:35,300 the things that he put there was alongside being a Hebrew of the Hebrews 20 00:01:35,300 –> 00:01:41,160 and circumcised on the eighth day he was a as to the law he was a Pharisee and 21 00:01:41,160 –> 00:01:45,699 the reason he puts that there is that in the early world that was regarded as 22 00:01:45,699 –> 00:01:52,480 being as admirable as you could get so here is a successful trusted respected 23 00:01:53,099 –> 00:01:58,800 kind of a person and in addition to that this man is drawn to Jesus Christ. 24 00:01:58,800 –> 00:02:02,599 Again this is interesting because often we may assume that the Pharisees were just 25 00:02:02,599 –> 00:02:07,459 always the hard-liners who would oppose to Jesus, and certainly some of them were, 26 00:02:07,459 –> 00:02:11,460 Mark chapter 3 and verse 6 indicates that right from the beginning some of 27 00:02:11,460 –> 00:02:17,160 them really set themselves against Jesus. But in these early days it’s evident 28 00:02:17,160 –> 00:02:22,300 from these verses that at least some of the Pharisees were open towards Jesus 29 00:02:22,320 –> 00:02:28,380 and even affirming of his ministry. Notice verse 2, Nicodemus says to Jesus 30 00:02:28,380 –> 00:02:34,100 we know that you are a teacher from God. So he seems to be saying, now look there 31 00:02:34,100 –> 00:02:38,559 are some of us Jesus among the Pharisees who are drawn to what you are saying and 32 00:02:38,559 –> 00:02:42,820 impressed by what you are doing. We’re interested in opening a conversation 33 00:02:42,820 –> 00:02:47,399 with you we would like to be in a position of learning from you. 34 00:02:47,399 –> 00:02:51,339 Now as we build the profile of this person if you look at verse 4 we learn 35 00:02:51,380 –> 00:02:54,679 something else he asked Jesus, how can a man be born 36 00:02:54,679 –> 00:03:01,279 again when he is old, and he is of course speaking about himself. So we can take 37 00:03:01,279 –> 00:03:07,559 from this that Nicodemus was a mature person with an established career. How 38 00:03:07,559 –> 00:03:13,919 old is old? I remember my grandmother in our mid-eighties talking about these old 39 00:03:13,919 –> 00:03:18,759 people by what she meant people over 95 you know I mean it kind of moves, it 40 00:03:18,759 –> 00:03:23,100 really does, but in the early world, in the first century, where often 41 00:03:23,100 –> 00:03:27,539 lifespans were quite a bit shorter than they are today I think we can reasonably 42 00:03:27,539 –> 00:03:31,960 be thinking of someone with an established career probably in his forties 43 00:03:31,960 –> 00:03:37,639 50s or above in that culture. Here is the profile of Nicodemus see if you 44 00:03:37,639 –> 00:03:44,539 recognise this. A man of impeccable character. A man of relentless discipline 45 00:03:45,160 –> 00:03:52,039 and sheer hard work. Fair, honest, highly successful, conservative values, 46 00:03:52,039 –> 00:03:59,279 God honoring, Bible believing, law abiding, mature respected, well educated. 47 00:03:59,279 –> 00:04:05,039 A successful man who was drawn to Jesus. I want to say there are hundreds of men 48 00:04:05,039 –> 00:04:10,199 and women who fit that description in the orchard this weekend. 49 00:04:10,199 –> 00:04:14,559 In large measure, this is a portrait of who we are. 50 00:04:14,559 –> 00:04:17,619 And if it’s not who you are, I’m going to suggest is probably what you 51 00:04:17,619 –> 00:04:20,279 want to be. That you would like to be able to say, 52 00:04:20,279 –> 00:04:23,399 I’m highly successful. Like to be able to say, I’m greatly admired 53 00:04:23,399 –> 00:04:29,440 by others, and so forth and so on. And notice one more thing that I think 54 00:04:29,440 –> 00:04:34,700 is very like us. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, verse 2. 55 00:04:34,700 –> 00:04:39,959 So, there’s a certain caution about him. Here’s this man and he’s a thoughtful 56 00:04:39,959 –> 00:04:44,359 person. That’s very, very like us. And he has questions 57 00:04:44,359 –> 00:04:49,739 from Jesus, but he wants to be able to explore his questions to Jesus in 58 00:04:49,739 –> 00:04:55,519 a sort of quiet and paced and private kind of way. 59 00:04:55,519 –> 00:04:59,019 Not interested in some big scene with all of the crowds around. 60 00:04:59,019 –> 00:05:04,200 He comes to Jesus, by night, to the house, and Jesus welcomes him. 61 00:05:04,200 –> 00:05:08,839 After a long day, no doubt, with many, many people, and all of their demands, 62 00:05:08,839 –> 00:05:13,959 and all of their questions. And now it’s night. And there’s a knock at the door, 63 00:05:13,959 –> 00:05:18,100 and it’s this man. And Jesus, wherever he was staying at this 64 00:05:18,100 –> 00:05:22,440 particular time, welcomes him in. Now I want you to picture these two men, 65 00:05:22,440 –> 00:05:27,019 Nicodemus and Jesus, a Pharisee and the Son of God. And they’re sitting there, 66 00:05:27,019 –> 00:05:31,720 two sides of a table, with a little oil lamp. And it’s burning late 67 00:05:31,720 –> 00:05:36,040 in the night. And he comes and he asks his questions of Jesus. 68 00:05:36,040 –> 00:05:42,579 So whatever Jesus says to this man, is surely something that is of supreme 69 00:05:42,579 –> 00:05:49,220 importance to people like us. Now, I’ve got a very simple outline 70 00:05:49,220 –> 00:05:56,019 here today. I want you to see what Nicodemus grasped, then what he missed, 71 00:05:56,019 –> 00:06:00,100 and then very briefly at the end what he did. First, what he grasped. 72 00:06:00,100 –> 00:06:04,640 Verse two, 73 00:06:14,320 –> 00:06:21,200 Now notice then, very clearly, Nicodemus recognizes that Jesus was a teacher from 74 00:06:21,200 –> 00:06:29,119 God. A teacher is someone who imparts truth or wisdom for life. Teaching can 75 00:06:29,160 –> 00:06:32,720 obviously take place in a number of different ways. It can be through 76 00:06:32,720 –> 00:06:37,059 showing, through demonstrating, through mentoring, through modeling, through 77 00:06:37,059 –> 00:06:42,920 instructing. But however it is done, at the end of the day, a teacher is one from 78 00:06:42,920 –> 00:06:50,959 whom you learn. And he says you’re a teacher from God. We know that. A teacher 79 00:06:50,959 –> 00:06:57,299 from God is obviously one who has divine authority and therefore must be obeyed. 80 00:06:57,320 –> 00:07:02,160 Now I called the message today when religion misses the point for this 81 00:07:02,160 –> 00:07:11,500 reason that there are many, many churches in which the central message has become 82 00:07:11,500 –> 00:07:21,440 what Nicodemus grasped. In other words, that Jesus is a teacher from God. That 83 00:07:21,459 –> 00:07:27,760 Jesus has come to show us how to live. That we are to live and we are to walk 84 00:07:27,760 –> 00:07:33,980 in the way of Jesus. That we are to love God, that we are to love our neighbour as 85 00:07:33,980 –> 00:07:37,880 ourselves and we are to go into all the world and we are to tell other people to 86 00:07:37,880 –> 00:07:44,660 do the same. Now I want you to see that all of this is within the range of what 87 00:07:44,660 –> 00:07:52,779 Nicodemus grasped. We know that you are a teacher from God. We know he says that 88 00:07:52,779 –> 00:08:00,700 you have come to show us how to live God’s way. Now why was it that he grasped 89 00:08:00,700 –> 00:08:09,100 that? Answer, because God had already communicated how to live to his people 90 00:08:09,100 –> 00:08:15,339 communicating how to live was something that God had already done. God’s people 91 00:08:15,339 –> 00:08:20,200 already had his teaching with regards to how to live. In fact they had the ten 92 00:08:20,200 –> 00:08:25,000 commandments that were actually written by the finger of Almighty God Himself 93 00:08:25,000 –> 00:08:30,640 and they had had these commandments for 1,500 years before the coming of the 94 00:08:30,640 –> 00:08:37,200 Lord Jesus Christ. And when Jesus said love God with all your heart and love 95 00:08:37,340 –> 00:08:43,260 your neighbor as yourself He was simply summarizing or repeating in a summary 96 00:08:43,260 –> 00:08:48,780 way what had already been revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures through the 97 00:08:48,780 –> 00:08:54,080 Commandments 1,500 years earlier. And so Nicodemus thinks he has 98 00:08:54,080 –> 00:08:59,059 this worked out. Now what we have here is something that we have seen before. We 99 00:08:59,059 –> 00:09:03,859 have a teacher from God, one who comes to tell us how to live, one who must be 100 00:09:03,919 –> 00:09:08,739 obeyed. A teacher in other words like Moses or like the prophets who came from 101 00:09:08,739 –> 00:09:16,080 God and told us what to do. A great deal of religion in America today is entirely 102 00:09:16,080 –> 00:09:25,460 down that line and a great number of people in churches including ours have 103 00:09:25,460 –> 00:09:33,739 come to know Jesus only in that way. Now I want you to notice and this is very 104 00:09:33,859 –> 00:09:39,500 important that Jesus did not critique Nicodemus here. When Nicodemus 105 00:09:39,500 –> 00:09:44,359 describes Jesus as a teacher Our Lord does not say Oh Nicodemus you’ve got 106 00:09:44,359 –> 00:09:51,059 that wrong. Christ adds to what Nicodemus has 107 00:09:51,059 –> 00:09:57,460 rightly grasped but he does not take away from what Nicodemus has rightly 108 00:09:57,460 –> 00:10:03,140 grasped. Here’s why that is important no one can claim Jesus as 109 00:10:03,140 –> 00:10:13,900 Savior who will not submit to him as teacher Christ is never less than 110 00:10:13,900 –> 00:10:20,340 teacher to his people but friends I want to say to you today thank God he is more 111 00:10:20,340 –> 00:10:26,940 other religions round the world have teachers we have more than a teacher we 112 00:10:26,940 –> 00:10:33,099 have a savior and that’s a whole lot more and understanding the difference is 113 00:10:33,099 –> 00:10:38,820 right at the center of this conversation that takes place between 114 00:10:38,820 –> 00:10:44,500 Jesus and Nicodemus so that’s really the first thing here of what he grassed and 115 00:10:44,500 –> 00:10:50,099 it is the easiest it’s a very important thing to grasp but it’s not the only 116 00:10:50,099 –> 00:10:54,640 thing to grasp and so I want you to see with me second we’ll spend a little more 117 00:10:54,719 –> 00:11:01,000 time here what he missed what he missed in seeing only Jesus as a teacher 118 00:11:01,000 –> 00:11:05,679 giving commands along Old Testament lines to live a life of love and to go 119 00:11:05,679 –> 00:11:10,520 and be a light to others around the world and so forth what he missed was 120 00:11:10,520 –> 00:11:17,200 the infusion of life from above and that’s what Jesus focuses in on as you 121 00:11:17,460 –> 00:11:18,940 well here in verse 3 122 00:11:33,140 –> 00:11:34,799 Now when 123 00:11:34,799 –> 00:11:39,280 Jesus says truly truly you know that the words that he is about to speak are of 124 00:11:39,280 –> 00:11:42,760 supreme importance this is the way Jesus underlines something as it were 125 00:11:42,900 –> 00:11:46,280 highlights it and says whatever else you miss don’t miss this and 126 00:11:47,739 –> 00:11:53,039 When he speaks about seeing the kingdom of God? What is that to see the kingdom of God is 127 00:11:53,700 –> 00:11:59,419 to live in the joy and blessing of the reign or the rule of God and 128 00:12:00,059 –> 00:12:07,559 in the teaching of Jesus that is something that begins here and now in this world and it will reach its fullness the 129 00:12:07,919 –> 00:12:11,059 Joy of living under the reign and the rule of Christ 130 00:12:11,619 –> 00:12:17,219 Reaching its fullness in his kingdom when it comes in the new heaven and in the new earth 131 00:12:18,659 –> 00:12:25,140 Now listen to what Jesus is saying then double underline truly truly highlight. This don’t miss it 132 00:12:26,299 –> 00:12:28,780 Unless you are born again 133 00:12:29,280 –> 00:12:32,239 you will not see the joy of 134 00:12:32,799 –> 00:12:35,719 living under the blessing the reign the rule of 135 00:12:36,500 –> 00:12:38,500 God in other words if 136 00:12:39,219 –> 00:12:41,219 all you have is 137 00:12:42,239 –> 00:12:44,239 Learning the way of Jesus 138 00:12:44,659 –> 00:12:47,739 You will not see the kingdom of God that’s very very striking 139 00:12:48,840 –> 00:12:52,320 Especially when more and more churches are putting that at the very center of its message 140 00:12:53,039 –> 00:12:55,380 If all you have is learning the way of Jesus 141 00:12:56,380 –> 00:13:02,280 You will not see the kingdom of God all you have is what you’ve just said to me 142 00:13:03,039 –> 00:13:06,080 You’re not going to enter into the blessing and joy of 143 00:13:06,799 –> 00:13:07,960 his 144 00:13:07,960 –> 00:13:13,880 Rule if all you have is a sustained attempt to live a God honoring life, and that’s all you have 145 00:13:15,380 –> 00:13:17,380 You’re not going to see 146 00:13:17,500 –> 00:13:24,520 The great blessing and joy of the reign and rule of God what you must have and do not miss this says Jesus is 147 00:13:25,340 –> 00:13:27,340 You must be born 148 00:13:28,080 –> 00:13:30,000 again 149 00:13:30,000 –> 00:13:33,380 Now what is meant by being born again? 150 00:13:36,059 –> 00:13:37,859 Notice first 151 00:13:37,859 –> 00:13:43,359 that there’s a little footnote in verse 5 against this word born again and 152 00:13:44,159 –> 00:13:48,340 It tells us in the footnote. We’ve got very sharp eyes. You can see it 153 00:13:48,340 –> 00:13:48,659 if not 154 00:13:48,659 –> 00:13:55,979 I’ll tell you what it says it says the Greek is purposely ambiguous and can mean both again or 155 00:13:56,840 –> 00:14:01,599 In other words what Jesus said here can be translated born again or 156 00:14:02,520 –> 00:14:07,340 equally validly it can be translated born from above 157 00:14:08,359 –> 00:14:14,880 now that is very helpful because it communicates to us this truth that what is meant by being born again is 158 00:14:15,559 –> 00:14:16,760 an 159 00:14:16,760 –> 00:14:18,479 infusion of 160 00:14:18,479 –> 00:14:21,599 divine life life that comes from above an 161 00:14:22,179 –> 00:14:29,900 Infusion of life that comes from God himself. That’s what’s at the heart of being born again 162 00:14:31,219 –> 00:14:33,219 notice second 163 00:14:33,340 –> 00:14:39,039 that verse three born again or born from above is explained in 164 00:14:39,599 –> 00:14:41,380 verse five 165 00:14:41,380 –> 00:14:44,500 By the words born of water and the spirit 166 00:14:45,580 –> 00:14:48,039 so if you put these two verses together 167 00:14:48,520 –> 00:14:53,500 You will see very obviously the connection unless one is born again 168 00:14:54,500 –> 00:15:01,280 He cannot see the kingdom of God verse 3 and verse 5 unless one is born of water and the Spirit 169 00:15:01,780 –> 00:15:08,239 He cannot enter the kingdom of God very clearly when you put these together. You can see that born again is 170 00:15:09,239 –> 00:15:11,880 interchangeable with born of water and 171 00:15:12,359 –> 00:15:19,940 The spirit in other words the new birth in its nature being an infusion of life from above life 172 00:15:19,940 –> 00:15:23,979 from God himself is a life that cleanses and 173 00:15:24,919 –> 00:15:30,460 A life that renewed born of water and of the spirit. That’s the significance of this phrase 174 00:15:30,460 –> 00:15:33,619 So putting these things together we can now have this definition 175 00:15:34,739 –> 00:15:36,260 That being born again 176 00:15:36,260 –> 00:15:41,820 Or being born from above is an infusion of new life that comes from God Himself 177 00:15:41,880 –> 00:15:45,479 in which a person is wonderfully cleansed and 178 00:15:45,979 –> 00:15:47,979 wonderfully renewed 179 00:15:48,799 –> 00:15:54,359 So born of water and of the spirit is not describing two different ways of being born 180 00:15:54,460 –> 00:15:57,340 You know the natural and spiritual that’s not what it’s saying 181 00:15:57,380 –> 00:16:03,979 No born of water and the spirit is the unpacking of what it means to be born again 182 00:16:04,140 –> 00:16:11,500 it explains the content and it says it’s the infusion of a divine life that both cleanses and 183 00:16:12,739 –> 00:16:14,500 renews 184 00:16:14,500 –> 00:16:20,580 Now you see what Jesus is saying in response to Nicodemus comment about the teacher thing 185 00:16:21,739 –> 00:16:28,239 He’s a Nicodemus. Here’s what you have to understand. I did not come simply so that you should learn life. I 186 00:16:29,619 –> 00:16:31,619 Came so that you should 187 00:16:31,739 –> 00:16:33,479 have life 188 00:16:33,479 –> 00:16:35,219 big difference 189 00:16:35,219 –> 00:16:40,179 big difference and of course, Jesus says this again and again in the gospel I 190 00:16:40,919 –> 00:16:46,539 Came that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly John 10 in verse 10 191 00:16:46,539 –> 00:16:54,140 I give them eternal life John 10 and verse 28 and when they are given this eternal life that life will never perish 192 00:16:54,140 –> 00:16:56,059 big difference 193 00:16:56,799 –> 00:17:02,760 Between learning life from Jesus and receiving life from 194 00:17:03,460 –> 00:17:07,540 Jesus Jesus does not say I have come to tell you how to do life 195 00:17:07,540 –> 00:17:13,239 All of that was already in the Old Testament. He tells us I have come that you may have life 196 00:17:13,239 –> 00:17:16,520 I have not come to tell you how to be a better person 197 00:17:16,520 –> 00:17:22,239 I’ve come to make you by the infusion of Divine life a new person if anyone is in Christ 198 00:17:22,239 –> 00:17:26,979 He’s a new creation. The old has passed away than you has come to see that difference 199 00:17:27,560 –> 00:17:29,560 It’s a different world 200 00:17:30,020 –> 00:17:34,140 From what Nicodemus had grasped. This is what he had missed 201 00:17:35,140 –> 00:17:37,140 Now the 202 00:17:37,800 –> 00:17:39,800 Significance of what he missed, I mean 203 00:17:40,959 –> 00:17:47,680 Is emphasized particularly in verse 10 where Jesus makes it clear that this is actually the central message of the Scriptures 204 00:17:49,239 –> 00:17:52,560 Not only in the New Testament, but even in the Old 205 00:17:53,560 –> 00:17:58,819 Notice, what Jesus says verse 10. Are you the teacher of Israel? And 206 00:17:59,640 –> 00:18:03,599 Yet you do not understand these things 207 00:18:05,119 –> 00:18:08,780 Now remember Nicodemus did not have the New Testament. He had the Old Testament 208 00:18:08,780 –> 00:18:11,619 he had the same Old Testament Scriptures as we have and 209 00:18:12,099 –> 00:18:14,099 Quite clearly from verse 10, Jesus 210 00:18:14,579 –> 00:18:21,060 expected that a person with the Old Testament should be able to understand this infusion of life from above 211 00:18:22,020 –> 00:18:25,540 How is it that you’ve got the Old Testament Scriptures and you don’t get this? 212 00:18:27,140 –> 00:18:30,140 And you say where is that in the Old Testament Scriptures, many places 213 00:18:30,140 –> 00:18:33,400 let me just give you one and perhaps it’s the clearest of all, Ezekiel chapter 214 00:18:33,800 –> 00:18:35,479 36 and verse 215 00:18:35,479 –> 00:18:42,060 25 to 27 the Old Testament God says, I will put My law within them. I 216 00:18:42,760 –> 00:18:45,319 will write it on their hearts. I 217 00:18:46,000 –> 00:18:48,420 Will sprinkle clean water on you? 218 00:18:48,420 –> 00:18:53,000 you see there’s the infusion of divine love at life coming into the heart and it’s 219 00:18:53,459 –> 00:18:57,719 Cleansing I’ll sprinkle clean water on you. I’ll give you a new heart there 220 00:18:58,160 –> 00:19:03,420 Renewing and I will put My spirit in you and I will cause you to walk in my stature 221 00:19:03,420 –> 00:19:10,020 That’s in the Old Testament and the way Jesus describes what Ezekiel prophesied is he says it’s a new birth 222 00:19:10,540 –> 00:19:12,800 It’s an infusion of life from above 223 00:19:12,800 –> 00:19:17,560 it’s a Divine Life coming into you in such a way that you are washed and you are 224 00:19:18,099 –> 00:19:24,000 Cleansed and you are renewed from the inside out way more than simply 225 00:19:24,819 –> 00:19:27,599 following a mentor in a path 226 00:19:27,880 –> 00:19:31,319 or a way of life 227 00:19:33,459 –> 00:19:37,219 and Jesus says verse 7 to Nicodemus do not marvel 228 00:19:38,339 –> 00:19:43,119 That I say to you you must be born again. So Nicodemus clearly sitting at the table gone. Really? Really? 229 00:19:44,319 –> 00:19:49,719 Jesus is saying how can you have been at student of the Scriptures all these years and you haven’t got this 230 00:19:51,760 –> 00:19:57,680 How can a church have a Bible open and come to the conclusion that the central message is simply that we do our best 231 00:19:57,680 –> 00:19:59,680 to follow the way of Jesus 232 00:20:00,260 –> 00:20:02,260 How can that be? 233 00:20:02,719 –> 00:20:09,900 Now you see what he’s saying, this is very important for us. Here is a man who knows the Bible well 234 00:20:10,500 –> 00:20:11,760 and 235 00:20:11,760 –> 00:20:14,339 Yet has missed its central message 236 00:20:15,640 –> 00:20:18,900 and I fear folks that there are 237 00:20:20,420 –> 00:20:22,420 perhaps many among us 238 00:20:23,420 –> 00:20:25,420 Perhaps many 239 00:20:25,420 –> 00:20:27,420 Who are in the same position? 240 00:20:27,760 –> 00:20:29,819 Bible-believing people 241 00:20:30,819 –> 00:20:32,819 Who have missed the central? 242 00:20:33,260 –> 00:20:34,579 point of the Bible itself 243 00:20:34,579 –> 00:20:38,560 And here’s what you do you come to worship Sunday by Sunday 244 00:20:38,560 –> 00:20:42,500 And then you go out to make another great model effort to live a life 245 00:20:42,500 –> 00:20:48,079 that’s pleasing to God and you grit your teeth, and I say to you where is the joy and 246 00:20:48,819 –> 00:20:52,239 Where is the peace and where is the love? 247 00:20:53,040 –> 00:21:00,800 that is the mark of the presence of this divine life the Holy Spirit in the life of a person who belongs to 248 00:21:00,900 –> 00:21:02,900 Jesus Christ 249 00:21:03,680 –> 00:21:05,680 What he missed 250 00:21:06,359 –> 00:21:12,560 We know you’re a teacher’s come from God what he missed the infusion of divine life that cleanses and renews the heart 251 00:21:14,520 –> 00:21:20,400 What he missed was so important it’s a very central message of the Bible itself both old and New Testament 252 00:21:20,400 –> 00:21:23,719 And he was perhaps the most important thing of all 253 00:21:25,199 –> 00:21:27,199 What he missed 254 00:21:27,339 –> 00:21:31,099 Was that Jesus Christ came to give what he demands 255 00:21:32,780 –> 00:21:36,819 Now notice the question in verse 4, it’s very significant 256 00:21:38,400 –> 00:21:46,099 When Nicodemus hears these words of Jesus, he says how can a man be born when he is 257 00:21:46,959 –> 00:21:48,959 old 258 00:21:49,000 –> 00:21:53,479 Now you see Jesus is saying to him Nicodemus you must be born again, unless you’re born again 259 00:21:53,479 –> 00:21:55,880 You cannot see the kingdom of God one even see it 260 00:21:56,479 –> 00:21:59,319 Won’t enter into the joy and blessing of his wonderful rule 261 00:22:01,239 –> 00:22:08,219 You must be born again and Nicodemus hears that simply as a demand 262 00:22:10,160 –> 00:22:17,599 So what he hears is he sits the other side of the table from Jesus, okay, so this is now something I must do 263 00:22:19,040 –> 00:22:19,939 and 264 00:22:19,939 –> 00:22:26,439 Here’s his response. He sing but Jesus you can see I’m a mature man. I mean, I’m not in my 20s 265 00:22:27,839 –> 00:22:29,839 I’ve been shaped by my 266 00:22:30,400 –> 00:22:32,859 Experiences and by my choices over the years 267 00:22:33,400 –> 00:22:39,979 How how am I going to at this stage of my life cleanse myself and renew myself? 268 00:22:40,380 –> 00:22:44,359 I mean Jesus what you’re saying might be a great message for the youth group 269 00:22:45,000 –> 00:22:50,640 But it didn’t sound very realistic for someone at my stage of life, how can a man be born again when he is old? 270 00:22:50,640 –> 00:22:57,500 That’s what he’s saying. And and you know, what he’s saying. I mean, how are you going to change what you desire? 271 00:23:00,000 –> 00:23:05,920 How are you going to break out from what have become the ingrained patterns of your life and patterns can be ingrained even when you’re 272 00:23:05,920 –> 00:23:07,920 a teenager 273 00:23:08,400 –> 00:23:11,459 How’re you going to become a person who really loves God 274 00:23:12,219 –> 00:23:14,219 from the heart 275 00:23:14,619 –> 00:23:20,300 How is your Christianity going to be more than a sustained effort at a moral life? 276 00:23:21,680 –> 00:23:23,939 How are you going to become a person of clear? 277 00:23:24,699 –> 00:23:29,939 And confident faith in all of the promises of God with all of the doubts and questions that assail you 278 00:23:31,400 –> 00:23:36,239 And when Jesus says you must be born again, you must be born again 279 00:23:36,300 –> 00:23:38,300 Otherwise, you’re not gonna see the kingdom of heaven 280 00:23:38,800 –> 00:23:45,719 Nicodemus hears that as well. That’s a demand. I just can’t fulfill them, especially at this stage of life. I mean, it’s beyond me 281 00:23:48,699 –> 00:23:52,479 So what he heard was the demand that he could not fulfil what he missed 282 00:23:54,199 –> 00:23:56,199 Was a gift 283 00:23:56,680 –> 00:23:58,680 That from Jesus he could receive 284 00:23:59,699 –> 00:24:05,160 And here’s the good news that I want us to get in just these the last part of the message here today 285 00:24:05,880 –> 00:24:07,300 that 286 00:24:07,300 –> 00:24:11,380 Jesus came to give what he demands, that’s it 287 00:24:12,599 –> 00:24:15,319 jesus came to give 288 00:24:16,739 –> 00:24:18,739 What he 289 00:24:18,839 –> 00:24:21,680 Demands this was something that Augustine the great 290 00:24:22,439 –> 00:24:27,660 African Bishop of the church in the early centuries grasped very very clearly 291 00:24:27,660 –> 00:24:33,260 He said on one occasion in a famous prayer he said O God command what you will 292 00:24:34,160 –> 00:24:36,920 Only give what you command 293 00:24:37,680 –> 00:24:41,920 In other words. He’s saying Lord. You can tell me to do anything boy 294 00:24:41,920 –> 00:24:46,660 And please command what you will but the only way it’s ever going to get done is if you give to me 295 00:24:47,140 –> 00:24:50,199 Whatever it is that you command and do you see that here? 296 00:24:50,199 –> 00:24:55,520 Jesus says you must be born again and and I’m saying to you that Jesus came to give 297 00:24:56,420 –> 00:24:58,420 what he 298 00:24:58,640 –> 00:25:00,640 demands 299 00:25:01,619 –> 00:25:06,060 Now let me use an illustration here for a few moments 300 00:25:06,880 –> 00:25:08,800 As all of you know 301 00:25:08,800 –> 00:25:11,060 It is only 9 days 302 00:25:12,199 –> 00:25:17,939 Until Stephen Baldwin will be here at the orchard at the Arlington Heights campus for heaven 303 00:25:17,939 –> 00:25:24,579 How I got here week on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 6 and 8 30 p.m 304 00:25:24,579 –> 00:25:27,060 Now here’s the deal and hear it clearly 305 00:25:27,780 –> 00:25:30,099 to enjoy the blessing of 306 00:25:30,760 –> 00:25:32,760 This marvellous performance 307 00:25:32,959 –> 00:25:36,439 You must have a ticket 308 00:25:37,099 –> 00:25:39,479 That’s a demand. You must have a ticket 309 00:25:39,760 –> 00:25:42,560 Don’t come up to me and the foyer at the Arlington Heights 310 00:25:42,800 –> 00:25:49,420 Campus week on Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday and say I have been a member of this church for 25 years 311 00:25:49,420 –> 00:25:55,260 I will say to you. Do you have a ticket? And if you do not have a ticket, you’re not in don’t come and say I 312 00:25:55,939 –> 00:26:02,880 I grew up in the Sunday School 50 years ago. I’ve taught in the Sunday School. I’ve been a servant in this church 313 00:26:02,880 –> 00:26:05,459 I’ve been a generous donor to this church, you don’t got a ticket 314 00:26:06,180 –> 00:26:12,540 You’re not getting in for the marvelous blessing of seeing Stephen Baldwin a week on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening 315 00:26:12,699 –> 00:26:13,859 Have you? 316 00:26:13,859 –> 00:26:17,760 got that clear you must have a 317 00:26:18,380 –> 00:26:19,839 ticket 318 00:26:19,839 –> 00:26:21,839 now last night, I 319 00:26:21,920 –> 00:26:23,439 I 320 00:26:23,439 –> 00:26:25,439 purchased on my own credit card a 321 00:26:26,719 –> 00:26:28,719 number of tickets 322 00:26:29,619 –> 00:26:31,420 Tuesday 323 00:26:31,420 –> 00:26:33,420 Wednesday and 324 00:26:34,000 –> 00:26:35,239 Thursday 325 00:26:35,239 –> 00:26:37,239 8.30 p.m. 326 00:26:37,959 –> 00:26:41,140 I will have them in my hand in the foyer 327 00:26:42,160 –> 00:26:44,160 after the service and 328 00:26:44,400 –> 00:26:48,520 If you would like a ticket come and see Stephen Baldwin 329 00:26:49,520 –> 00:26:51,520 Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday 330 00:26:52,239 –> 00:26:58,479 The week after this coming week, I will very very very gladly and freely give one 331 00:26:59,119 –> 00:27:00,660 to you I 332 00:27:00,660 –> 00:27:02,660 Want to make the point that? 333 00:27:05,300 –> 00:27:07,280 Jesus gives 334 00:27:07,280 –> 00:27:09,260 What he? 335 00:27:09,260 –> 00:27:11,000 demands 336 00:27:11,000 –> 00:27:14,400 By the way, it’s been one of the more expensive illustrations. I’ve ever used 337 00:27:14,920 –> 00:27:16,920 And 338 00:27:18,400 –> 00:27:24,239 I nearly didn’t use it because it breaks down at multiple points. Let me tell you what they are 339 00:27:26,239 –> 00:27:28,239 Number one I 340 00:27:28,260 –> 00:27:35,739 Only have a couple of tickets for each of these occasions. So after the service it is first come first served 341 00:27:36,079 –> 00:27:40,959 I will have them clearly in my hand and when my hand is empty 342 00:27:41,739 –> 00:27:44,180 Hardluck you’re too late. It’s done 343 00:27:44,400 –> 00:27:46,400 You need to get one for yourself. Listen 344 00:27:46,900 –> 00:27:50,020 Jesus Christ’s hands are never empty 345 00:27:50,780 –> 00:27:55,959 Never empty there will never be a time where you come and say, I need to be cleansed 346 00:27:55,959 –> 00:27:59,660 I need you to renew life within me today. I’m empty 347 00:28:00,439 –> 00:28:03,579 The never be a time when you will find his hands empty 348 00:28:04,140 –> 00:28:09,300 If you see my hands empty, remember Jesus hands are never empty second 349 00:28:09,839 –> 00:28:11,839 my illustration breaks down 350 00:28:12,160 –> 00:28:13,439 because 351 00:28:13,439 –> 00:28:19,180 if you don’t get your ticket for me, you can and I hope you will go online when you get home and buy a 352 00:28:19,180 –> 00:28:21,180 ticket for yourself and 353 00:28:21,780 –> 00:28:23,900 Of course, it breaks down here 354 00:28:23,900 –> 00:28:27,099 But they the only way in which you can get life from above 355 00:28:27,119 –> 00:28:33,280 There isn’t an online way of getting it for yourself. The only way to get life from above is that you receive it from Jesus 356 00:28:34,060 –> 00:28:36,579 Nickodymus knew this for sure. He could not produce 357 00:28:37,300 –> 00:28:40,839 What Jesus spoke to him off you must be born again? 358 00:28:41,119 –> 00:28:43,479 Be born again when he’s old he must receive 359 00:28:44,199 –> 00:28:45,800 from Jesus 360 00:28:45,800 –> 00:28:47,800 What Christ himself Demand’s third? 361 00:28:48,680 –> 00:28:50,680 my illustration breaks down 362 00:28:51,079 –> 00:28:51,939 because 363 00:28:51,939 –> 00:28:53,359 Stephen’s portrayal 364 00:28:53,359 –> 00:28:55,359 Marvelous as it is of the thief of the cross 365 00:28:55,579 –> 00:29:02,959 Will only last for one evening and the blessing that Jesus Christ holds in his hand for you is a blessing of ever 366 00:29:04,359 –> 00:29:05,420 lasting Joy 367 00:29:05,420 –> 00:29:06,160 Joy 368 00:29:06,160 –> 00:29:09,959 increasing forever under the blessing and the rule of God 369 00:29:10,839 –> 00:29:12,040 fourth 370 00:29:12,040 –> 00:29:14,760 my illustration breaks down because 371 00:29:15,500 –> 00:29:19,780 What Jesus Christ gives to us is not a ticket 372 00:29:20,760 –> 00:29:22,760 He gives us himself 373 00:29:23,000 –> 00:29:26,560 He gives us himself and when you have him 374 00:29:27,079 –> 00:29:31,739 You have his life you have his love you have his hope you have his peace 375 00:29:31,739 –> 00:29:38,619 You have his joy all these things are yours when Christ is yours. That’s why the new birth comes about through the bond of Faith 376 00:29:40,000 –> 00:29:44,060 Which a person is made one with Jesus Christ you are blessed with every 377 00:29:44,319 –> 00:29:51,119 Spiritual blessing in Christ of Christ is yours. All things are yours and fifth my illustration breaks down 378 00:29:52,439 –> 00:29:56,479 because these tickets only cost me a few bucks and 379 00:29:58,280 –> 00:30:04,719 What Christ offers to you freely as we’re going to remember in a moment around this table cost the shedding of his own blood 380 00:30:06,359 –> 00:30:07,800 So you say that 381 00:30:07,800 –> 00:30:11,219 Illustration is flawed in so many ways. I don’t know why you’re using it. Now. I 382 00:30:11,739 –> 00:30:13,239 Understand what you’re saying? 383 00:30:13,239 –> 00:30:19,920 I want you to see and take this away. Clearly Jesus Christ gives what he demands 384 00:30:21,540 –> 00:30:23,540 He gives what he demands 385 00:30:23,760 –> 00:30:27,160 That’s why the beginning of the gospel he says to 386 00:30:28,020 –> 00:30:30,400 Nicodemus you must be born again and 387 00:30:31,439 –> 00:30:36,959 Later in the Gospel. He speaks about the life that the Son of Man will give to you 388 00:30:37,079 –> 00:30:37,979 and 389 00:30:37,979 –> 00:30:44,619 It’s to those who receive him who believe in his name that it gives the right to become children of God 390 00:30:44,859 –> 00:30:50,219 That’s how you are born of God. It’s in receiving him in believing in his name 391 00:30:50,219 –> 00:30:56,959 That’s chapter 1 and verse 12. Now. Here’s also what was in my mind in using this illustration 392 00:30:59,459 –> 00:31:04,500 Nicodemus was a mature successful and all of that person and 393 00:31:05,280 –> 00:31:07,719 And if you are a mature 394 00:31:09,000 –> 00:31:10,520 successful 395 00:31:10,520 –> 00:31:12,520 respected person 396 00:31:12,560 –> 00:31:14,920 There will be I am sure 397 00:31:16,280 –> 00:31:18,280 Something in you right now 398 00:31:19,260 –> 00:31:24,099 That recoils from the thought of asking me for a ticket 399 00:31:25,280 –> 00:31:28,560 Because you’re gonna think being a successful person. I 400 00:31:29,439 –> 00:31:34,459 Don’t want my pastor to think that I can’t come up with a few miserable bucks 401 00:31:34,500 –> 00:31:40,180 In order to buy a ticket for myself to go and see Stephen Baldwin or Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday next week 402 00:31:40,180 –> 00:31:46,199 And you know how I know that that’s what’s going through the mind of an awful lot of you 403 00:31:46,760 –> 00:31:50,780 Even now because if I was sitting where you’re sitting right now 404 00:31:50,780 –> 00:31:57,079 That’s exactly what I would be thinking too, and you know what that is why 405 00:31:57,719 –> 00:31:58,979 there are 406 00:31:58,979 –> 00:32:01,380 scores and perhaps hundreds of people 407 00:32:02,040 –> 00:32:08,739 Who come to church and sing the songs and listen to the sermons and go home and try and pump themselves up and another week of 408 00:32:08,739 –> 00:32:14,339 effort to live a God-Honoring life and to walk in the way of Jesus and this and that and the other and 409 00:32:16,380 –> 00:32:23,520 You never come to this infusion of life from above or the Spirit of God actually living within you or his love and his peace 410 00:32:23,520 –> 00:32:30,819 And his joy actually inhabiting your heart because you will never come to the place of saying you know what I’m empty 411 00:32:31,819 –> 00:32:33,099 I 412 00:32:33,099 –> 00:32:36,439 Need what only you can give Jesus 413 00:32:37,540 –> 00:32:38,420 and 414 00:32:38,420 –> 00:32:44,219 If you would only get off this thing of trying to push and prove yourself towards God 415 00:32:44,219 –> 00:32:50,900 it’s a what great effort you’re making at following all of the teaching of Jesus if you could only come to the place of saying I 416 00:32:51,420 –> 00:32:54,099 Need what only you can give 417 00:32:55,579 –> 00:32:57,380 I need 418 00:32:57,380 –> 00:32:59,900 Your righteousness to cover my sins 419 00:32:59,900 –> 00:33:05,959 I need your strength in my place of weakness. I need your wisdom in my folly I 420 00:33:07,459 –> 00:33:10,260 Need what only you can give Jesus I 421 00:33:11,579 –> 00:33:18,140 Need your life in me, there’s death at work in me. I need your life to be at work in me 422 00:33:19,500 –> 00:33:24,939 Well, you know if you would cometo Jesus Christ in that kind of way things would be very very different for you indeed 423 00:33:25,959 –> 00:33:29,219 Because then you would be regarding Jesus as more than a teacher 424 00:33:30,540 –> 00:33:32,540 Who shows you how to live? 425 00:33:33,020 –> 00:33:35,020 You’d be coming to him as a savior 426 00:33:35,760 –> 00:33:37,760 Who gives you what you need? 427 00:33:37,959 –> 00:33:41,839 In order to live all the difference in the world, that’s what the story is about 428 00:33:44,180 –> 00:33:48,939 Now the last thing that Jesus says to Nicodemus is in verse 14 he says as 429 00:33:49,680 –> 00:33:54,199 Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the son of man be lifted up that 430 00:33:54,520 –> 00:33:56,520 whoever 431 00:33:56,739 –> 00:33:59,680 Believes in him may have eternal life 432 00:34:00,260 –> 00:34:06,000 And when Jesus speaks about being lifted up, you know that he’s referring there to what would happen on the cross 433 00:34:06,040 –> 00:34:12,040 He’s nailed to the wooden beam. The beam is lifted up. So he is lifted up on this wooden cross and 434 00:34:12,840 –> 00:34:17,840 Notice what he says about the cross in verse 15. The Son of Man lifted up that 435 00:34:19,399 –> 00:34:23,979 Whoever believes in him may have eternal life 436 00:34:25,120 –> 00:34:30,239 Nicodemus here’s. My last word to you. Jesus is saying the Son of Man me 437 00:34:30,879 –> 00:34:33,360 going to be lifted up on 438 00:34:33,879 –> 00:34:35,879 a cross in 439 00:34:36,500 –> 00:34:43,719 Order that you may have this new life this eternal life this life that comes from above that you can’t 440 00:34:43,879 –> 00:34:50,800 Produce you’ve rightly said you can’t produce it from within yourself, but the Son of Man is going to be lifted up on the cross that 441 00:34:51,360 –> 00:34:53,360 You 442 00:34:53,739 –> 00:34:58,560 May have this eternal life that whoever believes 443 00:34:59,199 –> 00:35:02,540 May have this eternal life. That’s what he said 444 00:35:03,840 –> 00:35:08,399 And I guess that was the end of the conversation and the little room on that dark night 445 00:35:11,340 –> 00:35:14,780 But I wonder if you’ve ever noticed this when you get to the end of John’s 446 00:35:15,020 –> 00:35:18,659 Gospel and the story of how Jesus was lifted up on the cross 447 00:35:19,179 –> 00:35:23,219 And there died for our sins exactly as he had told Nicodemus 448 00:35:23,219 –> 00:35:28,679 He would do it tells us in John’s gospel and chapter 19 that there was a rich man 449 00:35:29,340 –> 00:35:34,899 By the name of Joseph of Arimathea who after Jesus had committed his spirit into the hands of the Father 450 00:35:35,419 –> 00:35:43,239 came to Pontius Pilate and asked to take the body of Jesus and to bury it in the tomb that he owned and 451 00:35:43,659 –> 00:35:50,600 And very wonderfully we’re told in John chapter 19 and verse 39 at that point that 452 00:35:51,239 –> 00:35:53,239 Nicodemus also 453 00:35:53,300 –> 00:35:56,179 Who earlier had come to Jesus by night? 454 00:35:57,020 –> 00:35:58,320 he came 455 00:35:58,320 –> 00:36:02,739 And he brought myron allows about 75 pounds and weight you see the significance of that 456 00:36:03,780 –> 00:36:10,360 He comes out into the open and takes his stand as one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ 457 00:36:10,399 –> 00:36:15,239 Christ and is a committed disciple of Jesus and he does it in the light of the cross 458 00:36:15,300 –> 00:36:17,419 he sees what happens on the cross ah 459 00:36:17,600 –> 00:36:23,620 That’s what Jesus said is by his being lifted up that I’m gonna have this life that I cannot produce in myself 460 00:36:23,620 –> 00:36:29,199 I therefore must come out of the shadows. I must take my stand whatever it costs me and 461 00:36:30,800 –> 00:36:38,340 Give myself to him and believe in him because he said to me whoever believes will have this life in 462 00:36:39,340 –> 00:36:43,139 Him and it’s because of the cross of Jesus that there is there for hope of 463 00:36:43,340 –> 00:36:48,639 New life the divine life coming to you cleansing you renewing you hope for every person 464 00:36:48,639 –> 00:36:49,419 How does it come to you? 465 00:36:49,419 –> 00:36:55,580 You believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who was lifted up in order that this life his life should be 466 00:36:56,820 –> 00:37:00,080 given to you so so come to him and 467 00:37:00,939 –> 00:37:04,580 Look to him and believe in and put your trust in him today 468 00:37:05,439 –> 00:37:12,479 Get away from what you’re trying to do for him come and say I need what you alone can do for me and in me 469 00:37:13,560 –> 00:37:16,520 so come and give me what I have not and 470 00:37:16,879 –> 00:37:21,620 Work in me what I cannot and make me what I am not 471 00:37:23,060 –> 00:37:29,340 and he will wash you in the power of his blood and he will fill you with the new life that comes from above through 472 00:37:29,340 –> 00:37:31,100 his Holy Spirit 473 00:37:31,260 –> 00:37:31,899 And 474 00:37:31,899 –> 00:37:36,840 Things will be made. You thank God we have more than a teacher 475 00:37:37,699 –> 00:37:41,939 we have a Savior who loved us and gave himself for us Father 476 00:37:43,159 –> 00:37:45,219 We bless you for our Savior 477 00:37:45,820 –> 00:37:50,739 And we want to draw near and commune by faith and in the Spirit with our 478 00:37:51,600 –> 00:37:53,179 risen Lord 479 00:37:53,179 –> 00:37:58,620 Who imparts his own very life to all who will put their trust in him and come 480 00:37:59,219 –> 00:38:04,320 Empty as we are to receive what we do not have and cannot produce in ourselves from your 481 00:38:04,699 –> 00:38:10,979 Loving and gracious hand may there be people in this service and Lord across the orchard today 482 00:38:11,780 –> 00:38:17,600 Who may come to see in you more than a teacher who tells us what to do a 483 00:38:18,560 –> 00:38:19,719 Savior 484 00:38:19,719 –> 00:38:22,419 By whose power we are enabled to pursue 485 00:38:23,199 –> 00:38:26,100 This life and these things we ask in Jesus name 486 00:38:26,500 –> 00:38:28,500 Amen