Ben Carson - Decisions based on identity by outside markers makes us no different than the animals. Decisions based on relationships in community are found in created image of God.
For Nicodemus, the way to follow God was based on:
How you acted.
How you looked.
How you thought.
Jesus challenges Nicodemus to rethink:
The process of salvation
The process of maturing
The process of relationships
The difference between Integration and Transformation
How do you see Jesus?
Nicodemus - “rabbi” patronizing equal
Muslims - wise teacher
Important, worthwhile
New birth acknowledges Jesus is the only way
What makes you react to Jesus?
Nicodemus - “Great signs”
Jesus desires us for to draw close to God
Born of the Flesh - an internal weakness in the hands of God that leads to His glory - “treasures in jars of clay”
The pastoral struggle - Certain actions should happen, but unless they come from an inward transformation, they are window dressing
New birth recognizes who we are truly dependent on
How do you handle what you don’t understand?
Nicodemus - tried to ignore truth by making it impossible
