What you DON’T know

John 3:1–15 ESV

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Title: What you DONT know

we as a culture are obsessed with KNOWING everything. I grew up in australia and we had a saying: NO ONE LIKE S AKNOW IT ALL! Someone who just cant hang. who just has to DISPLAY their knowledge to you no matter where the conversation twists or turns, they just have to TELL YOU WHAT THEY KNOW, AND HOW MUCH THEY KNOW AND WHY WHAT THEY KNOW IS SUPERIOR TO WHAT THEY KNOW

My story: I was brought up with a broad stood back knowledge of God. An education. I even did religious studies in 10th -12th because it interested me. My three favorite subjects at school were

Business (commerce)

Mathematics

…. And studies of religion.

I would say that gave me a very basic and introductory understanding of God. I didn’t know God. I didn’t even know His name. I just knew a very limited amount.

So in a sense I am grateful for that. My parents sent me to a school that at least gave me that.

Religion will get you about as far as as education can take you

Religion doesn’t get you closer to God. It GIVES YOU A PRELIMINARY UNDERSTANDING OF GOD.

An education

it can take you further away from God. Not closer.

Why is this worth talking about: we are prone as humans to always move in the direction of religion. Because Religion is about what you know, what you do and how much you do it.

(Say that again).

Enter nicodemus…..Fun facts on HIM. This guy had from a relgious perspective - HAD IT ALL -

a member of the Jewish sanhedrin -

a religiously devout, well read, well taught man of the Faith -’ The people of ISRAEL

1.RELIGION WILL ONLY GET YOU SO FAR

how far?

could get you to the table to meet Jesus?

But Nicodemus gets scolded by JESUS - not sure if you caught this:

John 3:9–10 ESV

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

In other words “BRO … Are yu serious. of all the people!! youre supposed to KNOW THIS”

(youve had the education -= yet your missing it)

Jesus said you know these things in other words he was someone who knew better than to doubt the prophecies to not see the fulfillment of scripture to not walk as a disciple, or at least want to be a disciple of Jesus, religion clouded his view

What are the pitfalls of religion?

Focused on works - what have I done? Have I done enough?

Focused on knowledge - do I know enough, do I know enough of the right people.

Focused on self - am I enough.

Focused on performance - Is everyone around me seeing this? are they getting a doisplay of my so called spirituality?

Write this down: Performance is WORLDLY…. quiet excellence is KINGDOM

**jesus agreed to meet him at night. why? some think its because Nicudmes wanted to avoid publicit. no one like that was seen out at night at a rooftop cafe in Judea. so many see this as nicodemus trying to protect himself. i believe it was Jesus showing more of who he is. at night - where there is no eyes watching, no instagram accounts following, no like sfollows or shares. under the cover of darkness - Jesus will see you there. Where its just YOU. and HIM.

Religion wants to TELL THE WORLD. Talk to the WHOLE WORLD

Jesus wants to talk… just to you

Questions we must continue to ask ourselves:

Am I concerned with how much I’ve done? Am I concerned with how much I know?

These are not primary things they always come after they should never lead us

Self becomes more valuable than God. God seems to decline.

“Religious duty should never come ahead of right relationship”

2.RELATIONSHIP STARTS WHERE RELIGION ENDS

it’s about what you know, about who you know and if you follow him.

Nicodemus had it wrong, but john the baptizer had it right inside the very same chapter we see an unusual contrast between the conversation with Nicodemus and the confession of John.

John 3:25–36 ESV

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Relationship is what matters in the end.

This is the story of John. We’re only 3 chapters in but you can see the theme already!

Nicudemus enclunter with Jesus was UNCONVENTIONAL (he met him at night. Very unusual. And the very fact that Jesus did that tells you a lot: He will show up in the night, at the very last time you think he will.

Jesus wants to show up for you