Do You Understand True Gospel Of Jesus Christ Our Lord?

English Standard Version (John 3:1-18)

3 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.

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

1. Nicodemus had some truth with regards to who Jesus was!

3 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.”

Here is the fact;

2. Even though He was a teacher of the law and even studied scripture he did not have the whole truth!

Nicodemus was a Pharisee! Who were the Pharisees?

The Pharisees were a Jewish sect that emerged around 150 BCE and were known for their strict observance of religious law and traditions:

Beliefs They believed in the resurrection of the dead, the afterlife, and that God created the world and chose Israel as his chosen people. They also believed that Moses passed down both the commandments and Oral Law. Practices They were known for their strict adherence to the rites and ceremonies of the written law. They also developed rules and regulations for every possible human action to adhere to the will of God. Role in society They were teachers and leaders of Israel and were highly esteemed by most Jewish people. They were also well-known legal experts, and along with the scribes, were part of the Jewish ruling body called the Sanhedrin.

There are many that have some truth with regards to who Jesus is! There are many that say they believe on Jesus and that Jesus is sent from God!

Good man

Prophet

Sent from God

King James Version (Matthew 16:13-16)

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

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We have many in the setting of Nicodemus today!

He spent a lot of time around others who talked about the Bible!

He even spent a lot of time in places that were considered as worship places for God!

He himself spent a lot of time studying the scriptures and even teaching others what the scriptures taught! But at this time He was missing a very fundamental truth to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

This can be very serious. There are things that matter, and there there are things that really matter! That really matter!

Things that you cannot avoid when it comes to God and His Word!

Examples! Baptism in the Holy Spirit! Second coming of Christ! Whether the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today or not!

You want to face it go right ahead!

You wants a part meal instead of full one alright!

Jesus is the Son of God!

3. The sad thing about this whole event is the fact that although he had some truth he had trouble understanding and even accepting the whole truth!

English Standard Version (John 3:1-18)

3 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?”

Why did Nicodemus have trouble receiving the truth of Gods Word? What was this the case?

1. Well in all fairness this was probably the first time he has ever heard such a message!

2. Secondly, it is very hard to understand and receive the spiritual truth if you look at it in the wrong way!

He was looking at it solely in natural terms, but when Jesus was saying you must be born-again He was talking about something that happens in the spiritual sense although it also effects the natural side of things!

English Standard Version (Ephesians 2:7-14)

7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

When you look at things only in the natural and dont take it by faith you will never go further deeper or even be able to receive the things of God!

King James Version (Hebrews 11:6)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

You want to know the problem people are trying to understand the things of God in merely a natural way.

What do you see when you look at the manger during Christmas season? When all you see is a baby in a manger and nothing more that is looking at things just in the natural sense! He’s much more than just a baby!

King James Version (Matthew 1:18-23)

18 uNow the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

What do you see when you look at the life of Christ as He walked the earth? If all you see is a goodman and nothing more you are not looking at things through spiritual eyes but just through natural eyes. He was more than a good man!

This has profound impacts upon a person! That is Jesus the carpenters son!

King James Version (Matthew 11:1-6)

11 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

What do you see when you loook upon the Cross of Calvary. If all you see is three men dying and Jesus’ death no different than the rest!

The two thieves were human but Jesus was the God-man!

The sun ceased to shine!

The whole earth shook!

The veil was rent!

King James Version (1 Corinthians 1:18)

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

What do you see when you look at the tomb where they laid Jesus?

Do you see thieves coming to steal His body? Disciples making up an hoax?

4. Hear the true Gospel of Jesus Christ!

English Standard Version (John 3:1-18)

3 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.”

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.

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.