The Most Famous Conversation
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The Universal Need
The Universal Need
unless, unless, YOU MUST v3-7
unless, unless, YOU MUST v3-7
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
jn 6:
Jesus was not speaking of the Communion Supper, but rather of the coming in faith that is on display when His church serves the Supper
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 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?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
There is much more than a mere recommendation. This is not about your best life; this is about having life as opposed to death; eternal life and eternal dying.
No one is exempt
No one is exempt
What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
Do not turn away from this message thinking it is not for you, because it is. There is no exemption. The need for salvation falls on everyone who is born into this world.
There is no middle ground; Kingdom of God, or sinful rebellion
There is no middle ground; Kingdom of God, or sinful rebellion
while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
There is no such thing as someone who doesn’t need Jesus as Savior, only those who have been born again and those who have not
I know that some people will say of young children that they don’t yet need Jesus, but I maintain such a statement is never found in scripture. Children need Jesus from the point of conception, which is why we pray for mom and baby as soon as we hear the announcement and in some cases before. Inasmuch as I believe the young and mentally incompetent are covered by grace, that grace is secured by none other than Jesus. So I say again, there are only those who have been and have not been born again. If you have not been born again, when you are awakened to your sin and drawn to Christ you MUST believe to be born again. There are no exceptions.
The Personal Reality
The Personal Reality
Take it from those who know
Take it from those who know
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. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
jn 3:
Jesus is the Son of Man who descended from Heaven.
The Bible is God’s Holy Word for us.
We are the people who have experienced saving grace
Births happen one at a time, even multiples
Births happen one at a time, even multiples
Jacob was holding Esau’s ankle - the older shall serve the younger
And the Lord said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
the older shall serve the younger.”
When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Just like the wind
Just like the wind
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.”
Salvation is a very personal thing. The Spirit of God continues to lead and bear witness throughout the life of the believer, and inasmuch as we may have questions, I believe that everyone born again feels this wind blowing from time to time. Have you felt the breath of God? Lately?
The Clear Delineation
The Clear Delineation
Nicodemus is lacking
Nicodemus is lacking
Nicodemus is a religious man, a Pharisee
Nicodemus is a ruler in the community
Jesus says YOU must be born again
All the believing
All the believing
All, not whoever
All, not whoever
πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων - 1238 instances of pas; all meaning every or all
Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
The efficacy of the sending of Jesus, that He would live and die and be raised for us is so certain as to guarantee above any other promise ever made the final and eternal salvation for every soul who believes without fail.
So, nothing else is required - all the believing
So, nothing else is required - all the believing
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
What else could you add?
Your end is not in danger, Christ loses none
Your end is not in danger, Christ loses none
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
When God says all believers, He means all without exception. Child of God rest easy in the security of Christ’s claim on you forever.
The Unbelievers
The Unbelievers
The verdict has already been passed
The verdict has already been passed
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.
The fault is your own
The fault is your own
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
If you are here, it’s not too late
If you are here, it’s not too late
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
In this, the most famous conversation, we find clear instruction for all, great comfort for believers, and clear warning for unbelievers. May God bless His People with blessed assurance and felt peace today, and may He through this message, and the visible proclamation in the Lord’s Supper draw sinners to faith in Jesus to the saving of their souls.