Sunday, May 5th, 2019 - AM - Foundation Inspection (John 3)
Well, I invite you and those who might be listening outside of this service to join me in The Gospel according to John chapter number 3 The Gospel according to John chapter number 3 for those who might be listening outside of the service you listen to the Springfield Baptist Church.
Foundation inspection Foundation inspection number when we bought our house how many Bureau homeowners you don't have to raise your hand if you don't want to but that's what he did for a living. I had his truck equipped with Jared came and did an inspection on our home. I may be familiar with Home Inspections. Maybe she's had some done yourself or you at the homeowner yourself, but seeing things that wasn't a fixer uppers if you knew there was one we went we were taken to and and we were trying to go into every home with an open mind, right? Okay. We're going to see I'm going to get past all the Cosmetic stuff and Young younger back then and I still felt like maybe I can fix more of what we had that we had one home. We pulled up to it and I looked at the house and I kind of went like this.
to straighten my vision of the Court and then we went inside and toward the home and I'm sure but what really concerns me is that I went downstairs into the basement that had carpet down there and ask him to the side of the brick wall at night or something like that and we have that problem problem and I can't fix that one. So I'm not going to get my car jack out there and try to understand where we need to have inspections done from time to time because of the structures going to be found. It must be built. The Sermon on the Mount a particular. And at the end of each of those firms He gave his conclusion. He says if you want to be why I'm going to paraphrase it for 6 timer. You want me why you need to build on his tank build on his work. If you're online and you will not do that. And you'll have a foundation is built on Sand do you know the store and talk about you know that the reference are think about that when we approached now, I need you to sit on the edge of your seat. I'm going to ask you to do something this morning. I want you to read John chapter 3 as best as you can like you've never read it before.
Clear your mind. Take a moment and approach the scriptures and say I want to see what you're saying here. But I'm going to read it. Like I've never read it before that means I'm going to be hungry to take in every word of the Blessed scripture. We're going to come to John chapter 3 and I'm going to read at least through this discourse of the taker John chapter number 3 beginning a birth number one will go down the verse 21 together. There was a man of the Pharisees named. What was his name?
Who was he he was a ruler of the Jews the same page of Jesus not by day. He came by 9 instead of the him Rabbi. We know that thou art teacher come from God for no man can do these miracles? Call if you just read chapter 2 you just read where Jesus turned water into unfermented grape juice there.
Nicodemus has no man can do these Miracles that I'll do it.
Jesus answered and said unto him. Barely barely. It's a malignant verily verily I say unto except.
Nicodemus State under him How can a man be born when he is old? Can you enter the second time?
Jesus answered verily verily another double a mint water and of the spirit cannot enter the kingdom of God that which is born of the flesh is flesh that which is born of the spirit is Spirit. You must be born again. Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth. Harris the sound are out, but cannot tell when's it coming with her it goeth. so is everyone that is born of the capital f. Nicodemus answered and said unto him. How can we sing?
Jesus answered and said unto him a master of Israel singular. We speak that we do know. intensify that we've C and you before overseeding are with us. How cold is Berkeley things if you believe and you believe not how shall you believe if I tell you Heavenly thing and no man has ascended up to heaven, but he came down from heaven and the son of man, which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be he that believeth not a he that believe it on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already. Because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God. This is the kind of make that lying is come into the world and Men loved Darkness rather than light.
You're the one that doeth evil hateth, like neither cometh to the light less than Z should be reproved. But he that doeth truth coming to the light. Then his deeds may be made manifest that they or rock in golf Lord. I pray that you help us to consider our own face Foundation this morning consider his face Foundation encounter Jesus and something moved inside of him to see Jesus a language that question was played his soul question of Eternity
by not even known exactly what he was seeking when he came to Jesus the cheapest new and Lord. I pray that for that one that might be here today in the same situation as Christians we pray for it. We try to witness to that might be where I make a demon Lord. I pray that you would help us to have the wisdom of the holy spirit in the power to lead them to study knowledge of Jesus Christ before to turn left to right in his precious name. I pray Amen theme park small bird Sparrow by upon his back on the road.
At first he ever called The Sparrow was dead when he was alive. However, he went forward to speak to him.
Are you all right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
the sparrow labs What are you doing lying on your back of your legs pointing up to the sky? Haven't you heard the rumor? despair last in return
I said year.
The bird looked at it with a solemn face for a moment and then recorded. When does all he can?
Okay, that's herbalism.
That was supposed to think about my spiritual application that might I mean how many folks are just waiting for something and they're not quite the pair just like the scrawny little bird here the Sparrow
No, it didn't anybody can see that they are how many people like Nicodemus perhaps they are completely unprepared for it and their kind in that attitude was just doing what I can. I'm just doing what I can when does what he can do in his condition. Now, we need to go back to the earlier chapters in see some of what John introduces his to introduce us to so many Concept even that first chapter talks about in the beginning was the word and the Word was with God and the Word was God from the beginning with God all things were made by him. Nothing was made without him. Not that light but the light. John the gospel writer refers to is the life of Jesus Christ and we beheld his glory father full of grace and truth. John introduces this to this concept of light and darkness very early on in the book. Remember John 111 power to become the sons of God in them that believe on his name. So John is his magnificent writer in many ways. He takes simple concept that really aren't so simple by the time you start thinking through them for instance in his letter the first letter that he wrote In First John chapter 1 verse number 5. He says I need to know that and then him is no Darkness at all.
weight loss according that verse God is alive. And we were having a discussion about this not hurt somebody else reference. I think a couple of days ago that science still can't figure out what light is We don't have that for you. This is what God is God is light and in him is no Darkness at all by my telling you this because John tells us that Jesus Christ came in the world. It's only one night. He looks a little bit of apheresis. What's his name with me name is so he's the leader of the Pharisees.
He's doing and what is his name in the Old Testament the name Nicodemus in the Bible?
Nyko is the god of Victory right? So Nicodemus? He's a Jewish man. He's a religious leader a good man. No doubt. When did he become the day? You know, he came in the night now, let's think about garments. Okay. And why? Throughout his gospel. John is weaving a thing about Darkness. Leading us really to the conclusion of our own depravity.
Info here in his dark maybe because he's embarrassed to come to Jesus. I don't know. I don't want to guess I'm not maybe one day if you did trust Christ and I believe he did eventually we'll be even asking
why am I not we didn't want anybody to see why don't we?
Okay, idiot. Nicodemus come to Jesus by night.
It's interesting because what did Nicodemus asked if he calls him rabbi? And then later on Jesus is conversing with Nicodemus. Like hey, you know what? You all aren't receiving our mess. So here Nicodemus is approaching Jesus as kind of an equal in in people's eyes in that way. The people are looking at Jesus as a rabbi at the master. No making the decision to have coffee with him Nicodemus with a man who is a leader of Israel Ardell not a teacher of Israel and no it's not the same. So this is a conversation between people of the same rank. Maybe I don't know if that's a good way to look at it because you how you rank.
Nicodemus company sentenced we loaded our listen to come from God for no man can do these Miracles except I'll do it.
question Where is the question in that verse? I don't have a question mark in my Bible. I have a. After that. So he didn't really ask me such a question. He came to him in the dark and made a statement. We know you're from. But if you do what you're doing.
If you put pattern versus Vision your Bible on your own you might consider backing up and putting the chapter and verse break at chapter 2 verse 23.
So I'm going to read without the words chapter 3 in here and I'm going to say the chapter 3 is beginning it at chapter 2 verse 23, so let's read but I just want to read through for the smoothness of how close. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover in the feast day many believe in his name when they saw the Miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself under them because he knew all men and needed not that any should testify of man for he knew what was in man. There was a man of the Pharisees named. A ruler that use the same came to Jesus by night. You see the word man. Did you hear the word man in their connecting the thought here? I think there was a man. Name Nicodemus John and knew what was in them in. This is all leading up to chapter 6, by the way where he beats them old suits and then they all go away when you give that difficult message turns to the Lord to whom shall we go now has two words of eternal life. So Jesus is leading up to the separation eventually because Revelation bring separate Revelation decoration separation between light and darkness Nicodemus come to Jesus by 19 makes a statement does not ask a question. He made a statement from God.
Who is Louis interesting?
We know that. Is he reporting on behalf of the Pharisees then? They're figuring out that he's from. I don't think so. So Jesus answered and he says unto him that stated read it out loud with me if you would barely earlier except a man be born again.
You see what he's doing. He's confronting Nicodemus and it don't think about what's next.
What's that little Sparrow? What's next Heaven's going to follow? You heard the rumor, right? That's a silly joke.
There will be a day. Or we will die because Hebrews 9:27 Pizazz has appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgement we will die and we will face keep turning and the question is are we prepared do we have the eternal life that Jesus Christ is talking about when he says except a man be born again. If we're going to look at the foundation of Nicodemus his face. What is the foundation of Nicodemus is Faith Hebrew number 19. Where there's a conversation going back between Main in this imaginary person you talking to and he said you believe that there is one God they'll do as well. And then you said the devil's believe and tremble.
But did you make the crossing? Did he appropriate his faith in Jesus Christ being the one that God sent as his only begotten son to die for the sins of the world? I don't see Nicodemus having made that stuff here. Noticed she has an encounter with an Uber from verses 1 through 3. Jesus knows his need and he poses this statement right back to me baby born again. You cannot see the kingdom of God has come and I believe you. first number for him How come in and be bored with his old? Can you enter at the second time in his mother's womb? Nicodemus is stuck on the Earthly things, but known to the unknown if Nicodemus will have ears to hear so he says and we do this. No, it's not it's not agree with me on that side yet.
Don't let the terminology inside don't you barely barely I say unto thee except a man be born. What is the color pot of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God if we take verse 5 and 6 and apply them to what Jesus said inbirth 3 sticking with the context to be born again then. And you're free to disagree with me, but the but just look at the context to be born again then is to be born of water and of the spirit. Otherwise, you can't see the kingdom of God. Otherwise you in about what is water. And what is spirit cuz I'm sure you're asking a question.
Is there summer six said that which is born of the flesh is flesh that which is born of the spirit is Spirit Marvel. Not that I sent. You must be born again. We've got to be born of water has got to be born of Flesh. You see the parallel there, but I'm making with those verses just right here before it would I be born again? We must not only be born of water and flesh. We must also be born of the spirit so there is a physical verb. Naturally, but what Jesus is trying to get me to Demons to see you there must be a spiritual birthing that occur.
No7 to a little bit of theology Whether you take man to be trichotomous are dichotomous you can we can talk about that after church regardless of where you stand on that body and soul and a spirit right? We can all agree on that whether we looked at two or three we can talk about that later, but we can say man has a body Soul and Spirit. accurate statement how do we know that you seen your spirit and your soul some people say they have I've never seen a soul. It's immaterial. It's an immaterial part of us. Will the spirit is that aspect of our nature that was created to have fellowship with God and you read Ephesians chapter 2 verse number one in trespasses. Somehow someway somewhere along the line. You have a part of you that is dead. in trespasses and sins
YouTube dead and trespassing some sense. So if you're saved a part of you has been made alive been given life. That happens for the Breath of God in the spirit of God. Remember when God created man in the in the beginning he created Out of the Dust of the earth release into his nostrils the Breath of Life Man became a living. soul Not that became a living Soul. So we have a soul which we are not our person. We're not who we up if you don't have a soul. Your soul is going to finish Journey somewhere forever. It will regardless of what other than teach and what others might say. The Bible was clear. You have an eternal soul and God created the spirit and not the spirit is the aspect that was made created to have communion and fellowship with God and so was physically but then you also have to take that step and be born. Otherwise you remain that you cannot see the kingdom of God born of water and of the spirit Board of Water the arguments against so we're talking about the flesh before my mother physical Burger. Now to go along with that to be born of water. They're playing scriptures that talk about the washing of Water by the word, which is able to save your soul to save your soul. So there's an answer to that washes that cleansing to where we can we can see by the revelation of God. We can turn to the light and we can say I am full of Darkness. We can humble ourselves Before You Are Holy and you are all righteous. And I am the exact opposite. Oh worm that I am and when we can become that what member Jesus in the Beatitudes blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Give me a moment to thank for that for it to be poor in spirit. Do we use that terminology regularly today? What the last time you said to someone I feel for in spirit today? What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Connotation behind that if you studied out the sense of the word is that you come to the place where you realized like Nicodemus need to realize you are absolutely bankrupt before. Not think that through everyone one does what he can.
That kind of attitude is going to leave you bankrupt before God in the end because you're not going to be able to cash out when it comes time to return me to have nothing good in the bank to measure up. To meet requirements of a righteous and holy God. So we might become poor in spirit if they will just humble himself. He can find lie. So we see Jesus here is working with Nicodemus Nicodemus encounters the New Bern he made the mistake of seeking Miracles. He comes to Jesus because of the Miracles and he says we know you're from God and mishandling spiritual matters. He can't get off of this occur when you can't get past the physical. And then you remain blind to the spiritual you can't see that like coming in. You have no mind for Spiritual things.
So make it even came face-to-face with an encounter of the Newburgh now noticed choir.
How can a man be born when he is old or sport? Can you enter the second time answer fairly barely got that would support of flesh is Flesh vs. Spirit.
I want to get Nicodemus little predator. Had the 99, you know plus others. That's called miracles to who was it that actually came for the passion. He just said he came by night.
That's more than so many others do. Don't get weary in well-doing be not weary in well-doing for you. Shall reap if you faint not how many daughters he has not called before you find somebody who will be kind enough in this area to actually invite you here Listerine heat on a hot day. Oh hot don't know the number now granted. Please. Let me clarify. Don't just let anybody into your home.
But when somebody shows up in a suit and tie and they're from the Baptist Church. Have we gotten so far that we can't even recognize the pastor in our community. I'm just telling you is it I mean, I don't blame. Okay. I have people I'm preaching to the choir right? I got to wear business casual or something, but Until I know who they are and I treat them like I feel like we treat some of the other people I cover it.
They were there. I couldn't I'm not Allie the burning. I don't know what happened.
It's so don't get weird be not weary in well-doing. You just go to the 99th. Eventually you might be privileged to find a Who will make some time out of his schedule at her schedule and safe?
That moment frame you need to be prepared. Unity prayed up need to be filled with the holy spirit because the door might open to have a spiritual conversation that can impact their Eternal Soul. Are you ready to have that talk? Are you prepared to lie down to talk about these things about being born again? Some people today? They don't even know what the term is that you're born again, and it's totally foreign. What is the date of the generation ago where you could say born again? And most everybody knew what you're referencing and they said all your Baptist boarding in your bad word because Jesus is born again rebirth is miraculous coming to speak because of the miraculous. The new birth is what is the real miracle that needs?
verses 5 and 6 3 morning and you must be born of water and of the spirit in the scripture for the Bible. Ephesians 5:26
1st John 5:7 are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost these three are one. repair Windows 10 in Earth the spirit the water and the blood don't you take 1st John 5 7 and 8. What is the word paralleled with their water in the world? Right in the middle of each one of those verse John 15:4 are clean through the word which outspoken interview. So we put it all together or what we're born again. How does it happen Peter not of corruptible seed physical? How do you get born again through the word of God?
And somewhere the word of God pierces the darkness of the Soul. God can breathe life where there was death. I would leave you would say Resurrection pass Resurrection Mary. Right here. You hold it in your hand. the revelation of God that pierces the dark Nicodemus needs to have the blindness removed from his spiritual life so that he can be spiritually born again because there's still be able to see it even though it was nice. And Jesus went to the witnesses, but we can see the power of it moving.
The new birth to be born again have all the things.
If you look at somebody who's genuinely just got in save you ought to see it movement there. If they have the spirit of God, they have the power of God moving to help them see their lost condition.
You want to be able to see the hand of God and by the power and moving of God with the word of God and the spirit of God, they can have life from God. Our God mixed actor And they can be born again six mysterious the sadly and I think many that we encounter and we have the privilege to share. The truth of the Gospel is many leave the same way.
still undecided still undecided about the new birth. He had an encounter with the bird with an Uber but the man left completely understand and I think at this juncture. Now don't get discouraged. Can you read later in the gospel where Jesus was crucified? And it's terrific to think about what I say you went through for us innocently being put to death on the cross of Calvary the doctor options, but they're at his crucifixion attitude Nick Bean Crock-Pot column secret disciples, but I really put two and two together in the right way in the old map. That was thinking in a minute.
He put it together. Jesus is Messiah.
It's me birthday popping.
At this point I think about that how many people have you talked to about the war and they go away from the end if they want to silence. I don't want to say it's okay cuz it's not. Okay. We were moving side, right?
Can you be patient? Be long-suffering be loving to them. We're not there to bulldoze anybody with the scriptures noticed Nicodemus. Jesus was alive and how many people can come? Maybe there's somebody you're praying about you been praying about him for a long time. We learned about in Sunday school this morning. Don't give up cuz I'll get her back. Don't give up. Ask seek knock be patient when they leave undecided know that God can be working on their heart and look for that day and pray for that day when they can Define salvation.