INDEED GOD SPEAKS (24)
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Indeed God Speaks: What Did He Really Say To Nicodemus?
Indeed God Speaks: What Did He Really Say To Nicodemus?
Jesus answered and said to 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? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into 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 be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?”
The spirit that rests on religion facilitates something called Filtering the Text. Filters are used to eliminate things in order to achieve a desired result!
What is the desired result from Filtering the Text from generation to generation?
The desired result is for you to not be able to hear the Voice of God when you read the text!
So today, let’s take a fresh look at a familiar text and see if the spirit that rests on religion has Filtered the Text and limited our understanding of what God really said in His Word!
I. The MAN that is IDENTIFIED for us!
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
What does the text clearly state about this man?
He was a man of the Pharisees, his name was Nicodemus, he was a ruler of the Jews
II. The MEETING that is DESCRIBED for us!
this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
WHEN did the meeting occur?
WHY did Nicodemus say he believed Jesus had come from God?
WHAT “signs” could Nicodemus have possibly been referring to?
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.
III. The MESSAGE that is REVEALED to us!
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
What did Jesus specifically say to Nicodemus as it pertained to the Kingdom of God?
Nicodemus had told Jesus that he believed Jesus was from God because of the SIGNS that he had SEEN Jesus doing. Jesus answered him by telling him that unless he was born from above he cannot SEE the Kingdom of God!
IV. The MISUNDERSTANDING that is COMMON among us!
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
Nicodemus did not understand the difference between the NATURAL and the SPIRITUAL and the spirit that rests on religion does not want you to understand the difference either!
How did Jesus respond to Nicodemus’ misunderstanding?
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
What are some possible explanations for being born of WATER and the SPIRIT?
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
V. The MATURITY that is AVAILABLE to us!
“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The spirit that rests on religion does not want you to be aware of what Jesus may have actually said, so let’s explore it:
WIND = ANEMOS or WIND = PNEUMA = Spirit
The normal word used in your Bible for WIND is A-NE-MOS but Jesus used the word PNEUMA which is used 370 times in the N.T. but never refers to natural wind but does refer to The Spirit.
SOUND = AKOUO or SOUND = PHONEE = To hear the voice speak; To hear His Articulated Voice/Language
The Spirit—Breathes where He Wishes or The Spirit Speaks where He wishes and you hear the articulated voice or language He speaks, but you do not know where this articulated voice comes from and where it is going; but it is this way for everyone who is born of the Spirit!
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit . . . and I heard behind me a loud voice (pho-ne-o); articulated voice or language.
Jesus told Nicodemus that EVERYONE who is born again, born from above hears the voice or articulated language of the Holy Spirit and when we hear the voice or articulated language of the Holy Spirit and we WILL ourselves to speak what the Spirit is saying, we speak directly to God in His language and this allows us to Worship Him in spirit and this worship is TRUE!
How Do We Learn To Hear The Articulated Language of the Holy Spirit?
Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
What are some examples of people who had their spiritual senses trained to DISCERN good and evil?
1. PRIESTS modeled FEELING by the spirit
Exodus 28:30 And you shall put IN the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummin, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord . . .
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
2. PHILIP modeled HEARING by the spirit
Acts 8:26-27 But an angel of the Lord SPOKE to Philip . . . Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this chariot
3. JESUS modeled SEEING by the spirit
John 1:47-51 Jesus SAW Nathaniel coming to Him . . . Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I SAW you . . . You will SEE greater things than these!
4. JOHN modeled TASTING by the spirit
Revelation 10:8-11 Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel . . . so I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said, take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey! And when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter, and they said to me, You must Prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations . . .
5. Mature BELIEVERS have modeled SMELLING by the Spirit!
Song of Solomon 1:3 Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil! Draw me after You and let us run together!
When we have learned to DWELL in His Presence, His aroma rubs off on us and we begin to release the fragrance of:
His KNOWLEDGE
I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
His LOVE
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
His ANOINTING
1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you . . .