3 - Exploring Faith: How do I Enter the Kingdom?

Last post 09-22-2008 19:03 by Jeff Fry. 0 replies.

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09-22-2008 19:03

Jeff Fry
Joined on 07-31-2006
Lichfield, UK
Posts 237

3 - Exploring Faith: How do I Enter the Kingdom?

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How do I become a part of it all?

by Jeff Fry

^NIVJohn 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. ²He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." ³In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." ⁴"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" ⁵Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' ⁸The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." ⁹"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. ¹⁰"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? ¹¹I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹²I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven-- the Son of Man. ¹⁴Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. ¹⁶"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Thesis: Jesus enabled us to become a part of God's unfolding plan of goodness (his kingdom)

I. Intro

A. Last week we talked about who Jesus claimed to be and discovered many people who didn't really know Jesus were confused about who he was.

B. Yet by the end of his ministry he had made his identity clear.

1. As Peter said, He claimed to be the "anointed one, the Messiah" sent from God. (Matthew 16:16)

C. We also learned that the New Testament documents are reliable

1. due to the sheer amount of manuscripts (mss) and

2. the gap from when it was written and the first copies we have was very small comparably speaking

3. There exists more evidence for the existence of Jesus than we have for the existence of Napoleon or Alexander the Great!

D. This week we will look at a man named Nicodemus who comes to visit Jesus by night. (Read John 3:1-15)

II. How do I become a part of it all?

A. State

1. Review the passage

a) Who are the main characters?

b) Who is Nicodemus? What is a Pharisee? What is a member of the Jewish ruling council?

c) When does he come to visit Jesus & Why?

d) What does he say to Jesus at the beginning? Why?

(1) He says that he is a teacher come from God because he has seen Jesus' miracles

e) what does Jesus say to him?

(1) "In reply …" means that Jesus is responding to Nicodemus' initiating comments that He, Jesus, is doing the things of God. But Jesus' answer doesn't seem related - or does it???

(2) Jesus answers Nicodemus by talking to him about the kingdom of God.

(3) He speaks to him about how one can enter the kingdom of God.

(4) Why?

(a) because Jesus knew what was in a man (John 2:25). Jesus knew what was in a man's heart, he knew a man's desires. That is Jesus knew what Nicodemus really wanted to know. So, Jesus instructs him about how to enter the kingdom of God.

(b) because what Nicodemus had just mentioned to Jesus described the kingdom of God, Jesus just assigns a term to it - ie. the miracles and God being present with Jesus. He called it the kingdom of God - the reign and rule, the power and presence of God.

(5) It is if Nicodemus asked, "How do I enter the kingdom of God?"

(6) Before we go into that question though let's ask this: what is meant by the term kingdom of God?

(a) see video depicting what it means to be the kingdom of God in everyday life in the midst of other kingdoms of this world, kingdoms of darkness.

(b) It can appear to be a mysterious term the "kingdom of God". Any ideas as to what it is? can anyone give their thoughts on what Jesus means by it?

(c) kingdom of God = rule and reign of God made accessible through Jesus

2. How do I enter the kingdom of God?

a) the two responses of Jesus

(1) You must be born from above (born again) (John 3:3)

(a) the word in the original can mean "again" or "above" thus "born again" or "born from above"

(b) Nicodemus takes it as "born again" and does not understand how a person could actually be physically be born again.

(c) But this is just the point - Jesus is talking about a spiritual birth, not a physical one.

(d) There is another type of birth where the totality of you is regenerated and made anew, recreated . This is what Jesus is talking about.

(e) 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "

(2) You must be born of water and spirit (John 3:5)

(a) I would read this with the emphasis on "and spirit" as such "you must be born of water AND SPIRIT, not just water (ie. physical birth)".

(i) anyone who has ever attended a real physical birth knows that it is a birth of water when the amnionic fluid breaks that means birth is imminent.

(ii) but spiritual birth is done by the Spirit which changes a person's heart from being rebellious toward God to being in love with God

(iii) NIV Titus 3:5 …. He [Jesus] saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit

(b) In other words you must be changed spiritually in order to see the kingdom of God or experience the kingdom of God

b) "regeneration" is the official word for what Jesus is describing

(1) Dr Who regenerates (Dr Who is a very popular sci-fi tv program here). When Dr Who's hand was taken off in one of the episodes during a fight with an alien, it immediately regenerated and another new hand was formed in its place.

(2) Jesus is saying "you must be made anew by God". You need a new heart.

(3) The OT describes it this way

(a) Ezekiel 36:25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

(b) This shows that our naturally evil, rebellious hearts need to be changed into good, cooperative hearts which willingly obey God.

B. Illustrate

1. This exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus tells us a lot about how we do and how we don't enter the kingdom of God. Let's make some observations:

a) We don't enter the kingdom of God by adhering to a set of religious rules

(1) Pharisees were the most religious Jews - experts in the OT law and keeping the law, high on tithing, high on ritual purity.

(2) Jesus refers to Nicodemus as "Israel's teacher" which means he was obviously a dedicated, and sincere Pharisee who kept the law

b) We don't enter the kingdom of God only by being a good person

(1) we assume that because Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council that he was a good, honest man full of integrity.

(2) Yet, Jesus said that he needed to be born from above

c) We don't enter the kingdom of God by amassing a lot of knowledge

(1) I've always said that you could be a professor in a seminary and not be born again.

(2) Certainly Nicodemus is a knowledgable man.

(a) He is a Pharisee (an expert in religious law)

(b) He is a member of the Sanhedrin

(c) Jesus calls him "Israel's Teacher" in verse 10

(d) Yet, he must be born again to enter the kingdom of God

d) We do enter the kingdom by allowing God to change us

(1) we can resist the Holy Spirit or we can open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit

(a) Stephen says to the Jews who were persecuting Christians in the early church in Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

(2) That you are here exposing yourself to God's word and God's people is a good sign that you are not resisting the Holy Spirit.

(3) Do you read God's word, the Bible and open yourself up to what it is saying to you?

(4) Do you pray to God and listen for His voice especially in times of difficulty or do you rely on your own strength only?

(5) it is about God changing us and then us being change agents where we live.

e) We do enter the kingdom by believing in Christ

(1) Jesus complains to Nicodemus in verse 11 that the Jews (including him) " do not accept his testimony". Jesus holds this against them.

(2) And finally in v. 15 he says, "everyone who believes in him [Christ] may have eternal life".

(a) the word "believes" means trust

(b) do you believe that this chair will hold you up? Then sit on it!!

C. Apply

III. Conclusion

A. What small step can you take this week to enter more fully into the kingdom of God?

B. what small step can you take to help your more fully enter into the kingdom of God?

C. Remember: it's not rules, it's relationship

Rev Jeff Fry

Darwin Park Community Church
Lichfield, UK

Filed under: kingdom of God, exploring faith #3, John 3:1-15, Nicodemus

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DPCC Faith Talks

3 - Exploring Faith: How do I Enter the Kingdom?

09-22-2008 19:03

3 - Exploring Faith: How do I Enter the Kingdom?

I. Intro

A. Last week we talked about who Jesus claimed to be and discovered many people who didn't really know Jesus were confused about who he was.

B. Yet by the end of his ministry he had made his identity clear.

1. As Peter said, He claimed to be the "anointed one, the Messiah" sent from God. (Matthew 16:16)

C. We also learned that the New Testament documents are reliable

1. due to the sheer amount of manuscripts (mss) and

2. the gap from when it was written and the first copies we have was very small comparably speaking

3. There exists more evidence for the existence of Jesus than we have for the existence of Napoleon or Alexander the Great!

D. This week we will look at a man named Nicodemus who comes to visit Jesus by night. (Read John 3:1-15)

II. How do I become a part of it all?

A. State

1. Review the passage

a) Who are the main characters?

b) Who is Nicodemus? What is a Pharisee? What is a member of the Jewish ruling council?

c) When does he come to visit Jesus & Why?

d) What does he say to Jesus at the beginning? Why?

(1) He says that he is a teacher come from God because he has seen Jesus' miracles

e) what does Jesus say to him?

(1) "In reply …" means that Jesus is responding to Nicodemus' initiating comments that He, Jesus, is doing the things of God. But Jesus' answer doesn't seem related - or does it???

(2) Jesus answers Nicodemus by talking to him about the kingdom of God.

(3) He speaks to him about how one can enter the kingdom of God.

(4) Why?

(a) because Jesus knew what was in a man (John 2:25). Jesus knew what was in a man's heart, he knew a man's desires. That is Jesus knew what Nicodemus really wanted to know. So, Jesus instructs him about how to enter the kingdom of God.

(b) because what Nicodemus had just mentioned to Jesus described the kingdom of God, Jesus just assigns a term to it - ie. the miracles and God being present with Jesus. He called it the kingdom of God - the reign and rule, the power and presence of God.

(5) It is if Nicodemus asked, "How do I enter the kingdom of God?"

(6) Before we go into that question though let's ask this: what is meant by the term kingdom of God?

(a) see video depicting what it means to be the kingdom of God in everyday life in the midst of other kingdoms of this world, kingdoms of darkness.

(b) It can appear to be a mysterious term the "kingdom of God". Any ideas as to what it is? can anyone give their thoughts on what Jesus means by it?

(c) kingdom of God = rule and reign of God made accessible through Jesus

2. How do I enter the kingdom of God?

a) the two responses of Jesus

(1) You must be born from above (born again) (John 3:3)

(a) the word in the original can mean "again" or "above" thus "born again" or "born from above"

(b) Nicodemus takes it as "born again" and does not understand how a person could actually be physically be born again.

(c) But this is just the point - Jesus is talking about a spiritual birth, not a physical one.

(d) There is another type of birth where the totality of you is regenerated and made anew, recreated . This is what Jesus is talking about.

(e) 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "

(2) You must be born of water and spirit (John 3:5)

(a) I would read this with the emphasis on "and spirit" as such "you must be born of water AND SPIRIT, not just water (ie. physical birth)".

(b) In other words you must be changed spiritually in order to see the kingdom of God or experience the kingdom of God

b) "regeneration" is the official word for what Jesus is describing

(1) Dr Who regenerates (Dr Who is a very popular sci-fi tv program here). When Dr Who's hand was taken off in one of the episodes during a fight with an alien, it immediately regenerated and another new hand was formed in its place.

(2) Jesus is saying "you must be made anew by God". You need a new heart.

(3) The OT describes it this way

(b) This shows that our naturally evil, rebellious hearts need to be changed into good, cooperative hearts which willingly obey God.

B. Illustrate

1. This exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus tells us a lot about how we do and how we don't enter the kingdom of God. Let's make some observations:

a) We don't enter the kingdom of God by adhering to a set of religious rules

(1) Pharisees were the most religious Jews - experts in the OT law and keeping the law, high on tithing, high on ritual purity.

(2) Jesus refers to Nicodemus as "Israel's teacher" which means he was obviously a dedicated, and sincere Pharisee who kept the law

b) We don't enter the kingdom of God only by being a good person

(1) we assume that because Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council that he was a good, honest man full of integrity.

(2) Yet, Jesus said that he needed to be born from above

c) We don't enter the kingdom of God by amassing a lot of knowledge

(1) I've always said that you could be a professor in a seminary and not be born again.

(2) Certainly Nicodemus is a knowledgable man.

(a) He is a Pharisee (an expert in religious law)

(b) He is a member of the Sanhedrin

(c) Jesus calls him "Israel's Teacher" in verse 10

(d) Yet, he must be born again to enter the kingdom of God

d) We do enter the kingdom by allowing God to change us

(1) we can resist the Holy Spirit or we can open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit

(a) Stephen says to the Jews who were persecuting Christians in the early church in Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

(2) That you are here exposing yourself to God's word and God's people is a good sign that you are not resisting the Holy Spirit.

(3) Do you read God's word, the Bible and open yourself up to what it is saying to you?

(4) Do you pray to God and listen for His voice especially in times of difficulty or do you rely on your own strength only?

(5) it is about God changing us and then us being change agents where we live.

e) We do enter the kingdom by believing in Christ

(1) Jesus complains to Nicodemus in verse 11 that the Jews (including him) " do not accept his testimony". Jesus holds this against them.

(2) And finally in v. 15 he says, "everyone who believes in him [Christ] may have eternal life".

(a) the word "believes" means trust

(b) do you believe that this chair will hold you up? Then sit on it!!

C. Apply

III. Conclusion

A. What small step can you take this week to enter more fully into the kingdom of God?

B. what small step can you take to help your more fully enter into the kingdom of God?