WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?

  MYSTERY OF THE WATER part five

BREAKFAST BEFORE GOING HOME

While eating breakfast before packing up and leaving for home, the Hike Boss has a final discussion.

Hike Boss, “Thank you for coming and enjoying Outdoors with Jesus.  We enjoyed hiking, fishing and swimming in a lake, and walking around a waterfalls.

Peter adds, “It’s been an exciting campout and I hate to see this end.”

Hike Boss continues, “I would like the group to retell the story of Nicodemus one more time.”

Matthew begins, “Jesus stirred up the Pharisees by overturning the tables of the money changers in the outer courts.  There were many who believed in him, observing his signs.”

Debra adds, “Nicodemus, a teacher of the Pharisees came to Jesus at night to ask him, “Rabbi, we know that you come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 

(John 3:2 NASB  New American Standard Bible).

Matthew says, “Jesus answers him telling him a truth.  Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.  When Jesus returns in the second coming, he will establish this kingdom during the millennium.”

Sally smiles, “Nicodemus is confused, thinking he has to enter his mother’s womb again.”

James speaks, “Jesus rewords his statement: ‘Unless, one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’  I believe this refers to the rapture, where both the living and the dead in Christ are taken up into the clouds, and enter the door to heaven.  Also, just as a man drinks water, a man who drinks living water ingesting the Holy Spirit in his life."

Susanna adds, “Jesus also addresses Nic’s confusion, by saying, ‘That which is born to flesh is flesh, and that which is born of spirit is Spirit.’  Nicodemus, I'm talking about spirit!  ‘You must be born of Spirit!’

Ruthie speaks, “Jesus gives a visual description of someone being born again.  ‘Wind blows where it wishes, you hear it; but it’s invisible…you don’t know where it came from.  God the Holy Spirit is invisible."

Dan blurts out, ‘The master teacher was confused about things that happen on earth.’

Matthew continues, “Jesus uses the illustration of Moses raising up a pole with a snake and all those who looked at it and believed were saved when bitten by the serpent.  Just like those who look to Jesus dying on the cross and believing in Him. They are save from the evil serpent."

Debra continues, “In the final part of Jesus’ discussion, he tells Nicodemus how he might be Born of the Spirit.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.’  (John 3:16 NASB New American Standard Bible)

Hike Boss, “We are saved by Grace though Faith…”  This weekend we learned a lot from each other.  Dan it’s OK if you believe the water means baptism and Sally if you believe that Jesus was referring to ‘Natural Birth.  The gospel is not going to change; but it’s up to you to check all the pieces of the puzzle with the Bible and to know what you believe. 

Sally remarks, “Admit it, you know I’m right.”

Debra adds, "When we are saved, God gives us his Holy Spirit."

Hike Boss concludes, “Peter can you pray for travel mercies for us, before we pack up and leave for home?”