MYSTERY OF THE WATER part two
Hike boss says, “Matthew can you read John 3:1-4?
(NLT New Living Translation)
“There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
Peter cuts in, “After the rukus in Jerusalem, no wonder Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.”
"Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Matthew adds on, “Pharisees are waiting for the coming Messiah and want to see him establish his kingdom on earth, in Jerusalem.”
“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
Paul remarks, “Nicodemus is completely confused! How is Jesus going to explain this?”
Hike boss taps Sue on shoulder, “Susanna, can you read verses 5 through 8? (NASB 95)
“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.”
Matthew states, Jesus warns Nicodemus that he cannot enter the gates of heaven unless he is born again.
Sally blurts out, “Born of water is referring to our natural birth when a woman's water breaks. And born of the spirit is our second birth. Both births are important to our salvation."
Dan shouts out, “Born of water refers to baptism. You need to be baptized to be born again."
Paul adds, "Born of water could be symbolic of repentance. John the Baptist baptized for repentance, preparing the way for the Savior."
Hike boss says, “This weekend we will talk about the Mystery of the Water, and what it means to Nicodemus.
Susanna continues, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Peter remarks, “Do you see? Nicodemus thinks it’s our natural fleshly birth; and Jesus is correcting him, letting him know it’s a spiritual birth he’s talking about.
Susanna continues: “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.”
Matthew comments, "Jesus is giving a description of what happens when someone is born again. Like on the Day of Pentecost, you can hear the mighty wind blow, but the spirit is invisible."
Debra speaks, "Jesus changes his words to simplify what Born Again means. From Born Again, to Born of water and the Spirit and concludes with Born of the Spirit what he is truly saying."
Hike boss smiles at Debra, “Read verses 9-15.” (ESV English Standard Version)
Debra reads: “ Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?
Sally blurts out, “And he’s the teacher of all the Pharisees?”
“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?”
Ruthie adds, “If you witness the miracles of Jesus and don’t bear witness to things you have seen on earth, how in the world are you going to believe in heavenly things?
“No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
Peter remarks, “Jesus is talking about being the son of God, descending from heaven. He's fully God and fully man."
Matthew adds, “People in the wilderness were bitten by snakes, so Moses made a pole with a serpent. If people saw the pole and believed they were healed. Just like when the Son of Man is lifted up on the cross, if we believe Him, we will have eternal life.
Hike Boss, “Hang tight, we have a few more verses to unpack. Matthew read verses 16-18. (GW Gods Word)
“God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe in him won’t be condemned. But those who don’t believe are already condemned because they don’t believe in God’s only Son."
Debra smiles, saying, “God is love! He's telling Nicodemus how to be saved.
John adds, We are saved by grace, through faith, and not by works, unless anyone should boast. But because of our sinful nature if we don’t believe, we are condemned by the wages of our sin leading us to death!”
Hike Boss, “One last question before I turn everyone loose. Can you be born again now, or are you born again when you receive your resurrection body in the twinkle of an eye, at the rapture?
John can your read 1 John 3:9 (HCSB Holman Christian Standard Bible)
“Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because His seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.” Has been born again is past tense.
Hike Boss concludes,
“We are born again on earth in our life time today and we will receive our resurrection body later when Jesus comes in the clouds to call his bride to heaven. Tomorrow we will begin discussing the Mystery of Water. Everyone may have a different view, but let’s talk about it together.”
Don't stay up all night. Tomorrow we're going on an adventure at a beautiful alpine lake. If you sleep too long, we'll leave without you."
No comments:
Post a Comment