MIRACLES OF THE BIBLE
WHERE'S JESUS?
WAS THIS JESUS' BAR MITZAH?
And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
WE LEFT WITHOUT JESUS
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
GOD IS HIS FATHER
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."
Luke 2:41-52 ESV (English Standard Version)
MYSTERY OF THE WATER ~ Intro
"However, I am telling you the truth: It’s good for you that I’m going away. If I don’t go away, the helper won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
He will come to convict the world of sin, to show the world what has God’s approval, and to convince the world that God judges it. He will convict the world of sin, because people don’t believe in me.
He will show the world what has God’s approval, because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore.
He will convince the world that God judges it, because the ruler of this world has been judged."
“I have a lot more to tell you, but that would be too much for you now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth.
He won’t speak on his own.
He will speak what he hears and will tell you about things to come.
He will give me glory, because he will tell you what I say. Everything the Father says is also what I say. That is why I said, ‘He will take what I say and tell it to you.’ (John 16:7-15 GW - God's Word Translation)
MYSTERY OF THE WATER part one
College aged group enjoys eating their first
dinner in the mountains, after a day of travel
and setting up their tents. The Hike Boss
makes an announcement, “We are going to
have an exciting weekend, hiking, fishing,
swimming, campfires and exploring the Word
of God.
A husky 20 year old man named Dan remarks,
“This is a beautiful place, I hope we’re not
going to spend our time up here listening to
boring sermons.”
The Hike Boss smiles,
“You are absolutely right Dan, I am not up here to preach, I am here to lead. In fact everyone in our group is going to be involved in this investigation and exploration of the Bible.”
Sally blurts out, “I already know what the Bible
says. Come on, this is our play time.”
Staring into Sally’s eyes, Hike Boss replies,
“That’s our problem Sally. Do you know the
difference between Exegesis and Eisegesis?
Embarrassed, she replies, “Not really.”
Peter shouts out, “Eisegesis is making the Bible say what we want it to say. While Exegesis is allowing the Bible to speak to us.”
Hike boss speaks,
“This weekend you are going to do some CSI detective work on what Jesus means to be Born Again? Let’s begin our examination by opening to John chapter three.”
James spouts out, “Cardinal Langton created
the first chapter divisions in Bible in 1205 AD. And Robert Stephanus a printer, added verse numbers in 1551 AD. The Bible was originally written without chapter breaks. We need to start at the beginning of the story in middle of chapter two.”
Debra volunteers to read:
(John 2:13-25 NTFE New Testament For Everyone)
"It was nearly time for the Judaean Passover, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
In the Temple he found people selling cows, sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the Temple—sheep, cows and all. He spilt the money-changers’ coins onto the ground, and knocked over their tables.
“Take these
things away!” he said to the people selling doves. “You mustn’t turn my
father’s house into a market!” His disciples
remembered that it was written, “The zeal of your house has eaten me up.”
The Judaeans had this response for him. “What sign are you going to show us,”
they said, “to explain why you’re doing this?” “Destroy
this Temple,” replied Jesus, “and I’ll raise it up in three days.”
“It’s taken
forty-six years to build this Temple,” responded the Judaeans, “and are you
going to raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the “temple” of his
body. So when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Bible and
the word which Jesus had spoken.”
While he
was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, several people came to trust in
his name, because they had seen the signs he did. But Jesus didn’t
entrust himself to them. He knew everything, and had no
need for anyone to give him information about people. He himself knew what was
inside people.”
Hike boss, remarks, “This is the backstory and set up for chapter
three.
Debra states, “Several years later Jesus will be crucified on a Passover, and
in three days he’s going to raise himself back to life.”
Ruthie, adds, “He sure made the Pharisees angry, no wonder he didn’t open up and want to talk to them. But the amazing thing, several people began to trust his word.
Hike Boss, "It's time to clean up. Don't leave any food on the table for chipmonks and bears."
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."
MYSTERY OF THE WATER part three
Everyone takes a break around a beautiful alpine lake.
The Hike boss says, “Jesus changed the words Born Again to Born of the Spirit. When you repent from your sins, have faith and trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior; he will give you the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit created the Universe, convicted people of their sins, and was with godly prophets, kings, judges, men and women.
In the New Testament the Holy Spirit abides in us, making us a new
creation.”
I want everyone to look at the water for a minute and when
I say go, I want you to blurt out one at a time every possible use of the word ‘WATER’
you find in the Bible.”
EVERYONE speaks sharing their view, one after another:
"Moses striking the rock in the wilderness and water gushing
out from it."
"Parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River."
"Turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana."
"Jesus and Peter walking on water on the Sea of Galilee."
"Woman at the well in Samaria hearing about living water."
"John the Baptist, baptizing people at the Jordan River."
"1 John 5:6 ‘This is he who comes by water and blood.’"
"Cleansing of the leper in the Jordan River."
"Noah’s flood and raining to 40 days and 40 nights."
"Ceremonial washings in Jerusalem."
"Washing of the word."
"Spring of water."
Hike Boss smiles, ‘You came up with some brilliant answers. Now imagine you are working on a puzzle and
you have 12 pieces cut similarly. Only
one piece with the right picture is going to fit in the Nicodemus at Night puzzle. What piece of the puzzle would you choose for
‘Born of Water…”
Sally speaks, “I am a woman, water means Natural Birth.” Why don't you believe me?
Dan spouts, “Let’s save time here, I think everyone here
believes the water is referring to Water Baptism.
Debra smiles, ‘Water can be used symbolically for
purifying, washing and cleansing, all attributes of the Holy Spirit.”
Hike Boss replies, “It is OK if everyone believes
differently what the word ‘Water’ means with Nicodemus, as long as we don’t
change the gospel of salvation. We are
saved by grace through faith. But are we
saved by water baptism too?
Matthew answers, “John’s baptism, was a baptism for
repentance, preparing the way.”
Ruthie adds, “The good thief on the cross believed and was
promised to go to paradise. He was saved
without ever being baptized.”
Dan interrupts, “You are not listening to God’s holy word. You
must be baptized to be Born Again! Case closed, can we go and play now?”
‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” Mark
16:16 (KJV King James Version.)
SUSANNA smiles, “The rest of the verse reads, “…but he who
has disbelieved shall be condemned.” We
are saved by belief and condemned by unbelief.
If we are not baptized why are we not condemned also?”
HIKE BOSS speaks, “It’s all right to have different views
on what born of water means to you. This is a popular view, and it’s up to you to
decide what you believe.
MATTHEW contributes, “Can we share our personal experiences
of when we were saved and when we were baptized?”
HIKE BOSS says, “How many here were saved, before you were baptized? “How
many were saved when you were baptized in water? How many here were baptized before you were
saved? How many of you were saved and never have been baptized?
Hands were raised in response to each question?
JOHN talks, “John the Baptist baptized with water, but
Jesus baptizes his believers with the Holy Spirit and fire, for the equipping of
ministries.”
DEBRA speaks, “The Great Commission is for believers to go
make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost. Water baptism is a public way to
declare your repentance and faith in Jesus; beginning your journey as his disciple.”
HIKE BOSS closes, “We’re trying to get your wheels spinning in your head, and let you examine what you believe. Tomorrow we will finish our discussion beside a beautiful waterfalls.
It’s time to jump in the water Sally!
Dan, can you close in prayer?
MYSTERY OF THE WATER part four
Hike Boss: “God has made an incredible waterfalls. We’re going to continue our discussion of the Mystery of the Water. Jesus' voice is like rushing water."
"Do you have to be
baptized in water to be saved and to be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit? Jesus gave a serious warning, unless one is born of water and Spirit he will not see and will not enter his kingdom."
Peter replies, “We can invite Jesus in our lives and
receive the Holy Spirit anywhere. People are saved at church, crusades,
concerts, outdoors and even at home.”
Ruthie adds, "The good thief believed in Jesus, dying on the cross he was promised to see paradise; yet he was never baptized."
Matthew adds, “Jesus gave us his Comforter after he ascended. After Pentecost many people believed in Jesus, were baptized and received the Holy Spirit."
Hike Boss continues, “Could there be a piece of the
“water” puzzle we are missing? One piece that’s
a better fit to our picture?"
Dan blurts out, “I still believe born of water refers to
water baptism.”
Ruthie adds, “If Jesus was here, we could ask him what he means by born
of water?”
Hike Boss smiles, “You’re right Ruthie, lets ask
Jesus. If you remember the Bible was
written without chapter breaks. In the next chapter of John, Jesus actually defines what he means by water. Who would like to read?"
Debra reads, “Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this
water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks of this water which I
will give to him will never be thirsty for eternity, but the water which I will
give to him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I
will not be thirsty or come here to draw water!” (John 4:13-15 LEB Lexham English Bible)
James
responds, “Wow, I never thought the missing piece of the puzzle might be living
water.”
Hike Boss
continues, “Now let’s look at what Jesus said on the last day of the Feast of
Booths in John 7.”
Susanna reads, “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
(John
7:37-39 NIV New International Version)
Matthew remarks, “On first seven days of the feast, the priest would go down to the pool of Siloam and fill up a pitcher of water. He would carry it back, pouring it in a silver basin by the altar of burnt offerings. He would tell the story of Moses splitting the rock and river of water gushing out of it; while pouring the water out of the pitcher."
"On the eighth day, the priest is not to bring any water. On that day Jesus shows up
talking about living water.”
James says, "After Jesus was glorified and ascended into heaven, believers were filled with Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. He gave believer the Comforter."
Hike Boss
comments, “Well done Matthew and James.”
Sally, “I
still believe born of water is natural birth, and you can’t change my mind.”
Hike Boss, “Tomorrow, before we pack up and go home, we will have our final discussion.”
