Greater Love John 3-1-16

All most all Christians know – John 3:16 but what about who this chapter is addressed to – non Christian and the Christian? Watch and read carefully…

Who is Christ addressing – a learned man of Faith – so what does this man know and not know – is his understanding changed after talking with Christ? I think so – but that would be the rest of the story! Right?

We don’t understand a lot of things – these things will take time and effort on our parts – to say the least and it will take a heart that is – changeable!

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named ^aNicodemus, a ^bruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, (Why by night – not to be seen of men?) and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these ^amiracles that thou doest, except ^bGod be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be ^aborn ^bagain, he cannot ^csee the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

( This learned man of the law has a different understanding – of what being born of God means – Christ is trying to help him understand more – )

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be ^aborn of ^bwater and of the ^cSpirit, he cannot ^denter into the kingdom of God.

( Notice the two births here – 1 of the water – 2 of the Spirit – the first is a foundation for the second – many things need to be done before you can be born of the water – and to be born of the spirit – that will even take more time and effort – and will be ever ongoing – not a one time thing! )

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be ^aborn again.

8 The ^awind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the ^bSpirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11 ^aVerily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and ^btestify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye ^abelieve not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? ( There are always higher levels of light and truth – Christ was at a higher level – trying to help this man understand more and do more and become more – not easy to be born again and again – until the perfect day – it’s a continuous process! )

13 And no man hath ^aascended up to heaven, but he that ^bcame down from heaven, even the ^cSon of man which is in heaven.

14 ¶ And as Moses lifted up the ^aserpent in the wilderness, even so must the ^bSon of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

( The spirit was trying to help this man understand that Jesus was the Messiah – the only way back to the Father…)

16 ¶ For ^aGod so ^bloved the ^cworld, that he ^dgave his ^eonly begotten ^fSon, that whosoever ^gbelieveth in him should not perish, but have ^heverlasting ⁱlife. ( Christ is testifying of himself – as is the spirit )...

17 For God ^asent not his Son into the world to ^bcondemn the world; but that the world through him might be ^csaved. ( I am the savior of this world…)

18 ¶ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that ^abelieveth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the ^bname of the only begotten ^cSon of God. ( I am the only begotten of the Father! )

19 And this is the condemnation, that ^alight is come into the world, and men loved ^bdarkness rather than light, because their ^cdeeds were evil.

( I am the light of the world – do you believe this? In his heart – he will have to make room for the feelings of the Spirit and not just the brain!)

The Living Christ!

Lets learn to Heed not what the World says about the scoffing and scorns of the Large and spacious building!

Let us do the following –

I have noted in these member responses a particular pattern that is especially significant. First and foremost, these disciples have firm testimonies of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness and the role of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Savior. And second, their spiritual knowledge and conviction are individual, personal, and specific; they are not general and abstract. I listen to these devoted souls speak of covenants providing strength to overcome opposition and their connection with the living Lord supporting them through times both good and bad. To these individuals, Jesus Christ indeed is a personal Savior.