Everything except the One that really matters
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Everything except the One that really matters
There are three kinds of persons in hell: a) the immoral person b) the religious person and c) the moral person. Is it really possible for a man to be prayerful, religious, moral, a man imbued with commendable virtues and yet, at the end of it all, his soul is still bound for hell? The answer is a resounding “YES!!!!” Let me introduce to you a man that fits our description. A man who by any human standards stand head and shoulders above most people in morality.
Meet Nicodemus:
“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” [John 3:1-2]
Here in our text we have NicodemusÂ’ religious resume.
We have his religious affiliation: - He was a Pharisee.
His position amongst the Jews: - a ruler of the Jews.
His attitude towards the Lord Jesus: - He revered Him. He called Him: ‘Rabbi’
-He acknowledged and believed that
He [Jesus]came from God.
I. His religious affiliation: Nicodemus was a Pharisee [verse 1].
That tells us a lot about Nicodemus. The Pharisees were the most strict and the most meticulous of all the sects in Israel during that time. And when I say ‘strict’ I mean strict to the core….or should I say…..bones. Strict to the bones. They were very rigid and very exacting in following the Law of Moses and other traditions of their ancestors. They would fast twice a week, eight times a month and approximately 101 times a year. Everything they possessed they would tithed [they would determine the 10% of it and give it to the temple priests]. Yes, everything even the most seemingly insignificant commodities such as seeds, they would tithed.
They were men who prayed daily. They were men who memorized their Bibles. Jews have a tradition of wearing phylacteries on their body parts. Phylacteries are those straps they put on their wrists and foreheads containing Bible verses. I told yaÂ….these guys were really religious and moral to the bone.
II. His position amongst the Jews: He was a ruler of the Jews [verse 1].
The Jews were under the dominion of the Roman empire. The empire was conceding enough to allow the Jews to run their own affairs according to their laws [which was a good political and military strategy by the way to keep their subject countries tame]. The Jews had their own Supreme Court and Senate [composed of 70 men] called the Sandhedrin. Only men of high moral character were to constitute the Sanhedrin. When our text says that Nicodemus was “a ruler of the Jews” [note: it does not say “THE ruler of the Jews”…..it only says : “a ruler of the Jews”] it does not mean that he was the sole leader of the Jews. [Why, of course there were 70 of them]. Nicodemus was a member of the ruling body of the Jews during that time. What does that tell us about our man? It means that this guy was one of the morally elite in Israel during that time. You don’t get a seat in the Sanhedrin if you are not one of the best in Israel morally.
PLUSÂ…Â…
Nicodemus was one of the primary teachers in Israel during that time. He was a Bible teacher.
Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you THE teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
The Lord JesusÂ’ use of the definite article suggests that he [Nicodemus] was no ordinary Jew. He was IsraelÂ’s primary Bible teacher. He was not just any teacherÂ….he was THE teacher of Israel.
III. His attitude towards the Lord Jesus : He deeply respected the Lord Jesus and acknowledge Him as coming from God[verse 2]
He called the Lord Jesus “Rabbi”. Jews do not just call any teacher by that designation if they do not have deep respect for that particular person as a teacher of the things of God. Added to that, he acknowledged that the Lord Jesus was one sent by God [verse 2].
LetÂ’s check NicodemusÂ’s religious pulse:
Prayerful? Check
religious? Check [fasts 101 times a year. Gives tithes meticulously and faithfully
Outstanding moral character? Check
revered the Lord? Check
Reads the Bible daily? Check
WAW!!!! WHAT A GUY!!!!
Question: if Nicodemus were to die that very hourÂ…Â…would he go to heaven? NO!!!!!
IV. The LordÂ’s assessment of Nicodemus: He must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Joh 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you [Nicodemus], 'You must be born again.' "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." [John 3:3].
And in order to be born again, He must trust in Christ Jesus alone for salvation nothing and no one else:
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Nicodemus had everything except the One that really matters. How about you dear reader? Have you experienced the new birth? Have you everything except the One that really matters? Have you even matched Nicodemus' morality? You see itÂ’s not what you do, itÂ’s what God has done for you in Calvary that gets you to heaven. That sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ was enough for all time for all sins-past, present and future.
What you need to do is to put your trust in that sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. -
Originally posted by Ironside:He must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Joh 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you [Nicodemus], 'You must be born again.' "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." [John 3:3].
And in order to be born again, He must trust in Christ Jesus alone for salvation nothing and no one else:
we are quite sick of the term. -
I agree....ironically, it is becoz someone who is a non-christian over-use this...Originally posted by Icemoon:
we are quite sick of the term.
So ironside: born again means simply to believe in Christ right? -
born again is actually to be born above........it refers to our standing with God. We were born here naturally connected with Adam. And that 'race' will be judged by God.
We need a second birth, a new one from heaven.
it is different from regeneration [although they are two sides of the same coin]
regeneration refers to our being given new natures. Born again refers to our standing. Regeneration refers to our state. Position [new birth] and condition [regeneration].
P.S. others may get sick of the word, but it's the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven. -
Hmm...dun really understand........Originally posted by Ironside:born again is actually to be born above........it refers to our standing with God. We were born here naturally connected with Adam. And that 'race' will be judged by God.
We need a second birth, a new one from heaven.
it is different from regeneration [although they are two sides of the same coin]
regeneration refers to our being given new natures. Born again refers to our standing. Regeneration refers to our state. Position and condition.
P.S. others may get sick of the word, but it's the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven. -
Second birth - what happens next ? - the counsel of the Holy Spirit ?Originally posted by Ironside:born again is actually to be born above........it refers to our standing with God. We were born here naturally connected with Adam. And that 'race' will be judged by God.
We need a second birth, a new one from heaven.
it is different from regeneration [although they are two sides of the same coin]
regeneration refers to our being given new natures. Born again refers to our standing. Regeneration refers to our state. Position and condition.
P.S. others may get sick of the word, but it's the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven.
i would also think "Born Again" and "Dead to Sin" goes hand in hand as said in Romans 6. -
Originally posted by Icemoon:
we are quite sick of the term.
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You must look at the whole context of the chapter John 3 and not pick a couple of verses and then quickly jump to other parts of the Bible
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This is so funny.. the title of the thread is so prophetic... instead of looking at what Jesus said being born again was in John Chapter 3; he talked of "Everything except the One that really matters."
This is what happens when people who are yet to be born again try to handle the topic.
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"It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. " Ecclesiastes 7:5Originally posted by casino_king:This is so funny.. the title of the thread is so prophetic... instead of looking at what Jesus said being born again was in John Chapter 3; he talked of "Everything except the One that really matters."
This is what happens when people who are yet to be born again try to handle the topic.
"Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread. " Proverbs 12:9 -
Adam was the federal head of all humanity and [in fact all creation] who fell into sin. when Adam sinned we sinned in Adam and all creation went down with him. Everything under Adam's federal headship went with him. This is the 'economy' revelaed in the Bible [read Romans 5:12-21]. This is really a mystery, no one could fully explain it.Originally posted by laoda99:Hmm...dun really understand........
What are the things under Adam's federal headship? Everything you see here in the universe. All this are marred by sin and must be judged [in the case of moral humans] and must be changed [in case of amoral creation].
This fallen creation is called the 'world' in the Bible.
God ,on the other hand, has a plan to create a new creation- new earth, new heaven , new universe and new humanity. The federal head of this new creation is Christ, the second Adam.
All of us born here belong to the first Adam by natural birth. And so we are in danger of the judgment since God will judge everything under the first Adam.
But God gave us a hope when Christ came [the second Adam, the new federal head of the new creation]. What we must do is cross that gap between the first Adam's headship to the new Adam's headship.
he who is born of the flesh [which is under Adam's headship] is flesh. He who is born above or born again is of the Spirit [the agent of the new creation].
And to be under the new creation which is headed by Christ Himself we must be born into it just like we were born into the first Adam's headship. All the things that you see here on this 'world' headed by the first Adam is passing away [that's why you must not love it].
How to be born into that new creation glory which will be revealed at the close of time? We must have the Holy Spirit, because it is He who is the agent of the new birth.
What will the Spirit use in the new birth? it is through the Word [the gospel-the good news of salvation in Christ].
The Holy Spirit enables our will to trust in Christ and when that is accomplished, He [simultaneous with our trusting] indwells us, giving us a new standing or position in the eyes of God as born again into His new creation. But not only that He gives us along with it a new condition or state He gives us a new nature.
when you are now born again [into the new creation of God which is headed by the Lord Jesus Christ which will be reaveled at the close of time], God now sees you as belonging to that new creation. All your connections with that creation that fell with Adam, you are now severed:
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
This again is proof that salvation cannot be lost. You are now in the New Creation headed by Christ, our federal head who will not fail.
The subject of God's judgment is the old creation headed by Adam. And Christians are not in it in Gods' eyes.
What is God doing now? he is plucking out sinners who is still in that old order of things or old creation or in short the world and bringing it positionally into His new creation throgh the gospel of Christ. -
Better to be Born Again and enter into the Kingdom of God.Originally posted by klydeer:"It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. " Ecclesiastes 7:5
"Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread. " Proverbs 12:9
Better to listen to Jesus than any wise man.
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, ... Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor ...
Those in God's Kingdom lacks bread and looks to God for his daily provisions.
"Give us this day our daily bread." -
John 3:12 If I told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Be born of the spirit here and now on earth. This spirit that is birthed in you is eternal and your relationship with God will last for eternity.
The birth of the spirit in you is something that you know intimately. It is your own birth! -
In short, believe in Christ and u are a new creation (born again).
Right?Originally posted by Ironside:Adam was the federal head of all humanity and [in fact all creation] who fell into sin. when Adam sinned we sinned in Adam and all creation went down with him. Everything under Adam's federal headship went with him. This the 'economy' revelaed in the Bible [read Romans 5:12-21]. This is really a mystery, no one could fully explain it.
What are the things under Adam's federal headship? Everything you see here in the universe. All this are marred by sin and must be judged [in the case of moral humans] and must be changed [in case of amoral creation].
This fallen creation is called the 'world' in the Bible.
God ,on the other hand, has a plan to create a new creation- new earth, new heaven , new universe and new humanity. The federal head of this new creation is Christ, the second Adam.
All of us born here belong to the first Adam by natural birth. And so we are in danger of the judgment since God will judge this everything under the first Adam.
But God gave us a hope when Christ came [the second Adam, the new federal head of the new creation]. What we must do is cross that gap between the first Adam's headship to the new Adam's headship.
he is who is born of the flesh [which is under Adam's headship] is flesh. He who is born above or born again is of the Spirit [the agent of the new creation].
And to be under the new creation which is headed by Christ Himself we must be born into it just like we were born into the first Adam's headship. All the things that you see here on this 'world' headed by the first Adam is passing away [that's why you must not love it].
How to be born into that new creation glory which will be revealed at the close of time? We must have the Holy Spirit, because it is He who is the agent of the new birth.
What will the Spirit use in the new birth? it is through the Word [the gospel-the good news of salvation in Christ].
The Holy Spirit enables our will to trust in Christ and when that is accomplished, He [simultaneous with out trusting] indwells us, giving us a new standing or position in the eyes of God as born again into His new creation. But not only that He gives us along with it a new condition or state He gives us a new nature.
when you are now born again [into the new creation of God which is headed by the Lord Jesus Christ which will be reaveled at the close of time], God now sees you as belonging to that new creation. All you connections with that creation that fell with Adam, you are now severed:
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. -
There is no need to ask, to clarify...Originally posted by casino_king:The birth of the spirit in you is something that you know intimately. It is your own birth! -
Ironside....this means backsliders were never new creations in the first place right?Originally posted by Ironside:2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
This again is proof that salvation cannot be lost. You are now in the New Creation headed by Christ, our federal head who will not fail. -
amen. after the Lord taught Nicodemus that he must be born again, He told him how in John 3:16.Originally posted by laoda99:In short, believe in Christ and u are a new creation (born again).
Right? -
what backslider are you referring?Originally posted by laoda99:Ironside....this means backsliders were never new creations in the first place right?
The old testament backslider is actually a backslider from the covenant they had with God. He could be a genuine beliver or not.
In the new testament backsliders are actually genuine belivers who allowed their sinful nature to control them.
In the new testament a backslider is different from an apostatizer.
an apostatizer is one who has never really believed in Christ for salvation from the beginning. so when he turns away from the Lord he is just actually acting out what he is from the beginning. no salvation was lost for there was no salvation in the first place.
Judas is one primary example of an apostatizer. Peter is one example of a backlider. -
Originally posted by klydeer:
When we believe in Christ alone for salvation, at that very moment Christ baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit in turn baptizes us into the body of Christ, we become members of the Body of Christ as a result, we become members of the 'invisible' or the Universal Church.
Second birth - what happens next ? - the counsel of the Holy Spirit ?
i would also think "Born Again" and "Dead to Sin" goes hand in hand as said in Romans 6.
Not only that, the Holy Spirit also baptizes us into the death and resurrection of Christ that we become indisollubly linked to His death and resurrection. It is at this stage that we died to sin positionally.
Yes, all these happen concurrently and simultaneously. But being born again is different from dying to sin.
but it is all part and parcel of the whole blessing of salvation. -
And the good news is that we received this blessing of salvation by the grace of God and not by our works.Originally posted by Ironside:When we believe in Christ alone for salvation, at that very moment Christ baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit in turn baptizes us into the body of Christ, we become members of the Body of Christ as a result, we become members of the 'invisible' or the Universal Church.
Not only that, the Holy Spirit also baptizes us into the death and resurrection of Christ that we become indisollubly linked to His death and resurrection. It is at this stage that we died to sin positionally.
Yes, all these happen concurrently and simultaneously. But being born again is different from dying to sin.
but it is all part and parcel of the whole blessing of salvation.
Something interesting, I can't find the phrase "dying to sin" in NIV, KJV, NAS version, only able to find "died to sin" (Roms 6) -
I mean as in Christians who later denounce their faith.Originally posted by Ironside:what backslider are you referring?
The old testament backslider is actually a backslider from the covenant they had with God. He could be a genuine beliver or not.
In the new testament backsliders are actually genuine belivers who allowed their sinful nature to control them.
In the new testament a backslider is different from an apostatizer.
an apostatizer is one who has never really believed in Christ for salvation from the beginning. so when he turns away from the Lord he is just actually acting out what he is from the beginning. no salvation was lost for there was no salvation in the first place.
Judas is one primary example of an apostatizer. Peter is one example of a backlider. -
You are better off listening and learning from Jesus.
12 If I told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
What earthly thing did Jesus tell him?
7 Don't marvel that I said to you,'You must be born anew.'
What is Born Again?
4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
To be born through your mother's womb is to be born of water.
5 Jesus answered, "Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water..."
Those born of water cannot enter into the Kingdom of God for the Kingdom of God is a Spiritual Kingdom. But you must first be alive, be born of water.
5 Jesus answered, "Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of ... spirit, he can't enter into the Kingdom of God!"
What is it like to be Born of Spirit?
8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don't know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
The one who asked Jesus believed that by simply following the rules and regulations (the Jewish Law; the secret formula) will enable him to enter the Kingdom of God after his death.
Jesus told him that to be Born of the Spirit is an earthly event.
Christians nowadays have come up with a new "formula" that they think will enable them to enter the Kingdom of God after their death.
They should listen to Jesus and not any wise man on earth:
3 Jesus answered him, "Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can't see the Kingdom of God."
Your mother gave birth to you. Only God can give you birth of Spirit. Ask God. Dp not ask any wise man; do not ask any holy book; do not ask any idol; do not ask any concept of God in your head. Ask God. -
Yes, Amen. being born again only begins its exciting and edifying journey towards knowing more about the heart of God.Originally posted by Ironside:When we believe in Christ alone for salvation, at that very moment Christ baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit in turn baptizes us into the body of Christ, we become members of the Body of Christ as a result, we become members of the 'invisible' or the Universal Church.
Not only that, the Holy Spirit also baptizes us into the death and resurrection of Christ that we become indisollubly linked to His death and resurrection. It is at this stage that we died to sin positionally.
Yes, all these happen concurrently and simultaneously. But being born again is different from dying to sin.
but it is all part and parcel of the whole blessing of salvation. -
let's hope CK will say amen as well.Originally posted by klydeer:Yes, Amen. being born again only begins its exciting and edifying journey towards knowing more about the heart of God. -
hello brother, i am not a good english speaker, yes, it is true that in Romans we have died to sin positionally. even in my post after reading it sometimes it's somewhat distressing because i cannot communicate what i really want to say.Originally posted by vince69:And the good news is that we received this blessing of salvation by the grace of God and not by our works.
Something interesting, I can't find the phrase "dying to sin" in NIV, KJV, NAS version, only able to find "died to sin" (Roms 6)
i hope you can pardon me if i cannot be politically correct all the time in my expressions. i hope you will not take me an offender for a word.
it takes grace not to be over meticulous.