John Chapter 3:4-9

It's an awesome thing when you're born again what happens your past all your mistakes go that matter how much you messed up.

God forgive an amazing thing in Gaza.

We took we compared notes here are I'm probably one the chiefest centers in that I know I'd be in the top five and yet go. It's over it's done. You don't have the past that can condemn you anymore now that doesn't mean that well intended Christians will kick them your best.

But God himself doesn't condemn you. Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina, were glad to have one of the McGee's associate pastors Gabriel here with us his best, Dave continues through the book of John Bob's important question that we all need to know the have we been born again. Jesus said we must be born want people to know about Jesus ago but what he did but they don't understand the terminology born again. I think that's what David McGee is going to get into teaching here in John chapter 3 about Nicodemus asking this question and Jesus seemingly odd answer. So let's jump into the teaching right here in John chapter 3 is David McGee continues teaching verse by verse.

Turn with me to John chapter 3 last week, Jesus spoke of being born again will we study Jesus saying you need to be born again work that and you know we need to be reminded of that central truth because we've actually have the distinction somehow twisted of Christians and born-again Christians. I'm confused about what somebody that's not a born again Christian is. I don't think you can be a Christian and not be born again. I think you take the literal words of Jesus were in verse four. Here Nicodemus said to him, how can a man be born when he is old Kenny enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, and so Nicodemus is you know what in the world are you talking about Jesus verse five Jesus answered, most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Now what does Jesus mean by lancer and sometimes when Jesus answers a question, it gives you more questions and you have before. He says be borne by the Spirit and of water. Well, it may mean being born of the spirit and water that the water is often a symbol for the word of God, so it may mean that the word of God with the spirit is what you need to be born again in order to enter into the kingdom of God.

Certainly we know in Romans chapter 10 that you cannot be saved unless you hear the word of God. How can they hear unless they are talked about, it may mean and and I'm divided between these two things in and to be honest, I'm okay with either one.

It may mean that to be born naturally and supernaturally.

The only thing, and in looking at this verse is in a why would Jesus say that you've got to be born naturally. That seems like it's taken an obvious target probably go with the first and that it's probably the word of God with the spirit of God. One thing one thing that I do reject that some people think it's saying is that you must be baptized and born of the Spirit in order to see the kingdom of God. Now I reject that because it seems very obscure from what Jesus is saying here that will meet before I go into this I believe you should be baptized. I believe if you been born again you need to be baptized because Jesus told you to. So in obedience to that after your born again you get baptized but you notice the order born-again baptized.

Okay, I do not believe nor the Scripture teach in baptism, the birth you'd never see a scriptural example of that, nor baptism at a certain age. What you see is baptism and a response to a commitment that's made to the Lord Jesus Christ. You see somebody repent, be born again.

And then there baptized that over and over whether snacks ate with Philip and in the unit court or in other places and and certainly the unit was an older man. He knew the word of God is written the word of God, but he wasn't to be baptized until he was born again. Now this is important because, you know, if you're not born again when you get baptized and have said it before, you don't get baptized. All you get is wet. I mean, you could just do as well as go for a swim. If you've not been born again. You say all sorts of words but doesn't matter because it's not baptism.

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change now make you sit you in this real basic Christianity 1010. It is, but to be honest there's so there's some division in the body of Christ. Some people believe that if you been born again but haven't been baptized but if you.that you would go to hell. They believe if you've not been baptized even though you've asked the Lord to forgive you of your sins but you would not see heaven which contradicts a lot of verses of Ephesians 289 for by grace are you saved is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast.

Meaning there's nothing you can do to earn it and they are in is the reason says, lest any man should boast. See if you could earn it, then you would do what you'd boast about it. Brag about this theodicy probably stand out there for. Come on, you got yours. Not even look like I come on I got mine, I earned it. I did this I did that Jesus set up the system not let know what was going to be by grace you can be saved unearned unmerited favor is what that is. So when you start to say what you gotta do this and you gotta do that you gotta do this and you gotta do that you start adding these things, you begin to put obstacles between people and God. We gotta do this when you got blown to church you have church membership got baptized again at I believe you should be baptized, but I don't believe your salvation hinges on that baptism. See, because that play that just creates a lot of problems now some you guys know me and I can attend the surrounding think of stuff and and and and I just come up with too many weird situations in regards to this. Dr. Deming's okay so you can forward you get saved been born again asked Jesus not born-again. Yet according to theology had been baptized. So you asked the Lord to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness and he's waiting until you go down in the water so then you're sitting there in your weight and get baptized right live go along with what is you have a massive coronary you have a heart attack in Utah. Okay what happens. According to them, you go to help limit okay let's say you're standing right at the baptism okay so what happens if you fall backwards you're going to hell if you fall forward to going to heaven. I mean, that's not told you it was weird.

I told just sit around and think about some of these bizarre things then you have another problem you have another problem believing that Jesus lied to the thief on the cross. As he told him you'll be with me in paradise was at the favor baptized no use time he was unable and it Jesus said, you'll be in paradise out maybe sit there going to and aren't you, building division into the body of Christ.

You know what know I'm not see because this salvation thing has to be.

I have to agree with another believer on the salvation thing on how we get saved we can disagree on. You know whatever we can disagree on electric guitars and worship we can disagree on hymns versus contemporary worship we can disagree on a lot of things but on salvation. This is an essential and I'm not just building division and I'm saying this is what it takes because again the moment you start building these things in the safe.

We gotta get saved and you're in a dangerous place because it's been my experience that yet something at some mouse yet something else and before long, people are looking at what I can't do it. I can't do it. Sometimes people use Mark 1616 is a proof text or pretext that baptism is necessary for salvation will equip you guys understand it is he who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. A sexy Susan or to be saved got baptized but what is it saying he who does not believe will be condemned. Doesn't say he who believes and is baptized not, will be condemned and said he who believes not, will be condemned. So it's belief it's belief again.

Don't walk away from here goes. I had been baptized. Investors is a good he's okay with no no no no that's not what I said you've been born again.

Aviv asked Jesus to forgive you every sense. You should be baptized, as Jesus told you we baptized and that should be enough for you, but don't start to think that your salvation is predicated or that that baptism is necessary for your salvation in verse six that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit spirit, like the way the new living translation has this for some right now the new King James a study in the King James and the original Greek and Hebrew itself, but John 316 new living translation says humans can produce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. Humans convert reproduce only human life is an application I just thought of right now.

This means that if a church is walking in the spirit that they're going to see the fruit of the spirit.

But if there walking in the flesh to see the for the flesh to a lot of churches are very involved in programs and you'd be amazed at the emails I get a few just do this just do that just do this that and the other church grow. Well, praise God. On we don't seem to be struggling with these days.

It's amazing the confidence that they put in the flesh in man-made abilities is an amazing thing to me to the fact that you know if you just try this formula. This is what we found works.

What about just being dependent upon the spirit again. What about teaching God's word and doing what God tells you to do it you know it's a constant prayer of my lord what he wants to do now is not that I go to some website or something all on this mission.

Let's do this because each step that you follow like that takes you further and further away from the main thing I think the danger to churches these days is not keeping the main thing the main thing and remember, if you're born once you die twice. If you born twice and I want well it's just a way of saying if if you're only born of flesh wants a girly birth by your mother. You will die in your body and you will die. What's termed in the book of Revelation is the second death, so you born lunch it out twice if you're born twice born from your mother and your born again then you only God that one time that reference for second death is Revelation 20 verse 1415 then death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. I give you that reference.

Just so you know it's in there out and make the second death thing up whenever use a term or or or say look this is what the Bible teaches use to back that up.

Article I found on the Internet know I'm going to back it up with Scripture on the psyche.

This is what it says and this is where it says it you know it's a good thing for you guys to desire to know that because there's a lot of people out there that are being duped or being duped just because we put it up on PowerPoint doesn't mean it's true. Even here checking out the Korean.

I have an accountability before the Lord, that I take very seriously and about teach something weird he's gonna ask me about when I get up there. No world was that it was that's what you meant what I would rather be in the place where I'm saying to God.

You know what got took you literally at your word and if I made an error, it was because it took you literally at your word, then standing there going well, you know, I thought I could get the meanness I think you were serious about that when you said that hole and then thou shalt not thing was just so confusing. I want to be stammering like will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now is a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob Luna pray for some listeners today and these California cities Maple Creek Mariposa, Marysville, Mount Shasta must coy Napa and North San Juan God, we thank you for the people living in the cities and those tuning in today. Lord, we pray that they would get excited about following you, Lord, that they would use that excitement to be a blessing and love other people that they would get plugged into godly churches. We pray for the pastors in the cities that you give them wisdom and discernment, how to lead their flocks and point them to your word. In Jesus name, amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse seven. Do not marvel that I said to you. You must be born again, he says it twice. He said in verse three says the universe seven.

Life lesson number one being born again is not something we came up with. It is something that Jesus came up with this is what Jesus said you must be born again you understand that some people are confused about that. They don't understand.

Jesus said that they think that the born again experience is something that modern religion Christianity came up with temps again.

I'm serious. I was we were in the old building and I had a telemarketer called is trying to sell me knickknacks are so in essence what you know on really not interested were church and we don't thank you for your offer to buy widgets we don't need any widgets right now is all well recently silver churches okay was just being tenacious and civil succeed you go to church. Christine Sonoma Catholic do with that what you will put these I said well what you do with the fact that Jesus said you must be born again, he said.

He said that yes he said what he do with that because I don't understand how to be born again, he said no. What you do is you pray, you asked the Lord to forgive you of your sins, you quit trusting in your works in your trust in Jesus return from your sins and you turn to him and unless you do that you stand under the law can settle okay civil. We can pray this right now. Would you like to pray with many said okay so I let him spare guys. You know what if a telemarketer calls you are coming into you your life there knocking on your door. Use of this opportunity. The worst they can do is hang up and that's not such a bad thing, but some people don't realize it being born again is something Jesus came up with thought about this note.

It's an awesome thing when you're born again what happens your past all your mistakes go that matter how much you messed up go forgive an amazing thing when guys if we took we compared notes here.

I am probably one the chief of sinners and I know I'd be in the top five and yet, it's over it's done.

You don't have the past that can condemn you anymore now that doesn't mean that well intended Christians will condemn your best. But God himself doesn't condemn you. I think we we we don't sit and think about very much, your sins are forgiven and forgotten and you have a bright future and hope your sins are forgiven and forgotten, you have a bright future and I hope this is good stuff and no one is called the good news that Jesus didn't say where we need to fix you up a little bit. There's a couple things that are wrong with you but we can fix what you what you need you need to retreat.

That's what you need go to retreat and you'll be up now, let's more seminars or more conferences or dinner all you hear wacky think you need more self-esteem. That's what you you brother now be born again is asking Jesus to be forgiven and receive an and we have to start over in order for Nicodemus to realize this.

He needed to realize he didn't have as part of the process and whenever you're sharing the good news. It's gotta start with the bad news.

Because of someone he doesn't realize that there is center then I can understand the need saving. Like what Ray comfort does with that. You know if you're on a flight and somebody comes bonds is a you know where this parachute using a lot of unneeded parachute. I don't I don't not Sarai flight seems be going well but if somebody comes by your sequences. You know what five minutes planes will crash everybody and here's going down. Here's a parachute which time with a parachute meet have the most meaning I mean if the gases the planes going down your your all over the parachute.

Sometimes we don't paint the bad news not talk about hellfire and brimstone in you know Pete and somebody hit them over the head with your Bible, but understanding that they can't trust in themselves to achieve salvation. Verse eight the wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the spirit. Jesus is not saying it's okay if you're filled with the spirit to be weird. I've heard some people use this verse to see nobody understands me no one is working for Margo because I am born of the spirit. That's not what Jesus is talking about here. That's really ripping it out of context. He's talking about. We can't fully understand the operation of the Holy Spirit. Does that mean that whatever is okay in the church is no because Paul wrote very specifically in first Corinthians 12 first Corinthians 14 about the way the way our meetings should be conducted in regards to the Holy Spirit always and out very plainly says things should be done decently and in order now been in both types of churches I've been in churches where they just work done and I've been in churches where they were done they were done decently and in order and there's a balance here. Yes, there is a well if you'll permit me the use of the word. There is a scriptural mysticism if you will, in regards to the Scriptures and the workings of the Holy Spirit. Scriptures set down the guidelines of what happens in regards to fellowship in the Holy Spirit. I think we need to be careful. I think we need to look to Scripture, and I don't a lot of times people do all sorts of crazy stuff and go in and you know why you do that always just the spirit spirit McGaha been in meetings where it just turned my stomach. You know what I am. This is ministering somebody. Hopefully, because this is not my notes not intend to go off on this first but you know so many times we say well you know this happen and that happened and it was the Holy Spirit really show me in Scripture where it says that that happens and if you can't show me in here were not doing it.

Mr. I don't care what our church doesn't don't say what church on the roads known.

I don't care. You show me in this book and will do it.

It's not in here were not known and if that offends you. I can apologize, but you know what it should make you feel safe, but nothing's going to go on here that we don't see and hear.

Because geysers allot awareness out there. There is a lot of weirdness out there. Verse nine Nicodemus answered and said to him, how can these things be seen. Nicodemus is trying at this point to get his mind wrapped around this in our time, but I like that Nicodemus came to Jesus he knew where to go with this questions he didn't send someone else time he went to personally that's weight is you gotta check out Jesus personally. You can't check them out to this guy or that guy or this book or that book or even some well-meaning preacher on television. You have to check Jesus out personally as life lesson number two you have to come to Jesus personally believe Nicodemus was born again after this I believe Nicodemus got saved that I know that some people think no Pharisees got saved.

That's that's anti-scriptural a lot of Jewish people. A lot of Jewish leaders receive Jesus as the Messiah. Church tradition talk to something else. The Bible tells us a lot. Did the reason I believe that Nicodemus got saved as is. Two other scriptures that he's mentioned in the Gospel of John will dig in deeper, warmer there but John chapter 7 verse 50 Nicodemus he he he who came to Jesus by night and one of them said to them, does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he's doing.

He's defending Jesus to the Pharisees and he was a Pharisee. They answered and said to him, are you also from Galilee search and look for no profit is risen out of Galilee. So here Nicodemus is defending Jesus. John chapter 19 verse 39,000 Nicodemus. What first came to Jesus by night, also came bring in a mixture of myrrh and hours about hundred pounds.

He came to minister to the Lord after his death.

And what's interesting about this again will dig deeper into this when we get there, but the second passage there something in there that is kind of hidden until you realize what's going on in the passage in the verses it's Passover what what specular passer is a holy day. Where would you run out and get hundred pound valid. Everything is close Sabbath.

What used to be here and you can get.

So here you have wanted to have 100 pounds laying around for I believe when Jesus said he was to be crucified and buried. The Nicodemus believed this is a time when all the disciples and ran off. Nicodemus not only listen when he heard, and he believed them and he was ready for the burial after the crucifixion. Friend, you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible. You've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life will DA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and the thought to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart of David McGee. That sounds good Pastor day and again. It's been great to have you with us on the program today but tell us what else can a listers find on cross the bridge.com.

If you're not able to make it to your home church this Sunday. Why not join us for our lifestream at 10 AM Eastern time or on Thursday night at 7 PM this visit, cross the bridge.com and click on our lifestream link. There you will experience a live service from David's home church. The bridge in North Carolina again. That website is cross the bridge.com.

Thanks again for listening and join us next time.

As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the Gospel of John