Jan 10 2021 - Love Those Who are Different from You

John 3:1 Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, ² came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him."

Nicodemus is a respected member of the faith – a scholar – and is a representative of the other rulers – but also, I think he has some personal reason for doing this.

He comes at night – many have many reasons for why he does that. Some say he wants to become a follower – others think he just wants a private conversation.

When we look at his questioning – it is polite and respectful, but there is also an interrogation mentality taking place.

Nicodemus and the other leaders would have seen other ‘Messiah candidates’ coming through. Some might see Jesus as a threat – and a threat to the fragile peace they had with Rome.

Nicodemus had seen the signs Jesus had performed – it says ‘many’ – but the Bible only lists one to this point.

He appears to be a seeker, but he also has some misunderstandings of Who Jesus is.

³ Jesus replied, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ⁴ Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother's womb and be born a second time, can he?"

Notice I’ve chosen a translation – ‘born from above’ – the other translations all say – ‘born again’ – why? It can be either one – normally – this phrase would be translated born from above – it could be born again. John uses the same phrase 3 other times – and every time it is translated as born from above.

The reason I chose this – the phrase ‘born again’ has so many bad connotations associated with it.

This is really important in this context – what the phrase is saying – born from above – a heavenly birth- something that God must do. You cannot see the kingdom without it. The only way to get into this kingdom is with a spiritual birth.

Nicodemus’ reply shows that he is focused on an earthly birth and an earthly kingdom.

Nicodemus is a leader/teacher of the Jews. For them – the way to become a part of the kingdom of God is to be born Jewish! If you were born Jewish, you were automatically part of God’s kingdom – part of God’s people – receiving His grace.

We have a misunderstanding thinking that they thought they got into the kingdom of God by following the Law. That thinking came from the reformation.

Being born into Judaism kept you pure and kept others out.

⁵ Jesus answered, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must all be born from above.'

He goes deeper explaining what is going on.

I was taught that born of water was being born of physical birth – and I repeated that teaching at times. But there is no evidence that anyone at that time used that concept as being born the first time – like the water breaking.

Some say it is of baptism. That is not the point either.

Water – is a theme in the book of John.

What is the context? Go back 1-2 stories – turning water into wine.

We look at that story and we know exactly what is happening. This purification system the Jews had set up – and Jesus is showing the inadequacy of Nicodemus’ understanding of how one gets into the kingdom. He is knocking down the pillars – first – ancestry. Nope. Second –

These are not in contrast – they are connected – water and the Spirit.

John would have understood the Old testament and the context of these.

Jesus knew Nicodemus was not at the point yet – and the Old Testament speaks of this. This new birth – new creation – a new heart

Ezekiel 36:25 ²⁵ I will sprinkle you with pure water (water that really cleans you) and you will be clean from all your impurities. I will purify you from all your idols. ²⁶ I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ I will put my Spirit within you; I will take the initiative and you will obey my statutes and carefully observe my regulations.

I will – I will – Something only God can do

John 3:8 ⁸ The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." ⁹ Nicodemus replied, "How can these things be?" ¹⁰ Jesus answered, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you don't understand these things?

Nic doesn’t get it. Even as he is listening to Jesus speak – we see it by his questions and comments. Look at Jesus’ comment to him: are you a teacher not understanding? The teacher of Israel! He was probably one of the ‘famous pastors’ – like we would see on radio or television.

You’ve missed it?

The issue? We can’t get it unless God reveals it – makes it evident to us.

A couple practical applications from Nicodemus:

1 – how deeply our presuppositions influence our understanding of the Bible

He could not get past what he had believed and had been taught all along – to gain proper understanding to what Jesus was all about.

We have to look at ourselves and know that we have the same issue when it comes to understanding what God is doing. What we were taught when we first came to the faith gets embedded in us and becomes the lens through which we view the rest of the Bible.

That is just reality. That is normal. And there is a lot of good in that.

For example: this should not be one that could cause offense.

Let’s say you were raised in a pre-millennial pretribulation rapture – late great planet earth and left behind series – you will see that in everything you read about the end times.

Here is the question – what if that is a misunderstanding of the end times? What would that do? What a dilemma that would be!

That is exactly what Nicodemus is going through – so don’t be harsh with him. What he has been taught all his life is being totally challenged. It is difficult to have our convictions challenged. We don’t want that, because if we allow something we have believed all along to be challenged, we think we may lose our faith – so we believe it – whether we believe it or not! Because it is not worth it to us to go through the challenge.

Let me say this – the orthodox tenets of the faith have withstood the challenge.

But those things that are not part of the creeds or have not been confirmed – might not withstand the challenge.

Nicodemus is an old man – it says that – and he has believed something for decades – and Jesus comes in with a 180! That is hard! That is difficult! But we know it to be true. Whatever the issue – I hope you have had issues like that – that this has happened with you – that things you have believed are challenged and you recognize you need to readjust your thinking.

We need to see this as a work of God.

When we look at being born from above – we know – it is only God. We are saved by grace through faith – not of ourselves, it is a gift from God.

This salvation – Paul says – is to be worked out. We partner with God to work that out. SO in theological stuff – we don’t think – God will give me the wisdom, so I don’t have to do anything – instead, we work hard to know what God means. We work hard with God; God is at work with us – we become partners WITH Him. He takes the initiative.

In Philippians, Paul is speaking this to the entire church – so we not only need to partner with God but with one another. For us to work out our salvation – it requires partnership with other people – we don’t do it on our own, in the closet, but with community. It is hard today – but we need to find ways! We do it personally – working out our salvation – but then we do it corporately.

Paul talks about this personally and corporately – work out your salvation.

Last week I spoke about anger. I got a text Wednesday. “I listened to it – perfect timing!”

I had no idea what this week would bring. When we talk about anger – it was displayed in front of us. Anger is an American (Well, it is a world problem) – but boy do we have a problem with anger!

It is a problem within the church, also, not just out there in the culture.

Let’s be honest – there were a number of Jesus flags! They may have been sincere and genuine – but anger is an issue.

Corporately – we need to work out that aspect of our salvation. It needs to become a concentrated effort. We falsely believe we have a right to be angry with those who oppose our views and positions.

Red state people think they have the right to be angry with Blue state people – and vice-versa – and to use red/blue state language is sub-Christian.

God is clear – there is neither Jew nor Gentile nor red nor blue! I know it doesn’t say that, but you could stick that in there.

It is true in the halls of congress, but also true in the Church.

Look at Ephesians 4 – in your anger – do not sin – now compare that to Wednesday –

Do not let the sun go down on your anger – do not give the devil an opportunity.

Put away EVERY FORM of anger.

I’m sure there were folks there who believed they were there for a good cause, but there was anger and it provided the perfect opportunity – they did not put away every form of anger. It is just the natural result

I think this is the perfect example that God is wanting to work with His people in this world at addressing this – I challenge us to do this – we are angry with the Govt, sports teams, media, medical profession – but much worse? Anger in families, friendships, and the church.

God wants us to learn to live without destructive anger – so we must learn to work out our salvation because He is at work within us.

We will not be able to work this out individually, but we must partner with God.

The church must become a non-angry presence in the world.

Part of the problem – we listen to the popular/big voices – and I am talking about in the Christian world – and we don’t’ hear the small voices.

Ooopp – that big person said it – that is it! But it is the individual voices of Christians that need to be heard.

I don’t mean this to be political.

Christians have different opinions about how to vote and engage in the political process. Good Christians have different opinions on this. This is not a threat to the kingdom of God – and not a threat to you – you have nothing to lose by that – nothing at all! Good Christians must do as their consciences tell them on these big public issues, and that is not a threat at all.

The anger comes from fear. There is a tremendous amount of fear. 2020 was a year of anger – but also of fear, in so many different ways.

“This I know – that God is for me – what can people do to me” – Paul quotes it in Romans – God is for me – what can man do to me? I will not be afraid.

2021 – as we are here now – in opposition – needs to be one of loving one’s enemy – loving those who are different – praying – doing good for them. THAT is the answer.

The Christians in this world – in our nation – speaking and loving our ‘enemies’ – those we disagree with (I know they are not our real enemies, Jeff addressed that in his prayer) – that will be transformational when we bless them.

Thank You, Lord, help us to see how we are to step up and change, be different – not like the world – follow Your teaching to be Sermon on the Mount disciples – to live it, example it – to our best. We know we will fail – the standard You set is so high, but we will step toward it – in that direction – to plod our way toward You – in Your Name we pray.