John 3:16 is a class Todd and I have been blessed to begin starting this Spring!
We are starting the lesson with the study of John 3 because the context of the verse 3:16 gets overlooked most often. The number 316 has come to represent God's love for me and Todd over the years. It seems that every time we have been in need of knowing God's got our backs, he uses this number to show us.
For example, when I was a single widow mother, Todd and I were just dating. I had gone to Houston to visit him and my family. On the way traveling back North from there, my 2 sleeping daughters and I got caught in a night snowstorm! I had never experienced anything like it before and was scared out of my skin. I stopped to cry and decided to keep driving until I reached a hotel. I pulled my sleepyheads out from the back seat and was so scared to be doing this alone. I prayed God would be our Father and help us. As we went to get a room from the clerk, she said we had room 315. We started away in the lobby to go to the room and she said, "No, wait, I'm sorry maam, it's room THREE SIXTEEN! If it wasn't for her mistake I might not have noticed what God was trying to show me.
After Todd and I got married we lived in Houston, Texas for 4 years. We were hungry for the small town life and eventually moved back to where the girls and I came from, Mineola, Texas.
WE were promised a job transfer for Todd with his home building company and I had a new teaching job. With his job we were going to be able to build a home on a lake here in town. We were so excited to finally be settled and living a dream. All was set! So we thought...
The day we packed up the first of five moving trucks, Todd was let go of his job. This was devastatingly unexpected and with the news came the loss of the dream home on the lake. We settled into a rent house with fear of dreaming again. But, God had a plan even better for us. As we looked around for a house to have as our own here in town, a certain home I loved for 15 years was looking like there was moving activity. I was so excited!! But it was not on the market. So, We asked the realtor we were using to see if we could go look and he got us in before it was officially on the market. It was beautiful and perfect and... the address was 316!
So, we are renovating this home until it is ready. It needed to "be born again" in a way and re purposed. Kind of like the sock in my Lost Sock book, it needed to salvaged to become a new creature. Feel free to read and watch it here. Just Click.
SO, Todd and I have been asked to lead a group at church for young adults and growing families...
Our schedule will not allow us to start until 3 more weeks... Let see...
what will that weekend be... ?
(looking at my calendar)
THREE SIXTEEN!
That's right! The weekend of March 16th, 2019.
So, God has got our backs with all of this. If He is for us, who can be against us?
So I finally decided to look before and after the 16th verse into the context of what's around it. I discovered so many things. I want to share them with you and it will be the lesson for our first meeting of the John 316 Sunday School class!
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John 3 is a chapter that is all about being born again.
We start out on earth as a shell of sin, a lost sock if you will. Everything we do is of the flesh. We work to be better, we strive to gain intelligence, we hope we are doing good enough, we gather our achievements only to find out that we still feel empty and without purpose. Nicodemus was one of these sorts of men. He was a teacher for the teachers, an expert, the richest, the highest, the smartest and the best of all those men around. He worked hard to get himself where he was. He was not about to share with the poor or discuss his findings with the cursed and lowly people. But there came a man greater than he, a teacher more wiser.
He went to him in the night in search of truth, but he got more than he could digest in that one night.
He learned that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, he must start over. He must destroy the idea that any work of his own flesh could get him in. There is nothing we do to get to heaven, just like there it nothing we did to get here on earth. There is nothing we can hold in our hands that we can take with us. The praise we get here will not matter there. Nicodemus had worked so hard in vain and did not immediately like this idea. He leaned that our entrance into the Kingdom, It is completely the Grace of God.
We must get rid of the idea of self righteousness and take on a new heart.
We must be born again in the Spirit and become a new creature. He was not immediately ready to throw away what he had built here. But the idea lingered in his mind for years.
Although this idea was hard to digest, as soon as it did, Nicodemus was a NEW MAN with a new purpose.
Read John 3
Sinner’s Worry, Savior’s word, Spirit's Work
Dissect, Discuss and take notes.
Feel free to print out and follow along...
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
My thoughts in Italics.
Bible in BOLD
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling
council.
Pharisees were Whitewashed, religious, isolated, cursed others, hoarded their riches, secluded,
judgmental and zealous. for law, show offs, self righteous.
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are
a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God
were not with him.”
council.
Pharisees were Whitewashed, religious, isolated, cursed others, hoarded their riches, secluded,
judgmental and zealous. for law, show offs, self righteous.
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are
a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God
were not with him.”
Nicodemus came at night because he did not want to be seen by Pharisees. Pharisees were a group that studied
the old testament, were legalistic, smart, literal, concrete, prideful, self righteous, “working” their way to
Heaven and hypocritically getting lost in the process.
the old testament, were legalistic, smart, literal, concrete, prideful, self righteous, “working” their way to
Heaven and hypocritically getting lost in the process.
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are
born again.”
born again.”
Jesus is not answering Nic’s question. Jesus knows what he really wanted and can read his mind. Jesus knows
that NIc is afraid that he is not in the Kingdom. He is secretly fearful that he is wasting his life. He has come to
the highest peak of knowledge and does not have peace still. Jeremiah 17:10, Psalm 94:11.
that NIc is afraid that he is not in the Kingdom. He is secretly fearful that he is wasting his life. He has come to
the highest peak of knowledge and does not have peace still. Jeremiah 17:10, Psalm 94:11.
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter
a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Sarcasm . That’s right. IT is NOT humanly possible.
But it is spiritually possible. There is no “how to” be born again. There is no steps to follow on our own. You
did not decide or work to be born. It is not what we do, it’s what God does. We cannot follow rules and step and
methodical rituals in order to be Born Again. Pharisees could not understand that because it went against what
they were taught. Flesh efforts are totally forfeit. IT’s not legalistic. It’s Grace. This thought of God’s grace
voids all the work they have done. They do not like that. Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who
is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf,
a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Sarcasm . That’s right. IT is NOT humanly possible.
But it is spiritually possible. There is no “how to” be born again. There is no steps to follow on our own. You
did not decide or work to be born. It is not what we do, it’s what God does. We cannot follow rules and step and
methodical rituals in order to be Born Again. Pharisees could not understand that because it went against what
they were taught. Flesh efforts are totally forfeit. IT’s not legalistic. It’s Grace. This thought of God’s grace
voids all the work they have done. They do not like that. Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who
is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are
born of water and the Spirit.
Nicodemus knew all old testament scripture.
Ezekiel 36:25 I will sprinkle clean water
on you and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all our filthiness and from all your idols, moreover i
will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. (old testament).
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh,
but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
born of water and the Spirit.
Nicodemus knew all old testament scripture.
Ezekiel 36:25 I will sprinkle clean water
on you and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all our filthiness and from all your idols, moreover i
will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. (old testament).
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh,
but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Flesh births flesh. Flesh will die and is not everlasting. Cleansing and born into Spirit is eternal and not of
man’s own working. Man cannot enter the Kingdom by “doing things” to get in.
Pharisees are trained to methodically
and ritualistically do things in order to work their ways into Heaven. This is all of self and flesh, not of the
SPirit. Our flesh has to die so that the Spirit can replace it. First life ends when new begins.
2 Corinthians 5:17 You become a new creature. Spirit will never dies, it is eternal life. If we live forever in the
flesh and prideful will of self, we will die.
man’s own working. Man cannot enter the Kingdom by “doing things” to get in.
Pharisees are trained to methodically
and ritualistically do things in order to work their ways into Heaven. This is all of self and flesh, not of the
SPirit. Our flesh has to die so that the Spirit can replace it. First life ends when new begins.
2 Corinthians 5:17 You become a new creature. Spirit will never dies, it is eternal life. If we live forever in the
flesh and prideful will of self, we will die.
We must dies to flesh Galatians 2:20 Galatians 5:24
Spirit gives life to flesh. Flesh is useless John 6:63
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes
from orwhere it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes
from orwhere it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Wind/Spirit has a will of its own. When we are
born again, this wind is in us, replacing our will. Spirit replaces flesh. Our will submits to the will of the
wind/spirit. Our spirit is awakened. Wind has mysterious peace and power. The wind has it’s own will and does
not follow the rules of humans. But Jesus could command the wind to stop ! Luke 8:22-24.
born again, this wind is in us, replacing our will. Spirit replaces flesh. Our will submits to the will of the
wind/spirit. Our spirit is awakened. Wind has mysterious peace and power. The wind has it’s own will and does
not follow the rules of humans. But Jesus could command the wind to stop ! Luke 8:22-24.
What can you do to control the wind? You cannot see it, make it stronger, weaker, change or stop. It is
completely and totally the work of God. IT is unpredictable, uncontrollable and powerful.
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE (John 5:21, “They son gives life to whoever He will”,.
completely and totally the work of God. IT is unpredictable, uncontrollable and powerful.
IRRESISTIBLE GRACE (John 5:21, “They son gives life to whoever He will”,.
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? He was the
one all
the Pharisees went to to learn about the Bible. He was rich, but riches were considered to make him
blessed by
God. So, he thought to be high and mighty. But he knew he was a fake and all that he knew was wrong.
That is why he went to a teacher greater than him.
one all
the Pharisees went to to learn about the Bible. He was rich, but riches were considered to make him
blessed by
God. So, he thought to be high and mighty. But he knew he was a fake and all that he knew was wrong.
That is why he went to a teacher greater than him.
11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still
you people do not accept our testimony.
you people do not accept our testimony.
12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I
speak of heavenly things?
Nic is book smart, but spirit stupid.
In Matthew 11:25, Jesus said, "I praise you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned,
and revealed them to little children.” He was law oriented, but shallow minded. He wanted to know
more, but will not open his heart in order to open his mind. You must become like a child to
understand. Nic is strong minded, proud and self righteous but little in faith. He must humble
himself before the Lord. Jesus was speaking only truth, but Nic still didn't believe.
speak of heavenly things?
Nic is book smart, but spirit stupid.
In Matthew 11:25, Jesus said, "I praise you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned,
and revealed them to little children.” He was law oriented, but shallow minded. He wanted to know
more, but will not open his heart in order to open his mind. You must become like a child to
understand. Nic is strong minded, proud and self righteous but little in faith. He must humble
himself before the Lord. Jesus was speaking only truth, but Nic still didn't believe.
13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
Past (Numbers 21:6-9) of Israelite is brought
into present. They complained miserable about food, water and life conditions after they had been delivered from
captivity. They were on the road to the promised land. God brought snakes to bite them and some dies. They
prayed and repented. GOd had Moses create a bronze snake for the Israelite to look at if bitten again. If they
looked, they were healed. *We are poisoned to die here in this desert, but Christ's Crucifixion is our healing
grace. He was lifted on the cross so we can live.
Past (Numbers 21:6-9) of Israelite is brought
into present. They complained miserable about food, water and life conditions after they had been delivered from
captivity. They were on the road to the promised land. God brought snakes to bite them and some dies. They
prayed and repented. GOd had Moses create a bronze snake for the Israelite to look at if bitten again. If they
looked, they were healed. *We are poisoned to die here in this desert, but Christ's Crucifixion is our healing
grace. He was lifted on the cross so we can live.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.
shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the
world through him.
world through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands
condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Believe to receive life.
Be immune to the poisonous bite, Passover judgement, live eternally, bu free from condemnations, simple be
believing in god’s loving gift!
condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Believe to receive life.
Be immune to the poisonous bite, Passover judgement, live eternally, bu free from condemnations, simple be
believing in god’s loving gift!
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of
light because their deeds were evil.
Pharisees hide from Jesus because He exposes their flesh. They run like rats
and roaches from the light. John 4; 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and
whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not
know God, because God is love.
light because their deeds were evil.
Pharisees hide from Jesus because He exposes their flesh. They run like rats
and roaches from the light. John 4; 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and
whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not
know God, because God is love.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their
deeds will be exposed.
deeds will be exposed.
21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that
what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Two years after this, Jews and to kill Jesus in Galilee. Nicodemus is sent out by the Sanhedrin to get Jesus and
kill him. He is preaching in the temple. Nic winds up coming back empty handed and tells them that Jesus’s
words, They could not lay their hands on him, it was not his time. Never has a man spoken the way this man
speaks, he paralyzed them with His words. The Sanhedrin was mad and made fun of Nic sarcastically.
Vs. 60, he said “our law does not judge a man unless he has due process and has been heard in court” He
defended Jesus and protected him. Ch 19. 2 more years later. Jesus is dead. Nic gathers 75 pounds of aloe and
myrrh to help with the body. He has identified himself with Jesus and now loves him. He binds the body with
linens wrapped in the mixture with Joseph. (Progressive sanctification, regeneration). He lost everything and
was banished by Jerusalem. No longer a teacher. He lost everything in their world to gain what is after.
Become a Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1-2 Nic became a living sacrifice, by the renewing of his mind.
kill him. He is preaching in the temple. Nic winds up coming back empty handed and tells them that Jesus’s
words, They could not lay their hands on him, it was not his time. Never has a man spoken the way this man
speaks, he paralyzed them with His words. The Sanhedrin was mad and made fun of Nic sarcastically.
Vs. 60, he said “our law does not judge a man unless he has due process and has been heard in court” He
defended Jesus and protected him. Ch 19. 2 more years later. Jesus is dead. Nic gathers 75 pounds of aloe and
myrrh to help with the body. He has identified himself with Jesus and now loves him. He binds the body with
linens wrapped in the mixture with Joseph. (Progressive sanctification, regeneration). He lost everything and
was banished by Jerusalem. No longer a teacher. He lost everything in their world to gain what is after.
Become a Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1-2 Nic became a living sacrifice, by the renewing of his mind.
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take
up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses
his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and
forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses
his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and
forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Where can you connect these symbols in the story?
(windmill, hot air balloon, lighthouse, serpent on stick, present vs. trophy, moth, roach, rat)
John 3:1-21 Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
Being Born again-
Human birth vs. Spiritual Birth
Parents vs. God
