JOHN 3 - NIGHT WITH NICODEMUS


You have heard before about Jesus, the Word of God, who became flesh.
You have heard that the Spirit is like the best wine, and we should share it.

Now you and I will see the PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS:
- WHAT DO YOU GET FOR BELIEVING IN JESUS?
- WHAT MUST YOU DO TO HAVE HIS SPIRIT?


V14-18    THIS MEANS ALL PEOPLE MUST BELIEVE IN JESUS
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
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.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned,
but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed
in the name of God's one and only Son."

V3-7    THIS MEANS ALL PEOPLE MUST BE BAPTIZED
Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God
unless he is born again.
"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked.
"Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh,
but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying,
`You must be born again.'

V8    THIS MEANS WE CAN'T TELL WHO IS OR ISN'T BORN AGAIN
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell
where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Can you see where the wind comes from or where it goes?
Neither can you see who is or who is not a Christian.

You can only tell about yourself, if you have God's Holy Spirit inside.
- It is not because you always feel it.
- It is because you have believed in Jesus as your Redeemer.
- It is because you have obeyed his voice and have been immersed.

MATTHEW 7: 21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day,
`Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons
and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly,
`I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS THE CHURCH HAS PRACTICED BAPTISM
Why do so many people reject baptism today?
CHARLES FINNEY 1840, CAIN RIDGE KENTUCKY
- FORMER METHODIST MINISTER
- NOT A SCHOLAR, BUT A PRACTICAL POLITICIAN
CHARLES FINNEY INVENTED THE CAMP MEETING
- FINNEY THREW OUT THE ELDERS IN THE CHURCH
- FINNEY THREW OUT THE COMMUNION IN THE WORSHIP
- FINNEY MADE THE SERMON THE CENTRAL PART OF SERVICE
- FINNEY INVENTED THE SINNER'S PRAYER
- FINNEY'S CHURCH WAS VERY POPULAR

MOST OF THE DENOMINATIONS FOLLOWED FINNEY
- IF YOU SHOW THEM THEIR HISTORY,
YOU MIGHT CONVINCE THEM THAT THEIR DOCTRINE IS NOT FROM GOD
FINNEY'S NEW DOCTRINE OF FAITH ONLY
- THE REST OF THE CHURCH DOES NOT PRACTICE THIS
- THE CHURCH FOR 1800 YEARS BEFORE FINNEY DID NOT
- THIS DOCTRINE IS "LOCAL" TO THE UNITED STATES

IF YOU ARE NOT A BAPTISED BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST
- YOU DO NOT HAVE THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT
- YOU DO NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
- YOU ARE STILL CONDEMNED IN YOUR SINS

HAVE YOU BEEN BORN AGAIN?
"The wind blows wherever it pleases.
You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

- DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS?
- HAVE YOU BEEN IMMERSED TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?
- DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVE INSIDE OF YOU?

ARE YOU GOING TO ACCEPT THE WORDS OF JESUS HERE?
(YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT)
OR WILL YOU KEEP FOLLOWING A MAN'S DOCTRINE,
WITH NO PROMISED HOPE OF SALVATION?