Restoration 2013: Jesus.

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Restoration Ministry

Mark Howard

Nicodemus

Father in heaven, I do thank you for a day of life.

I thank you Lord that it's a day of preparation.

And I pray even now you'll be preparing our hearts and minds for the special blessing that you have prepared for us during the hours of the Sabbath.

On the screen, this is appropriate for Loma Linda, isn't it?

This is a universally, universally, I think that's fair to say, internationally is better, says there on that bottom line, and internationally It represents emergency medical services.

And it's fascinating, when I became a Christian and I'd start studying into the Bible, and I first learned a couple things about the Bible and the stories of the Bible, to see this symbol being used for healing.

Now where in the world does that come from?

Well, let me show you another picture of it, first of all.

There we see the different steps of emergency care that are put together with a symbol and the star.

And you see on the bottom, this is the rod of Asclepius, if I have that right.

We see the star again on this emergency medical vehicle.

I think that was in Switzerland where that was taken.

The rod of Asclepius in Greek mythology, the rod of Asclepius also known as Asclepian, is a serpent entwined rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius.

What's interesting is, oh, he was a deity associated with healing and medicine.

What does a snake have to do with healing and medicine?

Well there's really no good explanation in Greek mythology.

And what I want to do this morning is look at a story, an encounter, 1 of the most amazing encounters that Jesus had that's going to shed some light on this symbol.

I'm going to the Gospel of John this morning, Chapter 3.

It says in verse 1, 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're a teacher come from God, for no 1 can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.

And Jesus answered and said to him, most assuredly I say to you, unless 1 is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

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?

Now I think we've heard this story enough for many of us that it falls on deaf ears.

We don't stop to think about what a stupid question that was that Nicodemus asked.

He's a ruler of the Jews and furthermore Jesus says in verse 10, are you a teacher in Israel?

Those are 3 different qualifications Nicodemus has.

He's a ruler, he's a Pharisee, he's probably part of the Sanhedrin, he's a Pharisee and he's a teacher of spiritual things.

So the man is not an unintelligent or uneducated man.

Is it an intelligent question in response to what Jesus said to say, let me get this straight, Jesus, so am I supposed to climb back up into my mother's womb and come out again?

Is that a reasonable question for any intelligent person to ask?

No, I'll tell you what kind of question it is.

It's a sarcastic question It's a question that says are you trying to tell me that with all of my credentials?

I'm not fit for your kingdom It's interesting when he comes to Jesus initially he's got the airs of friendship and camaraderie, and hey, Rabbi, Jesus, we know you're a Rabbi sent from God, but suddenly all that propriety vanishes when he gets offended.

But Jesus doesn't sway from what he says.

He puts it back to Nicodemus again and he says, Most assuredly I say to you, unless 1 is born of water and the Spirit, he...

He is not allowed to enter into the Kingdom of God.

And there's a big difference between not allowed, between may not and can not.

The example's been given before of sitting in English class in elementary school.

And you ask the teacher that question you should have known better not to ask, Mrs.

Smith, being a good and faithful English teacher, says, Well, I don't know, can you?

Jesus doesn't say if a person isn't born again he may not come in.

The issue of salvation is not 1 where God is saying, well you've got to jump through a few hoops and then we'll see.

And he says, unless you're born again, you aren't fit for the Kingdom of Heaven.

You're not compatible with the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is what we talked about a little bit last night, when we talked about the corrupt nature of man.

So Jesus says it's essential to be born again.

That born again thing, who does that apply to?

Oh, that's people that are not raised in the faith.

Because I was raised in a Christian home, I was kind of automatically born again through my parents.

That born again requirement even applied to a teacher, Pharisee, ruler in Israel.

Now, a lot of people ask how that happens and it's interesting that Jesus then begins to explain the process.

Nicodemus is not grasping the totality of the process and Jesus says, don't marvel, verse 7, and I said to you, you must be born again.

You hear the sound of it, but can't tell whence it comes from or where it comes from and where it goes.

Nicodemus, just because you can't explain everything about the wind doesn't mean you don't know the wind blows.

And just because you or I cannot explain how God does everything in the plan of salvation doesn't mean He can't save us.

Some people want to wait until they've got it all figured out and they say, well I don't know if I can overcome my sin because I don't understand how it's going to happen.

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