Born From Above

Verse 1, John 3.

I wouldn't say to always base your theology on the subtitles in your Bible translations, but this is a good one.

John 3, verse 1, the new birth.

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

This man came to Jesus by night.

I want you to underline, came to Jesus by night.

And said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher.

Come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.

Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly I say to you, unless one 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? Jesus answered, most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again.

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from.

I want you to underline the entirety of verse 8.

But you cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.

So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said to him, Are you the teacher of Israel? Oh, this is very important.

Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things? Most assuredly I say to you, we speak what we know and testify what we have seen.

And you do not receive our witness." If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but he who has come down from heaven.

That is the Son of God who is in heaven.

Oh, the language there.

I've come down and I'm in.

We'll get there in a moment.

Only Jesus can say that.

And as Moses, this is important, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.