NicodemusRead John 3:1-8

Nicodemus only mentioned in John

Pharisee, member of the Sanhedrin (highest council of the Jews)

Bred in good schools, open minded but cautious

As a Pharisee he was primarily good because it was a primary commitment

Boxed in God with his rules

Read John 7:45-52 and John 19:38-40

Courage to stand up and defend Jesus, a minority of onePut down by othersBeing from Galilee is kind of like being from the backwoodsV.53 Jonah and Isaiah were from GalileeHelps Joseph of ArimetheaBody of executed man regarded as sheer pollutionStood by dishonored Christ and offered personal services

What happened to Nicodemus after this encounter?

Nicodemus confronts Jesus on strength of signs and miraclesAttests to the presence of God with Him

(read Deut. 18:19)Jesus answered an unasked questionUses a term that can be interpreted literally or spiritually

Born anew = begotten from above (Greek = from above of from God (Aramaic)

Beget = birth from father’s side while bear is from mother’s side

V. 5 Born of water does it mean baptism or birth?

Look at verse 6. One should be baptized by water.Ruach = pneuma = spirit or windOnly time to use the phrase Kingdom of God in John

Read Luke 18:17.

Simple unquestioning trust.New is a new creation not a building of an existing oneBe baptized in the Spirit

Jerusalem had been ringing for months because of John the Baptist saying all must repent and be baptized (humbly submit).

Pharisees said it did not apply to them.Nicodemus had a problem with the practicality not the theoryWhat part of religion do you have a problem with the practicality, but not the theory?

Cannot have do-overs in life

If you could have a do over, what would you do differently?

People being baptized on their death bed

We should not box in GodDo not make Him follow only the ways we approveDo not disregard parts of the Bible we do not likeCreate a God in our own imageGood people sometimes tend to have rigid definitions of

what God is like

How do we box in God?

In all His miracles Christ never made an old man young again

Thought-act-habit-character-destinyLive life by the spirit not by the fleshWhat does this mean?

A person can shut out the wind

Hide behind the walls of self will so they cannot feel the wind

Spirit is able to break down the walls but chooses not to in most cases

Follow the currents of water (world) or set our sails and follow the wind

How does one shut out the Holy Spirit?

What is the Spirit’s wind like in your life right now?Still as a summer nightA few little gustsHowlingFull sail

Where is the wind of the Spirit carrying you right now?To a safe harborOut to rough watersI’m not sure but it is excitingNowhere that I know