The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter [Jesus] I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot [even] see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3.3) [Jesus] I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot [even] see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3.3)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter Review: What is reality? God and his kingdom, “the range of God’s effective will,” where what God wants done is done. It hasn’t yet extended to the kingdom of this world, or people’s personal kingdoms. Review: What is reality? God and his kingdom, “the range of God’s effective will,” where what God wants done is done. It hasn’t yet extended to the kingdom of this world, or people’s personal kingdoms.

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter Jesus: God’s kingdom is open and available to everyone, now. Response: Repent: reconsider your ­­­­­­­life-strategy; think about your thinking Believe: TRUST Jesus (Turn everything over to him, Relax in his love, Use my life for him, Suffer with him, Trust what he says) Jesus: God’s kingdom is open and available to everyone, now. Response: Repent: reconsider your ­­­­­­­life-strategy; think about your thinking Believe: TRUST Jesus (Turn everything over to him, Relax in his love, Use my life for him, Suffer with him, Trust what he says)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter How to enter the kingdom of God Jn Nicodemus was a Jew, born into the privileged race, God’s people....a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. (v 1) How to enter the kingdom of God Jn Nicodemus was a Jew, born into the privileged race, God’s people....a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. (v 1)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter He was a man, very religious (a Pharisee), a renowned teacher. Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? (v 10) He was a man, very religious (a Pharisee), a renowned teacher. Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? (v 10)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter He’s a member of the elite club, the Sanhedrin (top 70 scholars in the country), old and rich. If anyone should be in God’s kingdom, it’s Nicodemus. But no. Woah! He’s a member of the elite club, the Sanhedrin (top 70 scholars in the country), old and rich. If anyone should be in God’s kingdom, it’s Nicodemus. But no. Woah!

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter You don’t enter God’s kingdom because of birth or religion. You don’t enter God’s kingdom because of birth or religion. Nicodemus comes at night, perhaps to avoid being seen. He’s not a seeker. He’s there for a conversation, not a conversion. He represents his peers, “We” (v 2), seeking to collaborate with this young teacher, Jesus. You don’t enter God’s kingdom because of birth or religion. You don’t enter God’s kingdom because of birth or religion. Nicodemus comes at night, perhaps to avoid being seen. He’s not a seeker. He’s there for a conversation, not a conversion. He represents his peers, “We” (v 2), seeking to collaborate with this young teacher, Jesus.

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter Jesus takes control of the discussion, because Nicodemus is ignorant. Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? (v 10). It’s not just God is with you. (v 2) Jesus is God with us! It’s not that Jesus is just a teacher. No, he must be our Savior. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up... (v 15)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter Being a Jew is no help for Nicodemus. Being a Bible scholar is no help. Being religious is no help at all. He must start at the first, like everyone else, or he wouldn’t even see the kingdom. unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. (v. 3)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter Jesus’ word picture “born again” is well- known today, but not understood. About 7% of Canadians self-identify as “born again” Christians.

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter About a third of Canadians surveyed (2006, Macleans) feel uneasy around the “born again”, as they’d be with sex offenders, alcoholics and mental patients. Yikes! Why? Because they’re the broken ones, or the ones needing moral absolutes.

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter You enter God’s kingdom by a new birth and a new energy source. When Jesus mentions new birth, Nicodemus reacts. “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” (v 4) It’s easy to get confused, when your worldview is wrong. You enter God’s kingdom by a new birth and a new energy source. When Jesus mentions new birth, Nicodemus reacts. “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” (v 4) It’s easy to get confused, when your worldview is wrong.

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter It’s a second start, a brand new beginning. Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. (v 5).

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter The first birth is water-based, meaning amniotic fluid....being born of water (v 5). It could also mean washing up a newborn. Then I’ll sprinkle clean water on you, and you’ll be clean. Your filth [of sin] will be washed away, and you’ll no longer worship idols. And I’ll give you a new heart... put a new spirit in you....take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezek ) The first birth is water-based, meaning amniotic fluid....being born of water (v 5). It could also mean washing up a newborn. Then I’ll sprinkle clean water on you, and you’ll be clean. Your filth [of sin] will be washed away, and you’ll no longer worship idols. And I’ll give you a new heart... put a new spirit in you....take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezek )

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter The new birth is Spirit-based. I’ll put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezek )

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter The religious hate this, because they’re good enough, Canadians are nice enough. Who gets it? The ones with broken lives. [Jesus] Corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. (Matt 21.31)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter There’s a mystery to the new birth. It’s isn’t self-generated energy. It’s life from God’s Spirit, like the wind. Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” (Ezek. 37.9)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter The wind is wild and uncontrollable. The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it’s going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” (Jn 3.8). A Christian is a mystery to others and even to themselves. The wind is wild and uncontrollable. The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it’s going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” (Jn 3.8). A Christian is a mystery to others and even to themselves.

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter It’s not self-improvement, it’s not an add- on. It’s a radical restart. It’s not reformation, but transformation. It’s a totally new beginning. End of a story: But it’s not me. Augustine It’s not self-improvement, it’s not an add- on. It’s a radical restart. It’s not reformation, but transformation. It’s a totally new beginning. End of a story: But it’s not me. Augustine

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter We don’t need new teaching from a teacher. No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. (v 13) We need to be rescued by a Savior. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. (vv 14-15)

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter Nicodemus took years to figure it out. He kept listening “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” Nicodemus asked. (7.51). After the crucifixion he identified with Jesus, and started to live born again. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. (Jn ) Nicodemus took years to figure it out. He kept listening “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” Nicodemus asked. (7.51). After the crucifixion he identified with Jesus, and started to live born again. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. (Jn )

The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter Nicodemus took years to figure it out. He kept listening “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” Nicodemus asked. (7.51). After the crucifixion he identified with Jesus, and started to live born again. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. (Jn ) Nicodemus took years to figure it out. He kept listening “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” Nicodemus asked. (7.51). After the crucifixion he identified with Jesus, and started to live born again. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. (Jn )

And you? Are you trying to improve yourself, or are you accepting God’s new birth? Have you stopped believing in your own efforts, and believe in Jesus? The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter

And ROOTS? Imagine ROOTS full of Spirit-energized people, radically new. The Kingdom of God – See, Believe, Enter