1. Nicodemus Read 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

2. Read John 7:45-52 and John 19:38-40 Courage to stand up and defend Jesus, a minority of one Put down by others Being from Galilee is kind of like being from the backwoods V.53 Jonah and Isaiah were from Galilee Helps Joseph of Arimethea Body of executed man regarded as sheer pollution Stood by dishonored Christ and offered personal services What happened to Nicodemus after this encounter?

3. Nicodemus confronts Jesus on strength of signs and miracles Attests to the presence of God with Him (read Deut. 18:19) Jesus answered an unasked question Uses 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

4. 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 wind Only time to use the phrase Kingdom of God in John

5. Read Luke 18:17. Simple unquestioning trust. New is a new creation not a building of an existing one Be baptized in the Spirit Jerusalem had been ringing for months because of John the Baptist saying all must repent and be baptized (humbly submit).

6. Pharisees said it did not apply to them. Nicodemus had a problem with the practicality not the theory What 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

7. We should not box in God Do not make Him follow only the ways we approve Do not disregard parts of the Bible we do not like Create a God in our own image Good 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-destiny Live life by the spirit not by the flesh What does this mean?

8. 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?

9. What is the Spirit ’ s wind like in your life right now? Still as a summer night A few little gusts Howling Full sail

10. Where is the wind of the Spirit carrying you right now? To a safe harbor Out to rough waters I ’ m not sure but it is exciting Nowhere that I know