Sunday Morning Podcast December 15, 2019. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: JOHN 3:1-10
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Maybe you have had an appointment, where you had to wait to be “called” to be seen. Then someone came to say ” you can be seen now.” Here Nicodemus found himself going where Jesus was to be present. At night, because of his needing secrecy, and was troubled about the coming of the Messiah and the teaching about the kingdom having come. As a religious man, Nicodemus wanted to ask Jesus for more understanding, because he was a seeker of truth, looking for the Messiah. He had been told there might be another, so this was in sincerity, and not based in small talk. Jesus then told him truly, that unless you are born of God, you cannot see the kingdom. All must have this same desirous attitude..nothing else will do, to truly seek the truth. Jesus then began to teach him how to be born again, ..of the Spirit. Without natural illustrations, but of the supernatural. For it is not something you can grab hold of with your physical reach, but beyond that, in an intense connection with your spirit. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18 Jesus was sent not to condemn, but to save. If we have to fall into condemnation to seek Jesus, then we were already condemned. Jesus….would tell you, you are already condemned! He would tell you, you are not ready, because The Spirit has not yet drawn you!
We know when the Spirit is drawing us, when He lays a load on our heart, to reveal our lack, and draws us close to God. The Holy Spirit has convicted all of us, that we are sinners and not saved. You should not need an “onslaught of heaviness to be pounded upon you,” to be convicted, but should already be convicted of your sins, by your knowledge of them. You shouldn’t think, “I need to come to church for the reason to be ‘pounded upon (with conviction),’ but your need is to come to church to be convicted of Christ’s love, hope, mercy, and grace. Conviction is not always just for the sinner for their sins, but also for our need for a spiritual examination for any of us. Examination to reveal to ourselves sometimes that, “I don’t have that peace.” For God has a way, that gives grace that exceeds past all expectations. Without that, you will be judgmental, and that is not the message of Christ. He that believes with his mind and spirit, is not condemned. Conversely believing not, is to be condemned already. ‘Those’ hate light, …for their deeds are then exposed.
“The Master will see you now.” If you really want truth, God will speak to you! If you come to seek Jesus, He will say, “The Master will see you now.” A “seeker” will be ready and willing to be examined. Ready to be told “where” they are spiritually, and willing to be measured up to the truth. We should want to be judged of where we are, so we can receive truth. Let me fall, wherever truth puts me! However that leads me, …to wherever truth finds me! May I ever move up, change, or stay still, however The Spirit leads, …to wherever my needs are. If you don’t know the Lord, …start seeking Him. Through the day, the morning, or at night, …is Jesus always there with you? Nicodemus had to start somewhere to seek truth. So Jesus our Master, through the Holy Spirit, helped Nicodemus understand ‘where’ he was, to come to the point, that “The Master will see you now.”
“The Master Will See You Now.”