September 17, 2023

The Wind

Preacher:
Passage: John 1:12-13; 3:1-10
Service Type:

Introduction

Started a new series in John’s Gospel

Very different to the other gospels
Think, pray, read slowly, meditate

Covered the first 5 verses last week – "the Word"

The full and final revelation of God

Thinking about the Holy Spirit today – "the Wind"

On the Day of Pentecost He came a might rushing wind
In the Old Testament – the Breath of God (Ez 37:9)
Jesus likes the Holy Spirit to the wind (John 3:8)
We cannot see the wind (but can see it’s effects) or the Holy Spirit
We cannot control the wind or the Holy Spirit

Not just one image describing the Holy Spirit

Fire – reminds us of His power
Dove – reminds us of His gentleness

The Holy Spirit – God

Part of the Trinity
A person who guides, comforts, teaches
We can grieve Him through sin

He is a "Holy" Spirit – he is Holy
Considering the Holy Spirit as wind – His secret invisible work of bringing souls to new birth

John 1:12-13
What does it mean to be born of God?
What does a new birth mean?
What does it mean to be a born again Christian?
What does it mean to be a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)

Nicodemus comes to Jesus

He was a pharisee (v1)

They held a very strict interpretation of the law of Moses
They had a fastidious attachment to the law
Morally upright (at least outwardly)
Custodians and guardians of the traditions of the fathers – so they had added 600 extra laws to the law of Moses

Examples

They were legalistic and laid burdens on the people

He was a ruler of the Jews (v1)

A heavyweight pharisee
A member of the (highest) Jewish ruling council – the Sanhedrin (John 7, 19)
A man of great standing and prominence

He came to Jesus by night (v2, John 7,19)

He has fears of what others would think about him going to Jesus
The pharisees were jealous of Jesus
He has a fear of the Jews

He calls Jesus teacher (v2)

He speaks with respect and recognises Him as a teacher
"We know you are a teacher"

He has some understanding of Jesus
He knows that God must be with Him
He seems to want to know the truth

Why have you come to Church this morning?

Because you want to meet God or out of habit?
Consider the example of the rich young ruler and Simon Magus
Many came to Jesus just for the miracles
Some were genuine – example of the weeping woman

Jesus answers Nicodmus

Jesus is answering a question that Nicodemus should have asked – what must I do to gain eternal life

His answer astounds Nicodemus

Most assuredly (v3,5,11)

Perhaps pharisees were not inclined to listen to people

There must be a new start / a new birth

Example – you must be born again
Your background and status does not matter
Your ‘religion’ and degrees does not matter

John 1:13 – the theology/doctrine

Not of blood

Not of human ancestry (as the pharisees were Abraham’s descendants)

John 8:33

We are born sinners
We are born into bondage
We must have spiritual life and be born again
Our nations and family do not make us Christian
Many who belong to Israel will be cast out

Nicodemus’ Response

He is spirituality ignorant

His religion is all about the outward and the horizontal

He does not think about the inward and the vertical

His thinking is literal

1 Cor 2:14 – the things of God must be spiritually discerned

He is still confused (v9)

Jesus tells him these things are found in the Old Testament (v10)

Examples

Habbakuk – the just shall live by faith (Heb 11)
Ezekiel 36

Not all Israel will be saved

Jesus’ explanation to Nicodemus

Water and the Spirit

Not speaking of baptism but of cleansing

Baptism does not save people
It is a command for those who have be saved
Ezk 36:25-26, Titus 3:4-5

Flesh gives birth to flesh, Spirit gives birth to spirit

We are given a new nature
We are given a new life in Jesus

Have you experienced this new birth?
Have you been born again?

Have you believed in Jesus Christ?

As Lord and Saviour
Repent of your sin

The Holy Spirit opens our mind
The Holy Spirit testifies we are children of God
Example of George Whitfield

Final thoughts

John 1:12-13 – not of the will of the flesh or the will of man

No through human strength, effort, any meritorious act, any human will/decision

We not ‘decide’ for Jesus Christ
We must believe in Jesus Christ

You must be born again

Through a supernatural miraculous work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit comes like the wind – you cannot see or control Him

John 3:8 – you see the effects
People repenting of their sin
Believers having such joy in their life
We see the work of the Holy Spirit in changed lives – examples
The interior has affected the exterior

Closing Remarks