The Wind

September 17, 2023

Preacher: Andrew Love

Series: John’s Gospel

Passage: John 1:12-13; 3:1-10

Service Type: Sunday Morning

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)

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 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

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

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