Overwhelmed in New Life — We Are Ecclesia

Sep 17

Sep 17 Overwhelmed in New Life

John 3:1-7 New King James Version
3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

I. Why Are You Here?

a. Nicodemus’ dilemma

i. He was an accomplished religious teacher and ruler of the Jews, but recognized a lack

b. Nicodemus’ discernment

i. You are a teacher from God

1. Your teaching is scriptural, relevant, revelatory and powerful

ii. No one can do these signs

1. You display and demonstrate the power of God

iii. God is with You

1. You could do none of this apart from the presence of God

c. Many of us choose to attend churches or ministry events for similar reasons

i. The teaching is scriptural, relevant, revelatory and powerful

ii. The gifts of Holy Spirit are embraced and evident

iii. The presence of God is here

II. You Must Be Born Again!

a. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God

i. Nicodemus is unable to even recognize what Jesus is truly doing

b. Nicodemus’ qualifications

i. Pharisee and ruler of the Jews

1. He memorized, studied, and meditated daily upon scripture

2. He sacrificed and devoted himself to obeying the law

3. He taught and led the Jews, God’s chosen people

4. He was the elite of the elite

ii. He couldn’t even see or recognize the kingdom?

c. Nicodemus’ questions

i. How can a man be born when he is old?

1. I’ve come so far; are you saying I have to start over? How? Is that even possible?

ii. Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?

1. How is this even possible?

III. You Must Be Born of Water and the Spirit

a. Most assuredly, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God

i. Not only will Nicodemus not see, without being born again, but he will not enter unless he is born of water and the Spirit

ii. Whether you believe water and the Spirit refer to baptisms or a natural birth and spiritual birth, the doctrine of baptisms cannot be separated from our second/spiritual birth

Romans 6:3-5 New King James Version
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

b. What is baptism?

i. Baptizo (G907)

1. To dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)

2. To cleanse by dipping or submerging, to make clean with water, to wash oneself, to bath

3. To overwhelm

ii. Nicander’s (200BC) Pickle Recipe

1. The cucumber is first dipped (bapto [G911]) in boiling water and then submerged (baptizo) in the vinegar solution

2. Baptism is the process of change

3. The pickle is overwhelmed by the nature of the vinegar solution

iii. Baptism is a permanent change of nature

1. The pickle can never go back to becoming a cucumber

2. The cucumber nature is overwhelmed by the pickling solution

iv. Baptism is a permanent change of spiritual environment

1. The pickle remains in the brine until it transformed

2. If not properly submerged, or if removed early, it grows moldy and spoils

3. As long as it remains in the solution it is secured/sustained

c. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is spirit

i. Jesus is trying to show Nicodemus that what he is missing is much more than better teaching, much more than thee miraculous and much more than a weekly encounter with the presence of God.

1. Nicodemus needs to be born again

2. Nicodemus needs to be born of water and the Spirit

3. Nicodemus needs his nature and his spiritual environment forever changed

4. Nicodemus needs to be BAPTIZED into the Kingdom of Heaven

IV. Do Not Marvel: Keep it Simple

Hebrews 6:1-2 New King James Version
6 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

a. Three Ingredients

i. Water – the baptism of John/the remission of sins

Mark 1:4 New King James Version
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

1. Luke 3:3, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 18:25, Acts 19:3, Romans 6:1-4

ii. Salt – the baptism of the Spirit/fire

Matthew 3:11 New King James Version
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire.
Mark 9:49-50 New King James Version
49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

1. Additional Examples: Mark 1:8, Acts 1:5, Luke 3:16, Acts 8:16, Acts 11:16

iii. Vinegar – the baptism of suffering

Mark 10:38-39 New King James Version
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;
John 19:28-30 King James Version
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.

1. Matthew 20:22-23, Luke 12:50, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12

2. Suffering/trials produce maturity

James 1:2-4 New King James Version
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

V. Today Some of You will be Water Baptized

a. Water baptism is an evidence of salvation

Mark 16:16 New King James Version
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:37-38 New King James Version
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

b. Water baptism is an indication of submission and obedience unto Jesus

Matthew 28:18-20 New King James Version
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen.

c. Water baptism demonstrates partnership in the will of God for our lives

Matthew 3:13-15 New King James Version
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
Luke 7:30 New King James Version
30 But the Pharisees and [b]lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
Galatians 3:27 New King James Version
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

d. Who is Water Baptism For?

i. Water baptism is a sign that a person has repented, received forgiveness, renounced evil, and died to sin, through the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

ii. Water baptism is for those who pledge to serve Christ and to serve as a member of His body according to the gifts and abilities given to them

iii. Baptism is for those who make a public commitment to identify with Jesus Christ, not only in His baptism by water, but in His life empowered by the Spirit and in His death in suffering love