Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Radical Change Jesus Requires” – Monday, 2 June 2014 - Scripture: John 3:1-5

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “The Radical Change Jesus Requires” – Monday, 2 June 2014 - Scripture: John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 The same came to him 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 him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew,[a] he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”
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 certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom!
Footnotes:
a. John 3:3 The word translated “anew” here and in John 3:7 (anothen) also means “again” and “from above”.
“The Radical Change Jesus Requires” by Bill L. Manning
From a worldly perspective, Nicodemus had it all. He was a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin and a Pharisee. He had money, influence, and respect. But Nicodemus was a troubled man. He found the accumulation of things to be a hollow pursuit. His so-called “influence” reminded him of his inability to change anything, including himself. His consuming efforts to observe every detail of the Jewish law left him empty.
In spite of his religiosity, Nicodemus came up short with God. Though he knew a great deal about God, he did not know God personally. It would take a radical change, a new birth, in order to give God the love, commitment, and obedience He required.
Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (v. 5, NASB). “Water” speaks of cleansing. When you love Him with your whole heart and turn your life over to Him, He cleanses and forgives. The “Spirit” speaks of power. When the Holy Spirit comes into your life, His power enables you to live in faithfulness and obedience.

• Have you experienced the radical change of the new birth?
• Do you know God personally?

Hymn for Today:

“The Cleansing Wave” by Phoebe Palmer
1. Oh, now I see the crimson wave,
The fountain deep and wide;
Jesus, my Lord, mighty to save,
Points to his wounded side.
Refrain:
The cleansing stream, I see, I see!
I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me!
Oh, praise the Lord, it cleanseth me!
It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me!
2. I see the new creation rise,
I hear the speaking blood;
It speaks! polluted nature dies!
Sinks! 'neath the cleansing flood.
Refrain:
The cleansing stream, I see, I see!
I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me!
Oh, praise the Lord, it cleanseth me!
It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me!
3. I rise to walk in heaven's own light,
Above the world and sin,
With heart made pure, and garments white,
And Christ enthroned within.
Refrain:
The cleansing stream, I see, I see!
I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me!
Oh, praise the Lord, it cleanseth me!
It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me!
4. Amazing grace! 'tis heaven below
To feel the blood applied;
And Jesus, only Jesus know,
My Jesus crucified.
Refrain:
The cleansing stream, I see, I see!
I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me!
Oh, praise the Lord, it cleanseth me!
It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me!
Thought for Today:
“Receiving the Holy Spirit prepares us to glorify God through our lives and ministry”(Session Truth)
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Burkina Faso!
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