Wings of Faith

What Can Be Seen At Night?

1. Intro.

1. Every try to unlock a door in the dark?

1. maybe can sense the door knob

   cant see the keyhole---just can’t seem to get it—or make the connection—you sense it is there, but can’t find it, car had light in keyhole to show the way

1. and so it was in Jesus’ day, some were in the dark, they had a sense but had problems grasping who Jesus was and how to do it

1. they were the religious leaders

steeped in tradition, rules, "business as usual"

1. only presented part of the truth

1. What Happens in the Dark? John 3—1-21 old life partying drinking etc. have to determine who you are—let’s look at Nicodemus as example

1. Who was Nicodemus? —a religious ruler (v3-1)

1. a Pharisee of the Sanhedrien ruler over many Jews—had influence

1. they led the trial of Jesus, they were conservatives
   1. were powerful religious and political body

1. they tried to keep religion pure but became legalistic

all based on outward appearance—not of the heart

1. only knew part of the truth, relied on religion, rules etc

1. How did he come to Jesus (v3-2)

1. 1. came under cover of night
   2. wanted to save his reputation
   3. was curious but had to check it out---so it is today, seeker churches etc.
   4. he saw signs and healings Jesus did, didn’t see Jesus as God
   5. cleansing of the temple 1^st time drove out the merchandise and cattle, 2^nd time drove out the money changers, taxers
   6. the darkness means he was not sure spiritual darkness-----knew God was with Jesus but missed God was in Jesus! today? Is God in us?

III. What can you see in the dark---how lost you are?

1. talked of being "born again" to see the kingdom of God

1. Ezekial 36-24—37 water represents the washing and cleansing, baptism is symbolic is a manifestation of Gods spirit being placed in us.
   1. All they could think of was the physical materialistic kingdom, is similar to todays preaching, peace and safety?
   2. Relying on traditions/precepts of men

1. Nicodemus didn’t get it—thought it was physical (v3—9)

1. esus talked of spiritual being born of water and spirit

1. the water represents flesh egg and sperm , also the washing or baptism, outward sign show of confession
   1. (v3—6) flesh is born of flesh into sin have to be regenerated by spirit, born of spirit is spirit cant explain it (Rom 8-1-11) Jesus said it was like the wind, cant see it but you know its there and blowing

IV. How do you get out of the dark—turn on light, get flashlight

1. Jesus fulfilled Law, completed what man in flesh alone could not do, showed US how to fulfill the Law - Spirit rebirth

1. night--- cant see too good----not sure of things
   1. light--- exposes who we are--- shows are deeds and sins --- our true selves

1. conversion was not automatic, no mention in scripture
   1. no signature asked for, just told him the TRUTH
   2. later he took Jesus defense at trial (Jn 7-50—52) and later with Joseph, another Pharisee, buried Jesus (Jn 19-39)
   3. he did come out of the dark at the foot of the cross, the other disciples took off except John who Jesus sent off

4. What’s the point?

1. modern evangelism asks for commitment or signature

1. must lead to Jesus
   1. look to Him for our salvation, not religion
   2. explain costs—let Spirit reconstruct you to fulfill Gods Laws
   3. need to come out of the dark- to Jesus at the cross, see Him lifted up like the bronze serpent, to be healed, to receive life and keep His commands
   4. think on spiritual things and bring them into the world, not the world into spiritual things

1. Jesus replaced the Judaism theology not reformed it, didn’t come out of the "system" started a new system

1. tell people the truth, let the word do its work, cant change people only God can

1. Practice the truth to see the light, your deeds manifested by God not man or mans traditions, rules programs etc.

   Can only have eternal life, more abundently by looking up to the cross as Israel looked up to the serpent for life

4. What to do? Where are we? In the light or in the dark?

1. rely on Spirit to remake you, have the mind of Jesus
   1. tell all the whole truth, we say it in a court of Law, how more the court of God?
   2. Look up to the cross and Him lifted up for our salvation and safety even when things look wrong!
   3. Rely on God, not man and His Spirit will teach us/guide us and comfort us!

Trust and faith in Him to and obey Him

Today we have it backwards---worship involves submission

Temptations are not sin but can be tests of our submission