The Sermon What Must I Do To Be Saved by David McGee
Oct 07, 2012
What Must I Do To Be Saved (33:16)
Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 19:16-30; John 3:1-18
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The scriptures below are from the WEB Bible.
Matthew 19:16-30
16) Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
17) He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
18) He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not offer false testimony.
19) Honor your father and mother. And, you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
20) The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"
21) Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
22) But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
23) Jesus said to his disciples, "Most assuredly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.
24) Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle‘s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
25) When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
26) Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
27) Then Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?"
28) Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29) Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name‘s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.
30) But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
John 3:1-18
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 assuredly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can‘t 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 tell you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he can‘t enter into the kingdom of God!
6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7) Don‘t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.‘
8) The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don‘t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
9) Nicodemus answered him, "How can these things be?"
10) Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and don‘t understand these things?
11) Most assuredly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don‘t receive our witness.
12) If I told you earthly things and you don‘t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13) No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.
14) As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15) that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17) For God didn‘t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
18) He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn‘t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of God.
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Going to do something a little different. I don't think of never done this before. In this way I'm going to read it too different Scripture as I was preparing a sermon on Matthew, chapter nineteen. Verses sixteen to thirty on the right general or but in the same token, I was looking at John chapter three by Nicodemus and then I began to see the similarities between the conversations may get a different direction that both of them talk so rather than give you Nicodemus. One weekend, the rich young ruler that in the next. I thought I would just do a little comparison and near and in the Scriptures and see how that they parallel together so if you have your Bible. I want you to turn to Matthew nineteen and in John chapter three and flip back and forth, but José is going to move back and forth between them and were going to read about. Try to keep you straight on. Who's Who now whenever we look at these two individuals. The challenge comes a Muslim must I do to be saved. I I you I you know that I meet lots of people and I means lots of different individuals and what individual that I'm thinking I was an individual who no matter who spoke to him he was always giving them the fifth degree, not the third degree. The tests agree about being a Christian and also, and it wasn't so much about being a Christian, but about this trying to destroy the church of the belief that they had. And so if you said you were a particular, the leaf. He told to write out your going to hell. Of course that was just such a welcoming phrase that people love to hear what he had to say next and only didn't they don't want to hear anything at a safe because he was so abrasive towards the so the challenge is, how can we how do we down live in the Charles also is that we are part of both of these guys is a life where Shirley Nicodemus, or were purely the rich young ruler where both of them and especially in our society, we end up being challenged by both of these ideas in it, and we know that where I want like Nicodemus, seeking the seeking prices because were here. You're here and you're saying how I'm trying to follow Christ in trying to know the truth and saying things was going on. And Nicodemus 's life, but we also realize as a part of us that's like the rich unroll her and gazed two things are in conflicts. I wanted us to look at this and see how the business. This is working in both of us now before you get the wrong concept of riches being evil, we have to understand both these individuals are very wealthy Nicodemus is a Pharisee and Pharisee was the only sect of the Jewish people, and it was a governing body of the Jewish individuals and had to be very wealthy to be part of it, so it isn't that Nicodemus doesn't have a lot of money and the rich young ruler. It is alike we got one very rich guy wondering forgot none up to about two very rich individuals. So unless you think that while prices breaching its riches, and if you have a lot of riches. You can go to heaven. It's not true for everyone going to have an poor people go to hell with it will go to heaven a rich people to go to hell because of their belief and how do they hold onto their beliefs in the way that they look at things determines the outcome. So why would you do is read one Scripture and in go over to the next. The other chapter and read a couple more and go back and forth like that so that we can get it a good idea. I cannot walk across this quote. The other night. It says are as much money as you can and as quickly as then the survey, more so you get money out of the way, this area will be able to get to the rest of your problems and style of the child if it is like bunnies and take away all your problems is that we have lots of money we can get to our problems and style of game, but it doesn't work that into the Bible is not a proper case you're wondering so I Matthew chapter nineteen. We have the rich young releases another day for sixty another man, stop Jesus and asked the teacher, what good thing must I do to enter to get eternal life now look at what's in this verse. What were seeing here. This rich young ruler, comes to Jesus, he says, what must I do you think here's looking for an affirmation of who he is, which will tell me I'm okay. And what I'm doing is okay, I will even know you. I miss this guy comes up to Jesus and says I want you to tell me that I'm doing all the right things so that I can keep on doing what I'm doing and still go to heaven. I jump over to Nicodemus, chapter three verses one and two of the Pharisee sect. Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews late one night, he visited Jesus is that Rabbi. We all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all that God pointing God revealing asked to do if God were in on it so what is this what is Nicodemus 's approach see the rich young roller comes to Jesus and says while I have to do focuses him and himself. Nicodemus, the focus is Jesus. They were to sing the song all about you, Jesus thought about you. So here we have that Nicodemus has discussed this with some of his peers because he said we all know your teacher from God. We know about you women talking about you women talking about you. We know that you have come from God and a Nicodemus is afraid to be seen by Jesus or with Jesus. Excuse me because he comes does it comes to Jesus at night, but he is fierce. They'll keep you from Christ, his fears just simply cause of the common at time of day that other people won't see him, but he still interested that he still has questions he wants the last of his, so the focus is on Jesus NRA and we look at this, are we more focused on the inside in the arm the outside. The challenge that we see in both of these individuals is Nicodemus is looking for. There's a spiritual reality. The Nicodemus recognizes exist and he wants to know about it rich on roller, a kind of doesn't see the inside stuff is looking at all the outward things. We'll see that in verse two verse seventeen. Excuse me. Matthew chapter nineteen. Jesus said, why do you question me about what is good, God is the only one who is good if you want to enter the life of God just do what he tells you. So he comes to Jesus, he said I want you tell me how good I am. I want you to affirm life and then he says what Jesus questions and this is why you calling me it's like you're not really here to find out what I have to say you're here because you want me to say you're a good guy. Go on with what you're doing and everything 's okay. You wanted a stamp of approval. These individuals are the ones that come up to you and they tell you what they are, who the are what they believe in their walkway that are really interested what you say always, we challenge these things, yet we all know individuals are come to us and talk to you and in they don't really want to know what you think they just yesterday. Just there to tell you what they think. And then there done well go over to chapter three verse three, in which Nicodemus, he says Jesus said no. What's Nicodemus done. We know your teacher from God, we now focus on Christ. We know that God revealing acts to do focuses on Jesus and what he does. Jesus said, you're absolutely right. Verse three. Take it for me. Unless a person is born from above, it is not possible to see what I'm pointing to the God 's kingdom. God 's kingdom must come from God. So Nicodemus. Now it has a whole different approach to different perspectives, saying me two different perspectives. Nicodemus says that it's that I want to say I have with seeing God speak through you will be seen God ask that you do. And Jesus affirms him. You're right, these are God acts and what I'm pointing to his God 's kingdom not pointing to me. I'm twenty two God 's kingdom, verse eighteen, nineteen, Matthew, chapter ninety, the rich young ruler, he says Jesus said to him, just do what what God tells you to do the math man asked in verse eighteen. What in particular watch something else that I have to do the perspective here it's all about me. Jesus, it's all about me. Because in verse. The next first next Texas. As Jesus said don't murder, don't commit adultery. Don't steal, don't lie onto your father and mother and love your neighbor as you do yourself. There's only seven Commandments. There remember there are ten radio with our relationship with God. Seven deal with our relationship with people. Jesus was looking at this man and telling him you need to do the things that build your relationship with people because the guy wasn't worried about people. He was worried about himself. He was so focused on what it was the I me mine so it was the Army in mind, and he talks about himself because what he has done anyways, Jesus put his stamp of approval on him and your audio your wonderful person. Thank you very much. Oh, you keep all you keep all the Comanches. Jesus was in the seventh. Get broken every one of them doesn't think so. Verse twenty the young man said, I've done all that was left but about an ego trip, Nana, my wonderful time. I don't what else is there to do them, they'll look at me I'm good. I kept all the host and him there is no one in particular that I need to do you listen them. I've done them, you are lucky Jesus that I'm here was Governor Nicodemus, verse four feet. Jesus said, I'm here to do God 's kingdom. God 's work first for how can anyone secondly, said Nicodemus, be born who has already been born and grown up okay the all the focus is on what Jesus has set the focus is on what Jesus has now told him you've got to be born from above and it& I'm not really quite sure about this generator. Your mother 's moment, be born again what you're saying with this born from above talk so the Joe's. They were a national religion, and they were a national political party, and this is to Nicodemus he he sees the all court arms outward things that the rituals that they were doing, but the law was to govern the outward actions sold that something would take place on the inside, and Jesus a little later gets counted down like Nicodemus, your you're really a religious manual understand that there's something going on in the inside. So here to Jesus is telling Nicodemus you your your your audience. Nicodemus is saying I'm confused. I know the focus is on you Jesus and I know that your God. Teacher and you do these things to tell us about God. But what, in other something more here. Jesus said he got reborn again can be born again to all for the focus is still on Jesus on his kingdom on his work were generally verse twenty one. I'm feeling this face. I've done all that, you're lucky what's left for me to do verse twenty one. If you want to give it all you've got Jesus replied, go sell your possessions, then what give everything to the poor all your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come, follow me you said that people who are rich. Need to sell everything, so they become poor. It's that we need directly needed to recognize where his dependency was his dependency was upon himself and Jesus is personally challenging him to give testimony to the poor and speaking more of money he's thinking of himself, and is the money that he's going to give away. That's going to change his life. If the giving of himself and the money is just something he possesses, but in his own heart. He doesn't know how to give himself to other people, so he's taking Jesus is taking the only thing they really understand he's taking his wealth and saying, okay, you think you're well and give it to other people because they said you need to give yourself to other people what he said. I already done that. What else is there to do. I kept almost a mammoth. I don't murder. I don't commit adultery. I don't still, I'm not why I love my mother and father. I love my neighbor as myself. I mean, it's me, ask me and he says, will no size that will you need to give yourself to other people is worried that Giza, go, sell everything you have old-school nice different with different because I need Nicodemus on a lively born-again when I'm grown up. Jesus said you're not listening is done. Nicodemus says that me say it again unless a person submits to this original creation using and this is where we get the idea that when God created us, he created us to be his children. Seventeen and separated us. Jesus bring us back into that union with God. What a way to sin no obstacles between God and man is right here. Unless a person submits to this original creation. The wind hovering over the water creation, the invisible moving the visible at the spirit of God moving on the inside and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters and brought things into existence a baptism, unto a new life. It's not possible to enter God 's kingdom. If you're not born by that spirit that was very creation take the spirit of Jesus is talking about. Isn't this something that shows up when Jesus is here, no talking to his disciples this is the same spirit was there an creation is the same spirit as dinner with Jesus is the same spirit is here with us. So the same spirit, and those upon our hearts in life is the same spirit that was very creation, then moved over the face of the waters, and that same God same God who influences our life. When you look at a baby taking what is known and showing what is not understood. When you look at it. Maybe it's just that a body that you can look at in touch, but the person who take shape within is formed by something you can see and touch formed by the spirit and becomes a living spirit, so this is what's going on. Jesus its way here to the Nicodemus is something going on inside of you. You can even see or touch the rich young ruler. I don't tell. I don't commit adultery. I don't need to think you can see in touch. Take your money giveaway touch, feel, go get it. I can't touch this. Nicodemus wants to know what's going on in the inside God is saying this am going on the end on the inside the being born again is allowing the Spirit of God to as we confess our sins to make a change in us and make us entirely different than we could ever imagine because the same spirit that brought about creation is the same spirit, creating a new person inside about I tell you that you have to be born from above. Out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that you hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it is headed next. That's the way it is within everyone born from above the wind of God, the Spirit of God. We do not enter the kingdom by and living by living a better life. We enter the kingdom by being spiritually reborn. The rich man wanted into the kingdom by all that he had done what more do I have to do. Nicodemus is saying there's a kingdom here, but we need be. How cooking something up on the inside but you can't see, touch, feel the back original ruler has just finished. He was beset now that was the last thing that even young man expected to hear and so crestfallen. He walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things we couldn't bear to let it go. You see, he already thought he was an highly, highly favored by God in their society rich man's God bless, so he already thought he was God bless them. Why would God tell you give away something that you that God gave you, but the person could not use his wealth to serve others. He couldn't use when he possessed to serve God, and he walked away. Nicodemus asked what you mean by this. How does this happen, one walks away and one says how does it work how does this take place. She dives the challenge of every one of us in our everyday life things happen and will be, we become focus on us. We become discouraged downtrodden like I can't do this, but Nicodemus says okay to tell me more. Verse twenty three twenty four, while twenty three to twenty six. As he watched him go. The rich guys walking away as he watched them go. Jesus told his disciples you have any idea how difficult it is for rich to enter into God 's kingdom, what's we tell you this, it is easier to gallop the camel through a needle 's eye, than for rich to enter God 's kingdom now the diamond, the needle in and the wall of the city is a an interest which is big enough for a person walking or maybe has to bound to get in and say, can you imagine the camel walk running at full gallop trying to run through the holes. On Thursday, those buses double-decker buses that are driving down the road and then underpasses too small to take the top off the rising of bus was going on with this channel can be hooked to picture though. There's a huge helplessness that that that that that that was funny. But anyhow, fifth, just as it isn't like you picture a will tell the guy just live through the Blackburn parked in the guy splatter on the wall. You know horses flattered and his feet and walk on through the epic archangel, I didn't seem to need to write that way. And then after the camel splats against the wall, Peter, of course, the disciples were staggered. I told his disciples were caught offguard with this this this this definition what's going on this okay okay and has a chance at all the disciples were spin the disciples were thinking like this much better like the chads at all beers looking at himself in and in thing in your area. Things are going and things are destroyed. How will I get it now I entitled the wall. I've done and do no one verse twenty six. Jesus looked harder than instead no chance at all ideology like you that one who has a chance to get in Jesus wanted instead no chance at all that you think you can pull it off by yourself if you think you can pull it off, running full tilt on the camel 's back. Make it through the eye of the camel, it's impossible on the needle on a camel you able to make it. If you think you can pull off yourself, but every chance in the world. If you trust God to do it. Peter was challenged by this is a thread to give up as he himself thinks an engine cycles right up until the time of the crucifixion of Jesus is seventy) in your lap. Now, we only want something this, they still never got it until after the crucifixion after the resurrection, they began to get an idea. So you see, this is no, a lot of my thinking gone. Look what I've done. I been good. What do I need these problems, but it does give over there in our Christian walk. Now that succeeding appendage that stuff get your mind on you understand how God is working in you. Jesus said verse ten through twelve, to Nicodemus, you you're a respected teacher of Israel asking about these questions about getting to heaven born again sought your respected teacher vessel you don't know these basics listen carefully, I was speaking about sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know and by experience. I give witnessed only to what I have seen with mine own eyes what Jesus is talking about here. I'm giving you the truth of life. I'm getting the truth of what it takes to get into the kingdom of God, and what the kingdom of God is all about. It's not about things in a God who created all things can't make something that you got your as something that he can't make it your motels or ability that God can come up with as I always say whenever I pray I'm sure God is slapping his words. I know David, I never thought of that. Now you tell God how we should run things ever do that. Jerry Blewett God. Yeah, I got a fertile weirdness stopping stake in yesterday and I got a hoarse voice, because I was booing at the official story is that he made a lousy call. I could see it from where I was sitting in it. We always see doesn't know if every flight I could just say, was allowed to call if you watch the game yesterday. You know if I'm referring to all places of work has got in touch of the goods they guide not deserve the file. I know I could see I was blue in the official lost my voice over, I just thought jump in and over the back as I could see things more clearly than the official put and how might that very same thing in life when Boeing God, why I don't deserve this title wrong call. That's a long thing going on in my life. And we're going. How we doing, but when church on helium entrée, I want to do something for hundreds each got something by not talking to see how foolish we are try running a David try running full speed on the camels back to the Avenue had come save you to do, which is right here and it AG goes on. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions as Jacob with your questions come down to the very heart of it. If I tell you things that are playing at the hand in front of your face and you don't believe was used to tell you think each can see will tell you things that are playing as a hand in front of your face. One of things we know we know that God loves us, we know that God will never leave us nor forsake us. We know that our name is written in path of life for eternity and that we are safe in the hands of my father. Nothing is ever go to separate us from him. Neither life nor death for principalities nor powers, the things present nor things to come young, nothing is going to take us from the presence of God. So while you worried about somebody making a wrong call move who then Peter chiming in. We left everything and followed you. When we get out of it. His face caught up in all thing he was just like the general work because of the walkway. Yet when we get out of this, Jesus replied yes you have followed me, and every creation of the world when the Son of Man will rule gloriously you have followed me, and will also rule Peter. It isn't about this life is about what you possess and don't possess and get indulgent. Remember your name is in my book of life, and you're going to live for eternity. When you get out of this what you get out of this is so much greater than you could ever imagine you've got my present you got my spirit. You've got my love. You've got the assurance you got more than you can ever imagine. So don't get caught up. Oh well, I get out of this UFO may have also rolled with me starting with the twelve tribes of Israel rollover. All these guys and not only here but anyone who sacrifices home, family fields whatever because of me will get it all back a hundred times over. There is nothing that I'm not going to reward you a hundred times over. Not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. This is the great reversal. Many of the first ending up last in the last first we look at the people in the world around us and how many of them got where they are at the very delete of our society. How many of you got there by being humble, self-effacing, gentle and loving. They are the ones were considered first. If they make heaven they will be lapsed because the principles of God, so far outweigh many principles of man. Verse sixteen to eighteen. Nicodemus. This is how much God loved the world he gave his son is one and only son. And this is why so that no one needs to be destroyed. Nothing in this life will destroy you. Nothing in this life will destroy when you are born again, that creative spirit was there a creation creates a new person and you nothing will destroy you in that security and in that place of affirmation and peace and strength, believing in him. Anyone can have a whole and lasting life for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. That's John three sixteen or seventeen, God didn't go to the trouble of sending his son merely to point an accusing finger. Jesus didn't come for the Son of Man came not to condemn the world, but the world through him might be saved. Jesus didn't come to want to point an accusing finger with how bad you are what got us here. That's much a relationship with God is not pointing a finger face the income to tell the world how bad it was a chance. I hope for the world right again. Jesus came to bring the whiteness to live in the rightness of life to to its fullest in us. That's why God is come, and so as we are challenged between the rich on the rich ruler and Nicodemus. They both have well but it's how they faced their difficulties and how they faced their encounter with Jesus. We are here for a purpose. God is in our life for a reason and we are told in our life. We are both like the rich young ruler we're both like Nicodemus, our challenge is to continue to focus on what God is doing and that God is in here to find out what's wrong with UV already knows that he wants to do what's right with us and take us into the kingdom of God, and it starts now and then you need is a galloping camel going to the Ivan Eagle, yeah, let's all stand to see NATO have a Verizon account trader may run for the door. I'll wait here. Okay, but we see out works God has come to give us life and give it to us eternally and it's a challenge going on. God is doing the work in the father, thank you for your spirits. The same spirit that was hearing creation. The same spirit, the raised Christ from the dead is the same spirit that dwells in us as we confess our sins creates a new person inside of us. Thank you Jesus for creating a clean heart renewing a right spirit, giving us a new perspective of our life with you, not only here and now. But for eternity, and everyone said amen. Everyone said galloping camelsGoing to do something a little different. I don't think of never done this before. In this way I'm going to read it too different Scripture as I was preparing a sermon on Matthew, chapter nineteen. Verses sixteen to thirty on the right general or but in the same token, I was looking at John chapter three by Nicodemus and then I began to see the similarities between the conversations may get a different direction that both of them talk so rather than give you Nicodemus. One weekend, the rich young ruler that in the next. I thought I would just do a little comparison and near and in the Scriptures and see how that they parallel together so if you have your Bible. I want you to turn to Matthew nineteen and in John chapter three and flip back and forth, but José is going to move back and forth between them and were going to read about. Try to keep you straight on. Who's Who now whenever we look at these two individuals. The challenge comes a Muslim must I do to be saved. I I you I you know that I meet lots of people and I means lots of different individuals and what individual that I'm thinking I was an individual who no matter who spoke to him he was always giving them the fifth degree, not the third degree. The tests agree about being a Christian and also, and it wasn't so much about being a Christian, but about this trying to destroy the church of the belief that they had. And so if you said you were a particular, the leaf. He told to write out your going to hell. Of course that was just such a welcoming phrase that people love to hear what he had to say next and only didn't they don't want to hear anything at a safe because he was so abrasive towards the so the challenge is, how can we how do we down live in the Charles also is that we are part of both of these guys is a life where Shirley Nicodemus, or were purely the rich young ruler where both of them and especially in our society, we end up being challenged by both of these ideas in it, and we know that where I want like Nicodemus, seeking the seeking prices because were here. You're here and you're saying how I'm trying to follow Christ in trying to know the truth and saying things was going on. And Nicodemus 's life, but we also realize as a part of us that's like the rich unroll her and gazed two things are in conflicts. I wanted us to look at this and see how the business. This is working in both of us now before you get the wrong concept of riches being evil, we have to understand both these individuals are very wealthy Nicodemus is a Pharisee and Pharisee was the only sect of the Jewish people, and it was a governing body of the Jewish individuals and had to be very wealthy to be part of it, so it isn't that Nicodemus doesn't have a lot of money and the rich young ruler. It is alike we got one very rich guy wondering forgot none up to about two very rich individuals. So unless you think that while prices breaching its riches, and if you have a lot of riches. You can go to heaven. It's not true for everyone going to have an poor people go to hell with it will go to heaven a rich people to go to hell because of their belief and how do they hold onto their beliefs in the way that they look at things determines the outcome. So why would you do is read one Scripture and in go over to the next. The other chapter and read a couple more and go back and forth like that so that we can get it a good idea. I cannot walk across this quote. The other night. It says are as much money as you can and as quickly as then the survey, more so you get money out of the way, this area will be able to get to the rest of your problems and style of the child if it is like bunnies and take away all your problems is that we have lots of money we can get to our problems and style of game, but it doesn't work that into the Bible is not a proper case you're wondering so I Matthew chapter nineteen. We have the rich young releases another day for sixty another man, stop Jesus and asked the teacher, what good thing must I do to enter to get eternal life now look at what's in this verse. What were seeing here. This rich young ruler, comes to Jesus, he says, what must I do you think here's looking for an affirmation of who he is, which will tell me I'm okay. And what I'm doing is okay, I will even know you. I miss this guy comes up to Jesus and says I want you to tell me that I'm doing all the right things so that I can keep on doing what I'm doing and still go to heaven. I jump over to Nicodemus, chapter three verses one and two of the Pharisee sect. Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews late one night, he visited Jesus is that Rabbi. We all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all that God pointing God revealing asked to do if God were in on it so what is this what is Nicodemus 's approach see the rich young roller comes to Jesus and says while I have to do focuses him and himself. Nicodemus, the focus is Jesus. They were to sing the song all about you, Jesus thought about you. So here we have that Nicodemus has discussed this with some of his peers because he said we all know your teacher from God. We know about you women talking about you women talking about you. We know that you have come from God and a Nicodemus is afraid to be seen by Jesus or with Jesus. Excuse me because he comes does it comes to Jesus at night, but he is fierce. They'll keep you from Christ, his fears just simply cause of the common at time of day that other people won't see him, but he still interested that he still has questions he wants the last of his, so the focus is on Jesus NRA and we look at this, are we more focused on the inside in the arm the outside. The challenge that we see in both of these individuals is Nicodemus is looking for. There's a spiritual reality. The Nicodemus recognizes exist and he wants to know about it rich on roller, a kind of doesn't see the inside stuff is looking at all the outward things. We'll see that in verse two verse seventeen. Excuse me. Matthew chapter nineteen. Jesus said, why do you question me about what is good, God is the only one who is good if you want to enter the life of God just do what he tells you. So he comes to Jesus, he said I want you tell me how good I am. I want you to affirm life and then he says what Jesus questions and this is why you calling me it's like you're not really here to find out what I have to say you're here because you want me to say you're a good guy. Go on with what you're doing and everything 's okay. You wanted a stamp of approval. These individuals are the ones that come up to you and they tell you what they are, who the are what they believe in their walkway that are really interested what you say always, we challenge these things, yet we all know individuals are come to us and talk to you and in they don't really want to know what you think they just yesterday. Just there to tell you what they think. And then there done well go over to chapter three verse three, in which Nicodemus, he says Jesus said no. What's Nicodemus done. We know your teacher from God, we now focus on Christ. We know that God revealing acts to do focuses on Jesus and what he does. Jesus said, you're absolutely right. Verse three. Take it for me. Unless a person is born from above, it is not possible to see what I'm pointing to the God 's kingdom. God 's kingdom must come from God. So Nicodemus. Now it has a whole different approach to different perspectives, saying me two different perspectives. Nicodemus says that it's that I want to say I have with seeing God speak through you will be seen God ask that you do. And Jesus affirms him. You're right, these are God acts and what I'm pointing to his God 's kingdom not pointing to me. I'm twenty two God 's kingdom, verse eighteen, nineteen, Matthew, chapter ninety, the rich young ruler, he says Jesus said to him, just do what what God tells you to do the math man asked in verse eighteen. What in particular watch something else that I have to do the perspective here it's all about me. Jesus, it's all about me. Because in verse. The next first next Texas. As Jesus said don't murder, don't commit adultery. Don't steal, don't lie onto your father and mother and love your neighbor as you do yourself. There's only seven Commandments. There remember there are ten radio with our relationship with God. Seven deal with our relationship with people. Jesus was looking at this man and telling him you need to do the things that build your relationship with people because the guy wasn't worried about people. He was worried about himself. He was so focused on what it was the I me mine so it was the Army in mind, and he talks about himself because what he has done anyways, Jesus put his stamp of approval on him and your audio your wonderful person. Thank you very much. Oh, you keep all you keep all the Comanches. Jesus was in the seventh. Get broken every one of them doesn't think so. Verse twenty the young man said, I've done all that was left but about an ego trip, Nana, my wonderful time. I don't what else is there to do them, they'll look at me I'm good. I kept all the host and him there is no one in particular that I need to do you listen them. I've done them, you are lucky Jesus that I'm here was Governor Nicodemus, verse four feet. Jesus said, I'm here to do God 's kingdom. God 's work first for how can anyone secondly, said Nicodemus, be born who has already been born and grown up okay the all the focus is on what Jesus has set the focus is on what Jesus has now told him you've got to be born from above and it& I'm not really quite sure about this generator. Your mother 's moment, be born again what you're saying with this born from above talk so the Joe's. They were a national religion, and they were a national political party, and this is to Nicodemus he he sees the all court arms outward things that the rituals that they were doing, but the law was to govern the outward actions sold that something would take place on the inside, and Jesus a little later gets counted down like Nicodemus, your you're really a religious manual understand that there's something going on in the inside. So here to Jesus is telling Nicodemus you your your your audience. Nicodemus is saying I'm confused. I know the focus is on you Jesus and I know that your God. Teacher and you do these things to tell us about God. But what, in other something more here. Jesus said he got reborn again can be born again to all for the focus is still on Jesus on his kingdom on his work were generally verse twenty one. I'm feeling this face. I've done all that, you're lucky what's left for me to do verse twenty one. If you want to give it all you've got Jesus replied, go sell your possessions, then what give everything to the poor all your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come, follow me you said that people who are rich. Need to sell everything, so they become poor. It's that we need directly needed to recognize where his dependency was his dependency was upon himself and Jesus is personally challenging him to give testimony to the poor and speaking more of money he's thinking of himself, and is the money that he's going to give away. That's going to change his life. If the giving of himself and the money is just something he possesses, but in his own heart. He doesn't know how to give himself to other people, so he's taking Jesus is taking the only thing they really understand he's taking his wealth and saying, okay, you think you're well and give it to other people because they said you need to give yourself to other people what he said. I already done that. What else is there to do. I kept almost a mammoth. I don't murder. I don't commit adultery. I don't still, I'm not why I love my mother and father. I love my neighbor as myself. I mean, it's me, ask me and he says, will no size that will you need to give yourself to other people is worried that Giza, go, sell everything you have old-school nice different with different because I need Nicodemus on a lively born-again when I'm grown up. Jesus said you're not listening is done. Nicodemus says that me say it again unless a person submits to this original creation using and this is where we get the idea that when God created us, he created us to be his children. Seventeen and separated us. Jesus bring us back into that union with God. What a way to sin no obstacles between God and man is right here. Unless a person submits to this original creation. The wind hovering over the water creation, the invisible moving the visible at the spirit of God moving on the inside and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters and brought things into existence a baptism, unto a new life. It's not possible to enter God 's kingdom. If you're not born by that spirit that was very creation take the spirit of Jesus is talking about. Isn't this something that shows up when Jesus is here, no talking to his disciples this is the same spirit was there an creation is the same spirit as dinner with Jesus is the same spirit is here with us. So the same spirit, and those upon our hearts in life is the same spirit that was very creation, then moved over the face of the waters, and that same God same God who influences our life. When you look at a baby taking what is known and showing what is not understood. When you look at it. Maybe it's just that a body that you can look at in touch, but the person who take shape within is formed by something you can see and touch formed by the spirit and becomes a living spirit, so this is what's going on. Jesus its way here to the Nicodemus is something going on inside of you. You can even see or touch the rich young ruler. I don't tell. I don't commit adultery. I don't need to think you can see in touch. Take your money giveaway touch, feel, go get it. I can't touch this. Nicodemus wants to know what's going on in the inside God is saying this am going on the end on the inside the being born again is allowing the Spirit of God to as we confess our sins to make a change in us and make us entirely different than we could ever imagine because the same spirit that brought about creation is the same spirit, creating a new person inside about I tell you that you have to be born from above. Out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that you hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it is headed next. That's the way it is within everyone born from above the wind of God, the Spirit of God. We do not enter the kingdom by and living by living a better life. We enter the kingdom by being spiritually reborn. The rich man wanted into the kingdom by all that he had done what more do I have to do. Nicodemus is saying there's a kingdom here, but we need be. How cooking something up on the inside but you can't see, touch, feel the back original ruler has just finished. He was beset now that was the last thing that even young man expected to hear and so crestfallen. He walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things we couldn't bear to let it go. You see, he already thought he was an highly, highly favored by God in their society rich man's God bless, so he already thought he was God bless them. Why would God tell you give away something that you that God gave you, but the person could not use his wealth to serve others. He couldn't use when he possessed to serve God, and he walked away. Nicodemus asked what you mean by this. How does this happen, one walks away and one says how does it work how does this take place. She dives the challenge of every one of us in our everyday life things happen and will be, we become focus on us. We become discouraged downtrodden like I can't do this, but Nicodemus says okay to tell me more. Verse twenty three twenty four, while twenty three to twenty six. As he watched him go. The rich guys walking away as he watched them go. Jesus told his disciples you have any idea how difficult it is for rich to enter into God 's kingdom, what's we tell you this, it is easier to gallop the camel through a needle 's eye, than for rich to enter God 's kingdom now the diamond, the needle in and the wall of the city is a an interest which is big enough for a person walking or maybe has to bound to get in and say, can you imagine the camel walk running at full gallop trying to run through the holes. On Thursday, those buses double-decker buses that are driving down the road and then underpasses too small to take the top off the rising of bus was going on with this channel can be hooked to picture though. There's a huge helplessness that that that that that that was funny. But anyhow, fifth, just as it isn't like you picture a will tell the guy just live through the Blackburn parked in the guy splatter on the wall. You know horses flattered and his feet and walk on through the epic archangel, I didn't seem to need to write that way. And then after the camel splats against the wall, Peter, of course, the disciples were staggered. I told his disciples were caught offguard with this this this this definition what's going on this okay okay and has a chance at all the disciples were spin the disciples were thinking like this much better like the chads at all beers looking at himself in and in thing in your area. Things are going and things are destroyed. How will I get it now I entitled the wall. I've done and do no one verse twenty six. Jesus looked harder than instead no chance at all ideology like you that one who has a chance to get in Jesus wanted instead no chance at all that you think you can pull it off by yourself if you think you can pull it off, running full tilt on the camel 's back. Make it through the eye of the camel, it's impossible on the needle on a camel you able to make it. If you think you can pull off yourself, but every chance in the world. If you trust God to do it. Peter was challenged by this is a thread to give up as he himself thinks an engine cycles right up until the time of the crucifixion of Jesus is seventy) in your lap. Now, we only want something this, they still never got it until after the crucifixion after the resurrection, they began to get an idea. So you see, this is no, a lot of my thinking gone. Look what I've done. I been good. What do I need these problems, but it does give over there in our Christian walk. Now that succeeding appendage that stuff get your mind on you understand how God is working in you. Jesus said verse ten through twelve, to Nicodemus, you you're a respected teacher of Israel asking about these questions about getting to heaven born again sought your respected teacher vessel you don't know these basics listen carefully, I was speaking about sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know and by experience. I give witnessed only to what I have seen with mine own eyes what Jesus is talking about here. I'm giving you the truth of life. I'm getting the truth of what it takes to get into the kingdom of God, and what the kingdom of God is all about. It's not about things in a God who created all things can't make something that you got your as something that he can't make it your motels or ability that God can come up with as I always say whenever I pray I'm sure God is slapping his words. I know David, I never thought of that. Now you tell God how we should run things ever do that. Jerry Blewett God. Yeah, I got a fertile weirdness stopping stake in yesterday and I got a hoarse voice, because I was booing at the official story is that he made a lousy call. I could see it from where I was sitting in it. We always see doesn't know if every flight I could just say, was allowed to call if you watch the game yesterday. You know if I'm referring to all places of work has got in touch of the goods they guide not deserve the file. I know I could see I was blue in the official lost my voice over, I just thought jump in and over the back as I could see things more clearly than the official put and how might that very same thing in life when Boeing God, why I don't deserve this title wrong call. That's a long thing going on in my life. And we're going. How we doing, but when church on helium entrée, I want to do something for hundreds each got something by not talking to see how foolish we are try running a David try running full speed on the camels back to the Avenue had come save you to do, which is right here and it AG goes on. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions as Jacob with your questions come down to the very heart of it. If I tell you things that are playing at the hand in front of your face and you don't believe was used to tell you think each can see will tell you things that are playing as a hand in front of your face. One of things we know we know that God loves us, we know that God will never leave us nor forsake us. We know that our name is written in path of life for eternity and that we are safe in the hands of my father. Nothing is ever go to separate us from him. Neither life nor death for principalities nor powers, the things present nor things to come young, nothing is going to take us from the presence of God. So while you worried about somebody making a wrong call move who then Peter chiming in. We left everything and followed you. When we get out of it. His face caught up in all thing he was just like the general work because of the walkway. Yet when we get out of this, Jesus replied yes you have followed me, and every creation of the world when the Son of Man will rule gloriously you have followed me, and will also rule Peter. It isn't about this life is about what you possess and don't possess and get indulgent. Remember your name is in my book of life, and you're going to live for eternity. When you get out of this what you get out of this is so much greater than you could ever imagine you've got my present you got my spirit. You've got my love. You've got the assurance you got more than you can ever imagine. So don't get caught up. Oh well, I get out of this UFO may have also rolled with me starting with the twelve tribes of Israel rollover. All these guys and not only here but anyone who sacrifices home, family fields whatever because of me will get it all back a hundred times over. There is nothing that I'm not going to reward you a hundred times over. Not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. This is the great reversal. Many of the first ending up last in the last first we look at the people in the world around us and how many of them got where they are at the very delete of our society. How many of you got there by being humble, self-effacing, gentle and loving. They are the ones were considered first. If they make heaven they will be lapsed because the principles of God, so far outweigh many principles of man. Verse sixteen to eighteen. Nicodemus. This is how much God loved the world he gave his son is one and only son. And this is why so that no one needs to be destroyed. Nothing in this life will destroy you. Nothing in this life will destroy when you are born again, that creative spirit was there a creation creates a new person and you nothing will destroy you in that security and in that place of affirmation and peace and strength, believing in him. Anyone can have a whole and lasting life for God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. That's John three sixteen or seventeen, God didn't go to the trouble of sending his son merely to point an accusing finger. Jesus didn't come for the Son of Man came not to condemn the world, but the world through him might be saved. Jesus didn't come to want to point an accusing finger with how bad you are what got us here. That's much a relationship with God is not pointing a finger face the income to tell the world how bad it was a chance. I hope for the world right again. Jesus came to bring the whiteness to live in the rightness of life to to its fullest in us. That's why God is come, and so as we are challenged between the rich on the rich ruler and Nicodemus. They both have well but it's how they faced their difficulties and how they faced their encounter with Jesus. We are here for a purpose. God is in our life for a reason and we are told in our life. We are both like the rich young ruler we're both like Nicodemus, our challenge is to continue to focus on what God is doing and that God is in here to find out what's wrong with UV already knows that he wants to do what's right with us and take us into the kingdom of God, and it starts now and then you need is a galloping camel going to the Ivan Eagle, yeah, let's all stand to see NATO have a Verizon account trader may run for the door. I'll wait here. Okay, but we see out works God has come to give us life and give it to us eternally and it's a challenge going on. God is doing the work in the father, thank you for your spirits. The same spirit that was hearing creation. The same spirit, the raised Christ from the dead is the same spirit that dwells in us as we confess our sins creates a new person inside of us. Thank you Jesus for creating a clean heart renewing a right spirit, giving us a new perspective of our life with you, not only here and now. But for eternity, and everyone said amen. Everyone said galloping camels