Nocodemus.. who is he? Religious and political. Some one who seemed to have everything.
Visited Jesus at night… something unusual. Most Pharisees opposed Jesus. At least he recognized Jesus. Or his life problem was too serious to stay at home?
Jesus’ answer…”Cannot see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
See the kingdom of God.
My work, Ophthalmology helps people to see, Many reasons not to see (Cornea, retina, glaucoma, macula degeneration, neuro, even ocular plasic, etc)
My eyes and Lasik surgery. I can see now.
Someone can see something.
Movie.. beautiful mind… he could see the mathematical pattern.
Accounting…looking at the number, I can see something.
Car mechanic… can see something even by listening.
Level of sight is all different.
My wife didn’t see that thief was coming to her car leaving computer and purse in the car (she didn’t listen to me)
You don’t see certain things… you lose some.
You see certain things… you gain.
You don’t see the numbers like me… you don’t need to be an accountant. That is okay.
You don’t see thief coming… you lose computer and purse. But that is still okay. (I bought her a new computer)
But what is going to happen if you don’t see the kingdom of God?.... It is the greatest loss and eternal loss.
What happens when one does not see the kingdom of God?
Cannot solve death problem (my mother’s loss of her daughter)
Paul would say, “Let us eat and drink…”… meaninglessness
No hope.
We don’t know where we are going (one child was landed in different country due to wrong plane… you may end up in different place where you don’t know)
No kingdom of God… world becomes a terrible place to live.
What is the kingdom of God?.... it is where God is the king, where God reigns. If God is not your king…. Something else rules over you (anxiety, anger, worries, doubt, fear, despair, jealousy..)
Main point of the Bible…. Lost paradise and restoration of paradise. Jesus’ teaching and healing. He did so many things…. But he mainly talked about the kingdom of God. Why?... because kingdom of God is the most important thing. Even if you have everything, but do not have the kingdom of God… you have nothing.
Story of Faust.
Our effort to change our human condition, hoping for better life or happiness. But without kingdom of God, there is no fundamental change.
One woman in my work place… bothering others so much. I prayed for her boy friend. (thinking of her divorced situation). She found a nice boy friend, still mean and yelling. No kingdom of God, no change of heart.
Have kingdom of God… you are happy.
21 years ago… making $5.50, had nothing. Happy.
21 years later… making much more with many children. Still happy.
What God truly wants to give us… Kingdom of God. Do you agree?
Kingdom of God… best gift? More than degree, more than big income, more than nice house?
If so…. DO YOU DESIRE THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
What do you desire?.. meaning what do you constantly think? Longing? Waiting? Dream about it?
Question… how could such religious man not see the kingdom of God?
Religious practice doesn’t guarantee the kingdom of God.
Jesus said, “you must be born again.”
One doctor… growing mustache. To be looking someone else. But it is not born again.
Born of water and spirit.
Water means… repent. You have to turn from sin and turn to God. Personal battle.
Famous general’s bad habit… mother’s rebuke. Killed his own horse.
Circumcision of heart.
My repentance on fear problem…repent of my fear.
Spirit…. Like wind. Works in a man.
How could this be possible? Because of the love of God.
Incident of bronze snake. (trusting God’s way and his love)
John 3:16. God gave his one and only son.
Age old question…. Does God love me? Can God love me?.. most of time, the answer is “God cannot love me.”
We are not sure of God’s love.
If someone give you his 6 million dollars (all from his bank account)….how would you feel? He cares for you, right?
Some one has only one car… he knew you needs it. So he gave that car to you and he decided to walk. What would you say about him?.... he cares for you, right? You will say, “thank you.”
If someone has only son… he gave his son to death for you. Can you doubt about his love?... maybe not.
God gave his most precious thing (son) to give us the most precious thing (eternal life).
Whatever happens, whoever you are… never doubt about God’s love.