"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they re born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:1-16
We are learning from Jesus on how to share our faith.
The first lesson is to get to the point as soon as possible.
The second lesson is, engage the person through questions.
Today's tip is, KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Keep things simple is a good idea in general but even more important to something as important as showing someone how they can inherit eternal life!
It should be simple to keep things simple BUT - it isn't! So, let's look to Jesus to learn from Him in this encounter with our friend, Nic!
Take a look at these verses:
"Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:3
"Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they re born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’" John 3:5-8
The doctrine of salvation and theology of salvation are rich, deep, inspiring and significant. Both are certainly worthy of much thought, study and discussion. And since Jesus was speaking to Nic, a religious professional well versed in his Jewish studies Nic would have enjoyed discussing religion with the Great Rabbi. But Jesus wasn't interested in winning a debate He was interested in winning a soul. So, He kept it simple! He presented salvation in the metaphor of a birth. Brilliantly simple!
Using that metaphor captured his curiosity while clarifying the nature of his problem. The evidence is seen in the questions Nic asked after that. His questions had to do with understanding what it meant to be spiritually reborn. Jesus was then able to give a clear answer because Nic clearly understood his need.
Being "born again" is a concept so easy that a young child can understand it and receive salvation but yet so complex that theologians discuss it and write volumes about it. People like Nic don't need an education about salvation, they need to experience it!
Jesus, the Master Teacher, understood that and kept it simple for Nic.
When it comes to sharing Christ with an unsaved friend - KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid!
Today's tip is, KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Keep things simple is a good idea in general but even more important to something as important as showing someone how they can inherit eternal life!
It should be simple to keep things simple BUT - it isn't! So, let's look to Jesus to learn from Him in this encounter with our friend, Nic!
Take a look at these verses:
"Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:3
"Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they re born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’" John 3:5-8
The doctrine of salvation and theology of salvation are rich, deep, inspiring and significant. Both are certainly worthy of much thought, study and discussion. And since Jesus was speaking to Nic, a religious professional well versed in his Jewish studies Nic would have enjoyed discussing religion with the Great Rabbi. But Jesus wasn't interested in winning a debate He was interested in winning a soul. So, He kept it simple! He presented salvation in the metaphor of a birth. Brilliantly simple!
Using that metaphor captured his curiosity while clarifying the nature of his problem. The evidence is seen in the questions Nic asked after that. His questions had to do with understanding what it meant to be spiritually reborn. Jesus was then able to give a clear answer because Nic clearly understood his need.
Being "born again" is a concept so easy that a young child can understand it and receive salvation but yet so complex that theologians discuss it and write volumes about it. People like Nic don't need an education about salvation, they need to experience it!
Jesus, the Master Teacher, understood that and kept it simple for Nic.
When it comes to sharing Christ with an unsaved friend - KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid!
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