Born Of The Spirit

John 3:1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.

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Introduction

There was a moment when I was lying in bed looking up at the ceiling, and I couldn't fall asleep. It was sometime after my father passed, and even with the sleeping aids prescribed by my college counselor, I could not fall asleep. Through this restless night, I recall having a conversation with God. It wasn't a pleasant conversation; frankly, I was angry, upset, and felt betrayed in many ways. However, it was a necessary conversation that helped set me on the path I am on today. Perhaps you've had a nighttime conversation with God in the quiet hours when no one is around. Like Nicodemus, we can lay our questions before God unabated.

Of Flesh

Nicodemus decides to visit Jesus at night. Perhaps he thought he would evade the judging eyes of colleagues. Or maybe he had a sleepless night and wanted to find answers only Jesus could provide. We like answers; they not only give reassurance of what we know but allow us to control what we know. Yet, Jesus turns the table on Nicodemus. Instead of replying in a straightforward manner, Jesus speaks of the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh as it pertains to the matters of this world and how we balance it with a vision for what could be a vision for the heavenly realm.  

And let me say that for every inch we think we control; God is at work in a much larger sphere. I believe many of us, even in the context of faith and the Church, get caught up in matters of the flesh like Nicodemus. Yet the truth is that God is at work and doing so much more in front of us and behind the scenes than we could imagine. 

Of Spirit

Believe me when I say that it is in the Spirit where we find our hope. It is in the Spirit where we find our strength. Because for all the times we hopelessly try to control and manipulate things for ourselves, God's love shatters our hopelessness and fear. As disciples of the living God and as a church, we must remind ourselves of this love every day. It is a love that impacts the entirety of creation and transcends any fear we might have for what tomorrow brings. It is a love that claims us and draws us away from any earthly allegiances we may have and back into the heart of God.

I say this because as we embark on this season of transition, there will be a temptation to look at the numbers and other benchmarks, which might discourage some regarding our future trajectory. But let me say this loud and clear, numbers and benchmarks mean nothing in the eyes of God. Instead, we must look at how the Spirit works here and now. So look around and see how the Spirit has changed us and our mission, our community, and tell me if you can genuinely put a numerical value on the Spirit of God. I understand the temptation to only look at what is in front of us; indeed, Nicodemus knew that temptation, but when we open ourselves to being born again by the Spirit, we will see untold possibilities. 

Of Us

The kingdom of God is a place where light has shown onto all the darkened areas of the world—bringing the fallen aspects of our world into the presence of God so that they may be redeemed. As an interwoven family of various people from all walks of life, Jesus shows us our faith, and our family of faith is not built on one time or one season. And as we lay our fears, our burdens, and our doubts before God, we are granted pardon and reassurance. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (John 3:16)

As we talk about the flesh and the Spirit, you should know that our meditation today applies to both your spiritual lives and the life of our church, especially with the changes that are to come. It might appear as though a pastor or other church leaders are what makes a church, but we are only made of flesh, temporal, temporary. The fellowship you have here, the worship that takes place here, is eternal. And I am confident you, the members and friends of the First Presbyterian Church of Mahopac, will continue to tend the garden of faith we've cultivated together. And I am sure you will continue to do great things when another gardener comes to tend the field with you. 

Conclusion

This good news, this love, this rebirth, is an opportunity for us to put our faith into practice, to continue the work we've already done. This does not happen only on Sunday mornings or in the privacy of our homes when we do devotions. This rebirth is a call by God to live out our faith publicly, unashamed at how it leads us against the traditions we have become so accustomed to witnessing. It is a call for all gathered here and at every time and place to realize that our spiritual community will continue as long as we see the good God has done, is doing, and will do. In our quiet moment with God, let us ask our questions and be reminded and renewed by the truth that we are people born of the Spirit continually moving in our presence.