1. Last week
1.1. John 3:5 (NLT) 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
1.2. Jesus goes on to tease Nick
1.2.1. John 3:6 (NLT) 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
1.2.2. John 3:7 (NLT) 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’
2. Then comes a hard verse
2.1. The language makes it hard
2.2. Accepting it is hard
2.3. John 3:8 (NLT) 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
2.3.1. Wind and Spirit ARE THE SAME WORD!
2.3.1.1. Wind
2.3.1.2. Spirit
2.3.1.3. pneuma
2.4. Jesus Uses a pun again
2.4.1. Born Again
2.5. Jesus is drawing a parallel
2.5.1. Wind
2.5.2. Spirit
2.5.3. In our ability to understand what He is doing
3. Who else had to press on even though they did not undersgand
3.1. Abraham
3.1.1. Called into a land he did not know
3.2. Elisha
3.2.1. Kill your dad's ox
3.2.1.1. 1 Kings 19:19 (NLT) 19 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away.
3.2.1.2. 1 Kings 19:20 (NLT) 20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”
3.2.1.3. 1 Kings 19:21 (NLT) 21 So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.
3.3. Elijah
3.3.1. Ask that he could die
3.4. David
3.4.1. Cave of Adullam
3.5. Job
3.5.1. God never explains yourself
3.6. Peter
3.6.1. Preaching to those who crucified Christ
3.7. Paul
3.7.1. Wanted to go to Rome as a preacher, instead of went as a prisoner.
3.8. John the Baptist
3.8.1. Left to rot in jail route while Jesus preached
4. Is it any wonder why all of them had to take a step of faith?
4.1. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
4.1.1. To make him Smile I have to show faith
4.2. It is always a step of faith.
4.3. Just like all the Bible heroes, my faith was shaken.
4.3.1. Punching the light switch