A alternate title could be: Testimony of God’s Spirit; like the changing of a season, God offers us hope.
What does “Winds of Change mean?” The winds of change is a plural noun.
Merriam-Webster define this as — “forces that have the power to changethings —It is used generally to mean change is going to happen.”
We recently celebrated Pentecost Sunday. It is a celebrated event that phappened 50-Days from Christ Resurrection.
It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31).[3]
There is a "mighty rushing wind" (wind is a common symbol for the Holy Spirit)[34][35] and "tongues as of fire" appear.[36] The gathered disciples were "filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance".
The mighty rushing wind is the physical outpouring of God’s promised event. It is spoken of by Jesus when He told them to wait for He was sending the Spirit of God upon them!
What joy it must have been to see the mighty movement of God “unleashed” upon those believers - which birthed the Church. (Acts 2)
Similarly was the teaching of Jesus when Nicodemus met with him at night, perhaps in secret. It was at a time when Jesus was recruiting His followers and gaining in popularity with His ministry!
We see some similar language being used when Jesus speaks of a spiritual birth. Being re-born of the Spirit!
We read this account in John 3:1-21.
Read John 3:1-15 — (English Standard Version)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot 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, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. **So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”**
9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you[f] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[g] 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[h]
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The story of Nicodemus and being born of the Spirit is our topic today’s article. What does it mean to be born again in the Spirit?
When Jesus speaks of the Wind it is as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit!
Today we look at one of the testimonies that Jesus gives which is God’s Spirit.
When the Spirit is set free in the world, there are three significant actions — these are summarized through the testimony of Nicodemus. These are found in John 3 (as written about by John).
There are three distinct things that Jesus speaks of in His message to Nicodemus. They are “Winds of Change” we too could experience - especially as we reflect upon the season of Pentecost.
Times are changing —- but not of God’s Spirit — but, by the spirit of the Anti-Christ. Times are changing — there are winds of change that impact all of us!!
Like seasons, we are experiencing the winds of change!
The Testimony of God’s Spirit; like the changing of a season, God offers us hope.
-I love the summer, don’t you? It is fast approaching - June 21 - Summer Solstice will be here before we know it.
-It is hotter with longer stretches of dry weather with a chance of pop-up storms.
Summer School. I remember growing up with summer break from school. But … one year I had to attend several weeks of the dreaded Summer School.
- it was because I missed a lot of school for some reason.
- it felt like punishment (while others went to the beach, I sent to school.)
- I had to do homework! (I hated homework.)
- Everyday seemed to go on forever!
The one thing I learned at Summer School was that I didn’t want to repeat that experience! I vowed to work hard to never repeat that summer.
Most of the time, the winds of change from school to summer break were wonderful. I welcomed every day with fun & excitement with my friends.
While Nicodemus was well-learned, (as a Pharisee & member of the Sanhedrin) he was being given a crash course in good theology about WHO God us (His nature to give), WHAT God does (His actions to save), and WHY God goes out of His way to prove His mercy (His motive).
1. Only God Gives (through Jesus). John 3:16. He is a GIVER.
Today I want to share from one of the most popular verses in the Bible. it comes out of John chapter 3.
-We see it on advertisement and businesses. We see it on the delivery and fleet trucks. We see it on national television during sporting events.
Most popular verse in the Bible.
3:16 is easily identified as a biblical reference to this popular verse.
Today we will expand a bit in that section. however, crosswalk.com as identified John 3:16 as the most popular.
“Several themes connect these popular Bible verses: Connecting with God, living with purpose, and finding strength. Those themes are all vital aspects of living well.” - The 20 Most Popular Bible Verses in the Bible in 2023
Add another article from World Vision (UK) entitles “John 3:16 is the world’s most popular Bible verse.”
John 3:16 :: “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.”
“The most popular Bible verse in the world is John 3:16, which is searched (justthrewcrosswalk.com) over two million times each month across the globe.” Most popular Bible verse in the world | World Vision UK
In again, we see its popularity:
“On Instagram, the hashtag #john316 has been used on over 250,000 posts. Moving over to TikTok, the current hotspot for social sharing, we can see that videos with the hashtag #john316 have been viewed 55.9 million times! This verse is one that resonates with people worldwide and inspires them to share its message.”
Most popular Bible verse in the world | World Vision UK
**Total popularity! John 3:16 – most popular — 2,100,000 monthly searches. (2 million & 100,000)
In the context of the story of Nicodemus, is this profound truth: Only God gives what will last for eternity.
Incredible isn’t it?! The God of the universe who created everything is not a disinterested deity, but has a very personal connection with each of us.
It is by his actions that we come to understand his very character. He is a giver.
Philippians 4:8 tells us that anything good comes from God.
[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
We who cannot help ourselves and are in great need of God, who alone can help us.
Whether in your childhood or adulthood, it is an easy to remember passage of scripture or a verse that brings you great comfort today - John 3:16 remains at the top of most people’s Memory.
Given all that the internet has to offer — YouTube, Social Media, Webpages, YouVerse Bible App and many others, not to mention all the ways we can communicate … our culture has never been more lonely and lost!!
We are blessed because of What Only God can give! Yet, there’s more.
2. Only God Saves (through Jesus). John 3:17. He does all He can because of LOVE.
It is truly exciting to realize what God does on our behalf. It’s an incredible story that is woven all through scripture.
John 3:17 :: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn* the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
This is why so many find hope in Jesus!
It is a story of triumphs and battles won!
It is a story of transformation!
It is the story of love!
We sit here today, because we have been impacted by God’s story to us. It is a story that the world did not give and it cannot take away.
Three circles :: YFC Logo:
The top circle is God story to us
The other two circles would not even exist without this first one.
Our mission and ministry for young people is imperative because we have the opportunity to tell our story - What God does!
He is the God who saves!!
Our testimony (of what God does) may be the only link to the least, last, lost, and lonely!
Your testimony should include:
A. Who Jesus is - Good theology of God.
B. What God has done in you because of Jesus’s sacrifice.
C. How the fresh Wind of Change (like Nicodemus) that has made you a new creation in Christ. (In the Spirit.)
D. Don’t be afraid to share what challenges you have faced and how God has helped. TEST in testimony.
- ONLY God GIVES. (his character)
- ONLY God SAVES. (What He does)
AND there is yet one more!
3. Only God Judges (through Jesus). John 3:18. He is motivated by MERCY.
It is easy to compare our blessings and think that these are entitlements - because we deserve them.
What may be surprising to many is that there are examples of judgmental opinions that are mention throughout scripture. There were those that thought that the goodness of God was automatic and only applied to them!
Philip recruiting Nathanael :: When one of the disciples made introduction about meeting the Messiah, he indicated that it was Jesus of Nazareth. The response may actually surprise many - it did for one of the soon-to-be disciples, saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:45-46)
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
—
Another example is when the disciples noted that when Jesus wanted them to make preparations to visit Samaria. You may recall that the Samaritans were considered “less-than” people. They were half-breeds and not worthy of God’s mercy!
The two disciples were rather offended when they learned that Samaritans didn’t welcome Jesus, stating that he was “simply on his way to Jerusalem.” (A drive-by visit.)
In defense of Jesus, they asked if He wanted them to call fire from heaven to destroy them.
Luke 9:54-55 New International Version (NIV)
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
https://www.bible.com › compare
Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?
ILL: First Nations : Injustice still occurs.
— my mother in-law is part of the Miami Nation. She experienced injustice. Like a Samaritan, she was considered “less than.”
There’s not time to share fully with you, but, I loved what she had to say in a presentation related to the history of the First Nations.
“Do you want to know what true injustice is from our history of America? Where do you look?
If you look to those who were generally treated bad isn’t pretty but a true historical case of genocide was pronounced upon our American soil. The killing of the Indian.” (Long pause.)
She continues; “Yet, I have found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which enables me to heal and find hope and my identity in Christ!”
Essentially what my mother-in-law was referring to has to do with God’s MERCY, that each of us can experience!
What we know about God, through Jesus Christ, is that his motive for his judgment upon our lives is based on mercy.
I’m not a Universalist nor a Unitarian — I believe there are consequences for sin. I also know that we need to have a personal relationship in Jesus Christ in order to find eternal peace in the presence of Christ.
I once was honored to share the plan of salvation at a Unitarian-Universalist Church. (I was asked to represent Christianity.)
As I unfolded a 10-foot graphic depicting various streams of Christianity, I pointed out to them where they came from and their historical roots to the Christan faith.
“You have your roots in the family tree of Christianity. Your church was a descendent of these roots. Well, you may have branched out separate, it is only because of Jesus, but we can find hope and healing!
God’s grace and power to save and mercy is not free!
Only God Gives (through Jesus). John 3:16. He is a GIVER.
- He is the source of such benevolence because He gave His only son! (A price was paid.)
Only God Saves (through Jesus). John 3:17. He does all He can because of LOVE to save!
- He is a God who alone is love - not to condemn but to save!
Only God Judges (through Jesus). John 3:18. He is motivated by MERCY.
- He is motivated to judge out of mercy! We too see the lost, least, last, lonely :: We too judge when we see them but respond in mercy!
Closing: Light versus darkness. John 3:19-21.
John 3:19-21
And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
—
Today, the winds of change are blowing. But, I invite you to find hope because the wind of God’s Spirit wants to give us a story of redemption and reconciliation. While the world may becoming more darkened, we have the light of Christ living within us (that being the Holy Spirit) to help us know how to live right.
Just as Nicodemus came to learn that it was not WHAT he knew that really mattered, but WHO he was in Christ that really made a difference so he could become merciful to others!
Nicodemus joined as one of the later disciples as you well know. He became a follower because he sat aside pride and self ….
— to receive what only God could give.
— to become what only God could do in you!
— to extend to others what only God could provide!
I love what compassion.com said about Mercy, defining it, in its purest core, as a quality - only through Jesus Christ!
“What is the biblical definition of mercy? Mercy appears in the Bible as it relates to forgiveness or withholding punishment. For example, God the Father showed mercy on us when he sacrificed his son, Christ Jesus, on the Cross to pay the price for our sins.”
https://www.compassion.com/poverty/mercy-definition.htm
Let me leave you with this final summary of our understanding of John 3.
“It is only by God’s grace—His undeserved mercy—that we can have eternal life with Him in heaven. Our role is to have faith, to believe Christ died for us and ask Him to forgive our sins. The simple meaning behind John 3:16 is that you are loved by God and can be forgiven.” - Billy Graham Ministries.
Consider the following sorry recently found in today’s headlines. Blow Up Bounce Houses are assailed aloft because of the wind!
The POWER OF THE WIND! -Incredible. -Impactful.
Reported: https://news.uga.edu/bounce-houses-caused-479-injuries-28-deaths/— Leigh Beeson
“It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt … or dies. And a lack of regulations and oversight surrounding a popular, easily rentable party feature could be putting tens of thousands of children at risk, according to new research from the University of Georgia.
The study found at least 479 people were injured and 28 died worldwide in more than 130 bounce house accidents due to weather events since 2000. But the researchers caution that these estimates are likely an undercount.
These injuries are on top of an estimated 10,000 ER visits in the U.S. each year because of bounce house-related accidents that regularly result in broken bones, muscle sprains and concussions.”
May the fresh wind of God’s Spirit be in you!
