Nicodemus visits Jesus at night

John 3:1-8

After dark one night a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a member of the sect of the Pharisees, came for an interview with Jesus. “Sir,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miracles are proof enough of this.” Jesus replied, “With all the earnestness I possess I tell you this: Unless you are born again, you can never get into the Kingdom of God.” “Born again!” exclaimed Nicodemus. “What do you mean? How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “What I am telling you so earnestly is this: Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Men can only reproduce human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven; so don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again! Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it will go next, so it is with the Spirit. We do not know on whom he will next bestow this life from heaven. What did Nicodemus know about the Kingdom? From the Bible he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God’s people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the Kingdom would come to the whole world (3:16), not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus wouldn’t be a part of it unless he was personally born again (3:5).

A Night Meeting

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council called the Sanhedrin. The Pharisees were a group of religious leaders whom Jesus and John the Baptist often criticized for being hypocrites. Most Pharisees were intensely jealous of Jesus because he undermined their authority and challenged their views. But Nicodemus was searching, and he believed that Jesus had some answers. A learned teacher himself, he came to Jesus to be taught. Nicodemus came to Jesus personally, although he could have sent one of his assistants. He wanted to examine Jesus for himself in order to separate fact from rumor. Perhaps Nicodemus was afraid of what his peers, the Pharisees, would say about his visit, so he came after dark. Later, when he understood that Jesus was truly the Messiah, he spoke up boldly in his defense (7:50-51). Like Nicodemus, we must examine Jesus for ourselves—others cannot do it for us. If we believe he is who he says, we will want to speak up for him.

Valentines dinner will be served to all the women of our church and invited guests. We want you all to come and enjoy a relaxing Blessed evening. Time is 7pm on Monday Feb. 13 at the new Fellowship hall. Babysitting will be provided and pizza will be served for all the children.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please fill out coupon and drop in Valentines can in foyer or simply drop in offering plate.

Name _______________________ myself and (Number of) ___ guests will be attending.

I/and my guests will be bringing ___ number of children that will need babysitting.

Please write number of dishes in each choice According to Guests invited. If only you then place a 1 in your choice

___ Lasagna w/meat ___Vegetable Lasagna

Caesar Salad or Garden Salad

Bread sticks Garlic & Cheesy

Chocolate Fondue Fountain

Brownies w/Ice Cream

Coffee/Sweet Tea/Unsweet tea/ Kool Aid