Understanding the Kingdom of God: The Importance of Being Born Again

1. 1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He 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.” ~John 3

2. 3Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” ~John 3

3. 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!” ~John 3

4. 5Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The 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.” ~John 3

5. 9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. ~John 3

6. 10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ~John 3

7. 10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ~John 3

8. 10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ~John 3

9. 3Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” ~John 3

10. 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!” ~John 3

11. As education level increases, the percentage of people who believe the Bible is “literally true” decreases.

12. As education level increases, the percentage of people who believe the Bible is “literally true” decreases. Additonaly: As education increases, the number of people who believe the Bible is “inspired” (as opposed to “literally true”) increases…

13. As education level increases, the percentage of people who believe the Bible is “literally true” decreases. Additonaly: As education increases, the number of people who believe the Bible is “inspired” (as opposed to “literally true”) increases… (they get to pick and choose what parts they like.)

14. Those who believe the Bible is “the actual word of God to be taken literally” also believe it is “completely true,” but people who believe the Bible is “inspired by word of God,” don’t believe it is “completely true…”

15. Those who believe the Bible is “the actual word of God to be taken literally” also believe it is “completely true,” but people who believe the Bible is “inspired by word of God,” don’t believe it is “completely true…”

16. There is a difference between “Literally True” and “Completely True.” Literal: 1) taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or allegory. (dreadful in its literal sense, full of dread)

17. There is a difference between “Literally True” and “Completely True.” Literal: 1) taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or allegory. (dreadful in its literal sense, full of dread)

18. Literally? 1. It literally scared me to death. 2. I was literally the black sheep in my family. 3. I was literally stoned out of my mind. 4. It was literally raining cats and dogs. 5. I was literally dumped by my girlfriend because I was a LeBron fan". 6. I was so embarrassed, I literally died.

19. “I believe the Bible is Literally true!”

20. 16All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” ~II Timothy 3

21. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. ~II Peter 1

22. Is the Bible Literally True? It depends…

23. Is the Bible Literally True? It depends…

24. 6A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down. ~Luke 13

25. 10The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. ~Revelation 8

26. 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save their lifewill lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” ~Matthew 16

27. 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save their lifewill lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” ~Matthew 16

28. 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save their lifewill lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” ~Matthew 16

29. 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save their lifewill lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” ~Matthew 16

30. 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save their lifewill lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” ~Matthew 16