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Northwest Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“How Can These Things Be? ” |
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I. Introduction.
A. There are just some things that are hard to believe. Are
some things that are outside realm of our senses, our
experiences, and our understanding.1. That’s the situation with Nicodemus, when he
approaches Jesus. Nicodemus was a wealthy
Pharisee, a member of the Jewish ruling council, a
teacher of religion; by all accounts an educated,
sensible, respected man.2. He begins this conversation with a dramatic
statement of faith (verse 2) – (Re-Read underlined
portion.) Up to this point in his life, Nicodemus’
faith in Jesus, as “. . . a teacher come from God,”
had not produced obedience.3. Jesus “answers” the question on Nicodemus’ mind
without Nicodemus even asking it. (Re-Read
verse 3). The unasked question is: “How do I
obey, and please, God?”a. Jesus refers to being “born again” (or, better
translated, “anew”). A second birth, not
physical, but spiritual.b. If one is to enter God’s kingdom he or she
must be “born of water and the Spirit”
(verse 5). For Nicodemus, it meant
forsaking all reliance upon the Law of
Moses, and upon the elaborate ritual and
traditions of the Pharisees and entering
upon a totally new way of life. For us, it
means forsaking sin and being baptized for
the remission of our sins and entering upon
a totally new way of life.
c. Nicodemus just could not believe, or accept
at that time, Jesus’ statement. Many still
have that problem today.4. Nicodemus asks questions now: (Re-Read verse 4). In effect he says: “What you say is impossible! It is too incredible to be believed!” And, after Jesus’ further explanation, Nicodemus wonders: “How can these things be?”
B. Even from the perspective of an additional nearly-2,000
years; even with the completed revelation of God available
to us today, so many still ask that question: “How can
these things be?”, not just about baptism as part of
salvation and obedience to God, but about a variety of our
senses, our experiences, and our understanding that people
find too incredible to accept.C. The actual word “incredible” appears only one time in our
English translations of the Bible – in Acts 26:8: “Why
should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the
dead?” (Paul addressing King Agrippa and Roman
governor Festus.)1. Gospel writer Luke says there are some things
“. . . surely believed [i.e. fulfilled] among us”
(Luke 1:1). These are the things the obedient
child of God must come to know and act upon.2. But, like Nicodemus, like King Agrippa and
Festus, people are instructed on certain biblical
truths and come away saying: “How can these
things be?” How can I accept something that
seems, to me, so incredible?D. Let’s examine some of these “incredible” doctrines, not
to challenge belief in them but to strengthen such belief
in the power and goodness and majesty of an all-wise
God. Start with one just referred to: the very central fact
of Christianity.II. “Incredible” Lessons.
A. Why should it be incredible (unbelievable) that God should
raise the dead?1. If you look at context of this statement by Paul in
Acts 26:8, can see he was emphasizing his past
life as a Jew and why he now faces judgment and
condemnation from his Jewish kinsmen. (Read
Acts 26:4-8).a. He now fully believed in Jesus as the Christ,
the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel of
a Savior.b. That belief was based upon his certainty of
the resurrection of Christ from the dead:
(Read Acts 26:22-23).2. It is that resurrection that is the ultimate proof of
Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God: “. . . and
declared to be the Son of God with power
according to the Spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:4).3. It is that resurrection, and our belief in it, that makes
our faith real and our hope of eternal life real:
(Read I Corinthians 15:12-14).4. If the power of God could create life, why is it too
incredible to believe He can put life there again? In
fact, attempts made to explain away Christ’s
resurrection are every bit as incredible.5. Every argument against the truth of the resurrection
has been effectively countered, over and over again.
Believe it – it’s true.B. Raise a second question: why should it be incredible
(unbelievable) that the church is one body?1. New Testament Christianity is free from division –
but, to some, that’s just not believable.2. In I Corinthians 1, Paul wrote: “Now I plead with
you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you all speak the same thing, and that there be
no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment.” (verse 10).3. If division was wrong in the first century, it’s still
wrong for us, today.4. If division among people, religiously, is right, then
why does Bible teach it as unacceptable? Why the
emphasis on unity – as in John 17: “that they all
may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in
You; . . .” (verse 21): or in Ephesians 4
“endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace. There is one body . . . (verses 3; 4).
Or Romans 12:4-5: “For as we have many
members in one body, but all the members do not
have the same function, so we, being many, are
one body in Christ, and individually members of
one another.”5. What is truly unbelievable is the continued creation
of “new” religious groups, with such varied beliefs,
in the face of the unity the Bible teaches.C. Also, why should it be incredible (unbelievable) that
accountable souls are lost without obedience to the gospel?1. To some, it’s easier to believe that God would not
permit people to be eternally lost; that this would be
unloving and unjust.2. In fact, God has given every responsible,
accountable person a chance to be obedient and to
receive His saving grace. (Titus 2:11: “For the
grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to
all men,”).3. In fact, God gave the way for each succeeding
generation to be taught the gospel and be obedient
to it: “Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
(Matthew 28:19).4. Whose fault is it if we, or others, are not taught
the gospel? Who hasn’t done their part?5. Believe the scriptures: “He that believes and is
baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe
will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16).D. Finally, why is it incredible (unbelievable) to think we can
live the Christian life victoriously?1. After all, you can’t expect people to be perfect.
There’s so much temptation around us.2. God says it’s possible to live righteously, even in
an unrighteous world: “. . . do not be conformed
to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may prove what is that good
and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
(Romans 12:2).3. This does not mean that a Christian won’t sin. But,
to live “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27) is
possible, because Christians can be forgiven.4. What’s really incredible is the number of Christians
who feel insecure and unsure of their salvation; who
equate salvation with production, how much one
does. The same atoning blood of Christ that took
away our sins when we were baptized continues to
“. . . cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(I John 1:9).III. Conclusion.
A. Possibly the most incredible thing to believe is that God
would save any of us. In spite of our doubts, in spite of
our sins, in spite of our rejection of Him and His Son, He
still considers each soul precious and is “. . . not willing
that any should perish but that all should come to
repentance.” (II Peter 3:9).B. God has promised all who obey Him eternal life. In that
same third chapter of John’s gospel we began with, look
at verses 16-17 (Read). Now, that’s incredible!C. What’s unbelievable in the number of people who willfully
reject God’s gift of eternal life. Don’t be among them.
Believe; repent; confess; be baptized; live with victory
before you.