Unless
Pastor Erickson preaches from John 3, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God, and he shows that the word unless always demands a response. He warns against putting off eternal decisions and calls people to repent, be baptized in Jesus name and receive the Holy Ghost today.
The message in 6 points
Delay is dangerous
From James 4 he warns against a life of procrastination, putting off a commitment to God until life slows down. Tomorrow is not promised, and today is the day of decision.
1:24:15Unless demands a response
The word unless, or except, always comes with conditions. With the rich fool of Luke 12 and verses from Psalm 127, John 14, Luke 13 and Matthew, he shows how often God attaches an unless to the kingdom.
1:28:46Nicodemus comes by night
Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and ruler, comes to Jesus after dark. Jesus tells him that unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom, because no religious training, good works or position can take the place of the new birth. Jesus saves good religious people too, not only those pulled out of the gutter.
1:32:48Born of water and of the Spirit
Jesus says a man must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom, pointing ahead to Pentecost and Peter's message in Acts 2:38. Remission means sins removed and not only forgiven, and the 3,000 received the same Holy Ghost as the 120.
1:42:20Why the world cannot understand
People who are not born again cannot see the kingdom, so holy living looks foolish to them. He calls the students and the church to choose now, since culture changes but Jesus does not, and he warns that no date on the calendar is promised.
1:50:39Follow the unless
Nicodemus shows up again bringing costly spices for Jesus' burial, and Pastor Erickson believes he obeyed. No one can demand the Holy Ghost, but anyone can repent and go to the water in Jesus name, where the chains of sin fall off.
2:02:03
In his words
“There's no position or heritage that can substitute for the new birth experience. Without it, you remain spiritually in darkness.”
“I don't want my sins just to be forgiven. I want them to be removed from my life.”
“You cannot demand the Holy Ghost. Being born of the spirit comes from God. But what you can do is make a decision.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
James 4:13-14
13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
King James Version.
John 3:5
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
King James Version.
Psalms 127:1
1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
King James Version.
John 6:44
44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
King James Version.
John 14:6
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
King James Version.
Luke 13:3
3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
King James Version.
Matthew 5:20
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
King James Version.
Matthew 18:3
3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
King James Version.
John 3:2-4
2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
King James Version.
Acts 2:38
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
King James Version.
Acts 2:4
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
King James Version.
John 3:6-7
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
King James Version.
He also points to
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