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NICODEMUS

SECRET BELIEVERS

Read John 3:1–21

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night… John 3:1-2b NIV
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Nicodemus believed that Jesus was a teacher sent by God because of the great miracles He performed. But Nicodemus did not have an understanding of saving faith. He was a teacher of the law, but he had not experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. He needed to be born again–not natural birth but spiritual.
Later, as Nicodemus continued to blend in with those who wanted to kill Jesus, they asked, "Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?" The best he could do was to say, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" (John 7:48–51) After the cross, Nicodemus, along with Joseph of Arimathea risked their lives to ask for Jesus body, indicating that they were His followers.
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It is very difficult for most of us to speak up about our faith among those who do not believe. But the Holy Spirit can give us the courage to do so. Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, so that I will have the courage to share my faith in You.
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Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3NIV

posted by sharetheword on Oct 10, 2009 5:47 AM | 1 comment
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A DEN OF ROBBERS

JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE

Read: John 2:13–21; Mark 11:15–19

"Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" Mark 11:17 NIV

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On these two different occasions–at the beginning and end of His ministry– we are told that Jesus physically exhibited anger. The Jews had turned the temple into a market place, carrying on dishonest business in a house of worship. In anger, Jesus drove the merchants out of His Father's house. The Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." (John 2:18–19) The temple He spoke of was His body, which they would seek to destroy on the cross.
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Although our churches today are not the same as the Jewish temple, we should still honor them as places of worship. Most of all, as believers, we should remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
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Lord, I want to take good care of the body You have given me and dedicate it for the purpose of glorifying You. Help me to avoid anything that would compromise that purpose.

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After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. John 2:22 NIV

posted by sharetheword on Oct 2, 2009 3:22 AM | 1 comment
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