January 10th Virtual Worship

January 10, 2021 Pastor Marc Hayden

Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez

Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden

Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger

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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:

Journeying with John, The Spirit at Work

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

[Reading above - John 3: 1-8]

Christ the Word, the Divine wisdom of creative energy, is the Light that nurtures life. The Word is the life-source of creation and discipleship. Beginning with Andrew and Simon in John chapter one, and moving on to Nicodemus in John chapter three, and to the woman of Samaria in John chapter four, people of all stripes are drawn to the Light and given new life in the Spirit of Christ. In the conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus reveals two insights: 1) life in the Spirit is like a “birth from above”, its source is a heavenly Light that shines on the path of life forgiven, abundant and everlasting; and 2) like the wind, life in the Spirit is beyond our initiative, control and achievement—it is a gift to be gratefully received and shared.

Questions for Reflection:

Nicodemus sees and understands God’s Spirit at work in Jesus through “these signs”. In the previous chapter Jesus performs a sign of abundance at the wedding in Cana. This may be one of the signs Nicodemus has beheld. What signs have you witnessed that reveal God’s Spirit at work in your relationship with Christ?
Reflect on and share a detail or two of your “earthly birth”, when your journey in life began. Reflect on and share a detail or two of your “heavenly birth”, the time and experience when you began feeling drawn and loyal to life in the way of Jesus.
Can you identify the way the Spirit was like the wind, moving surprisingly to open your eyes to see the Light of Christ? Can you identify the way the Spirit was like a breath of fresh air that opened your heart to new life?