2 Corinthians 5:18

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

From Background Notes [BN] for Oct 3rd & 4th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

What has changed? What has been reconciled?

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

From Background Notes [BN] for Oct 3rd & 4th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

It wasn't just that Paul believed something new, but he became something new.

John 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!”

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 26th & 27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Elbert Hubbard wrote, “If your religion does not change you, then you should change your religion.”

John 3:3

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 26th & 27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

And so when we study the story of Nicodemus, we are simply following the strands of thought which run throughout the opening chapters of the Gospel.

John 3:3

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 26th & 27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

And so when we study the story of Nicodemus, we are simply following the strands of thought which run throughout the opening chapters of the Gospel.

John 3:2

He 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.”

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 26th & 27th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

But Jesus "knew what was in man". Nicodemus was no exception. He brought his own human condition to Jesus and reveals a bit of it when he says...

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 19th & 20th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Kierkegaard observes the many distractions that turn life into many fragmentary lives; the singular into the plural. In a single statement he appeals to God (and to his audience) for “purity of heart that wills one thing.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 19th & 20th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The world had a beginning and it moves toward an end that is neither terminal nor hopeless, but climatic and fulfilling.

1 Corinthians 9:22-23

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 12th & 13th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Connection or isolation? These words which belong to the title of this week's study apply in a variety of ways to the mission God has given us.

1 Corinthians 9:19

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 12th & 13th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The Christian church in the West suffers from a bad case of rugged individualism. This has allowed the culture to influence the shape of its mission.

Mark 14:36

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

From Background Notes [BN] for Sept 5th & 6th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Here in Gethsemane the reader glimpses a Jesus wholly committed to carrying out the deeper purposes of God, facing his "hour" with the confidence that doing the will of God was far superior to doing his own.