Sometimes what it appears to be dumb questions, don't really have to be dumb questions. Sometimes dumb questions are hard questions, big questions. They are the questions were afraid to ask because were afraid that they make people uncomfortable.
IE... Where do I come from?
Why am I here?
Where will I go when this is all over?
We don't ask the big questions because it makes people fee uncomfortable, it makes us feel uncomfortable. When you ask big questions, your usually asking God questions, people don't like big questions because they don't like God questions.
God Always Answers Our Big Questions With Bigger Answers.
How many times have you asked God a question? You prayed about something and when it was all said and done God gave you an answer to your question but the answer was even bigger than the question you are asking. They are not just bigger because of intellect, they are bigger because of intent.
This passage comes from someone asking big questions, but someone fearing that his big questions probably sound like dumb questions.
John 3
3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 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."
What do we know about Nicodemus? He was a Pharisee. What is a Pharisee? A separatist - one who separates himself from others for God. We are all called to be separate from the things of this world today and to be united with Christ.
"2 He came to Jesus at night..." what kind of questions would you reserve to ask someone at night? Self protective questions, the kind you don't want to embarrass yourself asking in front of others, because of protection and privacy.
You can see in his question, you can see in his statement that he is not really sure what he believes or where he really stands.
What is the question he is asking? An implied question, he is asking - Who are you.
3 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
Does Jesus answer his question?
Yes. It is just a bigger answer.
Jesus answers, I am the King of the kingdom, I am the King of the Kingdom of God, I am God. Jesus goes right into talking about the kingdom of God. Not only does he talk about the Kingdom and implies who he is but talks about how someone enters the Kingdom of God
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!"
Bigger question...
5 Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Jesus says you can't enter the Kingdom unless you are born again. You can't see the Kingdom, you won't even care about the kingdom unless you are born again.
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'you must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Sometimes God's answer is so big to our big questions that they leave us a little bit mystified.
9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.
10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him."
If your Nicodemus at this moment, All he wanted to know is who are you? God always gives bigger answers to our bigger questions. Jesus is laying out for him more than just who he is, but why he is there and what it means.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
God doesn't just give bigger answers, He gives better answers to our big question.
Nicodemus just wanted to know who Jesus was, and Jesus lead him to who I am to you.
Why does God give bigger answers?
Because our questions aren't that big.
We often look for small answers for small question.
I. Am I Asking The Right Questions?
Yes we can ask God why did you allow me to lose or take my job? But instead ask...
'God what would you have me to do now?'
'God who would have me to be as I go through life waiting on you to provide for me?'
'who would have me to be as I go through life with this new limitation I have?'
'How would you have me to live without my loved one?'
'God why do I love my sin more than your Son?'
'God help me to stop.'
II. Am I Looking For The Bigger Answers?
Nicodemus was there when they crucified Jesus, in fact he took him down from the cross at night. Did he accepted Jesus? Nicodemus was still asking big questions and God was there giving him bigger answers.
III. Will I Make The Right Choices?
When God reveals the bigger picture the bigger answer to my small question will I take it in and make the right choices?
God has bigger answers no matter how big and daunting your questions seem to be to you, just listen, trust and know that God will give you an answer beyond the question. An answer that will put everything into it perfect context. An answer that will end even with words of affection. for God so loved you that he gave his Son for you.
Notes taken by: lorelllawrence@comcast.net
Any errors or miscommunication please refer to me not the pastor, the intent is for you to have the notes for review in the series, also to reflect on during the week.
God Bless,