John Wesley was someone who focused on the practical matters of living out the Christian life. But he did not ignore the essential doctrines of the faith.
In sermon #45, entitled “The New Birth”, John Wesley explores the doctrine of regeneration. Continue reading
One night a Pharisee named Nicodemus visited Jesus. He had seen the miracles that Jesus was doing and knew that He must have been sent by God. We can infer that Nicodemus must have known or at least suspected that these signs were pointing to “the one who is to come” (see Jesus answer to John the Baptist in Matthew 11:2-6). And he probably heard Jesus proclaim that the “kingdom was at hand” (Mark 1:15).
Knowing that Nicodemus’ thoughts were on the kingdom and the coming King, Jesus responds to Nicodemus by telling him (John 3:3 NET):
I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
This statement confused Nicodemus. He did not fully understand what regeneration was or why it was needed. Continue reading
In chapters 6-10 Wright has been focusing on the what question. What did Jesus say and do? What were the miracles and stories intended to communicate? The answer in a nutshell is:
God’s kingdom, God’s sovereign and saving rule, really is breaking in, on earth as in heaven.
Wright looks at the teachings of Jesus (chapter 8) and makes several observations.
Together the miracles and stories tell us that the kingdom of God and the renewal of all things is both a present and a future reality. Continue reading
Dead Heroes Don't Save 