6th February 2026

6th February 2026


Pray (ACts)


Read (John 3:1-13 focus v9-13)


Message (Alan Burke)


In our brains, we hold all kinds of information. I’ll share a few things with you that are random pieces of information that you may or may not have known. Like, did you know that the Ford 7610, which as a child I thought was the pinnacle of all tractors, was manufactured from 1982-1992? And it’s a good thing that I don’t have a big shed at the manse and lots of money because I’d have one and have absolutely no need for it. Or, like the Ford Capri Mk 3, 1.6 Laser, has a grand total of 73bhp and does on average 33mpg, although when mine ran, it was closer to 22mpg, and these days, no Ballymena man in their right mind would have one with their short arms and long pockets. 


There are all kinds of things we know, useless information and no benefit to our lives. If Lissara ever runs a table quiz, I’ll add those nuggets to the questions to see how many of you pay attention to the devotions. There are people, though, that you expect to know stuff about certain things. Like, if I go to a car mechanic, I expect them to know about cars. If I go to the GP, I expect them to know how my body works and have at least an educated guess of what is wrong with me. Well, here Nicodemus still doesn’t understand what Jesus is speaking to him of, and he asks, “How can this be?” 


Nicodemus, whom we have already been told was a Pharisee. That refers to what sect he is from. Pharisee literally means one who is set apart, a separatist, and they were known for strict adherence to the law and oral traditions and were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride (Mt 9:11, Lk 7:39, 18:11, 12). We are also told that he was of the Jewish ruling council. The Jewish ruling council was the Sanhedrin. There were seventy-one members of the Sanhedrin, which was the highest court over all persons in the land. Nicodemus, though, was an important and influential man, but we now learn that he was a leading authority on religious matters. He was considered a master, a religious authority among the people. 


While Nicodemus has been left perplexed at what Jesus has said, the most striking thing that Jesus has said in all that goes on is his challenge to Nicodemus about how he did not understand these things. I’d say it’s like going to a car mechanic and they have no clue what’s wrong with your car, but these days with all the computers in them, they generally have no idea, but going to the doctor, we at least expect an educated guess, and they stand there and say that they have no clue what is wrong when you have a runny nose, sore throat, and a cough, even though they are symptoms that indicate a cold, flu, or some kind of allergy. Nicodemus is stumped at what Jesus has said to him. So Jesus challenges him, making the point that since he did not understand earthly things when he knew the scriptures and it was explained by Jesus, how then would he understand heavenly things?


When he came under the cover of darkness, Nicodemus had every reason to have confidence, from a human point of view, that he would be there, that he would enter the kingdom of God. He had the right credentials; he was seen as one who was righteous. But Jesus turned everything Nicodemus held confidence in on its head. The only one who can enter the kingdom is only those who are born again who will enter the kingdom of God. To enter, we must be born again. The reality is there is no Christian unless they are a born-again Christian. No one is a Christian who has not been born again. You must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. When we are born again, we should see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives as we die to sin and live more for Christ each day. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q91 How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
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