God Loves the Religious

Pastor Jim asks  why John gives us the most famous verse in the Bible in John 3:16. Contextualizing this verse within the broader narrative, Jim provides a concise recap of preceding stories in John two, including the wedding miracle at Cana and the temple cleansing. Focusing on the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and Jewish ruling council member, Jim explores themes of being born again and the Spirit's role in entering the kingdom of God. Emphasizing the need for genuine inward transformation over religious rituals, Jim uses Nicodemus as an example.  Jesus offers new life to all people, including the respectable religious.