1. 2Peter 1:4, “… by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust…” Sounds great; why read John 3?

2. “Partaking of the Divine nature” 2Peter 1:2-21 “… Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord…” (2Peter 1:3)

3. 2Peter 1:3, “… as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…” (2Peter 1:4)

4. 2Peter 1:4, “… by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust…” [Eph. 2:8, our faith, hope, forgiveness!] (2Peter 1:5,10, and so we are diligent seekers of this knowledge!)

5. Listen to Jesus: John 17:1-5, “… And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. (Rom 12:1-2)

6. The knowledge of God: Phil 2:5-8, “… Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus … And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross…” [we must be humble!] (Luke 22:27)

7. The knowledge of God: Luke 22:27, “… For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves…”[so we must serve] (John 18:36)

8. The knowledge of God: John 18:36, “… Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." [we must have a ‘pilgrim spirit’]

9. Our reading: John 3:1-15; gives us the knowledge of God: How does God treat Man; shouldn’t we follow His example? John 3:1, “… There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews…” (A closer look at Nicodemus; John 7)

10. Nicodemus came to believe John 3:2, “… This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.“ Nicodemus was afraid, but honest! Matt 9:8, “… Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men…” John 9:33, “… If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."

11. Nicodemus came to believe John 9:16, “… Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them…” (2Thes 2:10, John 18:36, Gal1:14) Matt 12:9-14, “… And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" --that they might accuse Him. Matt 12:12, “… Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.“ (John 7:37-52, Nicodemus)

12. John 7:37-52, “… Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them… Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?“(A man of integrity!) [John 7:52, John 7:41-42]

13. John 7:52, “… They answered and said to him, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.“ (Isaiah 9:1-2) John 7:41-42, “…Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" (Matt 4:6, Scriptures used out of context!) [Isaiah 9:1-2]

14. Satan used Scripture out of context: Matt 4:6, “… and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" [Isaiah 9:1-2]

15. Isaiah 9:1-2, “… Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined…” (Matt 4:12-17)

16. Matt 4:12-17, “… And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles…” [John 19:38-42]

17. John 19:38-42, “… After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds…”