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INTRODUCTION
We stand at the doorway of one of the great chapters of the Bible, where we find two
people in an intense discussion.
ILLUS: A conservation like one you would have when one evening someone stops by
your house to visit about something on his mind and you sit down on the living room
couch. The dialogue is personal, intense, you have shut the world out - just you
two deep in your visit. A memorable and life changing conservation.
This is what we have in our text. In a private, quiet evening, two people are in an
intense and intimate discussion. One was a distinguished respected religious/political
leader of the Jewish people, an older man. The other a young new Rabbi who had new
things to say about truth and faith. Their conversation was told to the writer John.
And John sees it as an eye opening dialogue that deserves to be up in front in his
account of the life of Jesus Christ, The Living Word of God, the eternal Son of God.
This explains a lot about HOW we begin to have a life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. The Inquiry about the New Teacher. 3:1-2
- v. 1 Nicodemus was of “Who’s Who in Jerusalem.” Belonged to
elite group of religious people - “Pharisees.” Separatists.
Fundamentalists.
- And was “a ruler of the Jews” - sat on the Sanhedrin Council
of 71 men who were the exclusive governing authority over Jewish life in
Palestine during Roman Empire. Wide powers of teaching, and law enforcement.
- Nicodemus was also by position a teacher v. 10. He was a somebody, who
had much knowledge, well bred, well educated, well respected.
- v. 2 "came to Jesus by night” Some say out of fear of being
seen with Jesus - I doubt that. Rather it was the best time to have a private
extended conservation. It appears to be an official conversation: “we
know” - maybe sent by a group of the Sanhedrin to inquire about this
new teacher. Natural for them to check out the new teacher in town.
- “Rabbi, no one can do these signs unless God is with him” A
title of respect and an initial statement of faith. Jesus was well noticed.
- I give credit to Nicodemus, give him ‘benefit of faith.’ He shows up two
more times in John: 7:50-51 - defends Jesus right to testimony before the
Pharisees. And 19:39, brought spice to Jesus’ tomb. Both texts point
out: “who came to Him before," "who had first come to Him
by night.”
- Here is a searching theologian. Nicodemus was on a quest for truth.
ILLUS: Are you on a quest for truth? One of the greatest things we can do
here at FBC is to give you a passion to search out truth. Help to think. To
wet your appetite to search the Bible. How you coming with Bible reading?
- Acts 17:11 “received the word with great eagerness, examining the
Scriptures daily to see whether these things are true.” Listen to
teachers, but search yourself. Bible is final authority, filled with
knowledge/wisdom.
- Nicodemus is a good example to us of a seeker. Are you a seeker?
2. The Introduction about the New Birth. 3:3-4
- v. 3 Jesus begins: “Truly, truly” “Amen,
Amen” - only in John's Gospel “Listen up what I am going to say is
very important.”
ILLUS: Two weeks ago when we didn’t have church service because of the snow
I watched Charles Stanley. He is great preacher, and often says
“Listen.” It sure gets the attention of his listeners. That is
what Jesus did.
- One does not chit-chat with Jesus. Jesus cuts to the chase. He reads Nicodemus
and sees a deeper need than curiosity, He heads right for heart. “What you
really need to know is about new birth, being born again.”
- This was a new thought, a new idea. Being “born again” was a
foreign concept. Nicodemus had been born and bred in Jewish system of laws,
rituals to get into “the kingdom of God.”
- The Kingdom of God is a subject Jews were really interested in - a literal
kingdom where the Messiah will rule. Topic No. #1 among Pharisees.
ILLUS: Just like we like to understand Biblical prophecy and events today.
- So how does one get into the “kingdom of God?” Traditional
answer was follows laws, rituals and sacrifices. BUT Jesus says in one sentence
forget all that, that whole system can’t do it. You need a new beginning.
- “born again” or “born from above.” That
was revolutionary.
- No matter how religious you are, no one can enter God’s kingdom by works or
following laws, but only a personal new beginning, a new birth.
- v. 4 Give credit to Nicodemus, at least he asks “How do I do
that?” “I am too old. I can’t start over again in mother's womb, I
can’t start my life over again. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Nicodemus simply continues Jesus’ illustration, he knows he can’t reenter
his mother’s womb, so how does one become born again? Start over?
- To be born again, is to have a 2nd chance, to have a fresh start, to begin
brand new, a new beginning. A new life given by God Himself through Jesus
Christ. A supernatural act of bringing forth a new creation. Not something you
produce, but accepting something done for you.
ILLUS: You and I had nothing to do with our birth, we just came. It is a
marvelous miracle/mystery. 9 months in womb in water, then everyone ways:
“Isn’t he/she cute.”
- The second birth is a mystery too, a result of the marvelous work of Christ on
cross, and rising from the dead. Simply accept the gift.
- What “born again” is NOT: emotional high, just an intellectual
decision or walking an isle, saying a sinners prayer without life change, being
a church member or going to church, or being baptized. Or being involved in
social action, or dropping God’s name in conservations. When people talk about
their religion they talk about what they do. This is not “doing” this
is “being” v. 7 “You must be born again.” You
can’t make yourself new, you can’t start over again on your own.
ILLUS: All other religions you have to work, and you never feel you are
good enough, never sure. This is not a Sinners Rehab. But - Romans 6:23.
- Next week we will explain vs. 5-8 more details of being “born
again” means. But to whet your appetite: To be “born
again:” A new moment followed by an new life; a supernatural event in
our natural life.
- To be “born again” is to change directions from the broad road
that leads to death to narrow road that leads to life - Matthew 7:13-14.
- It means to have new desires for God, a new change of habits - sinful behavior
looses its appeal, holy behavior begins with gladness.
- To be “born again” is to have new eyes to see Biblical
truth, new ears to hear God’s word, new taste for spiritual things, new heart
with love for God. You can actually live the Great Commandment -
Matthew 22:37-38.
- To be “born again” changes us from of pleasing self to
pleasing God.
- The church doesn’t make us born again, it should show us the way and help and
affirms our decision, but being born again is a personal decision. You can’t
inherit it from family, you must make a conscious choice.
ILLUS: Popular Phrase. I hope you have heard it before: Charles Colson.
Jimmy Carter, President Bush, Evangelists, Awana, S.S., pulpit. Bible term.
CONCLUSION
Are you “born again?” Do those descriptions sound familiar in your
life? Or like Nicodemus initially, are they foreign?
"Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once."
ILLUS: Membership class - My Salvation Story. Over next few weeks invite some
leaders to tell their salvation story - 3 minutes each. I will begin. I will
use the same list I use in Membership class without the membership question.
- I became a Christian at home
- I was 4 years old
- The person who helped introduce me to the Lord was
my parents
- Later I made a public profession of my faith at Bible Camp at
age 11
- I became a Christian because I wanted to stay out of hell, I
wanted Christ to lead my life.
- I want to be baptized because it was a command I needed to
obey, and was baptized at age 11 at Calvary Baptist Church, Greene,
Iowa.
- Meaningful verses in the Bible to me (2 of 4) Philippians 4:4;
Colossians 3:1-4
Very simple. Changed my life. Remember those events very clearly.
Are you born again?
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