John 3:1-16

“IT’S THE REAL THING!”

 

Birthdays are fun days, aren’t they?  As you get older it is usually someone else’s birthday that’s fun. When was the last birthday party you attended?  Whose was it?

 

Listen to Luke 15:7—Jesus says:
⁷I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

There is joy in heaven when a person repents and comes to Jesus for salvation. We celebrate birthdays of family and friends, bit God throws a heavenly party every time a person comes to Jesus and is “born again”.

 

Today’s passage is a dialogue between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus.  Turn in your Bible to John 3. 

 

1. Recognition (vv.1-2)

Point – We have to recognize WHO Jesus is.

Someone read verses 1-2:

¹Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. ²He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

What do we know about Nicodemus?  He was a Pharisee—a man who devoted his life to following and interpreting Jewish laws.  Pharisee means separated ones.  These were the strict legalists of Jewish religion.  In verse 10, Jesus calls him “Israel’s teacher”, a special scholar—the man who taught Pharisees their theology. Nicodemus was spiritual.

 

He was also a member of the Jewish ruling council—the Sanhedrin.  The Romans customarily allowed some local authority as long as it did not threaten their supremacy.  The Sanhedrin was a group of 70 men who constituted the supreme court of the nation.  This group possessed ruling authority over every Jew in the world, even the high priest.  The name Nicodemus even means conqueror of the people.  Nicodemus was powerful.

 

Do we know anything else about Nicodemus?  After Jesus death, Nicodemus donated 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes for His burial.  This was the amount ordinarily used for a king.  It was very expensive. Nicodemus was wealthy.

 

Nicodemus was what most of us aspire to be.  So, if spirituality or power or wealth can find God, Nicodemus, the Who’s Who of Jewish religion, should have been right there. But he didn’t find God, in spite of all his religion.

 

Why do you suppose Nicodemus came to see Jesus?  (Allow responses) It could be he was curious.  Maybe the Pharisees sent him as a “spy”.  Do you suppose Nic was looking for real life? In spite of all his religion, was something missing?  Was the expert at all the rules missing the relationship?  Look at what he said to Jesus in verse 2.  Nicodemus had the form of spirituality but not the force.  He saw in Jesus’ life what was missing in his own.

 

Why do you suppose Nicodemus came at night (Nic at Nite)? He probably wanted to maintain his secrecy.  He did not want the other Pharisees or the public to see him.  Listen to John 12:42-43:

⁴²Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

It’s possible that Nic would have more time for a lengthy conversation with Jesus after hours, but he very likely was afraid of what it might cost him in power and popularity to be seen with Jesus.

 

What do you think was the motive and spirit of Nicodemus’ address in verse 2? (Allow answers)  Nicodemus could have been sarcastic in his statement but it seems more likely in the context that he came to Jesus with a deep recognition of God’s presence in Jesus’ life.  He knew of Jesus miracle at Cana—turning water into wine—and his addressing him as Rabbi was a sign of respect. 

 

So here is powerful, spiritual, popular, wealthy Nicodemus.  He has sought God in the way he was taught.  He was an expert at what he knew and good at what he did.  But he also knew something was missing. He was afraid he was “barking up the wrong tree”.  He recognized something in Jesus that stirred him deep inside.

 

What about you? Is there something missing from your “religion”?  Are you ready to be seen with Jesus or are you afraid of what it might cost? How do you address Jesus?  Is He your teacher; your Lord? Are you his disciple?

 

2. Rebirth (vv.3-8)

Point – We must be born again.

Someone read verses 3-8:

³In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.^£”

⁴“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵Jesus answered,“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^£ gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^£ must be born again.’ ⁸The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Jesus saw that Nic was searching.  He wanted to give Nicodemus a new orientation about life.  Life wasn’t and isn’t about keeping rules.  It was and is about a relationship with God.  Nicodemus’ entire focus was going to have to change.  This change wasn’t going to come easily—not for Nic and not for us.  And Nicodemus was baffled by Jesus’ assertion.

 

It has become a popular term since Jimmy Carter used it during his run for the presidency several years ago, but what do you think born again means?  (Allow discussion) It is also interpreted as born from above in some translations. Jesus explains it to Nic (and us) in verses 5-8.  We are all born once physically (of water) into an earthly family but in order to enter the kingdom of God we have to be born of the Spirit into the heavenly family.

 

In order to enter God’s kingdom we need outside help.  This new birth is not by our efforts, energy, intellect, or influence but by God’s grace.  We cannot do this for ourselves.  It is all God’s work.  Remember John’s theme of the divine Word who became flesh to restore fallen humankind to its spiritual family.

 

Jesus used an analogy of blowing wind to clarify His answer to Nic.  Maybe the wind was blowing around them as Jesus talked with Nic.  The wind cannot be controlled or even seen but its effects can be seen.  People on the Gulf coast can attest to that.  So it is with the Spirit of God. F.F. Bruce comments, “The hidden work of the Spirit in the human heart cannot be controlled or seen, but its effects are unmistakably evident.”

 

Notice that Jesus didn’t initially promise Nic a chance to have eternal life but rather to “enter the kingdom of God.”  What is the kingdom ofGod?  (Allow discussion)  The kingdom of God is one of the major themes of Jesus’ teaching.  It can be understood as the new age of God.  Again, quoting Bible commentator F.F. Bruce the kingdom of God “is interchangeable with eternal life.”

 

But we often miss something that Jesus taught us when we think of eternal life.  And that is that it doesn’t start after we die. It starts now.  Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is here.  Jesus was telling Nic that he can’t get to heaven unless you are born again but He was also saying heaven can’t get to you!  We cannot build or establish the kingdom of God but we can receive and enter it.  Listen to Matthew 5:20:

²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

And Mark 10:15:

¹⁵I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

 

Hebrews 12:28 says “…we are receiving a kingdom…”  Jesus is the ruler of that kingdom but we are invited to rule with Him.

 

The kingdom ofGod is the very power that Nic saw in Jesus.  Jesus invited him to receive it through spiritual rebirth.

 

What do you think was the greatest obstacle to Nicodemus being born again?  (Allow discussion)  How do you identify with his struggle in that regard?

 

3. Regeneration (vv.9-16)

Point – We can be new persons through God’s grace.

Someone read verses 9-16:

⁹“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.¹²I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.^{£ 14}Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.^£

¹⁶“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^£ that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

Nicodemus still couldn’t understand as he indicated in verse 9.  All his life Nic had been taught that good deeds purchase salvation, that religion is relationship. Jesus assured him in verses 13 that this message came from God: ¹³No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man

No one.  No exceptions or contradictions.  Ever—without any loopholes.  Except the Son of Man, Jesus favorite title for Himself.  Only Jesus has come from heaven to earth.  Jesus and Jesus alone.  Only He can give us this new birth.

 

In verse 11 Jesus begins a lengthy monologue.  He states clearly that if Nic could not accept the simple ‘earthly things” of which Jesus taught, then how could he accept “heavenly things” which were more difficult.  Jesus was alluding to the fact that the Pharisees had already rejected His teachings.

 

Have you ever heard of someone who was so heavenly minded they were no earthly good?  My dad used to say that about legalistic Christians.  For most of us though, this isn’t really a concern.  On the other hand, it may be more true that we are so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good.  Paul tells us in Colossians 3:2: ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

What make Jesus an authority on heaven? Jesus can speak accurately and reliably about heaven because it is his home.  I can tell you about my house.  I know it well. I should—I live there!

 

In verse 14, Jesus refers to an Old Testament story in which God chastened the rebellious Israelites by sending poisonous snakes among them.  Some of the Israelites repented and others died.  (Tell snake story- mowing at Kyle’s) Moses followed God’s command to erect a bronze pole with a serpent on it.  Israelites that had been bitten by a snake then looked at the pole in faith and were delivered.  So, those who faced certain death were delivered because of God’s intervention. In the same way, Jesus stated that those who believe in Him, the Son of Man, will be delivered from certain spiritual death.  And Jesus even foretold the method of his death—he would be lifted up on a cross.  Jesus says it again in John 12:32:

³²But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”

 

Remember, Jesus was trying to lead Nic through a paradigm shift—a change in the way he lived and viewed life.  He wanted him to stop thinking about following legalistic rules and instead come to the place to have a personal relationship with a living God!  Nic was clearly fascinated by what Jesus said, but it would take some time to sink in.  When Nic left Jesus that night, he probably didn’t fully understand or appreciate all Jesus said.  Verse 16 contains one of the simplest and most succinct explanations possible.

 

John 3:16 describes the distinct purpose of Jesus and also the eternality and totality of God’s love.  God’s love is not limited to one nation, race, ethnic group, gender, culture, or era.  God gave Jesus, the beloved Son, as the expression of His love.  John says the only alternative to belief and acceptance of Jesus is what?—to perish!  Probably no other biblical text has led more people to the Lord than this verse.

 

Would someone like to share what this verse says to them personally?  (Allow responses)

Not everyone can understand the principles of electricity or of internal combustion. Not everyone can understand the law of gravity, the principles of aviation, satellite technology, or how the internet works.  I don’t even know how I can hear someone’s voice from a thousand miles away on the telephone.

 

In the same way, not everyone can understand all the intricacies of the new birth.  But everyone can understand the need to be loved.  Everyone, even the most harden heart, has the desire to be loved.  For some, the new birth may be a mystical experience; for others it may be a simple fact.  For some it may be a highly emotional experience; for others it may be unemotional.  For still others, it may be a difficult struggle, while for others, it may be the easiest decision in the world. (Story of 30 minute wait)  Regardless, John tells us that the gift of God’s son is offered to the entire world.  This is the greatest gift ever given to the human race.

 

Lord Kenneth Clark, internationally know for his television series Civilization, lived and died without faith in Jesus Christ. He admitted in his autobiography that while visiting a beautiful church he had what he believed to be an overwhelming religious experience. "My whole being," Clark wrote, "was irradiated by a kind of heavenly joy far more intense than anything I had known before." But the "gloom of grace," as he described it, created a problem. If he allowed himself to be influenced by it, he knew he would have to change, his family might think he had lost his mind, and maybe that intense joy would prove to be an illusion. So he concluded, "I was too deeply embedded in the world to change course."

Perhaps God might have chosen to save the world in some other fashion. There might have been less costly, less difficult ways for God to offer redemption.  Instead, God chose to give Jesus because the ultimate gift suited the ultimate divine love.

 

Have you accepted God’s gift?  Have you yourself responded to Jesus’ message to be born from above?

 

John 3:1-16

“IT’S THE REAL THING!”

1. Recognition (vv.1-2)

Point – We have to recognize WHO Jesus is.

What do we know about Nicodemus? 

 

Why do you suppose Nicodemus came to see Jesus? 

 

Why do you suppose Nicodemus came at night?

 

Is there something missing from your “religion”? 

 

Are you ready to be seen with Jesus or are you afraid of what it might cost? 

 

How do you address Jesus? 

 

Is He your teacher; your Lord? 

 

Are you his disciple?

 

2. Rebirth (vv.3-8)

Point – We must be born again.

What does “born again” mean?

 

 

 

When does eternal life begin?   What does that mean to you?

 

 

What do you think was the greatest obstacle to Nicodemus being born again? 

 

 

How do you identify with his struggle in that regard?

 

 

3. Regeneration (vv.9-16)

Point – We can be new persons through God’s grace.

Are you more earthly minded or heavenly minded?

 

Why?

 

 

What does John 3:16 mean to you personally?

 

 

Have you yourself responded to Jesus’ message to be born from above?

 

 

If not, will you do so now?

 

 

Homework: We do not build or establish God’s kingdom, but rather we receive it as a gift and enter it as one being born into a new world.  How does that affect the way you view following Jesus and His command for us to disciple others to do the same?