Scripture Focus (John 3:1-12) – “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [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.” [3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” [5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” [9] Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” [10] Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”
I. Jesus made time for the religious man (John 3:1-2)
A. His impressive credentials – “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.”
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- Highly separated religious leaders; focus on externals Greek name meaning “victor over the people”
- Sanhedrin – 71 men; Jewish lawmaking body {high priest, chief priests, family heads, scribes}
B. His secret mission (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.”
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- Nicodemus has incomplete views on Jesus. He was not merely “a teacher come from God” but God who came to teach.
- Nicodemus was unsettled by what he had heard and seen of Jesus, so he covertly sought out Jesus to get some answers to his curiosities.
II. Jesus intentionally stretched the curious man (John 3:3-7)
A. What Jesus did not say – Jesus did not address Nicodemus’ comments, nor make any form of small talk
B. What Jesus did say (John 3:3) – “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Note: the Greek word translated “cannot” is not restrictive or prohibitive as in “he is not
permitted to see the kingdom of God.” The word Jesus used indicates an incapability. Jesus is telling Nicodemus that it is impossible for a person to truly grasp the Kingdom of God until they are born again by the Spirit.
C. How Nicodemus responded (John 3:4) – “Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
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- Nicodemus was morally upright, intellectually brilliant, and religiously curious.
- Yet, Nicodemus was spiritually blind to who Jesus was and what He was offering.
- He was trying to figure out things of the Spirit by computing in the mind.
D. How Jesus replied (John 3:5-7) – “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
FIRST BIRTH
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- sinful nature
- alienated from God
- shaped by iniquity
- lost and on the way to eternity lost
- aliens and enemies to God
- prey to evil desires, evil deeds, or evil disposition
- children of darkness, children of the devil, children of wrath
- spiritually blind, spiritually ignorant, spiritually crippled
- hopeless and without God in this world
- spiritually dead
SECOND BIRTH
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- holy nature of God imparted to us
- fully forgiven for all eternity
- guarded and led by the Holy Spirit of God
- enlightened unto spiritual truths
- disposed to do the will of God
- enabled to sacrifice selflessly
- prone to holy desires, holy deeds, and holy disposition
- fully acceptable to God
- permanent children in the family of God
- assured and accompanied at all times by God
- spiritually alive and awaiting eternity in God’s presence
IV. Jesus challenged the intellectual man (John 3:8-12)
A. Jesus reveals a Kingdom principle (John 3:8) – “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
B. Nicodemus expressed his frustration (John 3:9) – “How can these things be?”
His entire system of belief was being challenged
C. Nicodemus was left to wrestle John 3:(10-11) – “Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.”
D. Jesus exposed the root of the issue (John 3:12) – “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”
No matter if we are a Christian or not-yet a Christian, the Kingdom of God is not to be approached with a religious, intellectual mindset. Humility opens us up to the Kingdom and causes us to remain perpetual students of the ways, wisdom, and works of God.