John (6)

Introduction: Setting the context of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. 3:1-4 First Answer and question: In order to see the kingdom of God, you must be born again. Essentially, the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is clarifying the difference between true and false faith that is brought up in 2:23-25.

Definition

One cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of the Spirit. A Holy Spirit heart cleansing. (3:5-8)

a. Jesus’ definition begins in verse 5 with a reference to water and spirit. This is an allusion to the Messianic promise made in Ezekiel 36:22-30

Ezekiel 36:22–30 ESV

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations.

b. Emphasizing the kingdom is at hand… and cleansing is necessary to see and enter this kingdom. Not just physical cleansing, but a cleaning of the heart. As we see in John 3:6

c. We must recognize the emphasis on the work of the holy Spirit. The new spiritual birth is not accomplished by the will of the flesh, by human effort. (1:12-13) The new birth is accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus is emphasizing in verse 7. (read) Again, Jesus is alluding to an Old Testament reference in Ezekiel 37 . Turn and explain that dead bones do not arise alone. The new birth is a cleansing of sin accomplished by the Holy Spirit. (This truth should remind us of the apostle Paul’s writing in Titus 3:4-7. )

Titus 3:4–7 ESV

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

c. Application for those questioning or doubting if they are true believers. Being born again does not mean conformity to Christian morals. It does not mean washing up the behaviors. No, in order to identify with the King of Israel and enter into His blessed kingdom we must have a second birth. A new birth. Be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb of God who alone can take away our sin. (In same way that your first birth is a certain reality so too your second birth.) Please lean in today because as we continue through this conversation jesus is going to bring further clarity.

Also, for the clarity of sharing the gospel with those who are not yet believers.

Transition: Jesus offered Nicodemus a clear definition of what it means to be born again. In verse 9, Nicodemus poses another question. (read) Nicodemus had his conclusion about what he thought the kingdom of God was all about… He was wrong. After offering Nicodemus a clear rebuke in verses 10-12 He then goes on to give an explanation of how a person can be born again.

Explanation

The Son of Man is lifted up.(3:13-14) This is a reference to Numbers 21:4-9

Numbers 21:4–9 ESV

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Point: The death of Jesus was God’s judgment on the sin of His people. Jesus was lifted up on the cross in order to die, and make atonement for those who would believe in Him. And those who do believe in him are not only rescued to die another day,but as John 3:15 says.. they have eternal life.

Again, Jesus is explaining that the work necessary for eternal life, the holy sacrifice needed for entrance into the kingdom of God, the new birth required for reconciliation with God is accomplished because Jesus died.

Transition: However, that is not all… Jesus goes on the give further explanation of “how these things can be” in verse 16.

Explanation

1. God loved and gave His Son to save.

- This is a reference to Genesis 22 where we read about God testing Abraham. He and Sarah had a promised child in their old age and in verse 2 where God tells Abraham…

Genesis 22:2 ESV

He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

2. Point: It was God’s unconditional, covenantal love for all the nations of the world without distinction, that he sent His one and only begotten Son so that whoever among the nations believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Transition: This explanation of being born again that Jesus offers to Nicodemus ends with a provoking conclusion. There are only two ways to respond to this truth.

Response

Remain… (3:18-20) How?

The result of our first birth inheritance. By nature a child of wrath. This is what Jesus knew was in man, which is why He did not entrust himself to those expressing superficial faith in his name.

Sometimes, we might be provoked to ask… Why would anyone ever reject the love of God in Christ Jesus? Because we all as children of darkness… love darkness rather than light. And so we are reminded that if God the Holy Spirit does not awaken our hearts to new spiritual life, we all would remain hidden in darkness and unbelief.

Transition: But God, demonstrated His love in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. But God, being rich in mercy because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved. There are only two responses to Jesus.. either remain in darkness or be awakened to the light. In John 1:12 it says…

2. Receive… (1:12) (3:21) How? What is true faith?

Notice the progression of ...Birth, Belief, Behavior

Being born again is a work of God upon the heart. When the heart comes alive it’s first breath is a confession of faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9 says… However, when the Holy Spirit makes a heart new, then begins a transformation of the mind which must transform the behaviors. Nicodemus was confronted with this reality and so must we be.

Romans 10:9 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Closing: God the Father loves sinners, God the Son died and rose again for sinners, God the Holy Spirit causes sinners to be born again. The Scriptures teach us that the triune God of creation accomplishes and applied the work of salvation to those who will believe. Are you believing today? Have you responded by receiving Christ? Are you walking in newness of life so that our works are being carried out in God? You must be born again.

You must be born again.