The Living Word II

Born Again

Born Again

I would like to continue with our series “The Living Word” from the book of john the 4th gospel.

We know that was written by John the Apostle around 85 and 90Ad before he went to Patmos.

John wrote this gospel to bring correction to the many false teachings going around and to encourage the believers.

He shares the purpose of his book.

The Purpose of This Book

Joh 20:30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.

Joh 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Today I would like to share about this important conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, about his need to be born again.

I believe it is written because Jesus wants for me and you to know 3 practical things about the Kingdom of God.

1 Nothing will qualify you to enter the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.

There are a few things we know about Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin mentioned in three places in the Gospel of John:

The Sanhedrin acted like our supreme court, for you to be a member of the Sanhedrin, its judges had to have semichah (rabbinic ordination passed down from Moses.

We know that he must have been very wealthy, for he came with Joseph of Arimathea to embalm the body of Jesus after the crucifixion.

And he brought these costly spices, about a hundred pounds, that only a very wealthy person could afford. A ruler of the Jews means that he was one of the seventy Sanhedrin, and, according to Jesus, he was a teacher of the Jews. He said, "Art thou a teacher of the Jews and knowest not these things?"

The Pharisees numbered about six thousand men who had dedicated their entire life to keeping the codified law. They recognized that the first five chapters of the Old Testament were God’s inspired Word to man. Now, the scribes had sought to interpret those first five books and their codifying of the law, and this was called the Mishna. Now, for instance, the law said, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." But in the Mishna there were twenty-four chapters written to qualify what that meant. Now, God said it very simply, just, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. And in six days you should do your labor, and the seventh day you shall rest and not do any labor on that day." But it took them twenty-four chapters to constitute what it meant and what the limitations and all were, the Mishna.

Now, the Pharisees sought to keep the whole Mishna, the codified law, or the explanations in the writings in the codified law. Now, on top of the Mishna, they then wrote the Talmud, which was a commentary on the Mishna. And so, the things just continued to expand and expand. But the Pharisee was one who sought, and the primary purpose of his life was the keeping of the codified law.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews:

Joh 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him."

Now because of the series Chosen, we know that John was part of that conversation because he was hiding in the dark behind the stairs taking notes.

Nicodemus came during the night so no one could see him, he recognized that it was something special about Jesus, His ability to perform signs and miracles, showed that God was with Him.

Nicodemus was thinking about the kingdom of God, and because of all his credentials he was certain that he was inn.

After all he was a

Member of the Sanhedrin, a jew descended of Abraham, circumcised, The kingdom of God was waiting for him.

Paul had some of the same struggles.

Php 3:4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Php 3:5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;

Php 3:6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Php 3:7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

How does this apply to us? our natural birth does not qualify us to enter the kingdom of God you may have attend church all your life it does not qualify you.

Maybe your parents went to church and they were great Christians, it does not qualify you to enter the kingdom of God.

Maybe you have been circumcised, Christen, baptized, became a member of a church and give your tithes and offerings it does not qualify you to enter or see the kingdom of God.

You need a relationship with Jesus.

This was the first words that came out of the mouth of Jesus .

2 One must be born again, Born of the Spirit

Joh 3:3 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

This is fundamental for a Christian. In the life of a Christian you will see the manifestation of the Spirit of God, there are different levels so you don’t need to judge anyone.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Our first birth gave us physical life; the new birth gives us spiritual life and membership in God’s family (John 1:13).

Joh 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Joh 1:13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

To be born again is to have the Holy Spirit transform our hearts from indifference and hostility toward God to a love of God and a desire for righteousness and holiness. The only way one can come to God and experience what it means to be “born again” is through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ; it cannot be earned in any way.

Joh 3:4 "How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!"

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Some have used this passage to say that we need to be baptized on water to enter the kingdom of God, this argument was discredited at the cross

One of the thieves being crucified with Jesus said, who had no time to be baptized.

Luk 23:42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Luk 23:43 Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

But unless you are on your final hour, and you are not able to be baptized, obey Jesus, and be baptized.

others argue that this means the word of God that washes us, this is not the context of this passage.

Nicodemus was not being facetious; he was asking how an old man can be born again? We are born out of the womb of our mothers, so his question. We can’t go back inside, what do you mean?

Jesus answer water and the Spirit. Water natural birth, and the Spirit

The Spirit of God who will transform you into a new person.

Joh 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Joh 3:7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'

Joh 3:8 The 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."

There is that mysterious working of God’s Spirit within our lives and we cannot fully comprehend it or understand it, we just know it. We can see the effects of it.

"Can you see the wind?" "No, you can’t." Look, it’s blowing the dust. Or the leaf’s. "You’re seeing the results of the wind. You don’t see the wind."

I can see the results of the Spirit. I believe it, I know that the Spirit exists. I have never seen Him, but I can feel His presence upon my life, it’s very real.

I can see His effects in the lives of those around me, it is very obvious.

And so are they who are born of the Spirit, there is that mystic work of God’s Spirit that I can recognize, I can feel, I can see that work of God’s Spirit within me.

Peter said this in his second epistle

2Pe 1:4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

2Pe 1:6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

2Pe 1:7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

Ex: I remember a dear friend, who would be in my list of thank you, but he pass away few years ago, he grew up under a drunk father, in his little town his dad was the drunk of the town, so he grew up very poor, his first pair of shoes was when he was 9 years old, his mother would sow them clothing from rice bags, he had many hurts as a child so he grew up as an angry man, he had a construction business and he was rough. But when he surrender his life to Jesus, he went to a drastic change, he was able to forgive his dad and brothers, his heart that was filled with hate now was full of love for people that he didn’t know, he would find himself praying and crying for people he would drive bye. He became a missionary, it was one of the great leaders God brought into my life.

We and the people around us will notice the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, his family did, if we are just pretending people will see it too,

The Holy Spirit dwelling in you will testify in your behalf. Very often you are talking to a person that you don’t know and you wonder if they are believers, if that question came to your mind ask them? they probably are, other times people may be saying all the right things but they sound religious, or better than others. And you have no desire to know anymore.

Joh 3:9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

Joh 3:10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?

Joh 3:11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

Joh 3:12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

Joh 3:13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.

Jesus speaks of his crucifixion.

Joh 3:14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

Joh 3:15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him."

He was referring to this passage in numbers

Num 21:4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;

Num 21:5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"

Num 21:6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.

Num 21:7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.

Num 21:8 The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."

Num 21:9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

1 nothing will qualify us to enter the kingdom , 2 we must be born again, born of the spirit

3 We must believe in Jesus.

Joh 3:16 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.

Jesus is the full expression of God’s love for you and me. Jesus epitomizes Agape, God’s love.

A love that is unconditional, full of unmerited grace and self-sacrificial.

Unconditional

If you ever wonder how the pure love of God, looks like, just look at Jesus.

Is impossible to understand the love of God looking at people, like our families, our teachers, our friends they have or will disappoint us, but when we look at Jesus who is perfect, we will never be disappointed we will clearly see God’s love for us.

Jesus came in humility, as a servant, a man of peace, forgiving sins, demonstrating great compassion, and fully submitted to His Heavenly Father,

Unmerited Grace, we don’t deserve it.

When Jesus comes into our hearts our life changes,

Whatever bad habits or addictions we have, needs to go, the love of God dwells in us,

I’m not talking about just acting like you love people, but loving them from our hearts.

Yes, our behavior is the fruit from what we have in our hearts.

The love of God consume us, must become part of our thinking, of our hearts what will be demonstrated in our actions and emotions.

The love of God is sacrificial, and if we love others as Jesus loved us, we need to love with a sacrificial love.

Joh 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

To receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior means more than accepting Him as a fact of history, a teacher, or an example. It means more than giving mental assent to the fact that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world.

It means that one turns from sin and with his or her whole heart trusts in Christ as personal Savior and Lord. Surrendering your life to Jesus following him, God makes that one a new person;

Joh 1:12  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 

Joh 1:13  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 

To receive Jesus, we need to accept Him as God’s son, repent from our sins and a life of selfishness, we need to ask Him to be our Lord and savior, not that you deserve it, but is a gift from God.

If this is your desire today, please repeat this prayer after me?

Heavenly Father I’m sinner,

I’m sorry for my sins,

I’m willing to turn away from my sins.

I receive Christ as my savior,

I confess him as Lord

from this moment on I want to follow and serve him,

in the fellowship of his church,

In Jesus name. Amen!