Life's Greatest Need

2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

INTRODUCTION:

I- THE NEW BIRTH IS A NECESSITY (John 3:1-3, 7).

A- It is a necessity for all people. (John 3:1).

John 3:1 (NLT)

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.

1- Jesus made the need personal for Nicodemus.

2- The Bible makes it a clear necessity for all people.

(Revelation 20:15)

Revelation 20:15 (NLT)

15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

(Revelation 21:27)

Revelation 21:27 (NLT)

27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

B- It is a necessity regardless of understanding. (John 3:2).

John 3:2 (NLT)

After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

1- It is possible to recognize the existence of God without having a relationship with him.

a. Nicodemus was a strong believer in the existence of God, but had not been born again.

2- It is possible to recognize his activity without having a relationship with him.

a. Nicodemus recognized God’s activity through Christ’s miracles, but had not been born again.

* Saul of Tarsus experienced the new birth (Acts 9:1-7).

* The Ethiopian Eunuch experienced the new birth (Acts 8:27-40).

C- It is a necessity for entrance into the Kingdom. (John 3:3).

John 3:3 (NLT)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

1- Entrance into God’s Kingdom is not possible without the new birth!

II- THE NEW BIRTH IS A WORK OF GOD. (JOHN 3:3-13).

A- The new birth is heavenly in origin. (John 3:3).

John 3:3 (NLT)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

1- The new birth is divine in origin.

a. γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν - “to be conceived or re-created by a supernatural, divine source; to be born from on high.”

B- The new birth is only accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit in an individual’s life. (John 3:4-13).

John 3:4–7 (NLT)

4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

1- The physical man can only produce that which is physical.

a. Since the fleshly man is spiritually dead and subject to God’s wrath, it cannot give birth to the spiritual life God requires. (Ephesians 2:1-9).

Ephesians 2:1–9 (NLT)

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

2- The Holy Spirit alone can create a new life. He makes you a new creature through the new birth (2 Corinthians 5:17).

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

III- THE NEW BIRTH IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH JESUS’ SACRIFICE. (JOHN 3:14-17).

A- God’s love is for all people. (John 3:16).

John 3:16 (NLT)

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1- God loved the world so much ( οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον)… that means everyone!

B- God’s love prompted a personal sacrifice-His Son. (John 3:16-17).

John 3:16b (NLT)

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1- God’s love caused him to give his one and only Son to pay for our sins.

2- Jesus did not come to judge us, but to save us! (John 3:17).

John 3:17 (NLT)

17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

a. Jesus made it clear that he came to save!

(1) The greek word that means “to save” (σώζων) is used 57 times in the New Testament.

(Luke 19:10).

Luke 19:10 (NLT)

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

IV- THE NEW BIRTH IS MADE A PERSONAL REALITY BY FAITH. (JOHN 3:16, 18-21).

A- One is born-again as they make the choice to believe in the sacrificial death of God’s Son. (John 3:16-17).

John 3:16b (NLT)

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1- Jesus alone is the one who can save! (Acts 4:12).

Acts 4:12 (NLT)

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

(2 Corinthians 5:21).

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)

21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

(1 Peter 3:18)

1 Peter 3:18 (NLT)

18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

2- Making the choice to believe in Him imparts eternal life. ( ζωὴν αἰώνιον = perpetual, never-ending life).

B- The choice is simple:

(John 3:18).

John 3:18 (NLT)

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

1- Believe in Him = not condemned

2- Refuse to believe in Him = condemned

C- The choice is personal, but not private. (John 3:19-21).

John 3:19–21 (NLT)

19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

CONCLUSION:

A- God desires for all people to be saved. (2 Peter 3:9).

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

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