The Wind of Spiritual Birth: Gaining Entrance to God's Kingdom
Journey Through the Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
As we all know, today is Easter. It is the time that we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Scripture, the Holy Spirit defined the gospel as the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. All three actions are key components of what Christ, God’s Son, did for us when He came to earth long ago. As we continue our journey through the Gospel of John, our attention turns to the gospel, the good news of Christ. For those who have been with us in this series, our last message centered around the religious leaders of Israel. They did not accept Christ as Messiah. In fact, they totally rejected Him outright. Even when He continued doing many miraculous works demonstrating His Deity, they refused to acknowledge them. We can debate their reasons all day, but, in the end, it comes down to one basic issue. Men are born already at odds with God.
Today’s text brings us to one of the most important chapters in Scripture. In fact, the most famous verse of all time is found in John chapter 3.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
What is interesting about this chapter is how it begins. Please remember that we ended chapter 2 with Christ’s confrontation of the chief priests and rulers in the Temple. Yet, not every religious leader denied the possibility of Christ as Messiah. In every great crowd where the gospel is presented there is always the possibility that one lost soul will hear and accept its message. So it was with these religious leaders. Among all the chief priests and religious rulers, there was one lost soul that came seeking Christ and His message. We know this man as Nicodemus.
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into 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 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Who was Nicodemus? We do not have a lot of information. We do know that he was a Pharisee and, as such, was a religious ruler of the Jews. The fact that the Holy Spirit identifies him as “a ruler of the Jews” most likely meant he was part of the Sanhedrin. Thus, he was in a very prominent position as a teacher and ruler. The Holy Spirit also records that Nicodemus came to Jesus “by night.” Obviously, the cover of darkness provided concealment to his meeting with Jesus and spared Nicodemus any ridicule he most likely would have recieved from his comrades. It seems that Nicodemus was trying to avoid being seen with Jesus as well as the shame that came with any association with Jesus. I find it interesting that each time the Holy Spirit mentions Nicodemus in the gospel account He notes that Nicodemus was the one came to Jesus by night.
50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
However, what is more interesting is the change in Nicodemus from this chapter, John 3, and the end of the gospel account. By the time, we arrive at Jesus’ arrest and subsequent death, we see Nicodemus coming to Jesus’ defense and the accompanying Joseph of Arimathea when everyone else had fled. We see a man who came timidly to Jesus by night, but, in the end, boldly standing for our Lord when all others had left and forsook Christ. We see a completely changed man. Why is that? What happened?
I believe the answer is found in this chapter.
As we read, Nicodemus came to Jesus expressing a curiosity in his own mind.
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Here was the curiosity! We know you are teacher come from God. In other words, none of us can deny that you are great teacher of the Law and Prophets. Additionally, we cannot deny that you are from God for no one can perform the miracles that you do except God is with him. There was no denial that God’s hand was upon Jesus Christ. That was not the question or the issue. Yet, the Sanhedrin filled with all these religious Pharisees were unable to accept the fact that Jesus Christ was God or even sent from God. Thus, the dilemma that seemed to possess Nicodemus was this. All the evidenced produced by Christ in the form of his teaching and miracles clearly proved that He as a man sent from God. It would seem that Nicodemus decided he would have this settled once and for all by having this private conversation with Christ.
Now note that Christ totally disregarded Nicodemus’ initial statement. Instead, Christ, the Word, Logos, goes straight to the heart of the matter.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
And this is where our message for today begins. Christ emphatically states, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” It is this statement that makes this chapter one of the most important chapters in Scripture. Christ gives the key to entering His kingdom.
Now, before I go an further, let me clarify what is meant by the “kingdom of God.” This is the only instance of this phrase found in John’s gospel. However, it is found many times throughout the entire New Testament. What did Christ mean by this phrase “kingdom of God?” Romans 14:17 is helpful for our understanding.
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Here the Holy Spirit identifies God’s kingdom as one of moral characteristics such as righteousness, peace, and joy. He also notes that it is not about meat and drink. Now note 1 Corinthians 2:10-14
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
In this passage, the Holy Spirit clearly states that the only way to KNOW the things of God is through God’s Spirit. Without the Spirit of God, you cannot KNOW the things of God.
Now, go back to verse 3 to see something important.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
The word “see” is the same Greek word for the word “know.” Thus, Christ was saying that you cannot SEE/KNOW God’s Kingdom unless you are born again. God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. It is not a physical kingdom built upon self satisfaction. No, it is a kingdom where all of its people worship God, fellowship with God, and enjoy the moral righteousness associated with God who is holy.
What is that Christ wants us to know and understand? He wants us to know that there is only one way a person can KNOW the things of God and enter God’s spiritual kingdom. You MUST BE BORN AGAIN. A person must be born a second way to gain spiritual understanding and be part of God’s wonderful kingdom. It is...
The Portal to God’s Kingdom
The Portal to God’s Kingdom
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Nicodemus’ reaction is typical of so many people. Scripture clearly teaches that every person born into this world is born already spiritually blind. They cannot know the things of God. They are ignorant of God’s ways.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Nicodemus was like all others. He was born physically alive, but spiritually blind and ignorant. Thus, his reaction was...
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
I love the patience that Christ has with Nicodemus. He gently responds with...
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
In His answer, Christ clarifies how a person is born again. Note that Christ states, “Except a man be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
There are many who claim that this means a person must be baptized of water and the spirit in order to know and understand the things of God and gain entrance into God’s kingdom. That is not what Christ was teaching here. In fact, Christ clarifies His statement in verse 6 when the says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Simply stated, Christ was saying that each person is born physically the first time. No one will debate the fact that each person born into this world is born of water. Our mothers carried us for nine months in the womb as we floated around in amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is a watery substance that protects a baby during pregnancy. We also know that when a woman’s water breaks it is not long before a baby is born. Thus, the Creator of the Universe makes it clear that we are born of the flesh and of water the first time we are born.
Unfortunately for us, the first birth, the physical birth, is birth of spiritual ignorance and spiritual death. Later, in this same chapter, Christ will declare that everyone born into this world physically is born already condemned.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Over in the book of Romans, the Holy Spirit adds...
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Furthermore, Romans 5:12
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The simple truth is this. God originally created man as perfect and without sin. He placed our father, Adam, in a beautiful garden which was a the perfect paradise. He delegated to Adam authority over everything God created. He then gave Adam one simple command. Do not eat of the tree planted in the midst of the garden known as the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. That was it. There was nothing hard or complicated about that command. Later, Satan came along and challenged God’s command planting within Eve’s mind the possibility that God lied about truth of the tree. Both Eve and Adam fell for Satan’s treachery and disobeyed God by eating of the very tree they were instructed not to eat. In doing so, as Romans 5:12 notes, sin came into the world. The result of sin was spiritual death. On that day, man did not die physically even though the curse of physical death was introduced. Instead, God separated Himself from man for God could not tolerate their sin since He is a holy God. Death is nothing more than separation. Thus, on that day, Adam died spiritually. Death passed upon all men. Adam’s sons were born spiritually dead.
ILLUSTRATION: This is simple to illustrate. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned. We know this is true by the sin that is prevalent in the world today. People lie, cheat, and steal. They do everything morally wrong. We know this is their nature. Most good parents spend the majority of their time teaching their kids to be truthful, honest, and mindful of others. Why is that? Many argue that people are innately good. Really? If that is true, why all evil acts and wickedness in this world. Every person born into the world is born already with a natural tendency to do wrong. They are born with sin nature. We sin because we are sinners. Just as dog barks because it is a dog, so we sin because we are sinners.
Christ knew this for He is God. Thus, His response to Nicodemus was “you must be born again.” Christ knew that Nicodemus was completely unable to understand anything about Himself as God for Nicodemus was spiritually dead. Yes, he was physically alive and capable of carrying on a full conversation with God. However, Nicodemus along with all the other people born into this world was incapable of fully understanding Christ and His Deity. He was spiritually dead. He, along with all others, needed spiritual birth.
There is a second birth that every person must experience in order to gain access to God’s kingdom. It is a spiritual birth.
In the very next chapter, John 4, Christ meets a woman by a well. In His conversation with her, He says something of great significance.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
I already read for you 1 Corinthians 2:10
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
You see the only way Nicodemus could understand the spiritual things of God who is a Spirit and must be worship in spirit is through spiritual birth. It remains the same for everyone born into this world. It is the reason why Christ came to earth. He came so that He might die so that we might have spiritual life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Thus, to enter God’s kingdom and gain understanding of God’s ways, each person must be born again of the Spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
How then does one experience spiritual birth?
Spiritual birth comes by accepting Christ as your personal Savior. That was the whole point of this conversation. A point that was completely summed up by John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Christ came for one reason alone. He came to give His life for your sin. You see God, who is holy, demands that a sacrifice by made for sin. This sacrifice had to meet God’s requirement. A perfect and completely blemish free sacrifice was the only acceptable sacrifice. Additionally, the shedding of blood was a required. There is not a man born into this world who could meet God’s demands outside of God’s own Son. That is why Christ, God only begotten Son, came into this world. He was the only One who could meet the requirements. He took upon Himself the form of man. He became flesh through the birth of a virgin woman. He lived a sinless life. Then, as we are remembering and observing today, He willing gave Himself as payment for our sin by dying upon the cross of Calvary.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Being “born again” means you accept all that Christ had done for you. It means you understand that He became flesh and blood so that you could live spiritually and enter into a spiritual relationship with Him. He came so that He might deliver from lifetime of bondage to sin and from the fear of death. For all those who accept Him receive freedom from sin and eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The only way to gain access of God’s kingdom is through Jesus Christ. The person who truly believes (has faith) is the person is born again of the Spirit. They experience spiritual birth.
The Perfect Illustration of Spiritual Birth
The Perfect Illustration of Spiritual Birth
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Christ utilized the wind as the perfect illustration of spiritual birth.
What is the significance of the wind in explaining spiritual birth?
The Perks of Spiritual Birth
The Perks of Spiritual Birth
What are the perks of being spiritually “born again?”
You Gain Entrance to God’s Kingdom
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You Become a Member of God’s Family
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You Forever Live Spiritually Alive with the Promise of a Glorified Body.
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You are Given God’s Spirit to Indwell You.
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Why is this important to me?
Conclusion
Conclusion
Recap the importance of spiritual rebirth.
Share final thoughts on how to attain spiritual rebirth and enter God’s Kingdom.