The New Birth

[SLIDE 1] Introduction

If you have your Bible, then please turn to John 3:1-15.

My Excitement About This Passage

John 3:1–15 ESV

1 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? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Illustration

This passage in John’s gospel is important in our discussion on the topic of the “New Birth.”

This is the text where Christians talk about being born-again.

This is also known as the doctrine of regeneration.

[SLIDE 2] Regeneration teaches that a spiritually dead sinner experiences spiritual transformation and becomes spiritually alive solely by the work of the Holy Spirit.

[SLIDE 3] And, it is fitting then that the main point of this message is this: “You Must Be Born Again!”

We’re just going to jump right into the passage and examine the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus on the New Birth.

Context

Exposition

Take a look at verses 1-2. We are introduced to the man who dialogues with Jesus.

Off the bat, we are told in verse 1 that his name is Nicodemus.

His name is rather common among Jews and Gentiles, but it is more of a Greek name than a Hebrew name.

Nicodemus is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament besides the Gospel of John.

In this chapter alone, we are told that Nicodemus is identified as three things:

First, a Pharisee.

A Pharisee was a Jewish religious leader that strictly followed the law and the tradition of his ancestors.

Because he’s a Pharisee, he (and other Pharisees) believed that he had the right of entrance into the kingdom of God.

Second, a ruler of the Jews.

It refers to a member of the Jewish governing body called the Sanhedrin, the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews.

The Sanhedrin would have comprised of 70 men in the council: consisting of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the High Priest.

The Sanhedrin were like the Senates and MPS of our day.

Third, the teacher of Israel in verse 10.

Jesus recognized that Nicodemus was NOT JUST A teacher. He was no ordinary teacher. He’s not like your Sunday school teacher.

He was THE teacher of Israel, the theologian, the Bible scholar, the par excellence of the religious leader in the Hebrew Scripture.

If anyone wanted to learn the way of Judaism, then approach Nicodemus.

Based on his prestige, Nicodemus would not go to anyone to learn the Bible, but he does go to Jesus by night and speaks to him in John 3:2.

Now, why did Nicodemus come to Jesus, particularly at night?

We cannot be too certain as to why he came to Jesus at night.

Some would suggest that the Jewish rabbis studied and debated with each other long into the night.

And since Nicodemus and Jesus were teachers, this may not be unusual.

Others would suggest that it’s embarrassing for Nicodemus to talk to Jesus during broad daylight as the teacher of the Israel.

So, to avoid being seen by others, he went to Jesus by night.

Although it doesn’t seem like he went to Jesus by himself because he says in the middle of verse 2: “Rabbi, WE know...”

Either Nicodemus’ own disciples were with him…OR he was a representative for the rulers of the Jews.

John intentionally mentioned “night” for a reason.

There is no doubt that Nicodemus came physically to Jesus at night.

The word, “night,” may also reveal his spiritual status, which is darkness.

And through his conversation with Jesus, he would be exposed with the truth by the Light of the world.

Nicodemus recognizes that Jesus was a Rabbi, which means teacher in Aramaic.

He also recognizes that Jesus comes from God.

Why is that? Look at the end of verse 2.

It is because “no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Now, the signs that Nicodemus may have been referring to were the ones that Jesus performed at the Passover Feast in Jerusalem in John 2:23.

Nicodemus might have seen Jesus’ signs.

He acknowledges and recognizes that Jesus was no ordinary teacher.

He’s a teacher who came from God.

Not only did Jesus come from God, but God was precisely with Him when He performed the signs.

So, even though Nicodemus recognizes the uniqueness of Jesus, he still cannot fully understand who He is and what it means that Jesus is from God.

Why is that?

I suggest that it is precisely because he’s in darkness and cannot understand “the heavenly things.”

Take a look at verse 3. Jesus launches on the topic of the New Birth.

John 3:3 ESV

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus says, “truly, truly, I say to you.”

This phrase from Jesus is repeated 25 times in this gospel.

In fact, the Greek word for, “truly,” is Amen.

Jesus says, “Amen, Amen, Lego Soi.”

Some of your translations may say “I tell you the truth” or “very truly I tell you.”

What Jesus is about to say to Nicodemus is the solemn truth.

So, Nicodemus needs to pay attention because Jesus is speaking with authority and authenticity.

Jesus makes a startling conditional statement to Nicodemus: unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

If you’re not born again, you cannot see and enter the kingdom of God.

But, if you’re born again, you can see and enter.

Now, take a look at verse 4. Nicodemus responds to Jesus with some questions.

How can a man be born when he is old.

Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?

Nicodemus interpreted Jesus’ statement as rather absurd and impossible from his perspective.

Now, you may remember at the end of John 2 where Jesus cleansed the temple and told the Jews to destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

The Jews interpreted Jesus’s word literally, but Jesus meant the temple of His body.

Similarly, Nicodemus interpreted Jesus’ statement literally to mean being born a second time from his mother’s womb.

But, Jesus was using figures of speech.

Jesus often spoke in figurative speech to his audience, but his audience took his speech and interpret it literally.

Here, in verses 5-8, Jesus responds to Nicodemus’ misunderstanding by explaining in detail what He means by being born again.

We’ll learn six lessons regarding the New Birth.

[SLIDE 4] First, the New Birth is the transformative work of the Holy Spirit (v.5).

John 3:5 ESV

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.

Jesus is essentially saying the same thing back in verse 3, but He’s being more specific.

What did Jesus mean by being born of water and the Spirit?

Roman Catholics wrongly interpret this to mean water baptism.

In other words, they teach (and other ignorant people in the church) that water baptism is a necessity for being born again or salvation.

This is also known as baptismal regeneration.

At OBC, we absolutely reject baptismal regeneration.

Now, that’s not to suggest that baptism isn’t important, but that’s not what Jesus is talking about here.

Verse 5 is the only time Jesus talks about water in this conversation, but He talks about the Spirit a lot more.

So, how should we understand verse 5 and its meaning?

If you jump to verses 9-10, Nicodemus doesn’t understand what Jesus meant.

And Jesus rebukes him because Nicodemus, as the teacher of Israel, does not even understand these things?

In other words, Nicodemus, who was knowledgable of the OT, does not even know that Jesus’ teaching is found in the OT.

The Old Testament is the clue for understanding verse 5.

Turn to Ezekiel 36:25-27. This is passage that Jesus is alluding to where the LORD promises the New Covenant to the house of Judah.

Ezekiel 36:25–27 ESV

25 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. 26 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. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

God promised Ezekiel that there will be a restoration of God’s people whereby He would cleanse His people from all impurity and He will transform them by giving them a new heart.

All those are done by the giving of the Holy Spirit.

God will remove their heart of stone that is stubborn, arrogant, and unresponsive, and He will give them a heart of flesh that is responsive and hungering for God.

Such transformation results in the new birth, or the new nature, or the new creation.

By the giving of the Holy Spirit, God will cause His people to obey and love Him.

Therefore, to be born of the water and the Spirit is to be cleansed/purified and transformed by the Holy Spirit, and be given a new spiritual life.

That’s why Jesus says “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

It is only the Holy Spirit who can produce true spiritual life, regenerate your spiritual deadness, and cause the new birth.

Therefore, unless the Holy Spirit regenerates you and causes you to be born again, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.

To elaborate on the work of the Holy Spirit, we’ll learn the 2nd point.

[SLIDE 5] Second, the New Birth is accomplished by the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit (v.8)

Jesus is comparing the wind with the spirit to explain the physical and spiritual reality of not seeing and knowing the natural and supernatural workings.

Jesus describes one thing about the wind: it blows where it wishes.

From a human sense, we can hear the sound of the wind.

We can also see the effect of the wind: blowing on the grass and trees.

We can evidently see the effect of the wind, but we ultimately cannot control the wind.

Similarly, we cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit, but we can see the effect of the Holy Spirit in causing someone to be born again.

D.A Carson comments, “Where the Spirit works, the effects are undeniable and unmistakable.”

But, here’s the question: What are the effects of the Spirit’s work?

There should be an undeniable evidence that a Christian is radically different from the world.

There should be an undeniable evidence that a Christian has a growing love for the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, growing in love for God’s people and for the lost, and a growing hatred for sin and worldliness.

Those undeniable pieces of evidence are the effect and work of the Holy Spirit in a regenerate believer.

I can say in my testimony of conversion, I believe God in His grace caused me to be born again instantenously sometime in 2007.

‌He gave me new life.

He gifted me faith and repentance.

God radically transformed my life from the inside out and made me alive in Christ.

I know that God changed me because He has given me a hunger for His word.

He has given me the courage to get baptized not too long after He saved me.

And I know He has give me desire to follow Him no matter the cost.

Having been a Christian for almost 17 years, I know that God has been growing me spiritually and I’m no longer the same person 5-10 years ago.

The point of the wind analogy is that human beings cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit.

The work of regeneration is only the work of God in renewing the hearts of men.

The origin of the new birth is not found in human decision or human will.

Which leads us to the 3rd point regarding the New Birth.

[SLIDE 6] Third, the New Birth is not accomplished by human will and efforts (v.6).

Jesus says at the beginning of verse 6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.”

This is talking about the physical birth of a human being.

Only humans between a man and woman, through sexual union, can produce a human life.

If you turn back to John’s prologue, John 1:12-13 helps us understand this verse better.

John 1:12–13 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

What both passages are essentially saying is that no matter who we are, where we come from, and what we do, we absolutely cannot contribute to our new birth.

Not through the priests.

Not through some altar calls.

Not by being born in a Christian family, growing up in the church, or attending Christian schools.

Not through personal efforts, good morals, and good deeds.

Regeneration is the monergistic will of God.

In other words, regeneration is exclusively the work of the Holy Spirit.

According to James 1:18, James says, “Of his own will he brought us forth (same word for causing us to be born again) by the word of God.

And the way He does that work of regeneration is by the proclamation of God’s word.

So, as you are listening to the word of truth being preached, you’re at the mercy and grace of God’s own will to cause you to be born again.

[SLIDE 7] Fourth, the New Birth is required for entrance into the kingdom of God. (v.7)

John 3:7 ESV

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Jesus says this to Nicodemus, “Don’t be surprise. Don’t be astonished.”

Why?

Nicodemus, you should about this truth.

It’s in the Old Testament.

You must be born again.

And by the way, that “you” is plural. The KJV would say, “YE must be born again.”

So, Jesus must be speaking to Nicodemus, to the Jews, to the rulers of the Jews, to the nation of Israel, but not for them only…but also for all people.

If you’re not a Christian, then Jesus is speaking to YOU.

You Must Be Born Again if you want to have eternal life.

Being born again is not an option.

It is not for the 1st tier Christians where they ascended into greater spiritual maturity or radicalness in their Christian life.

No. Being born again is essential to your salvation because all genuine believers are born again.

If you’re not born-again, you’re essentially not going to heaven.

[SLIDE 8] Fifth, the New Birth is unbelievable for the unregenerate (vv.9-12)

How does Nicodemus respond to Jesus’ teaching?

Nicodemus responds to Jesus with a question, “how can these things be?”

And maybe that’s your response as well!

And his question is an expression of shock at Jesus’ biblical teachings on the new birth.

He needs to be born again, born with water and Spirit, or to experience regeneration to enter and see the kingdom of God.

He has never heard of this kind of absolute condition and requirement to enter the kingdom of God.

His question could also show his doubt, perplexity, and unbelief that such condition is even Scriptural.

But Jesus rebukes Nicodemus in verse 10: “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?”

Now, I have no doubt that Nicodemus knew the Old Testament very well.

As the teacher of Israel, he might have memorized the entire Old Testament in Hebrew.

But apart from the regenerate work of the Holy Spirit, all of his religious learnings would become useless because he is not able to see that Scripture points to the One whom he’s speaking to.

John 5:39. Jesus speaks to the religious leaders and tells them this.

John 5:39 ESV

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,

It is possible that you can study the Bible, go to seminary or get theological education, and still miss that Jesus Christ is the theme of the Scripture.

Not only did Nicodemus fail to understand Jesus’ teachings, but he also failed to receive Jesus’ words.

John 3:11 ESV

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.

Now, the “we” here that Jesus is using might best be referring to himself and God the Father.

Whatever Jesus speaks, knows, and testifies, it is in complete alignment with the Father’s will.

It’s not just Nicodemus who failed to receive Jesus’ biblical truths because Jesus is using the plural “you” here.

Nicodemus, the Sandredrins (or the rulers of the Jews), the Pharisees, the religious leaders, and the nation of Israel fail to trust and believe in the testimony of Jesus.

Furthermore, Jesus makes another statement that seems to hit the heart of the issue in verse 12.

John 3:12 ESV

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

What is the earthly things that Jesus is speaking of?

The earthly things that Jesus was referring to was what He was teaching to Nicodemus in the previous passage: the new birth.

He was using the earthly things, such as the natural birth and the wind, to illustrate the doctrine of regeneration.

What Jesus is getting at here is that the new birth is a reality that takes place in a sinner on earth (i.e. while they’re still alive).

If Nicodemus cannot comprehend and believe in the illustrations regarding the new birth, then how can Jesus explain to him the heavenly things.

But what are the heavenly things?

The most probable explanation is found in verses 13 and onward where Jesus explains to Nicodemus about salvation and the necessity to believe in the Son of Man in order to have eternal life.

[SLIDE 9] Sixth, the New Birth must be understood through Jesus’ heavenly perspective (vv.13-15)

Jesus says in verse 13:

John 3:13 ESV

13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

Jesus insists that no one has ascended to heaven in such a way to talk about the heavenly things.

But only Jesus can speak of heavenly things, not because He ascended to heaven from home on earth and then descended back to earth to tell others of His experience, but because heaven was His home in the first place.

And why is it important that Jesus came from heaven?

Let’s suppose that you want to travel to Japan and learn about the Japanese culture.

Who would you consult?

You would likely consult someone who has lived in Japan, someone who knows the language, customs, and the culture.

The most reliable guide would be someone born and raised in Japan, or someone who has immersed themselves deeply in the culture for years.

Someone who came down from heaven would know EXACTLY the will of God (Jn 6:46).

And Jesus came down from heaven as the bread of life to do the will of God and reveal the will of God to us because He and the Father are One. (Jn 6:38).

Jesus came to speak authoritatively about heavenly things precisely because He descended from heaven.

Jesus Christ came down from heaven to earth so that He can bring us as His redeemed people from earth to heaven.

Or, as Dr. Steve Lawson said, “Jesus had to come to earth because we could not pull ourselves up to heaven.”

To complete his point about salvation, Jesus appeals to the Old Testament to illustrate something to Nicodemus.

As Nicodemus listens to Jesus’ illustration, there should be no excuse for him not to understand the heavenly things.

Take a look at verses 14-15.

John 3:14–15 ESV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

In this passage, the Apostle John makes a comment that refers back to Numbers 21:4-9 when the Israelites were in rebellion against Moses in the wilderness because they were impatient during their travels.

Because of their rebellion, God brought judgment upon His people by sending fiery serpents to bite them.

Afterwards, the Israelites repented of their sins and wanted remedy.

So, God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole, so that if anyone who was bitten would look at the bronze serpent, they will live.

Jesus is saying that the bronze serpent is a type or a foreshadowing figure that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

The point is this: Those who looked in faith to the serpent in the wilderness were healed physically (not by works). And those who look in faith to the lifted up Son of Man will have eternal life (healed spiritually).

Jesus would be lifted up on the cross, to die on the cross for His people.

Whoever believes in Him would have eternal life.

Their healing would be spiritual healing: eternal life, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God.

Application

[SLIDE 10] So, what happened to Nicodemus after his conversation with Jesus?

Nicodemus is not only mentioned in this chapter, but he’s also mentioned in John 7:50-51.

Nicodemus sort of “defended” Jesus by upholding the law and giving Jesus a fair hearing when he was threatened to be arrested.

Quite possibly, Nicodemus has yet to become a believer in the Lord Jesus

However, Nicodemus did not entirely close himself off to the claims of Jesus.

He may still be trying to seek, question, and understand Jesus even more before he can make a final decision.

Turn to John 19:38-40. After Jesus’ death on the cross, Nicodemus was involved in the burial of Jesus.

John 19:38–40 ESV

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

Being a Pharisee, Nicodemus wouldn’t have touched the body of Jesus because that’ll make him ceremonially unclean. But, he no longer cares.

I think the fact that Nicodemus participated in Jesus’ burial may show that he finally came to know and believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God because the Holy Spirit caused him to be born again.

The Holy Spirit opened Nicodemus’ heart so that he would receive Jesus Christ as His Lord and Saviour.

Conclusion

[SLIDE 11] So, what we have learned in this passage?

Main Point: You must be born again if you want to see and enter the kingdom of God.

[SLIDE 12] We have learned five lessons regarding the New Birth:

The New Birth is the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. (v.5)

The New Birth is accomplished by the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. (v.8)

The New Birth is not accomplished by human will and efforts. (v.6)

The New Birth is required for entrance into the kingdom of God. (v.7)

The New Birth is unbelievable for the unregenerate (vv.9-12)

The New Birth must be understood through Jesus’ heavenly perspective (vv.13-15)

Is the Holy Spirit doing a supernatural work in your heart this morning?

Is He convicting you of sin and calling you to repentance and faith in Christ?

Is He opening your eyes to see your depravity and wickedness, and reveal to you your need for a Saviour to save you from the wrath to come?

[SLIDE 13] May the LORD write His Eternal Truth in your heart...