Curious Minds

Title: Born of the Spirit: Moving from Curiosity to Rebirth

Text: John 3:1–9

I. Curiosity Sparked by the Signs (vv. 1–2)

Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night—curious, cautious, and respectful. He recognizes Jesus as a teacher “come from God” because of the signs He performs.

There’s a parallel here to John 1:9–12, where Jesus is described as the Light who was in the world, and though the world didn’t recognize Him, there were some who did. Nicodemus represents one of those few who sees something different, something divine.

And here's where we bring this into our own cultural moment: We are living in a spiritually curious generation.

Studies on Gen Z consistently show that many are spiritually open. They are willing to have conversations about God and are curious about Jesus—not institutional religion, but something real. In that way, they are modern-day Nicodemuses: educated, skeptical, and surrounded by competing ideologies—yet still intrigued by what seems undeniably supernatural.

So here’s the question for the Church: What in our lives gives evidence of the signs of Jesus? What might spark curiosity in someone today the way Jesus’ life did for Nicodemus?

[Insert a personal story or example of someone being drawn to faith through a visible “sign” in a believer’s life—peace, healing, transformation, forgiveness, joy in suffering]

Nicodemus’ curiosity was a start—but it wasn’t enough. Jesus doesn’t just affirm his interest—He challenges it.

II. Rebirth as the Requirement to See (v. 3)

Jesus cuts straight to the heart:

“Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The verb “see” is key here—it’s not just about physically observing but perceiving spiritual reality. Spiritual birth is a prerequisite for spiritual sight.

This echoes John 1:13: those who are born, “not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or the will of man, but of God.”

We don’t begin the journey of faith with understanding—it begins with surrender. God must open our eyes to the kingdom. This rebirth is not something we manufacture. We don’t will ourselves into spiritual life. We must be “born of God.”

[Insert analogy or story: physical birth vs. spiritual birth. Highlight the complete dependence of a newborn.]

III. Misunderstanding the Spiritual for the Physical (v. 4)

Nicodemus responds:

“How can anyone be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

It sounds absurd—but it reveals his framework. He’s thinking physically, logically. He cannot yet grasp the spiritual dimension Jesus is pointing to.

This is spiritual blindness, and it’s not unique to him. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a teacher of the Law. He knew Israel’s Scriptures, traditions, and history. Yet his spiritual eyes were closed.

As a Jew, Nicodemus also believed he was already a child of God by birth. His identity was rooted in heritage—he was born into the chosen people. But Jesus challenges this assumption. Being born Jewish is not the same as being born again.

Again, John 1:12–13 speaks directly to this:

"But to all who did receive him... who were born, not of natural descent... but of God."

This has massive implications for the Church today. We cannot rely on our upbringing, our denominational affiliation, or moral track record. We need a supernatural rebirth through the Spirit.

[Insert personal story or example: trusting religious background instead of spiritual renewal.]

And again, we come back to our current generation. Many today are asking spiritual questions. Gen Z is open—but they’re not impressed by performance-based religion. They’re looking for the real thing. The supernatural. They’re not asking, “What church do you go to?” They’re asking, “Is there something about you that I can’t explain?”

Just as Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus by the signs, people today are drawn to evidence of God’s Spirit in us.

What signs are we giving off? Not miracles in the flashy sense, but love, joy, peace, forgiveness, transformation—things that can’t be faked.

IV. Rebirth Through the Spirit, Not Flesh (vv. 5–8)

Jesus now clarifies the source of rebirth:

“Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

We move from seeing to entering—a deeper participation in God’s kingdom life.

To be born of the Spirit is to be made new from within. Jesus draws a sharp contrast: “Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Spiritual rebirth isn’t a self-improvement project—it’s a total transformation initiated and completed by God.

And like the wind, the Spirit is mysterious and uncontrollable:

“You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.”

You can’t package the Spirit. You can’t schedule or simulate Him. But you can see the effects—like wind rustling the leaves, the Spirit transforms lives in visible, tangible ways.

[Insert analogy or story of trying to control spiritual growth versus surrendering to the Spirit’s leading]

V. The Call to Surrender, Not to Strive (vv. 9 and beyond)

Nicodemus asks again:

“How can these things be?”

His question echoes our modern skepticism. Sometimes it’s genuine curiosity. Other times it’s an attempt to explain away what we don’t understand.

We must let Jesus’ words settle deeply:

“You must be born again.”

This isn’t a spiritual metaphor to be mastered. It’s a spiritual reality to be received.

The Spirit leads—our role is to follow.

Our performance-driven culture—even within the Church—often resists this. We want formulas, steps, control. But Jesus calls us to trust the wind of the Spirit.

Conclusion: Living as Signs of the Spirit’s Work

The story of Nicodemus ends quietly, but it doesn’t end here. Later, we see him defending Jesus (John 7) and preparing His body for burial (John 19)—evidence that something shifted. The wind moved.

Our world is still asking, like Nicodemus, “How can this be?”

May our lives bear the signs of the Spirit’s work—so clearly, so humbly, so supernaturally—that they draw curious seekers to the feet of Jesus.

[Insert final challenge or story of transformation to call listeners to trust the Spirit’s work and surrender control]