Nicodemus

Conversations with Christ:

Nicodemus

(John 3:1-21)

Logan Peters

Introduction:

1. With only two lessons left in our series, we want to notice Nicodemus's and Christ's conversation about the new birth.

2. Multiple aspects of this account are directly related to salvation.

3. We must all understand this topic because it is imperative to our salvation and what exactly happens in the new birth.

4. It is not the point of our lesson this morning, but as we walk through this study, notice the attitude of Jesus and how He teaches Nicodemus.

5. This is not something earthly, but something that is heavenly–it is directly linked to man’s salvation.

6. If you have been baptized and are saved, do not check out of this lesson because we are going to notice things that we should be doing and need to examine our own lives and make sure we are living in the way that Jesus describes in our passage.

The new birth…

I. Is Required For Salvation (John 3:1-5).

A. First, we want to notice Nicodemus’ desire to speak with Jesus and understand more of what He said.

1. There is much speculation about the reasoning as to why Nicodemus came to Jesus at night; we simply do not know because it is not revealed to us.

2. Nicodemus came looking for Christ and answers.

a. A major key to understanding what one must do to be saved is that one must seek to learn about salvation.

b. Men will not have the experience of Paul, where Jesus will come to us directly and tell us what to do (Acts 9).

c. The Holy Spirit will not come upon us and save us as some denominations believe.

d. Paul admonished those listening to him on Mars Hill to seek after God and obey because of the judgment day coming (Acts 17:22-31).

3. If we desire to know what God desires for us to do, both in life and in spiritual matters, there is only one source that we can go to: the Word.

a. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, men have written the Scriptures, which give us all answers to everything we need to know (2 Pet. 1:3).

b. We must be like Nicodemus and go to the source!

B. This account is not simply a history lesson, but Christ reveals how this rebirth is necessary for salvation (John 3:3-5).

1. It cannot be any clearer than this: if you do not follow what I am commanding, then you will not inherit the kingdom.

2. Baptism is the point we become sanctified and justified (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

a. Sanctification is being set apart from the world in Christ.

b. Paul was told he would teach the Gentiles so that they could be sanctified (Acts 26:18).

c. We are justified, just if I’d never sinned (Rom. 5:1)–the gospel system of faith.

3. Baptism puts us back into a pure state (Tit. 3:5).

4. If Calvinism states that we are sinners as soon as we are born, then what are we regenerated to?  We are not regenerated back into sin, but back to a place where we are pure, like we were when we were children.

II. Is Through Water and the Spirit (John 3:5-8).

A. Jesus gives an exact formula for how one can be born again (John 3:5).

1. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we have the written word of God (John 16:12-15).

a. The Word of God is all sufficient and holds all that we need (2 Tim. 3:16).

b. The Holy Spirit uses the message (Eph. 6:17).

2. How are we born of the water and the Spirit?

a. When we obey what the Holy Spirit has said by obeying the commands given to us through the word of God, and are baptized for the remission of our sins, we are born of the water and the Spirit.

b. This is not a miraculous thing, but a submission to God and His commands.

3. Something about my spirit needs to be reborn (Psalm 51:10).

a. We need an internal rebirth, so the part of me that controls my lusts and my carnal desires is reborn.

b. (1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 6:12).

B. If we have been born of the water and the Spirit, there is going to be evidence of the change that took place (John 3:6-8).

1. This change is inward, but there will be signs that are visible of the change.

a. We cannot physically see the wind while we are outside, but we can see the effects of it.

b. We cannot see into someone’s spirit to know if they have been born again, but there will be effects of it.

2. There will be outside changes in how we act, talk, and treat others.

III. Is a Gift of Grace (John 3:9-21).

A. Nicodemus is still struggling to understand how this is something spiritual and not physical (John 3:9).

1. Jesus explains to him how just as sure as Moses lifted up that serpent, Christ would be lifted up in crucifixion (John 3:13-14; John 12:32-33).

2. It was completely in the plan of God for Jesus to be crucified and to be the sacrifice for the sins of man.

B. Now Jesus will explain to Nicodemus the grace of God (John 3:15-21).

1. God loves man so much that He was willing to send His Son to die in our place on the cross (John 3:15-16); this is not faith-only because if you go back just a few verses, Jesus just explained to Nicodemus about baptism.

a. We did not deserve His sacrifice.

b. He was innocent and did not deserve the death on the cross.

c. Whenever we think about the death of Jesus, we need to realize that you and I were the ones who deserved the death that He endured.

2. God gave His Son to die on the cross so that you and I could have a choice (John 3:17-18).

a. If we believe, then we should be willing to fully obey by putting on Christ in baptism (Mark 16:16).

b. Those who do not believe are condemned already because there is no hope for them.

c. Those who do not believe are not going to be baptized, they are not going to follow God; they are lost.

d. The one who believes is moving in the right direction of completing the plan of salvation as God has set forth, and can be saved from his sins.

Conclusion (John 3:19-21):

1. The perfect light came into the world, and He was rejected because men love darkness and love their evil deeds; they hate the light.

2. If we become obedient to God and obey what He has commanded us to do, we can come to the light.

3. We can come to a place where our sins are forgiven.

4. Obedience moves us from darkness into the light of God (1 Pet. 2:9-10).

5. Are you like Nicodemus and are searching for an answer?

6. Have your questions been answered this morning, and are you now ready to make a change?

7. Our God makes it clear what we should do.

8. Are you ready to take the necessary steps to the new birth where your spirit is reborn and you can rise and walk in the manner God calls for us?