Untitled Sermon

Sermon Opening (Revised)

I want to begin this morning by apologizing. I’m asking you to do something a little different—a moment of reflection. Please close your eyes, and promise to open them again when I’m done. Place yourself in this story as I speak. Keep your eyes closed and focus deeply.

Take a deep breath. Imagine the scent of dusty dirt roads, cool brisk air, and farm animals nearby. Hear the wind blowing gently past your face, the muffled sound of sheep in the distance, tree branches swaying, fabric flapping, and wicker baskets tapping against a building. Feel the hard, cold, dusty road beneath your bare feet—it hasn’t rained in a long time. It’s dark, the sky is clear, and you can see the stars. Nearby, oil lamps flicker. Now, open your eyes. Today, we’ll read from John chapter 3, verses 1 through 21.

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] 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[b] 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.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] 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[f] 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.[g] 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.[h]

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,[i] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Let us pray over the Word this morning. Lord, thank you for sending your Son, for giving us Your Word, and for the community to share it. Please direct us, guide us in Your wisdom, and give us ears to hear and eyes to see what You would have for us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I like to set the tone when reading this passage, because John describes a profound event in one of the most peaceful environments imaginable. The peace of the night sky contrasts sharply with the inner turmoil of Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a respected educator, mentor, and leader. We don’t know everything about his life—what led him here, who influenced him, or why his heart is opening now. He has status, degrees, memorized scripture, and people come to him for answers. Yet, he saw something he didn’t understand. What you think you know can keep you from what you ought to know. Being a true scholar, Nicodemus sought answers.

When Nicodemus meets Jesus, he does so in the peace of night. Jesus doesn’t praise his resume or knowledge. Instead, Jesus says, “You cannot see the Kingdom of God unless you are born again.” It’s impossible to understand the Kingdom by flesh; only by the Spirit. This baffles Nicodemus—born again? He thinks of literal rebirth. “How can a grown man crawl back into the womb?” Really, Nicodemus? You’ve lived your life in symbols and metaphors, and now you take this literally? What you think you know can keep you from what you ought to know.

Wisdom is a wonderful gift. True wisdom, rooted in God’s truth, is something to cherish. But we must ensure it is actually God’s truth, not just our own understanding. Human wisdom can build walls—walls that keep new ideas out and old assumptions in, keeping the Spirit at arm’s length. The risk is getting stuck in comfort: “I already know all there is to know.” Sometimes God calls us to understand heavenly things that don’t fit our expectations. Do we block this out?

Nicodemus isn’t foolish—he’s just full. Too full to receive anything new, unwilling to let go of what he thought he knew for the truth. But Jesus is patient. He tries again, using an analogy: “The wind blows where it wants.” You don’t control the Spirit. You don’t predict or manage it. Nothing you do controls the Spirit. Nicodemus should recognize this from his studies.

Old Testament Example: In 1 Samuel 16:13, “The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day forward.” The Spirit moved freely, resting on whom God chose, not by human control.

Nicodemus still doesn’t get it, despite reading these scriptures. He’s wise in the flesh, but not in God’s wisdom. Jesus speaks a simple truth: to enter the Kingdom, one must be born of the Spirit. The Spirit must rest within, and that happens through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the gift of the Spirit. God’s grace saves us, not our knowledge or understanding.

There’s another story right after this in John 3. If you want to dig deeper, read chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 together. There’s a pattern: Nicodemus comes by night, hesitates, takes time to become a disciple. In the next chapter, a woman with no education or status meets Jesus in broad daylight and gets it in minutes, immediately spreading the word. Why? Her heart was tender, empty in spirit—the perfect condition for revelation. Nicodemus had knowledge and credentials; the Samaritan woman had brokenness, openness, hunger, and questions. Jesus works with that.

Here’s the bottom line: What you think you know can keep you from what you ought to know. Longevity isn’t the same as teachability. Experience isn’t the same as openness to God’s Word. Knowledge isn’t the same as sight. Nicodemus had knowledge, but not sight. Jesus says, “Unless you are born again in the Spirit, you cannot see.” Not unless you’re smart or experienced, but unless you’re open, humbled, and willing.

Craig Keener’s Commentary: “Nicodemus, though a teacher of Israel, must become a disciple; the new birth is not a matter of status or knowledge, but of spiritual transformation.”John 3 Sermon

We are never finished learning. What you think you know can keep you from what you ought to know. God’s desire to teach us is ongoing, and what God wants to reveal is always tailored to the unique circumstances we find ourselves in—rooted in His truth, not just our own assumptions. Don’t presume you know exactly what God would have you do; instead, take your thoughts and beliefs and continually run them against God’s Word and Spirit. Especially in a world plagued by sin and confusion, where truth is often distorted and no one can fully discern what is real or not, remember: God is real. Love God more than your own ideology. Let His truth shape your heart, your actions, and your understanding—never stop seeking, never stop listening, and never stop letting God surprise you.

So, Jesus asks every Nicodemus in the room: Are you willing to let God teach you something new today? Are you willing to let the Spirit flow in ways you didn’t expect? Are you willing to loosen your grip on what you think you know and be surprised again? The Kingdom of God is for the soft-hearted, ready to be mended by God—not for the spiritually full, but for the spiritually poor.

Nicodemus didn’t get it that night, but he didn’t walk away forever. He shows up again in John 7, defending Jesus, and in John 19, carrying spices to bury Jesus. Somewhere between confusion and surrender, Nicodemus is born again. It took time, wrestling, letting go of pride and old knowledge—but he got there. So can we. The Spirit is still blowing, still surprising, teaching, and renewing. Are you still open?

Closing Prayer and Benediction:

Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit. Help us to remain teachable, humble, and open to Your truth. May we seek wisdom that is truly Yours, and not just our own understanding. Fill us anew with Your Spirit, and guide us in Your ways. May the peace of Christ go with you, the wisdom of God fill you, and the Spirit lead you into all truth. Amen.

As you leave today, go forth with courage and confidence in Gods transformative work in even you. Trust that God equips you for every challenge and every opportunity. Let His Spirit guide you, His wisdom strengthen you, and His truth anchor you. Step boldly into the world, knowing you are called even now, not just to endure, but to overcome. Love God more than your own way of thinking, and let His love shine through you in all you do. Go forth with power and grace of God within you.