You Must Be Born Again
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I want to thank you for inviting me to open the word of God and proclaim to you what the Lord has in store for us. It is always a delight for me to come back to this church and preach.
As you may know, the Lord has blessed me and Alison with a daughter. Her name is Alethia Jade Wong. The past week and a half have been a roller coaster. If you have been on a roller coaster, then you may know that the beginning of the ride is a great anticipation for the fun that is yet to come. Once the roller coaster gets up to the peak, down you go and enjoy the ride. If you’re a first-time parent, then you know that the 1st week is critical because there is a drastic change to your lifestyle.
Yes, I had many sleepless nights and lost way too many braincells to remember things, but now that I became a father to Alethia, I am getting a taste of the love of our heavenly Father to His children. I am profoundly joyful and delighted that Alethia is finally here, and Alison and I love her to bits.
Share about my experience as a father to Alethia.
Share about my experience as a father to Alethia.
Transition
As much as humans are joyful in producing a physical life through the sexual union of a man and a woman, there is a life that no human beings is able to produce; i.e. true spiritual life or eternal life.
Only God can both produce physical and spiritual life. He created and breathed life into Adam and Eve. He was forming us in our mother’s womb. Surely, God is the only one who can create spiritual life in a dead sinner through regeneration.
Only God can both produce physical and spiritual life.
How can a person be born again?
Regeneration is a doctrine that teaches that a person experiences spiritual transformation only and solely by the work of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual transformation brings the person from being spiritually dead to becoming spiritually alive. Regeneration is another way of speaking about the new (spiritual) birth, the second birth or being born again.
Main Point: You Must Be Born Again
Main Point: You Must Be Born Again
My main point for this message is pretty simple: “You Must Be Born Again.” If you ever want to enter into the kingdom of God, you must be born again. The passage that I want to draw your attention to is . And is perhaps a popular passage when it comes to discussing the meaning of the new birth.
teaches that a person experiences spiritual transformation by the work of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual transformation brings the person from being spiritually dead to becoming spiritually alive. Regeneration is another way of speaking about the new (spiritual) birth, the second birth or being born again.
READ
This is a passage where Nicodemus dialogues with Jesus on the matter of His Messiahship. Jesus, however, turns the conversation and focuses on the message of the new birth.
Out of all the gospels, John was the only one who recorded this conversation. And you must know that the author had a purpose for including this event to his gospel.
Read 0:30-31
Read -31
READ
John 20:30-31
Read John 20:30-31
Read John 20:30-31
Read
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The goal is
John wrote with the goal of telling the readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. By believing in Christ, the readers may have life…eternal life…in His name. Jesus will challenge Nicodemus, the readers, and all of us who are hearing this message in the contemporary world to believe in Him and His testimony in order to have eternal life.
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 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.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 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?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 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.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 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. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
So, we begin our study with . READ. We must remember that this passage is prompted by John’s commentary in .
We must remember that this passage is prompted by John’s commentary in .
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
John’s comments in verses 24-25 is demonstrated through the story of Nicodemus. So, let’s talk about Nicodemus for a bit because there is something deep about the character that John introduces to us.
We are told that Nicodemus was a Pharisee. A Pharisee was a Jewish religious leader that strictly followed the law and the tradition of his ancestors. As you read throughout the gospels and also Acts, Pharisees were hostile towards Jesus and His works, and also the early church.
We are told that Nicodemus is a ruler of the Jews.
Not only are we told that he’s a Pharisee, we are also told that Nicodemus was 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. They were prominent figures during Jesus’ trial. They also appeared again in Acts as the judicial court which investigated and persecuted the Christian church.
Later on in , we are told that Nicodemus was the teacher of Israel.
Later on in , we are also told that Nicodemus was the teacher of Israel. We will get back to it later once we hit that text. In brief, Nicodemus was THE teacher, the par excellence of the religious leader in the Hebrew Scripture. If anyone wanted to learn the way of Judaism, then Nicodemus would be the man.
is the main passage where Christians are most familiar with Nicodemus, but he is not only mention in this chapter. For instance, we can read
READ
The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
People were divided over who Jesus was. And they wanted to arrest Jesus and try Him illegally. Nicodemus, however, spoke and made a point that partially favoured Jesus. While I do not think he was intentionally defending Jesus at this point, he was doing what was right and just in accordance to the rabbinical law as the teacher of Israel. We may not know Nicodemus’ relationship status with Jesus. Quite possibly, he has yet to become a follower at this point, but this passage may show that Nicodemus did not entirely close himself off to Jesus’ claim. You can say that he may still be trying to seek, question, and understand Jesus even more before he can make a final judgment.
We may not know Nicodemus’ relationship status with Jesus. Quite possibly, he has yet to become a follower at this point. Nicodemus was not defending Jesus at this point,
Another instance where Nicodemus was mentioned is in after Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross and death.
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. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.
Nicodemus had a part to play in the burial of Jesus. And John had to painstakingly remind us that Nicodemus was the same person who came to Jesus by night. John included Nicodemus to the participation of Jesus’ burial was to show that he has finally come out of darkness and stepped into the path of light. He may have finally come to know and believe in Jesus. He may have come to know Jesus as the Son of God.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, and he came to believe. Very rarely in Scripture do you see religious leaders coming to faith in the Messiah. The other Pharisee who came to follow Christ was Saul of Tarsus, or the Apostle Paul who wrote the majority of the New Testament Epistles and went to preach the gospel to the Gentle nation. We do not exactly know what happened to Nicodemus after Jesus’ burial, but hopefully he was among the earlier followers of Jesus.
Nicodemus was a character that we may all relate to. We may not all be Pharisees, teachers, and rulers functionally, but we can all be like Nicodemus where we start out not believing in Christ. We had our doubts and skepticism. As we learn of Christ, we are slowly being drawn to Him by God the Father’s sovereign election. And eventually, God’s effectual calling happens and we answer that call by coming to believe in the One who died for our sins. So, that’s Nicodemus as a character in this story.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus, he was not a believer yet. We come to hear his first conversation with Jesus in . READ. John makes a comment that Nicodemus came to Jesus by night.
Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus? And why did he come to Him at night?
To answer the first question, we have no certainty as to why Nicodemus came to Jesus, especially coming to him at night. Usually, rabbis studied and debated with each other long into the night. And since Nicodemus and Jesus were teachers, this may not be unusual.
It is no accident that John included specifically the period of time of the day. The word, “night,” should not be overlooked that quickly. In , when Judas received a morsel of bread from Jesus, he went out and plotted his plan at night.
D.A Carson comments the meaning of night.
The word is either used metaphorically for moral and spiritual darkness, or, if it refers to the night-time hours, it bears the same moral and spiritual symbolism.
John may have painted a double meaning to the reality of Nicodemus coming at night. There is no doubt that Nicodemus came physically to Jesus at night. But symbolically speaking, him coming at night revealed his spiritual state i.e. darkness. Little did Nicodemus know, his own “night” was blacker and darker than he knew. And through his conversation with Jesus, he would be exposed with the truth by the light of the world. As says:
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
And he came to
Nicodemus’ remark addresses Jesus as Rabbi. Rabbi is an Aramaic word that is defined as a Jewish teacher and scholar in interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures. If you pay attention to the gospels, no other Pharisees or religious leaders ever address Jesus as Rabbi. They may call him, teacher, which is a different Greek word from Rabbi, but they would not call him Rabbi. Nicodemus seems to be more respectful towards Jesus than his colleagues. For instance, READ .
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”
He further comments that Jesus was a teacher who come from God. The sentiment behind his comment may have been the sign and authority of Jesus. Remember where Jesus turned water into wine and He cleansed the temple. The evidence of the sign and authority in the wedding and temple caused Nicodemus to acknowledge and recognize that Jesus was no ordinary teacher. He was a teacher who has come from God. Someone who comes from God is usually someone who possess the authority of God to perform signs.
The sentiment behind his comment may have been the sign and authority of Jesus. Remember where Jesus turned water into wine and He cleansed the temple. The evidence of the sign and authority in the wedding and temple caused Nicodemus to acknowledge and recognize that Jesus was no ordinary teacher. He was a teacher who has come from God. Someone who comes from God is usually someone who possess the authority of God to perform signs.
Nicodemus’ statement does not necessarily mean that he confesses Jesus to be God. At the end of verse 2, it is a recognition of Jesus as someone to whom God is peculiarly with because, as he says to Jesus, “no one can these sign that you do.”
Interestingly enough the man born blind makes the same comment. READ .
with
Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
In other words, if God was not with Jesus, then Christ could not have healed the blind man. Notice the phrase “God is with him.” That phrase is equated to God’s presence. And it seems in the gospel of John, the presence of God is a figure of speech for agreement. What John is communicating to the readers is that Jesus and God the Father are one in agreement and in unity in the Godhead. All the things that Jesus did and taught are perfectly aligned with the Father’s will.
READ .
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
READ .
For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Unlike Nicodemus’ colleagues, the Jews accused Jesus of doing the work of Satan. READ .
The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
I cannot help but to draw your attention to the “we.” Nicodemus says “we know.” Now, some would comment that Nicodemus was not alone during the conversation and there may be other Jews. But, I think it is best to see Nicodemus as a representative for the rulers of the Jews who were in agreement with him.
Nicodemus could represent many people in our modern era, whether they are religious, atheists, skeptics, mystics, criminals, church goers or decent human beings. They may respect Jesus as a teacher of Christianity. They may have heard that Jesus is a unique person who performed signs and miracles before others. Certainly, they have heard and learned that Jesus died on the cross. But you need to understand that they have darkness in their hearts. And unless God shines His light into the darken hearts, they can never understand the truth. No one can come to Christ unless the Father draws him/her.
If you think you can never come to Jesus
I am definitely sure that Nicodemus may be a holy and good man outwardly, but he is a man filled with darkness. Remember Jesus’ indictment against the Pharisees in .
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Based on Jesus’ strong statements, Nicodemus would not be excused. Just like his comrades, Nicodemus is also full of hypocrisy and lawlessness, and also full of darkness that he has yet figured out. And Jesus knows it very well. That is why he did not entrust himself to people because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for himself knew what was in man.
As holy, outwardly good and religious as Nicodemus was, he cannot fully understand who Jesus is because his religion cannot save him. Therefore, Jesus will launch a topic that may seem to come out of nowhere. READ .
Jesus’ comment launches and plunges immediately to the heart of the subject for Nicodemus. Based on his comment in verse 2, Nicodemus only thought of Jesus as a teacher from God, not a prophet or the Messiah. Nicodemus cannot truly assess who Jesus is and understand “the heavenly things” in his spiritual condition. As a Pharisee, he may have heard a lot things from his fellow Jews regarding their perspective of Jesus. As the teacher of Israel, he may have wanted to know who Jesus was, but he was just a man who can never ascertain the spiritual things.
Jesus would not allow Nicodemus to remain content with his conclusion that he made of Christ. Jesus deserves much reverence than simply being called a Rabbi or a teacher. He is the Son of God, the God of the universe, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the Messiah who would save. Therefore, for Nicodemus to understand, see, or enter the kingdom of God, he needs to be born again. He needs to experience the new birth.
Therefore, in order for Nicodemus to understand who Christ truly is, or
Jesus says, “truly, truly, I saw to you.” What Jesus is about to say to Nicodemus is the truth. It is a solemn declaration only made by Christ. In fact, this phrase is repeated 25 times in this gospel. His statement demonstrates authenticity and reliability because Christ’s words are ultimately from the will of the Father. If Nicodemus wants to worship and obey God the Father, then he needs to listen to Jesus.
Jesus makes a startling conditional statement to Nicodemus: unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus about the spiritual kingdom. Such entry into the spiritual kingdom is exactly the same as the entry into eternal life. Those who are in the kingdom of God are in the state of eternity. But, such entry could only happen by regeneration, by being born again.
The truth is, only God can cause the new birth. Regeneration is only and solely the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the sovereign and mysterious act of God alone. It cannot be achieved by human means. It cannot be achieved through the works of the law. It cannot be manipulated through church growth methodology. You absolutely have zero part to play in regeneration. Only God can revive a sinner who is spiritually dead to become spiritually alive. Only God can turn a spiritually dead, cold, and insensitive heart to a spiritually alive, passionate, and sensitive heart.
It cannot be achieved by human means.
God is speaking to all of us. Are you born again? Did God cause you to be born again? Has God done a supernatural work in your heart in which He opened 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?
It cannot be achieved through the works of the law.
Nicodemus could represent many people in our contemporary whether they are religious, atheists, skeptics, mystics, criminals, church goers or decent human beings. They may respect Jesus as a teacher of Christianity. They may have heard that Jesus is a unique person who performed signs and miracles before others. Certainly, they have heard and learned that Jesus died on the cross. But you need to understand that they have darkness in their hearts. And unless God shines His light into the darken hearts, they can never understand the truth. No one can come to Christ unless the Father draws him/her.
No works of the law can make us see the kingdom of God. No amount of dead religion can help us attain eternal life. Unless we are born again, we cannot see the kingdom of God.
Like Nicodemus, we cannot come to a partial or incomplete conclusion as to who Jesus is truly is as revealed in Scripture. Jesus would not allow us to settle with a superficial and mediocre understanding of Him. He is more than a teacher and prophet. He is God, the ruler and creator of the universe. He deserves to be worshipped and glorified. He demands our utter obedience to His sovereignty. He calls us to repent of our sins and to trust in Him and to follow Him unwaveringly.
No works of the law can make us see the kingdom of God. No amount of dead religion can help us attain eternal life. Unless we are born again, we cannot see the kingdom of God.
Main Point: You Must Be Born Again
Main Point: You Must Be Born Again
Unless we are born again, we cannot see the kingdom of God.
When you became a believer, did you know that the reason you were able to trust Christ is because of the work of the Holy Spirit? God regenerated your heart when you heard the gospel. By grace, God uses his messengers to offer us the gift of salvation - the gospel. By grace, God sovereignly draws or calls a sinner to salvation. By grace, God sovereignly regenerates us to be spiritually alive so that in faith, we repent of our sins and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour.
How can I be born again?
The Evidence of new birth is loving God and loving others; obedience to God’s commandments; growing in holiness and godliness; and knowing Christ and being known by Him.
Loving God and loving others. ()
Obedience to God’s commandments. (, )
You must be born again if you want to see and enter the kingdom of God.
Growing in holiness. (, )
Knowing Christ and being known by Him. (, , )
Are you born again? Did God cause you to be born again? Has God done a supernatural work in your heart in which He opened 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? Are you a new creation, and your old self is gone? Are you loving, obeying, and knowing Christ as your all in all?
The Evidence of New Birth is
Honestly, there is no “how.” As I mentioned, regeneration is solely and only the work and power of the Holy Spirit.
Loving God and loving others. ()
Obedience to God’s commandments. (, )
If you have been a believer for a long time, then
Growing in holiness. (, )
Knowing Christ and being known by Him. (, , )
But, Nicodemus came to Jesus. Same thing with you. You may feel that you cannot come to Jesus because of the sins and failures that you have done in your life. You may feel that you are inadequate to live up to God’s standard. But, you can come to Jesus.