Sermon Tone Analysis

Christmas day is a little more than a week away.

During this advent season, we have been preparing our hearts for the day of Christmas in which we celebrate the coming into the world of the savior.

This time of the season causes us to think of babies, births, and new beginnings.

A new year is just around the corner and we think of old habits to give up and new starts or resolutions to begin.

It is a season of hope and new beginnings.

In reflecting on new beginnings, I am reminded of the births of my own children.

I remember how unprepared I was for the birth of Austin.

The week of his due date we were visiting our gynecologist.

It was late morning and we were told that this baby needed to be born.

The fluid was disappearing around him and he needed to come into this world or he would be lost.

We were so unprepared we did not even bring an overnight bag to this appointment.

Before I knew it my wife was in a gown and they had started a pitocin drip.

Labor started that afternoon and continued into the late hours of the night.

The process was long, exhausting, and messy.

New life entered into the world in the early morning hours of September.

Then almost to the date the process repeated itself.

We were expecting our second baby.

This time it was a girl.

Abby was born ten days shy of of our first child, Austin.

She too was late and had to come with a pitocin drip.

Although each of their births were unique the processes were similar.

From both of their births I learned a few things.

The process was long, exhausting, and messy.

New life entered into the world in the early morning hours of September.

Then almost to the date the process repeated itself.

We were expecting our second baby.

This time it was a girl.

Abby was born ten days shy of of our first child, Austin.

She too was late and had to come with a pitocin drip.

Although each of their births were unique the processes were similar.

From both of their births I learned a few things.

First, I learned that some events in your life force you to change.

Life was radically different for us after we had a baby.

I was use to eight hours of sleep and watching movies late in to the night or playing video games.

Now it was four hours of sleep at best and terrible headaches.

No movies or video games.

Just poopie diapers and regular feedings.

You really do not realize your own selfishness until someone else takes center stage.

It was not about us anymore.

There was a profound realization that we were now responsible for another life.

Each of their births were unique but the processes were similar.

From both of their births I learned a few things.

I learned that some events in your life force you to change.

Life was radically different for us after we had a baby.

You do not realize your selfishness until someone else takes center stage.

It was not about us anymore.

There was a profound realization that we were now responsible for another life.

Secondly, I learned that you cannot remain in process forever.

The second trimester of no vomiting and having a cute baby bump cannot last forever.

By the time we reached the end of the third trimester there were only two options; death or birth.

There was no third option of forever of the process to about have a baby.

The process was coming to an end.

I was learning that we are responsible for our decisions whether we want to or not.

I also learned that there are things that come in our lives that demand all of our attention.

There was no ignoring this baby or scheduling the birth for another day.

The time had come, the bell was ringing and we had to focus on what was to come next.

Joy.

Pure joy after hard work, pain, and suffering.

Life had come into the world and we were different because of it.

I wonder if you can remember a time in your life in which you were forever changed by the circumstances.

Maybe it was the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, or a decision that you made for your life.

From that point on you knew things were different.

Things may have been forever different for a man named Nicodemus.

In we read of a Pharisee who is a religious ruler for the Jews.

Jesus was in Jerusalem and had gained attention with many believing in his name when they saw the signs he was performing.

Knowing something was up Nicodemus visits Jesus at night and we read the following starting in verse 2 of John chapter 3.

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.

Can you imagine being an intelligent human being and being told you needed to be reborn.

Crazy.

As a parent you know as I do there is a no return policy when your baby is born.

They expect you to take him or her home with you.

There is no warranty, no 30 day trial period.

What you receive is what you keep.

So Nicodemus is stuck with a well what’s up Jesus.

There is no way I can go back to being reborn so what is your point?

So Jesus shares with Nicodemus that there are two births.

The first is a physical birth and the second is a spiritual birth.