Untitled Sermon (4)

A Useless Religion

John 3:1–7 CSB

There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.” Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.

Satan has convinced the majority of mankind that religion can save you. “Religion” means to be obedient to the beliefs and practices of a religion in the hope that your performance will get you a right standing with God.

The four gospels make it clear that the hardest people to reach with the gospel aren’t the wicked, , but, it’s the outwardly religious.

Corrupt tax collectors

Immoral people

Knew they sinners and couldn’t save themselves.

BUT IT WAS THE RELIGIOUS CROWD THAT CRUCIFIED JESUS!

The outwardly religious were blind to their own sins of pride and self-righteousness.

They didn’t realize that their religion didn’t save them, but instead, it condemned them

“It is not those who are healthy who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. “ Luke 5:31-32

Luke 5:31–32 CSB

Jesus replied to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

NOTE: Last week we talked about people who believed in Jesus just because of the miracles they witnessed, but Jesus didn’t “entrust” Himself to them. Those verses, John 2:23-25” serve as an introduction to the story of Nicodemus. In the original text, there weren’t any chapter breaks, so the text continues “Now, there was a man...” Also a connection between people who saw Jesus’ signs and Nicodemus’ opening statement to Jesus.

ILLUS: Another connection is that Jesus knew what was in their hearts (John 2:25, just like He now knows what’s in Nicodemus’ heart. He knew that his religion couldn’t save him. HE NEEDED A NEW BIRTH. Our story teaches us:

RELIGION CAN’T DEAL WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN NEED - To be reconciled to a holy God and enter His kingdom.

Nicodemus was evidently impressed with what he saw Jesus doing, but in spite of a complimentary greeting, Nicodemus’ view of Jesus fell far short of acknowledging Him as the Christ, the Son of God, which is necessary for eternal life.

“Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the traditions of men.” Mark 7:6-8

NOTE: You’d think that Jesus would be elated at the prospect of winning a member of the Sanhedrin to His band of followers. He could be a key disciple. Think of his influence! Think of how his testimony would impress the other religious leaders, not to mention the common people. BUT JESUS SHOWED NO EXCITEMENT. THERE WASN’T ANY ATTEMPT TO PERSUADE NICODEMUS. He just cut to the quick. He told Nicodemus:

TO BE RECONCILED TO GOD, YOU MUST BE REBORN FROM ABOVE VS 3

Nicodemus hadn’t even asked a question yet. Jesus wasn’t answering his words, but his thoughts!

The point Jesus wanted to hammer home to Nicodemus is, “You don’t need further instructions in religion. You need to be born again.” “You need a new life from God. You need to see Me as more than a teacher. You need to see Me as your Savior, lifted up on the cross, bringing salvation to sinners.” In that one sentence, Jesus wiped away everything Nicodemus stood for.

“You must be born again to see the Kingdom of God.”

To a Jew with be background of, Nicodemus, “to see the kingdom of God” was to participate in the kingdom at the end of the age, to experience eternal resurrection life.”

To be a proper subject in God’s kingdom, you have to be subject to the King, and that begins here and now, not in the distant future. BUT, THOSE WHO ARE IN THE FLESH ARE BY NATURE HOSTILE TOWARD GOD AND NOT ABLE TO SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO GOD.

READ Romans 8:6-8

SO, all the religion in the world can’t resolve our basic problem of being alienated from God, because religion is based on human works that come from the flesh and our pride.

WE NEED A RADICAL TRANSFORMATION, NOT JUST SOME BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.

John 3:3 CSB

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