Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction - “Have you ever been confused?”

A teacher was handed the following note by one of her students:

“Dear Teacher, Please excuse Harriet for missing school yesterday.

We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it on Monday, we thought it was Sunday.”

v1 - Nicodemus

Now - 1254 δέ (de): pt. and cj.; ≡ Str 1161—1.

LN 89.94 and, a marker of an addition, sometimes implying a contrast (Tit 1:1); 2. LN 89.87 and then, a marker of closely related events (Mt 1:2); 3. LN 89.124 but, a marker of contrast (Mt 22:14; Jn 7:10); 4. LN 91.4 νυνὶ δέ (nyni de), and so, but now; a marker of a summary statement (1Co 13:13), see BAGD and grammars for more in-depth analysis

Nicodemus

Pharasee

Second mention (John 1:24)

First encounter

Zeal to obey God - OT 613 commandments (248 dos and 365 don’ts)

extra rules - Sabbath day holy…avoid working…tie a knot (bucket).

“Ruler of the Jews”

Sanhedrin - Jewish governing body.

made up of priest and religious teachers.

v 10 - “the teacher of the Jews”

v2 - Nicodemus’s question

This man…Nicodemus

“Came by night”

context of how John uses night.

as a metaphor for moral and spiritual darkness

describes night time hours, but it still has the same moral and spiritual symbolism

“Rabbi” & “As a teacher” - Did not recognize Jesus for who he really was.

“we know”

“signs”

“signs are not vehicles to believe they are confirmation of belief”

b.

John 9:16 - Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.”

But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such bsigns?”

And there was a division among them.

“God is with him” - notices a difference.

vv 3-6 - Jesus’s response

Nicodemus didn't ask a question

“truly truly” - I tell you the truth

“Born Again” vv 4-6

Ezekiel 36:24-27

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

“cannot see”

The temple in John 2

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

“Kingdom of God” -The spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God’s authority.

The wind and the spirit

Undeniable power and effect

They mystery

Both the mysteriousness and the undeniable power of the Spirit of God are displayed in the Scriptures to which Nicodemus had devoted so many years of study.

Conclusion

What does it mean to be born again?

Do you see the effects of the spirit in yourself? in others?

Are you an ambassador for Christ?