Ye Must Be Born Again

One of the great things about a New Year, is that it offers an opportunity (an excuse / or starting point) to make some changes in your life. Many of these are in the form of what are called ‘New Years Resolutions’. People resolve to do something. Some include:

Lose weight

Exercise more

Read my Bible through entirely

Become more faithful to God

Attend church more frequently

Learn a new hobby

I remember reading / hearing that gym membership sales increased dramatically at the start of a new year.

I used to be pretty cynical about New Years Resolutions, but TBH, they’re fine - if they are taken seriously, but all too often they are made, then a few weeks later they are forgotten.

If you’re here today and have made New Years Resolutions that are Spiritual, I want to encourage you to take them seriously.

If you made one concerning reading your Bible - take it seriously, because it’s a serious thing that can seriously affect you and your family

“ “ attending church… “ “

“ “ being more faithful to God… “ “

For this series on New Beginnings - I wanted to start at the Beginning. Now throughout this upcoming month as we probe this subject, we must understand that everything that we’re going to cover rests upon the foundation that we will examine here today. Without this foundation, the rest will crumble & fall. The Foundation that I want to speak about today is the Foundational Relationship between man and God - and how it’s established.

Today we’re speaking on the topic of Salvation.

Now a few weeks ago in Sunday School, I spoke about Salvation, and in doing so I defined it, just to make clear of what we were speaking about. Salvation (def) The act of saving; preservation or deliverance from destruction, danger, or great calamity.

So if Salvation is a saving, then it implies that there is a saving from something. And make no mistake - there is something that every soul needs to be saved from, and that is from a place the Bible calls Hell. Now I’ve heard how people who go through hard times say ‘I’m living though Hell on this earth’, but let me say that those people have NO IDEA what they are talking about. There is no Hell on this earth that is fit to compare to the Hell that awaits man. The Bible goes through and describes this place:

A place where the “fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mar. 9:43-44)

Luke 16:19-31

It’s a place of torment (v23)

A place of cognitive function

You will see, hear, know & understand

A place of remembrance (v25)

You will remember opportunity, family, regret

A place where mercy is cried for, but not recieved

A place of unanswered prayers (v27;30)

A place of no escape (v26)

And let me remind you - this is Jesus’ description, not mine. Not some fundamentalist wacko as we’re often referred to. This is the way Jesus described that place, and He should know, as He created it!

Mankind needs saved from THAT!

Today in speaking on the topic of Salvation, we will look at Jesus’ conversation with this man Nicodemus in the message titled ‘Ye MUST be born again’

The first thing that we should look at is An Examination

I. An Examination

We’re speaking about Nicodemus. I think that it’s important that we take a moment and look at this man, especially in relation to what Jesus said to him.

He was a Religious Leader (v1)

As we note in v1, there are a few things that describe this man Nicodemus.

He was a Pharisee

A Pharisee would be likened unto a preacher or priest today. They were inherently religious. This is an important fact to understand, especially when we move forward with what Jesus is expressing to him.

He was a ‘ruler of the Jews’

In other words, he was someone who had authority.

This wasn’t some know-nothing scrub who had some wacky religious thoughts (there’s a bunch of those - think Matrixism). This man was a leader of the most dominant religion in one of the largest cities in the world at that time.

So this was a religious, learned man with authority. This is an accurate description of the man that Jesus is speaking to.

He Recognized Jesus’ Authority (v2b)

In this verse we can learn a few things as well.

He recognized Jesus as ‘teacher’

He addressed Jesus as ‘Rabbi’. This was not because Jesus held an office down at the temple. (Ill.) Many of you address me as pastor, because that is a recognition of the position that God has given me here at this church. You are recognizing that God has placed me in that position as undershepherd of this flock. But that’s not why Nicodemus called Jesus Rabbi. He called him Rabbi because he recognized Jesus as a master and teacher. It was a title of honor, and this demonstrates the respect that he had for Jesus

He had reliable knowledge of Jesus’ miracle working power

Whether it was first hand accounts (which probably was - as Jesus performed many, and many very publically), or whether they were creditable accounts it matters not. What matters is that Nicodemus was fully persuaded by the information in which he had - and he believed them.

(Ill.) Think about how much it would take for another to tell you of a miracle for you to believe it. If I told you that I saw a man born blind healed by spittle clay, you’d probably not believe me. Deana says she saw a kangaroo hopping down the back ally in Statesville and we’re still questioning her about it - and I’d believe that woman over any of you.

He recognized Jesus’ Authority

He Reached Out to Jesus (v2a)

This fact alone tells us something about Nicodemus.

He had integrity - which is a lot more than most of the Pharisees

He sought the truth - “ “

There are a lot of people who literally don’t want to know the truth. That’s because the old adage ‘ignorance is bliss’ is very true!

(Ill.) Jefferson Davis - president of the Confederate States of America said: “Truth crushed to earth is truth still and like a seed will rise again.” The truth of a God that YOU’RE accountable to is still true whether you want to admit it now or not. But make no mistake, the truth will rise again when you stand before Him to give account of what you DID with the TRUTH!

It showed great wisdom on his part

Nicodemus was wise enough to understand the gravity of Jesus meant, and how it would effect his life.

The Bible tells us: Pro. 18:2 “A fool hath no delight in understanding, But that his heart may discover itself.”

As opposed to a fool, Nicodemus’ wisdom caused him to reach out unto Jesus.

He Needed Redemption (v3)

After it’s all said & done. Nicodemus needed Redemption.

Regardless of Nicodemus being an extremely religious person

Regardless of Nicodemus being a learned religious scholar

Regardless of Nicodemus’ knowledge of Jesus and regard for Him

Regardless of Nicodemus’ curiosity in seeking out to hear from Jesus

You see, Jesus knew Nicodemus. He knew all of these things about him, but yet, what did He say to him? Ye MUST be born again (v7)

This truth is not exclusive to Nicodemus. This truth is the most inclusive group ever!

Rom. 3:10-12 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

Rom. 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

1Jn. 1:8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

One would think that if there were some cosmic scale that judged Nicodemus on his merit, Nicodemus would have been ok - but that’s not how it works. (We’ll speak more on this in a bit).

Now there’s one caveat to this is that he needed redemption… but he didn’t know it!

Nicodemus didn’t know it - until Jesus revealed it unto him.

So is the case for so many people in the world today. They are being led astray by by blind guides, false religions & man-made assumptions. Every soul born of the seed of man needs redemption!

So we see an Examination of Nicodemus - a good man, a wise man, a religious leader - but one who needed redemption. Secondly, look at what Christ did about that. He gave Nicodemus an Education.

II. An Education

Jesus in these verses begins to explain to Nicodemus what constitutes ‘life’.

On the Duality of Life

One of the things that Jesus is trying to educate Nicodemus on is the fact that men are multifaceted beings. And Jesus is explaining that men are more than physical beings.

Many think that this is a ‘water is wet’ argument. (In other words, Jesus is stating the obvious). However, it’s a truth that we’d do well to consider.

There’s many people today that believe that this physical life is all there is.

You ask some people what happens after they die, and their response is ‘we become worm food’. They believe that this physical life is all there is.

Then you have people who know there there is Physical life, and Spiritual life

You see, we Christians understand this. We understand the truth of Spiritual and Physical life - but here’s the thing: We spend 98% of our time laboring for and concerned about the physical, and 2% of our time on the Spiritual. We understand the duality of life, but we treat them so differently.

(Ill.) Consider what your life would look like if you were to spend 50% of your time thinking about and laboring for the physical necessities and pleasures of life, and 50% of your time thinking about and laboring in the Spiritual aspects of life. 50% of your time in prayer, meditation, teaching, witnessing, Bible study, mentoring, etc. This would be reasonable if you thought that they were equal. However, are they? Are the physical things of this world equal with the Spiritual?

Jesus is stressing the fact that man is more than a physical being

On the Necessity of Spiritual Birth

Another thing to note is that Jesus on multiple occasions in these few verses stresses the necessity of being ‘born again’ - born Spiritually.

v3 - ‘Except a man be born again he cannot...’

v5 - ‘Except a man be born of water and Spirit he cannot...’

v7 - ‘Ye MUST be born again’

This is not something that Jesus is suggesting, it’s something that is NECESSARY. (Ill.) I can drive my car if the shock go out. It’ll be a bumpy ride, but I can drive it. I can’t drive my car without an engine. Some things are nice to have, some are necessary. Concerning this Spiritual birth, it’s not recommended, it’s necessary.

Now I want to make one thing clear: When He says ‘Ye must’, it doesn’t mean that you WILL and it doesn’t mean that you don’t have a CHOICE. Jesus says ‘Ye must’ in order to ‘see the Kingdom of God’, which as we understand in later verses that He’s speaking of ‘eternal / everlasting life’ (v15-16), being ‘saved’ (v17), ‘not condemned’ (v18)

So let me tell you the same thing worded slightly different:

If you want to have eternal life - if you want to not be condemned - if you want to be saved from Damnation - YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!

Jesus educates Nicodemus on the Necessity of the Spiritual Birth - and He does so by the analogy He has given.

By the Analogy He has Given

He uses the analogy of a birth - which as you see, throws Nicodemus for a moment until Jesus explains.

A birth is an experience, not a process

Yes there are things that precede the birth, such as the planting of seed, gestation period and such - and all of those happen to the Christian as well. But the birth happens when the baby leaves the birth canal, and enters the world.

Such is the way for every Christian. There is a point in the life of a Christian that they were ‘born again’ - and we’ll determine how in a moment.

A birth crates a lineage

What I mean is that (Ill.) when my children were born, they became direct descendants of me. They took my name and belonged to me. The same as with your children. I was born 47 years ago ‘in the flesh’. I was born of Cleo & Emojean McGraw - who were born of their parents on back to literally Adam. So I am part of Cleo McGraw’s lineage, all the way back to Adam. Now, 21 years ago I was born of a Heavenly Father. I was born by the Spirit. And then I gained a NEW lineage. A SPIRITUAL lineage. Paul said this: Rom. 8:15-17 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Jesus gave this analogy for multiple reasons, but I think largely to educate Nicodemus on these two.

An Examination of Nicodemus. The Education of Nicodemus. Lastly, an Explanation to Nicodemus

III. An Explanation

Jesus then proceeds to explain to Nicodemus how to OBTAIN this Spiritual life / new birth that He spoke to Him about.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus doesn’t leave Nicodemus guessing? But that He goes on to explain HOW

The Source of Salvation (v14-15)

Act. 4:10-12 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

The Source of Salvation is Jesus Christ!

The Singularity of Salvation (v15-16)

Singular in Method - there is only one way.

There are not multiple paths to God. Regardless of what Oprah will tell you. All paths don’t lead to God. Jesus said: Joh. 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Singular in Means - it’s through faith in Jesus.

Which means, it’s not by works.

Eph. 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

2Ti. 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

Rom. 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

The Simplicity of Salvation (v18)

You’re either Saved or Damned right now. and the difference between the two isn’t works, but where you place your faith.

Salvation is so easy - Act. 16:31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” God made is so so that dummies and hard headed fools like me could enjoy this gift, because God’s 2Pet. 3:9b ...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

If you desire salvation, then you must be born again - but it’s your choice.

Conclusion

In order for someone who to ‘saved’ from the Hell that Jesus spoke about, there must be a point in their life where they were born again. They consciously placed their faith in Jesus for their salvation. Regardless of how religious or spiritual they were. Regardless of how wise or just they were. They were lost and needed a Saviour, and turned to Jesus. If this is you, raise you hand.

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