Nicodemus and the New Birth - Pt. I
So that you may believe- Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 56:34
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More signs please!
More signs please!
As we journey through the gospel, we are coming into one of the most important sections in all of scripture. I cannot, will not leave out what transpires just prior to our section. Open your bibles to Jn2 and let’s start together (v.18).
I have been studying for several weeks on John chapter 3 when I realized suddenly I had passed over this passage in John chapter 2 and we cannot pass it over. So, lets take a look at this passage then do the set up for John chapter 3 tonight.
18 The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. 23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.
24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
What do you see, what do you notice when you look at Jn2:18-25?
(Insert gleaning from the scripture slide previously used here)
Gleaning from the scripture:
Look closely at (v.18) What is the question, and why is it being asked?
What was Jesus response to the question (v.19)?
Can you see the sarcasm in the response from the Jews (v.20)?
When Jesus spoke of the temple what was he referring to (v.21)?
What significance do you find in (v.22)? It goes with the theme of the gospel.
Why were the people believing in Him according to (vv.23-25)? And what was Jesus feelings on this, and why?
A few quick points to go along with the passage:
The authority of the Lord (vv.18-22)
They were looking for a sign to prove His authority to cleanse the temple (2:13-17) and Jesus is offering His being raised from the dead as the authority.
His resurrection proved he was the Son of God.
The power of the Lord (vv.23-25)
The power to bring many to believe because of His signs.
Jesus did not need to commit to them, they needed to commit to Him and He knew their hearts
(Transition) This sets us up for John chapter 3, there has been questioning, and now someone is going to take it further and investigate. I think as we look at Nicodemus we are going to learn a lot from him.
Nicodemus and Jesus
Nicodemus and Jesus
We will see Nicodemus a couple of times in gospel, here is our introduction of him, and will see him at the death of Jesus pleading for His body. But, who is Nicodemus, what can we learn about him?
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
What do you see, learn about Nicodemus from (v.1)?
Background about Nicodemus to help you to gain understanding.
Jesus kept company with ordinary people, in ordinary places and his meeting with Nicodemus was extraordinary and her is why.
Nicodemus was one of the aristocracy.
He must have been wealthy (Jn19:39)
39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.
Only someone who was wealthy would have the finances to purchase hundred pounds for things for burial
He was a Pharisee
The word Pharisee means “separated one” - they separated themselves from ordinary life in order to keep every detail of the law of the scribes.
These were considered the best of the best, they were ones whose life was dedicated to observing every detail of the scribal law.
There were never more than 6000 of them known as the “chaburah” or the brotherhood. - this was only for very dedicated men.
Now as a Pharisee who is dedicated, devoted to keeping the law, this is the minutia of the law that man, the scribes added much too.
The Law regarding the Sabbath was to keep it holy.
The Mishnah is the codified scribal law and it it not a verse but 24 chapters explaining how to keep the Sabbath Holy.
Let me give you an example of scribal law and the extremes from some commentary from William Barclay
(Bring Barclay commentary up with you and read from pg. 121-2)
Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews
That meant he was part of the counsel of 70, the Sanhedrin. This is the supreme court of the Jews. They had jurisdiction over all religious matters of the Jews - So as a member of the Sanhedrin it is not surprising that he would go and talk with Jesus who was being accused of being a false teacher or a false prophet.
Why did Nicodemus come at night? (Some thoughts)
Being cautious
Not wanting to come in day and make a big deal about it.
In reality it was a big deal anyway that he even went to Jesus.
Nicodemus was able to put aside his prejudices (as a Pharisee) and talk to the man.
Because the Rabbi’s declared the best time to study was at night.
Night they would not get interrupted. Nicodemus had questions and at night would not be interrupted. Nicodemus was a prestigious man with a privileged life, but yet had a longing for more. Barclay says “he came at night that by night he may find light.”
(Transition): So, we now have some groundwork laid out about Nicodemus, now we should lay groundwork regarding being born again.
Born again
Born again
This is such an important topic, I think we will spend a little time regarding being born again historically and scripturally speaking so to have a good foundation regarding this being born again, or new birth.
We need to look at the passage first.
2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to 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? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
(Insert Gleaning from scripture slide again here)
How did Nicodemus address Jesus, or acknowledge about Jesus (v.2)?
When looking at (v.3) is there an imperative that Jesus speaks, if so, what is it?
What did Nicodemus assume Jesus meant in (v.4)?
Finally, in (v.5) Jesus states the imperative again (v.3) with more details, what new details are given?
Nicodemus came at night and did not deny that there were signs being done or that Jesus had God with him.
Jesus in His response (answer) is basically saying, its not the signs that matter, it is being born again, for without it you cannot enter the kingdom of God.
One commentator states “the change in the believer is so drastic it is related to being born again, or a new birth.”
This being born again, this new birth, Nicodemus was trying to grasp it. He understood that it had to happen, but did not understand how it could happen.
Dalton in his commentary stated “it is note the desirability of this changed that Nicodemus questioned; that he knew only too well; it was the possibility.” Nicodemus is up against the eternal problem, the problem of the man who wants to be changed and who cannot change himself.”
Being born again, born anew, rebirth, is interwoven throughout the N.T.
Peter states it is by God’s mercy (1Pt1:3)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Peter states it is of imperishable seed (1Pt1:22-23)
22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
James says it is by the Word of God (Jm1:18)
18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Paul says it is by the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Tit3:5)
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
When you think of the word “resurrection” what does that mean?
Being raised from the dead; something that was dead being brought back to life.
Paul in Rom6:1-4 speaks of dying with Christ and raising a new
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
also those are born of Christ are babes in Christ (1Cor3:1-2)
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
Born again, a new creature (2Cor5:17)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
A new creature , person created after God in righteousness (Eph4-22-24)
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
But, being born again, born anew was not just a Christian thing, it was seen in the Jews
Proselytes were born again
Mystery religions of the Greeks were born again
So, what does rebirth, being born again mean to us, let me give you some of what Barclay says.
The idea of rebirth brings about:
The idea of kingdom of heaven through rebirth
Speaking of the kingdom, Jesus in the Lords prayer (Mt6:10)“10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, - - - that happens through rebirth
The kingdom of heaven is a brotherhood, or a society where God’s will is sought and God’s will is applied, bringing heaven to earth.
The idea of sonship of God through rebirth
Sonship made available through belief
Jn1:12 “12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”
The idea of eternal life through rebirth
Jn3:16 “16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
The essence of sonship, of rebirth comes through obedience
21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
While many may argue that obedience is a work and that we are not saved by works, but even Barclay who shares this opinion says this
“Clearly a man cannot enter into this close fellowship with God only when he renders to him that love, that reverence, that devotion, that obedience which truly bring him into fellowship with Him.”
So, when does that happen? According to this passage
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Now there is the argument of water being the water of the word, and yes we do need the water of the word, but water is involved in original birth and is involved in our rebirth so we need to keep that in mind too.
Others say the water is the cleansing, spiritual cleansing and that is not baptism but is symbolic, but Peter addresses that
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
The mention of the Spirit in (Jn3:5) is the power by which this happens.
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
This is where Jesus takes possession of us, our past is forgiven and our future is made eternal in Christ Jesus.
(Transition to close)
Nicodemus a teacher of Israel had questions and got much more than he thought by Jesus words to him.
We have seen the necessity of being born anew, born again, that there is no entering the kingdom of heaven, no eternal life with God outside of being born again.
(prayer) (Close)