Herrin SBC 8-6-14
John 3:1-15 “You Must be Born Again”
Intro: Good to be back!
The Gospel for the Religious is the same Gospel for the Harlot.
Vs 1: Who is Nicodemus?
- Pharisee and Ruler. Requires rigorous work. Formal education.
- Loves the law of God and the traditions of the people of God.
- Succeed in life. Revered by the People.
- Probably Older
Vs 2: The Scholar goes to the Carpenter : Humble
- Jesus did not come from the “Right” city.
- Not from a well to do family.
- Not formally trained.
- Yet preached and ministered with unprecedented power!
- And Nicodemus is even humble. He calls him Rabbi.
- Nicodemus knows Jesus is from God.
- If Jesus would be impressed with anyone it’s Nic.
Vs 3-4: Jesus Response and Nic’s Question
- Jesus does not commend Nicodemus.
- Jesus is not impressed
- Jesus tells Nic he needs something that is impossible for Nic to do.
- Nic can’t make himself be born again.
- How can I do this?
- He cant!
- Nicodemus. You can’t save yourself!
Vs 5-8: Jesus Further Clarifies
- Like you were born physically. You must be born of the Spirit.
- Ransom birth. My birth.
- Do not marvel. You and Your group must be born again.
- The Spirit is like the wind. We don’t know who the Spirit will bring to life.
- Nicodemus you can’t make yourself born again. Only the Spirit can do this!
Vs 9-13: How can this be!
- Nicodemous disagrees with Jesus.
- It is impossible for anyone to be born again. How can this be?!
- Jesus tells Nic I am right on this buddy. You say I am from God but don’t believe me.
Vs 14-15: Not How too but… How He.
- Believe in Christ!
- This means not believing in self.
- We don’t have faith in our faith.
- Don’t ever look back to your decision to follow Jesus. Look to Jesus.
- We believe because of Him.
- He gets credit for it all.
- Nicodemus believed in himself. How could he believe in Jesus?
Leave a Reply