How to Be Born From Above
Preaching Notes September 30, 2012
John 3:1–18 (ESV)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”
Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?
Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
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I. From Problems to Solutions
God’s Two Desires – Titus 2:14 – Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
God desires salvation and sanctification
Dealing with Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Even the saved keep sinning
Nicodemus and Jesus
An educated old-school enquirer reveals a lack of knowledge and faith
Jesus’ drives the conversation
Seeing and Entering the Kingdom of God
Requires rebirth
II. What Does It Mean to be Born Anothen
Born again …
Born from above …
Not a new concept – see Ezekiel 36:25-28 and Jeremiah 31:28-31
The old way has not and will not work
Christian hell, fire, and damnation
The importance of worship
God does not want us to fail, thus He helps us to succeed
We have to accept the help
We accept God’s help, through faith, not through personal effort
// kids, I want to do it by myself
III. How to Be Born from Above
The work of the Spirit – John 3:5-8
A God-initiated transformation of our lives
// to the work of the wind (another word for spirit)
Comes at its will, works at its will
Effects are felt and seen
Powerful effects in small ways
Spirit work predicated on work of Jesus
Jesus promises the Spirit to come after Him
The work of the Son – John 3:10-14
The work of Jesus
To die for the forgiveness of our sins
Nicodemus – knew about need for forgiveness, atonement
This may be part he genuinely did not get
Jesus work predicated on work of God
The work of God – John 3:16-18
The work of God was His love for the world
Generous, gracious, steadfast merciful love
Nicodemus knew – Hesed
These 1st three works built on each other
Revealed by God over time
The work of the Believer – John 3:15, 16, 18
Final work or action ==> salvation
Individual coming to faith in Jesus
Belief or faith – also the work of God
But is one which must be received
Irresistible Grace – core of reformed theology
Faith is a gift received through an open heart
Hard hearts are closed to God’s work
IV. What about You?
DA Carson
God’s ultimate purpose is the salvation of those in the world who believe in him. Whoever believes in him experiences new birth, has eternal life, and is saved. The alternative is to perish, to lose one’s life, and to be doomed to destruction. There is no third option
God has done His work, we need to receive it in faith, which is believe and trust
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 