John 3:1-21 (Sermon Outline)
Structural Outline
John 3:1-21
I. Introduction:
a. This morning we are going to continue our study of the gospel of John, as we begin looking at John 3. We are going to discover that as a result of Jesus’ ministry to the people through signs and wonders (John 2:11), and his opposition to all the compromise that had been taking place in Jerusalem at the Temple (John 2:13-25), He had captured the attention of a Pharisee named Nicodemus, whose heart was in a right place with God, and who earnestly wanted answers from Jesus. Nicodemus is going to discover for all of us, the importance of why and how we must be Born Again, which is what has inspired the Big Questions for this mornings message: Why (and how) do I have to be Born Again?
II. Message: If you would please stand in honor of reading God’s Word that is the question we are going to be answering today as we begin looking at John 3 this morning.
READ: John 3:1-21
a. And so here we read that a Pharisee named Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, and begins conversing with Jesus. The story of Nicodemus is a powerful story that not only provides answers that clearly separate Christianity from every other religion, but it also unlocks the key that answers life’s most important question, how do I get to heaven?
b. Verse (3:1) informs us that Nicodemus was a Pharisee, and a ruler of the Jews. The Pharisees were apart of an elite religious party, known for their zealous passion for God’s Law. They originated during the intertestamental period (400 years between Malachi and Matthew), and were popular among the common people due to the fact that they were for the most part middle-class individuals, who held incredible influence over the people. When a man became a Pharisee, he pledged in front of three witnesses to uphold every detail of the law for the rest of his life. In fact, they were so committed to obeying each commandment from God, that they developed additional commands based on the original 613 commandments to ensure they didn’t mistakenly violate the originals.
c. But Nicodemus was not just a Pharisees, he was also a “ruler of the Jews”, which meant that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the governing counsel of Israel. Jewish tradition traces the Sanhedrin all the way back to the 70 elders who assisted Moses (Numbers 11:16-17). The Sanhedrin were powerful men. If you combine the US Senate with the Supreme Court, you would have the Sanhedrin. 70 men ruling the nation of Israel under the guidance and authority of the High Priest, and Nicodemus was one of those leaders.
d. And this is why we can get a clear glimpse of who Nicodemus is right from the start, as he addresses Jesus as “Rabbi” in (v.2). Rabbi means “teacher” and is a title of respect. It’s a title Nicodemus would have also been called on a regular basis by the Jews. And so when he addresses Jesus as “Rabbi”, he is addressing Jesus as an equal. Obviously he and Jesus are not equals, but for him to acknowledge this says a lot about his humility and heart condition, prior to truly understanding who Jesus actually was, the Son of God. By the time this conversation is over, Jesus will have told Nicodemus who He is.
e. READ: John 3:2-3
f. And so Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus must be from God based upon the signs He has demonstrated as well as the teaching. And Jesus cuts straight through all of the religious jargon, and speaks directly to Nicodemus by saying, “listen Nicodemus, if you want to see the Kingdom of God, you must be born again!”
g. This causes Nicodemus to respond to Jesus’ statement with a very illogical question.
h. READ: John 3:4
i. Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus was talking about here, which prompts him to ignorantly respond with a literalistic interpretation of what Jesus had said about a second birth.
j. READ: John 3:5-8
k. In (v.5) we read that Jesus answered Nicodemus by saying: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” The phrase born of water and the Spirit refers to our spiritual birth. This saying has inspired a host of interpretation. I will share the 3 most popular. The first interpretation for understanding what “Born of Water and Spirit” is:
i. Natural Birth and Supernatural Birth: Nothing that v.6 describes two births, one birth from flesh to flesh (procreation), and the other birth from Spirit to Spirit, some interpreters propose that “born of water and the Spirit” refer to two births, one natural and the other supernatural. To support this view, water (v.5) has been understood to refer to: “The amniotic fluid that breaks from the womb shortly before childbirth.”
ii. Drawbacks to this view:
1. However, the drawback to this compelling argument is that there are no ancient sources that picture natural birth as "from water".
2. In addition to this, the Greek construction does not favor two births here.
3. Lastly, the entire expression "of water and the Spirit" cries out to be read as the equivalent of another (from above).
iii. Christian Baptism: Many contemporary commentators believe Jesus' reference to "water" is speaking about Christian baptism. Many believe that the Spirit of God effects new birth through baptism.
iv. Drawbacks to this view:
1. If water baptism is so important for entering the kingdom, it is surprising that the rest of the discussion never mentions it again; the entire focus is on the work of the Spirit (v.8), the work of the Son (vv.14-15), and the work of the Father (vv.16-17), and the place of faith in one's entrance into God's Kingdom (vv.15-16).
2. Baptism would we a form of works, that is mixed in with face, thus contradicting the doctrine of Grace (Rom. 4:1-5; Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:4-5; cf. John 6:29).
3. Spirit Baptism (Supernatural): The most plausible interpretation of "born of water and the Spirit" rests on 4 key factors from this text.
4. The expression is parallel to "from above", and so only one birth is in view here. That birth occurs through one's belief in Jesus (John 1:12-13; 3:16), which enables a person to be born again (Romans 5:1-5; Titus 3:4-7), through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).
5. The preposition "of" governs both 'water' and 'spirit'. The most natural way of taking this construction is to see the phrase as a conceptual unity; there is a water-spirit source that stands as the origin of this regeneration.
6. Jesus berates Nicodemus for not understanding these things in his role as "Israel's teacher" (v.10), a senior 'professor' of the Scriptures, and this in turn suggests we must turn to the Old Testament to begin to discern what Jesus had in mind. Meaning that, the only reason Jesus berates Nicodemus for being a teacher who did not understand what He was talking about is because it is assumed that as a teacher of the Old Testament, Nicodemus, based upon his Old Testament understanding, should know exactly what Jesus is talking about. (i.e. Ezekiel 36:25-27; Jeremiah 31:33)
7. To be born of water and Spirit signals a brand new beginning in life, a type of new birth from above that cleanses and renews us. It is literally the eschatological cleansing that was promised by the Old Testament prophets.
l. READ: John 3:7-8
i. Wind and Spirit translate the same Greek and Hebrew words. Jesus uses the effects of the wind in this passage as a parable to help us understand the workings of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person who is born-again. Jesus is saying, you cannot see the Holy Spirit ahead of time, in order to experience it geographically or on demand. Instead, the Spirit of God moves like the wind. It is not until the wind shows up that we even know it is there. It is not until after the wind comes that we feel the cool evening breeze, or we see the leaves blowing in the air. The Holy Spirit is no different. We cannot control where the wind goes nor can we control where the Spirit goes. The secret work of the Holy Spirit in the human heart cannot be controlled or seen, but the moment the Spirit begins to work, the effects are unmistakably evident.
ii. What does the Bible say about being Born-Again?
1. We must be born again in order to enter Heaven (John 3:3-9)
2. We are born again because it was God’s will (James 1:18)
3. We are born again through the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23)
4. We are born again because of God’s abundant mercy, and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:3)
5. We are born again because of God’s kindness, love and mercy towards us, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-6)
6. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 John 5:1)
7. We are born of God when we receive Jesus (John 1:12-13)
8. When we are born again, we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
9. When we are born again, we will practice righteousness just as He practices righteousness (1 John 2:29)
10. When we are born again, we will stop willfully sinning against God (1 John 3:9)
11. When we are born again, we will love one another (1 John 4:7)
12. When we are born again, we will overcome the world (1 John 5:4)
13. When we are born again, we will resist the devil’s influence in our lives (1 John 5:18)
iii. But Nicodemus did not get this. He did not understand what Jesus was talking about. Being a teacher of God’s people, Nicodemus should have certainly recognized this terminology of water and Spirit not only from several Old Testament references, but especially from the book of Ezekiel. Here we read that God’s plan was to always bring about a new birth within those He saved, and that new birth would not only include a new heart but also His Spirit dwelling within us.
iv. This idea of being born of water and Spirit, is the fulfillment of Ezekiel 36:25-27; “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and you will keep My judgments and do them.”
v. This train of thought can be supported throughout the New Testament as well. In fact, a few chapter’s later in John’s Gospel, looking on the screen we read; On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.”
vi. So here we see this concept of water and Spirit being used synonymously to speak of the Holy Spirit and the NEW BIRTH, or BEING BORN AGAIN. I believe we can clearly established that the idea of being born of water and Spirit are used synonymously together in order to signal a brand new start in life, a type of new birth from God that cleanses and renews us.
vii. It is actually an eschatological promise made by God through the OT Prophets, that He would give us a new heart through His Spirit. And at this point in life, Nicodemus missed the fulfillment that was taking place right before his eyes.
viii. In (v.3) when Jesus informs Nicodemus that he “cannot” see the kingdom of God unless he is born again; Jesus is not telling him that he is prohibited from seeing God’s kingdom. But instead, He is telling him that he is INCAPABLE of seeing it.
ix. Just as a blind man is incapable of seeing the world he lives in, so too is a person who has not been born of God incapable of SEEING or ENTERING the kingdom of God. Until a person is born again, they cannot SEE the Kingdom of God. Not only can they not see the Kingdom of God in eternity: but they will not be able to see and understand the spiritual dynamics of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
x. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:10-15 that it is impossible for a person who has not yet been born again to see and understand the Word of God. This is exactly what Jesus is revealing to Nicodemus here in John 3:3, 5.
xi. READ: John 3:3, 5 “cannot SEE” and “cannot “ENTER”
xii. Jesus is telling Nicodemus, that the only way a person can
SEE the kingdom of God in this life and the life to come, is if
they are born again by God.
xiii. This is what has inspired the 1st answer to this morning’s Big Question: Why do I have to be Born Again?
xiv. “Because you cannot ENTER the Kingdom of Heaven without being Born Again” The only way you ... or me ... or any person ... can ever go to heaven, ... is by being born again by God.
xv. How are we born again, or born from above?
xvi. The Bible is very clear about how we are to be born again. So in this first passage from John 3 ... we have been reminded that salvation comes from being born again. The moment we exercise saving faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit causes us to be born again (John 3:5-8)
xvii. The Bible says; "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1 Jn 5:1). And so far, we see that Nicodemus has had a difficult time understanding this.
m. READ: John 3:9-16
i. Nicodemus was a religious leader and teacher, who knew God’s Word, and yet, Jesus points out in (vv.11-12) that he was not able to “receive” or “believe” the words that Jesus was sharing with him at this moment in time. Why? Because again, Nicodemus was not yet born again.
ii. So Jesus says to Nicodemus in (v.12); “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”
iii. Because Jesus recognized that Nicodemus could not understand the spiritual reality of being born again, He uses earthly analogies to help draw Nicodemus closer to an AHA moment.
iv. In the passage we just looked at, Nicodemus could not understand how we are born of water and the Spirit so in (vv.8-9), Jesus attempted to illustrate this spiritual truth by comparing the effects of the wind with how the Holy Spirit works ... in the lives of people
n. READ: John 3:8-9
i. Jesus is saying, you cannot see the Holy Spirit ahead of time, in order to experience Him geographically or on demand. Instead, the Spirit of God moves like the wind. It is not until the wind shows up that we even know it is there. It is not until after the wind comes that we feel the cool evening breeze, or we see the leaves blowing in the air.
ii. In like manner, Jesus is telling us that the secret work of the Holy Spirit in the human heart cannot be controlled or seen, but the moment the Spirit begins to work, the effects are unmistakably evident.
iii. Nicodemus did not understand this first earthly example by Jesus, so Jesus would question him in (v.12); “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”
iv. Jesus would then continue on by sharing a 2nd earthly story with Nicodemus, one that every Israelite would be very familiar with.
v. Here we read that Jesus makes a direct comparison between the “serpent” from (Numbers 21:9) and Himself.
vi. This would be a startling simile, for the serpent was the emblem of sin under judgment.
o. READ: John 3:14
i. The bronze serpent symbolized God’s way of saving men who are under the condemnation of sin, and who are suffering from its effects. This serpent from Numbers 21 is a powerful sign that Jesus would use in order to help Nicodemus understand that in order for a person to be born again, Jesus would have to be lifted up like that serpent.
ii. That moment when is your light was bit by one of those fiery serpents, they were dead man walking and the moment they looked up at the bronze serpent by faith, they were born again, they were given new life. The reference to Jesus being lifted up . . . is the first of three “lifted up” sayings in John’s Gospel (cf. 8:28; 12:32).
iii. All three occurrences throughout John’s gospel speak of the future “lifting up” of Jesus, and in all 3 instances . . . there is a double meaning behind it.
iv. The double meaning behind it refers to both Jesus being lifted up and ... Dying on the cross, and being lifted up at His resurrection and exaltation to glory in heaven. In essence, Jesus is telling Nicodemus that the new birth was a direct result of faith in His Death and Resurrection.
v. Before moving on, I want to point out something very important that has been taking place in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, that is vital for us to remember when we are dialoguing with the unsaved.
vi. Throughout this entire conversation so far, Jesus has been pointing Nicodemus to the Word of God, in order to enlighten him to the truth of God’s plan for salvation.
vii. Jesus used Ezekiel’s Prophecy (John 3:3-8), and a well-known story about the Fiery Serpents (John 3:14-15). Ezekiel’s prophecy was used to show Nicodemus that God always had a plan for us to be Born Again, so that He could give us a new nature. The story of the Serpent being lifted up was used to show Nicodemus that God always had a plan to sacrifice His Son so that we could be forgiven and receive a new nature.
viii. In other words, Jesus has been using the Law and the Prophets to explain to Nicodemus the nature of being born again and how it could only be accomplished if Jesus was first lifted up on the cross to die, and then after 3 days, be lifted up from the grave by resurrecting. After sharing with Nicodemus a second earthly story, Jesus shares with him what has accurately been said to be the most famous summary of the gospel in the entire Bible.
p. READ: John 3:16
i. Jesus has spent the majority of his time with Nicodemus, explaining to him God’s plan for salvation, and how we have to be Born Again to enter into heaven and now Jesus shares with Nicodemus the inspiration and the method behind God’s motive to save us. The inspiration is because of God love towards us! The method is our faith in Jesus. Jesus is clear, God loves us, and He sent Jesus to save us, but they only way we can be saved and experience God’s Love is if we believe in Jesus.
ii. This is what has inspired the 2nd answer to this mornings Big Question: How can I be Born Again? You can only be Born Again by BELIEVING in Jesus.
iii. Up to this point, Jesus has shared with Nicodemus how a man can be born again. In our final portion of scripture, we will see that Jesus shares with Nicodemus the obstacle standing before every person when it comes to being born again. The obstacle standing before them is that they would rather remain in darkness and feed their sin nature, as opposed to repenting from their sins and turning to Jesus for salvation.
iv. Here we discover the reason that people oppose the Gospel and fight against God, Jesus tells Nicodemus in (v.19), that it is because they love darkness!
q. READ: John 3:17-21
i. John, who wrote this gospel, also uses this powerful word picture of darkness and light in his first epistle. But in his epistle he turns the attention from explaining why non-believers reject the light, to exhorting believers to walk in the light.
ii. 1 John 1:6-7 says; “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
iii. Walking in the light is essential to remaining in fellowship with Jesus and having assurance of our salvation (1 John 2:28), and is our evidence that we have been born of God (1 John 2:29).
iv. When a person puts their trust in Jesus, they are called to turn from darkness not remain in it. By remaining in the darkness, you are telling God and everyone else, that you love the darkness more than you love Jesus.
v. This is what has inspired the 3rd and final answer to this mornings Big Question: Why do I have to be Born Again?
vi. Because you will remain in DARKNESS your entire life and for all eternity. If you have been born again, you have to live a life that is daily turning away from the darkness of this world, to the light of Christ.
III. Life-Application
a. This morning we have learned that in order to go to heaven we must be born again. In order to be born again, we must believe in Jesus, and repent from our Sins, by turning from darkness to light. The Bible says the moment we place your trust in Jesus, we get a brand new start in life. From that moment on, you are called to walk in the light with Jesus, and serve Him with your life.
