Sermon Listening Guide
Speaker: Dr. Condy Richardson
Scripture: John 3:1-16
Sermon Title: “Born Again”
John 3:1-16 (NIV)
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
First Thoughts
The most well-known verse in the Bible (John 3:16) comes from Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.
The work of Jesus is perfectly described in that verse.
The Perfect Candidate!
As a Pharisee, Nicodemus seems to be the perfect religious man.
He keeps the rules and is well-respected by the people of Israel.
At the same time, Nicodemus seems to know that he needs Jesus’ help or advice.
No amount of service or donations will get you to heaven.
Even being a moral man/woman or a rule-follower will not get you there.
Not Enough
To give Nicodemus credit, he seems to know his limitations and needs.
Matthew 5:20 tells us the even the righteousness of Pharisees does not meet God’s standards.
Mankind is good at backsliding into sin and “missing the mark.”
“Born Again” Means Renewal
As smart as Nicodemus is, he is confused by the expression “Born Again.”
In John 3, Jesus gives a detailed explanation of the expression.
Being “Born Again” implies renewal and that a change has been made on the inside.
Through the act of baptism, we re-enact Jesus’ resurrection and illustrate being “Born Again.”
Final Thoughts
Nicodemus is seen again in John 7 and John 19.
It does not matter if you are like Nicodemus or a felon, you need to be “Born Again.”
What keeps you from being “Born Again” today?
The most well-known verse in the Bible (John 3:16) comes from Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.
The work of Jesus is perfectly described in that verse.
The Perfect Candidate!
As a Pharisee, Nicodemus seems to be the perfect religious man.
He keeps the rules and is well-respected by the people of Israel.
At the same time, Nicodemus seems to know that he needs Jesus’ help or advice.
No amount of service or donations will get you to heaven.
Even being a moral man/woman or a rule-follower will not get you there.
Not Enough
To give Nicodemus credit, he seems to know his limitations and needs.
Matthew 5:20 tells us the even the righteousness of Pharisees does not meet God’s standards.
Mankind is good at backsliding into sin and “missing the mark.”
“Born Again” Means Renewal
As smart as Nicodemus is, he is confused by the expression “Born Again.”
In John 3, Jesus gives a detailed explanation of the expression.
Being “Born Again” implies renewal and that a change has been made on the inside.
Through the act of baptism, we re-enact Jesus’ resurrection and illustrate being “Born Again.”
Final Thoughts
Nicodemus is seen again in John 7 and John 19.
It does not matter if you are like Nicodemus or a felon, you need to be “Born Again.”
What keeps you from being “Born Again” today?