John 3:1-21

2. THE NEW BIRTH John 3:1-21

3. THE NEW BIRTH • Introduction 1. Jn. 3:1-21 A great lesson about a new beginning: when the soul is made right with God • Vv. 1-2 Meet Nicodemus • Vv. 3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above • Vv. 9-13 Christ: the Witness from Heaven • Vv. 14-17 Look & Live! • Vv. 18-21 Choice: Darkness or Light

4. THE NEW BIRTH • Introduction 2. Have you been born again?

5. THE NEW BIRTH I. Jn. 3:1-2 Meet Nicodemus 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

6. THE NEW BIRTH I. Jn. 3:1-2 Meet Nicodemus A. Serious About Spiritual Things • A son of Abraham, he took his faith seriously • A Pharisee, the strictest sect • A judge on the Sanhedrin Court B. Sincere in Spiritual Things • Reaction to Jesus’ miracles: Jesus is from God

7. THE NEW BIRTH I. Jn. 3:1-2 Meet Nicodemus C. Searching for Spiritual Things • Seeking God’s new kingdom, butnot qualified by blood line, religious sect, or civil position • All men must be born again

8. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above A. Vv. 3-5 New Birth Essential to Enter God’s New Kingdom

9. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. A. Vv. 3-5 New Birth Essential to Enter God’s New Kingdom

10. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above A. Vv. 3-5 New Birth Essential to Enter God’s New Kingdom • God’s spiritual rule over man: salvation, right relationship with God • Kingdom “of God” or “of heaven:” God’s rule • Kingdom “of Christ:” died for it, rules as King • Kingdom of God on earth: the church of Christ

11. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above B. How Born Again? Born of Water & the Spirit • Submitting to Christ in water baptism, when the gospel given by the Holy Spirit penetrates the soul

12. BORN OF WATER & THE SPIRIT 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

13. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above B. How Born Again? Born of Water & the Spirit • Catholic Church applies it to infants, but Nicodemus asked about people with mature minds: “a man…when he is old”

14. Catholic Church applies it to infants, but Nicodemus asked about people with mature minds: “a man…when he is old” Christ’s law applies to infants as well as adults, for Jesus said that no one can enter heaven unless he has been born again of water and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5).

15. Catholic Church applies it to infants, but Nicodemus asked about people with mature minds: “a man…when he is old” The Necessity of Baptism: Christ Himself ordered His disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations and to baptize those who accept the message of the Gospel. In His encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), Christ made it clear that baptism was necessary for salvation: "Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

16. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above B. How Born Again? Born of Water & the Spirit • Vs. 5 omitted in Protestant “faith only” tracts: “Ye Must Be Born Again” (vv. 3,6,9; “not baptism”); “What Must I Do to Be Saved?” (vv. 3, 7) • Billy Graham Evangelistic Association omits vs. 5

17. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association omits vs. 5 What does it mean to be “born again”? Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3)…. “born again”…through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ

18. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above B. How Born Again? Born of Water & the Spirit • Water refers to baptism in new birth, not amniotic fluid in 1st birth (which excludes dry birth or pregnant mother & infant who die)

19. THE NEW BIRTH 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above B. How Born Again? Born of Water & the Spirit • Col. 2:12 “Buried,” “raised:” immersion, not pour or sprinkle (Lev. 14:15-16 says “pour” oil in palm, “dip” finger in oil, “sprinkle” oil)

20. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above C. Vv. 6-8 The New Birth Is a Spiritual Birth 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

21. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above C. Vv. 6-8 The New Birth Is a Spiritual Birth • The Spirit’s power penetrates the soul by the gospel to pardon sin & make a new man • Rom. 6:17-18 Obey from heart, free of sin

22. 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. • Rom. 6:17-18 Obey from heart, free of sin

23. THE NEW BIRTH II. Jn. 3:3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above C. Vv. 6-8 The New Birth Is a Spiritual Birth • The Spirit’s power penetrates the soul by the gospel to pardon sin & make a new man • This power leads a man to truly believe, sincerely repent, honestly confess Christ, & submit in baptism—baptism for convenience, to please a relative, or for personal gain is void! • Two baptized but only one born again!

24. THE NEW BIRTH III. Jn. 3:9-13 Christ: The Witness from Heaven A. Vv. 9-10 Nicodemus Says He Can’t Understand, But Jesus Says He Is Well Read in Scripture 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

25. THE NEW BIRTH III. Jn. 3:9-13 Christ: The Witness from Heaven A. Vv. 9-10 Nicodemus Says He Can’t Understand, But Jesus Says He Is Well Read in Scripture • Ezek. 11:19-20 He knew the prophets

26. 19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. • Ezek. 11:19-20 He knew the prophets

27. THE NEW BIRTH III. Jn. 3:9-13 Christ: The Witness from Heaven A. Vv. 9-10 Nicodemus Says He Can’t Understand, But Jesus Says He Is Well Read in Scripture • Lk. 3:8 He knew what John preached 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

28. THE NEW BIRTH III. Jn. 3:9-13 Christ: The Witness from Heaven B. Vv. 11-13 All Must Believe the Heavenly Witness

29. 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. B. Vv. 11-13 All Must Believe the Heavenly Witness

30. THE NEW BIRTH III. Jn. 3:9-13 Christ: The Witness from Heaven B. Vv. 11-13 All Must Believe the Heavenly Witness • He testified of the truth he “saw” & “knew” in heaven—guarantees absolute accuracy— we bring souls to the Witness but cannot testify • If this scholar cannot understand the 1st lesson, how will he understand more advanced lessons? • Nicodemus does not believe the new birth: expects earthly not spiritual kingdom

31. THE NEW BIRTH IV. Jn. 3:14-17 Look & Live! A. Vv. 14-17 As the Jews Looked to a Brass Snake for Healing, We Look to Christ for Salvation

32. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. A. Vv . 14-17 As the Jews Looked to a Brass Snake for Healing, We Look to Christ for Salvation

33. THE NEW BIRTH IV. Jn. 3:14-17 Look & Live! A. Vv. 14-17 As the Jews Looked to a Brass Snake for Healing, We Look to Christ for Salvation • Num. 21:4-9 The Jews murmured, snakes bit them, & Moses erected a brass snake • Jn. 3:16 Sin poisons our soul, Christ died for us, we must believe in him for salvation as in vs. 5

34. JOHN 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. • Jn. 3:16 Sin poisons our soul, Christ died for us, we must believe in him for salvation as in vs. 5 Submit to Christ in water baptism upon hearing the gospel Believe in Christ Enter the kingdom of God Have eternal life

35. THE NEW BIRTH IV. Jn. 3:14-17 Look & Live! B. Do We Believe in Jesus Christ? • The lesson of the new birth means his kingdom is for salvation—no earthly civil reign • Water baptism is part of the new birth & essential to enter his kingdom (salvation) • Nicodemus thought he believed in Jesus— “I believe in Jesus Christ but not in that way,” means, “I do not really believe in him!”

36. THE NEW BIRTH IV. Jn. 3:14-17 Look & Live! C. Jesus Came the 1st Time to Save Us, Not to Judge the World: He Will Return to Judge • Acts 17:31 Are we ready? 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

37. THE NEW BIRTH V. Jn. 3:18-21 Choice: Darkness VS. Light A. Vv. 18-21 Jesus Confronted Nicodemus with a Choice: Darkness in Sin or Light of Salvation

38. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. A. Vv. 18-21 Jesus Confronted Nicodemus with a Choice: Darkness in Sin or Light of Salvation

39. THE NEW BIRTH V. Jn. 3:18-21 Choice: Darkness VS. Light A. Vv. 18-21 Jesus Confronted Nicodemus with a Choice: Darkness in Sin or Light of Salvation • Did he ever believe & obey Christ? Not called a disciple but “he that came to Jesus by night” (Jn. 7:20-21; 12:42-43; 19:38-39) • He had good qualities, but could not obey if loved darkness (sin, position, associates, traditions, etc.)

40. THE NEW BIRTH V. Jn. 3:18-21 Choice: Darkness VS. Light B. Reaction to Light Reveals Our True Character • Love of darkness keeps us from obeying Christ: thief works at night, avoids light • Love of God, truth, & salvation leads us out of darkness to light: coal miner lost after explosion & cave in rejoices to see light

41. THE NEW BIRTH • Invitation 1. Jn. 3:1-21 A great lesson about a new beginning: when the soul is made right with God • Vv. 1-2 Meet Nicodemus • Vv. 3-8 Born Again, Anew, From Above • Vv. 9-13 Christ: the Witness from Heaven • Vv. 14-17 Look & Live! • Vv. 18-21 Choice: Darkness or Light

42. THE NEW BIRTH • Invitation 2. Have you been born again? I wish that there were some wonderful place Called the Land of Beginning Again.Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches And all of our poor selfish griefCould be dropped, like a shabby old coat, at the door And never put on again. [Excerpt from Louisa Fletcher, The Land of Beginning Again]