God’s Claim

John 3:1-18

[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

[3] In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

John 3:1-16

John 3:1-16

[4] "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

[5] Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is 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] I tell you the truth, 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 desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

John 3:1-16

John 3:1-16

“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.”

Nicodemus “A Pharisee” (v.1) “A member of the Jewish ruling council” (v.1) Wealthy and Socially Prominent “The Teacher of Israel” (v.10) The Cream of the Religious & Social Order A Prime Example of the “Old Order”

Jn. 1:17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Today: Who is more religious?

The Big “Debate”The Big “Debate”

Nic Acknowledges Jesus as a fellow-scholar:Nic Acknowledges Jesus as a fellow-scholar:– Vs. 2 "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God..."Vs. 2 "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God..."

Christ throws him for a loop (vs.3):Christ throws him for a loop (vs.3):– John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see

the kingdom of God unless he is born again."the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

– Only Spiritual Rebirth matters.Only Spiritual Rebirth matters.

What is this “Rebirth” ?What is this “Rebirth” ?– v.4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. v.4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked.

"Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"born!"

– v.5-6 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the v.5-6 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

– PhysicalPhysical and and SpiritualSpiritual Birth Birth

Spiritual RebirthSpiritual Rebirth

Not Naturally Available.Not Naturally Available. ““but the but the SpiritSpirit gives birth to gives birth to spiritspirit” ” Jn.3:6Jn.3:6

Experiencing Direct Contact with God.Experiencing Direct Contact with God. ““I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John John

10:10 10:10

Nicodemus Needed It.Nicodemus Needed It. As all “good” people do.As all “good” people do.

Mental Ascent is Not Enough.Mental Ascent is Not Enough. v2 Nic already believed Christ was “Great”.v2 Nic already believed Christ was “Great”.

“Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God”“Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God”

The Claim v13 Jesus has been in God’s presence:

John 3:13 “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.”

Jn.1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...

v.14-15 He Can Remove Our Spiritual Alienation:

The “Moses Story”: God judged the Israelites. The “Snake Pole”: Escape from Judgment. Foretelling His own death on the Cross:

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Cor. 5:21

v.16 Received through Faith John 3:16 “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.”

John 3:14-15 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

An Important Claim! Christ doesn’t judge now:

John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

v18 Yet, this Claim can’t be ignored: John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who

does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

v19 Some are repelled, others attracted John 3:19-20 “This is the verdict: Light has come

into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

The Implications of the Claim?

Like The Wind: a Mysterious Change. John 3:8 “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.”

Requires a Certain “Step of Faith” John 3:16 “…Whoever believes in him shall

not perish but have eternal life.”