“Born Again”John: 3-4, Nicodemus & The Woman at the Well

Introduction

Nativity Witnesses

Shepherds: young, simple, lower-class

Kings: wise, upper-class, Gentile

Simeon: old, middle-class, Jew, man

Anna: old, upper middle-class, woman, Jew

John 3: Jesus teaches Nicodemus that all must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God

Jesus teaches with a hook, then he enlightens and lets the Spirit testify

John 3:1-2, Nicodemus comes at night

Why did he come at night?

What is his testimony based on?

John 3:3-5, What does it mean to be ‘born of water’, ‘born of the Spirit’?

What does it mean to be born again?

John 3:16,18Believe in Christ

Mosiah 5:2 Mighty change, no more disposition to do evil

Alma 5:12-14, 21Humble yourselves, Trust in God, Repent

Mosiah 5:7Hearts are changed

President Ezra Taft Benson“…we must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King Lamoni. Such astonishing examples of the power to change even those steeped in sin give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those deepest in despair.

“But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said ‘were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.’”

Choosing light over darkness

John 3:19-21

Why do we retreat from the light?

Definition “Reprove”: to scold or correct usually gently or with kindly intent

Definition “Wrought”: carefully formed or worked into shape, beaten into shape by artistry or effort (wrought iron)

What happened to Nicodemus?

History of Samaria

Both groups descended from Abraham and practiced ‘similar’ religions. North of Judea, South of Galilee.

722 BC - the Northern Kingdom is conquered by Assyria. The tribes are scattered and intermarry with Pagans. This mixing produced the Samaritans.

For 700 years hostility between the two groups grew.

Christ makes a point of showing their redeeming qualities. Leper who comes back, ‘Good Samaritan’ etc.

Jesus teaches a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well

Nicodemus had heard/seen Jesus’ miracles. This woman had no knowledge of Jesus.

John 4:3-4

Why did he ‘need’ to go through Samaria? vs. 35

Who are modern-day Samaritans?

John 4:6-8

Sixth hour: Noon

The Living Water

John 4:9-10

He had no requirement of her to be righteous before he would teach her. (Matt 9:13)

John 4:11-12

She doesn’t understand but her respect and curiosity is growing - “Sir” (Lord)

John 4:13-15

Why will they never thirst again?

Why did she believe it was real and that he could give it to her?

The Living Water

John 4:16-19

Why does he ask her about her husband? How does she respond?

John 4:20-23

This is new doctrine. Jews believed in specific places of worship.

Seeds of Testimony

John 4:24-29

He acknowledges who he is after admitting he knows her sins.

What is her reaction?

Which “things” did he tell her? (29)

What else could she have done?

John 4:39-42

What were the results of her testimony?

Camille Fronk Olsen

“Life-changing revelation came to her, revelation as profound as we find in scripture. But her conversion was not in the dramatic fashion of Alma the Younger or Saul on the road to Damascus. In a quiet and contemplative way, the Samaritan woman received a clear witness while in the midst of doing ordinary household chores. In her humble way, she therefore encourages any who feel disenfranchised to trust in the Lord’s invitation to drink from his living water and experience his love and power to save them.”

Conclusion

John 21:25

Many other things could have been written. Why were these two stories included?

They teach of the process of being born again.

They teach us of the need and source of Living Water