Born Again

On May 26th, 2019 I preached at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Florida.  Here is the transcript of my sermon below.

Timothy Keller writes in his book Center Church, “Christians typically identify two ways to respond to God: follow him and do his will or reject him and do your own thing.  You can reject God by rejecting his law and living the way you see fit.  And you can also reject God by embracing God’s law so as to earn your salvation.  The problem is that people in this last group look as if they are doing God’s will.  There are not just two ways to respond to God but three: irreligion, religion, and the gospel.
Irreligion is avoiding God as Lord and Savior by ignoring him altogether.  “Religion”, or moralism is avoiding God as Lord and Savior by developing a moral righteousness and then presenting it to God in an effort to show that he ‘owes’ you.  The gospel, however, has nothing to do with our developing a righteousness we give God, so he owes us; it is God’s developing and giving us righteousness through Jesus Christ.”[i]
 
Today I would like to spend some time in the Gospel of John.  The account in the passage that was just read is one that many of you are probably familiar with.  In the text we read about an encounter between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus.  The goal of this message is two-fold. 

1. To proclaim a message that needs to be heard on a regular basis and it is a message that shows there is only one way for someone to have eternal life and inherit the Kingdom of God by being born again.  I will talk about this more.
   
2. To show that when anybody encounters Jesus Christ, they always leave the encounter a changed person.  This still applies today. 

 
Our text for today is John 3:1 – 7 
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
 
The Conversation
Verse 1:  Nicodemus – Very little is known about Nicodemus because there is little written about him in the Gospels.  However, we do know that Nicodemus was a Pharisee who was a member of the Sanhedrin and he comes to Jesus in the night hour to have a conversation with him.

(Background info) The Pharisees were men who prided themselves on keeping the laws of God to the “T”.  They may not have been overly moral in character, but they were fastidious in knowing and enforcing the law.  The law was their “righteousness”.  They believed they were “more holy” than others because they understood and enforced the laws of Moses. 
 
Verse 2:  We are unsure exactly as to what Nicodemus’ motives were in talking to Jesus that evening.  Some have suggested that since he was a respected Jewish leader (an older man) he didn’t want others to know he was going to Jesus to learn from him or even associate with him.  Others have said he met with him at night because he was afraid.  Some believe he went in the evening because this was the time Rabbi’s and teachers studied.  Some even think that the night meeting was symbolic of his spiritual state and He may have come at nighttime because he was living in spiritual darkness and wanted to inquire of the light (Jesus).  All of these are plausible possibilities, but truth be told we do not know why he met with Jesus, but we do know it was a divine and sovereign meeting.   

As their conversation starts Nicodemus says, “We know you are a teacher who has come from God…”  This meant that the consensus among the some of the Jewish leaders was that he was a teacher who had the hand of God on his life and in his ministry.  Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus was  a man with God’s hand on his ministry because of the miracles and wonders he saw Jesus perform.  The rulers knew there was something special about Jesus but they (Nicodemus) certainly were not proclaiming that Jesus was a prophet, THE Prophet or even the Messiah.  Regardless he knew there was something unique about Jesus and this may have been the reason he wanted to talk to Him.
 
Verse 3:  Before Nicodemus can even ask a question Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter (quite possibly because he knew Nicodemus’ motive, inquiry or he just needed to tell him the truth right up front).  Jesus says, “Truly, truly unless a person is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  By saying, “Truly, truly” Jesus is emphasizing that what he is about to say is absolutely true. 
There are two items we need to look at in order to understand the absolute truth Jesus spoke to Nicodemus… They are “The Kingdom of God” and “Born again”
 
Kingdom of God
This term only exists in the NT, however much of the OT points to the concept, reality and anticipation of the Kingdom of God.  In the OT the implication of the Kingdom of God was a future day when God is the sovereign ruler of all nations and over all of creation.  The prophets longed for the day when God would physically bring peace to the nations of Israel and Judah (They would be one again) and justice, peace and mercy would spill over to all nations and over all of creation or in it’s finality the Kingdom of God is Heaven… The abiding place of God the Father and Son Jesus Christ. 

“Seeing the kingdom’ is equivalent to the more familiar expression in (the Gospel of) John of eternal life.[ii]   The kingdom or eternal life is the central message of Jesus Christ in NT.  It is mentioned twice in John (3:3,5 & 18:36) and is defined as the rule, reign and sovereignty of God over all creation.  So in short the Kingdom of God is equivalent to eternal life and the future reign of God as sovereign king. 

At the time of this writing, Jews and Christians lived under Roman rule and the Apostle Paul, Peter and Jesus all say that the world is in the grasps of the evil one (often times Rome was considered all that is evil and other times the devil).  This does not mean that God is not the true ruler of the world, it just means the world is in bondage to Satan and evil because of sin and the fall of humanity.  We live in a sinful world where it seems as though evil is running rampant and Satan seems to be the god of the world.  However, this is a false perception in part because God is sovereign (Supreme Rule) today and his Kingdom has already begun on earth through us (those who believe in Jesus and are obedient to His call).  This Kingdom was inaugurated in the person, works and message of Jesus Christ.  Eternal life starts the moment you trust Jesus as Lord and Savior thus God’s Kingdom is now. 

This, however, does not negate the reality that there will also be a future day when Jesus physically returns to set up His Kingdom here on earth and rule and reign sovereignly over all nations and creation.  So in order for one to receive, enter, or be part of the Kingdom of God, one must be born again.
 
 Born Again
So what is Jesus saying when he says one must be “born again”?  This statement is just as confusing to some today as it was to Nicodemus back then.  Some may even respond as Nicodemus does… “Can one be born a second time?  One certainly cannot enter the womb (as a grown adult) and be reborn!” 
           
There are two interpretations to Nicodemus’ response…

1. He was confused and could not understand how a second physical birth was even possible.  Thus, he couldn’t even grasp how a there would even be a possibility of a second birth in order to see the kingdom.  What Jesus was saying in inconceivable to him (pardon the pun).
   
2. He knew exactly what Jesus was saying.  However, Nicodemus could not understand how a person who has lived a full life according to the laws and Jewish scriptures could...
   
   1. Not go to heaven
      
   2. Unlearn and accept this new way (rebirth, transformation of the heart) of entering the Kingdom.

To him it was nearly impossible to give up all he was trained for and taught in a lifetime and re-learn the “new” way into the Kingdom.  You can’t teach old dog’s new tricks.  Can one truly throw away a lifetime of devotion and start fresh and new?

Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  Entrance into the Kingdom, Heaven or more simply salvation is not attained by keeping, enforcing and living the law; it was about being re-born (or as the Greek states, “Born from above).  Rebirth or regeneration means repenting of your sins, responding to Jesus and trusting in him for salvation, being cleansed from sin, and the result is a transformed heart and one becoming a new creation in Christ. 

Regeneration is not individuals trying to be a better person by cleaning up his act and becoming a moral person.  Regeneration is not about become a better version of yourself (Jeff 2.0) it means that you are a brand-new version of yourself that is transformed by Jesus Christ. 

In short, Jesus tells us that unless one is cleansed from sin (through confession and repentance) and reborn in the Spirit of God (faith in Christ and becoming a new creation) one cannot enter or see the Kingdom of God.
 
Verses 7: “Do not marvel…”  Jesus’ words are clear you (the you is actually plural which properly interpreted is ‘you all’ or in the south Y’all) MUST be born again.  This is THE central message of Jesus in this passage and it is certainly a central message for us today. 
 
Application/Conclusion

1. Nicodemus’ encounter continues as Jesus proceeds to explain to him the plan of salvation of God and the redemption of his people through Jesus (John 3:16).  God’s love for the world is so evident to us through His Son Jesus Christ who was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world and he gave his life so those who believe could be saved.  The true Gospel is founded and rooted in the love of God.  Jesus’ mission and purpose were in giving his life or being “lifted up” (see verse 15) on the cross of Calvary; He was resurrected and ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of the father.  This was God’s “plan A” since the creation of the world.  The cross was not a knee-jerk reaction on God’s part because humanity was so out of control throughout the centuries that he needed to sort things out for humanity to be save.  This was the plan, the mission, the purpose of Jesus Christ coming to the world since the beginning of time.  As a gift to the world God sovereignly gave his best gift, his one and only beloved Son so that we could receive the Kingdom of God… Eternal life.
   
   
2. On this evening Nicodemus was forever changed.  This is one of many instances in the Bible where I believe that when one encounters Jesus, he or she always walks away forever changed.  In Nicodemus’ case he could no longer use the excuse of  “law keeping”, “Morals” or intellect as his means (or what he thought) of righteousness before God.  He has heard the truth and the truth changes people.  However, we do not know how Nicodemus responds this evening.  Did he go away sad like the rich young ruler because the cost was too high?  Or did he leave the conversation this evening as a truly born-again believer?  Either way, he left impacted b y Jesus in a mighty way.
3. We, like Nicodemus, no longer have an excuse for rejecting Jesus in our lives.  We now know that in order to inherit the Kingdom of God (eternal life) you must be born again.  There must be a transformation of the heart and a cleansing of sin and iniquity.  You must simply repent, believe and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you into a new creation in Christ.  You do not become a better or more cleaned up version of your old self.  A Spirit-filled believer in Christ acknowledges the sovereignty of God in his life, has trusted him as Lord and savior and anticipates the future day when He will establish his Kingdom of peace, justice and mercy here on earth and you will be a partaker in his Kingdom.

 
The challenge for today is simple… Ask yourself… Am I born again?  Have I trusted or put my faith in Jesus Christ?  Is He my Lord and my Savior?  Have I been washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ?  Do I have a transformed heart and am I a new creation in Christ?  Does God have complete (not just some) but complete rule and reign in my life?  Have I experienced the new (second) birth in Christ?  I don’t care how young or old you are.  I don’t care how long you have been a member of this or any other church.  I don’t care how many church or Christians functions you attend a week.  Have you been born-again?  If you say, “yes!” then, by all means. enjoy the life God has given you, continue to love and serve in your church, and be edified at all your Christian and church functions.  But if you can honestly say that either you are not sure or you definitely are not born-again then I pray you would not hesitate and do so now.  If you are still unsure how you would do this, please feel free to talk to me afterwards and I would be happy to pray with you.
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Today is one encounter with Christ that you must respond to in your life. I have preached the central message of Jesus Christ today.  Jesus came to give you life, and He came to give it in abundance, and it is available to all who believe.  The Kingdom of heaven is at hand… Are you part of His Kingdom?


[i] Keller, Timothy J (2012). Center Church,  p.63 Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

[ii] Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary : 21st century edition. Rev. ed. of: The new Bible commentary. 3rd ed. / edited by D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer. 1970. (4th ed.) (Jn 3:1). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.