Ye Must Be Born Again
I) INTRO: Read John 2:23-John 3:3
- In John Chapter 3 we have Jesus, who has just performed
several miracles before the Jewish crowds.
- In John 2:23 it states that "at the Passover, in
the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the
miracles he did."
- In John 2:24- God's Word states that "Jesus did not
commit himself unto them," because the faith was vested in His
signs and not in His claims and commands, it was superficial
and not genuine.
- Nicodemus, a very prominent Jewish leader and he now approaches
Jesus Christ with some very interesting questions.
II) BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF NICODEMUS
A) He was a Pharisee
1) 3 prominent Jewish Sects
- Pharisees
- Essences
- Sadducees
2) Pharisee was one of painstaking measures
to fulfill the Mosaic Law
- Luke 11:39- And the Lord said unto him, now do
ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter;
but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
3) Performed ritualistic forms of religion,
knowing not Jesus
4) Noted for self righteousness and pride
- Luke 18:11- The Pharisee and publican prayers;
attitudes
B) A Member of the Sanhedrin
1) Made up of Doctors of the Law, Priests,
Wise Men, Levites and Elders
C) A Very Wealthy Man - As well as influential
and dignified
1) Though well respected/Very Lost and
in need of Salvation!
D) A Counselor in Jerusalem
E) An Ecclesiastical Ruler of the Jews
III) NICODEMUS' APPROACH
A) At Night Time
1. Association with Jesus
- Fear of reprisal
- Loss of prestigious standing
- Loss of friendships
B) A Humble Approach-
- A wealthy influential Jew asking a "perceived Galilean
Peasant
- Term Rabbi- My Master, a title of dignity
- Recognizes that Christ's uniqueness has come from God
IV) JESUS' RESPONSE (CONC.)
A) One of Distinction - Born AGAIN,
distinctive from the 1st birth.
B) One of Separation - Take away the reliance
upon Jewish heritages and Abrahamic associations
C) One of Action - To be regenerated- an
inward transformation
- Not a reformation but regeneration from old Adamic Nature.
- Partaker of the Divine Nature, quickened by the Spirit
- Born of water (God's Word/Samaritan Woman) and of
the Spirit (John 3:5)
- This is in no way speaking of baptismal regeneration
(false doctrine)-----
Faith is the Victory... Eph 2:8, John 3:14-16
D) One of Reward - To see/enter the Kingdom
of God (Vs 3, 5)
Sounds of Joy Ministries
Ministry Family
446 Halsema Rd. N.
Jacksonville, FL 32220
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