Sunnyside First Baptist Church
02.26.23 The Story of Nicodemus - That we may Believe
  • The River
  • Holy Water
  • It Is Well With My Soul

  • Nicodemus - Friend or Foe of God

    — Nicodemus is called a Pharisee, which would make him a student and serious practitioner of the Old Testament Law and Jewish oral traditions.
    — He is also called “a ruler of the Jews” that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish governing body in Jerusalem.
    --He is also given a third title, “teacher” (v. 10), which would make him a teacher and an expert of the law.
    — Nicodemus appears in 3 different passages in the Book of John.
    Nicodemus illustrates that NO ONE is SO FAR from God that Christ cannot bridge the gap.
    — He is featured in John 3, John 7 and John 19. We of course will get to chapter 7 and 19 in the future.

    Let’s Take A Look At Scripture.

    — This will be the last week that the main passage of scripture is printed on the screens.
    — It will be necessary that you have a Bible, there is a Bible in the rack in front of you or access scripture on an app.
    — I will try to put the page numbers on the slide so if you aren’t familiar where we are at please just turn to the page.
    — Our passage today begins in Chapter 2.23 and extends through John, Chapter 3, Vs.15
    SO… What’s in it for me, my neighbor, my friend?
    — To be“Saved”
    — To be “Born Again”
    — To have been “Regenerated”
    [and lots of other confusing terms]
    —I hope that we can have a clear-er picture of these and some other terms as we go today
    — Our passage today begins in John Chapter 2.23 and extends through Chapter 3, Vs.15
    John 2:23–3:15 ESV
    23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. 1 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. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

    Let’s first deal with those verses from Chapter 2, Verses 23-25

    John 2:23–25 ESV
    23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
    — Jesus never did “signs or His miracles” to impress anyone but to reveal himself as the Messiah.
    — He could not be goaded into “showing us a sign” or doing a miracle to “prove who he is.”
    — Our acknowledgement of Christ as Savior is done “by faith alone.”
    — That is the Faith, delivered to us , that makes us Spiritually ALIVE!
    What is so necessary about being “Spiritually Alive?
    — Being “Spiritually Alive” happens when we call upon the Lord and he walks alongside of us.
    — We are in relationship with him. We call him “brother” and He calls us “friend.”
    — There is NO LONGER, a separation between God and Man when you are “SPIRITUALLY ALIVE.”
    — Becoming and staying “SPIRITUALLY ALIVE” is our ticket, pass, entrance to Heaven.
    — Salvation, from beginning to end, is all of Grace… Established in the Heavenlies and provided for by the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
    ​
    SALVATION IS FOR EVERYONE… NO ONE IS TO FAR FROM GOD’S REACH except those who refuse TO LISTEN!
    John Chapter 3, Verse 1,2
    John 3:1–2 ESV
    1 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.”
    — He did need to see for himself… Where I was from that’s called being from Missouri
    — You know… The show-me state!
    Vs. 2
    — That term… “By Night.” Why did Nicodemus come “by night?”
    — Nicodemus came secretly to Jesus in the darkness, hoping to be concealed from the public eye.
    — He went to Jesus as a reluctant disciple came away a follower of Christ. — That’s my opinion.
    — We don’t know for sure if Nicodemus accepted Jesus from scripture alone
    — Some “extra-biblical” sources do talk about Nicodemus’ salvation.
    ​
    John 3:2–3 ESV
    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.”
    — Nicodemus opened the conversation with a compliment by using the term “Rabbi.”
    — Jesus’ reply quietly ignored Nicodemus’ statement, and began with the thing that Nicodemus came to discuss, namely The Kingdom of God.
    — Becoming a Christian is a supernatural act of God’s generosity in combination with “us” and “him” parts.
    — We, like Nicodemus, are just as dependent upon God for our second birth as for our first birth.
    — To be born of “water and the Spirit” is to receive the new heart and the sin-cleansing washing God promised for the age of the Messiah.
    — There is this important connection between this passage and Ezekiel in the Old Testament
    Ezekiel 36:24–28 ESV
    24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
    — So the prophet spoke… The people at that time and in our time can see that the reach by God for His people is not a NT or OT only topic. Salvation is for EVERYONE

    “Born Again” or “Regeneration”or “Saved”

    — For human beings, regeneration is the answer to the corruption of caused by sin.

    So… are you saying “Born Again” will get me into Heaven?

    — it is essential for participation in the kingdom of God (Jn 3:3). John 3.3 “3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.””
    YES!! Born Again will get you into Heaven.
    — At conversion, God grants the believer new life and a new identity in Christ.
    — John refers to it as a new birth, a birth “from above” this change is brought about by the Holy Spirit, who comes to indwell the believer.
    — Those born of the Spirit DO NOT receive an extension of mortal life but eternal life. — --------- “Regeneration” or “Salvation” applies to the inner self.
    — If you have recieved the Holy Spirit and have committed your life to Christ we can anticipate complete renovation of our physical bodies in the resurrection.

    So… Are you saying that receiving the HOLY SPIRIT get’s me into Heaven?

    — Once you receive “THE SPIRIT” that will lead to growth.
    — Your reception in Heaven is NOT conditional. It is received by Faith, by Faith alone!!!
    — Growth spiritually… Will get you to Heaven.

    Can you turn your back on God?

    — There are literally libraries filled with books discussing the topic.
    — I believe that you can...
    — Maybe you were never really saved, maybe there is ZERO fruit in your life? Maybe you have turned our back on God and you curse Him.
    — These are NOT the actions of a disciple.

    And now for a very legitimate question from a curious Nicodemus.

    John 3:4–6 ESV
    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.
    — Very likely Nicodemus did not understand at all what Jesus was talking about. That’s me!
    — It was a case of unbelief prompted by a lack of knowledge, or at least by a gross misunderstanding of what Jesus was saying.

    Jesus Answered...

    John 3:7–8 ESV
    7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
    — Vs. 7 Jesus repeats the necessity of the new birth, and the plural of you (ὑμα̂ς, hymas) emphasizes that Nicodemus and the rest of humanity have the same need of rebirth.
    — Vs. 8 One can know that the wind is present and blowing by what it does, but one cannot know the origin or the destination.
    — It is the same... one born of water and the Spirit may be certain of the event, by its results.
    Let’s Review from a bit ago
    SO… What’s in it for me, my neighbor, my friend?
    — To be“Saved”
    — You must be “Born Again”
    — I have been “Regenerated”
    [and lots of other confusing terms]
    — If these terms are a bit confusing to you… you are not alone.
    — Ask the person that brought you here
    — Call me, come on in, let’s have a conversation.
    — I’m VERY interested in what you have to say.

    Let’s Pray

      • John 2:23–3:15NLT

      • John 2:23–25NLT

      • John 3:1–2NLT

      • John 3:2–3NLT

      • Ezekiel 36:24–28NLT

      • John 3:4–6NLT

      • John 3:7–8NLT

  • O Come To The Altar
Sunnyside First Baptist Church
sunnysidefbc@gmail.com
509-837-3084
https://sunnysidefbc.faithlifesites.com
11 members • 3 followers