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Sermon Introduction

The Lord manifested signs, and many believed. However, the Lord was careful not to entrust Himself to them because He knew the moral weaknesses in men. Moreover, He knew the internal motives of people. His divine nature understood all things, especially man.

The writer, John, introduced Nicodemus. He belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, who were quite influential, yet most were not in the ruling class. Nicodemus was different. He was a Pharisee, but he was also in the ruling class. John narrated the dialogue with Nicodemus approaching Jesus at night. It was not because he did not want others to see him but because it was simply night. His opening remarks indicated that he wanted to challenge Jesus into a dialogue.

Alfie Uy
Preacher

John 2:23-25

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.

John 3:1-15

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 2 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.

Notes

The Lord manifested signs, and many believed. However, the Lord was careful not to entrust Himself to them because He knew the moral weaknesses in men. Moreover, He knew the internal motives of people. His divine nature understood all things, especially man.

The writer, John, introduced Nicodemus. He belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, who were quite influential, yet most were not in the ruling class. Nicodemus was different. He was a Pharisee, but he was also in the ruling class. John narrated the dialogue with Nicodemus approaching Jesus at night. It was not because he did not want others to see him but because it was simply night. His opening remarks indicated that he wanted to challenge Jesus into a dialogue.

1. Born again

   The Lord Jesus initiated the topic of the social dialogue. It was about being born again or from above (1:13). Nicodemus followed by asking how. The Lord Jesus explained that unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Water may symbolize cleansing, and the Spirit is the Holy Spirit.
   
   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 2 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” (John 3:3-8).
   
   
   
   
   

2. You do not believe

   Nicodemus gave a weak counter by simply asking, “How can these things be?” The Lord pressed quickly by citing how a teacher of Israel did not understand. Then, Jesus spoke about the testimony that they reject or will reject. Those who bore witness were John the Baptist and some of the disciples.
   
   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? (John 3:9-12).
   
   
   
   
   

3. Eternal life

   John recorded another claim, which he aligned with the prologue. Jesus mentioned that He both ascended and descended from heaven. John wrote that the Word became flesh. He ascended, which would happen in the resurrection. Yet, it may also reflect the pre-existent Christ. And like the serpent in the wilderness, the Son of Man will be lifted (Numbers 21:4-9). And those who believe will have eternal life.
   
   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 (John 3:13-15).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Understand the need

   There is a need to be born again, or to be born from above, or to be born of the Spirit. Yet that is the will of God and not man. What can we do then? By His grace alone, we can believe that being born again is of God, not man.

   
   
   
   

2. Believe in the testimony

   According to the Lord, Nicodemus did not accept their testimony. But John the Baptist, the disciples, and the Lord spoke of who Christ is. However, unlike those who rejected their testimony, we believe their testimony.
   
   
   
   

3. Proclaim

   Judgment is reserved for all who sinned, like those bitten by snakes in the wilderness. But God reminded them to look at a bronze serpent, yet He healed them. Our reminder today is the death and resurrection of Christ. We proclaim the gospel and pray that people will look to Him.
   
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. Who is Nicodemus? In what capacity was he there? Explain.

2. What were the critical discussions of the Lord? Explain each.

3. What is another claim of Christ? What is the connection with the serpent?