NICODEMUS AND THE NEW BIRTH–JOHN 3:1-21–LESSON 6
Introduction:
Here we see a religious Jew that comes to the Lord at night. Nicodemus feared the religious leaders and did not want to be put out of the synagogue by being seen with Jesus. Let us consider what Jesus had to say to this religious leader of the Jews.
I. NICODEMUS, A RELIGIOUS MAN
A. Nicodemus was a moral, religious man, one of the chief teachers (rulers) of the Jews.
1. He was a Pharisee. They were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride, Matthew 9:11 ”And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” Luke 7:39, “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”
2. They were frequently rebuked by our Lord, Matthew 12:39, “But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:”
3. From the very beginning of his ministry the Pharisees showed themselves bitter and persistent enemies of our Lord. They could not bear his doctrines, and they sought by every means to destroy his influence among the people.
B. Being religious and moral does not make a man fit for heaven.
1. Jesus declares that a man is condemned already, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
2. Jesus further declares that “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” v. 3.
II. NICODEMUS’ NEED OF A SPIRITUAL BIRTH
A. In material things Nicodemus seemed to be well off, but not rich.
1. He was a ruler of the Jews, a member of the Sanhedrin, the body that governed the people, v. 1.
2. He was a teacher of the Law of Moses, v. 10, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?”
B. In relation to spiritual things, Nicodemus was in great need.
1. Jesus told him of his need, v. 3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2. Nicodemus did not understand, v. 4.
3. Jesus explains in vs. 5-8
a. This birth in not a natural birth.
b. It is a spiritual birth, v. 6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
c. It is the Spirit of God that works the new birth, vs. 5-6.
1) The preaching of the Word of God, v. 5, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
a) Water is a symbol of the Word of God in the Bible.
b) We are washed by the Word, Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
2) The Spirit of God accomplishes the work of Salvation.
a) The Spirit of God convicts of Sin through the preaching of the Word of God, John 16:8, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”
b) The hearing of the Word brings faith, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
CONCLUSION:
Nicodemus evidently trusted the Lord as his Savior because we find him helping prepare the Lord’s body for burial, John 19:39-40, “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40-Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
LESSON 7 TO FOLLOW: