Born Again: Coming Into the Light of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in the dark: Nicodemus and our questions

You might come to Jesus with questions after dark, unsure how it will affect your life if anyone sees. That’s okay—He welcomes honest seekers who can’t quite sort out what’s real and what’s fake yet. But darkness exists to hide, and staying hidden eventually keeps you from the freedom you’re longing for. Jesus receives you as you are, then gently invites you into the light where trust grows. Today, let your questions lead you to Him, even if your steps feel small. [36:32]

John 3:1–2 — A Pharisee named Nicodemus visited Jesus at night and acknowledged that the signs he saw pointed to God’s presence with Him.

Reflection: Where are you currently keeping your faith out of sight—at work, at home, or among certain friends—and what is one simple, honest step you could take this week to bring your questions into the open (for example, reading John 3 with a trusted friend)?

Day 2: Born again: transformation from the inside out

Being “born again” is not behavior management; it’s a new start from within. The change begins with a God-given desire that says, “I want to live differently,” and then the rest of life starts to follow. Titles, appearances, and labels can’t do this; following Jesus does. As your inner life is reborn, your words, habits, and priorities begin to shift—not to earn acceptance, but because you’ve already received it. Let the truth land: real life in God begins on the inside, then flows outward. [45:03]

John 3:3 — Jesus told Nicodemus that without a new birth from above, a person cannot even see God’s kingdom.

Reflection: What is one outward habit you’ve been trying to fix without addressing your heart, and how could you nurture inner renewal this week (for example, reading one chapter of John daily and praying, “Jesus, I surrender all”)?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit births spiritual life in you

Human effort can improve routines, but it cannot generate spiritual life; only the Holy Spirit can. He indwells those who trust Jesus, changing them from the inside out in ways mere willpower never could. The Spirit’s work is distinct from the physical—it’s like wind you can’t control but you can welcome. Don’t let fear or past church baggage keep you at arm’s length; God’s Spirit is trustworthy. Ask Him to do the deep work you cannot do for yourself. [49:42]

John 3:5–8 — No one enters God’s kingdom unless born of water and the Spirit. Humans produce human life, but the Spirit generates spiritual life; like the wind, His movement is real though mysterious in those who are born of Him.

Reflection: In what specific area have you been relying on self-improvement, and when will you set aside 10 quiet minutes each day this week to invite the Holy Spirit to transform that area from within?

Day 4: Stepping from secrecy into the light of Jesus

Jesus draws a gracious but clear line: you must be born again—and that new life belongs in the light. Moving from religion to relationship means letting your trust in Him show up in public ways. This could look like honest conversations, invitations to church, or preparing for baptism as a declaration of what He’s done in you. It may cost you comfort, but it will lead to freedom and integrity. The light is where your faith grows sturdy. [53:29]

John 3:19–21 — Light entered the world, yet many hid because their deeds were in the dark. Those who practice truth step toward the light so that it becomes clear God is at work in them.

Reflection: What would “coming into the light” look like this month in one specific setting (your workplace, team, or friend group), and what concrete step will you take—such as inviting someone to church or sharing how Jesus is changing you?

Day 5: Costly devotion: Nicodemus finally steps into daylight

Nicodemus didn’t stay in the shadows; he publicly joined Joseph of Arimathea to care for Jesus’ body. He brought costly myrrh—risking status, finances, and relationships—to honor the One who had captured his heart. The man who once sought Jesus by night stepped into daylight with bold love. Love still looks like that: willing to pay a price because Jesus is worth it. Ask God to show you the next courageous step that aligns your faith with your life. [55:59]

John 19:38–40 — After Jesus’ death, Joseph of Arimathea asked for His body, and Nicodemus came too, carrying a large amount of spices. Together they wrapped Jesus in linen with the spices and placed Him in the tomb.

Reflection: What is one specific cost you sense God inviting you to embrace this week (a set act of generosity, a humility move related to your title, or a risky-but-loving invitation to a friend), and when will you act on it?

Sermon Summary

In a culture where it’s harder than ever to tell what’s real, this teaching sets its sights on the words of Jesus that begin, “I tell you the truth.” A playful “Is it cake?” illustration exposes how appearances deceive: what looks convincing on the outside can be something very different on the inside. That tension leads straight into John 3 and the late-night visit of Nicodemus—a respected Pharisee who seeks Jesus under cover of darkness. He had much to lose: reputation, income, and relationships. The question pressed on hearers is uncomfortably clear: Is faith still kept in secret to protect titles, finances, or friend groups?

Jesus’ answer to Nicodemus is not a suggestion but a line in the sand: “You must be born again.” This is not about religious behavior, image management, or wearing a Christian label by association. It is an inside-out rebirth, a new life only God can begin. The language shifts from “Christian” as a loose identity to “follower of Jesus” as a costly, concrete path. Desire awakens within—a pull toward God that no one can manufacture—and the Spirit begins to rewire loves, words, and habits. External change follows internal life, not the other way around.

Jesus also unveils something Nicodemus had never seen: spiritual life cannot be produced by human effort. “Humans can reproduce only human life,” but the Holy Spirit births spiritual life. This is a major, not a minor. Many fear talk of the Spirit due to spiritual abuse, bad church experiences, or unfamiliarity. But nothing truly spiritual grows without Him. The call is to major on what Jesus majors on: trust the Spirit’s work and step into the light.

Nicodemus eventually does. He defends Jesus in the Sanhedrin and, after the crucifixion, publicly brings an extravagant, costly gift of myrrh to honor Jesus’ body. The one who once hid in the night becomes visible in the daylight. That arc becomes an invitation for the new year: move from secrecy to boldness. Put Jesus before money, titles, and social comfort. Mark the change publicly—through baptism and a simple prayer of surrender—and begin 2026 in the light.

Key Takeaways

1. Truth over appearance in a fake age Appearances can be persuasive yet empty, and digital life only heightens the confusion. Jesus confronts the gap between outside polish and inside reality, calling for a life that is true at the core. Discipleship starts by letting truth search the heart rather than curating an image. Integrity is formed when the inside matches the outside. [28:09]
2. Move from secrecy to public faith Nicodemus begins in the dark to protect status and security, but truth eventually drags faith into daylight. Following Jesus will cost—reputation, income, and relationships may be reordered. The question is not whether there is a cost, but whether He is worth it. Courage grows as love displaces fear. [55:35]
3. Born again means inside-out rebirth Jesus is not asking for behavior modification but a new birth that starts in the soul. Desire for God awakens first, then actions slowly align as life reorients around Him. External disciplines matter, but they follow the new life; they do not create it. Regeneration precedes transformation. [45:03]
4. Only the Holy Spirit creates spiritual life Human effort can achieve human results; only the Spirit births what is eternal. Fear of the Spirit often comes from past wounds, not from the Spirit Himself. Trusting His presence is how change moves from willpower to worship. Without Him, spiritual growth stalls at the surface. [49:59]
5. Step into the light and decide Jesus draws a clear line: “You must be born again.” Faith that hides forever remains stunted; faith that steps into light matures. Public obedience—like baptism—does not save, but it seals. It tells the truth about what God has already done within. [53:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:44] - New series: Not Gonna Lie
[28:09] - Real or fake in our age
[28:36] - “Is It Cake?” illustration
[33:22] - Outside vs. inside reality
[34:30] - Nicodemus comes in the dark
[38:24] - Are you still in secret?
[40:05] - “You must be born again”
[45:03] - Inside-out rebirth, not religion
[48:31] - Born of water and Spirit
[49:59] - Only the Spirit births life
[53:29] - Step into the light
[55:35] - Nicodemus’ public courage and myrrh
[57:26] - Baptism invitation and next steps
[58:52] - Prayer of surrender for 2026

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

- John 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Observation questions

In John 3, when does Nicodemus come to Jesus, and what stands out about that detail in the story?
What firm line does Jesus draw in his conversation with Nicodemus? How is it stated and repeated? “I tell you the truth… you must be born again.” [40:05]
According to John 3:5-6, what does “born of water and Spirit” mean in contrast to natural birth?
What distinction does Jesus make between what humans can produce and what the Holy Spirit produces? “Humans can reproduce only human life… but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” [48:31]

Interpretation questions

What might Nicodemus’s nighttime visit reveal about the pull between curiosity and fear? How does “darkness” function as a picture of hiding? [36:32]
What does “You must be born again” confront in a culture that tries to manage image or rely on religious activity? [44:33]
If only the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life, what does that say about the limits of willpower, self-improvement, or religious performance? [49:59]
Why is stepping into the light a necessary part of faith maturing, and how might public practices (like baptism) tell the truth about an inner work God has already done? [57:26]

Application questions

Where might faith still be “in the dark” to protect a title, income, or relationships? Name one concrete place (workplace, team, friend group) where you’ve stayed quiet, and one small way you could bring your faith into the light this month. [38:24]
“You must be born again.” If faith begins with an inner desire God awakens, where do you sense that desire right now? What simple step could you take this week to cooperate with it (Scripture reading plan, joining a group, confessing a habit)? [47:38]
What fears or hesitations do you carry about the Holy Spirit (because of past church experiences, stories you’ve heard, or just the unknown)? What is one next trust step you can take—like a daily prayer of welcome, “Holy Spirit, lead me today”? [51:42]
Integrity is formed when the inside matches the outside. What is one area where your “outside” looks good but your “inside” needs God’s renewing—words, habits, motives? How will you invite the Spirit to rewire that this week? [47:17]
Nicodemus eventually went public—defending Jesus and bringing a costly gift after the crucifixion. What would a “costly” but loving step look like for you right now: generosity, a hard conversation, changing a compromising pattern, or going first in reconciliation? [55:35]
Stepping into the light often means a clear, public decision. If you’ve trusted Jesus but never made it public, what would keep you from taking the step of baptism? If you have been baptized, what is one fresh, public act of obedience you sense God nudging you to do? [57:26]
Make your own simple surrender prayer for 2026. If Jesus asked you to lay down one thing—finances, title, or a relationship pattern—what would it be? Share it with the group and invite prayer. “Jesus, I surrender all…” [58:52]

Sermon Clips

Now in and the reason why we're doing this is like now more than ever before, we don't know what's real or fake. So much of the content online is to the point now where you literally don't know. You don't know whether it's real, or if if it's created by somebody else or by AI. And so I think now more than ever before, I think it's important that we know the truth. [00:28:04] (24 seconds) #TruthMattersOnline

we don't know what's real or fake. And the reason why I love the show is that it shows us and it challenges our idea that what's on the outside may not be the same thing of what's on the inside. And I think it goes and plays well into what Jesus is saying. He needs to clarify things. And what I love about this this phrase that Jesus says, I tell you the truth. [00:33:09] (30 seconds) #OutsideVsInside

Now there's so much like really important profound stuff in here. The first thing you need to know is, Nicodemus had faith in the darkness. Nicodemus came to see Jesus in the dark. This is important. He was a pharisee. Pharisees don't believe in Jesus. Pharisees are highly religious people at the time had a lot of respect in the community. They were well paid at the time in their community, and he came and he visited Jesus in the dark. [00:34:48] (33 seconds) #FaithInDarkness

Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the dark for a reason. He did not wanna be seen. He didn't wanna be linked to Jesus. But he, like many of us that are here today, maybe those that are logging on, he had these questions that were unanswered by everything else. He had heard a lot about Jesus. He was wrestling with his own idea of who he thought God was, and the religious system that he was a part of. And he came to him in the darkness also because he had a lot to lose. [00:36:32] (37 seconds) #NicodemusInTheDark

Now, I think it is relatable to us though, because we also have a lot to lose. You know what I love about 2026? You know what I love about this series? Is it's time to tell the truth. And the truth is, we have a lot to lose if we're really willing to follow Jesus. [00:38:13] (23 seconds) #TruthMayCostYou

And I think there's a really important question I want you to like, mull over this morning. I want you to chew on it. I want you to put it not the back of your mind, but the front of your mind in the middle of this message. It's this, are you in secret still with Jesus? Are you in secret with a faith in Jesus? Does your faith in Jesus come before these things? Does your faith in Jesus come before finances? Tithing is that principle that forces us to release. It's never been about the money. It's always been about trusting God with this really personal and valuable thing in our lives. [00:38:36] (45 seconds) #FaithOverFinances

Does your faith in Jesus come before your job title? If people were to go to your job and talk to you, would people know at your job that you're a follower of Jesus? Does your faith in Jesus come before your friends? So what that means is, have you ever invited any of your friends to church? You ever invited any of the sports families to church? [00:39:21] (25 seconds) #FaithBeforeTitle

Well, what I love about Jesus is this is one of the moments that Jesus says you do. I tell you the truth, he's telling the truth. And one of the things you need to know about Compass City, what we believe here about the bible, it's the absolute truth. We believe the word of God supersedes everything else, supersedes what the news says, supersedes what the laws of our country say. The Bible, we believe is absolute truth, and then within that, the words of Jesus are exponentially more true. There's great value there. [00:40:54] (32 seconds) #BibleIsAbsoluteTruth

``And, what he's doing now is he's saying, now, you're gonna be born again. No longer do you just do religious activities. You don't just go to church. You don't just live your life a certain way, and you you know, you dress a certain way, and you talk a certain way, and then that's gonna get you to heaven. Jesus is saying, no. No. No. Everything's changing now. And what he means and what it means for you and for us today to be born again means rebirth from the inside out. [00:44:33] (32 seconds) #BornAgainInsideOut

There's a reason if you've ever heard me talk, I don't ever typically use the word Christian. In fact, I don't like the word Christian. You know why? It's because there's a lot of people, and myself, I was very guilty of this growing up. I was Christian by association. So I I held the title of a Christian on my on the sticker on my on my my shirt, because I wasn't a Buddhist, and I wasn't a Muslim, and I wasn't a Hindu. [00:45:10] (31 seconds) #ChristianByAssociation

And so when I think about being a follower of Christ, being born again, here's what I think. I think it starts with the desire, an internal desire in your life. So this morning, is there something in your life that brought you here? Is there this internal desire to say, want to live differently? You may not even know why it's there, but you know it's there. That's the start. Because if you have that internal desire to live differently, what it is is to have a connection with your creator. Once you have that, then everything changes after that. Your life will change, your actions will change, even the words you use will change. [00:46:26] (38 seconds) #InnerDesireToChange

Nobody told me to do those things. You know what people told me to do? Brian, you should start reading your bible. Brian, you should get into a a bible study, and I got into a bible study with some men. I started reading the bible, and sure enough, the word of God began to tell me things like I needed to shave off in my life. Maybe need to change some of my language. Maybe I need to stop doing these things because I feel like it's helping me be disconnected from God. And it's in that moment where you're born again, your internal, your soul is reborn, and everything else changes. [00:47:38] (35 seconds) #BibleStudyChangedMe

So then Jesus begins to introduce this new idea of the holy spirit. It's a holy spirit faith. And again, the the process and this idea and concept of the Holy Spirit was so brand new to them. For us today, I'm sure at some point, if you've been to church ever, you've heard of this word Holy Spirit. Well, it's literally the spirit of God. The spirit of God that comes inside you become a follower of Jesus, and that changes you from the inside out. But these people didn't have any idea. [00:48:38] (31 seconds) #HolySpiritChangesYou

Because prior to Jesus, everybody in the old testament, nobody had the holy spirit. There would only be a couple people like Moses, Joshua. Some of the prophets would get the spirit of God. There would be times people get the spirit of God for a moment, and it would leave. Like one of the judges, his name was Jephthah. The spirit of God would come on him, help him, and then leave. So there's this ridiculously amazing blessing we experience now that if you choose to follow Jesus, you are filled with the spirit of God. [00:49:08] (36 seconds) #FilledWithHolySpirit

But, what Jesus says here is, you cannot grow your spiritual life without the spirit of God. If we go back to the scripture, what Jesus says here, he says this, humans can only reproduce human life. Meaning, your physical body can only reproduce physical life, and in the same way, the Holy Spirit gives birth to a spiritual life. [00:49:44] (25 seconds) #HolySpiritGivesLife

some of us are really fearful of the Holy Spirit. You know what's crazy? Our church is full of people that, like I I have good friends that were in real cults growing up, and people that are a part of different churches or people that are burnt out. Lot of people in recovery in our church, I love it, and they're like really hands off to church because it's like, I knew a guy, I was a part of this thing, and it keeps them at hand at arm's length, and they're like, holy spirit. They're like, they want nothing to do with it. [00:51:42] (33 seconds) #HesitantAboutHolySpirit

And it is important. It is the most important draw the line in the sand moment, and Jesus does that here. He says, you must be born again. And what he means is you must now transition your thinking from religion to now relationship. And so, think one of the questions too I think about is, did Nicodemus ever come into the light? [00:54:16] (27 seconds) #ReligionToRelationship

And then one of the I think one of the most profound moments is there's two people that go to get Jesus' body. When he dies, he's they're gonna take him off the cross and put him in the tomb. Two people. One guy was his name was Joseph of Arimathea. The other guy that came with Joseph of Arimathea was Nicodemus. So at this moment, the death of Christ was so impactful, he was the one to go get him in front of everybody. Whatever it was, he was willing to lay it all down. He gets the body of Jesus, and then the scripture says in John chapter 19 that he brought 75 pounds of ointment of myrrh. [00:55:26] (44 seconds) #LayItAllDown

He came into the light. And my question for you this morning is that, are you willing to come into the light of faith and be bold even though it might cost you something? And follow Christ. [00:56:58] (18 seconds) #ComeIntoTheLight

Maybe for you this is an obvious yes. You've been there. You've already been in the light. I wanna challenge you. It's it never gets easier. God always calls us to the next thing. So are you willing for the next challenge? Are you are you really ready for the next step of boldness in your life? And maybe for you, you've never done it and you know this is the moment God brought you here for a reason. We don't believe in coincidences here. [00:57:16] (21 seconds) #StepIntoBoldness

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Born Again: Coming Into the Light of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in the dark: Nicodemus and our questions

Day 2: Born again: transformation from the inside out

Day 3: The Holy Spirit births spiritual life in you

Day 4: Stepping from secrecy into the light of Jesus

Day 5: Costly devotion: Nicodemus finally steps into daylight

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Born Again: Coming Into the Light of Christ

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