Born Again: Look to the One Lifted Up

John 3 unfolds a night visit from Nicodemus, a respected member of the Jewish ruling council, who seeks to understand the signs and teaching that surround Jesus. Jesus insists that entrance into God’s kingdom requires a spiritual rebirth—being born of water and the Spirit—distinguishing physical life from new, Spirit-wrought life. The wind image shows the Spirit’s freedom and unpredictability: spiritual transformation often arrives in ways people cannot predict or control. The sermon connects Jesus’ words to Israel’s wilderness story where Moses lifts a bronze snake so the bitten can live; that image points forward to the Son of Man lifted up on a cross, inviting people to look, believe, and receive life. John 3:16 anchors the narrative: God’s love pours out in giving the one and only Son so that belief in him grants eternal life rather than condemnation.

The passage insists that salvation stands on God’s action in Christ, not on human merit or effort. The cross functions as the decisive lifting up that undoes the serpent’s sting from Eden and restores the possibility of relationship with God. The congregation prepares to remember and receive that gift through confession, assurance of pardon, and communion. Communion appears as both remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and a present means of spiritual nourishment, calling participants to live in humility, repentance, and renewed service. Practical faith flows into communal care: announcements about workday, outreach like the farmers market, and invitations to serve illustrate how transformation bears tangible witness in neighborhoods and daily life. The closing benediction sends the community out to embody the gospel, trusting that when people gaze upon Christ and believe, they receive life now and forever.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Born of water and Spirit Being “born of water and the Spirit” describes a radical reorientation: the old self dies and the Spirit forms newness that mere human effort cannot produce. This rebirth reorders affections and actions so that life flows from God’s presence rather than human achievement. It calls for daily dependence on the Spirit to sustain holiness and courage in ordinary settings. [30:51]
• 2. Lifted up for eternal life The bronze snake image and the cross connect lifting-up with healing and restoration; looking in faith unites people to God’s life. The crucified Christ becomes the focal point where judgment gives way to mercy and where alienation yields to reconciliation. Belief does not earn standing but receives the remedy God provides through sacrifice. [38:04]
• 3. The Spirit moves like the wind The Spirit’s movement resists precise control and predictable patterns; transformation often surprises and redirects people toward unexpected service. Openness to the Spirit means embracing disorientation as part of growth and trusting God’s forward-moving presence. Such movement empowers ordinary, seemingly unqualified people for faithful witness. [26:46]
• 4. Communion as remembrance and nourishment Communion commemorates Christ’s gift while feeding ongoing spiritual life; it blends confession, forgiveness, and renewal into a tangible practice. Approaching the table requires humility and honest repentance, yet it offers assurance that God’s covenant remains active and transforming. The meal equips the community to embody the gospel in concrete works of mercy. [42:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:31] - Church Announcements & Workday
• [02:04] - Daylight Saving Reminder
• [02:28] - Opening Prayer
• [16:22] - Call to Worship and Invocation
• [25:51] - Scripture Reading: John 3:1-17
• [28:13] - Nicodemus Comes at Night
• [30:51] - Born of Water and Spirit Explained
• [32:28] - Numbers 21: The Bronze Snake
• [38:04] - Lifted Up: Cross and Salvation
• [41:35] - Salvation by Faith, Not Works
• [42:19] - Communion: Confession and Remembrance
• [48:16] - Communion Instructions (Antinction)
• [49:40] - Farmers Market Outreach Mention
• [56:12] - Sending Forth
• [59:42] - Benediction and Blessing

Bible reading
John 3:1-17 (ESV)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 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.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 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?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 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.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 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. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Observation questions

1. What two reasons does Nicodemus give for coming to Jesus at night?
2. What does Jesus say is the difference between what is born of the flesh and what is born of the Spirit?
3. According to Jesus, what Old Testament story is the Son of Man being "lifted up" compared to?
4. What is the stated purpose of God sending his Son into the world in verse 17?

Interpretation questions

1. Why might Jesus use the analogy of the wind to describe the work of the Spirit in a person's life? [26:46]
2. How does the story of the bronze snake in the wilderness provide a solution for the problem introduced by the serpent in the Garden of Eden? [38:04]
3. If salvation is not about working our way to heaven, what role does human effort or action play after someone has looked upon Christ and believed? [41:35]
4. The act of communion is described as both a remembrance and a source of nourishment. What does it mean for a spiritual practice to provide ongoing nourishment for daily life? [42:19]

Application questions

1. Being born of the Spirit means a daily dependence on God rather than human achievement. [30:51] What does it look like for you to depend on the Spirit for holiness and courage in your ordinary settings this week?
2. The Spirit’s movement can be unpredictable and might lead to unexpected service. [26:46] When have you felt surprised or disoriented by where God was leading you? How can you practice being more open to those surprising nudges?
3. Looking upon Christ and believing is what brings life. [38:48] In the chaos of daily life, what are some practical ways you can intentionally "look" to Jesus and be reminded of what he has done for you?
4. Communion calls for honest repentance and offers assurance of forgiveness. [42:19] Is there a specific thought, word, or action you need to acknowledge before God this week to experience that renewal?
5. The gift of eternal life is meant to flow out into tangible care for others, like serving at a workday or providing fresh produce. [49:40] How can the reality of God's love for you motivate a specific act of generosity or service in your neighborhood?
6. The wind of the Spirit empowers people who feel unqualified. [31:52] What is something God might be calling you to do that feels beyond your ability, and how can you take a first step in trusting him for it?