Born Again: The Essential Path to Eternal Life
Summary
In John 3, we encounter Nicodemus, a man of great religious stature, coming to Jesus under the cover of night. Despite his impressive credentials—Pharisee, member of the Sanhedrin, a man revered for his knowledge and moral uprightness—Nicodemus is confronted with a truth that shatters all his assumptions: entrance into the kingdom of God is not achieved by pedigree, intellect, or religious effort, but by being born again. Jesus does not entertain theological flattery or engage in a debate about rules; instead, He goes straight to the heart of the matter. “You must be born again.” This is not a suggestion, but an imperative.
The new birth Jesus describes is not a matter of self-improvement or religious reformation. It is a supernatural work of God, a spiritual rebirth that only He can accomplish. Just as we had nothing to do with our physical birth, so too we are utterly dependent on God for our spiritual birth. The Spirit moves as He wills, regenerating hearts, giving new desires, and restoring what was lost in Eden—a living relationship with God. This is not about becoming a better version of ourselves, but about becoming a new creation altogether.
Nicodemus’s confusion is understandable. He, like many of us, believed that righteousness could be achieved through effort, ritual, and moral living. But Jesus makes it clear: our best efforts are insufficient. Sin has left us spiritually dead, and only the life-giving power of Christ can make us alive. The cross becomes the bridge over the chasm of our separation from God. Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent and lived, so we look to the crucified and risen Christ and receive eternal life.
This new birth is not merely a private, internal experience. Its effects are visible—like the wind, unseen but undeniable in its impact. The Spirit’s presence transforms us, making us bear the family resemblance of our heavenly Father. We become dispensers of grace, marked by compassion, humility, and a boldness to share the hope we have found. The call is urgent and universal: you must be born again. This is the one thing in life that is absolutely essential. Everything else pales in comparison to the eternal significance of this decision.
Key Takeaways
- Spiritual deficiency is universal, regardless of religious background or moral standing. Nicodemus, despite his status and knowledge, was spiritually lost until confronted by Jesus with his need for new birth. Our greatest problem is not ignorance or lack of effort, but the reality of sin that separates us from God. Only by recognizing our spiritual bankruptcy can we truly seek the life that Christ offers. [39:40]
- Spiritual birth is entirely dependent on God’s initiative and grace. Just as we contributed nothing to our physical birth, so we cannot manufacture or earn our spiritual rebirth. Salvation is a supernatural act, a gift from above, accomplished by the Holy Spirit who gives us a new heart and a new nature. This humbles our pride and leads us to gratitude and worship. [50:16]
- Regeneration is not about self-improvement but about becoming a new creation. Religion and moral reform may change outward behavior, but only the Spirit can transform the heart. The new birth restores our relationship with God, making us alive to Him and giving us the capacity to love, obey, and reflect His character. We do not need a better version of ourselves; we need to be made new. [52:27]
- The evidence of new birth is visible in a changed life. Like the wind, the Spirit’s work is invisible but unmistakable in its effects—our speech, actions, and attitudes are transformed. We begin to bear the likeness of our heavenly Father, extending grace and compassion to others, and living with a boldness that comes from knowing we are children of God. [57:19]
- The call to be born again is urgent and non-negotiable. Jesus divides humanity into two groups: those born once and those born twice. Eternal life is not found in religious activity or moral effort, but in believing and receiving Christ. This is the one decision that matters for eternity, and it is available to all who will look to Jesus in faith. [01:03:45]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31:57] - Nick at Night: A Familiar Story
[00:38:02] - The Hope and Sacrifice of Jesus
[00:39:40] - Who Was Nicodemus?
[00:40:45] - Coming to Jesus in the Night
[00:41:56] - The Urgency of New Birth
[00:43:07] - Religion vs. Relationship
[00:48:17] - Receiving a New Heart
[00:49:21] - Spiritual Birth: God’s Work Alone
[00:50:16] - Born from Above
[00:51:40] - The Fall and Our Need for Regeneration
[00:52:27] - Regeneration: A New Beginning
[00:53:42] - Washed and Renewed by the Spirit
[00:55:53] - The Evidence of the Spirit’s Work
[00:57:19] - Bearing the Family Resemblance
[01:03:45] - Look and Live: The Cross and Eternal Life
[01:06:47] - Living as Dispensers of Grace
[01:08:30] - Invitation and Response
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: "You Must Be Born Again" (John 3 & the Story of Nicodemus)
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### Bible Reading
John 3:1-18 (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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
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### Observation Questions
1. What do we learn about Nicodemus’s background and reputation from the passage and the sermon? ([39:40])
2. How does Jesus respond to Nicodemus’s initial greeting and compliments? What does Jesus say is necessary to see the kingdom of God? ([41:56])
3. According to Jesus, what is the difference between being born of the flesh and being born of the Spirit? ([50:16])
4. What Old Testament story does Jesus reference when explaining his mission, and why? ([01:03:45])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus goes straight to the topic of being “born again” instead of engaging in a theological debate with Nicodemus? What does this reveal about what Jesus sees as most important? ([41:56])
2. The sermon says that spiritual birth is entirely dependent on God’s initiative and grace. How does this challenge the way people often think about religion or self-improvement? ([50:16])
3. The new birth is described as a supernatural work that results in a changed life. What are some ways the effects of the Spirit’s work might be visible in someone’s life? ([55:53])
4. Jesus says, “You must be born again.” Why is this described as an urgent and non-negotiable call, rather than just a suggestion? ([43:07])
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### Application Questions
1. Nicodemus was a respected religious leader, yet he was spiritually lost until he met Jesus. Are there ways you have relied on your own background, knowledge, or good behavior to feel right with God? How does this story challenge that mindset? ([39:40])
2. The sermon says, “Going to church doesn’t put you in heaven.” What are some religious activities or habits that you might be tempted to trust in, rather than trusting in Christ alone? ([43:41])
3. Jesus describes the new birth as something only God can do, not something we can earn. How does this truth affect your sense of pride, gratitude, or dependence on God? ([50:16])
4. The evidence of new birth is visible in a changed life—speech, actions, attitudes, and extending grace to others. Can you think of a specific area in your life where you have seen (or want to see) the Spirit’s transforming work? ([55:53])
5. The sermon compares the Spirit’s work to the wind—unseen but undeniable in its effects. Who in your life has shown you what a “born again” life looks like? What stood out about them? ([57:19])
6. Jesus says the call to be born again is urgent and essential. If you are not sure you have experienced this new birth, what is holding you back from responding to Jesus’s invitation? ([43:07])
7. The sermon ends by saying that those who are born again become “dispensers of grace.” What is one practical way you can extend grace or compassion to someone this week, reflecting your new life in Christ? ([01:06:47])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for the gift of new birth through Jesus. Ask for the Spirit’s help to live as new creations, to reflect God’s character, and to share the hope of Christ with others. Invite anyone who is unsure about being “born again” to talk or pray with a leader after the group.
Devotional
Day 1: You Must Be Born Again
No matter how religious, moral, or respected someone may be, Jesus makes it clear that entrance into the kingdom of God is not about good works, church attendance, or following rules—it is about being born again by the Spirit. Even Nicodemus, a highly esteemed religious leader, was told that his knowledge and status were not enough; he needed a spiritual rebirth. This is the most loving and urgent message: our own goodness will never be good enough, and only through a new birth in Christ can we become children of God and see His kingdom. [43:07]
John 3:1-7 (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.’”
Reflection: If Jesus were to look at your life today, would He see evidence of a spiritual rebirth, or are you relying on your own goodness and religious activity to be right with God?
Day 2: Spiritual Birth Is a Work of God, Not of Man
Just as you had nothing to do with your physical birth, you cannot earn or manufacture your spiritual birth; it is a supernatural work of God from above. Salvation is not something you can buy, borrow, or achieve through effort—it is a gift that must be received. God alone gives new life, and when you are born again, He gives you a new heart and a new nature, making you truly alive in Him. [50:16]
Titus 3:5-7 (ESV)
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Reflection: In what ways have you tried to “earn” God’s favor or salvation, and how can you surrender today to receive His gift of new life by faith?
Day 3: The Effects of the Spirit Are Evident in a Changed Life
When the Holy Spirit comes into your life, you are changed forever; though the Spirit is invisible, the effects are unmistakable in your words, actions, compassion, and grace. Just as the wind cannot be seen but its impact is obvious, so too the new birth in Christ produces visible transformation—others will notice the difference in how you live, love, and extend grace. If there is no change, it is time to examine your heart and relationship with Jesus. [57:19]
John 3:8 (ESV)
“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.”
Reflection: What is one specific way others have seen the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life recently, and how can you intentionally let His presence be seen and heard through you today?
Day 4: Salvation Comes by Believing and Receiving Jesus
Eternal life is not achieved by human effort but by believing in and receiving Jesus Christ, who was lifted up on the cross for our salvation. Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent and lived, so we look to Jesus in faith and receive the gift of eternal life. God’s love is so great that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life—this is the heart of the gospel. [01:03:45]
John 3:14-16 (ESV)
“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.”
Reflection: Have you truly believed in and received Jesus as your Savior, trusting Him alone for eternal life? If not, what is holding you back from looking to Him in faith today?
Day 5: The Born-Again Life Is Marked by Sharing Grace and the Gospel
Those who have been born again are called not only to enjoy new life but also to bear the characteristics of their Savior—dispensing grace, seizing opportunities to share the gospel, and helping others find new birth in Christ. God saved you for a purpose: to be born again and to help others be born again. The aroma of Christ should permeate your life, drawing others to the hope and transformation found in Him. [01:06:47]
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the new birth and grace you have received in Jesus, and how can you intentionally share your story or the gospel with them this week?
Quotes
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