Experiencing the Kingdom: The Ongoing Journey of New Birth
Summary
In John 3, Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus centers on the necessity of being “born again.” This phrase is familiar to many, but its meaning is often reduced to a ticket to heaven after we die. Yet, Jesus’ words go deeper: “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.” The focus is not merely on a future destination, but on a present reality—the kingdom of God, the realm where the authority of Jesus as Lord is acknowledged, embraced, and displayed. Jesus invites us into a new birth so that we might experience and participate in his reign here and now.
The kingdom of God is not just a distant hope, but a present reality that Jesus inaugurated through his life, death, and resurrection. When Jesus began his ministry, he declared that the kingdom was “at hand”—within reach, available to us today. This kingdom is demonstrated wherever Jesus’ authority is recognized: over sin, sickness, the demonic, and even nature itself. The reign of Christ is not something we wait for, but something we are invited to see and experience now, as we are born again by the Spirit.
Nicodemus, like many of us, was drawn to the activity of God but struggled to understand it. Jesus tells him that this new birth is not something we can achieve by our own effort; it is a divine work, as mysterious as the blowing of the wind. We may not be able to explain it, but we can experience it. The invitation is to open ourselves to a transformation so profound that it changes how we see God at work in our lives and in the world.
Being born again is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process of transformation. As we move from “glory to glory,” Jesus continues to open our eyes to new realities of his kingdom. There is always more that God wants to do in us—more healing, more freedom, more participation in his purposes. The challenge is to invite God to work beyond what we can understand, to trust him to do what only he can do, and to become active participants in his kingdom today.
Key Takeaways
- The New Birth Is About Present Reality, Not Just Future Hope
Jesus’ call to be born again is not simply about securing a place in heaven after death. It is about entering into the present reality of God’s kingdom, where his authority and reign are experienced here and now. This shifts our focus from waiting for eternity to actively seeking and participating in God’s work today. [19:45]
- The Kingdom of God Is Where Jesus’ Authority Is Embraced
The kingdom is not a distant place, but the realm—here and now—where Jesus’ lordship is acknowledged, embraced, and displayed. It is wherever lives are surrendered to his authority, and his power is made manifest in healing, deliverance, and restoration. Our calling is to live in such a way that his reign is visible in our daily lives. [25:10]
- Divine Transformation Is Beyond Human Understanding
Jesus likens the new birth to the wind: mysterious, uncontrollable, and beyond our ability to fully explain. God’s work in our lives often surpasses our understanding, and we are invited to trust him even when we cannot comprehend the process. Faith means welcoming God’s transforming work, even when it defies our expectations or explanations. [57:10]
- There Is Always More of God to Experience
Being born again is not a static, one-time event, but an ongoing journey of transformation. As we walk with Jesus, he continually opens our eyes to new aspects of his kingdom and invites us into deeper experiences of his grace and power. We are called to hunger for more of God, never settling for what we have already known. [01:00:30]
- God Is Already at Work in Our Lives Before We Recognize It
Even before we are aware of our need, God is already moving on our behalf. The challenges and uncertainties we face are not outside of his activity; he is present and working, inviting us to see and participate in what he is doing. Our role is to ask God to open our eyes to his work and to partner with him in bringing his kingdom to bear in our circumstances. [01:03:09]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Introduction and Family Story
[04:10] - Pop Quiz: “You Must Be Born Again”
[07:00] - The American Church and “Born Again” Language
[10:45] - What Jesus Actually Said to Nicodemus
[14:30] - The Kingdom of God: Definition and Distinction
[19:45] - The Kingdom as Present Reality
[25:10] - Jesus’ Ministry: Demonstrating the Kingdom
[30:20] - Jesus in Nazareth: Fulfilling Isaiah’s Prophecy
[36:00] - Why the Kingdom Matters for Us
[41:00] - Nicodemus’ Curiosity and Questions
[46:30] - The Radical Nature of New Birth
[51:00] - Divine Work: Born of Water and Spirit
[57:10] - The Mystery of the Spirit’s Work
[01:00:30] - Ongoing Transformation: “Born Again Again”
[01:03:09] - God at Work Before We Know It
[01:05:00] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Born Again and the Kingdom of God
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### Bible Reading
- John 3:1-8
(Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus about being born again and seeing the kingdom of God)
- Matthew 4:17
(“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”)
- Luke 4:16-21
(Jesus reads from Isaiah in the synagogue and declares the fulfillment of God’s kingdom work)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In John 3, what does Jesus say is necessary in order to “see the kingdom of God”?
([07:00])
2. According to the sermon, how does Jesus describe the new birth to Nicodemus? What illustration does he use?
([57:10])
3. When Jesus begins his ministry in Matthew 4:17, what does he say about the kingdom of heaven?
([19:45])
4. In Luke 4:16-21, what kinds of things does Jesus say will happen as signs of God’s kingdom being present?
([30:20])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus connect being “born again” with seeing and experiencing the kingdom of God, rather than just going to heaven after we die?
([14:30])
2. The sermon says the kingdom of God is “where the authority of Jesus as Lord is acknowledged, embraced, and displayed.” What does it mean for someone’s life to display Jesus’ authority?
([19:45])
3. Jesus compares the new birth to the wind—something mysterious and beyond our control. Why do you think he uses this comparison? What does it say about how spiritual transformation happens?
([57:10])
4. The pastor said, “Being born again is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process of transformation.” How does this idea challenge or encourage your understanding of spiritual growth?
([01:00:30])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to see being born again as more than just a ticket to heaven. In what ways have you limited your understanding of “born again” to the future, rather than the present? How might your daily life look different if you saw the kingdom of God as a present reality?
([19:45])
2. The kingdom of God is present wherever Jesus’ authority is recognized. Are there areas of your life where you struggle to surrender to Jesus’ authority? What would it look like to invite his reign into those areas this week?
([25:10])
3. Jesus said the new birth is like the wind—mysterious and not fully explainable. Are there ways you have resisted God’s work in your life because you couldn’t understand it? How can you practice trusting God beyond your understanding?
([57:10])
4. The pastor mentioned that being born again is an ongoing journey, moving “from glory to glory.” Can you identify a recent way God has opened your eyes to something new in your walk with him? How did you respond?
([01:00:30])
5. The sermon said God is already at work in our lives before we even recognize it. Think of a challenge or uncertainty you’re facing right now. How might God already be at work in that situation? What would it look like to partner with him in it?
([01:03:09])
6. The pastor dared us to ask God to do his work in us “beyond what we can understand.” Is there a specific area where you need to pray this kind of prayer? What step could you take this week to open yourself to God’s transforming work, even if it feels risky or unfamiliar?
([01:05:00])
7. Jesus’ ministry brought healing, freedom, and restoration as signs of the kingdom. Is there a place in your life, family, or community where you long to see more of God’s kingdom? How can you actively seek and participate in God’s work there?
([25:10])
---
Close in prayer, asking God to open your eyes to his kingdom at work in your life and to give you courage to participate in what he is doing, even when you don’t fully understand it.
Devotional
Day 1: You Must Be Born Again to See the Kingdom
Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus reveals that being born again is not just about securing a place in heaven, but about experiencing the reality of God’s kingdom here and now. Unless a person is born again, they cannot perceive or participate in the present reign of Christ, which is marked by His authority, power, and presence in our daily lives. This new birth is a divine transformation that opens our eyes to God’s activity all around us, inviting us to live in the fullness of His kingdom today, not just in some distant future. [13:30]
John 3:3-8 (ESV)
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.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to ask God to open your eyes to His kingdom at work today, rather than waiting for a future hope?
Day 2: The Kingdom of God Is a Present Reality
The kingdom of God is not a distant promise or merely a future hope, but a present reality that Jesus announced and demonstrated through His life, teaching, and miracles. Wherever the authority of Jesus is acknowledged, embraced, and displayed, the kingdom is at hand—within reach for all who believe. Jesus’ ministry was centered on bringing the reign of God into the here and now, inviting us to participate in His ongoing work of restoration, healing, and transformation in our world today. [23:40]
Mark 1:15 (ESV)
And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Reflection: Where do you see evidence of Jesus’ authority and the kingdom of God breaking into your life or community right now?
Day 3: Jesus Fulfills the Promise of God’s Favor
When Jesus read from Isaiah in the synagogue, He declared that the long-awaited time of God’s favor had arrived in Him. He came to bring good news to the poor, freedom to captives, sight to the blind, and release to the oppressed—demonstrating that God’s kingdom is breaking into our broken world. This fulfillment is not just for a future age, but is available to us now through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, inviting us to experience the richness of heaven’s reign in our present circumstances. [32:50]
Luke 4:18-21 (ESV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Reflection: What area of brokenness or need in your life do you long to see Jesus bring His favor and restoration to today?
Day 4: God’s Work in Us Is Beyond Our Understanding
The new birth and the work of God’s Spirit in our lives are as mysterious as the blowing of the wind—real, powerful, and often beyond our ability to fully explain or comprehend. God desires to do a work in us that is bigger than anything we could accomplish on our own, inviting us to trust Him even when we don’t have all the answers. Rather than being limited by our understanding, we are called to open our hearts to the vastness of God’s redemptive process and allow Him to transform us in ways we may not be able to articulate, but can certainly experience. [57:10]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Reflection: Is there an area where you have been waiting to understand before trusting God? What would it look like to surrender that need for understanding and invite Him to work anyway?
Day 5: There Is Always More God Wants to Do in You
Being born again is not a one-time event, but an invitation into an ongoing process of transformation—moving from glory to glory and faith to faith. No matter how long you have known Jesus, there is always more that He wants to do in your life, more of His kingdom to experience, and more of His purpose to fulfill. God is already at work in the places you may not see or understand, and He invites you to participate with Him, to ask for new eyes to see, and to dare to believe that His work in you is not finished yet. [01:03:09]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Reflection: What is one area where you sense God inviting you to experience more of His transforming work? How can you respond to that invitation today?
Quotes
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