Transformative Power of Being Born Again
Summary
In John chapter 3, we encounter Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, who approaches Jesus under the cover of night. This meeting is significant as it highlights the necessity of being "born again" to see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus, despite his religious stature and knowledge, is puzzled by Jesus' statement. Jesus explains that being born again is not a physical rebirth but a spiritual transformation, a work of the Holy Spirit that is essential for entering God's Kingdom. This transformation is not optional; it is indispensable and supernatural, transcending human effort or understanding.
The concept of being born again has often been misunderstood or marginalized, sometimes seen as a fringe or emotional aspect of Christianity. However, Jesus makes it clear that this rebirth is a fundamental requirement. It is a divine act that brings about a radical change in one's nature, not merely an external renovation or a result of baptismal rites. This new birth is a miracle, a supernatural work of God that results in a complete change of heart and character.
Moreover, being born again is experiential in its effects. It brings a new family, identity, and mentality. It unites believers into a diverse community, the Church, where social, financial, or intellectual distinctions are secondary to the shared identity in Christ. This transformation also shifts our focus from self-centered pursuits to a life marked by humility, brokenness, and a contrite spirit.
Ultimately, the new birth is personal. It is not something we can achieve through our efforts; it is a gift from God. Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus underscores that entry into the Kingdom of God is through faith in Christ, not through human credentials or achievements. The call is to look to Jesus, much like the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent in the wilderness, and find life in Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Necessity of New Birth: Being born again is not an optional aspect of faith but an essential requirement for entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus emphasizes that without this spiritual rebirth, one cannot see or enter God's Kingdom. This underscores the importance of a personal encounter with Christ that transforms our hearts and lives. [08:47]
2. Supernatural Transformation: The new birth is a supernatural act of God, not a result of human effort or religious rituals. It is a divine work that brings about a radical change in our nature, making us new creations in Christ. This transformation is a miracle that reflects God's power and grace. [10:48]
3. Experiential Effects: Being born again results in a new family, identity, and mentality. It unites believers into a diverse community, the Church, where distinctions are secondary to our shared identity in Christ. This transformation shifts our focus from self-centered pursuits to a life marked by humility and a contrite spirit. [14:54]
4. Personal and Unconditional: The new birth is a personal experience that is not contingent on our efforts or achievements. It is a gift from God, highlighting the grace and sovereignty of God in salvation. Our response is to look to Jesus in faith, trusting in His finished work for our salvation. [20:27]
5. Faith and Salvation: The call to be born again is a call to faith in Christ. Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent for healing, we are called to look to Jesus for salvation. This act of faith is the entry point into the Kingdom of God, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. [22:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction and Scripture Reading
- [00:51] - Nicodemus' Night Visit
- [01:10] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
- [02:32] - Purpose of John's Gospel
- [03:59] - Encounter with Nicodemus
- [04:35] - Nicodemus' Credentials
- [06:07] - Jesus' Radical Statement
- [07:08] - Misunderstanding of "Born Again"
- [08:47] - Essential and Supernatural Birth
- [10:48] - Experiential Effects of New Birth
- [12:55] - New Family and Identity
- [16:09] - New Mentality and Humility
- [18:47] - Personal Nature of New Birth
- [20:57] - Faith and Salvation
- [22:13] - Look and Live: The Call to Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 3:1-15
Observation Questions:
1. What was Nicodemus' initial reaction to Jesus' statement about being "born again"? How did he interpret it? [01:10]
2. How does Jesus describe the nature of being "born again" in His conversation with Nicodemus? [01:26]
3. What Old Testament event does Jesus refer to when explaining the necessity of faith for salvation? [02:13]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Nicodemus, a Pharisee and teacher of Israel, have struggled to understand the concept of being "born again"? [01:41]
2. How does Jesus' explanation of being "born again" challenge the traditional religious views held by Nicodemus? [06:07]
3. In what ways does the analogy of the wind help explain the work of the Holy Spirit in the new birth? [01:41]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own understanding of being "born again." How does it align with Jesus' explanation to Nicodemus? [08:47]
2. Consider the idea that being "born again" is a supernatural act of God. How does this influence your view of personal efforts in spiritual growth? [10:48]
3. How can the concept of a new identity in Christ help you navigate social, financial, or intellectual distinctions in your life? [16:09]
4. In what ways can you shift your focus from self-centered pursuits to a life marked by humility and a contrite spirit? [17:54]
5. How does the story of the bronze serpent in the wilderness encourage you to look to Jesus for salvation in your daily life? [22:13]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely more on faith in Christ rather than your own credentials or achievements. [20:27]
7. How can you actively participate in the diverse community of the Church, embracing the shared identity in Christ? [14:54]
Devotional
Day 1: The Indispensable New Birth
The necessity of being "born again" is a central theme in Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. Despite Nicodemus' religious knowledge and status, Jesus emphasizes that without this spiritual rebirth, one cannot see or enter the Kingdom of God. This new birth is not a physical transformation but a profound spiritual change brought about by the Holy Spirit. It is essential for anyone who desires to have a relationship with God and to be part of His Kingdom. This encounter highlights the importance of a personal encounter with Christ that transforms our hearts and lives. [08:47]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Reflection: Consider your own spiritual journey. Have you experienced this transformative new birth? If not, what steps can you take today to seek this personal encounter with Christ?
Day 2: The Miracle of Supernatural Transformation
The new birth is a supernatural act of God, not a result of human effort or religious rituals. It is a divine work that brings about a radical change in our nature, making us new creations in Christ. This transformation is a miracle that reflects God's power and grace, transcending human understanding and effort. It is not merely an external change but a profound internal transformation that aligns us with God's will and purpose. [10:48]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Reflect on areas of your life where you have seen God's transformative power at work. How can you continue to rely on His supernatural strength rather than your own efforts?
Day 3: Experiencing a New Identity in Christ
Being born again results in a new family, identity, and mentality. It unites believers into a diverse community, the Church, where distinctions such as social, financial, or intellectual are secondary to our shared identity in Christ. This transformation shifts our focus from self-centered pursuits to a life marked by humility and a contrite spirit. It is an experiential change that affects how we view ourselves and others, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose within the body of Christ. [14:54]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How does your identity in Christ influence your interactions with others in your community? What steps can you take to embrace and celebrate the diversity within the body of Christ?
Day 4: The Personal Gift of New Birth
The new birth is a personal experience that is not contingent on our efforts or achievements. It is a gift from God, highlighting the grace and sovereignty of God in salvation. Our response is to look to Jesus in faith, trusting in His finished work for our salvation. This personal nature of the new birth emphasizes that it is not something we can earn or achieve but a divine gift that requires a response of faith and trust in Christ. [20:27]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: In what ways have you tried to earn God's favor through your efforts? How can you shift your focus to fully trust in the grace and gift of salvation through Jesus?
Day 5: Faith as the Entry Point to Salvation
The call to be born again is a call to faith in Christ. Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent for healing, we are called to look to Jesus for salvation. This act of faith is the entry point into the Kingdom of God, emphasizing that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. It is a reminder that our salvation is not based on our credentials or achievements but on our faith in the finished work of Christ. [22:13]
Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV): "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to "look to Jesus" in your daily life? How can you actively place your faith in Him today, trusting in His provision and salvation?
Quotes
Now Jesus knows Nicodemus he knows him inside and out in the same way as he knows each of us this morning and he preempts any further discussion along the lines of Nicodemus is investigation by making this dramatic statement truly truly I say to you Nicodemus you must be born again. [00:06:47]
Being born again is not optional it is indispensable or if you like it is essential who says Jesus says being born again is absolutely essential now Nicodemus responds to this statement by thinking in strictly literalistic terms it's it's it's staggering in one sense isn't it is this because he feels immediately pressed upon. [00:08:35]
It is Supernatural uh again you need to notice the way in which Jesus contrasts these things uh down in verse six although there's no verses in this you will see um Jesus said listen that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is Spirit a human birth produces human beings. [00:09:54]
A supernatural work of God whereby God brings about a radical change of our nature it's not an external renovation job nor is is it a baptismal regeneration strategy becoming a Christian being born again is always and in every case a miracle who says Jesus says when Peter who had kind of start stop a relationship with Jesus. [00:10:44]
What happens when a person is born again is if you like that future cosmological reality is brought into the personal reality of an individual who looks to Jesus and believes in him the third thing is not simply that it is essential and Supernatural but it is experiential in its effects experiential in its effects. [00:12:32]
When a person is born again not only are their sins forgiven and their guilt is vanquished but they're given a whole new family you see it's Church actually is unlike anything else real church church because you sit next to people that you wouldn't want to go on vacation with and you can't actually control it. [00:14:55]
Most of us have spent our lives carving an identity who am I what am I what have I achieved no matter whether we've got to the top or halfway to the top or over the top in Christ we realize that the things that have marked us out by way of social or financial or intellectual distinction are things for which we ought to thank God. [00:16:06]
The indispensable sign of regeneration according to the old Anglican vicer in Cambridge Charles Simeon he said the indispensable sign that a man or a woman is Born Again is a humble a broken and a contrite spirit Nicodemus is failure in this encounter was not a failure of his intellect it was a failure on his part to believe Jesus witness. [00:17:44]
The new birth is essential it is Supernatural it is experiential and it is personal personal why would that ever surprise us no infant has a say in being born no infant contributes in any way to their birth their birth is not conditional upon their acceptance or rejection of the idea. [00:18:37]
The new birth is not something we do it is something God has done and Jesus here in this encounter is not demanding that Nicodemus has some kind of immediate existential encounter with him he's not suggesting to him Nicodemus you must be born again and hurry up about it right now no he's actually saying to him articulating the fact that the only way to enter into the kingdom om of God Is by way of a new birth. [00:20:34]
What must I do to be saved answer believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved remain in your unbelief and you won't who says Jesus that's why he finishes with an Old Testament picture he reminds Nicodemus you remember that uh when the the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness when the people were all under the plague the word to them was simply look at that and you will live just look and you will live. [00:22:00]
The gospel of Christ is Sovereign efficacious irresistible regeneration unless God by Sovereign operative Grace has turned our enmity opposition to love and our disbelief to Faith we would never yield the response of faith and love so you see the initiative lies with God do you have a problem with that. [00:23:08]
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