Nick At Night Series

When Abraham Lincoln ran for Congress in 1846, he faced a tough opponent: Peter Cartwright. Cartwright was a raw-boned, circuit-riding, Methodist preacher, known throughout the state of Illinois. During his 65 years of circuit-riding ministry, he baptized nearly 10,000 converts.

During the intense campaign, some of Cartwright's followers accused Lincoln of being an “infidel.” In response, Lincoln decided to meet Cartwright on his own ground and attend one of his revival meetings.

Carl Sandburg, Lincoln’s biographer, writes about what happened in that meeting:

In due time Cartwright said “All who desire to lead a new life, to give their hearts to God, and go to heaven, will stand,” and a sprinkling of men, women, and children stood up. Then the preacher exhorted, “All who do not wish to go to hell will stand.” All stood up—except Lincoln.

Then said Cartwright in his gravest voice, “I observe that many responded to the first invitation to give their hearts to God and go to heaven. And I further observe that all of you save one indicated that you did not desire to go to hell. The sole exception is Mr. Lincoln, who did not respond to either invitation. May I inquire of you, Mr. Lincoln, where are you going?”

Lincoln slowly rose from his seat and spoke. “I came here as a respectful listener. I did not know that I was to be singled out by Brother Cartwright. I believe in treating religious matters with due solemnity. I admit that the questions propounded by Brother Cartwright are of great importance. I did not feel called upon to answer as the rest did. Brother Cartwright asks me directly where I am going. I desire to reply with equal directness: I am going to Congress.”

And that’s exactly what he did. Lincoln went to congress (Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years; “The Untold Story of Christianity & The Civil War,” Christian History, no. 33; www.PreachingToday.com).

Entering God’s Kingdom was not a primary concern for Lincoln when he ran for congress in 1846. All he wanted to do, at that time, was excel in the kingdom of men, which he did. He ran for congress that year and won. Later, he ran for president and won that race, too. In fact, Lincoln became one of our country’s greatest presidents.

He did well in the kingdom of men, but even he could not become so much as a janitor in the Kingdom of God, according to Jesus’s own words. He could not even see it, unless… Well, unless what?

How does one get to see the Kingdom of God? I mean if Lincoln himself failed to meet the standard, how could any of us hope to get into God’s Kingdom? Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to John 3, John 3, where Jesus tells a “good person” how to enter His Kingdom.

John 3:1-2 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” (ESV).

This is all very flattering, but Jesus could care less. So He gets right to the issue.

John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (ESV).

As a Pharisee, Nicodemus kept the rules better than most people. He was a very good man by the world’s standards, but Jesus tells him that even he cannot see the heavenly kingdom unless he is born again. Good or bad, if you want to see the Kingdom of Heaven...

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

You must become a brand-new person. You must get a new life.

What does that mean? What is Jesus talking about here? Well, that was Nicodemus’ question.

John 3:4-7 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’” (ESV).

Jesus is talking to a Jewish scholar here, using the language of the Old Testament, something with which he would be very familiar. It’s the language of Ezekiel 36, where God promised to “sprinkle clean water” on Israel, and “cleanse her from all her filthiness.” He also promised to put His Spirit within them and cause them to walk in His ways.