How Can I Get In?

HOW CAN I GET IN

John 3:1-8

Intro: In reading the previous chapter we find that Jesus has just started his earthly ministry. He is about 30 years of age and is at Cana of Galilee. This is the place where Jesus turned the water into wine and manifested His glory before His disciples and they believe on Him (John 2:11). Later in chapter 2 we see Jesus driving the moneychangers out of them temple. During this time there were many Jews in Jerusalem that professed to believe on the Lord but they were not genuine. (John 2:25). But now we find it night time and Jesus is approached by a man who is a ruler of the Jews. He is a teacher of the people and even he had some questions of Jesus. But this man is different than all of those that had come to Jesus before. He had some genuine questions and was not skeptical of Jesus. The fact was he just didn’t know how to be saved. He wanted in! There were just some things he had to know. If Nicodemus was living in today’s world he would be a lost man. I want to preach on the subject “HOW CAN I GET IN.”

I. YOU HAVE GOT TO COME TO JESUS

A. Nicodemus was doing the thing everyone of us that are saved had to do

B. He came to Jesus. No doubt Nicodemus was drawn to Him by what he had seen of him

C. (John 2:2) …we know that thou art a teacher from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him

D. Despite all he knew Nicodemus did not realize that Jesus was God’s son

E. He was like many today who think Jesus was just a good man that God thought a lot of

F. Nicodemus wanted to know more. That’s why he came to Jesus.

G. (John 2:3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God

H. Nicodemus just couldn’t understand how a man was to enter the womb of his mother and be born again. After another brief explanation Jesus plainly tells Nicodemus

I. (John 2:7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again

J. Jesus will do his part and come to you. In turn you have got to come and meet with him

II. BE WILLING TO GIVE UP SOME THINGS

A. Matthew 19 we read the encounter Jesus had with the rich young ruler

B. I believe this man was sincere in coming to Jesus as he addressed him as “Good Master” in verse 16

C. He even asks Jesus …”what good thing shall I do, that I may hae eternal life?”

D. Jesus probes him a little bit to give him an opportunity to declare why he called him Good Master

E. Jesus was not denying his own deity here but was providing an opportunity for the young man to say “The reason I call you good – is because you are God”

F. Jesus will always give us that opportunity

G. Jesus goes on to tell him what he must do and the young man replies he has kept those commandments from his youth up

H. But here was the kicker to all of it

I. (Matthew 19:21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me

J. He was going to have to give up something

K. (Matthew 19:22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions

L. He wanted in but he wanted to bring the world with him

III. EXHIBIT SOME FAITH

A. (Mark 10:46) Here we find a blind man by the name of Bartimaues sitting on the Jericho Road begging

B. But there was something that got his attention and he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was in town

C. He had a need and he wanted help. Some of you are like Bartimaeus

1. A man with a desperate need

2. A man that had knowledge of his need

3. But he had a determination to have it met

D. (Mark 10:47) …he began to cry out, and say, Jesus thou son of David , have mercy on me

E. And when he did the religious crowd told him to hold his peace but he cried more a great deal

F. He wanted in to where Jesus was

G. (Mark 10:49) And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. Dn they call the blind man, saying unto him, be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee