John 3:16-17

2. What begins in the heart of God overflows into new life for the repentant sinner. By grace, God invites you to believe.

3. By faith, you will. To be born again by the water and the Spirit is to receive grace and the gift of faith.

B. The reason Nicodemus went to Jesus was to find an answer to the most important question, "Who is Jesus?"

1. Aren't you in church today for the same reason?

2. Maybe you come simply out of tradition? Maybe your parents made you? Your spouse made you come? There may be several reasons why we find ourselves together on this day.

3. However, if you have come here to flatter God with some pious and nice words you should have saved your time, breath, and money. If you have already tuned out the gospel proclamation, then do not be too sure that you are still on the path that leads to life. In context, John 3:16 drives us to consider the burning question in our hearts, "Who is Jesus?"

V. God chose to send his one and only Son so that you may have fellowship with him. To know this grace of God you need to know Jesus and to know Jesus you must be born again.

A. When you know Jesus, you will not stay the same. You will know the One and only Hope of the world. Your worldview will enlarge and you will love what God loves and God loves the world.

C. It is a demanding gospel that we hear in John 3:16. Love so amazing and so divine demands your soul, your life, your all.

D. Nicodemus received much more than he expected on that night he visited the Lord. We know from later accounts of him in this gospel that he became a follower of Christ; indeed, Nicodemus objected to the way the Jews treated Jesus at his trial. He helped Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus. This great-learned man, Nicodemus, chose to follow the carpenter from Nazareth. How about you?

E. John tells us his story that we too might believe and follow Jesus. The One who came from the Father full of grace and truth is calling. His own will answer and follow.

VI. I try never to say John 3:16 without saying John 3:17, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

A. God did not send Jesus to condemn us.

1. Not a month goes by that someone does not ask me, "How do I know that I am saved."

2. Here is your answer. So many people think of God as the One who will send them to hell if they have not been good enough. You cannot be good enough.

3. You cannot save yourself, but God can.

4. If you read the Book of Job, you see that the devil is the one who tried to undo Job, and the devil is the one who wanted to report back to God that Job had failed.

B. God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; God sent Christ that the world might be saved.

1. That word might is the only part you play. If you ask God for His presence in your life, it is there.

2. If you do not ask God for His presence in your life, He is not there.

3. You have free will.

VII. In conclusion, you cannot regenerate yourself. Indeed, no one can regenerate you but God.