April, 2007
Series: What is Christianity #2
Becoming a Christian--How Could I Start?
John 3:1-21
INTRODUCTION: Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night because he didn’t want his colleagues to know that he was investigating the claims of Jesus. Although he was a Pharisee, he was searching; and he believed that Jesus held some answers for him. He decided to examine these claims for himself. He could have sent someone else to get the information for him, but he didn’t. Just the same today; we must examine Jesus for ourselves. Others can’t do it for us.
When Jesus began explaining the new birth to Nicodemus, it was a totally new concept for this religious man. Nicodemus’ religion was very important to him. Jesus wanted him to know that the kingdom of God was a totally personal experience begun within the hearts of believers. (Luke 17:21). Jesus was explaining to him that people don’t enter the kingdom by trying to live a better life but by being spiritually reborn. Nicodemus couldn’t understand this at first for he said, “how can a person be born who is old?” He did not understand what Jesus was talking about. He told Nicodemus, “unless you are born again you can never be a part of the kingdom of God” (John 3:4). Jesus went on to tell him that “unless a man is born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom” (John 3:5). He was trying to explain to him that there was another dimension besides the human birth experience. He needed to become spiritually alive. Being born of God makes a person spiritually alive and puts him/her into God’s family.
Sometimes we get turned off by the term “born again" because it has been used in a very self righteous, smug and Pharisaical way by Christians who think they are better than others. You all know people who are probably sincere yet become an embarrassment to God with these self righteous attitudes displayed in the name of being a “born again” Christian. Many times these people are “offended” by every little thing that people do.
In John 3, I don’t feel that there was this connotation to the word “born again.” Jesus was simply saying to Nicodemus, you were born once as a natural baby. You have this physical life, but what you need now is to be born in a different way so that you can be alive spiritually and receive from God in a spiritual way. It was a good thing--not something to be avoided because it was offensive to them.
Nicodemus asked a lot of questions that night, and we know from later mention of him that Jesus got through to him. In John 7:50 he spoke up for Jesus and later in John 19:39-40 he and Joseph of Arimathea prepared the body of Jesus for burial.
Becoming a Christian. How could I start? There are some steps to salvation and sometimes they are arranged in a little different order. Today I want to look at it from the 4 R’s.
1. REALIZE: Nicodemus realized that he did not have all the answers even though he was a religious person who kept the laws. He was an educated Pharisee, and Jesus said, “you’re a teacher of the law and you don’t understand these things?” Nicodemus realized that he couldn’t save himself, and he humbled himself to recognize Jesus as more than a teacher but as the Messiah. Because he had come to this realization, he was receptive to what Jesus had to say.
Nicodemus was receptive to what Jesus was telling him, and he was intent on seeking answers. When coming to Jesus today a person must be OPEN to the message of the gospel. There are times when people are more receptive to the Holy Spirit than at other times. Sometimes there is a greater degree of receptivity during a crisis experience or some kind of a transition. Scripture says, “no one can come except the Father which hath sent me draw him" (John 6:44). You may recall a time when you were searching more for answers, praying more, or seeking God in the crises of your life. At these times you made it a top priority and reached out to God. Nicodemus apparently had more than a mere curiosity when he came to Jesus that night, for ordinarily the Pharisees were very critical of Jesus. I don’t think he would have made a special trip had he not been serious.
2. RESPONDING: How could I start? We must RESPOND to God’s invitation. Luke 14:25 tells of an invitation given to a banquet. All of the people who were invited had an excuse why they couldn’t come. One had bought some land, one had bought some oxen and had to go try them out, and one had just gotten married. People turned down the invitation because the timing was inconvenient for them. Scripture says that “now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation” (II Cor. 6:2). We can resist or delay responding to God’s invitation and our excuses can sound reasonable--family responsibilities, work duties, financial obligations. We can excuse ourselves out of the kingdom of God. God so loved the world--everyone. Salvation is available but not automatic.
3. REPENT: This is a word we don’t hear very often anymore. I think that the reason why salvation is not working for a lot of people is because this step is omitted. People are used to receiving Jesus if it is “fun” or doesn’t disturb their way of life. Jesus came to disturb our way of life. He turned Saul of Tarsus completely around. He comes to bring a total change to our lives. What does it mean for us to repent? Is that something we still need to do today? To REPENT means to TURN FROM SIN--changing the direction of your life from selfishness and rebellion toward God’s laws and turning to God.
It is a turning FROM and a turning TO
Acknowledge personal sin and turn away from it. Many people want the benefits of being identified with Christ without admitting their own disobedience and without turning from sin.
The key to forgiveness is confessing your sin and turning from it. Romans 10:9 says that “if thou will confess with the mouth…”
Repentance is tied to ACTION. Everyone has to commit to it on his/her own. Don’t rely on someone else’s faith for your salvation. Repentance has two sides--turning away from sin because you are sorry you have committed sin. II Corinthians 7:10 says, “godly sorrow brings repentance.” We can’t say we believe and then continue to live any way we choose. Luke 13:3 says, “unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Your sins will continue to take you down the wrong path. Make a conscious decision to turn around and go in a different direction. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.
People may say, “I thought that Jesus was supposed to do it all.” Acts 2:38 says, “Repent and be baptized…” The subject of this sentence is YOU. YOU repent. YOU make up your mind that YOU have traveled the road of sin long enough. Why would you want to keep sinning?” Scripture says that “The way of the transgressor is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). You make a conscious decision to turn around and go the opposite direction because you are sorry enough for your sins to want to be done with them.
Repentance at first seems difficult because it is hard to give up certain sins. You might feel that they are bad habits and you can’t let go. God is looking for steady growth--not instant perfection. You might say, “Well, if I turn around and change directions that is like turning over a new leaf. Where does Jesus come in?” We can’t do it on our own or save ourselves.
4. RECEIVE: John 1:12 says, “All who welcome Jesus as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually receiving new life from God. Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes us from the inside out rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. The King James Version says, “for as many as receive Christ to them he gave POWER to become sons of God even to them who believe on his name.”
Romans 10:9, 10, 13--"everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
1. REPENT--we turn around
2. ASK Jesus to save us. Romans 10:9, 10, 13
3. BELIEVE that He does it. I John 1:9, John 3:16
4. RECEIVE by faith. John 1:12
Where does the believing come in? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou halt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Believing is more than just mental assent. Most people would say, “I believe in God. I believe in Jesus,” in somewhat of a casual manner. But that kind of believing is not enough. Scripture says the “devil also believes and trembles” (James 2:19).
Our salvation happens when we look up to Jesus believing He will save us and forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). Believing is both trusting His words as reliable AND relying on Him forhe power to change (John 1:12).
Why faith? “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
1. Faith eliminates the pride of human effort because faith is not a deed that we do.
2. Faith exalts what God has done not what people do.
3. Faith admits that we can’t live up to laws or measure up.
4. Faith is based on our relationship--not our performance.
Nicodemus had a lot of credentials but this was not enough, and he realized it took faith to experience the new birth that Jesus was talking about.
CONCLUSION: Becoming a Christian. How can I start?
1. REALIZE--you need to be born again spiritually. You can’t do it by yourself. Jesus has paved the way.
2. RESPOND--to His invitation. Don’t excuse yourself out of the kingdom
3. REPENT--TURN AWAY from your sin. TURN TO Jesus. Be sorry for your sins--enough to quit
4. RECEIVE--Ask Him to come into your life
Believe that He is doing it. Receive Him by faith.
II Corinthians 5:17 says, “if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, all things are become new.”
Is there someone who wants to make this decision today?
Let us Pray:
