“How to Change for Good”
John 3.
There are certain things we ALL KNOW in life.
You don’t Tug on Superman’s cape.
You don’t Spit into the wind.
You don’t tug on the mask of the old Lone Ranger AND?
I suggest we don’t always know as much as we think we do. And sometimes we miss the obvious.
Here in John 3, Jesus reveals something that that is an ESSENTIAL truth of life. So much so, that to miss it is to MISS EVERYTHING. If you don’t get this one right you will never go anywhere Spiritually in life.
Let me restate that-you will go SOMEWHERE, but it’s not where you want to go.
This is something Jesus says we MUST do. Something we must do if we want to GO TO HEAVEN and know the meaning of life. Something you must do to change, to CHANGE FOR GOOD.
We are going to read the record of a conversation between a powerful, wealthy, influential man known as Nicodemus with Jesus, the carpenter’s son from Nazareth.
Nicodemus was famous, honored, deeply religious and yet incredibly empty inside. So hearing of the Great Truths that were taught and the miracles that were performed he came to Jesus one dark night.
You might ask, “what value could a conversation between some religious guy named Nicodemus and a Jewish carpenter from Nazareth have to do with me today?"
Answer:ABSOLUTLY EVERYTHING.
For this is not merely a conversation between two men.
It really a conversation between GOD AND MAN.
If we were going to “Nominate” someone to represent Humanity to God we could not have found a better “Rep” than Nicodemus.
Nicodemus was a highly intellegent, cultured, moral individual. As close to being a “Good Person” as one could ever hope for. But there was something MISSING in his life.
There was a hole in his heart.
Despite that fact that he was famous, a leader in his country and faith, he was dissatisfied. Maybe that’s how you feel right now, dissatisfied. You have tried so much of what this World has to offer, and you are still searching.
Sex, material things, philosphpy, even religion. You’ve tried it all, and just about given up. The words Jesus gave to Nicodemus have unlocked the mystery of life for countless millions through the centuries.
And they will unlock the mystery of life for you too, if you listen with all of your heart. As we examine this conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, we find three movements. In the first we see Jesus and Nicodemus FACE to FACE (v. 2-3) then MIND to MIND (v. 4-8) finally we see them HEART to HEART (v. 9-21)
Read John 3:1-10
John 3:1 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." Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 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, "Most assuredly, 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.’
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?"
“BORN AGAIN”
The idea here is of change. Becoming something different then what you presently are. Starting over again.
A New Beginning. Certainly we are a society that is obsessed with change. Look at all these TV shows like “Extreme Makeover,” where people radically transform their lives through cosmetic surgery,and more.
We all love the idea of starting over in life.
Being “Born Again.” Have you been Born Again? The numbers of those claiming to have had this experience are higher then ever. There are approx 285 million Americans, and almost HALF of them claim to be “Born Again”(46%) 86% of Born Again Christians believe “The Bible is totally accurate in its teachings” 98% of Born Again Christians say their faith is very important to them, comepared to 52% of all adults.
So,that’s all good.
Yet,28% of Born Again Christians agree that “While he lived on earth, Jesus committed sins, like other people,” compared to 42% of all adults.
Yet about one-third of born agains (33%) believe that if a person is GOOD ENOUGH they can earn a place in Heaven.
So,what is going on here?
People do not understand what it means to be Born Again. Jesus will settle that for us here in John 3.
But before we define that,let’s think a bit about Nicodemus. Jesus saw in Nicodemas a man who was hungry for real truth. Nicodemas had everything and yet something was missing. Is there something missing in your life as well?
We read in verse 1, ”Nicodemus was a PHARISEE.“
We often think of the Pharisees in a negative light and understandably so. Jesus had harsh words for many of them who “Majored on minors.”
Being more concerned with the external then the internal. He called them “White-washed gravestones”
The Pharisees were a select group, never numbering more then 6000. Each had taken a solemn vow before three witnesses that he would devote every moment of his entire life to obeying the 10 Commandments.
Not that they ever succeeded in that, but that’s what they attempted to do. They took the Law of God very seriously.
Not only was Nicodemas from this order but he was one of their primary leaders. This ruling body was the chief authority in all of Israel.
The Sanhedrin wrote laws and conducted trials. They were the equivalent of the "Supreme Court" of today. To arrive at this position would mean that Nicodemus was a careful student of the Torah (Scriptures), the Mishna and the Talmud.
We would consider Nicodemus DEVOUT and Very Religious.
Then in addition to this, Nicodemus was “The Man”
Jesus said to him, "You are ’THE’ TEACHER in Israel"
Which means Nicodemus was possibly the Most Popular and well-known teacher in Israel. Even though Nicodemus was well known, highly Educated & deeply Religious, there was still something missing in his life; which brought him to Jesus.
You might relate to old Nicodemus. You too are religious,and moral. Perhaps you too have been successful and you have some fame.
You are a “Legend in your own MIND, er Time”
But yet you came to this event,because you are STILL SEARCHING.
Verse 2 “This man came to Jesus BY NIGHT”
This is mentioned in Scripture more than once so it is worth noting. Perhaps because he was afraid TO BE SEEN (he was very well known) Afraid of the criticism of others, what others might think. We spend way too much time worrying about what OTHERS THINK OF US.
It’s no mistake that the Bible compares us to SHEEP.
I read an article in the paper about 450 sheep who jumped to their deaths in Turkey. First one sheep jumped off a cliff, then 1,500 others followed. The only reason they did not all die is that they were cushioned by the ones who went first.
“All we like sheep have gone astray” We will line up for the latest fad, craze or trend and do what everyone else does.
It’s time to think for yourself. That’s what Nicodemus was doing, but he was being Careful, coming at Night. Yes,he came BY NIGHT, but at least he came.
Yet in THE END Nicodemus turned out to be one of the bravest followers of Christ.
Keep in mind that in everything there must be A BEGINNING. Some have an outwardly “Great Beginning” with Jesus only to deny him later....
For instance: Judas Iscariot was an Apostle.... While Nicodemas was still groping his way in. Yet at the end of our Lord’s ministry Judas betrayed Jesus and went and hanged himself. Yet old Nicodemas stepped forward when all the disciples forsook him and fled.
Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus away from the cross to bury it....... John 19:39” And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.”
So you may have a Feeble Beginning but a Strong Finish. Better that then a Strong Beginning and no finish (Because you gave up and turned back!)
Maybe you have Fallen in your walk with God,if so it’s time TO GET BACK IN THE RACE!
Though famous and admired Nicodemus comes with the greatest respect for Jesus. Verse 2"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."
Can you imagine how nervous Nicodemus must have been?
“Appointment WITH JESUS: 10:00” In great nervous anticipation of this meeting, he may have recited the lines over and over again. For a man like Nicodemus to call Jesus “RABBI” was an amazing thing.
It was an important acknowledgment. Maybe that’s how you feel tonight. YOU LIKE Christian people in general. They are honest, considerate, friendly, perhaps a bit weird, but pretty good people.
It might even be that respect that caused you to come tonight. You have always respected Jesus Christ. He was a great moral teacher,perhaps the Greatest of all.
That’s How Nicodemus felt. Great respect for Jesus and His Teachings. Maybe Jesus would say something that would bring a certain level of improvement to his life.
But what Jesus said was radical, revolutionary. “He cut to the chase” and said to the legendary Nicodemus, “You must be Born Again!”
WHY did Jesus say that?
Because He is not looking for admiration or even deep respect. He is looking for FOLLOWERS.
Jesus did not say, “Admire me,” He said, “FOLLOW ME!”
C.S.Lewis, the author of the “Chronicles of Narnia” and a great Christian thinker said, "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a ’great moral teacher.’ He would either be a Lunatic— on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg— or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about Him being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
Nicodemus was also getting on in years. He was QUITE ELDERLY.
Verse 4 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?”
When you get older you become more set in your ways.
This can be shown by the way you go to Disneyland.
When you are young you want to go on the fastest, most radical ride in the park. When you are Older you wonder, “Where can we EAT?”
When you are young you want to RUN to the next Ride.
When you are older you want to SLEEP. There are certainly telltales signs that one is GETTING OLD.
You know you’re getting old when you look forward to a dull evening.
You sit down in a rocking chair and you can’t get it started.
Your MIND makes commitments your BODY can’t keep,
Everything hurts, and what doesn’t hurt DOESN’T WORK!
You know you’re GETTING OLD when-
You sink your teeth into a juicy steak and they STAY THERE.
You dim the lights for economic reasons, rather than romantic ones.
You’ve owned clothes so long that they’ve come back into style.....TWICE!
You know you’re getting old when you sing along with the elevator music.
And finally,you know you’re getting old when you quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter WHO walks into the room.
Nicodemus was getting old, there was not much time left. Jesus “Cuts to the chase” and tells old Nic what he needs to know. "Nicodemus, I am about to reveal to you a fundamental reality of life. Listen very carefully! YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!
This is not Optional. This is Essential."
BORN AGAIN means to be “Born from Above”
Sadly,the term BORN AGAIN has been pirated, emptied of it’s meaning, dragged through the gutter and given back to us minus it’s Power.
Today,when someone says they are “Born Again,” we have no idea what they mean. Jesus is helping us to see what it really means.
So,WHY do we need a spiritual rebirth? Jesus was saying, "Nicodemus, your religious beliefs are NOT ENOUGH."
In spite of the fact that you are at “The top of the heap” in religion means nothing.
It has not brought you any closer to Heaven!
Some people will say, "I am a Christian, but I am not one of those “Born Agains”
Listen! There is no such thing as a Christian who is not Born Aain! But WHY must we be Born Again?
Verse 3 (Unless you are Born Again) You cannot enter the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Now they pass from FACE TO FACE to MIND TO MIND.
Verse 4 "How can a man be born when HE IS OLD?
Nicodemus was saying “I accept that in premise, but HOW? Could such a thing happen to man in my state and age? Is it really possible to Change,to “Start over” to be “Born from Above?” Can a man REALLY CHANGE?"
How many times have we tried to CHANGE OURSELVES?
We make endless resolutions (lose weight, get in shape, exercise more, watch less TV, read the Bible more often, etc.) We try new clothes, new jobs, new environments.
You can repaint a car, it may look great but it’s still the same ‘ol car!
A warm breeze may have blown at that moment, causing Jesus to say
(Verse 8) "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Let me answer your question with a question “Can anyone define the wind?”
Has anyone ever SEEN IT?
You don’t SEE air turbulence but you sure feel it!
Some people will say “If I can’t see it I won’t believe it!”
You don’t really mean that at all.
That would be like standing in the middle of a hurricane, watching trees uprooted, cars flying by and roofs coming off homes and saying “If I don’t SEE WIND. . .”
You don’t see the wind but you seen IT’S EFFECTS.
Look around this stadium tonight. Around you are thousands of people who have had their life changed by Christ.
That’s called hard evidence, friend.
No,you don’t SEE the wind but you see it’s effect, it’s impact. The same is true when you have been “Born from Above” by the Holy Spirit.
Now the third shift in our story takes place.
From Face to Face, Mind to Mind, now it’s HEART TO HEART.
Verse 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "HOW can these things be?"
Now Nicodemus is speaking honestly, openly as this conversation turns from Mind to Mind to HEART TO HEART.
What is the process of this?
How does one really change, how does one apply this?
“I’m an old man, Lord, set in my ways. I don’t think I can be “Born Again.”
Jesus shoots back, "Are you THE teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?”
“Why Nicodemus,you famous, respected,well-studied,you don’t understand this?”
Just like Nicdoemus, there are many people today who are steeped in religion. They have been raised with rules and regulations and live with guilt that racks their consciences. But they don’t know the first thing about knowing Jesus.
A Relationship with the Lord. Friendship with God. Apparently his religion had not prepared him for what he really needed. Jesus now utters perhaps the most well known verse of the New Testament. Here Jesus tells you how to “Change for Good.”
This verse is "the Gospel in a nutshell," or “The Gospel in the Gospel”
Here Jesus tells you how to be BORN AGAIN and have a New Beginning in life.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Verse 16 “ For God SO LOVED. . . “
Many picture God as some kind of “Cosmic killjoy“ out to ruin our lives. But the real picture is that God loves you.
He misses you. He wants a relationship with you.
“HE GAVE”
We can talk about love all day long but God demonstrated His love for us in a tangible way.
“God demonstrated His love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 6:23). But the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But’s not enough to have someone offer you a gift.
You must ACCEPT IT.
Have you ever noticed how a GIRL will open a gift?
She will carefully unwrap it promising to use the wrapping paper and ribbon later.
To MEN, wrapping is merely an obstacle to be overcome.
We can’t wait to see what inside the box.
God has a gift for you.
Just open it.
"Whoever Believes."
To “Believe “ does not merely mean you intellectually accept something to be true.
The Bible says “The demons believe and tremble. . .”
To Believe is to ”adhere to, commit to, have Faith in, rely upon, trust in”
Now the choice is ours as to what we will do with this wonderful gift of God.
We can gladly accept it our reject it. Again, if someone offered you a gift you either RECEIVE IT or REJECT IT.
You can’t say, “I’m neutral on this. I can’t decide”
“Whosoever believes in Him should not perish”
That means YOU!
Maybe you have thought, “I could never make it as a Christian!”
I could not live a new life, I’m too weak.
Phil 2:13” It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
“But I’m not the ‘religious type”
Jesus said “He that would come to me I will in no way cast out”
HAVE everlasting life.
Not "hope" to have, it becomes the immediate possession of the child of God.
1John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God."
God is offering you the complete forgiveness of your sin.
The removal of your Guilt.
A chance to start over in life, to "Change for Good"
To go to Heaven when you die and be ready for Christ’s return.
This is all possible because Jesus DIED on the Cross for your Sin.
“He came to pay a debt He did not owe. . .“
So, what do you need to do?
#1 Realize that you are a sinner.
No more Excuses.
Like that one man in the Bible you need to say “God be Merciful. . .”
The Bible teaches that “All have sinned. . .”
#2 Recognize Jesus died on the Cross for you.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no man...that HE LAY DOWN HIS life. . .”
Jesus WILLINGLY died for our sin.
#3 REPENT of your Sin.
The Bible says “God has commanded people everywhere to repent.” This is missing in many people’s so called "Conversion."
Turn from ALL KNOWN SIN.
#4 Receive Christ into your life.
It’s not just believing He is the Son of God, but RECEIVING HIM into your life.
Jesus said “Behold I stand at the door and knock. . .”
The Bible says “For as many as RECEIVED HIM. . .”
#5 Do it publicly.
Jesus said “If you will confess me before men I will confess you. . .
#6 Do it Now!
The Bible says “today is the day of Salvation. . .”
