Relationship Or A Religion

Relationship or Just a Religion

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Joh 3:3 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. {again: or, from above}

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. {again: or, from above}

Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

It was Sunday morning and the little boy got ready to go to church with his parents. They entered the little church and sat together and his mother gave him paper and crayons to occupy his attention and keep him quiet. The pastor stated several times that a person must be born again. As the preacher spoke he became louder and louder as he repeated the phrase often "born again, born again, born again" with increasing emphasis. The little boy looked up at the preacher as the words caught his attention. When the service ended the little boy looked up at his mother with a perplexed and confused look. He patted his mother’s tummy who was 7 months pregnant and asked "Is that going to be me"?

The same question came from a grown man named Nicodemus. How can a man be born again? Floyd Robertson

Is your Christianity Just a Religion to Your of do you have a Relationship with Jesus Christ.

1. It is not obtained by Position

2. It is not obtained by Personal Knowledge

3. It is obtained by having a Personal relationship

1. It is not obtained by Position

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Ken Trent –

Characteristics of the faith of a Pharisee was:

A strong faith in one true and living God.

An unwavering obedience to the Law of the Old Testament.

Uncompromising morals.

A firm belief in the resurrection of the body.

Devin Hudson - It was at night that this ruler of the Jews, Nicodemus, decided to pay the teacher Jesus a visit. There has been a lot of speculation as to why he came at night.

- rabbis studied at night

- to avoid the crowd

- so their conversation would not be limited

- b/c he feared being seen with Jesus

- He comes at night in hopes that this miracle worker can answer some of his spiritual questions. He was a seeker.

- He was rich. He was respected. He was religious (Pharisee, 1 of 70 on the Sanhedrin, gave his life to studying and obeying the Law and traditions). He was a ruler. Nicodemus was deacon material. He was committee chair potential. He had it all. He was a well-respected, admired Jewish citizen that people would have considered a role model.

- He also has a deep respect and interest in Jesus. His designation of Jesus as Rabbi shows great admiration for Jesus. After all, he is a trained religious ruler and Jesus is only a commoner. To address Jesus with the title “Teacher” reveals Nicodemus’ deep admiration for Jesus. Nicodemus makes Jesus an equal.