David MacDonald - January 11th, 2026 - You Must Be Born Again
John 3:1-8 – the interview
Spurgeon - “If we were asked to read to a dying man who did not know the gospel, we should probably select this chapter as the most suitable one for such an occasion; and what is good for dying men is good for us all, for that is what we are; and how soon we may be actually at the gates of death, none of us can tell.”
Account of a nighttime conversation between Lord Jesus Christ & a ruler of the Jews – Nicodemus
Account filled with the most profound truths of Scripture
A sincere seeker of God
John 3:1-2 – the curious ruler - Nicodemus
The Man Named Nicodemus -
Religious -Pharisee - pledged to keep all the law. Torah, oral law; the Mishnah and the Talmud
Rich – according – Talmud - one of four richest men in Jerusalem. In John 19:39 – he brought the myrrh and aloes when Jesus was buried. Very costly.
Ruler – Name is Greek, means "victor over the people." Ruler, archon in Greek.
Teacher - He was "the" teacher in Israel. One of the most famous, sought after lecturers.
A member of the Sanhedrin – the elite of the religious rulers
Later defended Jesus when He was on trial
Assisted Joseph of A in the burial of the Lord Jesus Christ
Met Jesus at night – reason unknown
Respectful of Jesus Christ – “Rabbi”
Curiosity brought him to Jesus
John 3:3-6 – the Answer – You Must…
Jesus answers the question that wasn’t asked -
John 3:3 - Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 2:23-25
The Meaning of the New Birth
Gennethe anothen - born from above….born a second time
Nicodemus believed - only birth needed was the first birth.
Widely believed among Jews that descending from Abraham guaranteed heaven.
To be Jewish and to keep the law. Is Jesus saying keeping the law and good works are not enough??
Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Essentially, means to have new life. A theological term - is regeneration.
Not simply a moral or religious reform
“To belong to the heavenly kingdom, one must be born into it.”
John 3:7-8 – Born Again
Ezekiel 36:24-27
John 3:7-8 – An Illustration
The Observation
The Wind Changes Places – invisible but effects are plainly observable.
The Spirit Changes People - When a person is born again the changes are observable.
Pneuma is the word for wind and spirit. It’s the same word.
Jesus said you MUST be born again.
He said this to a religious person.
Status, religion and good works were not enough.
Born once(physically) Die twice (physically and spiritually)
Born twice (physically and spiritually) Die once (physically)
John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
