God’s Greatest Miracle
Text: John 3:1-15
Opening Statement:
The Gospel of John is arranged around seven miracles that John calls signs of Christ's glory. The encounter with Nicodemus is not listed as one of the miracles because as far as we can tell he does not accept Christ's offer of eternal life in the context of chapter three, but the majestic promise to be born again qualifies as God’s greatest miracle.
It is great because of the magnitude of the gift and the fact that this miracle is still being performed today for those who receive Christ's offer of eternal life.
I) Inquiring Minds Need to Know (John 3:1-2)
Nicodemus had everything the world had to offer. But he was lost. He was unsaved. He possessed a sin-sick soul that needed God's amazing grace to deliver him from sin.
A) Nicodemus the Seeker
Twice, the Gospel of John tells us that he came to Jesus at night (3:2; 19:39). Why the nocturnal visit? There are several possibilities:
1. Fear.
2. Caution.
3. Accessibility.
B) We the Seeker
The Bible says that God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecc. 3:11). The world and the experiences it offers testify of God's glory, but the world can never satisfy the deepest desires of the soul.
So, if you are an inquiring soul today wondering about a relationship with the Heavenly Father, don’t put it off, come to God who is longing to have a relationship with you through Jesus His son.
II) Intriguing Mystery Revealed (John 3:3-8)
A) Heavenly Journey
We're often so eager to understand what it means to be "born again" that we miss what Jesus is saying about the Kingdom. Jesus tells us two things about the Kingdom:
1. The Kingdom is spiritually discerned
2. The Kingdom is spiritually entered
Therefore, Jesus responds to the inquiry of Nicodemus with an intriguing mystery of being born again.
B) Heavenly Birth
There are two parts to this heavenly birth.
1) God’s Part
The concept of being born again reveals the spiritual principle of Unseen Reality. Jesus proclaims that a man needs to be born twice-once by water referring to a physical birth and a second birth by the Spirit of God.
Consider these places where this concept of being born again is used elsewhere in the New Testament. (John 1:12-13) (1 John 3:9) (1 John 5:1) (1 Peter 1:23)
2) Our Part
So, in this context, I believe Jesus is saying to Nicodemus and to us: You must be born anew by your own repentance and humbling yourself before God and the Holy Spirit's divine regenerative work within you. You can't enter the Kingdom of God by your own effort. You must surrender yourself to God!
III) Inspiring Message to All (John 3:14-15)
Jesus is sharing an inspiring message to Nicodemus about the relationship of faith and life.
Jesus' teaching on the exclusive entrance into the kingdom is not an arrogant claim; it is a bold and inspiring message. His invitation to be born again is Available to All. Jesus would explain a few verses later in the text by saying eternal life is available to "whosoever believes in Him."
Not only is being born again available to All, but it is also Accomplished by God.
God accomplishes our salvation. He performs a creative work to give us a new spiritual life, a one-time, good for eternity, entrance into the kingdom of God. I don’t know about you but that sounds good to me.
In Closing:
How would you describe your spiritual condition? Are you interested in spiritual things? The Bible says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The world will never meet the deepest hunger of your soul. Will you accept God's offer to be born again today? Will you receive God’s greatest miracle?
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