## Jesus: The Divine Teacher

## John 3:1-7

We must remember that when Jesus came to this earth, He came to teach men how to flee darkness and come to the light. He came to teach men how to flee death and to enter into life. In this chapter, we find Jesus carrying out this ministry as a teacher. Here, He gets the opportunity to teach a teacher, and He does just that! However, Jesus also uses this passage to instruct us also. As we take the time to look at these verses this morning, there may be some among us who are in the same shape Nicodemus was. Here was a successful man who had it all. He was respected, had money, power, position and all the things that are considered the trappings of a successful life. Yet, he lacked that one thing that would guarantee him eternal life. He lacked a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This great lack in the life of Nicodemus becomes the topic of Christ's lesson. In these verses, Jesus explains salvation to Nicodemus and in the process; He explains it for us as well.

Read: John 3:1-7

I. The Character Of Nicodemus - v1

A. He Was A Ruler - Probably a member of the Sanhedrin.

1. As such, he was among the most powerful of men in that day.

2. He was a judge, much like a member of the Supreme Court.

B. He Was Religious - He was called a Pharisee.

1. This meant that he adhered to the strictest of religious and ethical standards.

2. Not all Pharisees were hypocrites.

3. Some actually did their best to live before the Lord in true holiness.

4. It appears that Nicodemus was of this caliber.

C. He Was Real - His approach to Jesus indicates that He was sincere in his search for the truth.

1. Here was a man who wanted to find true peace for his soul.

2. He probably came by night, not out of fear, but so that he could have an uninterrupted conversation with Jesus.

3. I do not mind someone who is asking questions when they are sincere and are searching for the truth.

4. Neither does the Lord!

II. The Compliment From Nicodemus - v2

A. He Addressed Jesus With Respect

1. Nicodemus calls Jesus "Rabbi."

2. He refers to Him as a teacher, and appears to hold Jesus in high regard.

B. He Addresses Jesus With A Realization

1. It appears that Nicodemus at least understood that Jesus had been sent from God to the world.

2. Nicodemus, it seems, has at least a vague understanding of just who Jesus really is.

C. He Addresses Jesus With Human Reasoning

1. Nicodemus is giving Christ honor and is displaying respect for the power of Christ that he has seen, (Ill. The miracles).

2. However, He stops too short in his estimation of just who Jesus really is.

3. To Nicodemus, Jesus is no more than a teacher, or some prophet whom God has sent.

4. This is always the problem with religion!

5. It stops short in its approach to Jesus Christ.

6. They want to say that Jesus is necessary, but you have to add baptism, or confirmation, or church membership, or communion, any of a thousand other things.

7. If belief stops short of receiving Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation, then you have no salvation!

8. It is Jesus, plus nothing, minus nothing.

9. It is Jesus and Jesus alone that can save the soul from sin.

(John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(Eph 2:8-9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast.

III. The Challenge From Jesus - Jesus addresses the need of Nicodemus's heart.

A. Jesus tells Nicodemus that his religion isn't sufficient to save his soul.

1. He tells Nicodemus that he must experience the "New Birth."

2. Jesus used a common illustration to clarify His thought.

a. Birth is a universal experience.

b. Everyone has been through it.

c. But Jesus is talking about a different kind of birth.

B. The Nature Of The New Birth

1. The word "again" means "from above or from a higher place."

2. It refers to things that come from God alone.

3. That is the nature of the new birth.

4. Man cannot accomplish it.

5. It is a work of God and of none other!

C. The Necessity Of The New Birth

1. The word "except" is an imperative.

2. It literally means that a person has no other choices in the realm of salvation.

3. You either come God's way or you do not experience His salvation.

4. In other words, it's Jesus or nothing!

(Acts 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

IV. The Confusion Of Nicodemus. v4

A. Nicodemus, like so many others, confused the things of God with those of the flesh.

1. He thought that Jesus was referring to a return to his mother's womb.

2. A thing that would be an absolute impossibility.

B. There are many around who do not understand the plan of salvation.

1. When someone tries to think about it in human terms, it makes absolutely no sense at all.

2. It is a thing that is spiritually discerned and unless the Spirit of God awakens the mind to the truth of God's plan, then there can be no understanding and, ultimately, no salvation.

3. That is why Jesus stresses the need for the Father to draw men to the truth.

(John 6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

V. The Clarification Of Jesus - In an effort to clear things up for this seeking man, Jesus proceeds to explain the manner of this "new birth". v5-13

A. The Instruments Of The New Birth

1. Born Of Water.

a. Many are confused as to what the water here refers to.

b. Some think baptism, but that is impossible, for this would add works to grace.

c. It refers to the natural birth.

1) Nicodemus was thinking in natural terms anyway.

2) Jesus explained that there was a need for two births…the natural and the spiritual.

d. It refers to the Word of God.

1) It is the Word of God that regenerates and quickens the heart of the sinner.

2) It is the Word of God that makes him acutely aware of His need for Christ.

3) It is the Word of God that brings about the conviction of sin and the possibility of faith,

(Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2. Born Of The Spirit

a. After conviction comes and the Spirit of the Lord quickens our heart, we have a decision to make.

b. When we turn to Jesus for salvation, we receive everlasting life.

c. This is the new birth.

(1 John 5:4-5) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. {5} Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

d. Believing that Jesus Christ is who He said He was…the Son of God!

B. The Imperative Of The New Birth. v6-7

1. Jesus again emphasizes that there are two births.

2. The natural or fleshly birth, and the supernatural or spiritual birth.

3. "Marvel not" … do not be amazed at this simple declaration.

4. "Ye" = Nicodemus, but "Ye" also means all men everywhere.

5. We must be born again…there is no other way to see the kingdom of God…there is no other way to be saved…there is no other way to have eternal life.

The choice is ours…how will we respond to the Lord today. Will we continue to cling to false hopes and empty promises…or will we embrace the truth of God's Word today? Come now and be born again!