Deep Down Change

John 3:1-17 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

1. Your change must be more than superficial.

John 3:7 “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”

What does “born again” mean?

Misconception:

It means you’ve had a profound emotional or ecstatic experience.

It means you’re living within tight moral boundaries.

Truth:

It means to be given a new spiritual awareness that…

you’re not “all that” and you’re just like everybody else.

It’s morally radical.

It’s psychologically radical.

Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

It’s supernaturally radical.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Ezekiel 37:6, 14 …I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live…

1 Peter 1:23-24 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

It’s visionally radical.

It’s foundationally radical.

Numbers 21:8-9 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

What should my attitude be?

Thoughtful.

John 7:50-51 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”

Humble.

Hopeful.

Philippians 1:5-6 …because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Trusting.

Talk it Over

Can you recall a moment when you doubted God? How did you battle that doubt? What helped you through that time?

Pastor Shane shared that life change when we are believers must be more than superficial. What area in your life do you need to work on changing? What action can you take to make that change in your life?

Jesus says that if we truly love God, and our neighbor, we will naturally be able to keep the commandments (Matthew 22:36-40). This is that deep down change Pastor Shane was talking about. How can you show your love for God and others this week as you go about your daily life?

Do you sometimes feel as though you aren’t making progress in your spiritual life? Don’t worry! When God starts a project, he completes it. Memorize Philippians 1:6 this week and remember God will help you grow in grace until he has completed his work in your life!

What is something that stood out to you in this week’s message? Is there a key scripture you want to look at more in depth? How can you take what you learned and put it into action in your life?

Parents: Read John 3:1-16 with your kids. Discuss how Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews. When Nicodemus wanted to speak to Jesus, he came to him at night. Was this because he was afraid of what others may have thought of him? We do know Nicodemus had questions about God. Jesus told Nicodemus about being born again. As a family memorize John 3:16 this week, as a simple reminder that when we believe in God, we have eternal life.