NICODEMUS (2)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Nicodemus
(Text: John 3:1-21; Place: Judea; Date: A.D. 27)
1.What is the text all about?
a) What did Nicodemus know about the kingdom? From the Bible he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God's people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the kingdom would come to the whole world (see John 3:16), not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus wouldn't be a part of it unless he was personally born again (see John 3:5).
i) 16 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. (John 3:16 NIV)
ii) 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5 NIV)
b) This was a revolutionary concept: the kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and its entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God's kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers (see Luke 17:21).
i) 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:21 NIV)
c) It will be fully realized when Jesus returns again to judge the world and abolish evil forever.
i) 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (Revelation 21:22 NIV)
d) "Of water and the Spirit" could refer to:
i) the contrast between physical birth (water) and spiritual birth (Spirit), or
ii) being regenerated by the Spirit and signifying that rebirth by Christian baptism.
e) The water may also represent the cleansing action of God's Holy Spirit (see Titus 3:5).
@1. 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5 NIV)
f) Nicodemus undoubtedly would have been familiar with God's promise in Ezekiel 36:25-26.
@1. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 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. (Ezekiel 36:25-26 NIV)
g) Jesus was explaining the importance of a spiritual rebirth, saying that people don't enter the kingdom by living a better life, but by being spiritually reborn.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Nicodemus
(Text: John 3:1-21; Place: Judea; Date: A.D. 27)
1.What is the text all about?
a) What did Nicodemus know about the kingdom? From the Bible he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God's people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the kingdom would come to the whole world (see John 3:16), not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus wouldn't be a part of it unless he was personally born again (see John 3:5).
i) 16 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. (John 3:16 NIV)
ii) 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5 NIV)
b) This was a revolutionary concept: the kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and its entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God's kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers (see Luke 17:21).
i) 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:21 NIV)
c) It will be fully realized when Jesus returns again to judge the world and abolish evil forever.
i) 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (Revelation 21:22 NIV)
d) "Of water and the Spirit" could refer to:
i) the contrast between physical birth (water) and spiritual birth (Spirit), or
ii) being regenerated by the Spirit and signifying that rebirth by Christian baptism.
e) The water may also represent the cleansing action of God's Holy Spirit (see Titus 3:5).
@1. 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5 NIV)
f) Nicodemus undoubtedly would have been familiar with God's promise in Ezekiel 36:25-26.
@1. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 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. (Ezekiel 36:25-26 NIV)
g) Jesus was explaining the importance of a spiritual rebirth, saying that people don't enter the kingdom by living a better life, but by being spiritually reborn.
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