NO THANK YOU, I’M SATISFIED WITH JUST THE WAY I AM

Pictures of celebrities who go under the knife and are almost unrecognizable, or even worse, look ridiculous.

Jesus told someone he didn’t need to change his outside but his inside.  His name was Nicodemus.

·       Text – John 3:1-8

·       Nicodemus was a Pharisee, wealthy, and a member of Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court).

·       He came to Jesus secretly at night seeking to find some light.

·       He was impressed with the outside, "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." Jesus pointed him to the inside - In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 

1.    Jesus is not the spiritual contractor who rehabs you – he is into demolition and new construction.

New birth is a common theme in the New Testament:

·       1 Peter 1:3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

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

·       James 1:18 - He chose to give us birth through the word of truth.

·       Titus 3:5 - He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

·       Romans 6:4 - We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

·       Galatians 6:15 - What counts is a new creation.

·       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.

·       Matthew 18:3-4 - And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

2.    Jesus works in ways you can’t figure out, but he works.

·       Nicodemus was looking at the impossibility of new birth (v. 4): "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!"

·       The word translated here, “again,” is translated elsewhere in John as “above” or “top”:

o   John the Baptist talking about Jesus (John 3:31) - "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.”

o   Jesus in speaking to Pilate (John 19:11) - "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”

o   When the soldiers crucified Jesus (John 19:23) - When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

o   In Strong’s Greek Dictionary: anothen (an'-o-then): from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew. From above is supernatural.

·       Jesus does his supernatural (from above) work, and although you don’t understand how he does it, you see the results (vv. 7-8): “You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 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." 

·       EXAMPLE: Do you understand how a microwave oven works? If you don’t, does that keep you from using one? Or mobile phones? Or LED lights?

3.    Origin determines your destination.

·       5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

·       Unless Jesus does the demolition and new construction, you won’t make it to Heaven (v. 3): In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 

·       You won’t see the Kingdom of God here, and you won’t see it then.

Are you satisfied with yourself just the way you are?

Or “No thank you. I’m happy just the way I am”?

·       Nicodemus wasn’t satisfied with his life. He did not ask “why should I change” but “how can I change” - "How can a man be born when he is old?"

·        He did not doubt the desirability of change but the possibility.

·       Jesus has the possibility handled. The desirability is up to you.

·       Question: Do you want to be born from above? Have you obeyed Jesus in baptism? If you have, are you living an obedient life now?

The essence of rebirth is obedience (Luke 11:27-28) - As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

You don’t see wind, but you see the results.

A Christian man was asked by his buddies, “Do you believe Jesus turned water into wine?” He answered, “Absolutely. I have seen God change beer into furniture in my house.”