Transcript

Losing My Religion-Part One

John 3:1-10
Sunday, September 15, 2002
Pastor Randy Smith

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About 8 years ago I mailed out a survey to 60 jr. high students of mine. Thirty were model students (as selected by current colleges) and thirty we could label "at risk." My thesis was to determine the correlation (if any) between the behavior of a student in the public schools and Christian influence. Then out of personal interest, my final question on the survey asked the student to identify what he believed to be his eternal destiny, followed by one sentence to support his conclusion. As you can well imagine, all but one of the adolescents believed they would enter heaven upon death and the following are some of the reasons they provided:

I believe in god

I've tried to change my ways

Because

I am honest and loving

I can be bad, but never have done anything incriminating

I'm not as mean and haven't killed

I've been good throughout my life and pray every night before I go to bed

Because I lead a good life

Because I'm good to people and admit sins

So far in life I have not done anything terribly wrong and that's what my family believes too

I won't commit any huge sins

God forgives everyone and loves everyone

I try to be the best person I could because I'm a good kid

Because I believe that I'm not that bad

I ask you, what do all of these responses have in common? With the exception of the one universalist, all these responses are anthropocentric, meaning God is required to grant me eternal life based on my human accomplishments. The human accomplishments most often revolve around living a moral life and having some affiliation with religious activities.

That was adolescents. But if I conducted this same survey among adults would the responses be any different? I guarantee 9 out of 10 adults believe they are going to heaven when they die and their rationale would be identical to the jr. high students: morality and religion. Nobody is mentioning the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. And nobody is mentioning the need to be born-again .

Last week we learned that many people who "believe" in Jesus, but fail to understand His demands of total surrender will be eternally lost. Jesus Christ wants your life! He wants a relationship! He is not impressed with your morality or your religion.

This week we'll examine a test case. We'll see how Jesus tells one of the most religious figures in the land that unless he changes, unless he loses his religion, unless he is "born-again," he will be eternally lost. The man's name was Nicodemus.

Please follow along beginning in the third chapter of the gospel of John, verse 1. "Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.' Nicodemus answered and said to Him, 'How can these things be?' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?'"

1. WHAT IT TAKES TO BE RELIGIOUS (3:1-2)

Nicodemus is only mentioned in the gospel of John, and much of what we can learn about him personally comes from the first two verses of chapter 3.

First of all the text says that he was a "man of the Pharisees ." The Pharisees receive a bad rap through much of the New Testament. You will recall that Jesus cast vicious "woes" upon them in the latter days of His ministry (Mt. 23:13-36). They were hyper-legalists who externalized religion. However, though very misdirected, the Pharisees must be commended for their zeal and desire to obey the requirements of God. For instance, to avoid violating the Sabbath, they would carry no more food than the weight of a dried fig or no more milk than could be swallowed in one gulp. They believed it was permissible to eat an egg that had been laid on the Sabbath only if the chicken was killed on the next day for violating the Sabbath. They were earnest about their faith! They took their spiritual lives very seriously! But unfortunately their zeal was misguided and far from what God expected (Rom. 10:2).

Additionally, verse 1 also says that Nicodemus was " a ruler of the Jews ." This means that Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, a ruling council composed of 70 men. This council consisting of both lay and clergy leaders had jurisdiction over every Jew on the earth. To further Nicodemus' impressive resume, verse 10 adds that he was called " the teacher of Israel," by Jesus Christ himself. There could be no doubt that Nicodemus was the epitome of a religious giant in the eyes of the people. Additionally, there can be no doubt that he felt this way about himself.

Curious about the signs Jesus was performing, verse 2 says that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Many have attempted to read much meaning into this line. Was it because Nicodemus was too timid and fearful to make a public appearance? Was it because tradition tells us that the Rabbis studied and debated long into the night? Was it because Nicodemus had hoped for a more intimate interview apart from the crowds? Was it because John often compares light with the spiritually good and darkness with the spiritually evil? Did the darkness without reflect the darkness within Nicodemus' heart? We may never know, but we do know that he did come with flattering speech and respect for Jesus. He said, in verse 2, "Rabbi, we (notice the plural pronoun) know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

Nicodemus thought he was respectful. He called Jesus a rabbi who was blessed by God. Little did he know that Jesus was the Messiah, the incarnation of the living God Himself! Without expecting it, this self-righteous Pharisee, this member of the Sanhedrin, this teacher of Israel is about to get his life rocked!

Have you ever expected one thing and then received exactly the opposite? Box seats at Yankee Stadium that become bleachers at a T-Ball game? Steak and lobster that become macaroni and cheese? A tranquil drive along the shore that becomes a car accident? A commendation from someone that becomes a critique? Jesus is about to confront Nicodemus on faith that is spurious, religion that is works-based, righteousness that is Pharisaical and biblical knowledge that is illiterate.

2. WHAT IT TAKES TO BE RIGHTEOUS (3:3-10)

Jesus in verse 3 cuts immediately to the heart of the matter. The One who "knew what was in man" (Jn. 2:25) did not wish to cater to the religious façade of Nicodemus. Though the highly religious Nicodemus thought he had the upper hand on Jesus, Jesus abruptly reveals that he was as lost as a tax collector or a harlot. In one sentence, Jesus swept away all that Nicodemus stood for and demanded that he be re-made by the power of God. The man who spent his whole life learning how to be religious, never learned how to be saved. Verse 3, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Born-Again, The Need (vs. 3-5)

Unfortunately today, one of the greatest of all biblical terms has been emptied of the meaning first assigned to it by Christ. We must begin by asking the question, what does it mean to be "born-again?"

Jimmy Carter made the term famous in the 70's when he publicly professed to be a "born-again Christian." Since then many have jumped on the bandwagon. Some have been dead right. I can remember a talk show when the interviewer sarcastically asked the woman if she was a "born-again Christian." Her response was that all Christians are "born-again." She was correct! Other have not been as accurate. Take Larry Flynt for example. He is the publisher of the pornographic magazine "Hustler." After proclaiming to be "born-again," Flynt continues to publish the magazine, justifying his sin under the guise of love and "clean sex." Or how about the stripper I read about this week who claimed she was a "born-again Christian." She explained that since being born-again she has realized that the Lord has given her a beautiful body. She believes that "stripping for Jesus" is the best way she can use her gift. Jim Jones professed to be "born-again" and still led hundreds to death and sorrow.

Despite all the error and confusion, what did Jesus mean when He was calling Nicodemus, and every other human being, to be "born-again?" Simply put, He was calling for a radical rebirth! He was calling for a complete spiritual transformation! He was calling for a heart to be regenerated by the power of God! John Calvin put it this way, "The term 'born-again' means not the amendment of a part, but the renewal of the whole nature. Hence it follows that there is nothing in us that is not defective."

There was no doubt that a Jew of the caliber of Nicodemus thought he already had a guaranteed ticket to the kingdom of God. After all, the Jewish belief was that all Israelites would enter lest they were guilty of deliberate apostasy and extraordinary wickedness. And if the average Jew could enter heaven with such ease, with how much more ease should the great Nicodemus have entered! He was a physical descendent of Abraham. He obeyed all of God's commands as written in the Scriptures. He displayed a steadfast devotion to God in all his actions. He was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin. He was the teacher of Israel! What could Jesus possibly be speaking of? How could he possibly need anything more? Where had he gone wrong all these years? No doubt, Nicodemus was stunned!

His amazement is revealed in verse 4. "Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?'" Obviously Nicodemus' words should not be taken literally. He was confused, but not to the point of thinking that Jesus was talking about a second physical birth! Nicodemus used physical imagery to speak of a spiritual situation. Let me explain.

Originally the Kingdom was intended for Israel. Though people from other nations could enter, they were required to take upon them the nationalist requirements of the Jewish laws such as circumcision and the observance of holy days. Sometimes it was said that they would "take on themselves the yoke of the Kingdom of God." They were called to die to their old manner of living. The Gentile proselyte entered a new life. It was said that they "are like a new-born child." Such a person could be described as "born from above or born again."

But if the convert was called to start over, was this also expected for the aged and experienced and devoted Nicodemus? Was he to forsake everything and begin afresh? Should he be expected to change his nature, which he believed was already in tune with Israel's Jehovah? After all these years, was he to enter the religious process all over again as a Gentile proselyte in order to be acceptable for the Kingdom of God? Was he to "crawl back into his mother's womb and be born all over again?" Just as a second physical birth is a sheer impossibility, Nicodemus saw it impossible to break with the past and begin his spiritual life all over again.

Since Nicodemus was still confused. Jesus repeated His statement from verse 3 in different terms. Verse 5, "Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.'" Notice the similarities between verse 3 and verse 5. Both begin with "truly, truly" or literally, "amen, amen." Both speak of being born from above. And both speak of a prerequisite to enter (or see) the kingdom of God.

There have been many suggestions as to what "born of water and spirit" mean. Many have gone the heretical route and claim it refers to baptismal regeneration. In other words, once a person is baptized in water by the church he or she is regenerated and guaranteed entrance into the kingdom. That is very incorrect for many reasons! The most obvious being that works-righteousness and religious activities are exactly what Jesus is opposing in this account! If the highly religious Nicodemus is unable to get into heaven based upon his works, why should an individual get to heaven because he or she underwent an involuntary religious baptism as a baby!

Though John is not speaking of baptismal regeneration, he is speaking of Holy Spirit regeneration. I believe our clue to determine what "water and spirit" mean must be found in the Old Testament since Jesus berates the great teacher of Israel for not understanding this truth. Spirit in the Old Testament constantly refers to the distribution of life. From the time of creation when God breathed into man the breath of life (Gen. 2:7) to the promise of the New Covenant when God would pour out His Spirit on all mankind (Joel 2:28), God's Spirit was a symbol of both physical and spiritual life. In the book of Job we read, "If He should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust" (Job 34:14-15). Water in the Old Testament habitually refers to renewal or cleansing (Nu. 19:17). Therefore water and spirit in the context of John 3 come together to signify a cleansing from impurity, a transforming of the heart that enables people to be clean and have a desire to follow God.

For example, listen to how both of these words are used in Ezekiel 36. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances" (Eze. 36:25-27). And should it come as a surprise that in the following chapter, Ezekiel 37 (the chapter we read earlier this morning), we hear of dead bones coming to life, but only after God chooses to breathe His Spirit upon them. There is no life apart from God breathing His Spirit upon an individual, neither physical, nor spiritual.

Nicodemus was in such a predicament. He was spiritually dirty. He needed a washing. Not a physical bath, for that only cleanses the outside, nor a baptism, for that would have only been another religious deed added to his crown of self-righteousness. He needed the Spirit of God to breathe life into him. He needed a new heart. He needed to discard his own religious efforts. He needed to be "born-gain." But how?

Born-Again, The Explanation (vs. 6)

Jesus explains in verse 6. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

Jesus is basically saying that everything has a nature that makes it what it is. In other words, apples will always be apples and oak trees will always be oak trees and dogs will always be dogs. In the same way, people will always be people. They will always be of flesh, always earthly. And unfortunately a natural existence cannot enter the kingdom of God no matter how hard the soul may strive to be religious. In other words, a fleshly person has as much of a chance to become a spiritual person as a donut does to become a Dalmatian. Jeremiah put it like this, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots" (Jer. 13:23a)?

A person can make a "decision for Christ," serve as a Sunday school teacher, read his or her Bible and faithfully attend church for 20 years and be totally lost. Listen, if Nicodemus couldn't get in based on his religious merit, neither can we! Religion is meaningless when it is conducted in the flesh.

In the latter half of verse 6, Jesus explains what is necessary to be a child of God. Flesh produces flesh, but Spirit produces spirit. What we need is to be born-again from the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit to change us from flesh to spirit. We can't change ourselves; we are dependent on Him for the transformation. The flesh has a human nature; the spirit has a spiritual nature. The flesh has an earthly father; the spirit has a heavenly Father. The flesh has an appetite for food; the spirit has an appetite for God. The flesh has an impulse to save its life; the spirit has an impulse to lose its life for Christ. Those of the flesh are lost; those of the spirit will be saved.

Born-Again, The Method (vs. 7-8)

But how do I become born of the Spirit or born again? Jesus claimed that Nicodemus should have understood this. Do you? Beginning in verse 7, "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must (there is no other way!) be born again. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit'" (Jn. 3:7-8). The Hebrew word ruach and the Greek word pneuma can both be translated "breath," "wind" or "spirit." It is important to understand this in order to rightly comprehend John's interchange in these verses. Just as the dead bones in Ezekiel 37 needed a wind to blow through them, which was the Spirit of God, humans are dead in their earthly nature until the Spirit of God breathes on them bringing forth life.

The analogy is applied to the wind (again the same word as spirit). Just as the wind has a point of origin and a destination that is unknown, the Spirit of God is moving among human hearts. Like the wind, we cannot see or predict the Spirit of God. But like the wind, we measure the Spirit of God by the effects.

In other words we are totally at the mercy of the free and sovereign will of God. Just as the wind is invisible and unpredictable and uncontrollable, God's Spirit is moving among human beings, regenerating their hearts, enabling them to willingly trust Christ for salvation. Therefore being "born-gain" is ultimately a work of God. Salvation among spiritually dead individuals must originate from God. Just as Jesus spoke to Lazarus in the grave and said, "Come forth," God must initiate salvation and call us to life. John spoke of this concept earlier in chapter 1. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God " (Jn. 1:12-13).

Allow me to go through this process again. We already learned that humans are of flesh (3:6), that they cannot "see" the kingdom of God (3:3) and that they are unable to change their nature (3:6). To further our awful predicament, Ephesians 2:1 says that unbelievers are "dead in (their) trespasses and sins." Romans 3:11 adds that "there is none who seeks for God." Human beings are walking spiritual corpses. The Bible says that they are not only unwilling to submit themselves to Christ, but the Bible also adds that they unable to submit themselves to Christ. Something must happen within the heart of a human if they are to trust Christ. They must be "born-again." God must quicken their spirit to respond to the call of the gospel. He must breathe life into people, so that they can willingly respond to the proclamation of the Word of God for salvation. 1 Peter 1:23 says, "For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God .

When God stirs a person's heart, he will delightfully trust Christ for salvation when he hears the Word of God, the gospel. It will be the greatest news they he has ever heard! John Calvin called this concept "irresistible grace." Just as a gust of wind almost knocked me over this past Wednesday as I was walking on the Seaside Heights boardwalk, God's wind/breath/Spirit will knock someone out of his or her deadness to trust Christ for salvation. His calling will not fail. His Word will not return void.

The wind blows where it wishes. As humans we cannot see the wind, but we measure the wind by its effects. Likewise, the Spirit of God blows where it wishes making spiritually dead hearts responsive to the gospel. As humans we cannot see the Spirit of God, but we measure it by the effects it leaves behind. And there is no doubt that people who have truly been "born-again" will not simply become religious, but they will undergo a radical transformation of character, which enables them to internally glorify God from the heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he isa new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." Ephesians 2:5, "Even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ."

Born-Again, The Comprehension (vs. 9-10)

Nicodemus said to Jesus in verse 9, "'How can these things be?' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things?'"

According to Jesus, Nicodemus should have understood the concept of being "born-again." But he was deceived by his religious life. He was schooled in the religion of "doing" rather than "receiving." The same is true today. Millions of "church-goers" are deceived into thinking that a religious life will be sufficient for salvation. Jesus made it clear in our text this morning that salvation is not contingent upon a work of man, but rather upon a work of God. The Holy Spirit must regenerate humans so they can respond to the call of the gospel. And even that response involves putting your faith not in your own religious deeds, but rather in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. There can be no doubt that salvation is all of God's grace, from beginning to end.

Is God stirring your heart? Do you realize how your sin has separated you from a holy God? Do you realize that no matter how hard you try, your religion is nothing but "filthy rags" in the sight of God? Are you tired of living a joyless life without meaning or purpose? Do you feel as if you are in a state of desperation? Then there is great hope for you. God is probably regenerating your heart. Put your faith in Christ and realize the power of a transformed life now acceptable to enter God's kingdom.

The story of Nicodemus ends in an exciting fashion. In John 7:51 Nicodemus stuck his neck out for Jesus when the religious leaders were trying to condemn Him. And then in John 19:40 Nicodemus took the body of Jesus after his death and placed it in the tomb at a time when most of the disciples were hiding in fear. After hearing these words of Jesus, Nicodemus trusted Christ for salvation. What will you do now that you have heard the same words of Christ? Will you trust Him for salvation?