MOTIVATE

• Every conversation with a friend is a cherished gift.
• Some of my most meaningful conversations have been at night…
  • Talk with Jesus on sidewalk at CNC about Bible, faith, ministry
• • Talk with Danielle on boardwalk asking her hand in marriage
  • Talks and prayers with SPBC elders about ministry actions and aims
• Today’s passage is about a meaningful late night conversation…

EXAMINE       Late Night Conversations (John 3)               lessons about Jesus

Jesus is approachable (3:1-2).

• Bible presents all sorts of characters, not all polished or perfect. Some are immoral and evil, others moral & religious rebels, but what makes Christianity unique is that it every single person falls short of God’s standard and is in need of a Savior.
• Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a religious leader who likes to promote good deeds in public. Yet, Nic was operating in the night shadows and secrecy. He had all the knowledge and persona [see below] but lacked a heart changed by grace.
• They sought strict adherence to the words of Scripture. They even went so far as to add traditions to the Law to assist in obedience to God.
• Good Pharisees kept company with positive role models with good values (Mt 9:11),
• practiced spiritual disciplines of prayer & fasting (Mt 9:14),
• attended religious functions (Mt 12:2),
• memorized Scripture (Mt 23:5),
• influential among upper class and religious groups (Mt 23:7),
• adventurous missionaries (Mt 23:15),
• gave tithes (Mt 23:23),
• morally pure (Mt 23:24-28),
• knew only God forgave sin (Mark 2:7),
• protected God’s name (Mark 2:7-8),
• practiced religious traditions (Mark 7:5),
• prayed for signs and miracles from heaven (Mark 8:11),
• sought God’s wisdom on divorce and marriage (Mark 10:2),
• paid government taxes (Mark 12:13-15),
• practiced hospitality (Luke 11:37),
• separated from evil influencers (Luke 18:11),
• discerned true or false prophets (John 1:24)
• condemned adultery (John 8:3),
• investigated the legitimacy of healings and prophets (John 9:13),
• and on top of all that had doctrinal truth believing the resurrection (Acts 23:8).

• Nicodemus presents as a wise teacher bc he makes good observations and is asking questions

• What observations and questions do you have for Jesus?

• Jesus is approachable today by interacting with other Christians & church

• Come to Jesus… just come, no matter the concern or crisis

Jesus is the authority (3:3-8).

• Nic observes Jesus’ impactful teaching and miraculous signs, but Jesus goes beyond abilities to authority over the kingdom of God.
• Jesus is more than a philosopher or teacher, He’s the final judge for the kingdom of God.
• God’s kingdom is not automatic at birth for everyone.
• God’s kingdom is not action of good behavior. God is not impressed with you!
  • Nic was not ½ way to kingdom bc he was Pharisee. He was still on the outs…  
  • (see Mark 10:17-22) Moral person tells Jesus he’s kept commandments, but Jesus says, “You lack one thing: trade earthly riches for treasure in heaven… but the man went away sorrowful bc he loved his possessions more than trusting Jesus.
• God’s kingdom is acknowledgement of authority. At birth, our authority is self. “Born Again” means dying to self with Jesus as Lord.  
  
• Jn 14:6; Ac 4:12 No one comes to the Father but through faith in Jesus Christ
  • Jesus did not come to make us nice people but new creations (2Cor 5:17; Eph 2:1-10)
  • Our greatest need is not image-makeover (PR expert)/ pleasure (entertainer) /
    financial capital (wealthy mogul) / education (teacher) / wise guidance (counselor) /
    religion (priest)   – – – Our greatest need is salvation from sinful hearts.

• KINGDOM OF GOD phrase infrequent in John vs Synoptics. Nic would have assumed a future resurrection, but Jesus was expressing to Nic that being born from above starts with life in the Spirit now! There is an immediacy to God’s presence for those who walk in faith.
• V)8 We cannot control the wind, much more God/Jesus. But we can receive it to channel its blessings like a kite / surfer / sailboat.  
  Open your life to Jesus.

Jesus is our atonement (3:9-21).

• Nic doesn’t understand the spiritual birth Jesus speaks
• Jesus describes His mission: to descend from heaven, then be lifted up like Moses did the serpent in the wilderness.
  • Numbers 21:5-9 Israel is warring against enemy nations, and complaining (what’s new!?!) against God, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness with worthless food and no [more] water [after Moses previously provided from a rock]. So, the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people of Israel; some were bit and died. Many came to Moses saying, ‘We have sinned against the LORD. Pray that the LORD may take away the serpents from us. Moses prayed, and God instructed him to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole, for everyone who is bitten to look at it, and they will live.”
  • Jesus becomes the poisoned serpent on the cross, so that all who look to Him are healed and saved.
  • Sermon text when young Charles Spurgeon was saved was Isa 45:22 “Look to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other.”

• What has you snake-bitten with pain and panic?

• Where are you looking for comfort / resolution & change / peace?

Look to Jesus

JOHN 3:16
For God                             the paramount being

So loved                             the profoundest measurement          Nails didn’t hold Jesus to cross–love did

The world                         the most unqualified recipients

That He gave His one and only Son          the supreme and singular sacrifice

That whoever believes in Him                 the most inclusive invitation

Shall not perish              the weightiest deliverance

But have                             the guaranteed certainty

Eternal life                        the incalculable gift & immeasurable possession

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

• John 3 leaves without clarity of Nicodemus’ faith…
• John wants us to understand that familiarity with Jesus requires deliberate steps beyond fandom to following Jesus.
  • After Jesus’ death, Nicodemus is one of few disciples who boldly support Jesus and respectfully bury his body (John 20).

• Late night doesn’t have to be in PM… today could be your late night convo being born again

• Are you remaining a fan of Jesus / staying in processing mode… or what holds you back from truly following Jesus?
  
  
• We can still honor Jesus’ body today by boldly standing with the church and supporting its ministries.