Sermon Notes:
Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel, has some _________________ for Jesus but isn’t prepared for the__________________.(John 3:1-3)
Nicodemus doesn’t understand why a new birth was needed or even possible. His confusion was because he was so focused on his__________________ birth. When we put our trust in the _______________ things, we sometimes miss the bigger picture of God’s _____________. (John 3:4-6)
Jesus tells Nicodemus he shouldn’t be surprised that the new birth is from the Spirit. The Spirit isn’t controlled by________________________ but acts according to his own plans. (John 3:7-8)
Nicodemus should know better than anyone; God’s plan was never intended to be so limited. But this is why Jesus had to come to earth – to bring ____________ and eliminate the ______________we put God in. (John 3:9-13)
Jesus paints a picture that Nicodemus can understand; even the people of _______________ needed to look up for healing. We________ need to turn our eyes to Jesus.
Digging Deeper:
1. Read John 3:3-5. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs to be “born again,” though this phrase could also be translated, “born from above.” Read Ezekiel 36:25-27 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. Have you experienced Ezekiel’s promise of a new life? Have you experienced a spiritual transformation, and what makes it different from when you were just trying to be a good person through your own power? How does being a “new creation” shape how you live today?
2. Read John 3:9-10. Nicodemus was a teacher and scholar of scriptures. Why do you think he couldn’t understand what Jesus was saying? Read Isaiah 6:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 2:14. Do you see spiritual blindness appear today even among religious people? How does the Holy Spirit reveal God’s truth to you? How can you stay teachable and humble in your faith?
3. Read John 3:6-8. Think about wind and what it can do. Now think about how the Holy Spirit works in your life. How does this analogy help you understand how the Holy Spirit works? Compare this to Galatians 5:16-25 and Romans 8:5-11. How does the list of fruit of the Holy Spirit(Galatians 5:22-23) help you recognize His work in your life? What steps can you take so that you can learn to walk by the Spirit rather than by your flesh? What can you do in your everyday life to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His guidance?
4. Read John 3:14-15 and Numbers 21:4-9. Jesus compares his crucifixion to the bronze serpent lifted by Moses. God provided healing to the afflicted when they looked at the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:8. What does this tell you about how God provides for your spiritual needs? What do you see in this story that shows you who needs the salvation that God offers? What things in your life can you change so that you’re looking to Christ in faith rather than trusting in your own
solutions?