The Divine Story of Jesus and You: You Must Be Born Again

Sermon Quick Summary

We are continuing our miniseries, “The Divine Story of Jesus and You.” The scripture text for today is from John Chapter 3:1-21, which is Section 2.10 in your booklet, available for free at www.plusnothing.com. This message, “You Must Be Born Again,” describes an encounter between Jesus and the Jewish Pharisee leader Nicodemus. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him” (John 3:2). This is a simple statement of fact. “Jesus answered ‘everyone must be born again. Anyone who is not born again cannot be in God’s kingdom’” (John 3:3). Jesus provides an answer to a question that Nicodemus did not ask. The real question, like it is a Jesus Jeopardy show, is: how can a person in this life be in the Kingdom of God? Why would Jesus answer this question without Nicodemus asking? It was taught widely among Jews at that time that since they descended from Abraham, they were automatically assured of life in the Kingdom of God. We still face the fact today that we must be born again. Today, some think they have good life and do not need Jesus as Savior to have life in the Kingdom of God.