John 3 - Introduction

CHAPTER THREE

The third chapter of John's Gospel is very precious to the believer, It contains the teaching of the Lord on the new birth; it contains the golden text of the Bible (John 3:16); it contains the final testimony of John the Baptist to Christ. In this third chapter may be found the grand scheme of redemption. God's part (John 3:16-17) and man's part (John 3:3-5) in this redemptive plan is made plain. Chapter three falls naturally into two sections as outlined below:

II

The Word manifested to the Jews and their rejection of Him, John 1:19 to John 12:50 (cont.)

B.

The public ministryfirst year John 2:13 to John 4:54 (cont.)

2.

Conversation with Nicodemus John 3:1-21

a.

Teaching on the Kingdom and new birth John 3:1-8

b.

Earthly mysteries compared with heavenly mysteries John 3:9-15

c.

More heavenly mysteries John 3:16-21

3.

Further Judean ministry and John the Baptist's final testimony John 3:22-36

a.

John's witness concerning himself John 3:22-30

b.

John's witness concerning Christ John 3:31-36

EXPOSITORY SERMON NO. 3

THE NEW BIRTH

John 3:1-8

Introduction

I

Character of Nicodemus

A.

Afraid? probably (John 7:50; John 19:39)

Perhaps sought Jesus when alonepossibly his only free time

B.

At least his mind was honest enough to accept evidence of Jesus-' deity.

1.

More than other Pharisees would do

2.

Honest mind necessary to receive any truth

II

What was Nicodemus really seeking?

A.

The kingdom of God. promised by his prophets

1.

Probably heard John the Baptist and Jesus both preach, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

2.

There was a general excitement and expectation (Luke 3:15)

III

What does Jesus really teach Nichodemus?

A.

That the true kingdom of God is spiritual and not physical

B.

That entrance is by spiritual birth, not physical lineage

Discussion

I

NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH (John 3:3; John 3:5)

A.

A blow is dealt Nicodemus-' religious heritage

1.

A Jew and a Pharisee, yet Jesus implies he has no part in the kingdom of God

B.

Must be born anew regenerated

1.

Generate means to give life.

2.

Without regeneration (spiritually) we are without life (spiritually) SPIRITUALLY DEAD!

Jesus said as much in John 3:18LIVING DEAD MEN!

C.

Jesus repeats, Except and Ye must FOR EMPHASIS.

1.

NAME ON CHURCH ROLL, EVEN HOLDING OFFICE DOES NOT GUARANTEE ETERNAL LIFE. YE MUST BE BORN ANEW. REGENERATION IS NECESSARY

II

WHAT IS THE NEW BIRTH?

A.

A new birth brings forth a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:11-17).

Note the sharp change to a new life in Saul of Tarsus

B.

The old man must die before the new man is born.

1.

I have been crucified with Christ etc. (Galatians 1:20)

a.

When Christ lives in us. His wants are ours, His loves are ours, His hates are ours.

b.

I moves out and Jesus moves in, (Romans 8:6-9)

c.

Our hearts are filled with fleshly desires like a barrel filled with various things We need to empty the barrel and fill it with Christ.

2.

Before we can be saved we must be lost!

a.

Must first accept fact that God has just cause to demand our death because of our disobedience.

b.

WHEN WE VIOLATE GOD'S PERFECT STANDARD, WE JUSTLY DESERVE THE SENTENCE OF PUNISHMENT.

C.

Now we are ready to accept LOVE OF GOD manifested in Christ's reconciliation.

III.

HOW SHALL WE BE BORN AGAIN?

A.

Ye must be born of water and Spirit.

1.

Both water and Spirit are used without the article the.

Thus we see that the new birth is a single entity. baptism and Spirit one process

2.

Compare Titus 3:4-5

B.

Spirit operates through the written and spoken Word of God.

1.

1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18; James 1:21

a.

Spirit came to convict men of sin done through preaching of apostles. (John 16:8; John 16:13; John 17:20)

2.

When the seed (Word of God) is shown, it transforms the life.

C.

The Spirit gives life (John 6:63).

But, THE WORDS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT AND THEY ARE LIFE.

D.

We are:

1.

CLEANSED BY THE WORD AND BY THE LAVER OF REGENERATION

2.

SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD AND BY BAPTISM

3.

LED BY THE SPIRIT (WORD)

4.

PURIFIED BY OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL

5.

SAVED BY WASHING OF REGENERATION AND OF HOLY SPIRIT

EXAMINATION
Chapter S TWO AND THREE

Multiple Choice

1.

The city where Jesus made the water into wine was:

a.

Capernaum

b.

Cana

c.

Chorazin

2.

Jesus made the water into:

a.

grape juice

b.

intoxicating wine

c.

we cannot be certain

3.

Jesus-' brothers were named:

a.

James, Joseph, Judas

b.

James, Joseph, Judas, Simon

c.

Abraham, Joseph, Levi, Peter

4.

During the Feast of Passover, the Jews commemorated:

a.

The passing over of the Death Angel

b.

Their passing over the Jordan River

c.

The death of Pharaoh

5.

When Jesus said Destroy this temple. he referred:

a.

to His physical body

b.

to the Jew's temple

c.

both of the above

6.

When Jesus said a man must be born of water He meant:

a.

An ocean voyage

b.

born of the Holy Spirit

c.

Baptism

7.

The essential idea of the kingdom of God, is:

a.

The second coming of Christ

b.

The reign of God over the lives of men

c.

A church organization

8.

John the Baptist called himself:

a.

The bridegroom

b.

The bride

c.

The friend of the Bridegroom

9.

Jesus baptized:

a.

Just His disciples

b.

Many people

c.

No one personally, but representatively through the apostles.

Match These Scriptures

1.

His mother saith unto the servants

a.

and in three days I will raise it up.

2.

Take these things hence :

b.

even so must the Son of man be lifted up.

3.

Destroy this temple

c.

but I must decrease.

4.

Except one be born anew

d.

he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

5.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness

e.

but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

6.

According to his mercy he saved us

f.

he that believeth not hath been judged already.

7.

He must increase

g.

Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

8.

He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life

h.

through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

9.

He that believeth on him is not judged

i.

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

10.

Wherefore if any man is in Christ

j.

make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.

True or False

1.______The miracle at the wedding feast was Jesus-' first miracle.
2.______Jesus used His scourge of cords upon the money-changers.
3.______Nicodemus belonged to the sect of the Sadducees.

4.______Jesus told Nicodemus there was nothing required of men to enter the kingdom of God.

5.______Men judge themselves, in a sense, when they, reject the light.
6.______Those who do evil wish to remain ignorant of the true worthlessness of their deeds.
7.______John the Baptist was jealous of Jesus-' popularity.

Who said it?

1.

They have no wine.

2.

Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse thou hast kept the good wine until now.

3.

Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?

4.

How can these things be?

5.

Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth and all men come to him.

Describe the location of these:

1.

Cana

2.

Capernaum

3.

The temple

4.

Jerusalem

5.

Aenon