2. WHAT Does It Mean To Be A Christian?
Being born again ( a new creation)
A transformed person
Being reconciled to God
To one another
To self
Being adopted as sons and daughters of God
God as our Father
Brothers and sisters to one another
3. Nicodemus, 3:1
Who was Nicodemus?
A Pharisee
A member of the ruling council
A “Teacher of Israel” (3:10)
Why did he come to Jesus “by night”?
Embarrassed?
Lost?
4. WHAT did Jesus mean by being
“born again”? 3:1-10
Cf. 3:3 and 3:5
Illustration 1: Like begets like, 3:6-7.
Illustration 2: The wind and its effects, 3:8.
5. WHY could Jesus speak about being
“born again”, 3:11-13
“No one has ascended into heaven except the one who
descended from heaven, the Son of Man.”
Son of Man. Cf. Daniel 7:13-14
John 1:1-2; 14; 18
John 2:11
6. HOW does Jesus bring about the
new birth, 3:14-15
Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness, Numbers
21:4-9.
The Son of Man must be lifted up.
Cf. John 8:28; 12:32
Acts 2:33; 5:31
Eternal life = Life in the kingdom of God.
7. Conclusions & Life Applications
Being a Christian means being in the kingdom of God.
To enter into the kingdom of God, one needs to be born
again.
This new birth is not of our own doing or choosing, but by
the power of God
This new birth is available to everyone through Jesus
Christ.
The mark of this new birth is a transformed life.