Rebirth

Rebirth

(John 3.1-21)

What Nicodemus says is perfectly correct.

I. Sinners need spiritual renewal (verses 1 – 6)

A. The importance of personal spiritual renewal. (verse 5).

B. The natural man's ignorance of spiritual rebirth. (verse 4). David uses 'I' and 'My' with respect to his development in his mother's womb. (Psalm 139.15-16a).

C. The nature of spiritual rebirth. (verse 5). The change changes us into a new person (verse 6-8).

II. Christ as prophet is the only answer to our ignorance of heavenly things (verses 9 – 13)

No privileges can replace Christ's witness as prophet. (verses 9-10).

A. The authority of Christ's prophetic testimony. (verse 11). Christ's knowledge is based upon having seen spiritual realities.

B. The scope of Christ's prophetic testimony (verse 12). Heavenly things.

C. The uniqueness of Christ's prophetic testimony. (Isaiah 53.1) First hand (v.13).

III. The core of Christ's message is God's answer to our need as sinners (verses 14-18)

A. The ancient simile. (verses 15-16)(Numbers 21.8-9)

B. The actual reality. (verses 17-18).

Conclusion: (v.19-21)(Acts 16.31).