Found the Light, In the Night

Intro:

Benjamin Franklin was a great statesman and inventor, and often he would receive letters from famous people from all over the world. One day he received a letter from the well-known British preacher George Whitefield. George wrote “I find that you grow more and more famous in the learned world, as you have made such progress in investigating the mysteries of electricity, I now humbly urge you to give diligent heed to the mystery of the new birth. It is a most important and interesting study and, when mastered, will richly repay you for your pains.”

I don’t believe that you are here by accident. I believe God wants to speak something to you this evening. I want you to know that God has an incredible plan for your life. That you are known, you are loved, and that we believe in you today. This is church. It is not a place to cast stones! It’s not a place to cast judgement! This is a place where you will experience love, hospitality, and people that want to really meet you where you are and walk with you through life.

There’s no place like church?! Let’s go church?! Am I right? We love the local church.

The story we are going to look at today is pivotal in the Christian faith. If you have your bibles then go ahead and turn to John 3. If you don’t have a bible then we want to give you one today. You can also download an app called YouVersion. It’s free and has some wonderful reading plans and bibles. John chapter 3. John is in the New Testament. The bible is broken into two sections, the old and new testament. John is the fourth book in the new testament.

Passage: John 3:1-21 CSB (Story of Nicodemus)

Context:

Nicodemus: Victor Over The People

• Pharisee (Lived by the strictest religious rules)
• Ruler of the Jews
• Member of the Sanhedrin
• Master teacher
• Religious leader
• He had status, wealth, comfort, and was very educated.

There’s not a lot written about Nicodemus. We see him mentioned in 3 separate stories in the book of John. I’m going to give a quick overview of His story and then I want to focus on this first encounter with Jesus.

Process:

• Seeking (John 3)

  • In the passage we just read we see Nicodemus came to Jesus. He came searching for answers and it looks to me like he was sincere on this quest for truth. We see by Jesus’s response why he came.

  • Questioning (John 3)

  • He questioned the things Jesus was telling him, but he kept asking questions. God was patient, but persistent.

  • Believing?

  • We don’t have a clear account of Nicodemus putting his trust in Jesus, but we do see signs later in John that something changed in his life.

  • Standing (John 7:45-52)

  • As Jesus was preaching and teaching in the temple, the Pharisees and Chief Priests sent officers to arrest Jesus. Nicodemus spoke up and said “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” (John 7:51 ESV)

  • Burying (John 19:38-42)

  • After Jesus had been crucified, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took His body and bound Him in linen cloths with spices, which was the custom of the day.

  • The last two passages both speak of the time that Nicodemus met with Jesus during the night. Something happened in that encounter that changed the trajectory of Nicodemus’s life.

Title: FOUND THE LIGHT, IN THE NIGHT

I want to take the next 15 minutes and look at the story of Nicodemus and how his encounter with Jesus could change the trajectory of your life.

Outline:

VERSE 2 - “This man came to Jesus by night”

Two possible scenarios as to this first encounter, either it was by chance or by choice.

1. Chance

   1. It worked well with his schedule
   2. He bumped into Jesus on a Sunday stroll
   3. He made a last minute decision to see him

   4. Choice

   5. He wanted to be alone with Jesus

   6. He feared what others might think
   7. He didn’t want to ruin his reputation

Question: Based on the text and context, which do you think would be the more probable scenario? CHOICE!

I believe Nicodemus was approaching Jesus with a genuine and vulnerable heart, but his opening statement was calculated and sounded religious. This statement didn’t need to be made in the cover of night.

VERSE 2 - “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Nicodemus uses the word “we”, as if he was representing the religious leaders, but Jesus responds with “truly I tell you*”*. I think he came not as a representative, but as a response to the miracles that he had seen Jesus perform.

“His heart drew him to Jesus, but he spoke with his head.” - A.W. Tozer

• The Heart

  • Reckless
  • Illogical (at times, aka love)
  • Vulnerable
  • Causes a response

  • The Head (He’s trying to figure out a question many of you are asking “Who is this Jesus?”)

  • Calculated

  • Logical
  • Protective
  • Knowledge based

When God speaks to a real and vulnerable heart, He reveals the knowledge of who He is. God speaks to the heart of men and women to bring wisdom, clarity, and spiritual understanding.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:6

“The Lord ignored his words and spoke to his heart.” - A.W. Tozer

VERSE 3 - “Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Questions: Why would Nicodemus approach Jesus at night?

It is likely that he wanted to be alone with Jesus with no distraction. But I believe there is more. John doesn’t tell us why he came at night or what was in his heart. What we do know is that he was a Pharisee, and he came to Jesus with questions. Certain questions would have been cause for ridicule and blasphemy. I believe he was seeking at night because he was afraid what other people would think if they knew his real intentions.

Question: How often are we afraid to ask questions or be vulnerable for fear of what others might think or say? Especially here in Boulder!

Illust: I’ve had many questions throughout my spiritual journey, all growing up I’ve pressed in to the hard questions and looked hard for the answers. I would read books, go to conferences, talk to people smarter than me…

Every person has not only the right, but the responsibility to keep pursuing God, and fear of condemnation, pressure, or guilt from others should not stop them.

Instead of fear of others, apply Philippians 2:12-13 (CSB) “Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”

Keep taking steps in the journey. Keep asking questions. Keep pressing in! God is with you! God is with you and we are with you!

The beauty of the journey is that we get to do it in community, not isolation. You are not as alone as the enemy wants you to think! You are not as alone as you may think! It’s our desire to meet you where you are on that journey.

Mission Statement: We are going to be a church that meets you where you are and points you to Jesus.

No matter your status or position, we are all on the same playing field at the foot of the Cross. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey you are loved, accepted, and welcome. We are all a work in progress. Not a single person in this room has arrived. We are growing together, learning together, and building one another up every step of the way!

The prodigal Son and Nicodemus

The Prodigal (Luke 15)

• Smelly
• Broke
• Homeless
• Disgusting

Nicodemus (John 3)

• Wealthy
• Healthy
• Educated
• Status

God wants to meet you where you are this morning and tell you that there is Good News!

You Must Be Born Again

Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born of water and the Spirit. I read that as both a physical birth (by water) and a spiritual birth (by the Spirit).

Story: My testimony

This text is not about Religion but Regeneration

Religion

• Self-Centered
• Works
• Control
• What can I do

Regeneration (restoration, renewal, revival)

• Jesus-Centered
• Relationship
• Surrender
• What God did

Question: Have you been born again?

John 3:16-21

Maybe you are searching for truth, searching for answers, searching for purpose. Maybe like Nicodemus you come to Jesus in the night for a quiet moment with him. Or maybe you fear what others might say or think about you.

Would you allow yourself to open up to the truth of God’s word tonight and take a deep and sincere look at the claims of Christ.

Walking Points: Four truths about what it means to be born again.

1. The Problem Is Sin

   1. The problem is sin. Most people acknowledge that all have sinned and “fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)
   2. There’s not a single person in the room that would label themself as being “The perfect one”. We have all sinned against God and we all fall short of His glory.

2. The Penalty Is Death

   1. The Bible says the payment for sin is death – eternal spiritual separation from God. (Rom. 6:23)
   2. “For the wages of sin is death.” The penalty of our sin, is death.
   3. Imagine that you commit a crime and you are facing the judge. You know there is a penalty for your crime and you acknowledge your guilt… then all of the sudden somebody steps in and says “I’ll take his punishment.” This is what Jesus did for you on the cross. Jesus said “I’ll take your pain, I’ll take your guilt, I’ll take your sin, I’ll take your condemnation on myself!”

3. The Provision Is Jesus

   1. Timothy Keller writes “The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time.”
   2. Christ has paid the penalty for our sin by His death on the cross. (Rom. 5:8)
   3. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

   4. He rose from the grave. Defeating sin, death, and the enemy for all eternity.

      1. “For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.” - 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

4. The Decision Is Yours

   1. Each person needs to place their faith in Christ as their Savior and accept that He paid the price for their sin. Repentance and faith are essential in making a decision to follow Christ. (Rom. 10:9-10, 13, Eph. 2:8-10)
   2. But if you confess with your mouth Jesus as lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.
   3. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9

Bow your head and close your eyes…

• God loves you MORE than you’ll ever know and has a wonderful plan for your life
• Don’t fear what others might think or say! This is your journey, this is your story!
• Today is the day of salvation. Don’t put it off. Tomorrow is not promised, but we all have this moment!

If you are ready to receive Christ pray this prayer with me. Church, will you join me in this prayer as we all pray aloud together?

God, I admit that I am a sinner. I have sinned and I know that I need you as my savior. Save me of my sins and give me a new heart. I believe that you are who you say you are. You are the Lord Jesus Christ. By your grace I am saved. And by your power I am set free. Amen!

Jesus is our message.

Methods will come and go, but our message will always be the same! If you want to know what Pinewood Church is about, it’s Jesus.

It’s always been Jesus and it will always be Jesus, only Jesus!

Stand and let’s continue to lift our praise, lift our voices, lift our hands to the king of kings and lord of lords. Who alone is worthy of our praise!