Night Life (Thrive Weekend Sermon 1)

Night Life

Good evening Riverside Students!

Today is going to be a message for somebody. I’m so glad that you are here. I don’t believe that you are here by accident. I believe God wants to speak something to you this evening.

The story we are going to look at today is incredible. If you have your bibles then go ahead and turn to John 3.

Opener: Rafting down the James River

End with -> He reached out to rescue me from what seemed to be an impossible situation..

I’ll come back to this story a little later on, but let’s look at John 3:1-8

John 3:1-8

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “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.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Let’s Pray…

Amen - “So be it” (Let’s practice)

Hallelujah - “God be praised” (Let’s practice)

That’s Woke

Dope

Nicodemus: Victor Over The People

• Pharisee
• Ruler of the Jews
• Member of the Sanhedrin
• Master teacher
• Religious leader
• He had status, wealth, comfort, and was very educated.

He was living that “gooood life”. Or at least what we think of a good and successful life.

There’s not a lot written about Nicodemus. But 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 come to Jesus. He came searching for answers. 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?”

  • 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.

BIG IDEA: One encounter with Jesus can change the trajectory of your life.

2 This man came to Jesus by night

Questions: Why would Nicodemus approach Jesus at night?

Two possible scenarios, either it was by chance or by choice.

• Chance

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

  • Choice

  • He wanted to be alone with Jesus

  • He feared what others might think
  • He didn’t want to ruin his reputation

Based on the text alone which do you think would be the more probable scenario? CHOICE!

He was a Pharisee, religious ruler, master teacher. He couldn’t be seen learning from and becoming vulnerable before this Galilean, Jesus.

John doesn’t tell us why Nicodemus came at night. But it may well be that he was afraid what other people would think.

Look at your neighbor and say “He was afraid” SCURRRED

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

Illust: Have you ever been afraid to ask a question in class because you felt like it was a dumb question? Even though the teacher says “There’s no such thing as a dumb question?” Ha! It’s not the question I’m worried about, it’s the fact that I may look like an idiot if I ask it! Right?!

Every person has not only the right, but the responsibility to pursue their spiritual journey without condemnation or guilt from others.

Instead of fear of others, here’s how I’d apply what Paul told the church in Philippians 2:12-13 “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

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.

Illust: Just like Nicodemus, 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.

For example… is God real? Did Jesus really die? Is the Bible true? All things that I’m sure you probably have asked!

I would read books, go to conferences, talk to people smarter than me… all the while looking for answers to what I was seeing and hearing.

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey you are loved, accepted, and welcome. We are all a work in progress.

If anyone in this room has “arrived” spiritually then you’re probably in the wrong room bro. “Not much more to learn here!” But if you’re like me, and you’re on this journey with Jesus then let’s go together and be constantly pointing each other to the one that has all the answers, and His name is Jesus.

The prodigal Son and Nicodemus

The Prodigal

• Smelly
• Broke
• Homeless
• Disgusting

Nicodemus

• Wealthy
• Healthy
• Educated
• Status

God wants to meet you where you are and tell you that there is Good News! No matter how you come to God, He’s always loving you right where you are. You don’t clean up and then come to God. God didn’t send His Son to make bad things good, He sent His son to make dead things come alive!

BIG IDEA: One encounter with Jesus can change the trajectory of your life.

Testimony: Jakes Story

Jesus says this new birth is the work of the Spirit (John 3:5-8). Here are four truths about how we come to be born again.

Problem

The problem is sin. Most people acknowledge that all have sinned and “fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)

Penalty

The Bible says the payment for sin is death – eternal spiritual separation from God. (Rom. 6:23)

“For the wages of sin is death.”

Provision

Christ has paid the penalty for our sin by His death on the cross.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Decision

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)

But if you confess with your mouth Jesus as lord and believe in you heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.

Back to Opener: Remember I was stranded and desperate for a rescue… then I heard a voice calling Parker. And I saw a giant stick come within arms reach. All I had to do was reach out…

God sent His Son Jesus on a rescue mission for your soul! And you too have the opportunity to receive that free gift. The gift of salvation.

Bow your head and close your eyes…

1. God loves you and has a plan for your life
2. Don’t fear what others might think or say
3. Today is the day of salvation

If you are ready to receive Christ pray this prayer with me. Church, will you join me in this prayer.

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!