Conversations in the Night Nicodemus meets with Jesus, John 3:1-17

Conversations in the Night Charlie Brown

Conversations in the Night You too?

Conversations in the Night My friend Cindy!

Conversations in the Night Nicodemus

Nicodemus recognizes Jesus as a Teacher of a higher order! “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” (v. 2)

Jesus cuts him off! “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is ‘born again’.” (v. 3) “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is ‘born again’.” (v. 3) You don’t need answers to your nagging questions... What you need is a new beginning! You don’t need answers to your nagging questions... What you need is a new beginning!

Conversation at a Well Samaritan woman, John ch. 4 Samaritan woman, John ch. 4 Her question of the “prophet”... Which is the right church, the right denomination Her question of the “prophet”... Which is the right church, the right denomination “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (vv ) “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (vv )

Necessity of New Birth Play on words Play on words “Born again” (Nicodemus) “Born again” (Nicodemus) “Born from above” (Jesus) “Born from above” (Jesus)

Necessity of New Birth “You must be born (again/from above) of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (vv. 5-6) “You must be born (again/from above) of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (vv. 5-6) Nicodemus needs a whole new mind set …a brand new heart full of new attitudes and motivations … new life full of brand new, godly behaviors! Nicodemus needs a whole new mind set …a brand new heart full of new attitudes and motivations … new life full of brand new, godly behaviors!

New Birth and Baptism “You must be born again of water and the Spirit.” “You must be born again of water and the Spirit.” Water points us to John’s baptism Water points us to John’s baptism Nicodemus and all Israel must repent, appeal for God’s forgiveness Nicodemus and all Israel must repent, appeal for God’s forgiveness But the Baptist knew that something more was needed... “I baptize you with water, but One is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mt. 3:11) But the Baptist knew that something more was needed... “I baptize you with water, but One is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mt. 3:11)

Our Baptism—New Life What God does in our Baptism: What God does in our Baptism: He washes away our sins He washes away our sins And he breathes into us the gift of his Holy Spirit... And we become alive to God! And he breathes into us the gift of his Holy Spirit... And we become alive to God!

Gifts of the Spirit A living faith in Christ our Savior A living faith in Christ our Savior Obedience to God Obedience to God Boldness to be a witness for Jesus Boldness to be a witness for Jesus Christian character Christian character Special abilities for service Special abilities for service

Conversations in the Night! Had our share of conversations in the night... A list of questions for God when we get to heaven Had our share of conversations in the night... A list of questions for God when we get to heaven Question of the Trinity, for one. Question of the Trinity, for one.

Conversations in the Light We have the light that comes from knowing Jesus (“For God so loved the world...”) We have the light that comes from knowing Jesus (“For God so loved the world...”) Spirit has enlightened us to, and thru, Jesus Spirit has enlightened us to, and thru, Jesus Spirit has enlightened us thru the Bible (“All Scripture is God-breathed” -- 2Tim 3:16) Spirit has enlightened us thru the Bible (“All Scripture is God-breathed” -- 2Tim 3:16)

Conversations in the Light We may not have all the answers... We may not have all the answers... But we do have THE LIFE... Full, abundant, Spirit-breathed, eternal life in Jesus But we do have THE LIFE... Full, abundant, Spirit-breathed, eternal life in Jesus