1. StSt Andre ws Baptist Church Welcome to

2. Real life

3. Mentioned 3 times in John’s Gospel: > John 3 > John 7:50-51 > John 19:38-42 What happened to Nicodemus that made him change? Conversations with God: Nicodemus

4. Nicodemus’ Profile > Pharisee > Esteemed Leader > Teacher of Law > Member of the Sanhedrin > Believed to have been a prominent theologian Nicodemus was curious – wanted to ask questions Conversations with God: Nicodemus

5. “He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘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.’” John 3:2 Nicodemus has missed the point – Jesus is not just a teacher, he’s God himself!

6. Nicodemus comes with own agenda But Jesus challenges it! “I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3 Conversations with God: Nicodemus “How can a man be born again when he is old?… surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born?” John 3:4

7. Nicodemus struggled to understand Conversations with God: Nicodemus “I tell you the truth, no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit…” John 3:5

8. Water Conversations with God: Nicodemus John the Baptist baptised with water John’s baptism signified repentance!

9. Spirit Conversations with God: Nicodemus Happens after true repentance You are given the gift of the Holy Spirit “[God] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:22 The water is repentance – the spirit is new life – and that’s being born again!

10. Conversations with God: Nicodemus “How can this be?” John 3:9 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:14-15

11. Conversations with God: Nicodemus Numbers 21:4-9 : > Israelites were complaining > Snakes sent into camp > People realised they’d sinned > Asked Moses to pray to God and help them > God told Moses to form bronze serpent and place it on a pole > When people looked at it, they were healed

12. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

13. StSt Andre ws Baptist Church