The New Birth

This sermon on John 3:1-16 expounds the necessity of sovereign regeneration. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and Sanhedrin member, approaches Jesus privately by night, acknowledging His divine signs yet treating Him as a mere teacher. Still spiritually blind, he cannot see the kingdom on his own terms. Jesus insists that unless one is born again of water and the Spirit (Ezekiel 36), he cannot enter God's kingdom. Flesh produces only flesh; the natural man is dead in sin, hostile to God, and unable to please Him (Romans 8). The new birth is monergistic—cleansing, transforming, and empowering—entirely the sovereign work of the Spirit, who blows where He wills. When Nicodemus remains confused, Jesus points to the bronze serpent in Numbers: as the Israelites looked to the lifted-up serpent for healing, so the Son of Man must be lifted up that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. Salvation comes by looking in faith to the crucified Christ alone, by whom the poison of sin is removed. The gospel is all of grace; God alone raises the dead and draws sinners to Himself.