Born Again: The Encounter of Nicodemus and Jesus

February 2, 2025
Born Again: The Encounter of Nicodemus and Jesus

Description

Discover how Nicodemus, despite his religious stature, sought Jesus under the cover of night, symbolizing a quest for light amidst darkness. Learn about the transformative power of Jesus' message, which transcends earthly achievements and calls for a spiritual rebirth from above.

Reflect on the questions posed during the sermon: Are we truly born again? Do we engage in worldly conversations, or do we, like Jesus, turn them towards the spiritual? Are we feeding our spirit with the light of Christ, or are we succumbing to the darkness?

This sermon challenges us to examine our lives, our faith, and our relationship with Jesus. It reminds us that salvation is not about our earthly accomplishments but about accepting Jesus as our Savior and living in His light.

Join us in this journey of faith and transformation, and remember, as John 3:16 declares, "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."

Terms that might be new to you

Here's a glossary of terms that might be unfamiliar to a new Christian, based on the sermon:

Nicodemus: A Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who visited Jesus at night to seek understanding about spiritual rebirth.

Pharisees: A Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the Law of Moses and belief in the resurrection, angels, and the afterlife.

Sanhedrin: The supreme council and tribunal of the Jews during post-exilic times, consisting of high priests, elders, and scribes.

Born Again: A spiritual rebirth and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ, signifying a new beginning in one's relationship with God.

Anothen: A Greek word meaning "again" or "from above," used in the context of being "born again" spiritually.

Kingdom of God: The spiritual realm over which God reigns as king, or the fulfillment of God's will on Earth.

John the Baptist: A prophet who prepared the way for Jesus by preaching repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan River.

Gospel: The "good news" of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, offering salvation to all who believe.

Eternal Life: The gift of living forever with God, granted to those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Resurrection: The act of rising from the dead, as Jesus did, which is central to Christian faith and hope.

Salvation: Deliverance from sin and its consequences, granted by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Repentance: The act of turning away from sin and seeking forgiveness from God, accompanied by a change in behavior.

Communion: A Christian sacrament in which bread and wine are consumed as a memorial of Jesus' Last Supper and sacrifice.

Sin: Any action, thought, or behavior that goes against God's will and separates humans from Him.

Faith: Trust and confidence in God and His promises, particularly in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Holy Spirit: The third person of the Trinity, who dwells within believers, guiding and empowering them in their faith journey.

Trinity: The Christian doctrine of one God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.

Repentance: The act of feeling remorse for one's sins and turning away from them to follow God's will.

Testament: A covenant or declaration; in the Bible, it refers to the Old Testament and New Testament, which are the two main divisions of the Christian Scriptures.

Scripture: The sacred writings of Christianity contained in the Bible.