An Enlightened Encounter One Night
Life In His Name
February 23, 2025
Elder Jeff Forrey
In John 3 Jesus tells Nicodemus that one must be 'born again'—a work of the Spirit—to see and enter God's kingdom, calling hearers to personal faith and readiness to respond.
Summary
The sermon centers on Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, where Jesus teaches that being 'born again' by the Spirit is necessary to see and enter the kingdom of God; Nicodemus was unprepared for these heavenly truths, but the message applies to everyone—our standing before God depends on being in Christ, not marital or social status. The preacher used the Spirit's movement like the wind to explain spiritual rebirth, offered a call to faith (including prayer for those yet to respond), and prepared the congregation for the Lord's Supper as a tangible reminder of Christ's work while asking unrepentant or unconverted persons not to partake.
Key Points
- Text: John 3, the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus
- Core truth: One must be 'born again' to see/enter the kingdom of God
- Emphases: kingdom of God and eternal life are central points Nicodemus needed
- Barrier: Nicodemus' lack of preparedness and misunderstanding of spiritual things
- Illustration: The Spirit's work is like the wind—unseen yet active and sovereign
- Application: Personal status before God is determined by being 'in Christ,' not life circumstances
- Invitation: Prayer and a call for those who haven't responded to Christ to consider His claims
- Communion: The Lord's Supper as a real reminder of Christ's work and a request that unconverted persons not partake
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