“How,” John 2:23-3:15

Introduction:  (2010) Pew Research claims 2.18 billion Christians worldwide out of 6.9 billion people

What do we know about Jesus?  Do we know Jesus?

I.        Things that Go Bump in the Night

A.     (2:24) “But Jesus did not entrust himself to them [them who believed through his signs],

1.      “…because he knew all people.”

2.      (v25) “He himself knew what was in man.”  That sounds sinister.

B.     (v3:1) “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus”

1.      Why san “man of the Pharisees” instead of, “There was a Pharisee named Nico”?

2.      (v2) “He came to Jesus by night.”  What night means to John.

3.      “We know that you are a teacher come from God.” –Generous?  How would Nicodemus know?

II.       Born Again and other miraculous events

A.     (v3) Jesus’ response: “Unless one is born from above/again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

1.      Jesus rebuffs Nico with an odd conversation shift.  Links know with faith.

2.      How can we be born from above without wading through a stack of clichés and slogans?

3.      (v4) How can we be born again when we are already old (or set in our ways)?

B.     (v5) Jesus: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

1.      Ezekiel 36:25-27 “I will sprinkle clean water on you.  I will give you…my spirit”

2.      Birth process is not driven by our effort [John 1:13, Romans 9:16]

III.      How Can These Things Be?

A.     (v9) Nico asks, “How can these things be?”

1.      How does this process work? Or How can what you teach be true?

2.      (v10) “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand?”  Comp. with verse 2.

B.     (v13) “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended, the Son of Man.”

1.      From Numbers 21, Why Moses lifted up the bronze snake.

2.      (vs14, 15) How?  “Whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

Conclusion:   Communion.  How can these things be?