TEACHER IN THE DARK

You Must Be Born Again!

JASON MARTIN

Jesus in the Gospels / Regeneration; Salvation / John 2:23–3:21

Teacher in the Dark

TEXT: John 2:23–3:21.

1. Jesus isn’t looking for superficial belief based only on signs, religion, or knowledge. He calls sinners to;

a. be born from above by the Spirit

b. looks to Him as God’s Provision for salvation

c. entrust themselves completely to Him because He is the God of Israel revealed in the flesh

2. Almost everybody knows John 3:16, but not many understand the context

a. it was not said to a crowd of unbelievers

b. it was spoken to one of the most religious men alive - Nicodemus

c. Nicodemus was

i. a pharisee

ii. a ruler of the jews as a member of the Sanhedrin

iii. the teacher of Israel

d. this is a man who

i. knew Scripture

ii. prayed

iii. fasted

iv. tithed

v. taught others

vi. lived a morally disciplined life

1. and Jesus told him ‘you must be born again’

2. if Nicodemus needed new birth, what does that say about us?

The Faith That Doesn’t Save

Read John 2:23-25

John 2:23–25 ESV

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

1. Before we meet Nicodemus, John gives us some important information

a. many people saw Jesus’ signs

b. many believed in His Name - but their belief was incomplete

c. He did not trust them

2. Why didn’t Jesus trust them if they trusted Him?

a. their faith was based on signs - they saw power and miracles and knew something was different about Jesus

b. they were amazed at what He did - but didn’t understand Who He is

c. Jesus knew their hearts - their belief was not necessarily false, but it was incomplete.

3. Not all belief is saving belief. People can believe;

a. Jesus existed

b. He performed miracles

c. He was sent by God

d. He was a great teacher

i. and still not have saving faith

James 2:19 ESV

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

i. we can believe facts about Jesus without trusting Him for our salvation

The Best Man Religion Could Produce

1. John uses a very interesting word connection here.

a. Jesus knew what was in man.

b. The Greek word is anthrōpos — mankind, humanity.

c. Jesus knew what was inside humanity.

i. Then immediately John introduces us to another man.

Read John 3:1-2

John 3:1–2 ESV

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

1. John moves from:

a. Jesus knows what is in man - to

b. Here is a man whose heart Jesus knows.

2. Nicodemus walks into this conversation thinking he is the one evaluating Jesus.

a. Nicodemus says, "We know." - but John has already told us:

i. Jesus knows.

b. Nicodemus is the teacher.

i. Jesus is the true Teacher.

c. Nicodemus has studied Scripture.

i. He has religious authority.

ii. He has knowledge.

iii. But he is about to discover that knowing about God is not the same as knowing God.

3. The crowd in John 2 had seen the signs but did not understand the Son.

a. Nicodemus has understood the signs, but he still does not understand the Son.

i. that is the problem this passage addresses:

b. A person can be surrounded by the things of God and still be in the dark.

4. Nicodemus comes at night physically.

a. But John is showing us something deeper - he is also in darkness spiritually.

i. The man who came looking for answers needed something more than information - he needed to be born again.

ii. He recognizes that Jesus came from God - but he’s only seeing part of the truth

Straight to the Heart

1. Jesus doesn’t answer Nicodemus’ compliment - instead He goes directly to his greatest need

John 3:3 ESV

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

a. What did Jesus not say?

i. try harder

ii. become more religious

iii. keep more commandments

b. What did He say?

i. we need new birth

1. religion changes behavior

2. God transforms our nature

c. born again / born from above

i. either meaning fits - it is a birth that comes from God

ii. Christianity is not self improvement - it is new creation

iii. dead things do not improve themselves - they need to be given life

Earthly Things

John 3:4 ESV

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

1. John repeatedly shows us that the people constantly misunderstand Jesus because they only think on the earthly level when He’s speaking spiritually

a. Nicodemus is thinking physically and Jesus is speaking spiritually

b. Jesus just got done talking about the Temple of His body and they were thinking about the building

c. The Samaritan woman is going to misunderstand the water that Jesus offers her

d. The crowds misunderstand the Bread that Jesus offers them

John 3:5 ESV

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

1. water and spirit

a. Some interpret this as baptismal regeneration which is a dangerous doctrine that teaches us that our works can contribute something to our salvation

i. Some interpret 'water' as referring to Christian baptism, and some traditions teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. I don't think that fits the context because Jesus expects Nicodemus to understand this from the Old Testament before Christian baptism had even been instituted.

b. I was always taught that water = physical birth and spirit = spiritual birth

i. Jesus is probably not teaching this teacher something so obvious that they have to have been physically born in order to be saved

2. Jesus expects Nicodemus to know the Scriptures

John 3:10 ESV

10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

a. The O.T. background that Jesus is talking about can be found in places like Ezekiel 36:22-27

Ezekiel 36:22–27 ESV

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

a. We treat water and spirit as two separate topics. God promised -

i. cleansing

ii. a new heart

iii. the Spirit living within His people

b. Jesus is telling Nicodemus that the New Covenant promise has arrived

i. the water represents cleansing

ii. the Spirit represents regeneration

1. One Divine work

c. This is not something we do, it’s something He does

i. I will, I will, I will....

d. Why does He cleanse us? For the sake of His Name

i. Ezekiel 36:22-23

ii. John 3:18

e. What will the Spirit cause in us? To walk in His statutes and be careful to obey His rules.

i. Ezekiel 36:27

Flesh Gives Birth to Flesh

Read John 3:6-8

John 3:6–8 ESV

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

1. Human effort can only produce human results

a. A man and woman can produce a physical life - but not a spiritual one

b. Church attendance can’t produce a spiritual life - but it can feed one

c. Bible knowledge can’t produce a spiritual life - but it can feed one

d. Religious activities like feeding the hungry can’t produce a spiritual life

i. Only the Spirit gives life

2. Jesus compares the Spirit to the wind. This is a play on words. In both Hebrew and Greek, the same word is used for breath, wind, and spirit. In Hebrew, it’s Ruach - in Greek, it’s Pneuma.

a. Jesus is saying just like the wind, you can’t see the Spirit - but you absolutely will see the effects;

i. Tree tops are moving

ii. Leaves are blowing

iii. Dust is being carried

b. The same is true of the Spirit - we see the evidence

i. Desires change

ii. repentance happens

iii. love for God

iv. hunger for righteousness

Earthly and Heavenly Things

Read John 3:9-13

John 3:9–13 ESV

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

a. Jesus has been using earthly illustrations that Nicodemus should understand - like birth and wind.

b. Then Jesus talks about Himself as the One who ascends and descends - which is an ENORMOUS CLAIM.

c. He isn’t claiming to be another prophet - He’s saying that He came from Heaven

i. He speaks with authority because He has firsthand knowledge - Nicodemus doesn’t

The Bronze Serpent

Read John 3:14-15

John 3:14–15 ESV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Read Numbers 21:4-9

Numbers 21:4–9 ESV

4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

1. Israel sinned and God judged them with poisonous snakes.

a. They confessed their sin

b. God told Moses to make a bronze serpent, lift it up, and whoever looked would live.

2. Why a serpent? Because it represented:

a. their sin

b. their curse

c. their judgment

i. The thing killing them was lifted up before them.

3. Why bronze?

a. Bronze often represents judgment in the O.T.

b. The serpent represented the curse being judged.

4. Why did looking heal them?

a. Not because bronze had power.

b. Not because looking was a good work.

c. They were healed because they trusted God's promise.

d. Looking was simply the expression of faith.

5. But the Bronze Serpent Became an Idol that king Hezekiah would later destroy

2 Kings 18:4 ESV

4 He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).

1. Something interesting happened.

a. The bronze serpent that once pointed people to God became something people worshiped.

b. Hezekiah destroyed it. He called it "Nehushtan" which means "Just a piece of bronze."

i. The problem was not the object.

ii. The problem was misplaced trust.

2. Anything God gives us to point us to Christ can become an idol if it replaces Christ.

a. The cross points to Jesus.

b. Baptism points to Jesus.

c. Communion points to Jesus.

d. Scripture points to Jesus.

e. But none of these save.

f. The bronze serpent did not heal - God healed.

g. Water does not save - Jesus saves.

Believing in Him

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1. To believe in Jesus is not merely believing He existed - it’s receiving Him for who He truly is.

John 1:12 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

2. In Scripture, a name represents:

a. identity

b. character

c. authority

d. reputation

i. To believe in His name means receiving Jesus for all that He is.

3. Jesus is the Son of God

a. Not merely a created son.

b. He shares the Father's nature.

c. He uniquely reveals the Father.

d. John 5:18 shows the Jews understood His claim:

John 5:18 ESV

18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

a. He was making Himself equal with God.

4. Jesus is the Son of Man

a. Nicodemus would have known Daniel 7. The Son of Man:

i. comes with the clouds

ii. receives everlasting dominion

iii. receives glory

iv. receives worship

1. Jesus is the heavenly ruler who represents humanity from Daniel 7.

5. Jesus is Immanuel - God with us.

a. The God who dwelt among Israel has come near in the flesh

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

6. Jesus is Messiah

a. The Anointed One.

b. The promised Seed.

c. The fulfillment of God's promises.

7. Jesus is Son of David

a. The rightful King

b. The fulfillment of God's covenant with David

c. The throne promised forever.

8. Jesus is I AM

John 8:58 ESV

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

a. Jesus takes the divine name from Exodus.

b. The God who spoke to Moses is standing in front of them.

9. What Does It Mean To Believe?

a. Belief is not simply agreeing with facts.

b. It is trust.

c. It is dependence.

i. You believe a chair can hold you.

1. But you demonstrate trust when you sit down.

2. Faith puts the full weight of your eternity on Christ.

ii. A drowning person cannot rescue himself.

1. He must stop fighting and receive rescue.

2. Trusting Jesus means admitting - "I cannot save myself."

iii. A mechanic says "I can fix your car."

1. Trust is handing him the keys.

2. Trusting Jesus means putting your life in His hands

10. What Trust Requires

a. Admit;

i. "I am a sinner."

ii. "I cannot save myself."

iii. "I need a Savior."

1. The Israelites had to admit "I have been bitten."

b. Believe Jesus is;

i. Lord

ii. Savior

iii. Messiah

iv. God in the flesh

c. Depend on Him. My hope is not:

i. my goodness

ii. my religion

iii. my baptism

iv. my works

v. my knowledge

1. My hope is Christ alone.

11. What Does Trust Look Like Every Day?

a. When I sin - I run to Christ.

b. When I fail - I rest in His grace.

c. When I fear - I trust His character.

d. When I am tempted - I believe Jesus is better.

e. When life hurts - I trust God even when I don't understand.

f. Trust is not perfection. Trust is where you place your weight.

12. Why isn’t everybody saved? Jesus just explained to Nicodemus;

a. the new birth

b. the Spirit

c. the bronze serpent

13. The answer isn’t

a. a lack of evidence

b. because God didn’t love enough

c. because Jesus wasn’t sufficient

14. Salvation comes down to what people love

Darkness and Light

Read John 3:17-21

John 3:17–21 ESV

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

1. Jesus didn’t come to a neutral world. The world was already condemned. Jesus came to save.

a. The house was already on fire when He got there

i. He didn’t come to burn it down

ii. He came to rescue those trapped inside

b. Jesus didn’t come to create condemnation

i. He came because condemnation already existed

c. People are already condemned apart from Christ. Rejecting Jesus leaves them in that condemnation.

i. they reject Jesus because they’re already condemned sinners

d. Jesus doesn’t make guilty people guilty

i. He came because guilty people need saving

2. Why don’t some people believe?

a. not because of a lack of evidence

b. not because the miracles weren’t and aren’t convincing

i. the crowds saw the miracles

ii. Nicodemus saw the miracles

iii. the problem is much deeper than evidence

3. It doesn’t say the people preferred darkness - it says they LOVED it

a. that’s not an intellectual problem - it’s a heart problem

b. sin isn’t just something we do - it’s something we naturally love

i. we love being our own authority

ii. we love our independence

iii. we love our pride

iv. we love hiding so our sins aren’t exposed

1. the first thing Adam and Eve did after sinning was to try to hide from God

2. sinners have been hiding from God ever since

4. Darkness isn’t just obvious wickedness. Sometimes it looks very religious

a. Nicodemus came at night

b. he knew Scripture

c. he was moral

d. he was respected

i. but Jesus said he still needed new birth

5. You can hide behind rebellion or religion - both keep you from Christ

a. one says ‘I don’t need God because I’m having too much fun. That’s just a bunch of rules to keep us under control, but I’m my own boss’

b. one says ‘ I don’t need God because I’m a pretty good person. I checked all the boxes, and I’m definitely not as bad as the other guy’

i. both are forms of darkness

6. Why hate the light? Because light shows things. It exposes things that we can’t see without it. When light shines;

a. masks come off

b. excuses disappear

c. self-righteousness crumbles

7. The Gospel wounds our pride before it heals our soul

a. that’s why so many resist it

i. not because they don’t understand it

ii. because they don’t want to surrender

8. What happens when we come to the light?

a. it’s clearly seen that our works have been carried out in God

i. not what we’ve marked off the list of good works

ii. but what God has done in us

9. Even coming to the Light is evidence of God’s work

a. you must be born again / from above

b. the Spirit gives life

c. the wind blows where it wishes

d. Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end

i. Faith isn’t just how we enter the Christian life - it’s how we walk in it.

Closing

1. Are we becoming easier to expose?

a. the longer we follow Jesus, we spend less energy protecting our image and more protecting our witness.

i. We are quicker to confess our sins

ii. quicker to repent

iii. quicker to forgive

iv. quicker to admit when we’re wrong

2. The context of this entire passage is Jesus having a conversation with one of the most respected men in all of Israel

a. a man full of knowledge

b. a man full of religion

c. a man who could quote Scripture

3. Jesus lovingly stripped away every false confidence Nicodemus had until only One Hope was left

a. not religion

b. not morality

c. not heritage or bloodline or family

d. not works

i. Only Christ

4. So the question is more than “do you believe in Jesus” - it’s “have you stepped out of the darkness and into the light?”

a. those born again / from above don’t just admire the Light

i. we come to the Light

ii. we live in it

iii. we let it expose us - because the One who exposes us is also the One who loves us enough to save us.

5. This section of Scripture starts with Jesus knowing what’s in man and ends with people loving darkness. That’s why we need the new heart (born again / from above)

Exported from Logos Bible Study, 3:42 PM July 30, 2026.