Born Again

Our reading is John 3:1-15. The story is nothing more than a private discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus. Everyone knows Jesus, no additional information is needed. Some know Nicodemus. According to the second half of verse one, he was a member of the Jewish ruling council. That means he had climbed to the top of his profession. It is safe to say Nicodemus spent his days answering the questions of others. This story is unique because he is the one with the questions.

According to verse two, Nicodemus went to Jesus at night. Much has been made about that fact. Some say he went at night to hide his identity. How would it look for a trusted member of the clergy to go to Jesus, a man with no credentials? Others say Nicodemus went at night so the two would have time to talk. The business of the day was done. Regardless, Nicodemus went to Jesus because he was impressed by the Master. No ordinary man could have performed such miracles; he must come from God. Jesus hears through these kind words and knows the real topic – salvation! Jesus says in verse three, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again. Two thousand years later, the world is still wrestling with those words, so we should not be surprised that Nicodemus wrestled with them that night. He thinks Jesus is speaking of physical birth, reentering your mother’s womb. Jesus is speaking of spiritual birth. The two are as different as night and day. From the moment you were physically born, you struggled to survive. The goal of life is survival, so the most important person in your universe is you. Spiritual rebirth is different. From the moment you are reborn, the most important person is God. Spiritually immature people live for themselves; spiritually mature people live for God. Which is more important to you? Are you the center of your universe, or is God the center of your universe? To help you discover the center of your universe, let me ask you three questions. This is question number one.

First, how do you spend your time? One of the great stories in the Bible is the story of Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42. Mary and Martha were sisters of Lazarus, the one who Jesus had resurrected. Jesus stopped at their home in Bethany on his way to Jerusalem. Bethany was only two miles from Jerusalem. When Jesus arrived, Mary sat at Jesus’s feet, absorbing every word. Martha, on the other hand, was consumed by the traditional female duties. It is a story about priorities. In time, Martha resents doing all the work and goes to Jesus to enlist some help. Martha filled her time doing good things; Mary filled her time with the best thing in life, Jesus. How do you fill your time?

Are you spending your time in a way that is pleasing to God? Are you going to fill your life with good things: work, family, friends and entertainment? Are you going to fill your life with the best thing: Jesus? This is a more pointed question – how much time do you spend with God? Are you the center of your universe? Is God in the center of your universe? This is question number two.

Second, how do you spend your money? Studies tell us that one of the reasons people don’t attend church is money. To be more exact, people do not want to go to church and to be asked to give money. The problem is Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic. That is quite a statement. That means Jesus spoke more about money than he did love, forgiveness, grace, or salvation. In my time in the ministry, I was never afraid to talk about money, it is just so practical. If Jesus spoke about money, then I had the license to do the same. Monthly, in my sermons, money came up in one form or another. Annually, I covered the same points during the stewardship drive. First, money is important. If you don’t believe me, then try to live without it. Second, money is limited. It was reported recently that Amazon’s Jeff Bezos (born 1964) is worth approximately $250 billion. Even his fortune has limits. You have limits too. Third, because money is important and limited, how we spend our money is revealing. We only spend our money on things that are important to us. How great of a priority of God to you?

Are you spending your money in a way that is pleasing to God? The church was never meant to be destitute. It was meant to be fiscally responsible to meet the challenges our world is facing. This is a question to ponder: if everyone gave as much money as you do to your church, would the ministry of your church contract or expand? Are you living with yourself in the center of your universe? Are you living with God in the center of your universe? This is question number three.

Third, how do you use your talent? Some consider Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) the most talented person in the history of the world. His list of accomplishments is impressive. He excelled as an artist, scientist, and inventor. Some consider Isaac Newton (1647-1727) the most talented person in the history of the world. He made groundbreaking contributions to physics, calculus, and optics. He changed the way we look at the universe. Some consider Elon Musk (born 1971) the most talented person in the history of the world. He has made significant contributions to several industries, including electric vehicles, space exploration, and artificial intelligence. There have been many talented people in history.

Is God pleased with the way you are using your natural talents? You are not the most talented person in the history of the world, but that does not mean you lack talent. Everyone has some kind of talent. I have never met a talentless person. The question is, how are you going to use your talent? Are you just going to use your talents for personal gain? Are you using your talents to bring glory to God? Are you living making yourself the center of your universe? Are you living with God in the center of your universe?

When I was in high school, it seemed like the entire evangelical Christian world was asking the question, are you born again? I saw it as a death question. The real question was, are you prepared to die? Are you going to spend eternity in heaven or hell? Today, I consider that question, are you born again, a life question. Are you going to live in a way making your yourself the center of your universe, or are you going to live in a way to make God the center of your universe? Are you spending your time in a way that is pleasing to God? Are you spending your money in a way that is pleasing to God? Are you sharing your natural talents in a way that is pleasing to God? It has been said, “Being born again means embracing a life of purpose, love, and service.” Are you born again?

Rollen Stewart’s Sign

His name is Rollen Stewart (born 1944). Some called him “Rock’n Rollen.” Others have called him the “The Rainbow Man.” If you are my age or older, then you may remember him. He was a born-again Christian, who during the 1970s and 1980s, was a fixture at American sporting events wearing his rainbow-colored afro-style wig. In his hands he held a sign that read: John 3:16. He seemed to be everywhere. He was at the 1977 NBA Finals. He was at the 1979 MLB All-Star Game. He was at the 1980 Moscow Olympics Games, where he was arrested for a short time. In 1981, he was at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, and in 1982, and he was at the Indianapolis 500. At the height of his popularity, he was featured in a Budweiser Beer commercial and was portrayed by Christopher Walken (born 1943) on Saturday Night Live.

Where is Rollen Stewart today? He has made a few mistakes. Sadly, he is an inmate at the Mule Creek State Prison in Lone, California, where he is serving three life sentences for kidnapping. If you would like to learn more about Rollen Stewart, then read the article, The Rainbow Man: Lessons on How Not to Evangelize. Today, I do not want to talk about Rollen Stewart. I want to talk about Rollen Stewart’s sign. That leads us to our Gospel reading.

We are in the third chapter of John. Our reading is only part of a longer discussion between two men, Jesus, and Nicodemus. You know about Jesus. Everyone knows about Jesus. He is the Son of God, the very incarnation of God, and our only hope of salvation. Nicodemus is not as famous, but he is still noteworthy. He was a respected member of his community. He was not just a Pharisee, an expert on the law, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Ruling Counsil. That body was established to judge in the details of the law.

Prior to our reading, we are told Nicodemus sought out Jesus at night. Much has been made about that fact. Some believe, he went to Jesus at night to protect his identity. After all, how would it look for a respected Pharisee, a member of the Jewish Ruling Council, to be looking for help from a lowly itinerant rabbi? I believe, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, because the work of the day was over and the two would have time to talk without interruption. The discussion begins with some flattering words. Nicodemus was impressed by Jesus’s miracles. However, Jesus is not interested in being complimented. Jesus is more interested in salvation.

The Master says it clearly, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Nicodemus hears the words but fails to understand them. Jesus is baffled by his spiritual ignorance. Jesus explains to Nicodemus his part in God’s plan of salvation for the world. This is where John 3:16 comes into play. They are not Jesus’s words, they are the words of the editor. The verse summarizes what is happening. “For God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” The whole verse pivots on that little complex word, love!

In 1960, C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) wrote a book called The Four Loves. He explored the four kinds of loves found in the Christian faith. Each one is found in the Bible. The first word for love in the Bible is the Greek word EROS, which gives us the word erotic. It is sensual or passionate love. It is the kind of love that involves a box of candy, a fist full of flowers and boxer shorts with hearts. The second word for love in the Bible is the Greek word PHILA, which gives us the word philanthropist. It is a social love. For example, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) was a philanthropist. He wanted to improve communities, so he gave a fortune to establish libraries in both the United States and Canada. The third word for love in the Bible is the Greek word STORGE. It is an empathic love. It is the kind of love you feel for family members. It is the kind of love you feel for your parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren. The fourth word for love in the Bible is the Greek word AGAPE. That is the word that is used in the New Testament for God’s sacrificial love, which we see in Jesus. It is that Greek word for love that John uses in the Gospel lesson for today, John 3:14-21, for God so loved the world. There is nothing simple about that word. Consider these three things with me.

These thoughts are not original. They came from United Methodist preacher James W. Moore (1938-2019).

In 2014, my wife Kathryn and I went to Germany on a Luther Reformation Tour. It was a great experience. Obviously, Martin Luther (1483-1546) was one of the greatest personalities in church history. Luther will always be remembered as a man of God. However, never forget, he was a man. He had human limitations. He was not a man of great patience. He would often grow frustrated with the people around him. He once grew so frustrated that he said, “If I were God and these vile people were as disobedient as they are now, I would knock the world into pieces!” (That is harsh language for the 1500s.) The good news for his generation was Martin Luther was not God! Martin Luther was a human being, like you and me. He had limitations. God is different, God has no limitations; God’s love has no limitations. God’s love is wide! God cannot stop loving you because God cannot stop loving everyone!

John 3:16 begins: For God so loved the world. In other words, it talks about the width of God’s love. Just think about that phrase for a moment. God loves the world, and the world is very diverse! God’s love is not selective. God loves everyone. He loves all nations. He loves people regardless of their language. He loves all denominations. God loves the liberal and the conservative. He loves people, regardless of their salvation systems. He loves all people, regardless of their sexuality. He loves the attractive and the not so attractive. He loves the rich and poor. God loves the educated and the uneducated. God loves the group you cannot tolerate, and God loves the individual you hate. Consider this with me. The church is not called to judge the world. The church is called to love the world, because God’s love is wide, “For God so loved the world. “That means God loves the strangest creature of all, you! Never question the width of God’s love. However, God’s love is also deep!

In July of 2019, Johnny and Dawn Vann were busy raising their seven children. One afternoon on a North Carolina Beach, the unthinkable happened. A massive high tide wave hit the beach and four of the Vann’s children were swept into the ocean. Without thinking about his own safety, Johnny jumped into the water and saved his children, one by one. The problem is he could not save himself. Rescue crews tried to save him. Despite 45 minutes of CPR, Johnny died. Dawn said her husband will always be remembered as a good person. I think she is wrong. I think John Vann will be remembered as a great person and father, because his love for his children was deep. He died so his children could live. How can you question his love? It is not just the story of a father and his children. It is the story of God and mankind.

Second, God’s love is deep! John 3:16 continues, he gave his one and only son. In other words, it talks about the depth of God’s love. God loves us, but he didn’t just tell us. God demonstrated his love for us by entering this world to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is what makes Good Friday so bad. Jesus, the incarnation of God, died on the cross to atone for your sins. Jesus’ death made eternal life possible for you and me! Do you remember the words of Isaiah 53:5? It says, “By his wounds we were healed.” God love is wide! God’s love is deep. However, God’s love is also powerful! Never question the depth of God’s love.

Do you remember the story of Clara Barton (1821-1912)? During the Spanish-American War, she was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) came to her, wanted to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. But she refused to sell him any. Roosevelt was perplexed. His men needed the help, and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for it!” A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face. Now he understood – the provisions were not for sale – all he had to do was simply ask, and they would be given freely. It is not just true of food in the Spanish-American War. It is also true of heaven!

Third, and finally, God’s love is powerful! John 3:16 ends: that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Do you know of anyone who doesn’t want to go to heaven? If you do, then there is only one option. It is not by living a good life or doing good deeds. The only way to go to heaven is to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It is the greatest gift you will ever receive. It is too good to be true, but it is true. You can live the rest of your life not worrying about death. It is so liberating! However, it will change you. You will spend the rest of your life trying to find a way to thank God for saving your sin sick soul. The love of God is wide! God’s love is deep! God’s love is powerful!

The major theme of Christianity summarized is in one verse: 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. It has been called the Gospel in a nutshell. This is the Good News for today. You are loved! You have always been loved. You will always be loved. God just cannot stop loving you. C.S. Lewis once said, “Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”

The Center of Your Universe

In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos (1917-1989) was elected President of the Philippines, which made his wife, Imelda (born 1929), First Lady. They held those positions until 1986, when the entire family fled to Hawaii. The international news was fascinated with what she left behind. After having ruled a poor country for decades, the inventory was impressive: 15 mink coats, 508 gowns, 1,000 handbags and approximately 7,500 pairs of shoes. (However, Time magazine reported she only owned 1,060 pairs of shoes.) For your information, I only own four pairs of shoes; one is an old pair of sneakers for yardwork. Through the years, Hundreds of criminal charges have been filed against Imelda, who is now 94 years old, but she has never been incarcerated, because her children, Imee (born 1955) and Bongbong (born 1957), hold powerful positions within the federal government. Still today, many consider Imelda Marcos the most selfish person in the world. In other words, the center of Imelda Marco’s universe is Imelda Marcos. That leads us to an interesting question. Who is the center of your universe? That leads us to our scripture lesson.

We find ourselves in the third chapter of John, verses one through fifteen. Any Bible student will tell you the storyline of this gospel is different than the synoptic gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke have Jesus cleansing the temple at the end of his ministry; it is part of the climax. John is different. He has Jesus cleansing the temple at the beginning of his ministry (John 2). That fact is important for one reason; Jesus had the attention of some very powerful influential people from the very beginning.

One of those powerful influential people was Nicodemus. It is a Greek name meaning “People’s Victory.” According to the second half of verse one, he was a member of the Jewish ruling council. That means he had climbed to the very top of his profession. It is safe to say Nicodemus spent his days answering the questions of others. This story is unique because he is the one with the questions. With everything that has been written about this passage through the ages, one thing is important to remember. This story is nothing more than a private discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus. It is John, the author and editor of this gospel, who promotes their private discussion to the public’s attention.

In one way the story is simple to understand, in other ways the story is hard to understand. It is simple to understand what happened. It is hard to understand what was being said – in other words, the meaning behind the words between Jesus and Nicodemus. According to verse two, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. That fact alone is confusing. Some say Nicodemus went at night to see Jesus so the darkness could help hide his identity. How would it look for a trusted member of the clergy to go to Jesus, a man with no credentials? Others say he went to Jesus at night so the two had time to talk. The business of the day was done. Regardless, Nicodemus went to Jesus because he was impressed by the Master. No ordinary man could have performed such miracles; he must have come from God. Jesus hears through these kind words and knows the real topic, salvation!

Jesus says in verse three, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born again. Two thousand years later, the world is still wrestling with those words, so we should not be surprised that Nicodemus wrestled with them that night. He thinks Jesus is speaking of physical birth, reentering your mother’s womb. Jesus is speaking of spiritual birth. The two are as different as night and day. From the moment you were physically born, you struggled to survive. The goal of life is to survive, so the most important person in your universe is you. That is Imelda Marcos’s story. Spiritual rebirth is different. From the moment you are reborn, the most important being in your life is God. For example, that is the story of John the Baptist, who lived for God. His personal agenda meant nothing to him. The only thing that mattered to him was God. Spiritually immature people live for themselves; spiritually mature people live for God. Which is more important to you? Are you the center of your universe, or is God the center of your universe? Don’t worry about your answer. We all have some work to do.

Let me take you a little deeper. One of our primary understandings of God is that God believes in free will. In other words, God may be directing history, but you are directing your own life. The choices you make are yours, so the burden of responsibility rests on you. So many things in life distill down to a choice. I hope you are choosing wisely. Last week, I wrote about the decision to follow Jesus. The primary text was the calling of Andrew, John and Peter. It was not forced upon them; they decided to follow Jesus freely. If you are reading this blog, I assume at some point in your life you decided to follow Jesus. That choice was yours. The same thing is true this week. The choice is yours. Are you going to live a life where you are the center of your own universe? Or have you been born again spiritually, where God is the center of your universe? How influential has God been on your life?

Annually during my time in the ministry, I promoted stewardship. If you think steward is just about money, then you don’t understand true Christian stewardship. True Christian stewardship understands your life is a testimony. The Westminster Confession of Faith says the purpose of life is to glorify God. Take an inventory of your life to this point. Are you using all your resources to being glory to God? Are you spending your time in a way that is bringing glory to God? Are you using your natural talents in a way that is bring glory to God? Are you spending financial resources in a way that is bringing glory to God? Is God influencing the way you live, or are you living for yourself? In other words, is God the center of your universe, or are you the center of your universe? If God is the center of your universe, then you have been born again.

On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. I grieved at the news because I have been to Ukraine several times. It is a beautiful country filled with wonderful people. It was reported Russian soldiers were told they would be welcomed as liberators, but that never happened. The fighting has been fierce, and thousands have died on both sides. According to the United Nations, over eight million Ukrainians have fled their country. That represents 18% of the population. During March of 2022, over three million crossed the border. Each refugee has a heart-breaking story.

One of those stories came from a young Ukrainian woman crossing into Poland. Holding an infant in her arms and struggling with a toddler, she spoke to a reporter through a translator. She was alone with her children because her husband went to eastern Ukraine to fight the invaders. With his blessing, she headed to western Europe. She left everything. She left her home. She left her friends and family, including her aging parents. She left everything she knew and was familiar. The reporter asked the obvious question, “Why?” She responded by holding her children close and said, “To give them a future!” The report ended with tears running down the young woman’s face. I still think about that young woman. I do not know is now, but I do know one thing. I know that young Ukrainian woman loves her children. She sacrificed everything for them. They are the center of her universe.

Your life is a testimony. What is your life saying about your relationship with God? Is God influencing the way you live, or are you living for yourself? In other words, is God the center of your universe, or are you the center of your universe? If God is the center of your universe, then you have been born again. American New Testament scholar and Baptist theologian John Piper (born 1946) once said, “Faith is the evidence of new birth, not the cause of it.” Are you born again?