I can give you the outline...... I've got a couple of other sermons... one on humility and one on the 10 Commandments that I ahve fully typed out if you would like me to PM them to you.

Opening illustration: Politicians discuss “change”, but there is another type of change we really need in our lives
John 3: 1-2
A: Introduction to Nicodemus
-Impressed by Jesus
-Member of the Sanhedrin
-religious leader
-Greek name, an educated man
-influential leader
-Pharisee
-“cream of the crop”
B: Nicodemus and Jesus
-comes representing all people
-comes by night
-not afraid to face him at day, wants private, personal talk with Jesus
-see if he is really who he claims to be
-possibly to avoid his peers knowing he wanted to see Jesus
-addresses him as “Rabbi”
-recognizes Jesus as being sent by God as a propher
-no formal teaching
John 3: 3
A: Jesus response
-the response comes from nowhere
-the Jesus in John’s gospel is different, knows what Nicodemus wants
-Jew’s believed they were going to heaven by birthright
-Jesus’ teaching breaks this tradition, must be saved
-can be translated as “born from above”, either way, says same thing







John 3:4
A: Nicodemus Response
-his response is not out of ignorance, new concept to him
-against what he is taught
-surprised because Jesus cut to the chase and got down to the point
-”How can you teach an old dog new tricks”
-Jews were waiting for a Messiah, Jesus not what they expected
B: The Old Covenant
-the regathering of Isreal
-people turn back to God
-the reign of the messiah (only part not fulfilled)
C: Nicodemus’ belief
-He believed he already had this birth
-waiting for a Messiah
-if Nicodemus needs this birth, what about us?
John 3: 5-6
Jesus Explains This New Birth
-to be born again of the holy spirit (salvation)
-”flesh is flesh” your not saved just by being born physically
-”spirit is spirit” the only way into heaven is this new birth

John 3: 7-8
-“do not be surprised” but he is surprised (new concept)
-Jesus’ wind illustration, do not have to understand it to have it







Back in 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the U.S. Mail and was sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon for Wilson, but he refused to accept it. The matter went to the infamous Chief Justice John Marshall, who concluded that Wilson would have to be executed. "A pardon is a slip of paper," wrote Marshall, "the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged."
-Jesus is issuing a pardon to us
-can’t go to heaven by being born to Christian family
-must be born again