READ: John 3:1 CHALLENGE: Experience a New Life A. WE NEED SPIRIT FILLING BECAUSE WE’RE EMPTY (vv1-2) Vv1-2 – Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 1. Empty of Good John 2:23-25- Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. . It’s interesting that in the immediate context of Nicodemus visiting Jesus, we have Jesus saying that he entrusted himself to no one. He didn’t because he knew what was in their hearts already and because of that, He couldn’t entrust Himself to them. Paul said this, Romans 7:18 - For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 3:9-12 - What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands;there is no one who seeks God.12 All have turned away, not even one.” 2. Empty of True Satisfaction Who is Nicodemus? He’s a Pharisee! 3. Empty of Deep Meaning B. WE NEED TO OPEN UP TO SPIRITUAL THINGS 1. Seek Jesus in the Dark 2. Respect Christ’s Teachings 2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Do we see Christ as a source of truth? 3. Don’t Ignore the Spiritual Signs C. WE NEED A SPIRITUAL REBIRTH V3 - Jesus replied, . 1. Born Again Is Entrance into God’s Kingdom 2. Religion Isn’t Salvation Vv4-7 - “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”5 “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.[c] must be born again.’ According to Ephesians 2, we’re spiritually dead and we need this birth from above. We need a heavenly intervention. 3. Spiritually Directed V8 - The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is compared to the wind. The wind blows wherever it pleases. We NEED the Holy Spirit to help us through. We need the influence to move people. It’s also a way that God can be felt in a way that we can sense His presence. God is Spirit and the Spirit is moving. There’s a steady Spirit influence in life for the believer. Think of it like wind – constant influence. ·