John 7:4 (NLT) 4 “You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” Conversation #3 — A Religion Professor ( In The Dark ) John 3:1–3 (NLT): There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Jesus presses on his smug self-satisfaction & self- . 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Jesus explains that you be born again. Deeper Understanding of Sin 1. Trusting someone or something else besides God for your salvation 2. Putting yourself in the place of God 3. Becoming your own savior & lord 4 What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” Insiders & outsiders have the same . (regeneration) It’s enough to say “I’m a good person”. If there’s a God, you him everything. Solution? 1. Stop & turn. 2. Taste & see. CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION QUESTIONS 1. Are you comfortable hearing or using the phrase “born again”? a. Would you be willing to tell your own personal “born again” experience? 2. Why do you think Nicodemus might be shocked to learn from Jesus that he needed to be “born again” to join God’s kingdom? 3. For you personally, which of these two versions of “becoming your own savior & lord” are you present prone to struggle with? a. breaking moral boundaries to pursue personal happiness or b. building a moral reputation to earn acceptance 4. What is it about Jesus that you’d want someone you care about to “taste & see”?