John 3:1–21 Nicodemus and Jesus Have You Ever Had a Question About God? Why did God allow this? How can I know God is real? Why doesn't God answer my prayers? Does God really love me? Sometimes Questions Lead Us Closer Nicodemus didn't come because he had everything figured out. He came because he didn't. Your questions don't disqualify you from seeking God. (1) Curiosity the Door Nicodemus was religious, educated, respected—and curious about Jesus. He had questions, so he went looking for Jesus. John 3:1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God.’ Where Do You Take Your Questions? Questions can move us in two directions: • Away from God • Toward God The question isn't whether you have questions. The question is where you take them. (2) Faith Begins with John 3:3 “You must be born again.” Nicodemus didn't understand. He asked another question. Jesus kept engaging him. God Is Bigger Than Our Categories Wonder says: “Maybe there is more.” “Maybe God is bigger than I thought.” “Maybe I need to keep searching.” God is not a math problem we solve. God is a person we encounter. Information → Transformation Nicodemus knew Scripture, law and theology. Jesus invited him to something deeper: “You don't simply need to know more. You need to become new.” (3) God Welcomes Our Jesus doesn't shame Nicodemus. He doesn't send him away. He keeps talking. Teaching. Inviting. Revealing. Jesus meets Nicodemus in his questions. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son… Love. Not condemnation. Not rejection. Not shame. God Loves You in the Middle of Your Journey God isn't waiting for you to figure everything out before He loves you. You can bring your questions to Him. (4) Questions Can Become a Pathway to Nicodemus appears again in John 7—and again in John 19. We see movement. The man who began with questions appears to have moved toward faith. You Don't Have to Know Everything Today You simply need to be willing to take your next step toward Jesus. Ask. Seek. Open the Bible. Come back to church. Talk honestly about your doubts. Pray. (5) Don't Run From Your . Bring them to Jesus. Faith isn't the absence of questions. Faith is trusting God enough to keep asking, seeking, listening and following. Ask. Seek. Knock. Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Jesus Doesn't Simply Give Us Answers He gives us Himself. Nicodemus came looking for information. Jesus invited him into transformation. So What About You? “Jesus, who are you?” “Jesus, what are you doing in my life?” “Jesus, can I really trust you?” “Jesus, can you make me new?” Sometimes the Question Is Where Faith Begins Curiosity may open the door. Wonder may begin the journey. Questions may lead us to the threshold. But ultimately, Jesus is the one we are looking for. COME TO JESUS Ask. Seek. Wonder. Wrestle. Explore. But above all—come to Jesus.