Salvation Stories From The Bible: Nick at Night

Salvation Stories From The Bible: Nick at Night

Illustration: Funny Questions To Ask Yourself

Why is there a disclaimer on the Allstate Auto Insurance commericals that says "Not available in all states"? 

How far east can you go before you're heading west? 

Do dentists go to other dentists or do they just do it themselves? 

Why is it that everyone driving faster than you is considered an idiot and everyone driving slower than you is a moron? 

Why is the Lone Ranger called 'Lone' if he always has his Indian friend Tonto with him? 

Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round? 

Do they have the word "dictionary" in the dictionary?

If Mars had earthquakes would they be called marsquakes?

Why is it called a funny bone, when if you hit it, it's not funny at all?

Did Noah have woodpeckers on the ark? If he did, where did he keep them?

If You Were Face To Face With Jesus, Would You Wear A Mask, Make A Mark (List Your Achievements), or Have A Menu of Questions? 

If You Could Ask God One Thing, What Would It Be?

John 3:1-21 (NIV)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." [3] In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. " [4] "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" [5] Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' [8] 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." [9] "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. [10] "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? [11] I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. [12] I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? [13] No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven---the Son of Man. [14] Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. [16] "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. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. [19] This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. [20] Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. [21] But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Nicodemus Had His Authority On The Line, Doubts In His Abilities, And His Questions Answered!

I. Jesus' FAME Called Nicodemus At Night! 

1. He Was Famous

John 3:1-2 (NIV)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

Illustration: Muhammad Ali on a Plane

The true story about Muhammad Ali. Once he was on an airplane. The flight attendant came and asked him to buckle his seatbelt.

He replied, “Superman don’t need no seatbelt.”

She responded, “Superman don’t need no plane.”

Illustration: Trust And Obey At Disney World

Psalm 66:1 (MSG)

All together now---applause for God! Sing songs to the tune of his glory, set glory to the rhythms of his praise. Say of God, "We've never seen anything like him!" When your enemies see you in action, they slink off like scolded dogs. The whole earth falls to its knees--- it worships you, sings to you, can't stop enjoying your name and fame.

2. Jesus Had Answers

John 3:3,5-8 (NIV)

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. " [5] Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' [8] 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."

-Jesus Transitions From What We Want To What We Need. Salvation.

5] Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Jesus states the phrase "I tell you the truth" 78 times throughout the Gospels. 

a. He Answers Our Sin With Salvation (State of Our Souls)

b. He Answers Our Pessimism With Praise (Attitudes)

c. He Answers Our Faltering With Faith (Doubt)

Mark 11:22 (NIV)

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.

3. Jesus Has Heavenly Motives

John 3:12 (NIV)

I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

Jesus Came Showing Himself, Growing Those Who Believed, and preparing Them To Go Into The World.

Mark 2:17 (NIV)

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

4. Jesus Knows The Way To Eternal Life

John 3:16-18 (NIV)

"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. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

John 14:6 (NIV)

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

II. Jesus' Feedback Carries A Cost For Nick's Future!

1. Born Again? Rebirth Is A Reaction Of God

John 3:16 (NIV)

"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.

Titus 3:5 (NIV)

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

2. Born Again? Rebirth Is A Regeneration Of Our Spirit

John 3:6 (NIV)

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions---it is by grace you have been saved.

3. Born Again? Rebirth Is A Renewal Of Forgiveness 

John 3:14-15 (NIV)

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

John 19:39 (NIV)

He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

Take Nick's Information And Turn It Into Our Implementation!