What does it actually mean to be “born again”? In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus with an impressive résumé. He is respected, educated, moral, religious, and knows the Scriptures. But Jesus tells him that none of those things can produce the transformation he truly needs: “You must be born again.” We often try to answer our deepest questions about identity, belonging, security, and purpose through achievement, morality, success, or religion. But Jesus offers something we could never accomplish for ourselves—a completely new life. In Week 1 of Welcome Home, we look at Nicodemus’ journey from approaching Jesus in the darkness to eventually being publicly identified with Him. His story reminds us that following Jesus isn’t about becoming a better version of ourselves. It’s about receiving new life through the Spirit of God. You can know about Jesus without truly knowing Jesus. You can grow up close to the house without ever really being home. But Jesus still invites us to come. Scripture: John 3:1–21 Big Idea: No amount of outward goodness can produce inward transformation. We don’t simply need better behavior. We need a new birth. Vertical Church exists to help people Encounter God, Follow Jesus, Experience Freedom, and Make an Impact.
WEEK 1: BORN AGAIN
Scripture: John 3:1–21
Nicodemus had almost everything people use to convince themselves they are okay: education, morality, influence, religion, and biblical knowledge. Yet when he came to Jesus, Jesus didn’t tell him to try harder or learn more. He told him, “You must be born again.”
Human effort can change our behavior, but it cannot create spiritual life. Religion says try harder; Jesus says you need new life. We don’t need an improved version of our old selves—we need God to do something in us that we could never do for ourselves.
Jesus points Nicodemus toward the cross and explains that this new life comes through believing in Him. Our goodness can’t save us. Our success can’t save us. Our religion can’t save us. We need Jesus.
John also allows us to watch Nicodemus change. He first comes to Jesus at night, later speaks up for Jesus before his peers, and finally publicly honors Jesus after the crucifixion when association with Him could cost him something.
The man who came to Jesus in darkness eventually stepped into the light.
That is what happens when we truly encounter Jesus. We come out of the darkness, step into the light, and eventually stop caring who knows that we belong to Him.
KEY SCRIPTURES
John 3:1–21
Ezekiel 36:25–27
Titus 3:4–7
1 Peter 1:3, 23
John 7:50–51
John 19:39–40
BIG IDEA
No amount of outward goodness can produce inward transformation. Humanity’s greatest problem is sin, and we don’t simply need better behavior. We need a new birth.