April 12, 2026

Born Again Into Light

Pastor: Tyrell Haag Passage: John 3:1–21

Sermon Title: Born Again into the Light

Scripture Text: John 3:1-21

1. Key Scriptures

  • John 3:1-21

  • John 3:3

  • John 3:8

  • John 3:14-15

  • John 3:16-17

  • John 3:19-21

  • Numbers 21:4-9

  • Ezekiel 36:25-27

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

  • Psalm 36:7-10 (Call to Worship)

 

2. Sermon Flow & Takeaways

I. A Man Close to Jesus… but Far from Life (vv. 1-2)

Nicodemus represents someone near to truth but not yet transformed. Proximity to Jesus does not equal spiritual life.

  • You can be close to Jesus and still lack new life.

  • Do not confuse spiritual interest with spiritual transformation.

 

II. The Crisis Statement: You Must Be Born Again (vv. 3-8)

Jesus declares that new birth is necessary, not optional. The problem is not behaviour but spiritual nature.

  • You cannot produce new life through effort or religion.

  • True change requires the Spirit’s work, not self-improvement.

III. The Means: The Son Must Be Lifted Up (vv. 9-15)

Jesus points to the bronze serpent as a picture of salvation—life comes through looking in faith.

  • Salvation is received, not achieved.

  • Stop trying to fix yourself; look to Christ and live.

 

IV. The Heart of God: Love That Gives (vv. 16-17)

God’s love is initiating, costly, and directed toward a resistant world.

  • God’s love is not drawn out by our worth but given despite our condition.

  • Eternal life is a gift received through faith, not earned through effort.

V. The Verdict: Light Has Come (vv. 18-21)

The coming of Christ reveals the human heart, people reject the light because they love darkness.

  • The issue is not lack of evidence but love of sin.

  • Your response to Christ reveals what you truly love.

VI. Christological Fulfillment

The passage reveals that life must come from outside of us, through the Spirit and the lifted Son.

  • You cannot bring yourself into life; it must be given.

  • Even faith itself is the result of God’s work in you.

 

VII. Application

Religious Insider:
You may be near truth but still lack new life.

  • Do not rely on knowledge, morality, or service for assurance.

  • Ask: have I truly been made new?

Skeptical Outsider:
The issue is not just understanding, but the heart.

  • What do you love more than God?

  • Come to Christ, even with questions and uncertainty.

 

VIII. Gospel-Fueled Obedience

Transformation flows from new life, not the other way around.

  • You obey because you have been given life, not to earn it.

  • The gospel produces real change from the inside out

IX. Conclusion: Look and Live

The call of the passage is simple and urgent: believe.

  • Stop trying to fix yourself, look to Christ.

  • Respond now: receive the life you cannot create.

3. Primary Sources (Cited & Influential)

  • The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)

  • J. C. Ryle: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (John)

  • D. A. Carson:The Gospel According to John

  • Timothy Keller: Sermons and writings on John 3

  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermons on new birth and John 3:16

  • John Piper: Teachings on new birth and God’s sovereignty

  • Ezekiel 36 (prophetic background for new birth theology)

  • Numbers 21 (typology of the bronze serpent and faith)

4. Additional Resources

  • Sermon: “You Must Be Born Again”: John Piper

  • Article: “What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?”: Desiring God

  • Sermon: “The Lord of the Wine”: Timothy Keller

  • Commentary: John for You: Tim Chester