You Must Be Born Again

The sermon opens by questioning the popular perception of the word 'born again' — particularly in American culture, where it is often associated with working-class, uneducated, or morally troubled people seeking a religious lifeline. The preacher points out that the very person Jesus told 'you must be born again' was Nicodemus — a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, wealthy, educated, respected, and a moral exemplar in his society.

The sermon contrasts Nicodemus's encounter with Jesus (at night, self-initiated, abstract dialogue) with the Samaritan woman's encounter (at noon, Jesus-initiated, simple conversation) to highlight that Christ came for all kinds of people. The preacher analyzes why Nicodemus came at night — possibly out of fear or a desire for privacy — and notes that despite initially misunderstanding Jesus as merely a prophet or teacher, this nighttime encounter ultimately transformed his life. The sermon warns that many people today similarly misunderstand Jesus — seeing Him as a prophet, moral teacher, or religious founder — rather than recognizing Him as the Savior and Redeemer.

On the theological meaning of rebirth, the preacher explains that being born again is not a continuation of religious tradition or an accumulation of virtue, but a completely new beginning — born of water and the Spirit, fulfilling the promise of Ezekiel 36:25-26 and Titus 3:4-5. The bronze serpent lifted up by Moses in Numbers 21 is used to illustrate Christ's atoning work on the cross, with the key difference that those who look to Jesus in faith receive eternal life, not merely temporary healing.

The sermon cites author David Foster Wallace — an irreligious man — to show that every human being worships something, and that any object of worship other than God will ultimately consume the worshipper. The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 and the contrast between Harvard Club intellectuals and homeless people at Times Square illustrate that social standing does not determine one's need for the new birth — everyone needs it equally.

The application concludes that a genuine decision to follow Christ requires all three elements of the human personality: emotion, intellect, and will. Faith built on emotion alone is fragile; faith built only on intellect is cold and lacks passion; faith without will collapses under hardship. The preacher calls each listener to honestly examine whether they have truly been born again, and reminds the congregation not to act as judges of those outside the church but to focus on sharing the love and redemption of Jesus Christ.