Podcasts about Nicodemus

Year A – Third Sunday in Lent– March 8, 2026 Pastor Megan Floyd Exodus 17:1-7 John 4:1-42 Grace and peace to you from God and the Holy Spirit, and from Jesus Christ, who is truly the Savior of the world. Amen. *** Many… many years ago, Bill and I had the privilege of attending my friend's wedding… she and her partner got married in the Valley of Fire in the Grand Canyon… at sunset. It was… spectacular!   Our little party was delivered to this magical location on helicopters, which flew us through the Canyon, across the incredible landscape that just… stretched on for as far as I could see.   As we flew, the walls of the Canyon were on either side of us, and yet, my brain couldn't make sense of the scale. Then the pilot pointed out a little dark spec that was way under us… he said, "That's the other helicopter."   Those four words… radically changed my perspective. I mean… sure, I could see that the place was well worth the title of 'Grand,' …but suddenly, 'Grand' couldn't even contain the full scope of where we were.   Nothing could… I don't think there is any word in our language that can truly encapsulate the landscape… the magnitude… of what we call… The Grand Canyon.   And the same is true… about God's love.   God's love is so grand… so deep and wide and never ending… that we bump up against the same inability to fully wrap our minds around the full scope… the full scale of what it really means… that God so loved the world.   On that helicopter… I didn't even begin to understand how big that landscape was until the pilot showed me what it meant… until he gave me a new perspective and showed me how Grand it really was.   And that's what's happening in our text today… Jesus is showing the disciples what it means… that God so loved the world.   Telling them isn't going to be enough… he must show them… which is why it was necessary for them to go through Samaria. Verse 4.   Our translation reads, "But he had to go through Samaria." …the Greek word is stronger than that, though… It was 'necessary' …it was imperative that he go through Samaria.   Why? …they were traveling north from Judea to Galilee… and Samaria is between those two places. But, as the text points out… something that everyone at the time would have understood… very clearly… the Jews and the Samaritans do not associate with each other.   It was an ancient family feud… they have the same ancestors… but different theology around the critical question of… where is God found?   For the Jewish people, God was found in the Temple in Jerusalem… in the Holy of Holies. That's where they went to worship.   For the Samaritans, God was found high on the top of Mount Gerizim. That's where they went to worship.   They had other differences as well, but this was the most pressing theological question of their time... the question that went back to the time of Moses, in the wilderness of Sin, when they were dying of thirst… Where is God? Is the Lord among us or not?   These are heavy questions… and modern denominations have split apart for less.   So, to avoid the tension and the feud, Jewish people traveling from Judea to Galilee would have taken the road that ran along the Jordan River Valley. They would not have climbed through the mountains of Samaria.   So why… why was it necessary for them to go through Samaria?   It was necessary… because Jesus needed to show his disciples the full scale and scope of his ministry… he needed to give them a new perspective.   Jesus needed to challenge their assumptions about who is in and who is out… he needed to widen their understanding of what sort of people Jesus was seeking… about whom he loved.   So he took them to the very place they would have assumed was excluded. Samaria.   Jesus needs to go there to find his first witness… he needs to find her… the unnamed, unmarried, powerless, Samaritan woman… discarded or widowed five times over… now living with the brother of her late husband in a Levirate marriage.   She is a nobody… an outsider among religious outsiders… visiting the well when no one else would have been there… at the hottest… and brightest time of the day.   Remember what I said about day and night in the Gospel of John?   She's there when the sun is at its brightest… and with this woman… Jesus proceeds to have the longest recorded conversation that he has with anybody… in any of the four gospels.   It was necessary for him to go through Samaria… to find… her.   Now, like anyone who talks to Jesus, she doesn't fully understand him at first, but she sticks with it… and she trusts him with her truth.   So, in response to her faith and her growing understanding around the coming Messiah… he shares his truth… He is… the I AM… the Great I AM… the same I AM from the burning bush and Moses…   I know our translation says that Jesus replies, "I am he" …but that's just added grammar for verbal flow. Jesus' response to her is only… I AM. …and his statement holds the power and weight of all the other I AM statements.   He reveals his true identity to her… before any of the disciples figured it out. And in her joy, she left her water jar at the well to run to share the good news with her neighbors…   She told them of her experience… of her encounter with this man… she shared her wondering… "He cannot be the Messiah, can he?"   And she invited them to come and see… come and meet him… come, and hear from him yourself. She shared her witness… her testimony… and then invited them to come and experience him for themselves.   And because of her witness, her town became followers of Jesus… and were the first to recognize that he was truly… the Savior of the world.   This… out-of-the-way place… in Samaria.   Its… incredible. And this is only chapter four! Jesus hasn't hardly done anything yet!   He was identified by John the Baptist as the Lamb of God, come to take away the sin of the world. …then he called his first disciples…   …and they enjoyed a party at the Wedding at Cana, where, thanks to some strong encouragement from his mother, Mary, Jesus ensured there would be plenty of the very best wine for the happy couple and their guests.   After that, Jesus went to the Temple, where he… caused a scene. The other gospels have this Temple scene happening at the end of his ministry.   John, however, has it at the beginning… it gives Jesus quite the reputation.   And then Nicodemus came to visit him… at night. That's really all that has happened until this point, when he started heading back to Galilee and said it was necessary for them to go through Samaria.   Jesus was still seeking someone he could entrust his identity to… so he went to find this woman.   She taught the disciples… as she teaches us… how to be a witness… how to share our stories of encounter with God… with our Savior, Jesus Christ.   We don't need to fully understand every moment of meaning… only that meeting Jesus is to encounter God… the Holy Spirit… the Divine among us… and to be in relationship with him brings salvation.   We don't have to convince others… Jesus can do that… we just need to invite people to come and see… come and encounter a love so pure and inclusive, that it's hard to wrap our minds around.   Jesus was also seeking to demonstrate to his disciples… to give them a new perspective of just how grand God's love really was.   He needed to push all the boundaries and prejudices they held… and choose the most unlikely person to be the first one with whom he shared his truth.   She was his first witness… the first evangelist… starting the first church… first worshipping community… who understood that the answer to the most pressing theological question of their time… Where is God?   …that the answer was, God is with us, wherever we are.   Jesus needed to give them all some perspective… and we still need that today.   We like to draw boundaries… we like to know who's in and who's out… We like to think that this is all something we can fully wrap our minds around and have some certainty about it. …especially when it comes to God's approval… and God's love.   But it's hard to hold that kind of scope and scale in our minds… so we need this constant reminder… this continual renewal of our perspective… this pointing out of those people that we might be tempted to exclude…   God's love includes them, too.   For God so loved the world… will always be so much bigger than we can imagine, which is good news… because it means that no matter what, everyone is in.   Amen.      

When Nicodemus came to Jesus, Jesus told him that he needed to be born again. What does that mean?

This exploration of John 3 by Assistant Pastor Dillon Meadway on Sunday, March 8th 2026, takes us beyond the familiar verse we've all memorized and into the profound depths of what it truly means to be born again. We discover that Nicodemus wasn't just any curious seeker—he was a respected Pharisee, a ruler sitting on the Sanhedrin, a master of Israel's scriptures. Yet despite all his knowledge and status, he came to Jesus under cover of darkness, representing the spiritual blindness we all experience before encountering Christ. The revelation becomes even richer when we understand the timing: this conversation happened during Passover, the festival celebrating Israel's birth as a nation through the blood of the lamb and the waters of the Red Sea. Jesus wasn't introducing a foreign concept but fulfilling the very pattern God established in Exodus. The Greek word for 'again' also means 'from above,' revealing that our new birth isn't just another start—it's a divine origin, a supernatural transformation. Just as Israel was baptized in water through the Red Sea and in the Spirit through the cloud, we too must experience both water baptism and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This isn't about religious ritual or earning our way to heaven; it's about receiving what God prophesied through Ezekiel—clean water to wash us and His Spirit within us to empower obedience. The question confronting us is whether we'll remain in comfortable darkness or step into the light where our works are exposed but our lives are transformed.

You Must Be Born Again (Sermon Series on John) - Sunday, 8th March 2026[Episode 12 - John Chapter 3 KJV]1. We are introduced to Nicodemus and his perception of Jesus.John 3:1-2 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.2. You must be born again.John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.3. What do you mean?John 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?4. It's not a reformation it's a total transformation.John 3:5-8  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.5. My poor mind is blown.John 3:9  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?6 It's all by faith Nicodemus.John 3:10-15  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Sermon by Susan Russell at 10:00 a.m. on the Second Sunday in Lent, March 1, 2025, at All Saints Church, Pasadena. Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, and John 3:1-7. Watch the sermon on YouTube.         Please consider pledging to All Saints Church at https://allsaints-pas.org/pledge/, or donate to support the mission and ministry of All Saints at https://allsaints-pas.org/giving/. Any donation, big or small, is appreciated! Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsPasadena/. Follow us on Instagram at #allsaintspas. Check out the rest of our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/allsaintspasadena1/videos. Subscribe, like, get notifications every time we post! Enjoy our extensive archive of stimulating and inspiring content!

What does it mean to truly trust God — not just believe in God, but let go of everything you know and step out in faith?In this sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent, The Rev. Craig Swan explores the story of Nicodemus (John 3:1-17) — a leader who comes to Jesus in the night, drawn toward a teacher whose radical message both thrills and unsettles him. Fr. Craig traces the thread of trust across this week's readings: from Abraham's astonishing leap of faith at age seventy-five (Genesis 12), to Paul's declaration that righteousness comes through faith, not works (Romans 4), to Nicodemus standing at the threshold of transformation.The central question of this Lenten season, Fr. Craig reminds us, is the same one God has always asked: Do you trust me?Scripture ReadingsGenesis 12:1–4a — God calls Abram to leave everythingPsalm 121 — “I lift up my eyes to the hills”Romans 4:1–5, 13–17 — Abraham's faith reckoned as righteousnessJohn 3:1–17 — Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night; “For God so loved the world”Holy Week & Easter at St. Peter'sPalm Sunday, March 29 — 8:00 AM & 10:15 AMMaundy Thursday, April 2 — Shared meal 5 PM + Holy Eucharist 6 PM at St. Augustine's, KingstonGood Friday, April 3 — Stations of the Cross 12 PM; Liturgy 7 PM (joint service with St. Augustine's)Easter Vigil, April 4 at 7 PM — Deanery-wide event; Bishop presiding & preachingEaster Sunday, April 5 — Festival Eucharist with brass, timpani & full choirSt. Peter's by-the-Sea is an Episcopal Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island.Sunday worship rooted in Anglican liturgy, scripture, and thoughtful preaching.Plan a visit: https://www.stpetersbythesea.com

Send a textJesus and Nicodemus met late one night to talk through the Word of God. Nicodemus opened up the conversation with a sincere compliment, and Jesus responded by rocking him back on his heels. Pick up your Bible or device, and turn to John 3 to hear the story.This episode is based on the God's Word for Life, Winter 2025–2026, Adult Lesson Guide entitled, "A Conversation with Nicodemus" (March 8, 2026).Find an Apostolic church that preaches this glorious gospel and our response at UPCI.orgThis episode is produced by the Pentecostal Resources Group and is hosted by LJ Harry. To order resources of the God's Word for Life curriculum, visitPentecostalPublishing.com and PentecostalResourcesGroup.com. Share your God's Word for Life stories with me at pphcurriculum@upci.org.

The Second Sunday in Lent.The world feels uncertain. War, upheaval, and shifting ground can leave us feeling unmoored. But what if the deeper problem isn't a lack of information, but a lack of wisdom? Explore the nighttime encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus. Through this encounter, we discover that faith is not about mastering certainty, but about entering the holy mystery where transformation begins.

Father Christopher Mahar earned a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from Providence College in 2000 and subsequently completed his Bachelor's degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2003. He was ordained a deacon in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in 2003 and a priest in the Diocese of Providence in 2004. He currently serves as Pastor at St. Augustine Church in Providence, Rhode Island.  In Today's Show: Did Jesus know Nicodemus before His final week? How did Saint Dismas join Jesus in heaven the day he died if he was in Hell? How are hymns chosen in the Ordinary Form? How can we put the love of God first? Can priests reference previous confessions? Why are babies baptized instead of waiting until they are older? Why isn't sacred music more emphasized? Why don't Catholics observe the Torah? Was Jesus in the spirit form before he was incarnated? Are we in the end times? And more Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Many of us spend our lives chasing success, security, and meaning—yet something still feels missing. In this episode, we explore a surprising conversation Jesus had that speaks directly to the longing behind the words: “I still haven't found what I'm looking for.” John 3 Jesus and Nicodemus.        

A sermon preached by Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli with Foundry UMC March 1, 2026. “Ignite the Light” series.  Text: John 3:1-17   Some seasons feel like one long night. Not the gentle kind with a crescent moon and a few bright stars. But the kind where you can't quite see what's coming next. Where the news feels relentless. Where the future feels uncertain. Where the questions get louder than the answers. Questions like: What kind of God creates a world with cancer and deadly storms? Why is there so much cruelty and violence? Why am I so lonely? How can I stop being so afraid? Where is God in all of this? Night has a way of stripping us of pretense. It quiets the noise. It makes us honest—honest about our questions, and honest about our need for Light. And it is there, in that kind of night, that we meet Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a learned man, a scholar of the Jewish faith, a respected religious leader, a man who knew his scripture and his tradition. And still, he comes to Jesus confused and curious, full of questions. That alone should ignite some light for us. Because somewhere along the way many people were taught that questions don't belong in church. That faith means certainty. That belief means signing on the dotted line of a doctrinal checklist. And yet here, in one of the most famous chapters in the Bible, we find a scholar and seeker stumbling through the dark saying: How can this be? Questions are not the opposite of faith. They are often the spark where faith begins. Nicodemus is not given answers. He is given invitation. Invitation to trust. Invitation to step toward Light. “The wind blows where it chooses…” You can feel it, even when you cannot control it. And that is what Jesus is offering Nicodemus—not certainty, but relationship. “For God so loved the world…” This verse from Gospel of John 3:16 has too often been reduced to a slogan—or worse, weaponized as a boundary marker of who is in and who is out. But listen carefully. It does not say: “God so loved the worthy.” It does not say: “God so loved the certain.” It does not say: “God so loved those who figured it all out.” It says: God so loved the world. The whole world. And the word translated “believe,” pisteuo, is not primarily about intellectual agreement. It is about trust. Relational trust. Entrusting yourself to another. There is a world of difference between believing a statement and believing in a person. To say “I believe in you” is not to claim you understand everything about a person. It is to say: I trust you. I will step toward you. Even, perhaps, I will follow your lead. That is the spark. Faith is not having all the answers. Faith is daring to trust the Light of God while still standing in the dark. You only need enough light to take the next step. Not a floodlight. Just a spark. Friends, we are not only people who talk about light. We are people who have seen it. We saw it when neighborhoods in Minneapolis organized to care for one another in the aftermath of unrest and uncertainty. When stores were vulnerable and systems strained, neighbors brought whatever gifts they had—organizing skills, grills, baked goods, bottled water, medical supplies. Some patrolled streets to protect small businesses and vulnerable neighbors—immigrant families, people of color, anyone who felt unsafe. Some accompanied elders to the grocery store and children to school. Some simply showed up and stood watch so others could worship or sleep in peace. No one person solved the darkness. But together, they became light. We have seen it in the quiet, steady witness of Buddhist monks walking for peace—a simple, embodied prayer moving through public streets. Their steps did not shout. They did not argue. They simply walked, reminding everyone watching that love does not have to be loud to be powerful. We have seen it in the long, luminous ministry of Jesse Jackson, who reminded a weary nation again and again: it gets dark sometimes, but morning always comes. He showed up in hospital rooms, on picket lines, in forgotten neighborhoods, listening to people's questions, dignifying their pain, calling them to embodied love. Hope, in his hands, was not naïve optimism. It was disciplined, stubborn carrying of the Light into the dark. These are not abstract ideas. They are sparks in real darkness. And here is the good news: the same Spirit that moved in Nicodemus' night, the same love that sent Jesus into the world, is moving still. Ignite the Light does not mean we deny the darkness. It means we refuse to surrender to it. Nicodemus does not leave Jesus with all his questions answered. But get this beautiful twist: his story doesn't end in chapter three. Near the end of John's Gospel, after Jesus has been crucified, Nicodemus appears again—this time in daylight—bringing spices to help prepare Jesus' body for burial. He moves from academic speculation to embodied love. From confusion to courageous tenderness. From questions to action. Not because all his questions were resolved. But because somewhere along the way, trust took root. The spark caught. That is what trust looks like. Not certainty—but movement. The spark becomes action. God does not wait for us to stop asking questions before God loves us. God meets us in the questions. God meets us in the dark. God meets us and keeps the spark of hope and faith and life burning in us. That is the gospel. And that is why we come to this Table. We do not come to Communion because we have resolved every theological tension. We come because we are hungry for light. We come because we need trust rekindled. We come because love has already moved toward us. “For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world…” No condemnation here. Only invitation. At this table, Christ does not hand us a doctrinal list with boxes to check. He hands us bread. And in that simple act, light passes from hand to hand. Maybe you feel strong today. Maybe you feel barely glowing. It doesn't matter. A spark is enough. Enough to check on a neighbor. Enough to show up. Enough to listen. Enough to bake bread or walk for peace or stand beside someone who is afraid. Enough to believe that morning will come as we keep working together for what is good. Nicodemus came at night. But he kept moving… all the way to the tomb. And if he was there at the tomb, then he was already on his way to resurrection morning. And the Spirit who moved him is moving us still. Because the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it. So come to the table. Bring your questions. Bring your weariness. Bring your small, flickering hope. Receive the love of God who believes in you. And then go — and be a spark in someone else's dark.

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Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners  Nicodemus's question to Jesus concerning being born again when one is old.  Scripture References: John 16:33; Matthew 6:33; John 3:4; Romans 5:8; Matthew 10:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 20:30; 1 John 5:13; John 1:1-14; John 2:23-3:4; John 1:29; John 3:5-16; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 4:24; Ephesians 1:13-14 Scripture translation used is the NASB “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995, 2020 (only use the last year corresponding to the edition quoted) by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S NEW PODCAST- The First Love ProjectHere is the video introducing the podcast on You Tube-https://youtu.be/PhFY1moDDmsHERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR FIRST LOVE PROJECThttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdaujk1npuKR0BLSkTlKyxmuxavrZQHM6&si=dC10K4Qdh0xMKElU FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishaffer DAILY MUSICAL DEVOTIONAL BY THE WORSHIP INITIATIVE:Text SING to 79316CHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisdaySupport the show

Nicodemus, Katja www.deutschlandfunk.de, Kultur heute

“But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” (John 3:21 NLT-SE)

Sermon from March 1, 2026 by Barb Huitema.

“But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” (John 3:21 NLT-SE)

From the examples of Nicodemus and Cornelius, being a religious person, a giver, knowledgeable in scripture, morally upright, and even having angelic encounters doesn't mean one is born again. Every person born of a man and a woman inherits a sinful nature. Just as physical birth qualifies us for this nature, being born again qualifies us for the gift of eternal life.

In today's Spiritual Foundation Episode, I talk about Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17 and John 3: 1-17. I share how we are called to reflect on Abraham in struggling with our relationship with God. I also talk about how Nicodemus struggles just as we do.   Show Notes and Resources.   Want to be a guest on Inspired Stewardship? Send Scott Maderer a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/scottmaderer

Jeff talks cars (though he knows very little about them) and explores the "sensory backdrop" that they can provide. Also, what kind of car do you think Nicodemus would have driven, under the cover of night?

In this message Elder Garland looks at the encounter of Nicodemus with the Lord

This week, Pastor Will reflects on John 3:1–17 and the nighttime conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Moving beyond bumper-sticker faith, this sermon explores what it really means to be “born from above” and to receive eternal life as something that begins now. It's an invitation to step out of compartmentalized faith, trust God's initiative, and come out of the dark into the light.Scripture references: Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, and John 3:1-17“LOVE CAME DOWN” --  CCLI Song # 5148938  |  Brian Johnson | Ian McIntosh | Jenn Johnson | Jeremy Edwardson | Jeremy Riddle  |  © 2009 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)  |  Bethel Music Publishing  |  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  |  CCLI License # 2544867Reading of "GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD" written by Chuck Barbour. Copyright@cbarbour2003"GO NOW IN PEACE" – Words by Nancy Price and Don Besig -- Music by Don Besig -- Copyright (c) 1988 by Harold Flammer Music, a Division of Shawnee Press, Inc. -- International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved

Thirsty? This week, Jesus offers a drink that quenches forever. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy look at the story of the Samaritan woman at the well and discuss how Jesus satisfies our thirst, how he reaches across boundaries, and how this event mirrors some of the Bible's oldest stories.Father Peter's Vlog 10.8.19 (Holy Land Pilgrimage Day 6): Holy Land Pilgrimage PlaylistThemes and ApplicationWhy do you think John places this story right after Nicodemus? What contrasts between Nicodemus and Photini stand out to you?What boundaries does Jesus cross in this encounter? National? Ethnic? Religious? Gender? Moral? Social? Which of these feels most radical in our current context?The woman becomes the first evangelist in John's Gospel. What does her testimony teach us about how faith spreads?Personal ReflectionHave you ever felt like an outsider to a community, system, or church? What does Jesus' posture toward the Samaritan woman say into that experience?Jesus names the truth of the woman's life without condemnation. What would it be like to let Christ see your full story without defensiveness?Leonard Cohen wrote, “There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” Where are the cracks in your life through which grace might be entering?Broader Spiritual ConsiderationsIn the Orthodox tradition, the Samaritan woman is known as Saint Photini (The Enlightened One). How does viewing her as a saint change the way you read the story?If Jesus is the true “well” from whom living water flows, what does that imply about Christian unity across divisions?What would it look like for communities to reflect the ever-flowing nature of living water rather than building dams of exclusion?Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

This week we consider the familiar story of Jesus' meeting with Nicodemus. Listen as we consider what it means to "listen to Christ" as Nicodemus' expectations and assumptions are challenged.    Text: John 3:1-21

Discover the profound meaning of spiritual rebirth and how to begin again in your faith journey. This exploration of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus reveals the difference between physical birth and being born from above through water and spirit. Learn why spiritual questions and doubts aren't enemies of faith but opportunities for deeper growth and understanding.Key topics covered include the nature of spiritual transformation, understanding God's kingdom as both present reality and future hope, and navigating the challenges of faith as a lifelong thru-hike. Whether you're new to faith, struggling with doubts, or feeling stuck in spiritual routine, this message offers hope for new beginnings.Perfect for anyone seeking spiritual renewal, exploring Christianity, dealing with religious questions, or looking for meaning during life transitions. Discover how God's Spirit works mysteriously to bring transformation and open our eyes to see divine kingdom principles operating in everyday life.Topics: spiritual rebirth, born again meaning, faith and doubt, Christian transformation, spiritual growth, religious questions, God's kingdom, new beginnings, spiritual renewal, faith journey, biblical teaching, Jesus and Nicodemus, overcoming spiritual darkness, finding God, Christian living, spiritual awakening, religious seeking, faith development, spiritual maturity, divine transformation.

 Who has been a great teacher in your life?On this Sunday when we're celebrating the ministry of St Paul's Christian Early Learning Center (CELC), Jesus shows us what a great teacher looks like.  As he interacts with Nicodemus, Jesus reveals himself as the one who- Knows us better than we know ourselves- Tells us what we need to hear and not what we want to hear - Has patience with us as we work through it.  What this means is that when we pray, we pray to the one who knows us better than we know ourselves.  He also knows that figuring it out takes time, especially to process what we didn't want to hear.  This plays itself out powerfully in Nicodemus' life, just as in our own.The art work is by painter Lester Yocum.  A quite rare painting showing the lesser known but just as important interaction of Nicodemus later in the Gospel of John, when he helps bury Jesus.

Guided Question Have I truly experienced the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, or am I relying on tradition, emotion, or head knowledge to define my faith? Summary This message challenges believers to discern whether their faith is authentic by examining the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. While many claim Christianity by upbringing or verbal confession, true salvation is marked by the indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit alone illuminates Scripture, produces spiritual fruit, convicts of sin, and assures us of our relationship with God. Without Him, even the most disciplined religious life remains empty. Dr. Lewis concludes with a call to self-examination and surrender, emphasizing the Spirit-led life over rote religious practice. Outline I. Introduction: Surface-Level Christianity The Word of God cannot be fully grasped without the Spirit. New believers often exhibit a spiritual hunger that signals true faith. II. A Testimony of Real Conversion A man uninterested in church suddenly desires the Bible after salvation. His hunger reflects the Holy Spirit's work, not mere human curiosity. III. What Marks True Salvation? Outward confession alone is not the biblical evidence of salvation. Jesus did not trust all who claimed belief (John 2:23–25). Nicodemus believed in Jesus but still lacked the Spirit (John 3:1–7). IV. The Holy Spirit: God's Seal and Guide The Spirit is God's down payment and assurance of redemption (Ephesians 1:13–14). The absence of the Spirit means one is not Christ's (Romans 8:9). The Spirit leads, confirms our adoption, and gives us intimacy with God (Romans 8:14–16). V. Counterfeit Faith Exposed Cultural or passive faith can mimic genuine faith but lacks transformation. True faith includes repentance, desire to know God, and fruit of the Spirit. VI. Academic Religion Without the Spirit Even seminary or Bible teaching can become dead without the Spirit's presence. Intellectual pursuit does not equal spiritual transformation. VII. Final Call: Examine Yourselves Paul calls believers to test whether they are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Signs of the Spirit include fruit, conviction, guidance, and internal witness. Key Takeaways The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the clearest evidence of genuine salvation. Verbal confession or church involvement does not equal spiritual rebirth. Only the Spirit can bring Scripture to life and guide us into God's will. Intellectual knowledge without the Spirit leads to spiritual dryness and pride. Believers should regularly test their faith and examine whether spiritual fruit is evident. True Christian living flows from the Spirit, not performance or habit. Scripture References John 2:23–25 – Jesus did not entrust Himself to superficial believers. John 3:1–7 – Nicodemus is told he must be born again by the Spirit. Ephesians 1:13–14 – The Holy Spirit is the seal and pledge of our inheritance. Romans 8:9 – Anyone without the Spirit does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:14–16 – The Spirit leads and testifies that we are God's children. 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Believers are commanded to examine themselves. Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit as the evidence of transformation. 1 Corinthians 2:10–16 – The Spirit reveals and interprets the deep things of God.   Recorded 6/28/81

Jesus' Healing Mission to Nicodemus - Deacon Casey Solgos by

1. The story of Nicodemus and his nighttime approach to Jesus is fairly well known among Christians. How did Tim's teaching this week impact your understanding of Nicodemus, the story itself, its historical context, and/or the very famous John 3:16?What kinds of thoughts or questions arose for you after learning more about the origins of the Pharisees and their historical context? Does seeing them through a different frame provoke any new ideas when it comes to the way you may have understood them throughout the gospels? What might the takeaways be for that as a modern day Christian reading about an ancient civilization?2. Tim also talked about the limitations of the law. The slide he presented contrasting things the law could and could not provide for people is shown below. He also said something like, “if you're building your life on rules, there will come a point in time when the rules hamper your development.” How does this orientation toward the law and rules feel for you? Are you someone who's more or less inclined to embrace the rules when it comes to figuring out how to navigate life? How has that aspect of your personality impacted your journey as a Christian? What do you think about the idea that rules can become a hindrance as you mature as a person and a person of faith? Have you seen evidence supporting that idea in your own life? If so, share about it. If you feel skeptical about the idea, share about that too.3. Tim also talked about being “born again” as something more like a repeated process of letting go or giving up. He said it's a fall or a surrender, rather than a one-moment crossing from A to B. It's giving up the need to be in charge of our material lives. What surfaces for you when you think about being born again in this way? Is this a familiar idea? or one that challenges you and things you've been taught in the past? What surfaces for you as you sit with this idea? How does a clear understanding of the Greek behind John 3:16 impact or shift your understanding of both that verse and what it's telling us about being born again? Especially within its context as part of the story of Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus?

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Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. As we continue our series, “The Real Real,” today, I want to ask the question…what is real sight? Jesus taught Nicodemus in John chapter three that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When we place our trust in Jesus and Him alone, He gives us sight to see His kingdom advancing here on earth. And Jesus further told His disciples after His death and resurrection that He was ascending back to the Father and sending the Holy Spirit to guide and to help us. He will lead and assist us as we share our faith, read the Word, and pray to our Savior and Lord. Another incredible gift the Holy Spirit will give us if we ask Him is His heart and eyes to see and love people as God sees and loves them. This week, ask the Holy Spirit to give you real sight and opportunities to tell others about Jesus. For resources to help you get started, visit our website at sharelife.today.

We often speak of salvation of something that happened – not something that's happening. In our second week of Lent, we look at the story of a man in the midst of a crisis of faith; not because he didn't have all the right answers, but because all those right answers came face to face with Jesus. Nicodemus is invited to be “born again,” an invitation we, too receive. So what does it mean to live into this new birth with Jesus? (John 3:1-17)

John 3:1-17 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

FAITH IS… with Pastor Rick Stevens – In tense times for Jerusalem and the Middle East, believers are called to pray for peace. A nighttime conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus reveals the life-changing truth of being born again—not as ritual words, but as wholehearted allegiance to Christ and a transformed, Spirit-filled life...

The good news for sinners. A sermon on John 3:1-17 for the second Sunday in Lent by Rev. Samantha Beach kiley.

On this Second Sunday of Lent, Coffee to Go journeys into Gospel of John 3:1–17 and the midnight questions of Nicodemus. What does it really mean to be “born from above”—and why are we so desperate for clear, concrete answers? Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the tension between certainty and trust, grace and effort, and the radical claim that God's love is for the whole world—not just the “right” believers. Instead of clinging to John 3:16 as a simple formula, they invite us to linger with John 3:17 and its promise of a love that refuses to condemn. It's an honest, hope-filled conversation about walking a Spirit-led path—even when there are no road signs. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download the Transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey. NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

John 3:1-17   There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

But Nicodemus offers us a different model of how some come to the faith. Not one with blinding lights, not one with a sudden transformation, but one that has questions and wonderings and doubts. It is a slow transformation of the heart and mind and soul that eventually gets there when it matters most. Listen to or read Bingham's entire sermon by clicking “read more.”

We see in this sermon that we are a people whom God has awakened, strengthened, confronted, and led into decisive obedience, and now He is pressing us so that what He has planted within us can finally be revealed. As we walk the same pathway traced by Abraham, Nicodemus, and Jesus Himself, we learn that the Valley of the Kings is not a place of defeat but the place where kings are formed, where our convictions become choices, our choices become character, and our character becomes the vessel through which God releases pure oil, enduring faith, and resurrection life. In this pressing, we discover that we are not being crushed but refined, not being diminished but transformed, not losing ourselves but becoming more like the King who went before us. And as we continue saying “Yes, Lord” in every pressing, we find that we too are being shaped into those who will reign with Him, men and women whose lives produce pure olive oil that can sustain generations.

Rector Amy Winkle preaches from John 3 on Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus.

Pastor Jae explores how a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus reveals how what we know often is based on where and when we're from. Speaker: Pastor Jae Newman Part of the series “Jesus on the Outside”

"Born of Water and Spirit" Restored, Lent 2026, John 3:1-16, The Rev. Zach Croonquist. Our sermon series, Restored, will trace the saving work of Jesus Christ and the healing that flows from union with him. The healing he brings touches every part of us—spirit, soul, and body—because he himself is our Restorer and our Life. During this second week of Lent, we spend time in John 3 looking at Nicodemus' secret visit to Jesus under cover of night to help him understand what Jesus means by, “you must be born again.” Learn more about Lent at redeemergso.org/lent

Join Stephen Streett as he delivers an inspiring sermon on the theme of 'New Life,' exploring the biblical story of Nicodemus and Jesus' teachings on rebirth and the kingdom of God. Dive into the significance of spiritual renewal and the transformative power of faith, baptism, and the Holy Spirit. Perfect for those seeking deeper understanding and reflection during the Lenten season.

Nicodemus is a character that perfectly personifies the tensions that surrounded Jesus. And he seems completely unique in the Gospels. What might a beautiful painting of his memorable nighttime meeting with the Messiah highlight some things we can learn about our relationship with Jesus? Also, along the way, we looked at some fascinating comparisons between Nicodemus and Judas. Join us! The image attached to this podcast is the "study" version of Henry Tanner's "Nicodemus Comes to Jesus." The finished version that Pastor Chris also refers to is here if you'd like to see it.

Jesus and Nicodemus- Behrens Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17

Jesus and Nicodemus- Wildman Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17

We often speak of salvation of something that happened – not something that's happening. In our second week of Lent, we look at the story of a man in the midst of a crisis of faith; not because he didn't have all the right answers, but because all those right answers came face to face with Jesus. Nicodemus is invited to be “born again,” an invitation we, too receive. So what does it mean to live into this new birth with Jesus? (John 3:1-17)

In this Lenten sermon on Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus, we reflect on what it means to seek God in the dark. When certainty fades and questions rise, Christ meets us not with quick answers, but with an invitation to new life. This message explores spiritual rebirth, surrender, and learning to trust the movement of the Holy Spirit. Faith is not about mastering explanations—it is about being loved into life again and again. A gentle call to honest prayer, deeper trust, and walking in the light of God's love.

1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person." 3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?   11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.   16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.   17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him."