John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be? 1. We live in a world of wonders: vegetable growth, insect evolution, human birth; about each of which we might well say, "How can these things be?" 2. There are greater wonders in the world towards which we are hastening — resurrection, etc. 3. Not less wonderful is the work of grace within a man's soul. I. WHAT THESE THINGS WERE WHICH PERPLEXED NICODEMUS. The new birth. 1. This doctrine is one of which the Bible is full. See John 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Peter 1:23, which teach that only by the almighty power of God can a dead sinner be born again, and that this power is exercised through the Word of Truth. 2. This doctrine presupposes the corruption of human nature — not that it has simply gone wrong through bad example and vicious training. It does not want mending, but renewing. 3. David found this out — "I was shapen in iniquity." So did St. Paul — "In my flesh dwelleth no good thing," "They that are in the flesh cannot please God." 4. This doctrine is very humbling to pride of birth and intellect. 5. This doctrine conveys a blessed truth. Man may become a child of God, holy and meet for heaven. 6. Heaven being a character as well as a place no man can enter without being born again. II. THESE ARE THE THINGS WE MUST KNOW IF WE ARE TO BE SAVED. 1. The very worst may be saved. 2. To be saved we must go to the author of the new birth. 3. Whatsoever may be our wants with regard to the present life nothing can stand in the place of His. Philanthropic schemes are good in their place, but are as the small dust of the balance compared with this. 4. The new birth is a personal experience, and each sinner must come individually, prayerfully, believingly and now. (Canon Miller.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? |
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