1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, 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 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And 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, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

John 3:1-16

Cultural Christian 

Kingdom Christian

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. - Philippians 2:12

Where am I in the journey?

Kingdom people wake up to spiritual truth by getting over themselves.

Humble

Honest

The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.  - Winston Churchill

You can’t handle the truth.  Jack Nicholson

Hungry

How does my life reflect what I want?

Kingdom people choose God’s Kingdom over this kingdom. 

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

2 Timothy 3:5

Cultural Christianity lacks the power of the gospel

Kingdom people run after heart change.

Getting more than you are getting, requires more than keeps you comfortable.

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:31

This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;  in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Jesus

New Birth - New Identity

Kingdom people obsess over the King.

Where am I in the journey?

How does my life reflect what I want?

Am I running after what matters in God’s Kingdom?