Easter - John 3:16 - Tim Nay

Easter
Tim Nay

April 20, 2025

“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 3:16 



“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 3:16 

RELIGIOUS 
• Godly worldview 
• Supernatural & Bible 
• Dedicated to organized religion 
• Holiness - highest quality 
• Accountable 
• Tightly wound

NON-RELIGIOUS 
• Secular worldview 
• Reason & science 
• Avoid organized religion 
• Being a good person - highest quality 
• Independent 
• Relaxed & easy going 

Being UNCOMFORTABLE with being categorized in a CERTAIN group is good. 

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.” —John 3:1-2 

Being RELIGIOUS can still feel EMPTY. 

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

Being BORN again is for the RELIGIOUS and non-religious. 

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.” —John 3:4-5 

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.” —John 3:6-8 

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” —Romans 14:17 

Being DEDICATED or INDIFFERENT to religion, NEITHER leads to a life of righteousness, peace, and joy. 

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 3:9-16 

Being born again means LETTING God’s LIGHT shine on your DARKNESS. 

 —Galatians 5:19-21 

38 “After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 
39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.” —John 19:38-39 

TAKEAWAY: Today is the day of SALVATION for the religious AND non-religious.