A Sermon from the Congregational Church of Bristol
A sermon offered by the Rev. Nancy J. White in the public worship of the Congregational Church of
Bristol, UCC of Bristol, Maine on Sunday, March 16, 2014, the Second Sunday in Lent. Principal reading
was John 3:1-17
First I want to acknowledge one widely known piece of today’s Gospel reading which has a
specific association for many Christians and non-Christians alike in our world today. Being
‘born again’ means for many Christians that they are saved because they have been born again
in Jesus Christ - it implies that they have had a specific conversion experience before which
their salvation was in question and after which it is assured. It has been used as a litmus test
for who is and who is not going on to eternal life. Those who believe this strongly feel that they
should help others to also have this ‘born again’ conversion experience in order to be saved.
For some, this idea in this reading implies a certain type of religious fervor. For those on the
inside, the code is ‘are you saved like us?’ and for those on the outside, the code might be ‘ are
you a religious fanatic, like them?’ Both of these notions deal in generalities and stereotypes
and fall short of an in-depth study of this passage in John’s Gospel.
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, a person who has dedicated his life to God and
study of scripture, comes to Jesus in the night. In John’s Gospel, a common theme is darkness
versus light. Jesus is the light. So Nicodemus comes in the dark of night seeking the light in
Jesus. He comes acknowledging Jesus as teacher and coming from God. Jesus responds by
telling him that no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.
The Greek word anothen translated in the NRSV as ‘from above’ is often translated as ‘again’
and this is what people are referring to if they say they have been born again or they are a born
again Christian. This word can be translated three ways simultaneously, ‘again’, ‘anew’, or
‘from above’. Ancient Hebrew had no one word with all three meanings and we do not have
any English word today that means all three things. Each different Bible translation uses one of
these three meanings but really the Greek implies all three at once – so born again, born anew,
born from above.
Nicodemus hears only the first translation option and then proceeds to appear somewhat
obtuse to the meaning behind Jesus’ words as he questions how a human being can reenter the
womb and be born again in the flesh.
Some say that Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus’ lack of understanding sounds angry. We really have
no idea what the tone was intended to be. It could be angry, simply incredulous that someone
so learned might be so out of touch or it could humorous, ‘how can you not get this?’ said with
a smile.
Jesus has said that in order to be part of God’s kingdom, one must be born of water and Spirit.
The water implies the waters of baptism and the Spirit in John’s gospel is the one Jesus sent to
comfort, guide, sustain and be with his followers after his resurrection. Nicodemus doesn’t get
it, only able to think of physical rebirth and how impossible and totally unnecessary that is. Do
we get it?
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What does it mean to us in 21st century America that in order to see the kingdom of God, we
must be born again anew from above? It is not about discarding the old to make way for new
furniture. It is not about cleaning out your closet to make way for new spring outfits. It is not
about saying goodbye to old friends so that you have time for new ones. It is not about the
physical. This rebirth is a spiritual one. It also doesn’t mean that one will have a once and done
kind of conversion experience. It does mean that we need to allow the Spirit to enter into our
hearts in order that we might be made new in Christ.
It is about the spiritual. It is about a closer relationship with God and God’s ways as taught to
us through the life and teachings of Jesus. How do we do that? Intentionally. Carve time out
of your day – put it in your calendar just like any other appointment and spend time with God.
Start small – read a devotion, read a bible passage, go to a Bible study, sit in silence, meditate,
join a prayer group, walk a labyrinth, take a walk in the woods or on the beach, do some
volunteer work – try them all - something to take you away from your hectic everyday life for
even just a few minutes a day.
This past week on the news, thy had a small segment on meditation promoting the physical
benefits of spending just 5 minutes sitting quietly listening to your own breathing. There are
indeed physical benefits to doing this – it will lower your blood pressure, allow you to be more
focused, help you sleep better. The spiritual benefits of doing this are even more profound for
you not only gain all of the physical wellbeing, you also have peace of mind that only comes
from God’s spirit entering into your mind, heart, body and soul. Let this time speak to you. Let
God speak to you. Let God’s Spirit enter your very soul and make you new.
If you are saying to yourself, ‘she’s said all this before’ then you are right. This theme of asking
God to help us move in a new direction is critical for all of Christendom and especially here as
this church is at a crossroad. Churches all over the world are struggling with the question of
what next? Churches are closing their doors not for lack of money but rather for lack of people.
The Church has lost its place of importance in the lives of the younger generations and no one
knows what to do about it. We do not have the answers. God does. We need to spend time
with God listening for God, opening our hearts to God so that God’s church might once again be
a place where God’s kingdom is proclaimed and people can come to know of God and God’s
love for all.
As we take time as a church family to consider what future God has in mind for us, we will think
of it as spiritual time together as we envision what God’s kingdom looks like here at the
Congregational Church of Bristol Maine. Are we listening to God? Are we allowing God to
make us new? Are we being born from above in God’s love by God’s spirit? Listen to each
other. Listen to God. Listen to how God speaks to each of us. What is God saying? Be part of
the conversation by joining either before or after worship. If you are unable to come to any
sessions or are more comfortable writing something down, send me or one of the deacons a
letter or email with your thoughts. The life of this church family depends on the contributions
of each of its members.
Right after Christmas, our sign out front shouted ‘God is still speaking! Are we listening?’ Be
born again in God’s Spirit and Love, listen to God’s Spirit and share what you are hearing!
Amen.
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