We’re bringing in the New Year by focusing on four individuals in Scripture who can teach us something meaningful about experiencing breakthrough in our walk with Christ. Today we are on a journey with Nicodemus to discover the truth that will set us free.
What is Truth?
In 2025, this question rarely has a simple answer. Today’s culture embraces relativism - where everyone has their own version of truth. Additionally, public trust in the institutions that we once relied on to communicate the truth to us is dismal. Discerning what is true in the modern era is difficult. Jesus states the importance of the truth in John 8:31-32 where He says that “then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” He gives this promise to those who abide by and live by His teachings as His disciples.
While the world around us insists that truth is relative - God tells us that there is a way we can know the truth that frees us - by following Jesus and living by His commands.
Lessons From NICODEMUS
Nicodemus understood that Jesus alone could give him the answers to the questions he had. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council at the time of Jesus’ public ministry (John 3). His peers disdained Jesus, but Nicodemus was curious about Him. So he comes at night and starts to ask questions. As Nicodemus comes to Jesus looking for clarity on who Jesus is, Jesus shifts the conversation and begins guiding him to exactly the truth that he needed. Jesus sees into Nicodemus’ heart and leads him to the truth that will set him free.
Let Jesus Guide You To Truth
Interestingly, Nicodemus comes to Jesus looking for confirmation about the source of His power. Jesus completely circumvents this question to instead focus on the question He knew was within Nicodemus: how can one be saved? The conversation shifts to become about the importance of being born again, or from above, in order to see the Kingdom of God (verses 3-6). Nicodemus is confused, but continues to press in and ask Jesus for the answers to his questions. It is within this conversation that we receive one of the most famous verses in the Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Ultimately, this is the truth that Jesus wants Nicodemus to base his life upon. This wasn’t an easy truth for Nicodemus to swallow. He clearly struggled to believe Jesus’ words (see verse 10). But later in his life, we see that Nicodemus puts his reputation and his finances on the line to honor Christ as King. Just like Nicodemus, may we seek Jesus and allow Him to lead us to truth. Today, let’s look at three questions that the Gospel answers with three truths.
WHO ARE YOU?
Jesus directs Nicodemus to a core truth of Christian identity: we must be born again by the Spirit of God in order to see God’s Kingdom. As a Christian, who you are isn’t defined by your job, your relationships, your financial status, or your characteristics. You have been born again and your identity is simply a child of God. Look to Scripture to hep you understand what rights and responsibilities you now have as a child of God. This is who you are. Culture will define you a million different ways - Christ cuts through the chaos and labels you as His child.
WHERE DO YOU BELONG?
Nicodemus came to Christ in darkness because his peers disdained Jesus and the movement He had created. There came a time when Nicodemus had to publicly take a stand for Christ (John 7:50-52), and his peers mocked him for it. When you decide to follow Christ, you no longer belong with or to the world. You belong with and to the people of Christ. The places you once fit in won’t suit you anymore. This doesn’t mean that you cut yourself out of the world and isolate yourself within the church - but it does mean that your primary place of belonging has now shifted.
WHO DO YOU SERVE?
The truth is that everyone would answer this question differently. If the question was “who should you serve” - we could all answer it with a resounding “Jesus Christ.” But as Craig Groeschel says, “what you chase after defines your master.” The truth is that you were made to serve the living God. How well you align your life with that truth depends on how much you believe it. We see evidence that Nicodemus came to believe in Christ and serve Him in John 19:38-39, where Nicodemus personally gives Jesus a burial fit for a King. Ask yourself this critical question today: who do you serve?
Conclusion: ONLY THE TRUTH CAN SET YOU FREE
If you want to see breakthrough in your walk with Christ this year, you must come to a deeper understanding of the truth. Craig Groeschel says that “the difference between knowing the truth and believing in truth has eternal implications.” This is the year to take the religious understanding you may have of Christ and start to turn it into heartfelt belief in the person of Christ. His Gospel is the truth - and it will set you free.
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Breakthrough Week 3: January 26th, 2025. Preached by Pastor Ben Dieterly
Article Edited by Julia Castro
This sermon series was inspired by the Think Ahead series preached by Chris Beall, Tim Doremus, Sam Marin, and Craig Groeschel. We have used some of their free resources to assist us in organizing our sermon outlines for this series!
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