{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvertical.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fteaching-sep-13-26-5k4lfUes","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Born Again | John 3:1-21 | Nathan Hughes","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/9689ac23-2320-4b64-bf07-a443a5ebe021/6a1ac10c-1e71-47c1-98f2-24f17bf4df12/cropped_1789500118286.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/db5bb367-9fab-44d1-8bb6-a13cf8f2ef03\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"Born Again | John 3:1-21 | Nathan Hughes\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"What does it actually mean to be “born again”?\n\nIn John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus with an impressive résumé. He is respected, educated, moral, religious, and knows the Scriptures. But Jesus tells him that none of those things can produce the transformation he truly needs: “You must be born again.”\n\nWe often try to answer our deepest questions about identity, belonging, security, and purpose through achievement, morality, success, or religion. But Jesus offers something we could never accomplish for ourselves—a completely new life.\n\nIn Week 1 of Welcome Home, we look at Nicodemus’ journey from approaching Jesus in the darkness to eventually being publicly identified with Him. His story reminds us that following Jesus isn’t about becoming a better version of ourselves. It’s about receiving new life through the Spirit of God.\n\nYou can know about Jesus without truly knowing Jesus. You can grow up close to the house without ever really being home.\n\nBut Jesus still invites us to come.\n\nScripture: John 3:1–21\n\nBig Idea: No amount of outward goodness can produce inward transformation. We don’t simply need better behavior. We need a new birth.\n\nVertical Church exists to help people Encounter God, Follow Jesus, Experience Freedom, and Make an Impact."}