Foundations: What We Believe About New Birth

(S1) —

Have you ever been grateful for a second Chance? Do over? New Lease on life? Opportunity to do something better the second time around?

There was a man, standing before God, anxiously awaiting admission into heaven. Peering through the gates, he could see those streets paved of gold, heavenly beings flittering about with words of joyous refrain, praising God. He says to God, “I am here to gain entrance into this is a most glorious place. He pulls out a piece of paper, and says with confidence, “Here is my ticket,”

“What is this,” God says, only glancing at the paper the man held. The man replies, “It is all the good I have done, while I was on earth.” God replies, Hmmm…I don’t recognize you; did you come to be born in me while you were a man? The man looks at him with a puzzled stare. Yes of course God, I followed all your laws and instructed the people to do the same. God replies, “but did you know my son? Did you hear his words?

The man looks at his paper, “but…look at my list….God abruptly interrupts, “All those things are good…but did you have faith? Did you speak of the hope I offered through my son? Did you have joy and peace to stand even under the pressures of life? And most of all did you have love for others, the love you were to share with the world?” The love I so freely offered for you? The man’s looks to the ground, confused and dismayed…God says, did you hear the words of the one I sent, “unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God?”

In this hypothetical encounter at the entrance of heaven— the goodness of the person without the spirit of God.

(S2)—SERIES—Wesley—Jesus’ response in his encounter with Nicodemus

John 3:7 “So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’”

What did this mean for Nicodemus and those like him? What does this mean for us today? In his sermon New Birth, John Wesley addresses three questions—WHY we must be born again? HOW must we be born again? To WHAT end must we be born again?

(S3)—He reconciles two great doctrines of our Methodist faith.

1. JUSTIFICATION—What God does FOR US by FORGIVING our sin

2. REGENERATION—What God does IN US to RENEW our fallen nature

New Birth—A second chance, fresh start, being born in the spirit, so we can live into God’s best for us

In Nicodemus’ encounter there is an underlying tension between WHO he was and who he was created to be. The reality for us is the same—that all the good we do won’t be enough, without the life-giving spirit of Jesus

(S4) — PRAY

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you. John 3:1–2 (NLT)

He was a religious man, who had a legalistic approach to faith in God—”strict adherence, to law especially to the letter rather than the spirit”—rule followers—Do all the right things, even though they don’t do all the right things.

This created confusion among the faithful—Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy

A lady may not look in the mirror on the Sabbath, she might see a gray hair, if she did then she might pull it out, if she did then that would be work; breaking the rule of the Sabbath. If you had a sore throat you could drink vinegar but not gargle with it because that would be work.

The Pharisees had externalized religion; the premise of their belief was that salvation is based on one’s own merit; and keeping the laws, most of their own making, was the way to get on the good side of God; like the man before God, they carried the list in their back pocket.

Nicodemus was doing all the good he could in hopes of entering the kingdom of God. But, before we throw him under the proverbial bus, he did come to Jesus with questions—In the Dark of night—We all know—He was representing not only himself, but a group of people who were eager for more of Jesus

Two things held in tension—Jesus telling Nicodemus, ”ye must be born again,” with the common view of religion, which Nicodemus represents. Nicodemus is seeking answers from a RELIGIOUS point of view—Jesus’ response is of a RELATIONAL nature.

(S5)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NLT)

Jesus’ words would have been both shocking and confusing to Nicodemus—He understood this phrase in the context of a non Jew converting to Judaism—He was a devout Jew, so why would he need to be born again?

Jesus had a way of speaking truth in a variety of ways depending on who he was talking to—With his Disciples (teacher to a student)—Woman at the well (understanding)—The Crowds (compassion)—Thief on the cross(merciful)—Pilate; stern honesty—Children, let them come to me.”

We to also need to hear Jesus’ speaking to us in ways that will draw us to his truth—Jesus spoke BOLDLY to Nicodemus

(S6)—His response is almost comical

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” John 3:4 (NLT)

Nicodemus; physical rebirth— Jesus is talking of a SPIRITUAL Birth—Sometimes our human understanding can keep us from SPIRITUAL blessing

Isaiah 55:8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

On our own we are limited, but when we seek Jesus, our eyes can be opened to the heart of God.

(S7)—Jesus goes one step further...

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 (NLT)

Nicodemus’ perspective; he hadn’t been baptized, because the Pharisees rejected John’s baptism. Water and Spirit—Baptism—Not what Jesus is talking about

“Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13-14

(S8)— A life-giving rebirth that can be found only in Jesus—He makes this clearer by saying...

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:6–7 (NLT)

It’s not enough to follow a few rules, or even to be Baptized—You MUST BE BORN AGAIN—There has to be a spiritual REGENERATION—Change in the heart and life of a person that happens not because of merit, but of the living God in them.

Nicodemus discouraged asks, ”How is this possible?”

(S9)— Jesus’ response

The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (NLT)

You will never be able to go back and explain it to the others, only know that it’s happening.

Asbury College

(S10)—J.W. —3 questions—

WHY we must be born again?

The NECESSITY of New Birth?

Created in the image of God—Gen. 1:26-27

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

“Created not in his natural image...political image...but chiefly of his MORAL image…” Humanity was at creation, filled with the spirit and holiness of God.

God’s love was the sole principle of his created thoughts, temper, words and actions—God’s justice, mercy, and truth—was in the heart of mankind— God’s purity from sin was in all

Otherwise God could not have pronounced his creation, as good — Yet created, “able to stand and liable to fall.”— Through a willful act of disobedience God’s good garden was tarnished

Genesis 2:17 “...except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.””

“Mankind lost the life of God. Separated in spirit—The love of god was distinguished from the sinful soul of man”

A snake caused them to doubt—DID GOD REALLY SAY THAT? Wanting to be like God, they fell from grace — died—When we stopped being God’s best — We all died that day

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world... Ephesians 2:1-2

(S11)— We are physically alive, but spiritually dead in our sin, thus the NECESSITY for new birth

“He had lost both the knowledge and the love of God, without which the image of God would not subsist. Of this therefore he was deprived at the same time, and became unholy as well as unhappy.” J.W.

Jesus is bringing Nicodemus face to face with his condition—His truth is meant to do the same for us

(S12)—

2. How must we be born again?

The NATURE of New Birth

The nature of new birth comes first in our BELIEVING

Before a child is born they have eyes, but sees not. They have no knowledge or understanding of any of the things of this world. But as soon as they are born, their eyes are opened and able to see anew the things of the world...

Believing by faith, our eyes are opened, and we begin to see the great gift of God’s love

Romans 10: 9 “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

(S13)—God working in the heart of a believing person—Leads to greater trust—One who walks by faith and not just site

“The eyes of hid understanding are opened. And he who of old commanded light to shine out of darkness shining on his heart, he sees the light of the glory of God, his glorious love, in the face of Jesus Christ. His ears being opened, he is now capable of hearing the inward voice of God, saying be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven.” J.W.

New birth is what God does in us when we put our faith in Jesus. God’s grace begins to fill us and change our nature—we respond differently to others—make better choices—We carry a peace in our hearts that passeth all understanding

How? By placing our faith in the life and resurrection of Jesus—We take on the NATURE of New Birth

Do you believe and walk by faith?

(S14)—

3. To what end must we be born again?

The EVIDENCE of New Birth

‘It is very easily discerned that this is necessary first in order to holiness.” J.W.

In other we are to be holy in our living. What is this holiness?

“Not a bare external religion, or outward duties, Gospel holiness is no less than the image of God stamped upon the heart. It is no other than the whole mind which is in Christ Jesus.”

The EVIDENCE of new birth brings Life change—”Holiness of heart and life”

Jesus did not bring a religion of rules—But a RELATIONSHIP that breeds a healthy life. One that we obtain when we are born again

Hebrews 12:14 “Work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

The goal of new birth is not just salvation, but sanctification—growing and going on in the perfect love of Christ in this life

(S15)—

Sanctifying grace draws us toward Christian perfection, which Wesley described as a heart "habitually filled with the love of God and neighbor" and as "having the mind of Christ and walking as he walked." J.W.

By 'perfection,' Wesley did not mean moral flawlessness or sinlessness. He meant perfection in the sense of maturity." He believed,,,

The christian life is not a SPRINT its a MARATHON

Marathon Dream—Shoes—We have to put the shoes on

What is the EVIDENCE of New Birth in your life?

We hear from Nicodemus again only twice, but see evidence of his being born again

John 7:50 “Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.”

He comes to his defense when leaders attempt to arrest Jesus

John 19:39 “With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.”

He honors not only who Jesus was, but what he did for him; spiritually reborn— He discovered that he had the NECESSITY of it—In believing by faith, he took on a new NATURE, and their was EVIDENCE of life change

The EVIDENCE of new birth is LIFE-CHANGE—Living less in the FLESH and more in the SPIRIT—What Jesus said to Nicodemus are words for us today—’You must be spiritually reborn to see the kingdom of God.”

Just as a mother does all the work in physical birth, so the Holy Spirit does all the work in the new birth. Upon our faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enters our spirits, regenerates us, and begins His work of transforming us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

(S16)— In Jesus we are born again into a relationship with God

AM I BORN AGAIN?

1. Do you see your own NEED for the redeeming spirit of God’s saving love?

2. Are you living into your new NATURE? Do you have the spirit of faith?

3. Is there EVIDENCE of spiritual rebirth, change in your heart and life.

“What we have done, what we have accomplished cannot open the door to the kingdom of God.” The best of preachers can speak of our good deeds at our funeral; but my friends if one is not born of God through faith in Jesus; then all the good words will not prevail.

For it is not deeds well done that line the streets of heaven but only hearts broken and renewed in the spirit, a heart turned toward god—The GOOD NEWS is, JESUS is the only card you need in your pocket...