New Year, New Me

Hope every had a merry Christmas & happy new year

Introduce self and Give thanks

Intro to topic: New Year’s resolutions. Lose weight, read more books or watch less tv. Ohio State University: 91% of all New Year’s resolutions fail

Same New Year’s resolution for 4 years: junk food

Bible says actions not the problem it’s hearts. Correct heart = correct actions

Preface: This sermon is not going to be a step by step guide or how to. “It’s about understanding the new birth and allowing that spiritual truth to change you from the inside out.”

Main passage: John 3:1-5

Pray

Answer the same question that Nicodemus asked Jesus: How can we be born again?

In Christian world it’s common for people to say they are born again Christians. It’s lost the weight God intended.

Rediscover the Biblical truth of being born again. To do that by breaking these verses down piece by piece.

Verse 1 says….

We see who is talking to Jesus. A Pharisee is a member of a religious movement that believed that OT and Jewish law should be strictly kept, he was a leader and teacher in this movement

Crazy sabbath laws: couldn’t walk more 2/3rd mile, drag chair thru dirt, can stop bleeding wound but can’t heal. Pick up mat and walk guy.

We all break Gods law, even Nicodemus. Our nature. God loves all his children even if we stumble.

Bible says nothing can separate you from the love of God

Doesn’t mean we should continue living in sin. Book of James faith is dead W.O. works.

Verse 2….

Nicodemus comes at night

Nico. calls Him Rabbi.

Notice he says we

He had power, money, status but yet he risked it all for one conversation with Jesus

Application: No matter how good our life is we will always be empty without God

Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Verse 3…

“verily, verily” or “truly truly”= pay close attention this is new and profound

If first time hearing, we would all have this reaction

Verse 4…

Nico. Background: more focused on learning and keeping the law than learning spiritual truths from God. Blinded by worldly things.

We are also surrounded by worldly things that blind us, social media, politics, news outlets. Stay awake to spiritual things by Bible and prayer

Verse 5…

Jesus gives a very metaphorical and spiritual answer. I am going to decode that

2 things we must do. Good news is opposite sides of same coin.

Baptism doesn’t save you. OT water = spiritual cleansing from God.

Born of water and of the spirit: Ezekiel 36:25-26 “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.”

This is what happens when we become Christians. God cleanses us with spiritual water and He puts a new spirit in us.

Jesus uses this analogy bc Nicodemus was a teacher of OT. Verse 10.

Answer to our question: The way we can be born again is to repent and believe the Gospel

Say you have new heart and new spirit? How does this help your New Year’s resolutions.

2 verses that encapsulate the new birth perfectly is Romans 6:6 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. Romans says “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”. 2 Corinthians says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” I encourage you to plant verses deep in your heart and transform you.

Tim Keller: you didn’t commit those pre Jesus sin, that person died

This year instead of limiting yourselves to worldly New Year’s resolutions. As Gods people, have greater ambitions for the new year by allow Him to come into your heart and change you from the inside out.

Last thing: if there is anyone who doesn’t know Jesus. Hear my plea. We all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Deep down we know this. But “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Confess with your mouth & believe in your heart. You will be saved. No other religious figure can save you and you can’t save yourself by being a good person. The Bible tells us that only God alone is good. I urge you if you don’t know Jesus as your Lord, repent, believe the Gospel and be born again.

Let us pray…

If anyone accepted Jesus into their hearts we would love to pray with you before we leave just grab my wife or I.