MESSAGE 1 — THE FIRST STEP: BORN AGAIN

SERIES: FOLLOWING JESUS

Text: John 3:1–21

WELCOME

Good morning, church!

What a joy it is to be gathered once again in the presence of the Lord.

Grace & Peace of our Lord be with you all!

I want to welcome all the brothers and sisters, the families, and—in a very special way—those visiting us for the first time.

Please accept our warm welcome.

It is our prayer that today you will not merely attend a religious gathering, but have a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ.

Today we begin a new series of messages titled:

FOLLOWING JESUS

Over the past few weeks, we journeyed together through the series:

“SIGNS: More Than Miracles.”

In that series, we learned that the miracles Jesus performed were not merely demonstrations of power.

They were signs.

They pointed to something greater.

Each sign revealed who Jesus is.

When Jesus turned water into wine, we saw that He has the power to completely transform a reality.

When He multiplied the loaves, He revealed that He is the Bread of Life.

When He healed the paralyzed man, He showed that He possesses the authority to restore what is broken.

When He healed the man born blind, He declared that He is the Light of the World.

When He raised Lazarus from the dead, He showed that He is the Resurrection and the Life.

Throughout that series, we were led to answer the question:

Who is Jesus?

But after discovering who Jesus is, a second question arises:

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Because it is possible to know stories about Jesus without walking with Jesus.

It is possible to admire His teachings without obeying His voice. It is possible to believe that Jesus existed without surrendering your life to Him.

It is possible to attend church, sing praises, listen to messages, and yet never truly become a disciple.

Jesus did not call people merely to admire His life/his power.

He called people to follow Him.

And following Jesus is not a commitment just for Sundays.

Following Jesus means walking with Him on Mondays.

At work.

At school.

At university.

At home.

In marriage.

In relationships.

In financial decisions.

In moments of joy.

In days of suffering.

In times of temptation.

In crises.

In our dreams.

Following Jesus is a daily journey.

Throughout this series, we will talk about Jesus’ call—about leaving the nets, taking up the cross, hearing His voice, abiding in Him, serving as He served, and making other disciples.

But before we talk about how to walk with Jesus, we need to answer a fundamental question:

How does this journey begin?

What is a disciple’s first step?

Jesus’ answer is very clear:

“You must be born again.”

INTRODUCTION

Jesus did not come merely to improve the appearance of our old life.

He came to give us a new life.

Now, let’s eavesdrop at a conversation Jesus’s had with a man

Let’s follow along with John 3:1–21.

John 3:1 ESV

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

CONTEXT: WHO WAS NICODEMUS?

Nicodemus was no ordinary man.

He was a Pharisee.

The Pharisees belonged to the most respected religious group in Israel.

They were disciplined men.

They had a deep knowledge of the Law.

They fasted.

They prayed.

They were meticulous in their religious practice.

Nicodemus was also a “leader among the Jews.”

He was a member of the Sanhedrin.

The Sanhedrin was the most important Jewish council.

It was composed of 70 religious leaders who made fundamental decisions for the nation.

This means Nicodemus was respected.

Influential.

Educated.

Religious.

Morally disciplined.

Furthermore, Jesus calls him a “teacher in Israel.”

Nicodemus taught others.

People sought out Nicodemus to ask questions about God.

If someone looked at him, they would likely say:

“This man is surely right with God.”

But something was missing.

He had religion.

But he did not have life of the spiritual realm.

He knew the Scriptures.

But he had not yet been transformed by the God of the Scriptures.

John also tells us that Nicodemus went to seek Jesus at night.

Perhaps he went at that time out of fear.

Perhaps he did not want to be seen by the other leaders.

Perhaps he wished to speak with Jesus in greater privacy.

But in the Gospel of John, night also holds spiritual significance.

Darkness represents unbelief.

Light represents the revelation of Christ.

Nicodemus arrives at night because, despite all his religious knowledge, he was still in spiritual darkness.

Outwardly, he was a respected man.

But inwardly, he still needed light.

First lesson…

I. RELIGION IS NOT ENOUGH

Nicodemus begins the conversation by saying:

John 3:2 ESV

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

He acknowledges that Jesus is a great Rabbi/Teacher.

He acknowledges that Jesus’s signs are extraordinary.

He acknowledges that God is with Jesus.

But he does not yet fully recognize who Jesus is.

Nicodemus admires Jesus.

But he does not yet know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

And here we find a great danger.

It is possible to admire Jesus without belonging to Jesus.

It is possible to speak well of Christ without surrendering one’s life to Christ.

It is possible to acknowledge that His teachings are important without obeying His authority.

It is possible to defend Christian values ​​without being born again.

It is possible to know religion and remain lost.

Nicodemus was religious, but his religion could not produce life.

It could regulate his behavior.

It could control part of his routine.

It could give him a good reputation.

But it could not change his heart.

Religion can alter habits.

Only Jesus transforms one's nature.

Religion can teach a person to hide sin.

Only Jesus can forgive and set one free from sin.

Religion can polish the outside.

Only God can restore the inside.

Imagine an antique clock—very beautiful and valuable.

It is polished.

It shines on the outside.

It is hung on a wall as a showpiece.

But it never tells the correct time.

When a clockmaker opens it, he discovers that the internal mechanism is broken.

It does no good to simply clean the outside.

The problem lies within.

Many people live this way.

On the outside, everything seems fine.

They smile.

They work.

They care for their families.

They attend church.

But inside, they carry guilt, emptiness, fear, bitterness, sin, and a distance from God.

Jesus did not come merely to clean the outside.

He came to transform the heart.

II. JESUS ​​GOES STRAIGHT TO THE REAL PROBLEM

Jesus does not waste time discussing Nicodemus's compliments.

He goes directly to that man's need.

Jesus answers:

John 3:3 ESV

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus was talking about signs.

Jesus speaks about birth.

Nicodemus was talking about knowledge.

Jesus speaks about transformation.

Nicodemus wanted to understand who Jesus was.

Jesus wanted to show what was missing in Nicodemus's heart.

Notice that Jesus does not say:

“Nicodemus, you need to study more.”

That man already studied a great deal.

Jesus does not say:

“You need to be more religious.”

He was already extremely religious.

Jesus does not say:

“You need to improve your reputation.”

His reputation was already good.

Jesus says:

“You need to be born again.”

This statement shatters all self-sufficiency.

Because no one can bring about their own birth.

No one decided to bring about their first birth.

Likewise, no one can manufacture spiritual life.

The new birth is a work of God.

Jesus is saying that the human problem is not merely a lack of information.

It is a lack of life.

Knowing more is not enough.

One must be transformed.

Frequenting the right place is not enough.

One must possess a new heart.

Reforming certain behaviors is not enough.

One must receive a new nature.

III. THE NEW BIRTH IS NOT A REFORMATION; IT IS A MIRACLE

Nicodemus asks:

John 3:4 ESV

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Nicodemus tries to understand a spiritual reality using only human logic.

He thinks of a second physical birth.

Jesus is speaking of a spiritual birth.

Nicodemus was a teacher.

He was accustomed to answering questions.

Now, he finds himself facing a truth he cannot understand.

There are moments when God needs to bring us to the point of acknowledging:

“I can’t do it.”

“I am unable.”

“My strength is not enough.”

“My knowledge is not enough.”

“My religion is not enough.”

And often, grace begins to work when our self-reliance comes to an end.

Perhaps you have tried to change many times.

You said:

“I will never do this again.”

“I will control my temper.”

“I will give up this sin.”

“I will be a better person.”.”

For a time, you may have managed to control certain behaviors.

But then, the old patterns returned.

Why?

Because no one can produce a new nature through willpower alone.

Imagine a tree that bears bitter fruit.

You pluck off all that fruit.

For a while, the tree seems better.

But in the next season, it produces the same fruit.

Because the problem wasn't just in the fruit.

It was in the root.

We try to pluck off the fruits of sin.

Lying.

Pride.

Envy.

Impurity.

Anger.

Selfishness.

Bitterness.

But Jesus shows that the problem begins in the heart.

As long as the root remains unchanged, the same fruit will keep appearing.

That is why Jesus didn't come merely to pluck off some bad fruit.

He came to transform the root.

IV. THE NEW BIRTH IS A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus continues

John 3:5–6 ESV

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

When Jesus speaks of water and the Spirit, He is likely pointing to the promise in Ezekiel 36.

God had promised:

“I will sprinkle clean water on you… I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”

Water represents purification.

The Spirit represents transformation and new life.

Jesus is telling Nicodemus:

“The promise announced by the prophets is being fulfilled.”

God doesn't just want to clean up certain behaviors.

He wants to give a new heart.

Salvation is not spiritual makeup.

It is spiritual transformation.

It is not God improving the old creature.

It is God forming a new creature.

Paul writes:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Jesus also declares:

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh.”

Human nature produces only that which belongs to human nature.

Flesh cannot produce Spirit.

Religion cannot produce life.

Human effort cannot produce salvation.

We can educate a person.

We can discipline them.

We can teach good manners.

We can help them change certain habits.

But only the Holy Spirit can change the heart.

That is the great difference between religion and the Gospel.

Religion says:

“Do all this to try to reach God.”

The Gospel says:

“God came to you.”

Religion says:

“Climb up through your own efforts.”

The Gospel says:

“Jesus came down to get us.”

Religion changes the outside.

The Gospel transforms the inside.

Religion presents a list.

Jesus offers life.

Religion says:

“Obey in order to be accepted.”

The Gospel says:

“In Christ, you are received by grace and transformed to obey.”

Good works are important.

But they do not save us.

They are a consequence of salvation, not the cause.

A tree does not produce fruit in order to become a tree.

It produces fruit because it already possesses life.

Likewise, we do not perform good works to buy salvation.

We perform good works because we have been reached by grace.

V. THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT CAN BE SEEN IN ITS RESULTS

Jesus says:

John 3:8 ESV

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus uses the image of the wind.

We cannot see the wind directly.

But we see its effects.

We see the branches moving.

We see the leaves being carried along.

We feel the wind touching our faces.

In the same way, we do not see the Holy Spirit with physical eyes.

But we see the results of His work.

We see a hardened heart being broken.

We see someone overcome by guilt finding forgiveness.

We see a selfish person begin to serve.

We see someone who loved sin begin to fight against sin.

We see a marriage being restored.

We see a bitter person learning to forgive.

We see someone dominated by fear experiencing God’s peace.

We see a life without direction finding purpose.

The work of the Spirit is invisible.

But its fruit cannot remain hidden.

How can we know if we are born again?

It is not because we have become perfect.

The new birth does not produce instant perfection.

But it produces a new direction.

Those who are born again begin to love what they once despised.

They begin to desire God’s Word.

They begin to feel sorrow over sin.

They begin to seek fellowship with God.

They begin to learn to forgive.

They begin to grow in love.

They begin to desire obedience.

A baby is not born an adult.

But, if alive and healthy, the baby begins to grow.

Likewise, a new convert is not born spiritually mature.

But those who are born again do not remain exactly as they were.

There is growth.

There is transformation.

There is a journey.

VI. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE DOES NOT REPLACE AN EXPERIENCE WITH GOD

Nicodemus asks:

John 3:9–10 ESV

Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

Jesus is challenging Nicodemus reliance on religious knowledge.

Nicodemus knew many truths about God.

But he had not yet experienced the life of God.

There is a vast difference between knowing the Bible and knowing the God of the Bible.

We can memorize verses and remain distant from Christ.

We can teach others and never allow the Word to transform our hearts.

We can know how to explain the Gospel and never personally respond to the Gospel.

Imagine a man who has worked at an airport for many years.

He knows all the gates.

He knows the flight schedules.

He knows the planes.

He knows the pilots.

He helps passengers find their way.

But he has never boarded a plane.

He knows everything about travel, yet has never traveled.

Some people live this way spiritually.

They know the language.

They know the hymns.

They know the worship services.

They know the doctrines.

They might even help others.

But they have never taken the personal step of faith.

They have never fully surrendered their lives to Christ.

Nicodemus knew many answers.

But he still needed to know the One who *is* the answer.

VII. THE NEW BIRTH IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE CROSS

Jesus says:

John 3:12–13 ESV

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

The message is clear:

We cannot ascend to God.

Therefore, God came down to us.

That is the beauty of the Gospel.

Religions present paths by which man attempts to reach God.

The Gospel proclaims that God came to seek out humanity.

Jesus then helps Nicodemus understand by reminding him of a story from the Old Testament:

John 3:14 ESV

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

John 3:15 ESV

that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Nicodemus knew this story very well… Numbers 21:4–9

Numbers 21:4–9 ESV

From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Healing did not depend on the person's merit.

It did not depend on good works.

It did not depend on payment.

It did not depend on knowledge.

It depended on trusting in God's provision.

Jesus tells Nicodemus:

“That serpent pointed to Me.”

Just as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, Jesus would be lifted up on the cross.

Just as the people looked and lived, everyone who looks to Christ with faith receives eternal life.

Up to this point, Nicodemus might have been thinking:

“What do I need to do?”

But Jesus changes the question.

The central issue is not what you can do to save yourself.

The issue is what Christ has done for you.

On the cross, Jesus received the condemnation that was ours.

He bore the sin that separated us from God.

He died in our place.

He opened the way for us to receive life.

There is no new birth without the cross.

There is no salvation without Christ.

There is no true discipleship without the Gospel.

Before following Jesus’ example, we need to trust in Jesus’ work.

VIII. GOD’S LOVE OFFERS ETERNAL LIFE

Then we come to the best-known verse in the Bible:

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Observe each part.

“For God…”

Salvation begins with God.

It was He who took the initiative.

We did not love Him first.

He loved us first.

… God “Loved…”

God did not merely feel pity.

He loved.

A love that acts.

A love that seeks.

A love that gives.

A love that sacrifices.

“The world…”

Not just good people.

Not just religious people.

Not just those who seem to deserve it.

God loved sinners.

Broken people.

Guilty people.

Distant people.

People like us.

“So…”

God demonstrated His love in a concrete way.

“Gave His only begotten Son…”

God’s love has a face.

It has a name.

Jesus Christ.

On the cross, God did not just speak about love.

He demonstrated His love.

Paul says:

“God demonstrates His own love for us in that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.”

Imagine a firefighter entering a build...ablaze.

Everyone is running out.

But he runs in.

He knows the danger.

But he knows there is someone who needs to be saved.

Now imagine he lays down his own life to save a child.

That would be an extraordinary demonstration of love.

But Jesus did even more.

He voluntarily laid down His life for sinners who were not seeking Him.

He did not die for perfect people.

He died for us.

IX. FACED WITH THE LIGHT, EVERYONE MUST MAKE A DECISION

Jesus continues:

John 3:17 ESV

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Jesus came on a mission of salvation.

He came to seek.

To forgive.

To restore.

To give life.

But Jesus also issues a warning:

John 3:18 ESV

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Condemnation does not happen because a person

Stole, killed, lied, committed sexual immorality, or betrayed... and God refused to save them.

Condemnation happens because many people refuse the Savior.

Imagine a doctor offering the only medicine capable of curing a fatal disease.

The medicine is available.

It has been paid for.

It is being offered.

But the person refuses to receive it.

The problem does not lie with the doctor.

It does not lie with the medicine.

It lies in the refusal.

God offers salvation in Christ.

But it is necessary to respond with faith.

Jesus says:

John 3:19 ESV

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

The human problem is not merely a lack of knowledge, it is mainly misplaced love.

It is that we often love our darkness.

We like our sin more than the Savior.

We like to hide our sins. We like living without having to answer to God.

The light of Christ reveals what we try to hide.

But the same light that reveals also heals.

The same light that confronts also forgives.

The same light that exposes sin also reveals the Savior.

Some flee from the light.

Others run toward the light.

X. THE NEW BIRTH CHANGES THE WAY WE LIVE

Being born again is not just having an emotional experience during a service.

It is not just raising your hand.

It is not just repeating words.

It is not just feeling something intense.

The new birth produces a new life.

This does not mean the person will never face struggles again.

It does not mean they will never sin again.

It does not mean they will become perfect.

But it means their relationship with sin changes.

Before, they sinned and justified it.

Now, they sin and feel sorrow.

Before, they hid from God.

Now, they desire to return to God.

Before, they lived only for themselves.

Now, they begin to ask:

“Lord, how can I live for Your glory?”

The new birth changes desires.

It changes priorities.

It changes relationships.

It changes choices.

It changes one's view of the future.

We are transformed to begin a new journey.

Conclusion & Applications

1. Do not confuse religion with the new birth

Nicodemus was religious.

He knew the Bible.

He had a good reputation.

But Jesus said:

“You must be born again.”

Attending church is important, but it is not the same as being born again.

Being baptized is important, but it does not replace the new birth.

Growing up in a Christian family is a blessing, but it does not automatically save you.

No one enters the Kingdom of God through their parents' faith.

No one is saved because they try to be a good person.

Salvation is personal.

The question is not:

“How long have you been attending church?” The question is:

“Have you been born again?”

2. Stop trying to fix on your own what only God can transform

Perhaps you are tired of trying to change.

Tired of making promises.

Tired of hiding your struggles.

Tired of appearing strong.

Jesus isn’t saying:

“Try a little harder.”

He is saying:

“Come to Me.”

There are chains that human discipline cannot break.

There are wounds that time alone cannot heal.

There are sins that willpower cannot overcome.

You need grace.

You need the Holy Spirit.

You need a new life.

Imagine someone trying to push a car with no fuel.

The person exerts effort.

Gets tired.

Maybe manages to move it a few meters.

But won't be able to keep going for long.

Many people are pushing their own lives along.

Pushing their marriage.

Pushing their faith.

Pushing a religious appearance.

But they are empty inside.

The Holy Spirit didn’t come just to help you push your old life.

He came to place a new source of life within you.

3. Those who are born again need to walk in the light

Perhaps there is something hidden in your life.

A secret habit.

An old hurt.

A lie.

An addiction.

A relationship that doesn’t please God.

A sin you are protecting.

Jesus invites you into the light.

The light doesn’t reveal in order to destroy.

It reveals in order to heal.

Freedom begins when we stop hiding and start confessing.

4. The new birth is the beginning, not the end

A baby needs to grow.

Needs to be fed.

Needs to learn.

Likewise, those who are born again need to grow spiritually

You need the Word.

You need prayer.

You need church fellowship.

You need to learn to serve.

You need to mature.

You might say:

“I accepted Jesus many years ago.”

But are you growing?

Is your character becoming more like Christ’s?

Can your family see Jesus in you?

Do your coworkers notice a difference?

The new birth is the beginning of the journey.

That is why this series is called:

Following Jesus.

The Christian life is not just a decision made in the past.

It is a journey lived in the present.

WHAT HAPPENED TO NICODEMUS?

John does not record an immediate response from Nicodemus in that conversation.

But he appears two other times in the Gospel.

In John 7, when the leaders wanted to condemn Jesus, Nicodemus questioned that injustice.

He still seemed cautious.

But he was no longer completely silent.

Later, in John 19, after Jesus’ crucifixion, Nicodemus appeared publicly.

He brought spices to prepare Christ’s body for burial.

The man who began by seeking Jesus at night ended up identifying himself with Him before everyone.

God works with real people.

Some respond immediately.

Others grow step by step.

But whoever truly encounters Jesus does not remain the same person.

(All standing…)

Closing

Jesus did not say to Nicodemus:

“You need a new religion.”

He did not say:

“You just need a new opportunity.”

He did not say:

“You need to improve your reputation.”

Jesus said:

“You must be born again.”

Because the greatest problem of human beings lies not only in what we do.

It lies in who we are apart from God.

Sin did not merely damage our behavior.

Sin brought spiritual death.

That is why we do not just need advice.

We need life.

We do not just need information.

We need transformation.

We do not just need an example. We need a Savior.

And the good news is that Jesus came.

He came down from heaven.

He was lifted up on the cross.

He bore our sins.

He died in our place.

He rose again.

And He offers eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.

God loved.

God gave.

Jesus died.

Jesus rose again.

Now, you need to respond.

Evangelistic Appeal

I want to ask everyone to close their eyes for a few moments.

Do not think about anyone else.

Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.

Perhaps you identify with Nicodemus.

You know about religion.

You know the church.

You know Bible stories.

But deep down, you know you have not yet experienced a true transformation.

Perhaps you are tired.

There is an emptiness.

There is guilt.

There is fear.

There is a distance between you and God.

Today, Jesus is saying:

“You need to be born again.”

Perhaps you think:

“I have made many mistakes.”

God’s love is greater than your past.

Perhaps you say:

“I have drifted too far away.”

God’s grace can reach you right where you are.

Perhaps you think:

“I don’t know much about the Bible.”

You don’t need to know everything to come to Jesus.

You need to recognize that you need Him.

Salvation is not a reward for perfect people.

It is a gift offered to repentant sinners.

Jesus is not asking you to fix your life before coming.

He is inviting you to come so that He can transform your life.

Do not say:

“Another day.”

Do not say:

“When I am better.”

There is no better time than now.

If you wish to surrender your life to Jesus…

If you wish to receive forgiveness for your sins…

If you wish to be born again…

Respond to the Lord’s call.

Raise your hand right where you are. And, as we sing, come forward.

Do not be ashamed.

Nicodemus began by going to Jesus at night.

But the moment came when he needed to publicly identify with Christ.

Today could be the day that changes your story.

Come to the light.

Come to grace.

Come to Jesus.

APPEAL TO THE CHURCH

I also want to speak to those who have already surrendered their lives to Jesus.

Perhaps you were born again but stopped growing.

Your faith has grown cold.

Your prayer life has weakened.

The Bible has remained closed.

Sin has begun to take up space again.

You remain in the church, but you are not walking as closely with Jesus.

Today, the Lord calls you back.

Not to be born again a second time.

But to renew your fellowship.

To return to your first love.

To step out of the darkness.

To allow the Holy Spirit to continue working in your life.

Perhaps your prayer today needs to be:

“Lord, renew me.”

“Restore my fellowship.”

“Rekindle my passion.”

“Teach me to truly follow Jesus.”

PRAYER

Lord our God and Father,

Thank You for Your Word.

Thank You for not leaving us trapped in our old nature.

Thank You that, in Christ, there is forgiveness, transformation, and a new life.

We acknowledge that we cannot transform our own hearts.

We cannot save ourselves.

Our works, our religion, and our efforts are insufficient.

We need Your grace.

We need Your Spirit.

Lord, break down every hardness of heart.

Remove every mask.

Bring to light what needs to be confessed...Heals wounds.

Sets the captives free.

Restores those who have wandered away.

Brings life to those who are still spiritually dead.

I pray for those responding to the Gospel today.

May they recognize their sins, trust in Jesus, and receive eternal life.

May today be the day of new birth.

May today mark the beginning of a new story.

And I pray for Your church.

May we not merely be religious people.

May we be men and women transformed by grace.

People who love Your Word.

Who walk in the light.

Who reflect Jesus at home, at work, at school, and everywhere else.

May this series produce in us a faith that is true, practical, and persevering.

Help us to follow Jesus every day.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

TRANSITION TO THE NEXT MESSAGE

Today we learned where the journey begins.

Before following Jesus, we need to be born again.

Before we try to change the outside, God needs to transform the inside.

But now a new question arises:

After receiving new life, what is the next step?

In the next message, we will see Jesus walking by the Sea of ​​Galilee.

He will encounter ordinary men.

Men at work.

Busy men.

Men with responsibilities, plans, and nets in their hands.

And Jesus will say:

“Follow Me.”

They will have to decide whether to stay where they are or walk with Christ.

Because the new birth is the beginning.

But a new life always leads us in a new direction.

In the next message of the series, we will talk about:

JESUS’ INVITATION

Jesus does not call perfect people; He calls willing people.

During this week, carry this question in your heart:

“Do I merely believe in Jesus, or am I truly willing to follow Him?”

May God give us the courage to respond to Christ’s call.

Amen.