You Must Be Born Again (Part 2)
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Introduction
Introduction
Please turn in your Bibles to . Two weeks ago, I spoke about Nicodemus and the need for him to be born again. We will continue in our study in that passage. You may remember that in theology, born again is connected to the doctrine of regeneration. Regeneration is a doctrine that teaches that a person experiences spiritual transformation only and solely by the work of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual transformation brings the person from being spiritually dead to becoming spiritually alive. Regeneration is another way of speaking about the new (spiritual) birth, the second birth or being born again.
Nicodemus approached Jesus, and he addresses him as Rabbi and he recognized that Jesus is a teacher who has come from God. In other words, Nicodemus sees that Jesus is no ordinary teacher because He demonstrated His sign at the wedding and His authority in the cleansing of the temple. Although Nicodemus may have wanted to know who Jesus was, he was just a man who can never ascertain the heavenly things. Therefore, Jesus tells Nicodemus that “unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Again, if you were not with us two weeks ago, Jesus responds to Nicodemus in that way because Nicodemus only thought of Jesus as a teacher from God, not a prophet or the Messiah. Nicodemus in his sinful and dark state cannot truly assess who Jesus is.
And Jesus would not allow Nicodemus to make a conjecture of Him. Jesus is not simply a Rabbi or a Teacher. He is the Son of God, and He deserves to be glorified and worshipped. Therefore, Nicodemus needs to be born again if he wants to see or enter the kingdom of God. Let’s read , and we’ll pick up where we left off and we will consider verses 4-8 for today’s message. READ.
In verse 4, we notice that Nicodemus responded with questions because in verse 3, Christ’s statement sounds absurd and impossible from his perspective.
“Jesus, what are you talking about? What do you mean? How can I as an old man go back to my mother’s womb? I was born many number of years ago. I am a senior in my life at this moment. How could you tell me to be born a second time?”
Some commentators, like MacArthur, suggest that Nicodemus would have understood Jesus’ teachings. In other words, Jesus used a rabbinical method of using figures of speech to teach truths, and Nicodemus would have picked up on that method. Nicodemus would have understood that Jesus requires transformation in him. And right now, Nicodemus cannot imagine himself going back to start a new life now that he’s an old man who maintained the Jewish heritage and have firmly established his teachings for all his life.
But, I think Nicodemus’ response should be interpreted and read naturally without any inference or “reading between the lines.” From the natural reading of this text, it seems reasonable to see Nicodemus as misunderstanding Jesus’ statement.
Parentheses (I hope I don’t get stoned or called a heretic for disagreeing with John MacArthur). While I respect MacArthur and other commentators, I think their interpretation misses the point of what the Apostle John is trying to communicate to his readers in the wider context of the Gospel.
I think Nicodemus’ response should be interpreted and read naturally. From the natural reading of this text, it seems reasonable to see Nicodemus as misunderstanding Jesus’ statement. He was interpreting Jesus’ statement literally because he took the word “again” to mean being born a second time. That is why he may have viewed Jesus’ statement as absurd and ridiculous. Certainly, it is impossible for an old man to be born the second time.
Misunderstanding Jesus’ statement is very common in the gospel of John. Misunderstanding means failing to interpret or understand something correctly. Jesus often spoke in figurative speech to his audience, but his audience took his speech and interpret it literally. Let me give you three examples.
Misunderstanding Jesus’ statement is somewhat common in the gospel of John. Misunderstanding means failing to interpret or understand something correctly. Jesus often spoke in figurative speech to his audience, but his audience take his speech and interpret it literally. Let me give you two examples.
For instance, I want to READ .
For instance, I want to READ . We see a conversation between Jesus and the Jews. Jesus is going to destroy this temple and in three days, He will raise it up. The Jews, on the other hand, took his statement literally. They thought Jesus would try to physically rebuild the temple in three days. But, the author provides a commentary on what Jesus meant. And the temple that Jesus was referring to was His body.
We see a conversation between Jesus and the Jews. Jesus is going to destroy this temple and in three days, He will raise it up. The Jews, on the other hand, took his statement literally. They thought Jesus would try to physically rebuild the temple in three days. But, the author provides a commentary on what Jesus meant. And the temple that Jesus was referring to was His body.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
We see a conversation between Jesus and the Jews. Jesus is going to destroy this temple and in three days, He will raise it up. The Jews, on the other hand, took his statement literally. They thought Jesus would try to physically rebuild the temple in three days. But, the author provides a commentary on what Jesus meant. And the temple that Jesus was referring to was His body.
Furthermore, remember the Samaritan woman in . Jesus, in figurative speech, tells the Samaritan woman about the living water, but she interpreted it literally. READ .
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”
The truth is, Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers in , but you want read and study it at your own time.
And finally, in , Jesus tells the Jews about true liberty, but the Jews thought Jesus was speaking about physical slavery.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
The truth is, Jesus was not speaking about physical slavery; rather, He was teaching about slavery to sin.
There are more examples in the gospel of John where people often misunderstand Jesus and His teaching. And there is a reason why John includes these misunderstandings into his gospel.
He was interpreting Jesus’ statement literally because he took the word “again” to mean being born a second time. That is why he may have viewed Jesus’ statement as absurd and ridiculous. Certainly, it is impossible for an old man to be born the second time.
[31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [33] They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
You may remember John’s purpose for writing this gospel. READ .
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
What John wants to do with the misunderstandings of Jesus’ audience is to help the readers, like us, see what the original participants failed to see. In other words, John is telling the readers this: “Here are the examples of people who failed to understand and believe in Jesus; and I purposely included them in my gospel because I do not want you to follow in their footsteps. Through my testimony of Jesus’ life and my commentary to His teachings, I want you to believe in or I want to confirm with you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”
[34] Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. (ESV)
“In trying to bring the reader to belief or to confirm the reader’s belief, John leads the reader to see what the original participants did not see, and thus to reject their lack of insight, to understand what they did not understand, and to believe what they did not believe.”
Many people including churches around the world misunderstand the teachings of Jesus. Some think that Jesus came to the world only to save people so that they could live in health, wealth, and prosperity. Believe in Jesus and you might get a BMW or the money in your bank account would increase. Some think that Jesus love them so much that He does tolerates their sinful lifestyle. Simply believe in Jesus and you’re saved...you don’t have to obey Him and submit to His Lordship.
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
Some cults think Jesus was only a man, a created being, and He’s not God. Ligonier Ministries, a ministry led by R.C Sproul for many years before he passed away last year, released this document known as the state of theology. It surveys American evangelicals about their view of God, Jesus, morality, etc. Almost 78% of evangelicals think Jesus was a created being. Listen, if you think Jesus was only a man and not God, which by the way is blatant heresy, you might not be saved.
Listen, if you think Jesus is only a man and not God, which by the way,
So, I encourage you to read and study the Bible regularly. Know your doctrines/theology and don’t misunderstand the teachings of Scripture. If there are passages or verses you do not understand, then read good commentaries. Go for the MacArthur study Bible or the ESV study Bible. Make every effort to understand the Word of God accurately. As we just discussed, take the time to read through the gospel of John again and take notice of people who misunderstood Jesus.
But getting back to Nicodemus...
Of course, sometimes, Jesus does respond to people’s misunderstanding. In Nicodemus’ case, although he misunderstands Jesus, Christ would now explain in detail what He means by being born again. Look at verses 5 - 8. READ.
take the time to read through the gospel of John again and take notice of people who misunderstood Jesus. getting back to Nicodemus...
In these few passages, Jesus is giving Nicodemus three lessons: (1) The New Birth Is The Work Of The Holy Spirit; (2) The New Birth Is Not Accomplished By Human Will; (3) The New Birth Is Required For Entrance Into The Kingdom of God.
He was interpreting Jesus’ statement literally because he took the word “again” to mean being born a second time. That is why he may have viewed Jesus’ statement as absurd and ridiculous. Certainly, it is impossible for an old man to be born the second time.
1. The New Birth Is The Work Of The Holy Spirit
1. The New Birth Is The Work Of The Holy Spirit
We look at verse 5 and we notice that Jesus says, “truly, truly, I say to you.” Jesus said the same phrase back in verse 3, and He will use that same phrase in verse 11. It is simply another way of saying, “Nicodemus, I am going to tell you the TRUE TRUTH. I’m going to tell you nothing but the truth. The truth that I am telling you is not subjective truth, it is not cultural truth, but it is an objective truth that is true reality and it is ultimately from God the Father. This a solemn declaration, no exception whatsoever. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Jesus is essentially saying the same thing back in verse 3, but He’s being more specific. And this is the verse where we should not misinterpret what Jesus is saying. Jesus is not talking about water baptism, as Roman Catholics would wrongly interpret. If He did, then He would have continued to talk about idea of water for the rest of the passage, but He doesn’t. He is not talking about physical baptism that grants you salvation. So, what does Jesus mean to be born of water and the Spirit?
Jesus is using two words to explain one essential meaning: regeneration. The meaning is clearly spelled out in verses 6 and 8. He is talking about the New Birth asaccomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit. Water symbolizes the cleansing or purification by the Holy Spirit. For anyone who wants to be saved, they need to be spiritually cleansed from their spiritual uncleanliness.
Water represents the cleansing or purification by the Holy Spirit. For anyone who wants to be saved, they need to be spiritually cleansed from their spiritual uncleanliness.
We won’t do further exposition, but later on in verses 9-10, Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus said. And Jesus rebukes him because Nicodemus, as the teacher of Israel, does not even understand these things? “Nicodemus, you’re the theologian of the Old Testament, you’re the best teacher and yet you don’t know what I’m saying to you is found in the Old Testament?”
So, verse 5 should not be something that Nicodemus doesn’t know because Jesus teaches him from the Old Testament. And I think Jesus had in mind.
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Before you can understand and appreciate the passage that I read in Ezekiel, some context would help. In the book of Exodus, God rescued His people, the Israelites, from Egyptian slavery. After rescuing them and bringing them to Mount Sinai, God made a covenant with His people.
A covenant is a solemn agreement or promise by which two or more parties commit themselves to the rights and responsibilities demanded by their relationship and their agreed course of action, and accept the serious consequences of breaking faith. In weddings, you see a man and a woman making a marriage covenant.
In Mount Sinai, God made a Mosaic Covenant with His people. Because of God’s faithful commitment in rescuing and redeeming His people, Israel is required to respond to God’s grace by living in holiness and obedience to the law. The covenant was simple: if Israel walks in faithfulness in this covenant, then God will bless them; if Israel breaks covenant by disobedience, then God will curse them.
Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
the newly-redeemed Israel as his own special people. Israel’s required response to the grace of God in election was to be holiness and obedience to the law.
Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
As you know the story of the Old Testament, Israel broke covenant with God, and God eventually exiles His people out of the promise land. The law that God has given to His people was good, but the law did not transform their hearts. Therefore, God would make a New Covenant with His people through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
God is going to make a New Covenant with His people.
In the context of Ezekiel, God promised Ezekiel that there will be a restoration of God’s people whereby He would cleanse His people from all impurity and He will transform them by giving them a new heart. All those are done by the giving of the Holy Spirit. God will remove their heart of stone that is stubborn, arrogant, and unresponsive, and He will give them a heart of flesh that is responsive and hungering for God. Such transformation results in the new birth, or the new nature, or the new creation. By the giving of the Holy Spirit, God will cause His people to obey and love Him. Therefore, to be born of the water and the Spirit is to be cleansed and transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, to be born of the water and the Spirit is to be cleansed and transformed by the Holy Spirit.
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
In , Jesus says that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. It is only the Holy Spirit who can produce true spiritual life. It is only the Holy Spirit who can regenerate your spiritual deadness. It is only the Holy Spirit who can cause the new birth. Therefore, unless the Holy Spirit regenerates you and causes you to be born again, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.
A “heart of stone” is stubborn and self-willed. A “heart of flesh” is pliable and responsive. The evil inclination is removed and a new nature replaces it.
As you can see from , water and Spirit are speaking of rege
Scripture articulates the kingdom of God in different ways, but the kingdom of God is not equivalent to the church. The kingdom of God is sometimes described as the universal kingdom whereby God has absolute sovereignty over the universe. There is not a part in this universe whereby God does not have dominion and reign over it.
The kingdom of God is sometimes described as God’s rule on earth, which refers to the recognition of the authority of God. It is the spiritual realm whereby Jesus ushered His kingdom by His signs/miracles and through His teachings, and the audience recognize Jesus as one who had authority.
The kingdom of God is sometimes described as the spiritual kingdom and can only be entered upon the new birth. Jesus spoke about His kingdom in . The Apostle Paul picks up on that thought in , which says:
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
In other words, Nicodemus needs to be born again if he wants to enter into the kingdom of God, the spiritual kingdom, or entering into eternal life.
And the kingdom of God that Jesus was referring to was the spiritual kingdom. In , Jesus talks about his kingdom to Pilate.
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
The New Birth Is Not Accomplished By Human Will
2. The New Birth Is Not Accomplished By Human Will
2. The New Birth Is Not Accomplished By Human Will
My second point is supported by verse 6, where it says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” The word, “flesh,” carries many definitions. It could mean the material, such as the meat, that covers the bones of a human. In Paul’s letters, sometimes flesh is defined as dominated by sin. But, I think the best way to look at flesh is the human body in this context. It makes sense right?
Only humans between a man and woman, through sexual union, can produce a human life. You just need two human bodies to create one human body. Or two human beings to create one human being.
Furthermore, I would need to take you back to because it helps us understand verse 6 better. READ is actually John’s prologue to his gospel. And verses 12-13 introduces the theme of the new birth, and verse 13 is a series of negations that make the same point as .
The first negation is born not of blood. This is speaking of blood relationship. It is talking about the physical or natural descent. John is saying that heritage, ethnicity, and nationality cannot add to your new birth. Nicodemus needs to hear that even though he as a Jew is descended physically or biologically from Abraham, he is not a child of Abraham if he fails to imitate the same faith that Abraham did. This would have been so offensive to the Jews.
The second negation is born not of the will of the flesh. As I mentioned, sexual union between a man and a woman does not add to the new birth. And I would make an application for those who are born in a Christian family. Don’t immediately assume that just because your parents are believers, or you grew up in the church, or you went to Christian schools would automatically add to your spiritual birth.
Personal efforts, following good morals, attending a religious system, and good deeds also cannot add to your spiritual birth.
The third negation is born not of the will of man. The word, “man,” could also be translated as husband. There could be a nuance to the Greek: “will of man” or “will of a husband.” It could be because the husband takes the lead in sexual matters. We could look at it another way, and that is relying on someone else to give us the new birth. Roman Catholics get it wrong when sinners rely on priests to have their sins forgiven. Evangelical Christians get it wrong when sinners rely on altar calls and sinner’s prayer to have their sins forgiven.
It could also be that human decision or will does not add to your spiritual birth. Now, this may cause a controversy among some Christians. If you adhere to the Reformed understanding of salvation, or if you are Calvinist, or if you believe in the doctrines of grace, then this may not be difficult for you to understand. But, for folks who are not Reformed or have no idea what I’m talking about, that’s okay!
When it comes to human will, we often end up talking about “free will.” You may say, “Well, do I not have free will to make my decision to believe in Christ?”
Yes, you may have “free will” to make decisions, but your “free will” is to always reject Christ because of your sinfulness and total depravity. makes it clear:
no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
And unless God does His supernatural work in a sinful and depraved heart, that sinner would never truly repent and believe in Christ.
Quite simply, the reason why you are able to place your faith in Christ is because faith in of itself is a gift of God.
says:
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
The word, “granted,” means freely given to you by God. Not only did God freely given you the gift to suffer for Christ’s sake, but He has also freely given you the faith to believe in Him.
Also, the reason why you are able to place your faith in Christ is because the Holy Spirit did a supernatural and mysterious work in your heart when you heard the preaching of the gospel and God’s Word.
says:
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
The phrase “he brought us forth” is the same figurative language for the new birth. Of whose will are we brought forth? It is definitely not our will, but the Father’s will in light of context. And the “us” mentioned here is specifically God’s redeemed people. And how did the Father bring us forth of His own will? By the word of truth. God’s Word. God regenerates sinners through the power of His Word. It could either be listening to the preaching of God’s Word or the Gospel, and the reading and studying of His Word.
So, even as you are sitting this morning as a non-believer, I trust that the Lord could be doing His work in your heart. Even if I were to preach the Word of God filled with sinners at Roger’s Arena, my hope and my desire is that everyone would be regenerated and saved. But, it is not within my will for that to happen because I know the Parable of the Sower in . The word could land on the road, rocky soil, thorny soil, or the good soil.
To elaborate my point, the New Birth is the work of the Holy Spirit, and the New Birth is ALSO accomplished by the will of the Holy Spirit. Go back to . READ.
John seems to be comparing the wind with the spirit to explain the physical and spiritual reality of not seeing and knowing the natural and supernatural workings.
John describes one thing about the wind: it blows where it wishes. The word “blows” means “air moving in relatively rapid movement, but without specification as to the force of the movement.” From a human sense, we can hear the sound of the wind. We can also see the effect of the wind: blowing on the grass and trees. We can evidently see the effect of the wind, but we ultimately cannot control the wind.
Similarly, we can see the effect of the Holy Spirit in causing someone to be born again. D.A Carson comments, “Where the Spirit works, the effects are undeniable and unmistakable.” What are the effects of the Spirit’s work? I’m going to read some passages from 1 John. While I read, ask yourself this question: How can you know if you are truly born again? You can tell by the fruit that you show in your life.
Let God speak to you through 1 John if you are not understanding what I’m saying:
If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
:
Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
But, the point of the analogy is that human beings cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit. The origin of the new birth is not found in human decision or human will (). The work of regeneration is solely and monergistically the work of God in renewing the hearts of men. Such notion is found in . Again, says that it is God who cause us to be born again. In , it is God who makes a person alive. talks about God’s spirit coming upon the valley of dry bones and the dry bones came alive and God’s people come to life.
:
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
:
How does your life square with the passages that I just read? You need to examine yourself and see whether if you’re in the faith. Are you growing as a Christian? Are there fruits in your lives that are evident? Are you growing in your love for the Lord and for His Word? Do you genuinely love your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you putting sin to death?
There should be an undeniable evidence that a born-again Christian is radically different from the world. There should be an undeniable evidence that a born-again Christian has a growing love for the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and a growing hatred for sin and worldliness. That is the effect and work of the Holy Spirit in a regenerate person.
The point of the wind analogy is that human beings cannot control the work of the Holy Spirit. The origin of the new birth is not found in human decision or human will (). The work of regeneration is only the work of God in renewing the hearts of men. Again, says that it is God who cause us to be born again. In , it is God who makes a person alive. talks about God’s spirit coming upon the valley of dry bones and the dry bones came alive and God’s people are born again. We cannot force or command the Holy Spirit because He’s God and we’re not, but we can certainly intercede through prayer and leave the work of salvation up to God because He is the Saviour.
Therefore, salvation is ultimately the work of God. Salvation is all of God’s grace from beginning and end. Grace is His unmerited favour towards sinners. It is God’s free gift of salvation to those who believe. God saves His people not for our glory, but ultimately for His glory alone.
resurrection.
3. The New Birth Is Required For Entrance Into the Kingdom Of God
3. The New Birth Is Required For Entrance Into the Kingdom Of God
READ .
Jesus deserves much reverence than simply being called a Rabbi or a teacher. He is the Son of God, the God of the universe, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the Messiah who would save. Therefore, for Nicodemus to understand, see, or enter the kingdom of God, he needs to be born again. He needs to experience the new birth.
Jesus says this to Nicodemus, “Don’t be surprise. Don’t be astonished.” Why? Nicodemus, you should about this truth. It’s in the Old Testament. You must be born again. And by the way, that “you” is plural. So, Jesus must be speaking to Nicodemus, to the Jews, to the rulers of the Jews, to the nation of Israel, but not for them only…but also for the entire human race like us. In other words, if you’re not in Christ, then Jesus is speaking to YOU. You Must Be Born Again if you want to have eternal life. Remember, John wrote this story to his reader so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
Is the Holy Spirit doing a supernatural work in your heart this morning? Is He convicting you of sin and calling you to repentance? Are you encouraged or comforted that salvation is all of God’s grace? If you’re not a believer, then beg God and cry out to Him until He saves you. Our God is a saving God.
If you are a believer, then let me challenge you to continue to preach the gospel, walk in holiness, call people out of darkness, and tell them that unless they’re born again, they cannot enter the kingdom of God. Let’s pray.
NOTE:
NOTE:
By grace, God predestines salvation for His people. By grace, God unconditionally elects/chooses those to be saved. By grace, Jesus purchases the salvation of His people through His death and resurrection. By grace, God uses his messengers to offer us the gift of salvation. By grace, God sovereignly draws or calls a sinner to salvation. By grace, God sovereignly regenerates us to be spiritually alive. By grace, God grants us faith so that in faith, we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour. By grace, God justifies us and adopts us into His family.