Be Born Again

Salvation seems like such an elementary principle. Salvation means the difference between eternal hellfire or eternal blessedness. So it is not a topic to be ignored. Also if it is so simple when is the last time you talked to someone about salvation? have you ever.

When Night Time Comes

How many of us get down in the dumps when night time comes? How many of us ponder the deep things of life when darkness comes? Or does shame sometimes control your actions? When we read this passage I think it is important to pay attention to a detail in verse 2. What time did Nicodemus come to Jesus? Night.

When we get put in a position where our backs are against the wall. It can make us come to terms with our mortality. Our fragility. No matter who you are at some point you come to that point in life. In that moment you gonna search for answers or ways to ignore. Regardless of Nicodemus’ reasoning when night time came he had to go search for answers. He could not sleep without answers.

When night time comes in your life don’t run to all these wrong places. Do like Nick and run to Jesus seeking answers. Go open your Bible, send me a text or call to talk about your Bible questions. You tired of being alone? You tried of being out of peace? You tired of feeling hopeless? Run to the cross. Tonight we are gonna talk about what this passage teaches us about salvation

What Does it Mean to be Born Again?

You cannot see the kingdom of God unless you are born again.

What does that mean?

So we have all been born into a physical life full of life. We are able to enjoy and understand this life because we are alive in it. We are able to understand spiritual things and enjoy the spiritual realm of life only if we are born into it. When you were physically born you were not born into this spiritual world, you were born dead to it. So if you are to enjoy the spiritual world. You must be birthed into it. You need to be made alive in it. That is why you need to be born again. I kind of like using the example of being a zombie for the lost. You are dead to everything that matters, mindlessly wandering, making things worse and causing the living to have to always to be ready for battle. A zombie is hopeless doomed for death and don’t have the capacity to realize it unless extreme intervention. Some zombies can be “redeemed” if someone has the antidote. After being given this antidote your senses come to life, your heart starts to beat.

Being born again is Jesus breathing spiritual life into you.

Can Salvation Be Lost?

Is salvation permanent? Can it be lost? To answer that question let me ask you a question. Can you be unborn (like physically)? No. It is impossible. You cannot be unborn. I am a firm believer in:

Once saved, always saved.

One because Jesus uses this example. I don’t think Jesus would have used this comparison if it were not the issue. Romans 12 talks about the mind being transformed. Your mind gets transformed by the Spirit you are not going to want to go back to being dead. How many living people are gonna look at a zombie and be like that is what I want for my life. Also Philippians 1:6 makes it clear that God will complete his good works. Salvation is a good work and God is not a liar. He will finish what he started.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

You probably wondering about those who were involved in church and active in their faith but then ended up going off the deep end and living a wild life. The answer is simple. They were not really saved in the beginning. Scripture tells us that the devil can appear as an angel of light 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

2 Corinthians 11:14–15 ESV

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Mathew 7:22-23 tells us:

Matthew 7:22–23 ESV

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Scripture makes it very clear someone can fake salvation. They can make themselves look like a Christian. People can fake it and the fakers know the true nature of their heart, until becomes hardened but then Scripture still can break through that hardened heart. That probable leaves you wondering how can you be sure of your salvation. Which brings you to our next point.

Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit does not lie.

The fruit shows the nature of the heart.

You look close enough at plastic fruit and real fruit you can tell which one is what. the characteristics of Galatians 5:22-23 can be faked only to an extent.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Love- You can make people think you love all. But can you fake the inward emotions you feel towards people?

Joy- Again you can fake to an extent feeling joyous, but on the inside you know rather or not if you feel hopeful or hopeless

Peace- You can tell people you have peace but again you know rather or not if you have sustaining peace

Patience- Patience is not something i think can be faked. Patience is something most people struggle with. If you are growing in patience it is a pretty good sign

Kindness- Anyone can show kindness, but not all can show godly kindness regularly. Putting others before yourself (Philippians 2:3-4)

Goodness- Can you be consistent?

Faithfulness- What priority is God in your life?

Gentleness- How do you treat others?

Self-control- How easy can you tell yourself no?

Now the characteristics of the zombie nation are

Galatians 5:19–21 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Sexual immorality- can you chase down sexual sin without conviction. Can you look at porn guilt free? Can you sleep around without feeling guilty?

Impurity- Can you have sins in your life and justify it without conviction?

Sensuality- Is your life more about what feels good? Or what is right?

Idolatry- What has priority in your life? What does the actions point to?

Sorcery- Do you fool with witchcraft? Do you welcome the devil?

Enmity- Does bitterness consume you?

Strife- Do you wish to steadily get back at people?

Jealousy- Do you constantly find yourself wanting things people have?Does it consume you? Doe it make you aggravated?

Fits of anger- do you struggle with your temper

Rivalries- do you always feel like you need to outdo someone?

Dissensions- is your life characterized by constant unhealthy disagreements

Envy- Do you have bitter feelings against someone for the things they have?

Drunkenness- Is alcohol your go to? Do you need it? Are you dependent on it to control your emotions?

Orgies- Are you know as a party animal? a wild child all about drinking and sex?

Take time to deeply evaluate your life. Be sure your sure of your salvation. Come talk to me or Lindsey if you need to. What is the state of your heart?

What fruit is present in your life (Galatians 5)? _________________________

Feeling the Spirit Move

We cannot see the Spirit with our eyes physically, but we see the effects and feel the effects. We don’t listen to ourselves always when seeking direction in our lives. Some of you tonight probably feel God leading you to repent of sin, to surrender to ministry, or to come to a relationship with Him. You may right now feel a tug on your heart you have never experienced. You may be confused at what is going on. If you are feeling convicted, heart broken over your sin, in need of a Savior don’t ignore the drawing of the Spirit. God wants you to come to Him, but is waiting on you to respond

Jesus is the Only Way

You will not come out of this life in good shape in any other way besides by the blood of Jesus.

You will not fully understand the Bible apart from Jesus. You need to stop putting off salvation. Stop ignoring. Stop letting shame stop you. Tonight is the night you get your live straight.

Come to Christ

I want everyone to bow their heads right now. How is your life? How is your heart feeling? Have you given your life to Christ. If you haven’t listen in right now.

If you truly want to get you life straight you need to first of all tell God your sorry. Sorry for all the messed up things you have done. Tell Him you know you are messed up living a life apart from him

You got to go to Jesus in this moment and confess you believe in Him with everything you have. Yo believe in Him so much you are ready to surrender your all to Him. You surrender your everything to him.

If you want to surrender your life to Christ. Pray right now in this moment. Pray how you feel led. If you need some guidance pray along these lines: “God I have lived a sinful life. I have done things I know I shouldn’t. Lord can you forgive me for all my mess ups. Forgive me for all my sins. Cover them in your Blood. Lord I am ready to live a life surrendered to you. Jesus be Lord of my life. Control every step of my life. I love you Lord. Thank you for breathing life into me. Amen.”

Now if you truly meant what you just said. You got to be willing to confess your surrendered life to Christ. Be willing to tell others that Jesus is now Lord of your life. If you made that choice tonight. If you have came to known Christ as your savior, look at me right now. I’m proud of you. Now can you do one more thing for me. Stand up. Everyone now open your eyes.

Do you have a relationship with Christ?

Have you shared the Gospel with someone?