SUBJECT: SALVATION
Title: The New Birth.
Text: Gospel of John Chapter 3
Introduction:
-- God CREATED each of us so that we are His CREATION. BUT when it comes to being children of God spiritually, He says: "They which are the children of the flesh, these are NOT the children of God" (Romans 9:8). -- TWO families in the world: 1) family of God & 2) family of sin. "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil" (I John 3:10). -- Consider John 3: man, Nicodemus, religious leader of the Jews, etc. He wanted to know if Jesus was the real Messiah. Jesus knew the mind of Nicodemus: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) Nicodemus asked: "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" (John 3:4) -- Spiritual Birth versus physical birth "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6) -- BUT WHY should this religious man be born again? Nicodemus was a 1) 'good' man, 2) leader of his people & a 3) Pharisee. He NEEDED to be born again for the same reason that you & I do, because JESUS said so! Yet, there are other REASONS also.I. WHY Should We Be Born Again?
A. We are born in the WRONG FAMILY. "the children of disobedience...were by nature the children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:2-3). Jesus said of those who had NOT repented and believed in Him: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." (John 8:44) "Except ye be converted...ye shall NOT enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3) B. We live the WRONG KIND OF LIFE. Repeat John 8:44 <-- Satan's family. A life of disobedience to God is the consequence of being in the wrong family. We are aliens from God. God is NOT our Father, but our Judge. We are lost, condemned. God says: "he that believeth not is condemned already...the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:18,36). --> Just as a condemned man in the death cell waits for execution, so we are condemned already and wait only the final day of judgment. Although the criminal might be physically alive, if he has been found guilty and sentenced to death, he is a dead man as far as the law is concerned. Those who have been found guilty by the Almighty Judge & condemned to Hell might still be physically alive, but are dead in trespasses & sins as far as God is concerned. There is nothing we can do to excuse or pardon ourselves any more than a murderer can expect leniency or pardon just because he promises never to kill again. Reform is NOT the answer to the Problem; it is too late. We are condemned already. <-- "He that committeth sin is of the devil" (I John 3:8). C. We have the WRONG DESTINATION. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against ALL ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:18). "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" (II Thessalonians 1:8-9). When we remain in Satan's family we shall have to go along with him some day. Hell was not made for men, BUT for the Devil and his angels. IF we have not been born again, we go with our father the Devil. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10). "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15).II. HOW Can We Be Born Again?
"But as many as received him [CHRIST], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12). The New Birth IS the act of repenting from your sins and of receiving by faith a particular Saviour. God hates SIN, but He loves the sinner. God's love provided a Saviour to take away your sins. Quote John 3:16. Since God demands the death penalty for sin, the ONLY way that the justice of God can be satisfied is for the sinner to spend eternity in Hell, OR for someone to shed blood and die as his substitute. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Christ died for His enemies. Christ's sacrifice is beyond the understanding of our human minds. How could He love us when we are so unlovely? "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (I John 3:1). --> A man in the death cell might hope to gain release by offering money, but God cannot be bribed! The condemned criminal might hope for reprieve by good behavior, BUT IF he is condemned already, even good behavior will NOT clear the slate. He needs a substitute. <-- Note: John 1:12 again--"But as many as received him[.]" It is NOT receiving a ritual or a church membership or communion or baptism, but a PERSON, the Son of God. Notice too that the words "receive" and "believe" are both in the same verse. Both are interchangeable, both mean the same thing--to invite Christ to take over our lives. This is a ONE-time event, ONLY ONCE in our lives are we "born again". "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26) Conclusion: In review... -- Why should you be born again? Born into the wrong family, Sinful life, and Heading down the road to Hell. -- How does the New Birth take place? Be willing to TURN from your sins; Place your trust in the ONE Saviour-- the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. -- THEN God will give you the power to live the NEW Spiritual life. The LORD promises to become IMMEDIATELY your Father.