WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN-John 3:5
Introduction: A man named Nicodemus came by night to see Jesus. There is much debate about WHY he came at night. Perhaps because it was the only time he could be sure to get Jesus alone. He came with Honest Questions about salvation and the Lord answered him. When we come to Jesus we can be sure that He hears and answers.
I. A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER
A. With the Spirit
B. With the Sin in our Lives
C. With the Saviour
Illustrate: “Salvation is worth working for. It is worth a man’s going round the world on his hands and knees, climbing its mountains, crossing its valleys, swimming its rivers, going through all manner of hardship in order to attain it. But we do not get it in that way. It is to him who believes.” Dwight L. Moody
“A rule I have had for years is: to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. His is not a creed, a mere doctrine, but it is He Himself we have.” Dwight L. Moody
II. A PEACEFUL EXPERIENCE
• John 14:27 PEACE I leave with you, MY PEACE I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.,
• Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
A. Of the Soul
B. Of the Heart
C. Of the Mind
Illustrate: PEACE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF TROUBLE. PEACE IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen
III. A POWERFUL ENDOWMMENT Acts 1:8
A. Anointing
B. Ability
Illustrate: “Grace is rather AN AMAZING POWER to look earthly reality full in the face, see its sad and tragic edges, feel its cruel cuts, and yet feel in your deepest being that is it good and right for you to be alive on God’s good earth…Grace is the one word for all that God is for us in the form of Jesus Christ.”
"Self can never cast out self, even in the regenerate man. Praise God The death of Jesus, once and forever, is the death to self. And the gift of the Holy Spirit makes our own THE POWER OF THE DEATH-LIFE."
IV. A PLEASANT ENJOYMENT I John 1:3
A. FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SCRIPTURES, THE SAVIOUR, AND THE SAINTS
B. FUN IN PREACHING, PRAISING, AND PRAYING
C. FREEDOM FROM THE PENALTY AND THE POWER OF SIN,
Illustrate: ONE OF THE AFFECTS OF MESS IS THAT IT CAN DISTRACT US FROM WHAT IS PLEASANT Some time ago I visited a garden full of beautiful flowers. But it was not a pleasant place to be! You see that garden was full of fertilizer Cow manure, blood and bone and it stunk…The smell distracted me from the beauty of the garden… And the mess in our lives has the same affect on us! The mess in our lives distract us from what is important! Think about it, when you have a problem in your life; That problem can consume your time and energies…..It keeps you away from what is good and helpful!
MESS CAN DISTRACT US FROM WHAT IS PLEASANT IN LIFE!
V. A PROVEN EVIDENCE
A. Life Changed
B. Language Changed
C. Love Changed
D. Longing Changed
Illustrate: If a person is genuinely saved,
1. His life will change for the better (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. He is saved "for good works" (Ephesians 2:10)
3. There is no way he can fail to bring forth at least some of the fruit that characterizes the redeemed (Matthew 7:17).
4. His desires are transformed; he begins to hate sin and love righteousness.
5. He will not be sinless, but the pattern of his life will be decreasing sin and increasing righteousness.
Conclusion: When we accept Christ as our PERSONAL Saviour, we begin our walk with the Lord. Being born again is more than an EXPERIENCE; it is a WAY OF LIFE. Is your life showing the EVIDENCE or FRUIT of Salvation?
You can become a Christian by going to church just about as easily as you can become an automobile by sleeping in a garage--Vance Havner
C.H. Spurgeon writes,
“The sense is, IT IS THE LORD ALONE that saves and blesses: and even though the whole mass of all evils should be gathered together in one against a man, still, IT IS THE LORD WHO SAVES: salvation and blessing are in his hands.”
