Stronghold Beliefs Part 9
Scriptures: 2 Peter 1:20-21, John 3:1-7, John 14:12
As I closed my message last Sunday, I told you that this morning will be the ninth and final message in my series on Strongholds Beliefs. I also told you that the last message will be about what it means to be born again and why we need to not only know its meaning, but why we need to actually believe it. I am saying it this way because we only “act” on things that we truly believe. If we know and truly understand what it means to be born again and we believe that we are, I’m sure many of us would then act on that belief. As I thought about how to make this real for us, I tried to think of something, an analogy of some sort, that would help us see how understanding what it means to be born again is crucial to how we are supposed to live as sons and daughters of God. But I couldn’t think of an analogy that would be even close to appropriate. I couldn’t think of an analogy that wouldn’t in some way diminish the powerful truth about what happens when we are born again. Before Jesus puts the words “born” and “again” together in John 3, the term “born again” had not been used anywhere in the Bible so I cannot minimize the importance of understanding it’s meaning. In fact, the term “born again” is only used three times, twice in John 3:3 and 7 and once in I Peter 1:23. We will look at these verses in a few minutes.
Now before getting into the message, I want you to know that it will be impossible for me to talk about what it means to be born again in one message. So, this morning’s message will focus on two or three key points about what it means to be born again and in a couple of weeks we will take a much closer look at who we are as born again sons and daughters of God in much more detail. At that time we will answer questions like: “Why does a person need to be born again?” “How does a person get born again?” “What happens when a person gets born again?” “Can a person be born again and remain the same?” “How is the person who is born again different from the person who is not born again?” “Does being born again mean the person is a ‘disciple’ of Jesus?” Some of these questions I will lightly answer this morning, but I will go into much more detail when I do the series on it. I believe through that series we are going to see ourselves, who we truly are, in such a way that we will begin to see ourselves as our Heavenly Father sees us and, I want you to really hear this, we will see what the devil sees when he looks at us.
There is some confusion around being a “born again” Christian and, in America, those claiming to be born again Christians are declining according to a major religious survey recently completed. Researcher George Barna said, “….it may be that many born again Christians, the ones who have asked Christ to forgive them and who trust Him alone for their salvation, have a real mixed bag of theological beliefs. Those beliefs have had an unfortunate impact on their political views and lifestyle choices. Granted, we are all sinners and fall way short of the perfection of God, but maybe we are so seduced by the secular culture in which we live that we have lost touch with biblical truth. The theological and behavioral profile of born again Christians painted by the survey is very disturbing and has some severe, long-term negative consequences for American culture.”
So what did this American Culture and Faith Institute survey find? The results, drawn from a monthly nationwide survey this year that interviewed over 9,200 American adults, found that just 31% of adults identify as born again, following a trend of decline since 2010. The researchers believe that the decline in born again Christians is largely due to attitudes toward evangelism and salvation. Only 21% of adults affirm that they have a strong personal responsibility to share the Gospel with people who hold different views. What is even more disturbing is the fact that adults are about equally likely to believe that eternal salvation can be earned through personal goodness or good deeds (25%) as believe salvation cannot be earned (20%). Fifty-five percent of Protestants and only 19 percent of Catholics said that eternal salvation is based solely upon their redemption by Christ – and these are believers who have accepted Christ as their Savior! A noteworthy shift in the last two decades, ACFI pointed out, is that 38% of Christians now do not identify as Protestant or Catholic, which was “virtually unheard of a quarter-century ago.” In the past Protestant was a term that described “all” Christians who were not Catholic so it’s very interesting that apparently there is a new segment of believers who view themselves as neither Protestant or Catholic.
While many Americans assume that born again Christians are biblically literate, Bible-believing people, the reality is different. Indeed, three out of every four born again adults (76%) believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and seven out of ten (70%) contend that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the life principles it teaches. However, less than half (46%) read the Bible at least once a week. Most shocking – and puzzling – is the fact that slightly less than half of them submit that the Bible contains and conveys absolute moral truths. We can see evidence today of how what people believe is not being grounded in or based on the Word of God. These statistics help to explain why only 30% of born again adults have a biblical worldview – in spite of the fact that eight out of ten (79%) think they do! This is alarming and why I stress over and over that studying the Bible is the only way to develop a true foundation in knowing and developing our relationship in Christ. There is no way around it!
So, what does it mean to be a born again? Many people will ask the question this way: What does it mean to be a Born Again Christian? Based on the survey results we just reviewed, there is some confusion in the Church about this. Can a person be a Christian and not be born again? In consideration of this question I looked up the definitions for “Christian,” “born again,” and born-again Christian in the dictionary. I think you’ll find them interesting.
? Webster says a Christian is “one who professes a belief in the teachings of Jesus.” The word “professes” caught my attention. It means “to declare or admit openly or freely.” So Webster says a Christian is a person who declares or admits openly or freely that he or she believes in the teachings of Jesus. Do you know that there are people who say they are Christians but are not willing to declare or admit it openly and freely that they believe everything Jesus taught? How can a person be a Christian and not be willing to say “I believe everything the Bible teaches?” I also want to point out that just believing in the teachings of Christ is not enough. You see, Christ’s teachings are exemplified in how many people live even though they do not profess to be Christians because His teachings goes to the heart of how people are to treat one another. No, I think in addition to believing the teachings of Jesus we must also make the conscious decision to “accept” Him as our Lord and Savior. That acceptance takes the believing in His teachings to another level because His teachings are now put into action in how we live.
? Now the definition for “born again” is “of, usually relating to, or being a Christian person who has made a renewed or confirmed commitment of faith, especially after an intense religious experience.” The dictionary says “born again” is usually related to a Christian person. In other words, according to Webster, “born again” is not a term that describes all Christians but “usually relates to” a Christian. In this definition there is room for variances. And you’ll understand why when you hear the definition of “born again Christian.”
? A “born-again Christian” is a person “having returned to or newly adopted an activity, a conviction, or a persona, especially with a proselytizing (evangelizing) zeal.” A Born Again Christian is a person who has made a decision to follow a particular belief system and who want others to also be a part of that belief system. Let me say it another way: the dictionary says a Born Again Christian has made a decision to be “born again” based on what he or she believes. Based on the definitions in the dictionary, a “Christian” is not necessarily a person who is “born again” and a person who is “born again” is “usually” a Christian who has simply decided to renew his or her commitment to live as a Christian.
The dictionary definitions for “Christian” and “born again,” in this case, do more harm than good in helping us understand what these two terms mean. And New Light, the dictionary also fails to capture the truth of what these terms communicate about us as sons and daughters of God. The dictionary, written by extremely intelligent men and women, will never be able to capture the essence and truth of the meaning of words in a spiritual context. As the word of God says, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21) So we must turn to the Bible to understand what it means to be born-again.
Since Jesus was the first person to use the words “born” and “again” together, we must let Him tell us what the term means. Turn with me to John 3:1-7. “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly , truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
I want to take a look at a couple of things from this passage. The word “born” is a very common word. It means a husband has deposited seed into his wife that produces life in her that results in her giving birth to a child. The word “again” means “from above.” The word is used 13 times in the New Testament and, in each case it refers to something that starts at the top or something that starts at the beginning. Here in John 3, it literally means there must be a transformation from God and a renewal in righteousness and true holiness to be saved. In other words, Jesus is telling Nicodemus that he must be born from above – be born of the Spirit of God – if he has any hopes of entering the kingdom of Heaven. What Jesus is describing with the term “born again” is what we also call the “new nature” as opposed to the “sin nature.” First Peter 1:23 gives us additional information about being born of the Spirit of God. It says, “For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” Now listen to how the Amplified Bible renders this verse. “You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.” Just like the husband deposits seed into the womb of his wife to bring forth a child, God deposits His seed into us that removes the seed of our sin nature and produces His life and nature in us. Do you see how the dictionary misses the spiritual aspects of what happens when a person is born again? Getting born again is a spiritual birth while being born the first time is the natural birth. While the natural must come first, it is the spiritual rebirth that leads to life everlasting!
Now, Jesus says something that’s very important and I don’t want us to miss it. He tells Nicodemus if you have any hope of doing the signs that you saw Me do, you must be born again – you must receive a new spiritual nature! Jesus is telling Nicodemus, now please capture this, once you are born again, once you have a new nature, once you have a nature that is like mine, you will be able to do the same signs that you have seen me do! Can you see the “deer caught in the headlights” look on Nicodemus’ face? And Jesus confirms this very thing to us today in John 14:12 which says “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” One of the key points I want to leave with you this morning is this: God is our Father. When we are born again, when we are “born from above,” we receive a sinless nature just like His. He deposits in us seed that cannot perish and is ever living. In doing so, God becomes our literal Father! But the change that takes place is on the inside and the only way a person will know someone is born again is by how the person lives. That’s why Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven.” When we read the four gospels, we see our examples of how to “let our light shine” in the life of Jesus.
Another point I want to leave with you this morning is this: New Light, we can walk in the same authority that Jesus walked in when He was here on earth – when we know who we are as born again sons and daughters of God. Jesus knew who His Father was, and every day of His life He showed the world who His Father was. When God is our Father, when we are born again, then everything we see Jesus doing in the gospels, we can do today. And I mean everything! That is the power and authority that we flowing through our spiritual veins because we are God’s sons and daughters! Now here’s the question each of us must answer: I’m going to make this personal. “Rodney, do you believe Jesus when He says the works I do you will do?” Now you make it personal for you. Do you believe you can do the works Jesus says you can do? If Jesus says we can do what He did, for example, give sight to the blind, heal lame legs, and cast out demons, then either Jesus is a liar or we are not living the way He says we can live. Just to be clear: Jesus cannot lie. This one is on us. Do you remember the record in Mark 9 about the man who had a son that was possessed by a demon who tried to kill him several different times? He asked the disciples to cast him out but they couldn’t. So the man asks Jesus to take pity on them and in verse 23 Jesus says “All things are possible to him who believes.” New Light, if we are not doing the things Jesus says we can do, then the father’s response in verse 24 should be an encouragement to each and every one of us. “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I do believe, help my unbelief.’” Right now, we may not be where Jesus says we can be, but we can cry out to Him just like this father and ask for more faith because the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:2 that Jesus is “the author and perfecter of faith.” Praise God!
Jesus also tells Nicodemus “that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of Spirit is spirit.” Jesus is identifying another key point I want to leave with you this morning: when we are born again, it only affects our human spirits, nothing else. Being born again does not affect our natural minds or our bodies. In other words, a person can be born again but that doesn’t mean the way he thinks and the way he behaves changes the moment he or she says “Yes to Jesus.” Changing how one thinks and how one behaves to agree with the new nature, to agree with the change that has taken place inside, must be done on purpose. Romans 8:13-14 says “For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” The Bible says that in order for us to live by our new nature we must – on purpose – put to death, stop doing, the things that disagree with who we have become as God’s sons and daughters. And many of those things have been covered in this series. Romans 12:1-2 says “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” The Bible tells us to transform our minds – to do a complete 180 – from thinking the way the world thinks to the way God thinks. The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” We have to LET how Christ thinks be how we think. This verse communicates the sense of hearing and obeying as a choice that we must make individually. And how do we put on the mind of Christ? We do it by reading the Bible over and over and over again – and then believing what it says.
Now before we close, let’s answer the question: “Can a person be born again and not be a Christian?” Or, “can a person be a Christian and not be born again?” If we were to answer the question based on the definitions of “born again” and “Christian” that we see in the dictionary, the answer would be “Yes.” But what does the Bible say? And that will always be the question. What does the Bible say? Based on what we’ve read in the Bible, this is what we know so far. A person who is “born again” is born from above with a new nature received from God and now God is the person’s Father. And we know that the person who is born again has a human spirit that has been regenerated. It no longer contains sin and death but the holy life of God. We often use the term “converted” to express going from spiritual death to spiritual life. That is what born again means! New Light, everything contained in “spiritual life” now belongs to us. With this in mind, turn to Acts 11. We’re going to jump into the middle of this passage, beginning with verse 21 and reading through verse 26. “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
The last point I want to leave with you this morning is this: the believers, those who were born again, those who had “turned to the Lord,” those who had been “brought to the Lord,” those who had made themselves Jesus’ disciples – the first name given to them, the first name they were called, was “Christians.” They were not called “Born Again Christians.” They were simply called Christians. According to the Bible, the only way a person can be called a Christian is if the person has “turned to the Lord,” or as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, the person is born again.
I wanted to end the series on Strongholds Beliefs with what it means to be Born Again because understanding who we are gives us the ability to conquer the thoughts and behaviors we see in the world and in the Church today. Without being born again, without having a nature that’s just like our Father’s, we are no different than the Gentiles, the non-believers, Jesus describes in Matthew 6:32 who are seeking the things needed in life. But Jesus encourages those of us who are born again, whose Father is the God of the universe, to “….seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) New Light, the only reason we can seek the kingdom and everything it offers, is because we are born again. We don’t worry about where are next meal is coming from. Why? We are born again and God is our Father. We don’t worry about money to buy clothes for ourselves and our families. Why? We are born again and God is our Father. We don’t worry about having enough money to pay our mortgage, our rent, or our utilities. Why? We are born again and God is our Father. So we can follow Jesus’ last instruction here in Matthew 6:34, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” The reason we don’t worry, New Light, is because we are born again. We are a child of God!
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
(If you are ever in the Kansas City, KS area, please come and worship with us at New Light Christian Fellowship, 15 N. 14th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102. Our service Sunday worship starts at 9 a.m. and Thursday night Bible study at 7 p.m. Also, for use of our social media, you can find us at newlightchristianfellowship on FB. To get our live stream services, please make sure you “like” and turn on notifications for our page so you can be notified when we are live streaming. We also have a church website and New Light Christian Fellowship YouTube channel for more of our content. We are developing more social media streams so please stand by and we will notify you once those channels are up and running. We look forward to you worshipping with us. May God bless and keep you.)
