I. To become a TRUE Christian One must be born again.
1. John 3:1-7
a. We must be born of the water and the Spirit. This water is not speaking of water baptism but of the Word of God (1 Pet. 1:23; James 1:18; 1 Cor. 4:15; Eph. 5:25-27).
b. There is only ONE avenue into heaven and that is to be born again. Water baptism, church membership, religious duties, giving to the poor, living a moral life, taking the Lord’s supper, being a member of a denomination, or an INTELLECTUAL reception (vs. a heart reception) of Jesus Christ cannot save you. You must be born again.
II. Why must we be born again?
1. In our natural birth we were born dead in sin. This is speaking of a spiritual death, not a physical one. This death is a seperation from God.
a. Eph. 2:1-2; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-21
2. This spiritual death came about in the garden of Eden.
a. Man was made in the image of God - Gen. 1:26
b. God gave man the choice to choose spiritual life or death - Gen. 2:15-17 (Deut. 30:19).
c. Man chose to disobey God and therefore he lost the life of God. This brought forth death in the inner man - Gen. 3:1-7 (James 1:13-15).
III. What does it mean to be born again?
1. To be born again is to have a change in our inner nature. All of our past is wiped away and we become NEW Creations.
a. 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15
2. When man disobeyed God and instead obeyed the devil, he took on the devil’s nature - John 8:44; 1 John 3:8.
a. Satan was thrown out of heaven. Anything that is of a devilish nature cannot be allowed into heaven. That is why we must be BORN AGAIN. People go to hell because they have the nature of satan and cannot be permitted into God’s presence. People do not go to hell only because of what they have done but because of what they are.
IV. Benefits of being born again.
1. You become a world overcomer
a. 1 John 5:4-5
2. You have complete victory over sin
b. 1 John 2:29; 3:9, 14
3. Protection from the devil
c. 1 John 5:18
CONCLUSION: Are you born again? After studying this lesson and getting a true understanding of what it means to be born again perhaps you realize that you have never had this experience.
To be born again is very simple. You need only accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. In lesson three we will be explaining Christ’s death for you but you need not wait until then. Why not give your heart to Him today. All you need do is ask Him to come into your life. If you are not sure of how to do this here is a simple prayer to pray: Lord Jesus
I ask you to come into my heart right now. You said in your word that if I confess you with my mouth and believe in my heart that God raised you from the dead then I will be saved (Rom. 10:9). I recognize that I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness and a change in my nature. I repent of all my sin. I know that all that come to you, you will not reject (John 6:37). Thank you for your for dying for me so that I can be born again. Thank you Father for Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit for coming in to my life. AMEN.
