Sermon On the Net
BORN AGAIN… Perhaps you are not a stranger to this expression. Is it Biblical? Is it someone's idea? Born again is simply the spiritual state of someone who has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior; it does not represent their state of maturity. A new Born again Christian is usually very emotional and excited in the beginning and in their attempt to 'convert' everyone, could very well hurt or insult someone instead; which was my experience in the beginning and I truly am sorry if I hurt or insulted anyone. It is going to take time and a learning process to realize we are to plant the seed of Biblical Christianity and pray for those who have yet to accept our Lord and Savior Jesus; be examples. A revelation of Jesus does not make one perfect; only God can claim that quality. I remember very clearly my early days of accepting Jesus as my Savior and how I tried to 'convert' the world until I realized I couldn't do it my way, as a matter of fact I couldn't actually convert any one. Today, I am like the farmer who plows the land, plants the seed and waters the crop. And I pray, pray and pray for them.
Today I would like to discuss the words of Jesus when He was approached by Nicodemus, a Jewish ruler (John 3), who admitted to Jesus that he knew He had come from God; his reason being that anyone doing the signs that He did had to have come from God. Jesus said to him: "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again," John 3:3. Nicodemus, who was also a member of the Jewish ruling council, asked Him: "How can this be? 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?" (John 3:4, 9) 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" (John 3:5, 6, KJV). I believe that Jesus could not have explained it in more simple terms. Let's examine these two simple requirements:
1) Born of water means a person must experience a physical birth, that is, conceived and growing inside the mother's womb.
2) Born of the Spirit means born from above, that is, born of God; the Spirit. Putting it another way, it is simply inviting Jesus into your life as your Savior.
Some people refer to this passage to mean a person must be baptized. I find this extremely difficult to believe after what Jesus told Nicodemus. Jesus is definitely stating there are two separate 'births.' "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Think about that, physical birth is first and a requirement and Spiritual birth is second and a requirement, both for salvation. Jesus never erred when He spoke, as He is omniscient.
Therein lies the way to Heaven according to Jesus. Think about it. We don't have to do anything else, according to Jesus, but be BORN AGAIN; accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. This phrase today is maligned, misunderstood and abused. What is really important to each of us is what Jesus said in the gospel of John including one of the most quoted verses in scripture; John 3: 16, which says and I quote, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (NIV) My interpretation of John 3: 16 is the believer will not die (physically yes, spiritually no) but will live forever with God in the eternal kingdom. The period following eternal life means precisely that, no additional requirements and no way to lose one's salvation. Because of what Jesus said I live in the peace and joy of knowing that my last breath on this earth will be my first in Heaven to spend eternity with Him. Where will you spend eternity? He gives you that choice.
