Born Again

Q: What do you love about babies? Most people get excited about new babies. Have showers, announcements, etc. They are sweet and cuddly and brand spanking new! Jesus used children and babies on occasion to illustrate a spiritual idea. John 3:1-12 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." 9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? Q: What can we tell about Nicodemus? What kind of guy was he? Q: What do you think he was after when he came to Jesus? Probably wanted Jesus’ stamp of approval Q: What do you think he expected Jesus to say? You’re doing great, just pray and the a little more and you’ll be fine Q: What did Jesus say? You must be born again! Q: What do you think Jesus meant by this? You need to start all over! Q: How would you describe a Christian who is NOT born again? You can’t! A Christian is someone who is born again and vice versa Q: What is new about a baby after its birth (compared to before)? New name, new family (relationships), new environment, new rules, new discipline, new food, new friends, whole new world!!! Q: What is new about someone who is born again? - New name (Christian) - New family (church) - New purpose - New goals - New father (God) - New behavior - New everything!!! There is a lot of confusion about the new birth. Lots of people claim to be born again. Q: Why is there so much confusion about the new birth? Religious people make claims, but there is no evidence for it people hear the claim, but don’t see anything new. Where’s the beef? Q: What would you expect to see in someone who is born again? Radical life change ..... WOW! Not just words. He used to ......, but now he ........ Is this the same girl I used to know??? Q: Is being born again optional? - NO! V3 unless..... can’t see the kingdom - V5 unless ..... can’t enter the kingdom - V7 you must be born again Re-read verses 5-6 The new birth is not a physical event, it is spiritual. It involves water and the spirit It’s heart change and a life change. It is exciting! A brand new start Challenge If you aren’t sure if you have been born again .... you haven’t been. If you think you’ve been born again, but there is no evidence, you probably haven’t been Find out what the Bible says it takes to be born again. What did Jesus mean by the water and the spirit? Get excited about a new beginning, a fresh start!