The New Birth

The New Birth

 

INTRODUCTION

1. A commonly used phrase is "born again Christian"...

a. Often in the context of distinguishing between Christians who are

"born again" and those not

b. Which is a really an incorrect distinction, for all true

Christians have been "born again"

-- But what does it mean to be "born again"?

 

2. The Bible uses the expression "born again" only a few times...

a. Jesus in His conversation with Nicodemus

 John 3:3-7

“Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of 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. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.”

b. Peter in his first epistle

 1Peter 1:3

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

 

I. THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH (1-3)

 

A. NECESSARY TO SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD...

1. Unless one is born again, he cannot see (enter) the kingdom

 **(John 3:3-7)**

2. What is the kingdom of God?  In brief...

a. The rule and reign of God in the person of Christ

 Matthew 28:18

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

b. A spiritual kingdom not of this world

 John 18:36

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

c. A kingdom made up of faithful subjects

 Colossians 1:13

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

d. A kingdom both present and future

 Matthew 13:41-43

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

 

B. NECESSARY TO BE SAVED...

1. To be in the kingdom is to be saved from the powers of darkness

 Colossians 1:13

““Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

2. Salvation requires a rebirth, a regeneration

 Titus 3:5

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

 

II. THE NATURE OF THE NEW BIRTH (4-5)

A. INVOLVES BOTH WATER AND THE SPIRIT...

 Compare Paul's description

 Titus 3:5

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

a. A washing of regeneration (water)

b. And renewing of the Holy Spirit (Spirit)

3. An obvious reference to baptism

c. "Baptism by water, into the Christian faith, was necessary

to every Jew and Gentile that entered into the kingdom of God.

-- The new birth occurs when one is baptized, for in that simple

act of faith they are born not only of the water out of which

they arise, but also born of the Spirit (regenerated) by the

working of God at that moment

 Colossians 2:12-13

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

 

B. INVOLVES THE WORD OF GOD...

1. One is born again by the Word

 1Peter 1:23

“23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

 The instrument through which the Spirit convicts the sinner

 John 16:7

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

2. Jesus sanctifies and cleanses His church by the washing of

water by the word

 Ephesians 5:26

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”

 

III. THE EVIDENCE OF THE NEW BIRTH (6-8)

 

A. SEEN BY THE EFFECT OF THE SPIRIT...

1. We should expect that what the Spirit produces is spirit (i.e.,

spiritual)

John 3:6

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

2. Like the wind (the same Greek word as Spirit), we do not see

the Spirit itself but the effect that it produces

-- Has one been truly born of the Spirit (i.e., born again)?  With

time there should be clear evidence that a change has occurred

 1John 3:14

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

 

B. SEEN BY THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT...

1. Paul describes the fruit (evidence) of the Spirit

 Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

2. Which comes not only being born of the Spirit, but walking in

the Spirit

Galatians 5:16

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Where the fruit does not appear, either there was never any

rebirth or one is walking after the flesh, not the Spirit!

Galatians 5:17

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

 

IV. THE BASIS FOR THE NEW BIRTH (14-18)

A. THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST...

1. Jesus compares His eventual crucifixion to Moses' lifting up of

the serpent2. So people would be saved from perishing by believing in Jesus

 John 3:14-15

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

B. THE LOVE OF GOD...

 John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

-- God's love for man is what makes Christ's sacrifice and the new

birth possible!

 1John 4:9-10

“9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

C. THE FAITH OF MAN...

1. Those who believe in Jesus will not perish, but have

everlasting life

-- The new birth requires faith in Jesus; without faith, being

born of water is meaningless, and born of the Spirit impossible

[Christ's sacrifice and God's love, in cooperation with man's faith,

makes the new birth possible.  Yet many remain condemned for lack of

faith in Jesus.  Why?  Jesus offers one reason for...]

 

V. THE REJECTION OF THE NEW BIRTH (19-21)

 

A. MANY LOVE DARKNESS MORE THAN LIGHT...

1. Light (Jesus) has come into the world

 John 3:19

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

2. There are those who love the darkness instead, because of their

evil deeds

-- Their love for things of the world cause them to reject the

light of Jesus

 Luke 16:14

“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.”

B. MANY DO NOT WANT TO BE EXPOSED BY THE LIGHT...

1. They know that coming to Jesus will expose their evil deeds

2. But those willing to obey (does the truth), do not fear the

light

 John 3:20-21

“20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

 

 

 If you would like to know Jesus and be born again, please repeat these words after me:

 

Dear Heavenly Father I come in the Name of Jesus Christ. Forgive me a sinner and wash me in your precious blood. Break this heart of stone, to be made flesh so that you may sow your word in it. If there are any addictions that I may have, remove them now. And from this day forward, I have accepted you as my personal Savior in Jesus Name, I pray Amen!

 

If you had said the repentance prayer with your heart, the angels are rejoicing in heaven, for another soul  is saved and ready for the coming of the Lord. Study the word of God, and pray to the Lord for guidance, because He will give understanding to those that are willing to accept the truth. When you pray, it doesn't have to be fancy, just talk as if you are talking to a friend, because Jesus is a wonderful friend to have, that will never leave you nor forsake you.

 

If you would like to pray with someone for encouragement you can always call the

Full Gospel Holiness Church

 

(We are located in Williston, Florida)

 

Our number to call is: 352-615-4438

You could also Visit our website for sermons, upcoming events, and

 directions to the church: http://www.fghconline.com/

 

 

 

The Rich Fool

The Rich Fool

 

II. THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL

A. THE PARABLE SUMMARIZED...

1. A rich man is richly blessed with large crops

 Luke 12:16-20

“And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”

2. As he considers his situation, he makes plans for the future

a. To build greater barns to store his crops

b. To retire and enjoy the fruits of his labors for many years

3. Yet God tells him he is a fool!

a. Because that very night he is to die, and his soul will be

required of him

b. And the things he had provided, whose will they be?

B. THE PARABLE ANALYZED...

1. The man assumes that his life consists in the abundance of

things he possesses

a. The crops are his

b. They will provide for his soul for many years to come

2. The foolishness and selfishness of the rich man is seen in

that...

a. He does not know himself

1) He fails to realize that his "body" is mortal, and will

not necessarily live on for many years

2) He does not consider that his riches really can't

satisfy his "soul"!

b. He does not consider the needs of others

1) The needs of the poor are not even taken into

consideration

2) He thinks only of self (note the "I's" and "my's")

c. Nor does he thank and glorify God

1) For all practical purposes, he is an atheist

2) One who truly believes in God would respond like the

Psalmist in

Psalms 116:12

“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?”

C. THE PARABLE APPLIED...

1. Jesus makes the application in

Luke 12:21

“So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

 

2. Those who lay up treasure for themselves, and are not rich

toward God, are like this rich fool!

3. If your plans for the future focus on self, and not on God and

others, you are no different than the rich fool

-- This ought to encourage serious reflection in those planning

their retirement!

[Not that it is wrong to plan for the future, but we need to keep in

mind the brevity of life, and the will of the Lord

James 4:13-16

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”

How can we be sure that we who may be rich in this life are also rich

toward God?]

III. BEING RICH TOWARD GOD

A. BEING IN CHRIST IS CERTAINLY REQUIRED...

1. For all spiritual blessings come through Him

 Ephesians 1:3

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

2. The exceeding riches of God's grace will be shown only through

Christ

 Ephesians 2:4-7

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

B. BUT PROPER USE OF MATERIAL RICHES CAN HELP...

1. Notice the words of Jesus, spoken soon after this parable

 Luke 12:33-34

“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

a. He tells them to sell what they have and give alms

b. To provide a treasure in heaven that does not fail

2. Helping the poor is often connected with "laying up treasure

in heaven"

a.  As Jesus counseled the rich young ruler

Matthew 19:21

“21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”

C. NOTICE HOW JESUS ENCOURAGED HIS DISCIPLES IN THIS MATTER...

1. He followed the parable with a reminder of God's loving care

  Luke 12:22-33

“And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”

2. The key is to make the kingdom (or rule) of God the focus of

our life

 3. For then God will do two things:

a. Provide "all these things" (i.e., things necessary for life

and body)

b. Give you "the kingdom" (i.e., things necessary for the

soul)

4. So they are exhorted to give alms and provide for treasure in

heaven!

 

Whatever happened to Love?

Whatever happened to Love?

By: William F. Hill

'But love is what counts'. 'Love is the greatest,' unfortunately, many who make statements like the above are not aware of what real love is. So many will say that to have all the right standards of holiness and to lack love is a waste. I agree. '

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

"1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

''....A wise man told several of us young men years ago at our ordination service, "Go ahead and preach that hard message, young man, but make sure you can cry over it first." That sage advice has stood me in good stead at times. If you are like me, you have met those who had outward standards of holiness, but were mean and ugly in their spirit. I can only point back to (2 Corinthians 7:1) and remind all of us that it takes cleansing in both areas, flesh and spirit, to perfect holiness..."

 2 Corinthians 7:1

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

External holiness standards without love must as big a disappointment to the earnest seeker as the fig tree without figs was to Jesus.

Mark 11:12-14

"And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves,  he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for  the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it."

We must state in all fairness, that many who believe in and practice holy living have not had much love shown to them by people who profess much love. Some believers in holiness have had the firmness of their dedication, and their lack of compromise mistaken for an ugly spirit. To all who really stand for holiness, I feel it necessary to exhort that you, above all others, must show love, or the cause of holiness suffers. It is important, however, that we know what love is. Many do not.

John 14:21

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and  i will love  him, and will manifest myself to him."

John 14:24

"He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

We must establish that love is not just some sentimental feeling that brings tears to our eyes or makes us want to hug everybody. Real love can be tested and proven.

1 John 2:3-5

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, i know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."

So you see the measurement of love goes far deeper than a sweet, syrupy feeling. A few years ago a defendant at a murder trial was asked by the judge what kind of emotion she had as she was stabbing her victim several times. Her reply was that she felt much love for her. That kind of love I can do without.

1 John 2:15

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Here is another test. If we find ourselves attached to this worldly system we live among, we are in danger. We are not to love the amusements of the world. Most churches preached against worldly amusements years ago. Preachers in almost every denomination cried against drinking alcholic beverages, smoking cigarettes, attending to theatre and dance, gambling and sexual sins. Putting Christian words to rock and roll music and calling it Christian rock makes as much sense as putting Bible verses on cigarette packages and calling them "Holy smokes" or making the whiskey bottle in the shape of a cross and labeling it "Holy Spirits". There must be a separation from the evil system of this world if we are to please God and enter into heaven. There is a two-pronged test we can give ourselves to check out our standing with God.

1 John 3:10

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

It is extremely important that we know whether we are children of God or children of the devil. Most professing Christians will look at you with shock and dismay when you make a statement such as i have just made, but we must know where we stand with God, and there must be no doubt. In dealing with thousands of individuals over the years concerning their standing with God, i have received a variety of answers such as: "I think I am saved." "I hope I am saved." "I am trying to be saved, after all, no one can really know until the day of resurrection." I submit to you, that to wait until the day of resurrection to find out whether or not we are saved, is a very risky business at the least. We can know! To those who reply that their salvation and standing with God is sure I always like to ask the question, "On what do you base your answer?" Again, there are a variety of answers offered. "I was baptized when i was a baby", "I joined the church", I sing in the choir", i do good works, i have a good feeling." Let's go back to the Bible way of knowing of the sureness and certainty of our relationship with God.

1 John 2:3-5

""And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, i know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."

We can readily see by staying true to the scripture that there is a sure and certain way of knowing of our relationship with God and with Jesus Christ. It is not based on feeling, or surmisings, or suppositons. We know that we know God if we do what God tells us to do. Thus we have part one of our two-pronged test to check our relationship with God. Part two involves the latter part of  1 John 3:10....

1 John 4:20,21

"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."

Those who hate people or even are prejudiced against them because of the color of their skin or because they are of another race, nationality or religion need to read above the vcrses and then fall on their knees in repentance. There can be no right relationship with God when we hate our brother.

1 John 2:10,11

"He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. but he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darknes hath blinded his eyes."

So you see we can actually test our relationship to God by using this two pronged test of obeying God, and loving our brother. The amazing thing about this is that they work together. Some who have very high personal standards of holiness are very inadequate in their love. Holiness without love will cause a person to become a very bitter individual. Love, without holiness, will cause a person to be very giddy and shallow. There must be the two of these, holiness and love, together. Love is a test of true holiness. Holiness is a test of true love. We must stay in the scripture and not trust to our emotions, whims and fancies. these will only lead us astray. Talk about a powerful combination! Holiness, coupled together with love, cannot be conquered.

Are you guilty?

Are you guilty?

John 8:1-11

"Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

**Everyone is quick to accuse others for their wrong doings, but when the finger is pointed right back to themselves they shake in fear of knowing they are wrong as well, if not worse than those they accused. Many times people make excuses of what wrongs were done, and at times blame it on others. We have to make sure we are in line ourselves, before we look onto others' mistakes. Once we are on the Lord's straight path in obedience to His word then we can help direct others in His righteous path also. **

Matthew 7:3-5

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Luke 6:37

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"

** We must remember that before you point your finger at others, not only to make sure you are in line and your slate is clean. But also remember that Jesus had forgiven you for your wrongs. The lord has no respect a person. Every has a chance and opportunity to receive salvation. Keep with the Word, live it and you will make it in. But if you reject the truth, and disobey the Lord, then you will not make it in heaven. **