Text: John 3:1-21
Four contrasts between our natural birth and our rebirth? There are overlaps between some of the points I made during this series but there are different aspects to some of the same points.
1. We are born children of natural parents; we are born again children of the Living God.
John 1:13 (NIV) 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
• When we are born to our parents we come out as a new life that didn’t exist before and under the love and care of our parents we grow into adults. When we are born again, as children of God, a life that didn’t exist before emerges. He nurtures our spiritual growth in the same way our parents nurtured our natural growth.
Matthew 1:20 The angel to Joseph – The child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Peter 1:23 “…you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
• As new life was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit, so New Life was began in you by the Spirit.
2. By our natural birth we are born to die; we are born again to live forever.
We’ve been blessed with the blissful knowledge that we will always have the Lord in our life. Always! Now and Forever! Every day for the rest of my life here on earth and through the transition to the next one.
Our rebirth put us on a forever ride of wonders as beloved sons and daughters. Starting at the moment of rebirth.
3. We are naturally born with Adams Nature; We are born again to Christ’s nature.
Adam’s nature, ranging from outright hostility towards God to an indifference to God. Both of which made us his enemies, according to the Scriptures.
Rebirth brings with it for us a new orientation to the things of God.
Ephesians 4:24 new self is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
• The reason God sees you as holy and righteous is because that’s what happened to you when you were born again. A new self was created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
• Learning what that means and how to do it is why you come to church and Bible study and spend time with the Lord on your own.
4. How are we born again?
Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. “
• He is referring to an account in Numbers 21:4-9 where the Israelites grumbled against the Lord and Moses, So the Lord sent a plague of poisonous snakes upon them and many died. The people repented of their lack of faith and the Lord told Moses to make a snake and put it on a pole and then anyone who looked at the snake lived.
If they had enough faith to look at the snake they were healed. In the same way everyone who looks to the work Jesus did when He was lifted up on the cross and believes in Him will have eternal life.
How does this impact the way I live my life each day? How do I put this amazing truth into practice?
My Testimony
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).
On any given day, I try not to consider myself a “good” Christian or a “bad” Christian. Instead, I choose to focus on the Christ in me and what He has done for me. … In God’s appraisal I am always holy and blameless. He sees me as righteous. Not because I always behave that way, but because that is what Christ has made me by His blood and through my faith in Him. That is the me of my rebirth.
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