Sermon Tone Analysis

Born and born again (new birth)

A biblical imperative given by Jesus of the necessity of being born again.

The necessity is clearly stated in (Jn3:3)

Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God! (expand)

The Kingdom of God (Jn3:3, 5, 7; 18:36 Mt13:41-43)

Jesus tells us about the necessity and the definition of the kingdom of God.

our passage Jn3:3, 5, 7 and we will get to those but look at these

The kingdom is a spiritual kingdom

the Kingdom is and is to come.

So, if you want to enter the kingdom, you must be born again.

You are placed into the kingdom at salvation (Col1:13)

Expand: Do not be fooled that Christ’s kingdom has not come, it has, and we are to receive the kingdom of heaven one day!

But we are kingdom dwellers because of our rebirth, regeneration, being born again now!

You are placed in the kingdom when you are born again (Tit3:5) by the Holy Spirit

The nature of being born again (vv.4-5)

It is important that we note, that we understand that this is not two births, but one that involved both water and Spirit (again you can look at TIt3:5 too and see that too)

The baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at being born again and is not a separate event.

In the Greek New Testament commentary Alford states this

“There can be no doubt on any honest interpretation of the words, that gennethenai ek hudatos (born of water) refers to the token or outward sign of baptism, gennethenai ek pneumatos (born of Spirit) to the thing signified, or inward grace of the Holy Spirit.

All attempts to get rid of these two plain facts have sprung from doctrinal prejudices, by which the view of the expositors have been warped.”

Now, please don’t miss it, that the word is involved for.

Faith comes from the word (Rom10:17)

Let me quickly go over a few scriptures that are in your outline.

Rom10:17 “17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

You are born again by the word that is incorruptible (1Pt1:23-25)

1pt1:23-25 “23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

24 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers, And the flower falls off, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word which was preached to you.”

The word us an instrument for the Spirit to convict the sinner of sin (Jn16:7; Eph6:17)

Jn16:7 “7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”

And

Eph6:17 “17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The word gives the commands to obey (Act22:16; Act2:38)

Act22:16 “16 ‘Now why do you delay?

Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’”

It is the word that sanctifies the church (Eph5:26)

Eph5:26 “26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,”

(Transition) the new birth, rebirth, regeneration, being born again does involve the word, the Spirit, the Father, the Son, belief all working together with repentance and obedience that lead to baptism, being born of water and Spirit.

All of that to get to our passage this morning.

Gleaning from the scripture

Simply Christians learn from the scripture so they can gain knowledge, wisdom, understanding and application.

This passage when linked with our previous passage are vital to becoming a Christian and the assurance, proof (evidence) of our Christianity.

What do you see, notice in this passage?

What is the imperative given (v.5)?

Must be born again, of water and the Spirit

What is the implication found in (v.6)?

Must be born of the Spirit

What is the command given in (v.7)?

You must be born again, don’t be amazed by this.

We got into (v.5)

some last week, so I want to focus on the evidence (assurance) of new birth into the kingdom of God today.

Evidence of New Birth

When a baby is born is there evidence of the birth?

When a person is reborn there is evidence too.

First, is the Spirit that makes us partakers of the divine nature of God (Jn3:6; 2Pt1:4)

as for the divine nature

Evidence is not only having the Spirit but walking in the Spirit (Gal5:16) as evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal5:22-23)

Because of the Spirit’s fruit

Gal5:22-23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Where there is no fruit, where it is not evident there was never any rebirth, regeneration or one is walking after the flesh and not the Spirit

I love some of what Wiersbe says about this rebirth, it is present and future for we

We are born again to a living hope (1Pt1:3)

How were we born again?

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

We too must die as Paul illustrates in Rom6:3-6.

When we are born again, we are heirs (Rom8:17), children of God (Jn1:12; 1Jn3:1)

I cannot pass by these scriptures.

We have to look at them.

Oh wait, need to back up to keep in context

Evidence again is the Spirit, the Spirit that testifies with our spirit that we are heirs, fellow heirs (or co-heirs) with Christ.

Remember back weeks ago back in Chapter one the words found

I want you to think about and look up on your own and ask, who is the “Him” (Jn1:12) how do you know?

Then read on

Pay attention to this passage, with the new birth, rebirth, regeneration, being born again we are not just called “children of God” but we are children of God! Presently!

why?

Because we were born again of water and Spirit.

Now, think back to Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night and is hearing all these things.

He must have been confused, not fully understanding.

His face must have shown it.

That could answer why Jesus said don’t be surprise

Notice the “all” here.

Nicodemus is a leader, a teacher of the Jews, and he is being told he and all must be born again.

Surely Jesus could not be saying that about God’s chosen people the Jews could He? YES, all means ALL!

So, maybe there are people who live decent lives.

Their life shows good works (like the Jews) but that does not save them, they must be born again.

They must believe, receive and walk in the truth and commands of God and be born again.

Nicodemus later will contend for Jesus body for burial, so maybe by then he got it.

So, don’t give up on others who may not get it right away!

They may get it and come to be born again too one day.

(Prayer)