Ye Must Be Born Again

06/17/21 • 14 min

I have thoroughly enjoyed our study of one of the greatest chapters in the entire Bible--John 3! It has been refreshing and simply helpful for my heart. We come now to the crux of it all--the main message Jesus brings to Nicodemus: The Man with Many Questions. His words are concise--“Ye must be born again...” (v.7)
But why did Jesus use the picture of birth to help Nicodemus understand how to be saved? Here are a few thoughts of why I believe the illustration of a new birth resonates with the hearts of people who have questions about salvation. It may answers some questions you have about salvation, or prove to be an effective witnessing tool when sharing the Gospel with an unbeliever.
Birth is the beginning of a life
From the very moment of conception a new life begins. It develops for some time in the womb and then the labor pains begin. After a while a baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut, and a new journey on earth has begun. It’s an exciting thing isn’t it?...
Birth is a familiar picture to all
Everyone can relate to birth. We have all experienced it and we can all understand this monumental aspect of humanity...
There are two parents
Just like in life, there are two parents to every child that is born again through faith in Jesus Christ. First, the Spirit of God.
“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.” (John 3:5).
The Holy Spirit convicts someone of their sin and shows them their need of a Savior. (Jon16:7-11). It is through the Spirit that a man is drawn to the truth of God and brought to repentance.
Which brings us to the second parent of the new birth--The Word of God...
And once a part of the family of God, you take on a new nature of your parents. 2 Peter 1:4 sates, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
As one preacher said, “You receive a new start with a new heart!”
Birth causes travail
There is no question at all that the pains of child-birth are excruciating. I’ve watched my wife give birth to our precious daughter and I can certainly say my wife has a determination like no other! The pain and mental stress of it all were difficult at the time, but the joy that came out of that was worth it all!
It is much the same in regards to being born again. Much travail and agony was suffered so that the joy of a new life could be made possible...
Jesus endured the cross for YOU! It is through his great suffering that redemption was made available to all that believe.
READ HERE - https://www.tylerarobertson.com/post/ye-must-be-born-again

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Previous Episode

Nicodemus: The Man with Many Questions

Imagine the privilege of being able to ask Jesus questions. How amazing would that be? Last week, we were introduced in our study of John 3—JESUS: The Only Way—to a man loaded with questions and desperate for answers. Nicodemus was equipped with the law, but faith was far from him. Unfortunately, I believe there are many people in our world that look at Jesus with the same wonder.

Is he really the God man?

Why did He come?

Did He even exist?

What does it mean to be saved?

Can He save me?

We will dive deeper into Jesus’ words soon, but for now let’s take a quick look into the questions that Nicodemus brought before Jesus. Maybe you or someone you know might have a few things in common with the man that met Jesus by night.

He questioned who Jesus was.

John 3:2 says, “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Nicodemus uses the plural pronoun “we” indicating that he might be representing other Pharisees with the same questions. Whether his trip was business or personal the consensus still remains that he was not quite sure who Jesus was.

I believe all faiths have their roots embedded in the response to this question: “Who is Jesus?“ It’s amazing the diverse responses you will get to such a simple question. Jesus even questioned His own disciples about this very thing in Mark 8.

“And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?" And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ,” (Mark 8:27-29).

It’s one thing to believe that Jesus existed in history, and another to believe that Christ is the Son of God, Saviour of the world! He came to call “sinners to repentance” (Matt. 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32) and give light to a dark world, black from sin.

Who is Jesus to you?

He confused spiritual things with physical things.

Imagine the look on Nicodemus’s face. I must what? Be born again? We know that Nicodemus was confused because he immediately thought of a physical birth instead of a spiritual birth. Jesus explains further, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit,” (John 3:6).

I believe many people are right where Nicodemus is here. They try to make faith tangible. Something they can do or see that will pay their sin debt and set their souls free. Being saved has everything to do with your spirit and soul being renewed by faith in Jesus Christ.

Salvation is an internal work, not an external effort.

No sacraments

No traditions

No church membership

No accolades or accomplishments

No good thing can give eternal life outside of faith in the Gospel. Jesus is the only way!

Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “

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Next Episode

The Works of The Wind (Holy Spirit)

There are not many studies that are more foundational then the a study of the Holy Spirit. He is our life. We are His temple. He is our breathe, we are His workman. You don’t hear a lot of preaching and teaching on Him, but I can assure He is very present and He lives to breathe everlasting life into the minds and hearts of all who seek Him.
In our look at John 3, Nicodemus just wasn’t getting it—“...ye must be born again.” He continued to think in tangible and physical terms trying to make sense of it all. In verse six, Jesus begins to explain what part of Nicodemus must be born again—his spirit.
Then Jesus turns to the second illustration—the wind.
No matter how advanced our studies in anatomy and biology become, birth is still a mysterious miracle! It the same with the regenerate work of the Holy Spirit within a man. You can see it evidences but the work is incomprehensible!
Imagine sitting there with Jesus and Nicodemus. I wonder if the winds hollowed around them as the sun dipped low under the trees. I wonder if the wind painted Christ’s illustration perfectly by rustling the flame that was lit in the night hour. I imagine Nicodemus, the religious ecclesiastical thought of the Old Testemant passage in Ezekiel 37, when a valley of dry bones were revived by the Holy Ghost. Perhaps...
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The Faith, Family & Focus Podcast - Ye Must Be Born Again

Transcript

Back to Basic Collection
Jesus: The Only Way
Ye Must Be Born Again
Blog Link - https://www.tylerarobertson.com/post/ye-must-be-born-again
I have thoroughly enjoyed our study of one of the greatest chapters in the entire Bible--John 3! It has been refreshing and simply helpful for my heart. We come now to the crux of it all--the main message Jesus brings to Nico