MONDAY, 2nd WEEK OF EASTER-C
I Reading: Acts 4:23-31: As the prayed, they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God boldly.
Gospel: John 3:1-8: Unless a man is born from above, he cannot see
the kingdom of God.
The New Birth, John 3:1-15
The new birth along with God’s great love (v.16-17), is the most
important revelation ever made in all of human history. Jesus revealed the new
birth.
1. Nicodemus approached
Jesus (v.1-2)
a.
He came in behalf of the religionists: “We”
b.
He acknowledged Jesus only as a teacher from God
c.
He asked, “Who are you?”
2. The new birth: a
necessity, an imperative (v.3)
a.
A strong assertion
b.
Importance: One can never see God’s kingdom unless born again
3. A new birth: a spiritual
birth (v.4-8)
a.
Its source: being born of the Spirit
b.
Its importance repeated: one will never enter God’s kingdom unless
born again
c.
Its nature: spiritual, not physical and material
d.
Its absolute necessity: reemphasized
e.
Its illustration: the wind
4. The new birth: a true
experience (v.9-11)
a.
Nicodemus’ heart touched
b.
Jesus’ strong assertion: we do know; have seen
5. The new birth rejected
(v.11-12)
a.
Some did not accept the witness
b.
The reason: man’s nature of unbelief
6. The new birth: revealed
only by Jesus (v.13)
a.
His origin: heaven
b.
His timeless experience: “From heaven”
7. The new birth: secured by
tow acts (v.14-15)
a.
By Jesus’ death
b.
By believing in Jesus
Thought:
The new birth is a changed life, a totally a new life. A person proves that
he/she is born again:
a. By doing righteous acts ( 1Jn 2:29; Eph 2:10; 4:24)
b. By not practising sin ( 1Jn 3:9, 5:18)
c. By loving other believers (1Jn 4:7)
d. By overcoming the world (1Jn 5:4)
e. By keeping himself (1Jn 5:18)
f. By possessing the divine seed or nature (1Jn 3:9; 1Pet 1:23; Col
1:27)
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