MONDAY, 2nd WEEK OF EASTER-B
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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