A SPIRITUAL BIRTH

John 3:5-7

5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:5-7)

INTRODUCTION

The account of Jesus talking to Nicodemus (Pharisees) about spiritual and physical birth is very relevant to evangelism. Many people out there may be religious like Nicodemus but do not have a personal relationship with God.

We will meet people who are from a Christian family, who have studied at a Christian school or are from another religious background. We need to show them how to become a child of God.

BE BORN OF WATER

5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)

In John 3:5, Jesus explained to Nicodemus that spiritual birth involves being born of water. What does ‘born of water’ mean? Jesus was referring to the baptism of repentance which John the Baptist preached in the desert.

Mt 3:11a “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry.

"A person is born again when the Holy Spirit enters their life".

Repentance is ‘a profound change of mind involving the changing of the direction of life’. In another word, we need to turn away from sin and rebellion to righteousness through a relationship with God. Like Jesus, we need to explain to people the importance of repentance before they receive Christ.

BE BORN OF SPIRIT

6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:6-7)

In John 3:6, Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the spiritual birth involves being born of the spirit. What does ‘being born of spirit’ mean? Jesus was referring to the entry of the Holy Spirit in to our life, which John the Baptist prophesied about in the desert (Matt 3:11).

"The Holy Spirit is the One that causes regeneration and new birth in our lives." (John 3:6, Titus 3:5).

5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5)

Like Jesus, we need to explain to people the work of the Holy Spirit to bringing salvation and transformation of life.

"Salvation involves turning away from the sin in our lives".

CONCLUSION

Like Nicodemus, many only understand their physical birth. Today, we have the honor of telling people in schools, universities, workplaces, our community and the nations about spiritual birth.

Questions to Ponder.

What is the definition of repentance?

Why is church attendance, communion and water baptism unable to save us?