Transformative Power of Being Born Again

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth

To be "born again" is not merely a religious term but a profound transformation that involves receiving a new heart and spirit from God. This rebirth is essential to see and enter the kingdom of God, transcending mere moral and religious observance. Nicodemus, a Pharisee and teacher of the law, approached Jesus with respect but lacked understanding of what it truly means to be part of God's kingdom. Jesus' response was direct: "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This concept was revolutionary and perplexing to Nicodemus, who believed his religious status and moral life were sufficient. Jesus explained that being born of water and the Spirit is essential, drawing parallels to the prophecy in Ezekiel and the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers. This sets the stage for understanding the necessity of spiritual rebirth. [12:39]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you experienced this transformative rebirth? If not, what steps can you take today to seek this new heart and spirit from God?

Day 2: Understanding True Belief

True belief in Jesus involves more than acknowledging His miracles or teachings. It requires a deep, personal faith that recognizes our sin, accepts God's provision through Jesus' sacrifice, and results in a transformed life. Nicodemus, despite his religious knowledge, struggled to understand this. Jesus emphasized that just as the Israelites had to look at the bronze serpent to be healed, we must look to Jesus on the cross to be saved. This act of looking and believing signifies a deep acknowledgment of our sin, acceptance of God's provision for salvation, and a transformative faith that leads to eternal life. [20:31]

James 2:19-20 (ESV): "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?"

Reflection: Examine your faith. Is it merely intellectual acknowledgment, or does it involve a deep, personal trust in Jesus that transforms your life? What changes can you make today to deepen your faith?

Day 3: The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our spiritual rebirth. Just as the wind is unseen but its effects are visible, the Spirit's work in our lives is evident through the transformation and new life it brings. Jesus used the analogy of the wind to explain the mysterious yet powerful work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's presence in our lives is not always visible, but the changes it brings—such as new desires, attitudes, and behaviors—are unmistakable. This transformation is a key indicator of being born again. [16:37]

John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: Reflect on the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in your life. What changes have you noticed? How can you be more open to the Spirit's guidance and transformation today?

Day 4: God's Provision and Our Response

Like the Israelites who had to look at the bronze serpent to be healed, we must look to Jesus on the cross for our salvation. This act of faith involves recognizing our sin, believing in God's provision, and acting upon that belief. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. This highlights the necessity of a personal response to God's provision for salvation. [19:01]

Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV): "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live."

Reflection: Consider how you have responded to God's provision for your salvation. Have you truly looked to Jesus and believed in His sacrifice for you? What steps can you take today to deepen your trust in Him?

Day 5: Living Under New Management

Being born again means coming under new management—God's management. This involves a complete transformation where our actions and lives reflect the works of God rather than our own efforts. It is a shift from self-reliance to reliance on God's Spirit. The key question we must ask ourselves is whether we are merely good and religious or truly born again and under new management. This new birth is marked by a life transformed by God's Spirit, where the works in our lives are clearly worked by God. [27:10]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: Reflect on your life. Are you living under God's management, or are you still relying on your own efforts? What changes can you make today to fully surrender to God's Spirit and allow Him to work through you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into the transformative power of being "born again" as illustrated in John 3, where Jesus has a profound conversation with Nicodemus. We began by reflecting on the prophecy from Ezekiel, where God promises to cleanse us, give us a new heart, and put His Spirit within us. This sets the stage for understanding the necessity of spiritual rebirth. I shared my personal testimony, emphasizing how growing up in a Christian environment and being a "good" person wasn't enough until I came under "new management"—a metaphor for being born again.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, teacher of the law, and member of the Sanhedrin, approached Jesus with respect but lacked understanding of what it truly means to be part of God's kingdom. Jesus' response was direct: "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This concept of being born again or from above was revolutionary and perplexing to Nicodemus, who believed his religious status and moral life were sufficient.

Jesus explained that being born of water and the Spirit is essential, drawing parallels to the prophecy in Ezekiel and the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers. Just as the Israelites had to look at the bronze serpent to be healed, we must look to Jesus on the cross to be saved. This act of looking and believing signifies a deep acknowledgment of our sin, acceptance of God's provision for salvation, and a transformative faith that leads to eternal life.

The conversation culminates in the famous verse, John 3:16, which encapsulates God's love and the promise of eternal life through belief in His Son. Jesus emphasized that the world is already under condemnation, and His mission was to save, not to condemn. The challenge lies in stepping out of darkness into the light, allowing God's works to be evident in our lives.

The key question we must ask ourselves is whether we are merely good and religious or truly born again and under new management. This new birth is marked by a life transformed by God's Spirit, where the works in our lives are clearly worked by God.

###

Key Takeaways

1. reliance to reliance on God's Spirit. [27:10]
### [27:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction and Prayer
[02:04] - Personal Testimony
[03:25] - Growing Up in a Christian Home
[04:39] - Youth Camp Experience
[05:46] - Under New Management
[07:13] - Introduction to Nicodemus
[08:25] - Setting the Scene: John 2:23
[09:58] - Nicodemus Meets Jesus
[11:20] - Jesus' Shocking Response
[12:39] - Born Again Explained
[14:00] - Born of Water and Spirit
[16:37] - The Analogy of the Wind
[17:45] - How Can These Things Be?
[19:01] - The Bronze Serpent Parallel
[20:31] - Believing in the Cross
[22:02] - John 3:16 Explained
[23:24] - Light vs. Darkness
[25:15] - Works Worked by God
[27:10] - Are You Under New Management?
[28:00] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

John 3:1-21
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Numbers 21:4-9

Observation Questions

What does Jesus mean when He tells Nicodemus that one must be "born again" to see the kingdom of God? ([11:20])
How does Jesus use the analogy of the wind to explain the work of the Holy Spirit? ([16:37])
What is the significance of the bronze serpent in the wilderness, and how does Jesus relate it to His own mission? ([19:01])
According to John 3:16, what is the purpose of God sending His Son into the world? ([22:02])

Interpretation Questions

Why was Nicodemus, a Pharisee and teacher of the law, confused by Jesus' statement about being born again? What does this reveal about his understanding of spiritual rebirth? ([12:39])
How does the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:25-27 help us understand the concept of being born of water and the Spirit? ([15:16])
In what ways does the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 illustrate the necessity of faith and looking to Jesus for salvation? ([20:31])
What does it mean to live under "new management" as described in the sermon, and how does this concept relate to being born again? ([05:46])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Have you experienced a moment of spiritual rebirth or coming under "new management"? How did it change your perspective and actions? ([05:46])
Jesus emphasized the necessity of being born of water and the Spirit. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit in your daily life? ([14:00])
The sermon mentioned the challenge of stepping out of darkness into the light. Are there areas in your life where you are still in darkness? What steps can you take to bring those areas into the light? ([23:24])
The story of the bronze serpent required the Israelites to acknowledge their sin and look to God's provision for healing. Is there a sin or struggle in your life that you need to acknowledge and bring to God for healing? ([20:31])
John 3:16 speaks of God's immense love and the promise of eternal life through belief in His Son. How can you share this message of love and hope with someone in your life this week? ([22:02])
The sermon highlighted the difference between being merely good and religious versus being truly born again. How can you ensure that your faith is not just about religious observance but about a genuine relationship with God? ([27:10])
Reflect on the works in your life. Can you identify areas where God's Spirit is clearly at work? How can you allow more of your actions to be guided by the Holy Spirit rather than your own efforts? ([25:15])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I've been tremendously blessed by God really all of my life. I was very fortunate. I grew up in a Christian home. I had a mother and father who loved each other and loved the Lord, and their faith in Christ was very genuine. I witnessed a real relationship with Christ just being lived out before me in very practical and real ways." [02:04] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Under new management, everything's new. And as a religious and a good and a moral teenager, what God revealed to me in that moment is I had never come under new management. Had never even thought about that before." [06:00] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. That's Jesus' commentary on what Numbers 20 says. That's what He's saying. God loves the world, even this group of people who loathed His provision and manna, and who rebelled, but God loves them." [22:02] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him, whoever believes in Him is not condemned. Whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." [22:02] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Unless you are born again and born from above, you will not be a part of the kingdom of God. And it really does take a work of the Spirit to help us see the difference. Because when you're in Nicodemus, or when you're a Todd, junior in high school, you carry that kind of, well, what else does God want?" [25:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Jesus is trying to say to Nicodemus, there is something more than being good and being moral and being religious and being well-respected in everything that you've been doing. There's something more, and unless you have that, unless you experience that, you're not going to see the kingdom of God." [23:24] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Unless you're born again, unless you are born from above, you cannot see the kingdom of God. Now, this would have been shocking to Nicodemus. I mean, we're in the post-Billy Graham era, so we're kind of familiar with the born again language. That doesn't shock us so much. But obviously, Nicodemus, this is the first time he's heard it." [11:20] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So, Jesus begins to use some more analogies. In verse 6, he says, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. We understand human birth. This is the way you become part of the human family, is you're born. But if you want to be part of God's family, there is this second birth. You must be born of the Spirit." [15:16] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And Jesus tells him now the story. It's a story we read in Numbers chapter 21. It's the story when the Israelites have come out of Egypt, they cross the Red Sea, they're in the wilderness, God provides manna, and they live on manna for a while, and to the point where they really start hating manna. They get tired of manna." [17:45] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And how does that happen? What is the works have been worked by God? That's what Jesus is talking about. Born again. Born from above. Born of the Spirit. Born by the Spirit. Given a new heart. God puts His Spirit in us. We become new creations in Christ. Or the way the camp pastor put it in Falls Creek when I was a teenager, you come under new management." [25:15] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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