“Ye must be born again”
John 3:1-21
“… Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7)
Introduction
Near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
Growing public knowledge of Jesus, (John 2:23)
Jesus has a reputation with the Jewish leaders, (John 3:2)
Nicodemus
A Pharisee – An important Jewish sect at the time of Jesus that was devoted to exact observance of the Jewish religion.
A ruler of the Jews – In the Sanhedrin, (The ruling council of the Jews.)
Paul born to high office in Judaism. Confidence in the flesh, (Philippians 3:4-6)
New Vicar – “A Cradle Christian,” born into the church…
There was a man, (John 3:1)
Nicodemus, St Paul, the new Vicar… they all have one thing in common.
They are men.    They are born the children of Adam
“…as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12)
Sinners from the womb
“… I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5)
Not one of us is by nature good. In fact the opposite is true.
“The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Psalm 14:2–3)
He was a man. (John 3:1)
He was a Pharisee… he could have been anyone.

* St. Paul
* The New Vicar
* The Arch Bishop of Canterbury,
* The Pope himself

The message would be the same.
“… Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7)
The necessity of NEW BIRTH, (Jn 3:1-13)
“… Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
“… Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
Unless you are born again you can not… See the kingdom of God

You will not understand the things of God
* You will not comprehend the kingdom

“Seeing is believing” But in the Kingdom of God it is, “Believing is seeing.”

Unless you are born again you can not… Enter the kingdom of God
Later…

* You will not enter eternal life,
* You will not live forever with Christ.

NOW…

* You can not participate in the Kingdom TODAY
* You will not be able to live in it’s power
* You will not be included in the Kingdom Promises.

“I am with you always,” (Matthew 28:20)
* “All thing work togeather for good, (Rom 8:28)

Ye must be born again… but How?
Faith/Believing (John 3:14-15)
The Brazen Serpent Numbers 21:6-9 [2] [read v9]

If you believed Moses made the serpent… you died!
* If you believed that, if you looked at the serpent you would live, but did not look… you died!
* If you thought, I’ll look latter… you died!
* If you though looking at that serpent is just a crutch for week people… you died.
* BUT… If you, in faith, looked on the brazen Serpent, you lived

You had to look, in faith at that serpent.
You have to look to Jesus, in faith that he died to take the punishment for your sin.
The Good News. (John 3:16-17)
God so loved the world whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
The Bad News  (John 3:18-21)
Ye must be born again… OR ELSE!
he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Why? Because their deeds were evil. (v19)
Conclusion
“… Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7)
Ye MUST be born again.
Your family must be born again
Your friends must be born again
You neighbours must be born again