FELLOWSHIP

Acts 2:41-47

To teach the Importance of Fellowship to the life every believer.

INTRODUCTION:

Imagine if you are member of basketball team, yet you are playing alone, performing the position of a guard, center, and forward. Isn’t a hard time? Expecting that you have a team and a part of it, yet you’re playing alone?

What if you are born in a family, yet you’re an orphan, no immediate family to be depend on, no mother, no father, and no brothers and sisters. Or you may be like this, you have a complete family member but you decided to be alone, not being connected or not making an effort to be united with your family because of unavoidable circumstances, or any reason. Isn’t a bad situation for you?

Christian who are isolating from the church, decided to be alone, and decided to depend from himself alone is like an orphan child, a one-man team basketball player, a part of the body detached from the whole body, a branch of a vine detached from the vine, and an astray sheep separated from the flock. A tragic moment for a Christian, a moment when a Christian decided not to have a fellowship from the Church and other believers. From book of Acts, let us examine the value and importance of fellowship from the early Church.

TEXT: ACTS 2:41-47

What is Fellowship?

1.        A group of people united to follow Christ’s  Teaching and Apostle’s Doctrine (Acts 2:42) and they surrendered their life to Lord Jesus (Matt 18:19-20)

2.       It is a Body consists of many parts. (1 Cor 12:12, 27)

3.       The Center of their gatherings and unity is Christ (1 Jn 3:3, Matt 18:20)

What are the Importance of Fellowship?

1.      Develops Relationships (Acts 2:41-47, 1 John 4:19-21,  Romans 12:9-18, Jn 13:34-35)

Christianity is a relationship, and our Christian living rooted from these two commandments; to love God and to love others (Matt 22:37-40). We may be very religious and pious but without conforming from these two commandments will turn to become Pharisees and teachers of the law like the time of Lord Jesus.

Early Church continues to grow in faith through their continues fellowship with other believers, when they fellowship, it brought a chance for each other to serve and minister to the needy fellows. (Acts 2:41-47)

Jesus said that to show to the world that the person is truly a disciple of Him is by loving each other. This type of character can only be express through proper relationship to other disciples it is the relationship that cannot be taught and found from the world, only from the true disciples of Christ.

Apostle Paul said that as a Church we must grow in love (Romans 12:9-18), other positive character of a Christian will develop through fellowship that promotes love, and it can be extended even to the enemies. (Romans 12:19-21)

2.     Promotes Unity (Acts 2:41-47, 1 Cor 12:12-27, ) and Purpose (Eph 4:11-13)

Early Church experienced the Spirit of unity; they find a way to give time for fellowship, addressing the needs of every member of the Church. When they fellowship, they pray together, exercise giving and sharing, and they worship and praise God together as one and united Church. Together they become devoted to the Apostle’s Teaching. 

In Ephesian Church, Apostle Paul said that Lord Jesus gives different types of ministries for the following purpose:

1.        To Equip and Prepare the Chosen (Christian) for the Welfare and Edification of the Church. (Eph 4:12)

2.       For the Unity of Faith and Knowledge of the Son of God (V. 13)

3.       For the Maturity of the Church like the Fullness of His Son (V. 14)

3.     Experience Fullness (Eph 4:13, 1 Cor 12:12-13,27, Jn 15:5-9, Col 2:10)

Some people try everything to find happiness, they tried wealth, fame, power, influence and other drugs just to experience fullness of life. Yet, all of those were just a bit of temporary happiness and pleasure but demands lots of sacrifices, hurt and shame. But according to apostle Paul fullness of our being can only be found from Christ alone (Eph 4:13), by uniting with Christ, Christian will find fullness of his life. (Col 2:10).

Lord Jesus said, “…apart from me you can do nothing”, fruitful life, the love of God and His blessing can only be found by abiding in Christ.(Jn 15:5-9) Remaining to Christ and to His body will reach and experience our fullest potential as a part of the body, designated for certain ministry and purpose as individual Christian designed to become part of the Body of Christ. (1 Cor 12:12-13, 27)

“Nobody can Experience Fullness separated from Christ, nobody can find Maturity separated from the Body of Christ” – (Eph 4:13)

CONCLUSION:

Hebrews 10:25

The Bible Encourage us not to forsake Fellowship.

WIN, TRAIN AND SEND

INTRODUCTION:

Ang bawat Kristiano ay tinawag upang maligtas sa siguradong kapahamakan, at tumanggap ng buhay na walag hanggan, ngunit ang buhay Kristiano ay hindi lang nagtatapos sa pagkaligtas bagkus ang bawat isa ay tinawag upang ganapin ang kapanawagan upang matupad ang layunin ng Diyos sa bawat isa. Bilang simbahan, tayo ay pinili at itinalaga para sa “common purpose”, ito ay ang layunin na maluwalhati natin ang Diyos (glorify) sa ating pamumuhay. Ngunit paano nga ba natin ito maisasakatuparan bilang simbahan? Ang Panginoong Jesus ay nag-utos sa kanyang mga alagad, at pati na rin sa atin sa ating kapanahunan, ito ay ang mga pamamaraan upang maluwalhati natin ang Diyos at matupad natin ang utos ng Panginoong Jesus. Mula sa Aklat ng Mateo 28:16-28 malalaman natin ang mga kapamaraanan na ito.

TEXT: Matt 28:16-28

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How can we glorify God as a Church?

·         WE MUST BE A CHAMPION IN WINNING SOUL FOR CHRIST

·         WE MUST BE TRAINED FOR SERVING CHRIST

·         WE MUST FULFILL OUR MISSION GIVEN TO US BY GOD

WE MUST BE A CHAMPION IN WINNING SOUL FOR CHRIST

Matt 28:19

“¹⁹ therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”

Acts 1:8

“⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Nais ng Diyos bilang Kristianong Simbahan ay magi tayong Champion salarangan ng ating kapanawagan. Bilang simbahan tayo ay tinawag na maging winner sa pagsasaksi para kay Cristo. Tayo ay tinawag ng Diyos upang ipahayag natin ang Mabuting Balita, at maging saksi ng kanyang kabutihan at kadakilaan. Ang Bawat Kristiano ay nakaranas ng kabutihan ng Diyos at naranasan ang mga himala ng Diyos sa buhay niya, nararapat lamang na ito ay kanyang ipahayag sa mga taong hindi pa nakakakilala sa Diyosupang makilala din nila ang Diyos na buhay at totoong Diyos.

Ang pagsasaksi natin tungkol kay Cristo ay utos mismo ni Cristo, ito ay hindi optional o kaya ay kaloob kundi ang bawat Kristiano ay inuutusan Niya na magpatotoo tayo tungkol Kanya at sa Kanyang mga ginawa sa buhay ng bawat Kristiano. Kaya nga ang sabi niya sa mga Alagad ay “Humayo at gawing alagad ang lahat ng mga bansa…” (Mateo 28:19), at “Kayo’y magiging Saksi ko….” (Gawa 1:8). Ninanais ng Panginoong Jesus naang bawat alagad niya ay maging saksi at maging winner sa pagpapahayag ng Mabuting Balita.

Nais ng Diyos na tayo ay maging kabilang sa mga Champion sa pananampalataya (Heb 12:1), at sa ating pagsasaksi at maayos na pamumuhay marami ang mga taong walang pagkakilala sa Diyos ang magnanais na makilala ang ating Diyos. (Gawa 2:47). Kung ganito ang magiging pamumuhay ng buong Simbahan, marami ang makakakilala sa totoong Diyos, marami ang tatanggap sa Panginoong Jesus at lalaki ang Kristianong Simbahan, at marami ang makakaranas ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos.

Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…”

WE MUST BE TRAINED FOR SERVING CHRIST

Matthew 28:20

“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”

May kasabihan, “Hindi mo pwede ibigay ang isang bagay na wala ka”, hindi mo rin pwede ituro ang isang bagay na hindi mo alam. Ang nais ng Diyos tayo ay maging kabahagi ng pamilya ng Diyos, at bilang parti ng pamilya at parti ng iisang katawan, nais niya na ang bawat isa ay maging kabahagi sa gawain ng kaharian ng Diyos. (1 Cor 12:27, Eph 2:20) Tulad ni Moises, David at Pablo, maging ang mga alagad ni Cristo, sila ay tinuruan, sinanay at inihanda sa paglilingkod sa kaharian ng Diyos. Ang iba ay nais maglingkod sa Diyos, pero hindi alam ang gagawin at hindi alam kung paano makapaglilingkod sapagkat, hindi pa naturuan, at walang pagsasanay na dinaanan.

Tulad ng isang simpleng pamilya hindi lalago (magmamatured) ang isang anak o parti ng pamilya kung hindi siya magiging kabahagi sa mga gawain bahay o kaya ay wala siyang gingampanang papel sa isang pamilya. (Eph 4:11-13) Pero paano nga ba siya magiging kabahagi ng gawain ng Simabahn kung ayaw niyang matoto, ayaw niyang paturo? Paano siya magtuturo kung hindi siya maturuan? Paano siya maglilingkod kung wala sa kanyang magtuturo na maglingkod sa kapwa at sa Diyos?

Habang tayo ay nabubuhay tayo ay nasa ilalim ng proseso ng paglago (maturing process), maraming pamamaraan ang Diyos upang lumago ang isang Kristiano, pero isa sa pinakasimpleng pamamaraan na itinalaga ng Diyos upang lumago ang buong Simbahan, at ang individual na Kristiano ay ang mga pagtuturong ginagawa, maging ito man ay Bible Study, School of Workers, Bible School, Training and Seminars at iba pang pamamaraan upang maranasan (Experience) at mauwanaan ng isang Kristiano ang isang totoong buhay ng isang Kristiano. (Acts 2:42). Kung ang mga unang Kristiano ay naging masugid at tuloy tuloy sa mga turo ng mga Apostol, tulad din natin kung nais nating lumago, makapaglingkod at maging kapaki pakinabang sa Pamilyang Kristiano dapat ay may oras tayo sa pag-aaral, at nagpapaturo tayo sa mga itinalaganag manggagawa ng ating Congregation. Kung ayaw niyang magpaturo, paano siya magtuturo? Kung ayaw niyang magpaturo paano siya makakaunawa? Nais niya lamang ba na siya lamang ang pakinggan at unawain? Meron na ba tayong kinabibilangang Bible Study o Small Group? regular ba tayo na dumadalo rito?  Tayo ba ay dumadalo ng Pananambahan upang makasana ang ibang mga Kristiano at sama samang matoto at sumamba?

Marahil ang isang Kristiano ay pinanahanan ng Espiritu Santo, pero hindi siya “All Knowing”, kailangan niya ang mga tagapagturo at kailangan niya magpaturo kung nais niya na lumago sa pagiging Kristiano at maging kabahagi ng Gawain ng Diyos. Kung ayaw magpaturo at maging kabahagi sa isang “Training” hindi siya lalago at hindi rin siya magagamit sa Gawain ng Diyos.

Paano ba nakakatutulong ang palagiang Pag-aaral ng Salita ng Diyos?

1.         Mababago at natutuwid ng Salita ng Diyos ang ating mga pag-iisip at pananaw sa buhay. (Roma 12:2, 2 Tim 3:16-17)

2.       Kapag naituwid ang ating pananaw at nagkaroon ng tamang pag-iisip sa Buhay, magkakaron din tayo ng tamang pagpapasya. (Acts 5:29, Mateo 6:33)

3.       Sa ating buhay, malimit tayong magpasya, maging pangmadalian o matagal na pinag-isipan, kung tama ang ating pagpapasya,  magkakaroon tayo ng maayos na pamumuhay.

4.       Sa gabay ng Espiritu Santo, at Salita ng Diyos, at maayos na pagpapasya, tiyak makakasumpong tayo ng  pinagpalang buhay.

WE MUST FULFILL OUR MISSION GIVEN TO US BY GOD

Matthew 28:19

“…go and make disciples of all nations…”

Tayo ay ginawa ng Diyos para sa kanyang layunin. Marami ang mayayaman na nagkamal ng bilyong bilyong salapi, sankatotak na aria-arian, tanyag at may kapangyarihan pero nauuwi lamang sa kalungkotan at walang pagkakuntento, at ang iba ay nagiging gahaman.  May mga tanyag, sikat at mayayaman pero bakit nauuwi sa pagkagumon sa droga, at ang iba ay nagpapakamatay. Bakit ganun? Sapagkat hindi nila nasumpungan ang tamang deriksyon at nais ng Diyos sa kanilang buhay, kaya sila ay napariwara. Maaaring ang isang tao ay mayaman, sagana sa buhay, tinitingala ngunit pariwara, sapagkat hindi niya naunwaan ang nais ng Diyos sa buhay niya. Bakit marami ang hindi makuntento sa buhay? Bakit laging nararanasan niya na may kulang sa buhay niya, sapagkat hindi niya pa nararanasan ang nais ng Diyos sa buhay niya. Tayo ay ginawa niya para sa kanyang layunin, hindi niya tayo ginawa upang mamumuhay ng para sa sarili nating kagustuhan, sa sarili nating kapakanan o kaya ay para mabuhay upang magkamal ng kayamanan, magpakasarap at mamatay, maari na yan ay parti ng buhay, pero hindi yan ang kabuuan ng buhay. Siya ay may banal na layunin para sa atin. Ano nga ba ang nais ng Diyos para sa bawat isa sa atin?

1.         Tayo ay ipinanganak upang naging kabilang sa pamilya ng Diyos (Gal 1:15)

2.       Tayo ay naging Kabilang sa Pamilya ng Diyos upang Maging kabahagi ng Gawain ng Diyos (Eph 2:19-20, 1 Cor 12:12,27, eph 4:12-13)

3.       Tayo ay kabahagi ng Gawain ng Diyos upang tuparin ang Plano ng Diyos (John 5:19-20, Matt 28:20 )

4.       Upang matupad ang Plano ng Diyos sa Buhay natin, dapat ay tuparin natin ang inaatang na Mission para sa atin. (2 Tim 4:7-8)

Ano ba ang Mission mo sa Buhay ngayon bilang Kristiano?

Bilang Kristiano ay ninanais ng Panginoong Jesus sundin natin ang kanyang mga pinag-uutos.

“Sa bawat Kristiano nais ng Panginoong Jesus na tayo ay humayo at gumawa ng mga alagad ni Kristo”

CONCLUSION:

Bilang Simbahan, Pamilya ng Diyos, Nais niya na tayo ay maging Champion sa pagpahayag ng kabutihan ng Diyos sa buhay natin. Nais niya rin na tayo ay maging handa sa paglilingkod sa ating Kapwa at sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng masusing pagsasanay at pagiging handa sa gawain na itinalaga sa bawat isa sa atin. Tayo ay ipinganak para sa kanyang layunin, nais ng Diyos na tuparin natin ang ang mission na naiatang sa ating mga balikat.

Sa pamilyang JFCM may tatlo tayong hakbang upang mapapurihan ang Diyos; WIN, TRAIN and SEND (MISSION). Handa ba tayo dumaan at magpaila

“CHILDREN OF GOD”

PURPOSE: To preach to the hearers about the benefits of every Christian as a Children of God.

INTRODUCTION:

Many people said that all of us are children of God, because all of us were created in His Image. It is true that all of us were created in the image of God, but it is not true that everybody is the Children of God. God intends that all of us must be His children, yet there is a specific way to become His Children.

From the Book of John 1:12, Apostle John said that, “to those who believe and receive Christ has a right to become a children of God.” From the letter of Apostle Paul to Galatians, Paul said that, “If we are in Christ we are children of God.” Therefore, the children of God are the true Christians who put in faith to Christ, those who receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Yes! If you are a Christian you are children of God. Now, let us study the benefits of being children of God.

TEXT: Galatians 3:23-29

“²³Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. ²⁴So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under the guardian. ²⁶So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING CHILDREN OF GOD?

·         WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW (V23-26)

·         WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST (V26-28)

·         WE ARE HEIRS OF GOD (V29)

WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW (V23-26)

Galatians 3:23-26 –“²³Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. ²⁴So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under the guardian. ²⁶So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,”

Apostle Paul made a point and made it cleared that children of God are not under the law. 

So, what are the purposes of the law?

The law was given to expose the transgressions (V19)

Galatians 3:19 – “Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law given through angels, and entrusted to a mediator. ”

The law was given to expose the transgressions until the “seed” (Christ) come to whom the promise referred. Therefore, the law was given by God not to make man holy but to expose the sinful nature of man, for there is no man can fulfill all the laws, except Lord Jesus, although He is God, He become man in order to save the humanity from slavery of sin.

               

The law was given to become our guardian (tutor) (V24)

Galatians 3:24 – “²⁴So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.”

The law was given to become our guardian (tutor) until Christ came (V24). Many religions taught that to find salvation and acceptance from God must submit to the law, because they believed that fulfilling the law is obedience to God, since God gave the law to Moses (first five books of OT and ten commandments ) to be followed by the Nation of Israel. From the time of Lord Jesus, Pharisees and teachers of the law were very strict to the religious rituals to obey the different laws. But the problem of obeying the law is nobody can obey the whole law, because of this; nobody can find righteousness by fulfilling the law, because failure to obey at least one commandment is failure to obey the whole commandments. (James 2:10).

Paul’s conclusion is the children of God are not under the law anymore.

               

WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST (V26-28)

Galatians 3:26-28 – “. ²⁶So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

As we put our faith to Lord Jesus Christ, we become the children of God. (John 1:12-13, V26).

We clothed ourselves with Christ when we baptized into Christ. Clothes symbolizes where we belong, like school uniform, it identifies us where we studied. At the time of Apostle Paul, roman soldiers wear their uniform to signify their rank and group they belong, from ancient to the present age, clothes become an indicator of what social status we belong. Uniform indicates also our affiliation to a certain institution, or it shows where we employed.

We must be cautious on how we conduct ourselves in front of unbeliever and while we are living in this world, because we are not representing ourselves anymore, we are representing Christ now! We are wearing Christ now!

As a children of God we must be united, there is neither Jew, nor Gentile, neither  slave nor free, and there is no male nor female, we are all one in Christ.

At the time of Apostle Paul there were many division and discrimination between;

o   Jews and Gentiles

o   Men and Women

o   Slaves and Free

But when Christ came, division and discrimination has been abolished, and every Christians has equal opportunities to receive salvation and Spiritual Gifts based from their desire and calling from God, regardless of their social status, race, nationality, educational attainment and gender. Because in the eyes of God, every Christian is a son/daughter of God, and all Christians are identified in Christ not only in their organization, or denomination they belong.

WE ARE HEIRS OF GOD (V29, Gen 12:2-3)

Galatians 3:29 – “ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”.

Every Christian is Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to promise. Sometimes Christian has a doubt about his position and worth to God, we thought that we are not worthy to God because of our sins, problems, and trials we face, and sometimes, we thought that we are more worthy to God as we follow his commandments and calling for us, but both are not true, because we are not better than others, in the eyes of God all Christian are his children and heirs. The Holy Scripture said that Christians are the children of God and heirs according to the promise. This promise is not a promise of a religion, or a promise of an organization, or a promise of a prophet, or a promise of matured Christian, but a promise of God!

Genesis 12:2-3 – “²I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. ³I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Many people said, “I will…”, because they want to do their will, their self-will! But, God said, “I will…”, because it is the will of God to bless Abraham and his descendants. All Christians are true spiritual descendants of Abraham; therefore they are Children of God and Heirs of God, destined to be blessed and to be a vessel of blessing to others according to the promise of God!

How can we become a Children of God?

·         By Lord’s Redemptive Work

·         By receiving God’s Adoption

Galatians 4:4-7 – “⁴But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those under the law,  that we might receive adoption to sonship. ⁶Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” ⁷So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child, and since you are his child, God made you also an heir. ”

By Lord’s Redemptive Work

In God’s perfect time, He sent his Son, so that every person who believe and receive Christ will find redemption through Him. (Romans 3:23-24). God is righteous and sins must be punished, every sinner must face punishment, but by the grace of God, Lord Jesus died in the cross to be punished instead of us. Because of Christ’s redemptive work in the cross everyone who has faith in Christ are justified.

By receiving God’s Adoption

Lord’s redemptive work in the cross enables us to receive adoption to sonship (V5). By believing and receiving Christ, every Christian receive the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Also, the Holy Spirit we received brought us adoption to sonship. (Romans 8:15).

The Spirit of Christ is in the heart of every Christian, and it will allow us to call (Abba, Father) [Daddy!]. This is a great a privilege for all true Christians, because we have intimate relationship to Our Father in Heaven, because we can call Him, “Daddy” (Abba, Father), and we can approach Him freely.

CONCLUSION:

Galatians 4:7 - .” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child, and since you are his child, God made you also an heir. ”

Did you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior? If yes, you are a True Christian.

If you are a True Christian, you are not a slave; you are a son of God. If you are a son of God you are also an Heir according to God’s promise.

What does it mean to be a born again Christian? (Part 3)

PURPOSE:

To answer the following questions:

• What does it mean to be a Born Again Christian?
• What are the benefits of being Born Again?
• How we will become Born Again?

"You must be born again." The religious leader who heard these words first spoken 2,000 years ago seemed stunned by them. This, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, had already acknowledged his belief that Jesus Christ had come from God, "for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." Chapter three of the Gospel of John records this intriguing conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, giving us a vital key to the kingdom of God.

Both believers and unbelievers still use Jesus' words "born again," and many, like Nicodemus, are still confused by them.

Nicodemus asked Jesus, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born again, can he?"

Nicodemus was thinking in terms of the flesh. Jesus had to explain to him, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'you must be born again.'" Jesus also explained that unless a person is born again, he cannot see or enter the kingdom of God. Obviously, this born-again experience, whatever it is, is absolutely necessary and of the utmost importance. We cannot take it lightly, for Jesus spoke imperatively, "You must" - a command from God.

You can imagine the incredulous look on the face of Nicodemus. He couldn't believe such a thing. All his life he had been taught that good works were the key to heaven-that if a person observed all the laws and requirements of God, he would have entrance into heaven. He said to Jesus, "How can these things be?"

You see, Jesus was talking about things of the spirit. He compared the spirit with the wind. You cannot see it; you don't know where it's coming from or where it's going. But it is real, and you see its effects. You see what it does to the trees. You see the leaves that are caught up in the wind. You see the little swirls of dust. You feel the wind on your face. Jesus said, "So is every one who is born of the Spirit."

The Flesh Versus The Spirit

The problem was that Nicodemus, like all human beings, was of the flesh. He was from the earth. Flesh is mortal. It is subject to death, decay, and corruption. It is filled with self-pity, self-pride, self-love.

An awesome fact exists about the flesh: everything we see, everything visible, even our own bodies, are perishing. Many people try everything imaginable to ignore or forget this, but the fact always remains. The Bible says that things which are visible are temporary but things which are invisible are eternal (see 2 Corinthians 4:18).

The truth is that we dwell in a mortal body which will soon return to dust.

The Answer

Our old state, our old nature, and even all our good deeds are insufficient. God is totally and absolutely holy and righteous. He is perfect. We cannot fellowship with Him now or in the next life in the imperfection of our present nature. Perfection and imperfection are incompatible.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). By our very self-seeking nature we are sinful and imperfect. And sin results in death, and eternal separation from God. This is the result of our earthly nature. It is obvious that we need a new nature, a nature that God can look upon with acceptance. A nature that stands justified before Him. We need a new birth. You must be born again.

There are four important things about this new nature, the new birth, that you must know.

A Free Gift

First, the new birth is free, a gift from God! We cannot earn it. We cannot work for it or else we could boast, and no one shall boast before God. An imperfect creature cannot earn or deserve such merit from a holy God. "For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). This free gift comes to us by grace, or unmerited favor (see Ephesians 2:8,9).

Only God's supreme love makes such a free and wonderful gift possible. God did not automatically excuse our sinful condition. He paid the greatest price. You see, sin must be punished. God in His holy and righteous nature must judge sin. Not to do so would deny His very nature. He Himself has decreed that "The wages of sin is death."

No Greater Love Than This

The most magnificent and incomparable act of love in all of history is that God took our sins and death upon Himself. Jesus, the Son of God, took the punishment in our place. He became our substitute.

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus Christ, "although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8).

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

That is why Christ chose to die-to make the supreme love gift of taking all our punishment upon Himself, to reconcile the world unto God. He totally identified with our sinful nature when He hung on the cross, and became sin for us though sinless Himself, so that we might have the free gift of forgiveness and life.

The Mystery Revealed

The second important fact about this new nature is that it is actually the nature of the only perfect Person who ever lived, Jesus Christ. Only Jesus is good enough. Only He is perfect. Only His life is acceptable to God. It is only as we partake of His life that we become acceptable to God. Being "born again" is nothing less than receiving the actual life of the living Christ - His Spirit actually entering us and bringing our spirit to life. Our spirit is joined with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17). We then become one with the perfect One. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me: (Galations 2:20). The mystery is now revealed, "that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generationswhich is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:26,27).

Jesus' identification with us is complete. In His death, He bore our sins and suffered our death. In His resurrection, He became our life, so much so that in His Spirit we are even joined with Him. Now when the Father looks upon us He sees only the righteousness of Jesus. We are accepted. We have been born again!

"If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The Abundant Life

The third important fact is that when we are born again, we become a new creature, now. The heavenly promise is for the future and will be wonderful beyond understanding. However, at the new birth we immediately begin to experience the life of God as He guides us, walks with us, and indwells us. We experience the fruit of His Spirit such as love, joy, and peace. As we are filled with His Spirit, we experience His supernatural power manifested in life situations. Life takes on new meaning. Everything is in a new perspective. Jesus said that He came, not just to get us to heaven, but that we "might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10"10).

How To Receive Him

The fourth important fact to know is how to receive this gift. Doesn't every act of giving require a giver and a receiver? God, the Giver, holds out the gift to everyone. It is not His will that any should perish (see 2 Peter 3:9). But to receive a gift requires that we agree to a need. We must agree as the spirit of God shows us that we are, indeed, sinful creatures in need of God's forgiveness and grace. "Unless you repent, you will likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

Repentance means to change our mind, to turn. We must change our mind about our condition and our direction away from God. And turn to Him.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

We receive Christ by an ingenious method that only God could devise. It is not by works, because our abilities would vary and everyone would not have an equal chance. It is an opportunity that is equal regardless of intelligence, sex, age, race, social status, or wealth. It is by faith.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith: and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God: Not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

To receive Christ, we must acknowledge our need and who He is. Then we simply turn to Him by faith and put our trust and reliance in Him. We receive Him by invitation. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).

Do you want to be born again, right now? Do you want a new nature? Do you want to receive the most wonderful gift in the whole universe, the life of Christ Himself? Then simply but sincerely pray:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the grave. I invite You into my heart and receive You right now. Thank You for forgiveness. Thank You for a new life. Help me to be what You want me to be and live Your life through me. Amen."

Now What?

If you sincerely prayed that prayer, God says that you have new life and that you are a member of His eternal kingdom. He desires close fellowship with you during this life and desires for you even now to live victoriously as a child of the King! Also, since He died for you, He wants you to live for Him.

"And He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf" (2 Corinthians 5:15).

As we are born again, God immediately implants a new nature within us. Some outward change may be dramatic and instant; some may come gradually. As with any newborn, our new nature needs nurture and growth.

Talk to Him frequently. And listen to his voice within you. That's what prayer is. Read and meditate upon His Word, the Bible - another way He speaks to you. Finally, He wants you to fellowship with other believers and be a functioning part of His corporate Body -- so find a Bible-believing church and attend regularly.

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