Intro:
This well intentioned man of the Jews, Nicodemus, came to Jesus by night, because that he knew there was something more to
Christ and his teachings than what he had received from the synagogues. Still he did not desire to be shunned socially; therefore,
he came to Jesus by night. He was interested in learning of how to get to heaven, and Jesus gave him the answer three times
(3, 5, 7). Nicodemus, as many today, had a difficult time understanding or accepting this truth, but we believe he did at
some time in his life (John 19:38-40 teaches us that Nicodemus became a disciple of Christ, but secretly, for fear of the
Jews). The truth is still real today- Ye must be born again. George Whitfield preached more than 300 times on this subject.
Many are trying to be redeemed by
some other means, but their salvation is like a broken cistern that won’t hold water. For Example:
1. Many
will emphatically declare: Baptism saves. They believe in baptismal regeneration, if their church does it.
2. Another
equally earnest religionist will say: Confession, penance, and payment for deliverance from purgatory is the way to God, but
ye must be born again!
3.
Still another super-spiritual, outwardly impressive individual will say, pray on till you begin to chatter,
meditate on till you begin to convulse, work up the flesh into a frenzy, and then you can know that you are redeemed, but
ye must be born again!
4.
Another serious minded, sanctified appearing person will say it is all in your state of mind. If you think your
are a Christian, then you are a Christian, and if you don’t you’re not. Still, You must be born again!
5. Still
another says: sit “Yogi” style and chant, hum, and meditate, and soon you will find yourself. This will open the
door to the inner man showing you the way to eternal life, but ye must be born again!
6. Someone
else said, “Sprinkling as a baby and confirmation as a junior will make you a Christian as an adult. But
Jesus said, “Marvel not that I say unto you, Ye must be born again!
7. Another’s
religious philosophy says to give when you can to anything you like, do the best you can, be kind to others, and you are bound
to make it to heaven, but God’s Word says, “Ye must be born again!”
8. Some
preach a social gospel of good works and religion, and they say it really makes no difference what religion you trust in as
long as you believe in something. God’s Word, however, says it is by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ. Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish. Ye must be born again!
9. A Well-intentioned
soul who truly is a believer in heart will try to win souls by sharing the simple Gospel and asking others to repeat a well-intentioned
prayer, but Jesus said, “Ye must be born again!”
10. Some deceptive back-scratching, ear-tickling,
pussy-footing, flashy-dressing preacher looking for a bigger crowd, a better paycheck, and the brethren to pat him on the
back for all of his accomplishments will say, “Come to church and get a treat and a gift, and an extra gift for a visitor,
and while you’re getting, you may as well get religion and be baptized too.” But Jesus said, “Ye
must be born again!”
It
is no wonder modern day Nicodemus’ are confused over what they must do to have their sins forgiven and their souls eternally
saved! But it is as simple as letting Jesus have his perfect work in your heart. He will take you from the death of your life
in sin and give you life in the forgiveness of sin. You can be born again! The songwriter said:
My sins laid open to the rod
The back
from which the law was free
And the eternal Son of God
Received the stripes once due for me!
No beam was in his eye; nor mote,
Nor laid to him was any blame:
And yet his cheeks for me were smote
The cheeks that never blushed for shame.
I pierced those sacred hands and feet
That never touched or walked in sin
I broke the heart that only beat
The souls of sinful men to win.
The sponge of vinegar and gall
By me was placed on his tongue
And when derision mocked his call
I stood that mocking crowd among.
***One accurately said that Jesus Christ is:
§ Literature’s
loftiest ideal
§ Philosophy’s highest personality
§
Criticism’s supremest problem
§
Theology’s fundamental doctrine
§
Spiritual religion’s cardinal necessity
The new birth is in him, of him, and for him; it is by him, to him, and through him. Get him and you have the new
birth. I John 5:11-13 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that
believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of
the Son of God.”
His Fingers Formed The Bough
Where grew the thorns that crowned his brow
The
nails that pierced the hands were mined
In secret places he designed
§ He made
the forests whence there sprung
The tree on which his body hung
He died upon a cross of wood
Yet made the hill on which it stood!
§
The sun which hid from him its face
By his decree was poised in space
The sky which darkened o’re his head
By him above the earth was spread
§
The spear that shed his precious blood
Was tempered in the fires of God
The grave in which his form was laid
Was hewn in rocks his hands had made
It will take him. Many know about him. Do you know Him?
You may ask, “What must I do to be saved?” If the Holy Ghost has touched your heart today, You must:
I.
Come: Isaiah 1:18
II.
Confess: as the publican in Luke 18:13 “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.”
III.
Call: on God, Romans 10:13
IV.
Cast: I Peter 5:7
V.
Choose: Jesus, and let all the rest of the world pass by.
VI.
Claim: his provisions for forgiveness, his promise to save, and his power to redeem!
VII.
Consign: your soul over to him. Give your heart to him, and he will give new life
to you.
Marvel
not that I say unto you, Ye must be born again!
