"YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN"

Proclamation:

“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ ‘… No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and The Spirit’ … ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:3-7 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as He responded to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, who had come to Him under the cover of night. (John 3:1-2)  Nicodemus took Jesus literally and wondered how one could re-enter their mother’s womb to be born again.  Jesus made it clear that He was referring to a spiritual birth. (John 3:5-6)

Application:

We must have a spiritual transformation or regeneration produced by The Holy Spirit.  This new birth is an act of God based upon a person's belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ.  It also implies becoming a new born child of God.  Therefore all believers have two birthdays.  The first is their physical birthday and the second is their spiritual birthday.  We must all undergo a spiritual transformation.  Without this second birth, we will remain a lost soul for eternity.