The Message of a Missionary
Born Again – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  John 3:1-8

Key Verse: John 3:3

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

If you want to know the very core of our message, then read today’s scripture.  Most of us have heard the story of Nicodemus.  He was a very important man in the Jewish community of Jesus’ day.  He served on the most important council that was in place at the time.  When Jesus came upon the scene, Nicodemus knew something was different about this man.  Though Nicodemus feared for his reputation, he was determined to get alone with Jesus and ask some questions.  His strategy was to go to Jesus under the cover of darkness.  Jesus did not rebuke him for his secrecy.  Jesus shared with him the message that we believers are to carry to our world: You must be born again!

            “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked Jesus.  We need to carefully understand the answer because our world is asking the same question.  First, Jesus references baptism.  “Born of water” means that we have believed in our heart that Jesus is the Christ and have asked Him to forgive our sins.  Water baptism is the public announcement of our personal faith.  Born again refers to the work of God in our hearts that gives us citizenship in another world—God’s world.  Our first birth brought us into God’s physical world.  Our second birth in Christ brings us into God’s spiritual world.  God’s spiritual world lasts forever.  God’s physical world will come to an end someday.  It is essential to be born again.

Father, I know Jesus is your Son and that He died for me.  I will be baptized in water to announce my faith to the world.  In Jesus’ name, amen.