John 3 Study: The New Birth 4of10, Evans Olang

John 3:9-12, “9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”

The key word in addressing these 4 verses is the word “understanding”. This is HOW we receive the new birth. Up to this point, everything Jesus had talked to Nicodemus about made no sense, his question, vs. 9-10, “9…”HOW can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?“

John 3 Study: The New Birth 3of10, Evans Olang

John 3:8, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

In this part, we come to address the evidence of the new birth. True salvation (the only salvation) must make an effect on someone and there will be evidence, big or small. No one hit by truck for example can remain the same, something will definitely change due to the nature of contact/impact. When we get saved we know something has happened, there is a change but we may not understand how, we see the evidence. In vs. 8 Jesus uses another example to make His point, He says,“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”, John 3:8.

John 3 Study: The New Birth 2of10, Evans Olang

John 3:1-18, vs. “3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”

As we saw in part 1, Nicodemus came to Jesus by night and how he addressed Jesus gives us a clear picture he had very little understanding of who Jesus was. Our conclusion from the message was, understanding the doctrine of Christ is crucial in the new birth. The WHO is the most important in the new birth.

Watch what Jesus does with His potential convert, He cuts to the chase and addresses WHAT. “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”, John 3:3. The weightier word the Lord uses here is “being born again”.

John 3 Study: The New Birth 1of10, Evans Olang

John 3:1-21, “3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”

Paul in his epistles helps us understand in details the mystery of the gospel, the power of God unto salvation (new birth). Jesus only here in John 3 and 4 introduces us to the nature of new birth in speaking with both Nicodemus and the woman at the well. With Nicodemus we see what must happen nd how. With the woman at the well we see it demonstrated. Most Christians know that something happened in their lives but many have little understanding of this mystery. I have often heard it quoted that “salvation is as easy as A.B.C (Admit, Believe, Confess)” in relations to a man making decision to follow Christ. This statement has no merit if its not made effective by an outward power none of us possesses. Salvation is impossible (not able to occur) with man, Luke 18:27.

God’s Presence In Death Valley, Pastor Phil Sessa

Psalm 23:1-6, “ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.

Precursor: David wrote this Psalm when he was an old man and reflecting back upon his life. After killing Goliath, getting chased by Saul, being King of Israel, committing adultery with Bathsheba, he reflected back upon all that he had been through in his life and penned the most famous Psalm, as a summation of the Lord in his life. This is written from a shepherd that shepherded sheep and then the nation of Israel.

Make The Lord Your Trust, Evans Olang

Psalm 40:1-4, “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his Trust”

People come before God to pray to Him about different things for they are fully persuaded that He is their refuge and strength. Where you are fully convinced that if the Lord does not come through for you, you are destined to fail. If you are like me, you may find it hard to wait for what you have prayed for and know what God’s will is for the situation you are in. This verse in Hebrews sheds light clearly and I will use it to set the ball rolling. Hebrews 10:35&36, “Cast not therefore your confidence which has great recompense of reward, for you are in need of patience that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise”

Romans Chapter 1 Study, Part 1of12, Evans Olang

Romans 1:1-31, “16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

One of the books in the bible I ever struggled to understand was the book of Romans. When I finally understood it’s message and application, it has become one of my favorite books. I wonder if you have ever spent some time studying it. I hope to share from the first chapter which lays a foundation for the entire book.

Romans Chapter 1 Study, Part 2of12, Evans Olang

Romans 1:1-31, “16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Why is the book of Romans instrumental to us?, because it is the heartbeat of the gospel. I don’t see how anyone can understand why 80-90% of people who make a profession of faith fall away until they have studied this master piece. Do you know that 88% of children raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of 18 never to return? These rates are very alarming. If the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, shouldn’t the same power that saves be the same power that keeps unless the power that keeps never saved in the first place?

Romans Chapter 1 Study, Part 3of12, Evans Olang

Romans 1:1-31, “16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

In vs. 5, we come to learn how Paul’s journey began and how our Journey in Christ begins. He says, “Vs. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship /for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;”. I break vs. 5&6 in sections.