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.

Speak The Same Thing, 2of2, Evans Olang

1Corinthians 1:10, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”

In Acts 8, Phillip goes down to Samaria to preach Christ. Peter and John upon hearing that the Samaritans had received the word came to witness. When they got there, through their laying on of hands, the people who had received the gospel message from Phillip received the Holy Spirit.

Speak The Same Thing, 1of2, Evans Olang

1Corinthians 1:10, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”

Right from the early beginning of human race, tongues has revealed its uniqueness in bringing a people group together. A classic example appears in Genesis 11 where the building of the tower of babel became possible because the people were of the same mind and of the same tongue.

The Pillar And Ground Of The Truth, 2of2, Evans Olang

1Timothy 3:14-16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”

Having discussed the pillar and ground of the truth in Part 1, Paul further presses upon Timothy to be constant in regard to the greatest diligence, faithfulness, and zeal in handling God’s word. Teaching among other things 6 pillars of the truth that must remain pure and be preached. 1.God was manifested in the flesh, 2. Justified in the Spirit, 3.Seen by angels, 4. Preached among the Gentiles, 5.Believed on in the world, 6. Received up in glory.

Mighty In God, Evans Olang

2Corinthians 10:3-5, “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”

When we hear of spiritual warfare, we immediately think of battling spiritual demonic forces attacking our health, our finances, our families etc. In studying this verse, the spiritual warfare is much much greater than that. If anything, it’s the battle to stay steadfast on what God has revealed in His word and refute those who contradict it.

Blessings Of Abraham, Evans Olang

Galatians 3:6-9 , “6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”

The blessing of Abraham is many times looked at as material blessings since God had blessed him with wealth, however Paul points out that the blessing of Abraham is in reference to salvation by faith apart from works. Vs. 7,”Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham”

Love Does Not Exclude Truth, Evans Olang

Philippians 1:9-10, “9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ”

Biblical discernment is one of the most neglected areas of teaching in our churches, yet it is one of the most important areas to address especially if you want your flock to know, learn, approve, love and also protect themselves from wolves in sheep skins. In our time, some believers say, “we don’t want doctrine, doctrine divides and what divides does not cultivate love. We just want to love and worship Jesus” While this may sound very spiritual, it is not correct, to love and worship God does not devoid truth. Your mind (intellect) is not to be disengaged at all in worshipping God, Matthew 22:37, “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your MIND”.

True And False Conversion, Part 1of5, Evans Olang

Matthew 13:3&5-6, “3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. … 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away!”

It is one thing to pray, it is another thing to pray effectively with understanding. It is also vital to get wisdom from the word of God on how we pray and go about things so as to avoid traps, cycles of frustrations and trying to force things to work our way. In the next few series, allow me to touch on a message that is hard to receive but vital especially as we pray and reach our young people and others with the gospel. This is a message of hope.

True And False Conversion, Part 5of5, Evans Olang

Matthew 13:23, “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

It is amazing that the seed that fell on good soil is evidenced by truly hearing and understanding God’s word. Not that those who come to know the Lord know everything, no, they come having been convinced of their current state, they have taken sides with God against themselves (conviction) and they see their need for a Savior so they come in repentance.