August 19, 2024 • 25 mins
Listen to the Gospel Audio from Ballyclare Gospel Drive-in. Speaker: Gary Woods.
Subject: "The Power of New Birth: Salvation".
We proclaim the wonderful message that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Now, I kind of like a little structure to these meetings, so we normally sing
hymns when we're inside, and I was thinking about a hymn just to read a verse or two.
It's number 124 in the New Gospel Hymnbook, and it'll give you an idea what's upon my mind.
124, it says, a ruler once came to Jesus by night to ask Him the way of salvation and light.
(00:26):
The Master made answer in words true and plain, you must be born again.
Now then we know who the master is in verse 2, you children of men,
attend to the word so solemnly uttered by Jesus the Lord,
and let not this message to you be in vain, you must be born again.
(00:52):
So we want to think about by the words of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel of John and in chapter 3.
So the Gospel of John in chapter 3 for a verse or two, and we'll read from verse number 1.
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou
(01:16):
art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?
(01:39):
Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, it, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
(02:00):
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth or where it wills, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth.
So is everyone that is born of the Spirit.
(02:20):
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Now, the answer to that question occurs in verse number 14. 14.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of
Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(02:48):
Now, that's our reading from the Holy Scriptures.
I'm greatly surprised at the number of people who really think that the whole
matter of of being converted and being saved, and having one's sins forgiven,
is maybe just quite a bit of a notion,
(03:09):
and nothing too much to it.
Not so sure this afternoon, all who are here, but I wonder for those who are
gathered today, what do you really think about this matter of being saved,
and this matter of being converted?
Because to many people, they treat it very lightly, quietly and very casually.
(03:30):
And I would like to try with the help of God today to show you from quite a
well-known chapter in the Bible, something of the reality of being saved. It's a real thing.
You see, in the chapter where we're brought face to face with the natural.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh.
You know, you and I cannot deny today the reality reality of natural birth.
(03:55):
It's not too long when the little child is born that it makes a noise and it's
moving and it's looking for attention and it needs to be fed.
You know, there's none of us here who are parents this afternoon will deny the
reality of natural birth.
(04:15):
It's a real thing, and it's real life, and it's into a family,
and a whole new life is opened up with opportunity and prospects.
You see, that's all in the natural.
Now, when it comes to that which is spiritual, it's just the very same.
It's absolutely real, brings us into a new family, and new relationships,
(04:42):
opens up a whole new life and brings to us absolutely new prospects.
Let me ask you in the car park this afternoon, have you got this new life,
this everlasting life, this new life that is found alone by faith in Jesus Christ?
(05:04):
You say, is it important that I get it?
Well, I want you to notice now, the Lord said, except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God. He didn't say it would be difficult.
He didn't say it would be almost impossible.
That's a phrase we quite use, maybe not too good of English grammar,
(05:27):
but nevertheless, no, the Lord, the Lord uses an absolute.
He said, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
So, this whole matter of new life and new birth is not only real,
but it is absolutely essential.
(05:48):
You need it. I need it. If we're ever going to be in the kingdom of God,
it's absolutely essential.
The Lord Jesus speaks to this man, and he says to Nicodemus,
Nicodemus, he said, are you the master of Israel?
And you don't know about these things?
(06:10):
Born of water, born of the spirit.
You see, he's taking his mind back to one of those great Old Testament chapters
in the book of Ezekiel in chapter 36.
Born of water is a cleansing. That's what Israel lacked as a nation.
And born of the Spirit, that's power. They had no power to live and to do the
(06:34):
things that they ought to do.
And he's reminding him that all the while in the Old Testament,
there was a foreshadowing of this great truth, growth, new birth,
new life, cleansing, power,
something that's real.
Now, if I was reading down this chapter, you might ask yourself the question, what makes it real?
(06:59):
What makes this totally different to that which is natural? What makes it real?
The first thing I want you to notice in the the chapter that makes it real,
and it's the fact that it has its source in God.
If you've come this afternoon to the drive-in, this is not something that began
(07:20):
with the Christians in Ballyclare.
It didn't begin with the Christians in the last century.
It didn't begin with the great revivals in the 1800s.
It didn't even begin with the apostles in the first century.
You see, when we begin to preach to you this glorious message of the gospel.
(07:42):
And about new birth and new life that sinners need to fit us for the kingdom.
I want to assure you this afternoon that it all had its origin in God.
We were reminded this morning as we gathered to remember the Lord that God ever had a redemption plan.
(08:04):
God ever had sinners in mind. He knew that Adam would sin before the world was
ever created. He knew that sinners would need a Redeemer and redemption and salvation.
And God ever had in mind your blessing and mine long before the world was ever formed.
(08:26):
You see, with God, with God there are no emergencies.
And with God there are no surprises. As far as God is concerned,
He knows the end from the beginning.
And one of those great preachers in the first century, Peter,
he said it was ever in the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God that Christ should suffer.
(08:51):
And God is looking down the ages of time.
And I marvel this afternoon that for a world of lost souls, God loved them.
And for a world of lost souls, souls God ever had in mind, the giving of His own Son.
You see, that's what makes new birth real this afternoon.
(09:12):
That's what makes conversion real. It hasn't come from humanity.
We're not preaching the ideas of men. We're not preaching the theology of churches.
We're preaching the marvel this afternoon that the God of creation is the God of salvation,
and God who formed the world is a very God who loves souls even though we have sinned against Him.
(09:40):
The Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
In this very chapter, that well-known verse.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever
believeth in Him time should not perish but have everlasting life.
(10:02):
The fact that this new birth finds its source in God makes it real.
Tell me, have you got it today? Have you got new birth?
Have you got new life? You'll never be in the kingdom without it.
I want to notice in the chapter,
something else that makes it real, and it's the death of Christ.
(10:24):
You see, that's the foundation for it. We read in this chapter about the Son
of Man being lifted up. You see, that's Calvary.
The Lord Jesus in the chapter is a great teacher.
He's reminding Nicodemus that he needs to be born again.
The man asks the question to the Lord Jesus, how can these things be?
(10:46):
And he reminds of an Old Testament story.
In the book of Numbers in chapter 21, the children of Israel are journeying
through the wilderness.
They speak against God and against Moses.
God sent the fiery serpents among the people. They bit them and many died.
(11:08):
They in return come to Moses and they say Say to Moses, we have sinned.
Moses cries to God for the people.
God says, make a fiery serpent, a serpent of brass.
Put it upon a pole. And the moment that a soul looks, the soul that's bitten, that soul will live.
(11:31):
Now that's the illustration. I want you to notice the little link. It's very important.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so,
notice that, and as, even so, must the Son of Man be lifted up.
We're thinking now not about people bitten in the wilderness.
(11:55):
We're thinking about a world of lost souls, a world of sinners ruined with our links to Adam.
We too in danger of death and perishing eternally Needing life that is everlasting
Where does our life come from?
(12:16):
Lifting up of the Son of God. There's a lovely hymn we sing, lifted up, was he to die?
It is finished, was his cry, now in heaven exalted high.
Hallelujah, what a Savior. Glad to tell you this afternoon that not only does
(12:36):
salvation and new birth and conversion,
find its source in God, but it finds its foundation in the death of the Lord Jesus.
We're not asking you this afternoon to come and go through religious observances.
We're preaching out this afternoon, one who died was buried and God has raised him from the dead.
(13:03):
We're preaching out a living Savior who at Calvary died for our sins,
that they might be forgiven,
preaching out a living Savior who once died at Calvary for us as sinners that
we might be reconciled to God.
His death was a sacrifice.
(13:26):
What he did, he did for the ungodly. He offered himself without spot unto God
and so great was the sacrifice and the suffering that he endured.
And the Bible speaks about a ransom that was paid.
God found in it satisfaction, and God has raised him from the dead.
(13:50):
You know, the good news of the gospel is this. There is an answer to the problem of our sins.
There's an answer to the problem of our distance from God.
There's an answer to our condition condemned already.
And what's the answer? the answer is in a person and that person is Jesus Christ
(14:13):
the Son of God once upon a cross he was lifted up.
For our sins he died. Peter says he suffered the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God.
And on that cross he cried, it is finished.
You know, in gospel preaching, I love to remind you, soul, he didn't say, I'm finished.
(14:39):
Not at all. He cried in triumph, it is finished.
Bowed his head in death, died for us as sinners, died for us who are ungodly,
gave himself that mighty ransom for all. This is what makes conversion real.
This is what makes the life real.
(15:00):
It's not only got a divine source, but I tell you, it's got a divine foundation
in the person of God's beloved Son.
But you see, the town's full of people this afternoon, and they have little
interest and little care in these matters.
Well, I want to tell you about something else that makes new birth real.
(15:23):
It's the working of the Holy Spirit.
You see, left to ourselves naturally, you would never think about God,
and you would never think about eternity, and you would never think about your soul.
In the gospel, for the conversion of souls, there must be an initiator. And who is that?
(15:47):
The Holy Spirit. That's why I read to you that wonderful verse,
the wind bloweth where it listeth or where it wills, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, canst not tell whence it cometh or whether it goeth.
So is every one that is born of the Spirit.
You know, it's a great truth that on the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ
(16:11):
back to heaven, there was then the sending down of the Holy Spirit in the world
to convince of sin, righteousness,
judgment.
Ever go to your bed at night, think about your soul.
Ever in the hours of darkness and stillness, think about eternity.
(16:32):
Ever in the busy round of life, have your mind directed to Calvary to think
about the lifting up of the Son of God.
You see, those are not natural things. things, those thoughts are begotten by
the working of a divine person,
the Holy Spirit, to bring to you conviction to the pathway that you're on,
(16:55):
cause you to think about your sin.
And He wants to turn you in repentance that you might come to Christ and believe in Him.
And whilst I'm a firm believer in the working of the Holy Spirit,
it, let me warn all this afternoon that his working is not fatalism.
(17:16):
There are many people who have known his working, been troubled by his dealings,
and yet persisted on the broad way, and at last perish in their sins.
If you know anything this afternoon of the working of the Spirit of God in your
life, you cherish that working.
(17:36):
You cherish those thoughts, and you value them so,
because that's God seeking by His Spirit to turn you from the path that you're
on, that you might repent and believe the gospel and know what it is to be born again.
I tell you it's real because of its source.
(17:57):
It's real because of its foundation.
It's real because there's one who initiates it, that it might be real.
That's the Holy Spirit. But I want you to notice in the chapter now,
to be born again is real, real now in its deliverance.
You notice now there's a negative in the chapter. I know it's the great chapter
(18:20):
of God's love and it's a great chapter of eternal life.
But remember now there's a very solemn word in the chapter and it's the word
perish. You see, new birth delivers from God's judgment.
New birth delivers from going down to hell. New birth delivers from standing at a great white throne.
(18:45):
New birth delivers from the lake of fire. You see, it's real. It's real.
It delivers you from perishing.
Grasp that this afternoon. And mind you, that's why you need it,
not just to be in the kingdom, but to be delivered, delivered from God's wrath
and to be delivered from perishing.
(19:08):
But then you see it's real because of what it brings us into, into the kingdom of God.
In the Gospels, there are one or two expressions. I think they're very precious.
It speaks about some of the old, what we call the patriarchs,
the founding fathers of the nation of Israel. And here's what it says about them.
You shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God.
(19:38):
That's a wonderful thing, isn't it? You see, there it is. That's real.
We're speaking this afternoon about reality, real people who once lived.
And the Lord Jesus said, now you're going to see them. They'll be in the kingdom.
Tell me, soul, will you be there? Will you be there?
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
(20:03):
Mind you, that's very clear, isn't it now?
I don't need to preach against the things that people believe.
I just need to tell you today what the Bible says.
Except a man be born again, end, he cannot see the kingdom of God. So it's real.
God is its source. It's real.
(20:24):
Christ is the foundation. It's real.
The Holy Spirit is the initiator. It's real because of what it saves us from, never to perish.
And it's real as to what it fits us for, the kingdom of God.
Well, you say then, before you go, tell us how you get it. You know,
(20:45):
this is where millions stumble, isn't it?
Vermilion stumble. And here's a great teacher, the Lord Jesus.
And he said, and as Moses, I can almost hear him impressing it,
Nicodemus, listen carefully.
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him Him
(21:12):
should not perish, but have eternal life.
You know, we're glad to come to this very simple and very precious point in
gospel preaching, that faith is always in a person.
It's always faith in Christ. And the moment that a soul trusts Him.
(21:32):
You have the assurance of the Word of God that it's at that very moment you get life.
Life and again i don't need
to preach against all the things that people believe we're preaching
this afternoon what the word of god says he that believe us on the sun hath
(21:53):
everlasting life and remember now the warning he that believe us not the sun
shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth in him.
Don't go away today thinking that new birth is just a kind of,
as some people say, a brethren notion. Not at all.
(22:16):
New birth is real. God is its source.
New birth is real. Christ is its foundation.
New birth is real, instigated by the power and the working of the Holy Spirit of God.
New birth is real. It saves souls from perishing.
(22:37):
New birth is real. It fits souls for the kingdom of God.
A new birth is obtained by faith in Christ. Don't miss what you need.
Don't stumble at its simplicity, but turn this afternoon to the one who was
lifted up at Calvary, Now seated at God's right hand, trust, depend, have faith.
(23:04):
Believe on a living person, and know what it is to have new life.
Then into a new family, God as Father, a new prospect,
home. And remember, you get a new power to live.
You get the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit of God.
(23:27):
I tell you, it's not only a grand thing to be saved, but I tell you this afternoon,
it's a real thing to be saved.
There's another wonderful hymn. I just leave a verse with you,
and it's a hymn that speaks then about the Savior.
251 says, Oh, what a Savior that He died for me.
(23:51):
From condemnation He hath made me free.
He that believeth on the Son saith He hath everlasting life.
I trust this afternoon that you will leave,
different than when you came to live with everlasting life,
(24:13):
to live with new birth in Christ, new life,
and to know that you'll never perish, and to be assured that you've got a place
in the kingdom of God. Now, shall we pray?
Our Father, we give thanks another afternoon for the privilege of opening up
(24:34):
the Holy Scriptures and listening to the teaching, to the very words of the Lord Jesus.
We thank thee for the instruction given to Nicodemus on that night so long ago.
And those words that were impressed upon him so solemnly and seriously,
and so importantly, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
(24:58):
We thank thee too for this wonderful explanation that left the lips of the Lord
Jesus, Jesus illustrated from the Old Testament, explained by His death,
His lifting up at Calvary,
and that wonderful assurance that all who believe in Him will never perish but have eternal life.
We thank Thee then for this unchanging message, and as it goes out another afternoon,
(25:24):
we pray for Thy rich blessing upon it, that souls will turn in repentance and
in faith, faith and come to know thy Son, whom to know is life eternal.
Grant thy blessing as we part. We commit every one to thee and we offer up our
thanksgivings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Now, I kind of like a little structure to these meetings, so we normally sing
hymns when we're inside, and I was thinking about a hymn just to read a verse or two.
It's number 124 in the New Gospel Hymnbook, and it'll give you an idea what's upon my mind.
124, it says, a ruler once came to Jesus by night to ask Him the way of salvation and light.
(00:26):
The Master made answer in words true and plain, you must be born again.
Now then we know who the master is in verse 2, you children of men,
attend to the word so solemnly uttered by Jesus the Lord,
and let not this message to you be in vain, you must be born again.
(00:52):
So we want to think about by the words of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel of John and in chapter 3.
So the Gospel of John in chapter 3 for a verse or two, and we'll read from verse number 1.
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou
(01:16):
art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?
(01:39):
Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, it, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
(02:00):
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth or where it wills, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth.
So is everyone that is born of the Spirit.
(02:20):
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Now, the answer to that question occurs in verse number 14. 14.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of
Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(02:48):
Now, that's our reading from the Holy Scriptures.
I'm greatly surprised at the number of people who really think that the whole
matter of of being converted and being saved, and having one's sins forgiven,
is maybe just quite a bit of a notion,
(03:09):
and nothing too much to it.
Not so sure this afternoon, all who are here, but I wonder for those who are
gathered today, what do you really think about this matter of being saved,
and this matter of being converted?
Because to many people, they treat it very lightly, quietly and very casually.
(03:30):
And I would like to try with the help of God today to show you from quite a
well-known chapter in the Bible, something of the reality of being saved. It's a real thing.
You see, in the chapter where we're brought face to face with the natural.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh.
You know, you and I cannot deny today the reality reality of natural birth.
(03:55):
It's not too long when the little child is born that it makes a noise and it's
moving and it's looking for attention and it needs to be fed.
You know, there's none of us here who are parents this afternoon will deny the
reality of natural birth.
(04:15):
It's a real thing, and it's real life, and it's into a family,
and a whole new life is opened up with opportunity and prospects.
You see, that's all in the natural.
Now, when it comes to that which is spiritual, it's just the very same.
It's absolutely real, brings us into a new family, and new relationships,
(04:42):
opens up a whole new life and brings to us absolutely new prospects.
Let me ask you in the car park this afternoon, have you got this new life,
this everlasting life, this new life that is found alone by faith in Jesus Christ?
(05:04):
You say, is it important that I get it?
Well, I want you to notice now, the Lord said, except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God. He didn't say it would be difficult.
He didn't say it would be almost impossible.
That's a phrase we quite use, maybe not too good of English grammar,
(05:27):
but nevertheless, no, the Lord, the Lord uses an absolute.
He said, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
So, this whole matter of new life and new birth is not only real,
but it is absolutely essential.
(05:48):
You need it. I need it. If we're ever going to be in the kingdom of God,
it's absolutely essential.
The Lord Jesus speaks to this man, and he says to Nicodemus,
Nicodemus, he said, are you the master of Israel?
And you don't know about these things?
(06:10):
Born of water, born of the spirit.
You see, he's taking his mind back to one of those great Old Testament chapters
in the book of Ezekiel in chapter 36.
Born of water is a cleansing. That's what Israel lacked as a nation.
And born of the Spirit, that's power. They had no power to live and to do the
(06:34):
things that they ought to do.
And he's reminding him that all the while in the Old Testament,
there was a foreshadowing of this great truth, growth, new birth,
new life, cleansing, power,
something that's real.
Now, if I was reading down this chapter, you might ask yourself the question, what makes it real?
(06:59):
What makes this totally different to that which is natural? What makes it real?
The first thing I want you to notice in the the chapter that makes it real,
and it's the fact that it has its source in God.
If you've come this afternoon to the drive-in, this is not something that began
(07:20):
with the Christians in Ballyclare.
It didn't begin with the Christians in the last century.
It didn't begin with the great revivals in the 1800s.
It didn't even begin with the apostles in the first century.
You see, when we begin to preach to you this glorious message of the gospel.
(07:42):
And about new birth and new life that sinners need to fit us for the kingdom.
I want to assure you this afternoon that it all had its origin in God.
We were reminded this morning as we gathered to remember the Lord that God ever had a redemption plan.
(08:04):
God ever had sinners in mind. He knew that Adam would sin before the world was
ever created. He knew that sinners would need a Redeemer and redemption and salvation.
And God ever had in mind your blessing and mine long before the world was ever formed.
(08:26):
You see, with God, with God there are no emergencies.
And with God there are no surprises. As far as God is concerned,
He knows the end from the beginning.
And one of those great preachers in the first century, Peter,
he said it was ever in the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God that Christ should suffer.
(08:51):
And God is looking down the ages of time.
And I marvel this afternoon that for a world of lost souls, God loved them.
And for a world of lost souls, souls God ever had in mind, the giving of His own Son.
You see, that's what makes new birth real this afternoon.
(09:12):
That's what makes conversion real. It hasn't come from humanity.
We're not preaching the ideas of men. We're not preaching the theology of churches.
We're preaching the marvel this afternoon that the God of creation is the God of salvation,
and God who formed the world is a very God who loves souls even though we have sinned against Him.
(09:40):
The Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
In this very chapter, that well-known verse.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever
believeth in Him time should not perish but have everlasting life.
(10:02):
The fact that this new birth finds its source in God makes it real.
Tell me, have you got it today? Have you got new birth?
Have you got new life? You'll never be in the kingdom without it.
I want to notice in the chapter,
something else that makes it real, and it's the death of Christ.
(10:24):
You see, that's the foundation for it. We read in this chapter about the Son
of Man being lifted up. You see, that's Calvary.
The Lord Jesus in the chapter is a great teacher.
He's reminding Nicodemus that he needs to be born again.
The man asks the question to the Lord Jesus, how can these things be?
(10:46):
And he reminds of an Old Testament story.
In the book of Numbers in chapter 21, the children of Israel are journeying
through the wilderness.
They speak against God and against Moses.
God sent the fiery serpents among the people. They bit them and many died.
(11:08):
They in return come to Moses and they say Say to Moses, we have sinned.
Moses cries to God for the people.
God says, make a fiery serpent, a serpent of brass.
Put it upon a pole. And the moment that a soul looks, the soul that's bitten, that soul will live.
(11:31):
Now that's the illustration. I want you to notice the little link. It's very important.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so,
notice that, and as, even so, must the Son of Man be lifted up.
We're thinking now not about people bitten in the wilderness.
(11:55):
We're thinking about a world of lost souls, a world of sinners ruined with our links to Adam.
We too in danger of death and perishing eternally Needing life that is everlasting
Where does our life come from?
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Lifting up of the Son of God. There's a lovely hymn we sing, lifted up, was he to die?
It is finished, was his cry, now in heaven exalted high.
Hallelujah, what a Savior. Glad to tell you this afternoon that not only does
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salvation and new birth and conversion,
find its source in God, but it finds its foundation in the death of the Lord Jesus.
We're not asking you this afternoon to come and go through religious observances.
We're preaching out this afternoon, one who died was buried and God has raised him from the dead.
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We're preaching out a living Savior who at Calvary died for our sins,
that they might be forgiven,
preaching out a living Savior who once died at Calvary for us as sinners that
we might be reconciled to God.
His death was a sacrifice.
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What he did, he did for the ungodly. He offered himself without spot unto God
and so great was the sacrifice and the suffering that he endured.
And the Bible speaks about a ransom that was paid.
God found in it satisfaction, and God has raised him from the dead.
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You know, the good news of the gospel is this. There is an answer to the problem of our sins.
There's an answer to the problem of our distance from God.
There's an answer to our condition condemned already.
And what's the answer? the answer is in a person and that person is Jesus Christ
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the Son of God once upon a cross he was lifted up.
For our sins he died. Peter says he suffered the just for the unjust,
that he might bring us to God.
And on that cross he cried, it is finished.
You know, in gospel preaching, I love to remind you, soul, he didn't say, I'm finished.
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Not at all. He cried in triumph, it is finished.
Bowed his head in death, died for us as sinners, died for us who are ungodly,
gave himself that mighty ransom for all. This is what makes conversion real.
This is what makes the life real.
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It's not only got a divine source, but I tell you, it's got a divine foundation
in the person of God's beloved Son.
But you see, the town's full of people this afternoon, and they have little
interest and little care in these matters.
Well, I want to tell you about something else that makes new birth real.
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It's the working of the Holy Spirit.
You see, left to ourselves naturally, you would never think about God,
and you would never think about eternity, and you would never think about your soul.
In the gospel, for the conversion of souls, there must be an initiator. And who is that?
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The Holy Spirit. That's why I read to you that wonderful verse,
the wind bloweth where it listeth or where it wills, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, canst not tell whence it cometh or whether it goeth.
So is every one that is born of the Spirit.
You know, it's a great truth that on the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ
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back to heaven, there was then the sending down of the Holy Spirit in the world
to convince of sin, righteousness,
judgment.
Ever go to your bed at night, think about your soul.
Ever in the hours of darkness and stillness, think about eternity.
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Ever in the busy round of life, have your mind directed to Calvary to think
about the lifting up of the Son of God.
You see, those are not natural things. things, those thoughts are begotten by
the working of a divine person,
the Holy Spirit, to bring to you conviction to the pathway that you're on,
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cause you to think about your sin.
And He wants to turn you in repentance that you might come to Christ and believe in Him.
And whilst I'm a firm believer in the working of the Holy Spirit,
it, let me warn all this afternoon that his working is not fatalism.
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There are many people who have known his working, been troubled by his dealings,
and yet persisted on the broad way, and at last perish in their sins.
If you know anything this afternoon of the working of the Spirit of God in your
life, you cherish that working.
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You cherish those thoughts, and you value them so,
because that's God seeking by His Spirit to turn you from the path that you're
on, that you might repent and believe the gospel and know what it is to be born again.
I tell you it's real because of its source.
(17:57):
It's real because of its foundation.
It's real because there's one who initiates it, that it might be real.
That's the Holy Spirit. But I want you to notice in the chapter now,
to be born again is real, real now in its deliverance.
You notice now there's a negative in the chapter. I know it's the great chapter
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of God's love and it's a great chapter of eternal life.
But remember now there's a very solemn word in the chapter and it's the word
perish. You see, new birth delivers from God's judgment.
New birth delivers from going down to hell. New birth delivers from standing at a great white throne.
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New birth delivers from the lake of fire. You see, it's real. It's real.
It delivers you from perishing.
Grasp that this afternoon. And mind you, that's why you need it,
not just to be in the kingdom, but to be delivered, delivered from God's wrath
and to be delivered from perishing.
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But then you see it's real because of what it brings us into, into the kingdom of God.
In the Gospels, there are one or two expressions. I think they're very precious.
It speaks about some of the old, what we call the patriarchs,
the founding fathers of the nation of Israel. And here's what it says about them.
You shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God.
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That's a wonderful thing, isn't it? You see, there it is. That's real.
We're speaking this afternoon about reality, real people who once lived.
And the Lord Jesus said, now you're going to see them. They'll be in the kingdom.
Tell me, soul, will you be there? Will you be there?
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
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Mind you, that's very clear, isn't it now?
I don't need to preach against the things that people believe.
I just need to tell you today what the Bible says.
Except a man be born again, end, he cannot see the kingdom of God. So it's real.
God is its source. It's real.
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Christ is the foundation. It's real.
The Holy Spirit is the initiator. It's real because of what it saves us from, never to perish.
And it's real as to what it fits us for, the kingdom of God.
Well, you say then, before you go, tell us how you get it. You know,
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this is where millions stumble, isn't it?
Vermilion stumble. And here's a great teacher, the Lord Jesus.
And he said, and as Moses, I can almost hear him impressing it,
Nicodemus, listen carefully.
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him Him
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should not perish, but have eternal life.
You know, we're glad to come to this very simple and very precious point in
gospel preaching, that faith is always in a person.
It's always faith in Christ. And the moment that a soul trusts Him.
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You have the assurance of the Word of God that it's at that very moment you get life.
Life and again i don't need
to preach against all the things that people believe we're preaching
this afternoon what the word of god says he that believe us on the sun hath
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everlasting life and remember now the warning he that believe us not the sun
shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth in him.
Don't go away today thinking that new birth is just a kind of,
as some people say, a brethren notion. Not at all.
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New birth is real. God is its source.
New birth is real. Christ is its foundation.
New birth is real, instigated by the power and the working of the Holy Spirit of God.
New birth is real. It saves souls from perishing.
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New birth is real. It fits souls for the kingdom of God.
A new birth is obtained by faith in Christ. Don't miss what you need.
Don't stumble at its simplicity, but turn this afternoon to the one who was
lifted up at Calvary, Now seated at God's right hand, trust, depend, have faith.
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Believe on a living person, and know what it is to have new life.
Then into a new family, God as Father, a new prospect,
home. And remember, you get a new power to live.
You get the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit of God.
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I tell you, it's not only a grand thing to be saved, but I tell you this afternoon,
it's a real thing to be saved.
There's another wonderful hymn. I just leave a verse with you,
and it's a hymn that speaks then about the Savior.
251 says, Oh, what a Savior that He died for me.
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From condemnation He hath made me free.
He that believeth on the Son saith He hath everlasting life.
I trust this afternoon that you will leave,
different than when you came to live with everlasting life,
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to live with new birth in Christ, new life,
and to know that you'll never perish, and to be assured that you've got a place
in the kingdom of God. Now, shall we pray?
Our Father, we give thanks another afternoon for the privilege of opening up
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the Holy Scriptures and listening to the teaching, to the very words of the Lord Jesus.
We thank thee for the instruction given to Nicodemus on that night so long ago.
And those words that were impressed upon him so solemnly and seriously,
and so importantly, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
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We thank thee too for this wonderful explanation that left the lips of the Lord
Jesus, Jesus illustrated from the Old Testament, explained by His death,
His lifting up at Calvary,
and that wonderful assurance that all who believe in Him will never perish but have eternal life.
We thank Thee then for this unchanging message, and as it goes out another afternoon,
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we pray for Thy rich blessing upon it, that souls will turn in repentance and
in faith, faith and come to know thy Son, whom to know is life eternal.
Grant thy blessing as we part. We commit every one to thee and we offer up our
thanksgivings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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