The nature of being born again

Notes from a sermon heard on Sunday 22 January 2012

1 Peter 1 verses 23 – 25

Last Sunday night we were dealing with the tremendous subject “ye must be born again.”  Thinking of Nicodemus, an upright man, lived as good a life as he possibly could, he came through the shadows of the night right to the feet of Jesus.  He began to talk.  He took away all the religious garb he was dressed in.  If ever you want to be in heaven you must be born again, must have been astonished at that saying.  He was probably asking himself “do you not realise who I am, the position I am in, the standing I have in the community?”  Amazed, astonished at what the Lord said.  The Lord said “marvel not that I say unto you ye must be born again.”  A tremendous statement.  The notion of being born again as a subject.  When we come to Peter we find the nature of being born again.  He looks to the precious word of God, as the seed is planted in the heart.

First thing about the word of God in act of bringing men to Christ - there is an awareness that the act brings to us.  Reveals to us where we are, what we need, where we are going.  Remember the woman in John 4.  It was said of Jesus “he must needs go through Samaria” – why – there was a woman there that needed to be saved.  Thank God he is the same Saviour.  The Lord is still willing to save as he was that day in Samaria.  As this woman came to him she came out in the middle of the day.  She was going to draw from the well.  There was someone sitting there.  Jesus was tired from his journeys.  Little did she know he was the Lord.  He revealed to her what she was, exactly what she needed.  The sinner going to a lost and Christless hell.  Water that she might drink of and never thirst again.  The light of God’s person in his son revealed to the woman.  The word makes us aware tonight.  Saul had tremendous faith.  Philippians 2 will tell you of his faith – of the tribe of Benjamin, Pharisee of the Pharisees, member of the Sanhedrin, had much going for him.  That day when he left Jerusalem to go to Damascus the Lord met with him, brought him to his knees.  The Lord revealed to him what he really was.  As that religious man came to the dust of the midday he felt he was the chief of sinners.  He was doing the best he could to get to heaven.  Maybe you could be doing the best you can.  You have a great faith.  Tremendous faith could be in your church, in your minister, good deeds you are doing, never do anyone any harm.  That could be where faith is.  The wrong foundation for your faith.  It will not take you to heaven but the caverns of the damned.  Faith needs to be placed in Christ who came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost.  Your best will not be good enough for heaven.  If your best was good enough the Lord would never have come into this world to save your soul.

The authority the word provides.  God’s word is a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.  It can filter in your soul, you can leave never thinking about this word but some day in some place it will break into your heart.  Peter says ye were  born again not of corruptible seed … the gospel you are saved by the word of God.  It is quick shaper than any two edged sword.  Psalm 19 verse 7 “the law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul.”  You cannot be saved without the word of God.  “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”  Peter was summoned to the house of Cornelius in Acts 10 where all his family were gathered around him.  Peter begins to teach them about the Lord Jesus Christ, takes him right through his life to the point where he is now in heaven beside his father.  The Holy Spirit came and broke into that meeting.  The authority of the word of God.  It was only through that authority that the house was built.

The acceptance of the word – verse 23.  Proverbs 30 verse 5 “every word of God is pure.”  The only part we have in God’s salvation is that we receive what God says about it.  This word tells me because of what happened in Genesis 3 I have taken on that sinful nature.  Only way to be free of it is to be born again of the word of God.  The woman was saved because she accepted the word told unto her by Jesus.  Zacchaeus was saved because he accepted the word.  You have to accept the word of God today.  The thief on the cross beside the Lord in his final moments called out “remember me Lord.”  Trusted on what the Lord said to him.  The Lord turned to him and said “today thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

The assurance the word carries.  We are born again of incorruptible seed.  The word of God is pure convicting the soul. The word of God comes to you as a challenge.  What have you done with Jesus Christ? Have you taken him as Saviour?  Why not come and accept Christ as Saviour and Lord?  To be on your way to heaven and home or lost on your way to a Christless hell?