1. The ABSOLUTE NECESSITY of the New Birth John 3:1-7

2. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth I. The NECESSITY of the new birth. (John 3:3, 5) A. It is necessary because of the One who said it. (v. 3) "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

3. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth I. The NECESSITY of the new birth. (John 3:3, 5) B. It is necessary because of the way in which it is said. (vs. 3, 5) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

4. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth I. The NECESSITY of the new birth. (John 3:3, 5) c. It is necessary because of the issue at stake. (vs. 3, 5) “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

5. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth I. The NECESSITY of the new birth. (John 3:3, 5) c. It is necessary because of the issue at stake. (vs. 3, 5) “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

6. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth The issue at stake is seeing and entering the kingdom of God. There are but two kingdoms: 1) the kingdom of darkness, of sin, and of Satan, 2) the kingdom of light, of grace, and of God.

7. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth I. The NECESSITY of the new birth. (John 3:3, 5) II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

8. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) A. The meaning of the terms “water” and “Spirit.”) A. The meaning of the terms “water” and “Spirit.”) Nicodemus was a student of the Hebrew Scriptures and should have recognized the reference to Ezekiel 36:25-27

9. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) Ezekiel 36:25-27 explains the two-fold change that must occur for a spiritual relationship to be established. By use of the symbol of water, God says that He changes our outward lifestyle.

10. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) Ezekiel 36:25: "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols." The reference to "filthiness" and "idols" speaks of the outward lifestyle by which the Jewish people expressed their disobedience to God's Word.

11. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) Ezekiel 36:26: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:27: "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgment and do them." Ezekiel 36:27: "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgment and do them."

12. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) The reference to “new spirit” and “My Spirit” speaks of the inward heart change that occurs in the new birth. When God places His Spirit within us, that marks the moment of our spiritual new birth. When God places His Spirit within us, that marks the moment of our spiritual new birth.

13. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) As a result, the born again person is enabled to stop all known sinful attitudes and activities and to walk in obedience to Christ.

14. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) A. The meaning of the terms “water” and “Spirit.”) B. The method of being born again. Only two things are required! Only two things are required!

15. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7)  Genuine Repentance Matthew 4:17: From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17: From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Luke 13:3: I tell you, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish

16. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7)  Genuine Repentance Acts 17:30: God commandeth all men everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30: God commandeth all men everywhere to repent. Acts 26:20: repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance [consistent with repentance]. Acts 26:20: repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance [consistent with repentance].

17. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7)  Genuine Repentance Repentance is a change of heart and mind demonstrated by a change of attitude and behavior. Repentance is a change of heart and mind demonstrated by a change of attitude and behavior. To repent means that you tell God you are sorry for your sins and with His help will stop doing what you know is wrong and will start doing what you know is right. To repent means that you tell God you are sorry for your sins and with His help will stop doing what you know is wrong and will start doing what you know is right.

18. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7)  Genuine Repentance Repentance is a change of heart and mind demonstrated by a change of attitude and behavior. Repentance is a change of heart and mind demonstrated by a change of attitude and behavior. There is a big difference between saying you are sorry for your sins and true repentance. There is a big difference between saying you are sorry for your sins and true repentance.

19. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7)  Genuine Repentance Repentance is a change of heart and mind demonstrated by a change of attitude and behavior. Repentance is a change of heart and mind demonstrated by a change of attitude and behavior. A person who says he is sorry for his sins, and even asks God to forgive him, but then continues to commit the same sins he confessed, has not truly repented. A person who says he is sorry for his sins, and even asks God to forgive him, but then continues to commit the same sins he confessed, has not truly repented.

20. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7)  Genuine Repentance  Biblical Faith Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

21. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7)  Biblical Faith Faith believes what God says - “he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” Faith believes what God says - “he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” Faith commits to do what God requires - “diligently seek him” Faith commits to do what God requires - “diligently seek him” Faith trusts in and rests on what God promises – “he will reward diligent seekers" Faith trusts in and rests on what God promises – “he will reward diligent seekers"

22. The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth II. The NATURE of the new birth. (John 3: 5-7) A. The meaning of the terms “water” and “Spirit.”) B. The method of being born again. C. The results of being born again. C. The results of being born again.