Born Again
January 21, 2025

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Born Again
John 3:1-15
[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” [3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” [5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
[9] Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” [10] Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? [13] No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. [14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, [15] that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (ESV)

At Harvest, it’s important to know the difference between beliefs, convictions, & opinions.
Belief: what you agree with to the point you would die for it. Literally. Like, take a

.
Conviction: how you what you believe (baptism, Lord’s Supper, worship characteristics, etc)
Opinion: a fact or feeling that has no on your view of God one way or another.

Two primary views of regeneration: “I place

faith in God” and “I place faith in God”.

What we all agree on: The Holy Spirit supernaturally “

” us.

John 2:23–25
[23] Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. [24] But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people [25] and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. (ESV)

But the point is that God has saved us by His

as a supernatural act of the .

2 Corinthians 3:17–18
[17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)

Some amazing implications of this truth:
1. We can KNOW we’re saved because our

consistently draw us back toward God.
2. We’re by His Word.
3. We live in .
4. We know our are never given in vain.
5. We we will live forever.

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How can your Harvest ekklesia (church) help you take your next step of faith?

Information about the ESV Bible app here: https://www.esv.org

A great resource from the American Bible Society about the state of Bible reading today: https://1s712.americanbible.org/state-of-the-bible/stateofthebible/State_of_the_bible-2024.pdf

We’re glad you’re here today! To contact Matt & Katrina, simply email matt@harvestchurchsi.com.
Thank you, and may God richly bless you as you follow Jesus today!

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