Signs of New Birth…

Taken from “Growing in Christ” by Gene Rogers

2001039

Subject: Christian Growth

Introduction:

A. Christians have been “born again.” Jhn. 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 5:17.

B. Some after being baptized think their lives will be instantly turned around – an altogether new and different life.

1. But then reality sets in – and one begins to know that it is going to be harder than that.

2. Remember the excitement you had when you obeyed the gospel?

a) the great weight that was lifted off you?

b) A feeling of being “clean” and “new”?

3. After awhile that feeling goes away – at least for most. This after living daily life – battling sin; temptation; the devil; working on being motivated to serve the Lord.

C. Not careful – we can begin to doubt our salvation and fall short. Service suffers; worship suffers; spiritual life as a whole suffers.

D. In our lesson tonight we want to discuss 6 identifying marks of the Christian – someone who has been born again.

1. 1 John will be the text. This is one of my favorite books. Uplifting and gives the Christian hope.

2. Located in this book are 6 identifying marks of someone who has been born again. Let us strive to have these marks in our lives.

I. Belief in Jesus.

A. 1 Jhn. 5:1. The one who has been born of God has commited his life in trust to Jesus as His Savior – and loves Him.

1. This is the person who can clearly see the seriousness of his sin and that Jesus is the ONLY way to receive forgiveness of sin.

2. This is the person who may still have fears/doubts.

3. This is the person who may still feel that his faith is not what it needs to be….

B. But…the Christian is someone who believes in Christ; is making a concentrated effort to serve Him; and has commited his life in trust to Jesus.

II. Practicing Righteousness.

A. 1 Jhn. 2:29 – we must do what Gods’ word has shown to be right.

1. Look to Christ as an example. Must seek to control my life by using His example as a pattern to follow. Heb. 12:1-2.

B. We are far from perfect.

1. fight a daily battle with sin. Not alone in this!

2. We will stumble…a lot!

3. But we have hope – 1 Cor. 10:13. God will help us as we go through life.

C. John Newton: I’m not what I ought to be, but still I’m not what I want to be, I’m not what I hope to be; but still I’m not what I used to be, and by the grace of God, I am what I am.

III. Loving Other Christians.

A. 1 Jhn. 3:14.

1. We must be gripped by love for God’s people. Oh yes…love concern for all men necessary – but we need to have a special love for those who have put on Christ – just as we have!

B. We must long to be w/each other. We are family!

C. Christians are fellow soldiers warring with us against the same enemy.

D. Fellow travelers on the same road traveling toward the same destiny.

1. even though we may be different – station; wealth; education; etc. we have a common bond!

2. We are expected to grow close to one another.

IV. No Habitual Sinning.

A. 1 Jhn. 2:1-5.

1. We must stop rebelling against God & His will. Before coming to Christ – we rebelled against him. This much change.

2. Now…doing God’s will must become the practice of our life!

B. Must hate sin; flee from it; fight against it; treat it like the plague; and long to be completely delivered from it!

1. Where we fall into trouble (doubt) I think is because we do not treat sin in this way….treat it as not a bad thing – conscience plagues us.

C. It should also be understood that we will sin – again and again. See 1 Jhn. 1:8-10.

1. There will be sinful thoughts; shortcomings; omissions; defects; etc.

2. But….the Christian is characterized by working as hard as possible to prevent these and working on eradicating them.

3. The Christain longs for the day when such sin will be no more.

V. Overcoming the world.

A. 1 Jhn. 5:4

1. Christian no longer dominated by unbelieving people around him.

2. No longer conforming to the standards of the world.

a) quit living to please men.

b) Doesn’t mind going against the stream of the world’s ways.

B. The Christian will find little pleasure in doing what the world does in pursuit of happiness.

C. The Chirstian lies to please God & not men – more concerned about offending God than men. His first aim is to please God!

VI. The Christian Trusts that He will be Kept from the Evil one.

A. As one matures in Christ he will become less and less dominated by sin.

1. Temptations will become less appealing. This is because he is applying what has been learned through the teaching of God’s word.

2. Jesus can influence us – through His teaching – that we need to steer clear of the devil.

B. This is how we are kept from the evil one. Must allow God’s word and truth to permeate our lives!

Conclusion:

A. Use these marks to test yourself and your spiritual life. How are you doing in your spiritual life?

1. Only those who have been born again will have these marks!

2. Those who do not have them are NOT born anew!

B. God wants us to be sure that we have eternal life. 1 Jhn. 5:13.

C. Are you sure? If not, you can have assurance. Need to make correction in your life? This invitation is for you.

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Signs of New Birth… Taken from “Growing in Christ” by Gene Rogers 2001039 Subject: Christian Growth Introduction: A. Christians have been “born again.” Jhn. 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 5:17. B. Some after being baptized think their lives will be instantly turned around – an altogether new and different life. 1. But then reality sets in – and one begins to know that it is going to be harder than that. 2. Remember the excitement you had when you obeyed the gospel? a) the great weight that was lifted off you? b) A feeling of being “clean” and “new”? 3. After awhile that feeling goes away – at least for most. This after living daily life – battling sin; temptation; the devil; working on being motivated to serve the Lord. C. Not careful – we can begin to doubt our salvation and fall short. Service suffers; worship suffers; spiritual life as a whole suffers. D. In our lesson tonight we want to discuss 6 identifying marks of the Christian – someone who has been born again. 1. 1 John will be the text. This is one of my favorite books. Uplifting and gives the Christian hope. 2. Located in this book are 6 identifying marks of someone who has been born again. Let us strive to have these marks in our lives. I. Belief in Jesus. A. 1 Jhn. 5:1. The one who has been born of God has commited his life in trust to Jesus as His Savior – and loves Him. 1. This is the person who can clearly see the seriousness of his sin and that Jesus is the ONLY way to receive forgiveness of sin. 2. This is the person who may still have fears/doubts. 3. This is the person who may still feel that his faith is not what it needs to be…. B. But…the Christian is someone who believes in Christ; is making a concentrated effort to serve Him; and has commited his life in trust to Jesus. II. Practicing Righteousness. A. 1 Jhn. 2:29 – we must do what Gods’ word has shown to be right. 1. Look to Christ as an example. Must seek to control my life by using His example as a pattern to follow. Heb. 12:1-2. B. We are far from perfect. 1. fight a daily battle with sin. Not alone in this! 2. We will stumble…a lot! 3. But we have hope – 1 Cor. 10:13. God will help us as we go through life. C. John Newton: I’m not what I ought to be, but still I’m not what I want to be, I’m not what I hope to be; but still I’m not what I used to be, and by the grace of God, I am what I am. III. Loving Other Christians. A. 1 Jhn. 3:14. 1. We must be gripped by love for God’s people. Oh yes…love concern for all men necessary – but we need to have a special love for those who have put on Christ – just as we have! B. We must long to be w/each other. We are family! C. Christians are fellow soldiers warring with us against the same enemy. D. Fellow travelers on the same road traveling toward the same destiny. 1. even though we may be different – station; wealth; education; etc. we have a common bond! 2. We are expected to grow close to one another. IV. No Habitual Sinning. A. 1 Jhn. 2:1-5. 1. We must stop rebelling against God & His will. Before coming to Christ – we rebelled against him. This much change. 2. Now…doing God’s will must become the practice of our life! B. Must hate sin; flee from it; fight against it; treat it like the plague; and long to be completely delivered from it! 1. Where we fall into trouble (doubt) I think is because we do not treat sin in this way….treat it as not a bad thing – conscience plagues us. C. It should also be understood that we will sin – again and again. See 1 Jhn. 1:8-10. 1. There will be sinful thoughts; shortcomings; omissions; defects; etc. 2. But….the Christian is characterized by working as hard as possible to prevent these and working on eradicating them. 3. The Christain longs for the day when such sin will be no more. V. Overcoming the world. A. 1 Jhn. 5:4 1. Christian no longer dominated by unbelieving people around him. 2. No longer conforming to the standards of the world. a) quit living to please men. b) Doesn’t mind going against the stream of the world’s ways. B. The Christian will find little pleasure in doing what the world does in pursuit of happiness. C. The Chirstian lies to please God & not men – more concerned about offending God than men. His first aim is to please God! VI. The Christian Trusts that He will be Kept from the Evil one. A. As one matures in Christ he will become less and less dominated by sin. 1. Temptations will become less appealing. This is because he is applying what has been learned through the teaching of God’s word. 2. Jesus can influence us – through His teaching – that we need to steer clear of the devil. B. This is how we are kept from the evil one. Must allow God’s word and truth to permeate our lives! Conclusion: A. Use these marks to test yourself and your spiritual life. How are you doing in your spiritual life? 1. Only those who have been born again will have these marks! 2. Those who do not have them are NOT born anew! B. God wants us to be sure that we have eternal life. 1 Jhn. 5:13. C. Are you sure? If not, you can have assurance. Need to make correction in your life? This invitation is for you. D. I N V I T A T I O N