Have I only learned about God, or have I truly been born again by His Spirit?
Message Outline
God Was Silent, But He Was Still Moving
The Old Testament ends with a promise: a messenger like Elijah would come. Then heaven seemed silent for about 400 years. But in that silence Alexander spread a common language, the Scriptures were translated into Greek, and Rome connected the nations with roads and commerce. Then John the Baptist arrived to prepare the way, and in the fullness of time, Jesus came.
God's silence was never God's absence. Just because you cannot see God moving does not mean God is not working.
Religious Knowledge Is Not Spiritual Life
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews and a teacher of Israel. He knew the Scriptures and the traditions, and he came to Jesus by night recognizing that God was with Him. Jesus didn't talk about miracles or congratulate him on his knowledge. He went straight to the heart of the matter.
You can know the Scriptures and still need the Savior. You can know about God without truly knowing God.
You Must Be Born Again
God created us body, soul and spirit, made for fellowship with Him. Sin entered through Adam and brought spiritual death: not spiritually sick or weak, but dead, separated from the life of God. Jesus didn't say become more religious, become a better person, or work harder. He said you must be born again. Religion cannot produce spiritual life. Only God can.
We don't just need improvement. We need new life. The new birth is not optional; it is essential.
The Old Man Wars Against the New Man
Why does sin bother you now when it never used to? Before Christ, sin felt natural. After you're born again, your desires begin to change, the Holy Spirit convicts you, and you become sensitive to things that once didn't bother you. The flesh still pulls you backward, but the Spirit leads you forward.
You're not just trying to live differently. God has made you new.
The First Adam Brought Death. Jesus Brought Life.
Jesus came to reverse what sin brought into humanity. He lived without sin, died in your place, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He didn't die for His sin; He died for yours. Through faith we are united with Him in His death and resurrection, and He came to give us abundant life: life through His Spirit, His presence and His promises, life that continues into eternity.
He died so you could live. That doesn't mean life without difficulty; it means a living Savior in every difficulty.
Church, You Can Trust Him
The God who saved you is the same God who will sustain you, and His names reveal His character. Jehovah Jireh, the LORD will provide. Jehovah Rapha, the LORD who heals. Jehovah Shalom, the LORD is peace. Jehovah Nissi, the LORD is my banner. Jehovah Tsidkenu, the LORD our righteousness. Jehovah Rohi, the LORD my shepherd. Jehovah Shammah, the LORD is there. El Shaddai, God Almighty. Immanuel, God with us. You can trust Him.
If you can trust Him with your eternity, you can trust Him with your today.
The Response
The God who created you loves you. The God who loves you sent His Son for you. The God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same God who makes you alive in Christ.
- If you have never been born again, call on the name of the Lord today. Everyone who calls on Him will be saved.
- Thank Him for the new desires He is growing in you, and follow the Spirit when the old patterns pull you back.
- Name what you've been carrying (family, marriage, health, finances, the future) and cast it on Him.
- Pick one name of God from today and pray it over your week.
You don't have to understand everything to trust the One who holds everything. Church, He is faithful. He is good. He is alive. And He is worthy of your trust.
"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:7, ESV
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