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By Pastor Jeff Schreve

Back in the 1700s, there was an incredible preacher named George Whitefield. Many historians believe he preached something like 18,000 sermons! He traveled all over England and the American colonies, crossing the Atlantic 13 times during his ministry. And one of his

favorite texts to preach was John 3:1-5, which says, Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”What did Jesus mean when He said, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”?

He meant that religion doesn’t cut it. He meant that you have to understand that you are spiritually dead and you need life! And the only place where this life can be found is in Jesus, who Himself is the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). That’s what authentic Christianity means: having the life that Jesus wants for you by being born again by His Spirit! When you put your faith in Christ, Jesus comes into your life through His Spirit, and makes you come alive spiritually.

You who were dead toward God are now born anew with the very life of God. It’s like a spiritual light turns on and all of a sudden, things are wonderfully different. Now because Jesus emphatically tells us that we must be born again to see God’s kingdom, you and I have some serious soul-searching to do. The critical issue is plain and simple: Have I truly been born again? Does Jesus really live inside me by His Spirit?

You see, trusting in Christ (accepting Him as your personal Savior) and being born again (accepting Him as your Lord) are completely inseparable. Jesus is both Lord and Savior. To try to separate the two, taking Him as Savior and not as Lord, is not authentic Christianity!

When you truly embrace Christ, you will be born again from above because Jesus puts His Spirit inside of you and you can’t help but acknowledge Him as Lord of your life. You were once dead, but now you’re more alive than ever. That’s what being “born again” really means!

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Pastor Jeff, Jesus talks about the need to be born again from above in order to see the kingdom. So how can I know for sure if I’ve been born again? 

The moment you genuinely and sincerely see yourself as a sinner who is lost and without hope, see Jesus as the One and only Savior who died and rose again, and cry out to Him to save you and change you, then Christ comes into your life. You are made alive by His Spirit. You are born again. Once that happens, you will experience Holy Spirit confirmation and assurance that He is indeed living in your life – “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). In addition, you will feel Holy Spirit conviction. This means when you sin, the Holy Spirit will be poking you in the heart so to speak and say, “You are mine, and you are called to live differently. I don’t want you committing that sin.”  I’ve heard you say that “faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone.”

I've heard you say that "faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone." Can you explain what you mean by that?

The Bible is crystal clear that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Good works have nothing to do with us being born again. Good works, however, show up in the life of one who has truly been born again. The good works don’t produce salvation; they are a by-product of it. Thus, it is faith alone that saves … but that saving faith is never alone. Saving faith always produces good works in the life of a true believer.

If you are not sure that you are "Born Again," the Why Jesus section of our website offers some helpful and inspiring information for you as well as free downloads of messages and booklets to help you in your spiritual quest. Click Here.

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• PAGE TWO (Special Message from Debbie Schreve)
• PAGE THREE (Special Thank You Note From Pastor Jeff)