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The
necessity of
such a birth
is important
to the
salvation of
sinners. The
requirement
to be
a savior is
to be
sinless.
Unfortunately,
from Adam to
the last
person that
will be born
of man in
our world
all will be
a sinner.
“All have
sinned, and
come short
of the glory
of God.”
(Rom. 3:23)
The birth of
a savior
cannot have
the
participation
of the male
semen. The
Immaculate
birth of
Jesus Christ
was heralded
by God
Him-self in
Genesis as
the “Seed of
the woman”
(Gen. 3:15)
and by the
prophets of
the Old
Testament.
Isaiah
indicated
the manner
of birth.
“Therefore
the Lord
himself
shall give
you a sign:
Behold, a
virgin shall
conceive,
and bear a
son, and
shall call
his name
Immanuel”
(Isaiah
7:14). The
fulfillment
of both
prophecies
is found
word for
word in
three of the
four
Gospels.
Evangelist
Matthew
found it
very
important
not only to
present the
manner of
conception,
but also the
place of
birth of the
Savior
“Bethlehem”
(Matt. 2:1).
Jesus, the
only Savior
of the
World, the
only way to
God, was
born by
virtue of
the Holy
Spirit. His
birth sets
the example
on how man
can be born
again and
reconcile
with God.
B. Man
must be born
of the
Spirit.
(John 3:5)
The fact
that Christ
was born by
virtue of
the Holy
Spirit, it
proves that
no
relationship
with God can
be possible
apart from
the same
Spirit.
Nicodemus is
an
interesting
study in how
it is
possible to
be much in
the
religious
arena yet
nothing in
the kingdom
of God. He
was by
position
very near
yet far
away. Though
a master in
Judaism,
Nicodemus
was
destitute of
the
spiritual
insight that
would make
him able to
understand
the plan of
salvation.
He had high
position, a
member of
the Jewish
ruling
council, but
he was
lacked of
the true
knowledge of
God. But he
had a need
and the
desire to
meet Jesus.
The
spiritual
hunger of
his heart
compelled
him to seek
out an
encounter
with Jesus
at night
(John.3:2).
In his
discussion
with Jesus,
he brought
up the
subject of
miracles.
But Jesus
was merely
hastening to
discuss with
Nicodemus
the greatest
miracle of
all – the
birth of the
Spirit.
Celebrating
the birth of
Jesus is a
reminder to
a World in
need that
they must be
born of the
Spirit. “I
tell you the
truth no one
can enter
the kingdom
of God
unless he is
born of
water and
the Spirit.”
(John. 3:5)
C. The
result of
the Spirit
birth. (John
3:6)
The physical
nature is
produced by
the physical
birth. The
birth by the
Spirit
produces a
spiritual
nature. The
spiritual
birth is a
mystery. One
may not be
able to see
the wind,
but one sees
the effect
of the wind
blowing.
Through the
birth by
Spirit, we
can all see
a renewed
life. “If
anyone is in
Christ, he
is a new
creation…”
(2 Co.5:17)
The life of
Nicodemus
was
drastically
transformed
from a
religious to
a child of
God by his
encounter
with Jesus
Christ.
Conclusion.
As
Joseph could
not
participate
in the
conception
of the
Savior,
neither our
father’s
seed cannot
make it to
haven.
Although
spiritual
birth is a
mystery, how
it comes is
simple: by
repenting
from sin and
turning our
faith to
Jesus Christ
and trusting
the
miracle-working
power of God
to
communicate
new life to
you through
his Spirit.
The gift of
Christmas is
the
possibility
of beginning
as Nicodemus
a fresh
relationship
with God.
Merry
Christmas to
all our
members and
friends!
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