Text: John 3:1-8

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God:  for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.   3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.   4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?  can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into 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 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.   8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit.   

Sunday, 19^th May 2024 

BY HIS MERCY, HE SAVED US

Text: John 3:1-8

Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

None of us deserve salvation or eternal life. They are precious; too valuable to earn. We can only receive them as a gift from God. We can only be saved by accepting God’s mercy. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”. We are all born into this world spiritually dead. As Jesus told Nicodemus, unless you are born again spiritually, you cannot enter the kingdom of God, we must be re-created through faith in Jesus Christ, who baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, we are renewed to the pre-fall condition of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We are restored to spiritual fellowship with God as if we were sinless like Adam and Eve before they ate the forbidden fruit. Receiving God’s Holy Spirit brings us to life spiritually and gives us eternal life.

Titus 3:6 Whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. All the three members of the Trinity are represented here. “Whom (God the Holy Spirit) He (God the Father) poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ (God the Son) our Savior.” All the three members of the Trinity actively participate in our salvation. Our Heavenly Father pours His Holy Spirit out on those who trust in His Son as their savior.

It is God the Father’s wish that all should be saved 2 Peter 3:9. So God gave us His Son (Jesus Christ) to pay for our sin by dying on the Cross John 3:16. For he hath made him, who knew no sin; to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Once we believe in Jesus Christ and trust in His finished work for redemption, we receive the Holy Spirit, who seals “by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit”.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift 2 Corinthians 9:15.

CGDS Hymn 19;

THEN JESUS CAME

1. One sat alone beside the highway begging
His eyes were blind, the light he could not see
He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows
Then Jesus came and bid his darkness flee

Refrain

When Jesus comes the tempter’s, power is broken
When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay

2. From home and friends, the evil spirits drove him,
Among the tombs he dwelt in misery;
He cut himself as demon powers possessed him,
Then Jesus came, and set the captive free.

5. So, men today have found the Savior able,
They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;
Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,
Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within.

 Prayers: 

1.  Lord Jesus, thank You for making me a vessel on mercy and not of wrath.

2.  LORD God Almighty, according to 1Peter 1:3, thank You for birthing us again into a lively hope, through Your abundant mercy in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.