1. New Birth John 3:1-16
A. The Dramatic Changes
Without the new birth, there is no life or relationship with God (John 14:6).
In the new birth, we gain a new perspective as we begin to “see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). God’s Word becomes clearer, the Holy Spirit begins to work, and we experience the wonders of God’s Kingdom.
Through the new birth, we are literally introduced to a new realm, where God’s Kingdom order can now be realized (John 3:5, 2 Cor. 5:17).
B. The Process of New Birth
Being born again is more than just a spiritual metaphor; it involves the transformation of your entire being, moving through the "canal" of the supernatural. Your life is no longer defined by what the world calls normal. Consider this: just like when we were conceived in the womb, our souls begin their physical form. As we grow, we are surrounded by protective water—just as we are spiritually surrounded by the Holy Spirit. The first birth, which we can physically see, occurs in water.
The second birth, the spiritual birth, happens when we are reborn through the Spirit. Baptism represents this transformation—a public declaration that we are now part of God’s Kingdom, saved and cleansed. The Spirit of God—the breath of life—returns to man, just as in the beginning when God breathed life into Adam. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit hovered over people, but in the New Testament, He dwells within us. Jesus is the doorway that grants us access to the Father and allows the Holy Spirit to return to mankind. With this new birth, the Kingdom of God is established within us.
C. The Light of God Within Us
When the light of God is ignited in us through the new birth, it illuminates our lives. But when this light begins to fade, our spiritual life grows weak, and God’s Kingdom fails to advance in our lives. The primary reason this light fades is linked to the condition of our eyes. In Scripture, our eyes are often seen as the gateway to either light or darkness (Luke 11:34, Matthew 5:29, Proverbs 4:25). Our eyes are the body’s source of light. When our eyes are aligned with God's truth, they bring clarity; when they are distracted by the darkness, they lead us away from His Kingdom.
D. Governing the Kingdom and the Role of Our Eyes
When God’s Kingdom is properly governed in our lives, the enemy must flee because he cannot dwell in a territory fully occupied by God’s light. Our eyes must be anointed with the Holy Spirit's salve. The eyes of our body are directed by the soul of our mind. If our mind is corrupted, so are our eyes. Without spiritual sight, we can only imagine things; with our spiritual eyes open, we see clearly and process that vision through divine imagination (2 Cor. 10:4).
E. A Complete Change of Perspective
Entering into God’s Kingdom requires a radical shift from the world's view of greatness and success. Our righteousness, as we know, is like filthy rags in comparison to God’s standard (Isaiah 64:6). We must experience a complete transformation. This is why Jesus tells us we must be born of both water and Spirit (John 3:5)—to experience a new birth and to live in a completely new realm.
Is the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God the Same?
Yes, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven refer to the same concept. Jesus speaks of the Kingdom over 100 times in the Gospels, and in the book of John, it is mentioned five times. If Jesus emphasized the Kingdom of God so often, it’s clear how important it was to His message.
The Church is not the Kingdom; it is the agency through which the Kingdom is extended on earth. As the Church, we are a supernatural realm and must be governed by a Kingdom mentality rather than a peasant mentality. The Kingdom of God is the atmosphere produced by our relationship of obedience and submission to God. It is not merely proclaimed through words but demonstrated through power. When the Kingdom is proclaimed, there must be visible demonstrations of God’s power—healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, and saving the lost.
The Kingdom of God was never meant to be a mere concept or distant hope; it is a present reality, meant to break into our lives and transform them now. Each time the Kingdom is preached, it should bring about a visible, tangible impact. When confronted with the Kingdom of God, all opposition is defeated.
Comments