[Jesus said to Nicodemus,] "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.'" - John 3:6-7
Not religious practice. Not religious accomplishment. Not religious titles. Not religious pedigree. Not the faith of parents. Not the recognition of community. There is no human means that can accomplish our new birth, our God-birth, our birth from above, our spiritual rebirth.
Only the Holy Spirit can give us "life from heaven." God's Kingdom is as revolutionary as it is eternal. Humans can't muster the righteousness or perfection or power to enter the Kingdom. But God can, and does, do it for us by the power of his Holy Spirit. That's why it is called being saved by grace! Only God can make this happen for us.
The Church
Christ for the World We Sing
Christ for the world we sing! The world to
Christ we bring, with loving zeal; the poor, and
Them that mourn, The faint and over borne,
Sin-sick and sorrow worn, Whom Christ doth heal.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. —
Always love — pretty tall order and pretty tough stuff. Only God is always. But then Christians are fuelled to an always love through the Holy Spirit! Elsewhere, Paul tells us that "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom. 5:5) No wonder this love is always — it is God's love, demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice, and delivered by the Holy Spirit!
Evangelism
"Hell is larger today than it
Parts of the world. Yes, we are great organizers, but poor pray-ers." - Paul E. Billheimer
[Message No: 6249]
Not religious practice. Not religious accomplishment. Not religious titles. Not religious pedigree. Not the faith of parents. Not the recognition of community. There is no human means that can accomplish our new birth, our God-birth, our birth from above, our spiritual rebirth.
Only the Holy Spirit can give us "life from heaven." God's Kingdom is as revolutionary as it is eternal. Humans can't muster the righteousness or perfection or power to enter the Kingdom. But God can, and does, do it for us by the power of his Holy Spirit. That's why it is called being saved by grace! Only God can make this happen for us.
The Church
Christ for the World We Sing
Christ for the world we sing! The world to
Christ we bring, with loving zeal; the poor, and
Them that mourn, The faint and over borne,
Sin-sick and sorrow worn, Whom Christ doth heal.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. —
Always love — pretty tall order and pretty tough stuff. Only God is always. But then Christians are fuelled to an always love through the Holy Spirit! Elsewhere, Paul tells us that "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom. 5:5) No wonder this love is always — it is God's love, demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice, and delivered by the Holy Spirit!
Evangelism
"Hell is larger today than it
Parts of the world. Yes, we are great organizers, but poor pray-ers." - Paul E. Billheimer
[Message No: 6249]
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