THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MONROVIA DISTRICT CONFERENCE,   LAC/UMC
ASHMUN & GURLEY STREETS, MONROVIA

A BRIEF LESSON ON THE SECOND BIRTH PREPARED BY THE PASTORAL STAFF OF THE FUMC

Rev. Julius Y.Z.K. Williams Associate Pastor
Rev. Erlene P. Thompson Senior Pastor
APRIL 2009
THE SECOND BIRTH TEXT: ST. JOHN 3:1-8

INTRODUCTION
Every person born of a woman experiences the first birth. And the first birth is natural. The writers of this tract interest lies in the second birth which is the spiritual birth. This tract will consider the following:

• WHAT IS THE SECOND BIRTH?
• HOW CAN YOU EXPERIENCE THE SECOND BIRTH?
• WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE THE SECOND BIRTH?
  These are questions you need to ponder upon as you continue to read this tract.

Have you been born the second time? Are you born again?
By the way do you know what it means to be born again? Actually, it was Jesus who made this
statement for the first time to Nicodemus. What did Jesus mean when he said this to Nicodemus?

THE MAN NICODEMUS
A man who was a teacher of the Jewish Law and a Pharisee did not understand the Second Birth. He went to Jesus by night to find out some eternal truths about the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus the Christ was and is the Savior of the world. He lacked a personal relationship with the Lord.   He had a longing that he wanted to satisfy. And that longing was to experience an eternal peace within.
Nicodemus was a respectable interpreter of God's law yet he was far from God. After Nicodemus acknowledged the greatness of Jesus, Jesus replied by saying: "I tell you the truth; no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again."
Nicodemus did not understand this saying. Therefore, he asked Jesus: "How can a man be born when he is old?" His thought was on the First Birth. But Jesus' concern was on the Second Birth. Then, what is the Second Birth?

THE SECOND BIRTH
• To be regenerated
• It is the impartation of divine life to the believer's soul
• It is a surrendered life to the Lordship of Jesus the Christ
• Being born of the Spirit
• Allowing Jesus to be in charge of your life
• To accept Jesus as Lord and Savior

A person who receives the Second Birth has two birthdays - the date he or she was born and the date he or she receives Christ as Lord. A twice-born person dies once - he or she dies in the flesh but lives forever with the Lord. A once-born person dies twice; he/she experiences physical death and spiritual death (total separation from the Lord). The once-born person dies twice because he/she remains in sin.

HOW CAN YOU EXPERIENCE THE SECOND BIRTH?

* Recognize God loves you (John 3:16; 15:9; 17:3)
* Realize that you are in the state of helplessness - you cannot help yourself
* Recognize and accept that Jesus can help you(John 8:24; 3:18)
* Tell Jesus that you have not been living for Him and believe that He is the only Savior (John 1:29; 14:6; 3:36)
* Receive Jesus as your own Savior (Johnl:12; 10:28; 5:24)
* Invite Him to take control of your life
* Declare that Jesus is now your Lord and Friend (John 15:14; 20:28; 16:24)

If you have not yet given your life to Christ, you have the opportunity now to invite Christ into your life. If you wish you may say the below prayer:
LORD JESUS, I THANK YOU FOR TODAY. I HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU. I CONFESS THAT I AM A SINNER. PLEASE FORGIVE ME. COME INTO MY HEART AND TAKE CONTROL. THANK YOU JESUS FOR SAVING ME. THANK YOU THAT YOU DIED ON CALVARY TO TAKE AWAY MY SINS.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE: If you have prayed this prayer know that: Christ came into your heart (Rev.3:20); you have eternal life (I John 5:11-13); your sins are forgiven (Col. 1:14); and you become a child of God (John 1:12).

If you are a Christian but have backslidden and you want to rededicate your life to Christ, you may say the below prayer:
Lord Jesus, Thank you for today. Lord, please forgive me for neglecting you some times. Today, I pray and recommit my life to you. Come and take total control of my life. Thank you Jesus.
SPECIAL NOTE: To experience this Second Birth, you must surrender your academic achievements, financial status, social status, material possessions, families and your entire being- spirit, soul and body to the Lord.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE THE SECOND BIRTH? If anyone is in Christ he/she is a new person. The second birth brings you into intimate relationship with the Lord. The second birth makes you to understand spiritual things.

1. You allow Christ to be King and Master of everything that concerns you.
2. You see others as God's created beings
3. You do not promote substance abuse
4. You become a person of integrity
5. You share the Good News of Jesus with others
6. You become an imitator of Jesus the Christ
7. Your life becomes Christ-centered and God-focused
8. You become a giver to the ministry of the Lord

NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE LORD:

1. Read your Bible Daily
2. Pray regularly
3. Share your faith with others

>  Join a Bible-believing Church
•    Be generous and support the ministry of the Lord.
OTHER SCRIPTURES TO READ:
•     Genesis 3
»  Isaiah 59:1-2
»  I John 1 :9
»  Romans 10

1. Ephesians 5:1-20
2. Luke 16:24-28
3. Revelation 3:20

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