Dr. George Ragsdale, Pastor *West Marion Baptist Church * 6001 NW 135th Avenue * Morriston/Ocala, Fl 32668 * 352 245-8900

“BORN AGAIN” 1 John 5:1-5, Introduction (Part 1 of a Mini Series)
Intro: Being born of God means a spiritual birth, a rebirth of one’s spirit, a new life, a renewed soul, a regenerated spirit. It is the regeneration and renewal of one’s spirit and behavior.
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.
It is the enduement of a new life, of a godly nature.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The new birth is so radical a change in a person’s life that it can be described only as being born again. Something so wonderful happens to the soul that it is just like a new birth. It is a spiritual birth, a birth beyond the grasp of man’s hands and efforts. It is so radical, so life-changing, and so wonderful that it can be wrought only by the love and power of God Himself.

The New Testament teaching on the new birth is rich and full.
THE NEW BIRTH IS A NECESSITY
A. A person will never SEE the kingdom of God
John 3:3 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.
B. A person will never ENTER the kingdom of God
John 3:5 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.
C. Unless he is BORN AGAIN John 3:7
II. THE NEW BIRTH IS A SPIRITUAL BIRTH
A. The birth of a new POWER and SPIRIT in life
B. It is not REFORMATION of the old nature
Romans 6:6
C. It is the actual CREATION of a new birth within (spiritually)
John 3:5-6 (cf. Jn. 1:12-13; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10: 4:24; Eph. 1:3; 4:7)
D. A person is SPIRITUALLY born again
1. By WATER even the Spirit John 3:5
2. By the WILL of God James 1:18
3. By incorruptible SEED, even by the Word of God 1 Peter 1:23
4. By GOD from above 1 Peter 1:3; John 1:12-13
5. By CHRIST, who gives both the POWER and RIGHT to be born again. 12-John.1.13" class="scriptRef">John 1:12-13 12
III. THE NEW BIRTH IS A DEFINITE EXPERIENCE
A. A REAL experience
B. A person experiences the new birth:
1. By BELIEVING that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God 1 John 5:1; John 3:14-15
2. By the GOSPEL as it is shared by believers 1 Corinthians 4:15
3. By the WORD OF GOD or by the Word of TRUTH 1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18
IV. THE NEW BIRTH IS A CHANGED LIFE
A. A totally NEW life
B. A person PROVES that he is born again
1. By doing RIGHTEOUS acts 1 John 2:29 (cf. Eph. 2:10; 4:24)
2. By not PRACTICING sin 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18
3. By LOVING other believers 1 John 4:7
4. By KEEPING himself 1 John 5:18
5. By POSSESSING the divine SEED or NATURE 1 John 3:1; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:14 (cf. Col. 1:27)

MORE MESSAGES ON CHURCH WEB PAGE: West Marion Baptist Church— http://www.westmarionbaptistchurch.com

You can also watch and listen to Pastor Ragsdale's sermons on Radio and TV here in Central Florida on the following stations:

SUPER CHANNEL 55 in Orlando, Florida
Thursdays @ 2:30 am and Saturdays @ 11:00 pm
as well as these other channels:
Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne - Spectrum Cable 14
Leesburg/Lake County - Comcast Ch. 5
Ocala/Marion County - Brighthouse Ch. 14; Cox Cable 10
Gainesville - Cox Cable 57
*DirecTV; *DISH Network - Channel 55
Disney - Disney Cable 29
Daytona Beach Shores - Advanced Cable 55
Summit Cable Orlando - Summit Cable 11
AT&T Uverse - Channel 40
Dunnellon - Comcast Channel 21
Inverness/Crystal River - Brighthouse Channel 16

SUPERCHANNEL 55 DIGITAL CHANNELS:
Channel 55.1 - WACX TV
Channel 55.2 - GodTV Network (24/7)
Channel 55.3 - GEB (24/7)
Channel 55.4 - SonLife Broadcasting (24/7)
Channel 55.5 - Vida Vision
Channel 55.6 - WACX TV (2)
Channel 47.1 - WYKE Citrus County
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COX CABLE TV CHANNELS: WCOX-O
Channel 16 Analog & 112.5 Digital in Ocala, Fl (Marion Co)
Tues, Thurs, 9:30 AM; Fri 8:30 AM; Mon, Wed, Sat, 8 PM; Sun, 7 PM; 12 Noon, 8 PM

COX Cable TV: CXLP Channel 21
Gainesville, Fl (Alachua Co)
Tues, Wed, Fri 9 AM; Mon, Thurs, Sat, 8 PM; Sun, 10 AM

DAYSTAR Radio 89.5 FM
North Central Fl@ Sun 5 AM, 12 Noon, 7 PM

CLASSIC HITS RADIO of OCALA 104.7 FM
City of Ocala @Sundays 8:30 AM
http://www.youtube.com/CarolRagsdale
SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST