-Regarding: "You Must Be Born Again."
-By: Max Lucado

-Recommended Reading: Romans 4:1-25 bible

-Situation-
Paul showed that Abraham's leadership in God's family was dute to faith.

-Observation-
-We accept God's gift by faith; we cannot earn it by good works.

-Inspiration-
-Jesus makes no mention of Nicodemus's VIP status, good intentions, or academic credentials, not because they don't exist, but because, in Jesus' algorithm, they don't matter. He simply issues this proclamation: "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Behold the Continental Divide of Scripture, the international data line of faith. Nicodemus stands on one side, Jesus on the other, and Christ pulls no punches about their differences.

Nicodemus inhabits a land of good efforts, sincere gestures, and hard work. Give God your best, his philosophy says, and God does the rest.

Jesus' response? Your best won't do. Your works don't work. Your finest efforts don't mean squat. Unless you are born again, you can't even see what God is up to.

Nicodemus hesitates on behalf of us all. Born again? "How can a man be born when he is old?" (v.4). You must be kidding. Put life in reverse? Rewind the tape? Start all over? We can't be born again.

Oh, but wouldn't we like to? A do-over. A try-again. A reload. Broken hearts and missed opportunities bob in our wake. A mulligan would be nice. Who wouldn't cherish a second shot? But who can pull it off? Nicodemus scratches his chin and chuckles.

"Yeah, a graybeard like me gets a maternity-ward recall." Jesus doesn't crack a smile. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (v.5). About this time a gust of wind blows a few leaves through the still-open door. Jesus picks one off the floor and holds it up. God's power works like that wind, Jesus explains. Newborn hearts are born of heaven. You can't wish, earn, or create one. New birth? Inconceivable. God handles the task, start to finish.
Nicodemus looks around the room at the followers. Their blank expressions betray equal bewilderment. unsure

Old Nick has no hook upon which to hang such thoughts. He speaks self-fix.
-But Jesus speaks--indeed introduces--a different language. Not works born of men and women, but a work done by God.
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-(From 3:16 / By: Max Lucado)
-Application-
-Picture yourself at a department store. On the shelf you see something you've wanted for years, but the price is still too high. How would you feel if a caring friend or relative bought the item, wapped it, and gave it to you?
Thank God for giving you a gift you could never afford.
-Exploration-
-Faith- Genesis 15:6; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Psalm 32:1, 2; Isaiah 7:9; Habakkuk 2:4; Matthew 9:29; Acts 15:9; Romans 4:16;5:1; 10:17.
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Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]