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Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (ESV)

In John 3:3-5, Jesus was saying to Nicodemus that a person must be born of water (into this world, flesh) and be born again (or from above) by the Holy Spirit. Upon repentance of sin (Acts 2:38; 3:19) and belief on Jesus (John 3:16) the Holy Spirit brings a new birth and with it a new creation or creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). A person must have this born again experience to see, enter or participate in the kingdom of God. Those who have been born again have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:3). Continue reading →

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The foundation of true holiness and true Christian worship is the doctrine of the gospel, what we are to believe. So when Christian doctrine is neglected, forsaken, or corrupted, true holiness and worship will also be neglected, forsaken, and corrupted.

John Owen

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“If the Christian life has become the path of ease in the modern west, then corporate worship is the place of increasing entertainment. The problem is not a battle between contemporary worship music and hymns; the problem is that there aren’t enough martyrs during the week. If no soldiers are perishing, what you want on Sunday is Bob Hope and some pretty girls, not the army chaplain and a surgeon.”

John Piper

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Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:3-5 (ESV)

In John 3:3-5, Jesus was saying to Nicodemus that a person must be born of water (into this world, flesh) and be born again (or from above) by the Holy Spirit. Upon repentance of sin (Acts 2:38; 3:19) and belief on Jesus (John 3:16) the Holy Spirit brings a new birth and with it a new creation or creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). A person must have this born again experience or they will not be allowed to see, enter or participate in the kingdom of God. Continue reading →

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The unceasing activity of the Creator, whereby in overflowing bounty and goodwill, He upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory.

J.I. Packer

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“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:11-14 (ESV)

A kingdom usually consists of a least three elements; a king, a realm and subjects. The subjects are the people who are submitted to and ruled by the king. The subjects of the kingdom of God are those people who have submitted to Jesus Christ and have come under the mastery of his lordship (Romans 10:9; 13:14; Ephesians 5:24; Colossians 1:18). These subjects have other identities such as “the church” or “the body of Christ” or “saints.” (1 Corinthians 1:2; 12:27; Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:24) The church is not the kingdom but rather the community of the kingdom. Continue reading →