How Are You Begotten?

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

April 22, 2017

Key Texts: Matthew 1:1-18; 1 Peter 1:22-25; John 3:1-8; Jeremiah 1:5

SOP Reference: Christ’s Object Lessons, pg. 112.5

Introduction: In 1990, Paul B. Allen[8] and Dan Taggart, two Brigham Young University graduates, founded Infobases and began offering Latter-day Saints (LDS) publications on floppy disks…Infobases' first products were floppy disks and compact disks sold from the back seat of the founders' car. In 1994, Infobases was named among Inc. magazine's 500 fastest-growing companies.[9] Their first offering on CD was the LDS Collectors Edition, released in April 1995, selling for $299.95,[10] which was offered in an online version in August 1995.[11] Ancestry officially went online with the launched Ancestry.com in 1996.

Give reason for the interest in genealogy by LDS group…lead in with why heritage and background have an impact on future generations…segue into Christ’s background and the significance of His genealogy.

I. The Begats (Matthew 1:1-18)

  A. The Gospel in People

    1. There is a reason this is included…for the edification of future generations

    2. God chose this lineage specifically

    3. Jesus doesn’t come from a dynastic legacy

      a. There are murderers, liars, prostitutes, adulterers

      b. Every commandment was broken in His heredity

  B. All Can Be Delivered

    1. Jesus coming this way gives hope and life to the Gospel for all

    2. No one is excluded from the power of redemption

      a. Regardless of background: You can come to the cross

      b. Regardless of history: You are precious and redeemable

II. Begotten Again (John 3:1-8)

  A. Rebirth Experience

    1. There are two rebirth experiences

      a. Water: Baptism

      b. Spirit: Opening the heart to growth and renewal in Christ

    2. This was planned for each of us before our conception (Jeremiah 1:5)

  B. He calls us to a higher existence with Him

    1. Cooperation with the Holy Spirit is key (1 Peter 1:22-25)

    2. Regardless of heritage, past experience, or lineage…we must abide in the Word

      a. Christ longs to give us the treasure of a new life & life eternal

      b. Faith, surrender, and complete trust in Him is the key to receiving this

SOP: Christ gave His life to secure for us this inestimable treasure; but without regeneration through faith in His blood, there is no remission of sins, no treasure for any perishing soul.

Conclusion: God is no respecter of persons.  He gives no consideration to your family tree in determining whether or not to save you.  The sins of your family, your own personal sins, will not stop you from achieving the life which has been planned for you from before your conception.  Christ came to free and save each of us from the destruction of sin and to give us each a hope that is everlasting and sure.  Are you ready to take a stand today, regardless of past or present circumstances and say Jesus, allow be to be begotten again? (Altar Call)