1. “The Miracle of Rebirth!” John 1:10-13

2. Cargo Ship El Faro Sails Into Eye of Joaquin Oct 1, 2015 Left Jacksonville carrying 33 crew members on Tuesday Sept 29; Diverted from normal course right into the eye of Hurricane Joaquin. **150-mph gusts, **30-foot waves **potentially 25 inches of rain The Peril of Being Lost!

3. The Problem of Spiritual Darkness Can’t see where you’re going Don’t know why you’re going No systematic plan for measuring progress, we make “mistakes in judgment” Result: wallowing guilt, shame, sorrow

4. God’s Answer: Let There Be Light! KEY: John 1:4 – “In Him was LIFE; life was the light of men” Vs. 9 – “enlightens every man!” Vss. 10-11 – Still, world was held captive in darkness! “The people who were sitting in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them” (Isaiah 9:2). = HOPE!

5. God’s Method: Send a Messenger! Vs. 6 – “There was a man sent from God…” THE GOD OF THE BIBLE REACHES OUT! Angels = ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation…” (Hebrews 1:14). “For God so loved the world, He gave…”

6. The Breakthrough: Rebirth! “As many as received Him…” “they became children of God” VS. Eph. 2:3 They were born (into the Kingdom of God)… * not of blood (heritage) * not of the will of the flesh (I think I can) * nor of the will of man – (good works) * but of God (divine intervention!)

7. Salvation: Selected and Secure “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:3-4) “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”(John 6:44) “I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).

8. The Thrill of Adoption! Vs. 12 Each child receives: * a new father (Abba) * a new name (Christian – Acts 11:26) * a new family (siblings Ephesians 2:19) * a new lifestyle (lay aside old self Eph. 4:22) * new clothing (with Christ! Romans 13:14) * a new inheritance (fellow heirs with Christ, Romans 8:17).

9. Vs. 14 – “The Word Was Made Flesh and Dwelt Among Us!” “We beheld His glory!” Vs. 14 “Full of grace and truth!” Vs. 14 “Of His fullness we have all received….” vs. 16 “And grace upon grace” vs. 16 “Grace and truth were realized in Jesus Christ” vs. 17

10. Miracle Results of Rebirth In place of death, there is LIFE! (zoe) New life! (not patching up the former life) Eternal life! (lasts forever, by definition) In place of darkness, there is LIGHT! John 8:12 – “he who follows me will have the light of life!” (zoe) In place of blindness, there is SIGHT!