Title
To Those Who Believe 致所有信者
Date
07/20/2025
Description
John 1:12,13 - But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
约翰福音 1:12,13-但是所有接受他的，就是信他名的人，
他就赐给他们权柄成为神的儿女。他们不是由血缘、或肉体的意愿、或人的意志所生的，而是由神所生的。(page 1716)
John 3:16,17: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
约翰福音 3:16,17- “神爱世人，甚至赐下他的独生子，好让所有信他的人不至于灭亡，反得永恒的生命， 因为神差派他的 儿子来到世上，不是为了定世人的罪，而是为了世人藉着他得救。(1720)
Gal 3:26,27: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
加拉太书 3:26,27- 因为你们藉着信，在基督耶稣里，都是神的儿女。后裔与继承人 实际上，你们所有受洗[o]归入基督的，就穿上了基督 (page 1889)
Isaiah 54:10: Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
以赛亚书 54:10-大山可以挪开，小山可以迁移，但我的慈爱必不离开你，我平安的约也不会更改。这是怜悯你的耶和华说的。(1203)
Eph 1:13: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…”
以弗所书 1:13- 你们听过真理之道，就是那使你们得救的福音，而且也信了基督。你们既然信祂，就领受了上帝应许赐下的圣灵为印记。(page 1894)
约翰福音 1:12,13-但是所有接受他的，就是信他名的人，
他就赐给他们权柄成为神的儿女。他们不是由血缘、或肉体的意愿、或人的意志所生的，而是由神所生的。(page 1716)
John 3:16,17: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
约翰福音 3:16,17- “神爱世人，甚至赐下他的独生子，好让所有信他的人不至于灭亡，反得永恒的生命， 因为神差派他的 儿子来到世上，不是为了定世人的罪，而是为了世人藉着他得救。(1720)
Gal 3:26,27: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
加拉太书 3:26,27- 因为你们藉着信，在基督耶稣里，都是神的儿女。后裔与继承人 实际上，你们所有受洗[o]归入基督的，就穿上了基督 (page 1889)
Isaiah 54:10: Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
以赛亚书 54:10-大山可以挪开，小山可以迁移，但我的慈爱必不离开你，我平安的约也不会更改。这是怜悯你的耶和华说的。(1203)
Eph 1:13: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…”
以弗所书 1:13- 你们听过真理之道，就是那使你们得救的福音，而且也信了基督。你们既然信祂，就领受了上帝应许赐下的圣灵为印记。(page 1894)
Creator
Pastor: Mike J Koger
Contributor
Hillside United Methodist Church
3739 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
3739 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
Transcription
To Those Who Believe: Becoming Children of God
John 1:11-13
Everywhere you go today, voices compete to tell you what to believe about our world.
As Jesus warns us, 'Be careful what you hear...'
People are saying all kinds of things, but Isaiah 8:20 reminds us: 'If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no light in them.'
We are being shaped by what we let in—what we choose to believe forms who we become. Every Sunday in this church, we declare our core beliefs through the Apostle's Creed:
The lyrics of a song: 'And I believe—what I believe is what makes me what I am. I did not make it, no it is making me. It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man.'
It matters—truly matters—what we believe is true.
Right now, just as 2,000 years ago, our world desperately needs rescue.
We live in uncertain times where it's easy to be distressed, to lose sleep, to feel hopeless.
Think back to the children of Israel dying from snake bites in the wilderness. God instructed Moses to raise a bronze serpent, and everyone who looked up at it was healed.
John 3:14-15 tells us: 'Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.'
Then comes that beautiful promise in John 3:16: 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.'
God so loved the world—the whole world.
That includes you, no matter where you are this morning.
You haven't missed your opportunity. It's right here before you.
The Good News is that our faith is not complicated.
The path is clear and available to all of us.
2 Peter 3:9 assures us: 'The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.'
John 1:12-13 offers this powerful promise: 'But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.'
Galatians 3:26-27 confirms: 'You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.'
In an uncertain world, you and I can live in certainty.
Ephesians 1:13 tells us: 'And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...'
Imagine what it means to be a child of God
—to move from spiritual death to eternal life.
The Bible tells us that faith comes as we hear and receive God's Word.
When we hear the truth, we have a choice in how we receive it.
As Zig Ziglar called it, do we suffer from 'Paralysis by Analysis'? (elaborate)
Do we listen with our heart, or do we keep the door closed?
Rev 3:20, Jesus says: 'Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.'
This is why we sing: 'Come into my heart, O Lord Jesus, Come into my heart, I pray; My soul is so troubled and weary, Come into my heart, today.'
Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Do you, today, see Jesus as He truly is – have you given Him your heart – your life?
The truth is—you can't halfway believe in Jesus.
He told us who He was and what He came to accomplish.
Jesus asked, 'Who do you say that I am?'
…and He declared, 'I am the Way...'
1 Timothy 1:15-16 testifies: 'Jesus Christ came into the world to bring sinners back to life—even me, the worst sinner of all! Yet I was captured by grace, so that Jesus Christ could display through me the outpouring of his Spirit as a pattern to be seen for all those who would believe in him for eternal life.'
Just as Jesus declared 'It is finished' from the cross of Calvary,
we, by God's grace, can declare 'It is finished' over our past life of failure and defeat.
When the jailer asked Paul and Silas, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied simply, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'
In a time of uncertainty, your foundation of faith must remain certain.
1 John 5:13 assures us: 'I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.'
Jesus said, 'You must be born again.'
John 3:5-7 explains: 'I assure you, that unless a man is born from water and from spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh and spirit gives birth to spirit: you must not be surprised that I told you that all of you must be born again.'
So I ask you today:
Have you been born again? - Have you asked Jesus into your heart? –
Are you ready today to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, redeemer, healer, and forgiver?
You can go from death to life today.
Let us pray together:
'Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love for me, for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for all my sins.
His precious blood washes me clean.
You raised Him from the dead. He's alive today.
And I thank You that all my sins are forgiven.
I'm righteous by the blood. I'm under God's favor.
And I thank You Father that surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life from this day forth.
In Jesus' name, Amen.'
Remember John 1:12-13: 'But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... They were not born because of what any man decided. No! They were born from God.'
For some, this message is one you've heard your whole life.
But for someone here today, this could be the first time you've truly heard it—not just with your ears, but with your whole heart.
Today can be the day you become a child of God.
John 1:11-13
Everywhere you go today, voices compete to tell you what to believe about our world.
As Jesus warns us, 'Be careful what you hear...'
People are saying all kinds of things, but Isaiah 8:20 reminds us: 'If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no light in them.'
We are being shaped by what we let in—what we choose to believe forms who we become. Every Sunday in this church, we declare our core beliefs through the Apostle's Creed:
The lyrics of a song: 'And I believe—what I believe is what makes me what I am. I did not make it, no it is making me. It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man.'
It matters—truly matters—what we believe is true.
Right now, just as 2,000 years ago, our world desperately needs rescue.
We live in uncertain times where it's easy to be distressed, to lose sleep, to feel hopeless.
Think back to the children of Israel dying from snake bites in the wilderness. God instructed Moses to raise a bronze serpent, and everyone who looked up at it was healed.
John 3:14-15 tells us: 'Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.'
Then comes that beautiful promise in John 3:16: 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.'
God so loved the world—the whole world.
That includes you, no matter where you are this morning.
You haven't missed your opportunity. It's right here before you.
The Good News is that our faith is not complicated.
The path is clear and available to all of us.
2 Peter 3:9 assures us: 'The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.'
John 1:12-13 offers this powerful promise: 'But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.'
Galatians 3:26-27 confirms: 'You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.'
In an uncertain world, you and I can live in certainty.
Ephesians 1:13 tells us: 'And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...'
Imagine what it means to be a child of God
—to move from spiritual death to eternal life.
The Bible tells us that faith comes as we hear and receive God's Word.
When we hear the truth, we have a choice in how we receive it.
As Zig Ziglar called it, do we suffer from 'Paralysis by Analysis'? (elaborate)
Do we listen with our heart, or do we keep the door closed?
Rev 3:20, Jesus says: 'Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.'
This is why we sing: 'Come into my heart, O Lord Jesus, Come into my heart, I pray; My soul is so troubled and weary, Come into my heart, today.'
Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Do you, today, see Jesus as He truly is – have you given Him your heart – your life?
The truth is—you can't halfway believe in Jesus.
He told us who He was and what He came to accomplish.
Jesus asked, 'Who do you say that I am?'
…and He declared, 'I am the Way...'
1 Timothy 1:15-16 testifies: 'Jesus Christ came into the world to bring sinners back to life—even me, the worst sinner of all! Yet I was captured by grace, so that Jesus Christ could display through me the outpouring of his Spirit as a pattern to be seen for all those who would believe in him for eternal life.'
Just as Jesus declared 'It is finished' from the cross of Calvary,
we, by God's grace, can declare 'It is finished' over our past life of failure and defeat.
When the jailer asked Paul and Silas, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied simply, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'
In a time of uncertainty, your foundation of faith must remain certain.
1 John 5:13 assures us: 'I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.'
Jesus said, 'You must be born again.'
John 3:5-7 explains: 'I assure you, that unless a man is born from water and from spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh and spirit gives birth to spirit: you must not be surprised that I told you that all of you must be born again.'
So I ask you today:
Have you been born again? - Have you asked Jesus into your heart? –
Are you ready today to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, redeemer, healer, and forgiver?
You can go from death to life today.
Let us pray together:
'Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love for me, for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for all my sins.
His precious blood washes me clean.
You raised Him from the dead. He's alive today.
And I thank You that all my sins are forgiven.
I'm righteous by the blood. I'm under God's favor.
And I thank You Father that surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life from this day forth.
In Jesus' name, Amen.'
Remember John 1:12-13: 'But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... They were not born because of what any man decided. No! They were born from God.'
For some, this message is one you've heard your whole life.
But for someone here today, this could be the first time you've truly heard it—not just with your ears, but with your whole heart.
Today can be the day you become a child of God.