COLLECT

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves:  Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen.

Genesis 12: 1-4 . . .  the story of God’ call of Abraham (Abram) to leave his own country and become the father of a great nation.

Psalm 121 . . . A song of trust in the Lord, the unsleeping guardian of Israel.

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 . . . Paul describes Abraham as an individual who through faith found a right relationship with God.  He is the father of all who trust in the Lord.

John 3:1-17 . . . Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, comes during the night to talk with Jesus.

The Sermon

“Have you been born again?” Jim Somerville, pastor of Richmond’s First Baptist Church and Co-Founder of A Sermon for Every Sunday, was asked this question by his brother’s neighbor. It was brought about by today’s passage, John 3:1-17, the “born again” passage. Listen as Somerville explores the question, “Am I born again?