Reference

This is the sermon notes from the video above

What It Means to Be Born Again | Atlin Family Church Online Sunday Message

Discover what it truly means to be born again in Christ. This Atlin Family Church online Sunday message by Dale & Rena Mae McDonald explains salvation, spiritual family, and God’s free gift of eternal life through Jesus.

What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

Atlin Family Church Online with Dale & Rena Mae McDonald

Welcome to Atlin Family Church Online. We’re so glad you’re joining us—whether live or watching later. Our Sunday services are available on YouTube, Facebook, and Spotify, making it easy to connect wherever you are.

Today’s message focuses on one of the most important topics in Christianity: what it truly means to be born again.

This message is rooted directly in Scripture. Rather than offering opinions or religious traditions, we want to look at what Jesus Himself said about salvation, spiritual life, and becoming part of God’s family.

What Is a Christian?

Many people believe that attending church, believing in God, or being a “good person” makes them a Christian. But simply going to church no more makes you a Christian than walking into a garage makes you a car.

Being a Christian is not:

Church membership
Water baptism
Religious rituals
Doing good works
Intellectual belief that God exists

True Christianity begins with a personal decision.

Natural Family vs. Spiritual Family

Every person is born into a natural family, but Scripture teaches that there is also a spiritual family.

When someone invites Jesus into their heart:

They are immediately adopted into the family of God
They become a child of God for eternity
Their spiritual identity changes instantly

This decision impacts not only life now, but eternal destiny.

Why Being Born Again Matters

The Bible is clear: being born again is not symbolic—it is a spiritual rebirth.

Jesus explained this to Nicodemus in John 3, saying that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. This rebirth is not physical; it is spiritual, accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

It is supernatural and cannot be fully explained—but it is absolutely real.

Salvation Is a Choice

God has given every person free will. He does not force anyone to follow Him.

Everyone will live forever—the question is where.

Salvation is not earned through effort or good deeds. It is a free gift, made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection. A person chooses either to accept or reject that gift.

Ignoring God is still a choice.

What Being Born Again Is NOT

Being born again is not:

Confirmation into a church
Saying prayers without belief
Religious performance
Moral living without faith
Following rules to earn salvation

Religion is humanity’s attempt to reach God. Christianity is God reaching humanity through Jesus Christ.

What Happens When You Are Born Again?

The Bible teaches that when someone believes in Jesus:

Their sins are forgiven—past, present, and future
They become a new creation
The Holy Spirit comes to live inside them
Their desires and thinking begin to change
They are no longer separated from God

Spiritual growth then continues throughout life, just like a natural child grows over time.

God’s Promise Through Faith

Scripture repeatedly tells us that salvation comes through faith, not works.

Faith means:

Believing in your heart
Declaring with your mouth
Trusting fully in what Jesus did on the cross

Anyone—regardless of background, nationality, or past—can be saved.

There are no favorites. God’s invitation is for everyone.

How to Become a Christian

The Bible gives a clear and simple path.

If you believe:

Jesus came from the Father
Jesus died on the cross for your sins
Jesus was buried and rose again
Jesus is alive today and is Lord

Then salvation is available to you right now.

A Simple Prayer of Salvation

You can pray this sincerely, in your own words, or use the prayer below:

Lord Jesus,
I believe You came from the Father.
I believe You died on the cross for my sins.
I repent and turn to You.
I believe You were buried and rose again.
I receive You now as my Lord and Savior.
Thank You for saving me. Amen.

If you prayed this and believed it in your heart, you are now born again. Welcome to the family of God.