08 November 2026
'Born Again'- Living Forever, Part 1 (TMF:3005)
Friday, November 13, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
Jesus’ friend Martha is going to say to him later in our book of John, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world” (ESV). Now, for us today, as Paul said, it includes the fact that Christ has died for our sins and risen from the dead. Let’s not let that last part of the verse escape us: “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (ESV). “[H]e cannot see the kingdom of God.” “[H]e cannot see the kingdom of God.” Ultimately, that’s the core essence of the whole thing. The internal drive and intention is to live forever. Death is avoided at all costs. The shattering truth is that there is actually a way you can do that. A way exists where anyone can do that. Anyone can avoid death. Anyone can live forever. Sure, everyone is going to physically die. The material body is going to expire. Additionally, within each one of us is a spirit, and that spirit is eternal. The spirit lives forever.
'Born Again'- The Change Inside, Part 2 (TMF:3004)
Thursday, November 12, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
This change of heart, this born again-ness, this second birth, comes into play that moment each of us makes that free decision. It’s a free decision to indeed choose Christ. Again, referencing the Apostle Paul, he tells us specifically and yet simply how this comes about. He told the Romans, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (ESV). That’s the crux of it at first. That’s how it becomes real. A confession with the mouth. That’s why preachers and teachers often have that prayer at the end, like at the Billy Graham crusades from not too long ago, so that individuals can come to believe in God. It’s that alter call, as it’s also called. That’s the confession with the mouth. In Jesus’ time, at that point before his death, burial, and resurrection, it would have simply been acknowledging Jesus as Lord. That’s the simplicity of it. Simon Peter did this in Matthew 16, where it is recorded, “Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:16, ESV).
'Born Again'- The Change Inside, Part 1 (TMF:3003)
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
Becoming “born again.” Born again. An interesting and yet sort of strange concept. The sound of it is admittedly appealing. Decades later, the Apostle Paul words it a little bit differently for us in saying: “[I]f anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV). Of course, the glance at our image reflected back to us in a mirror or observing others around us reveals how real our first birth was, our physical birth. We can see the tangible results of birth. But now, now, it’s not just going to be the following of a strict set of rules in a religious community with like minded individuals. No, rather, it’s going to be a change on the inside instead of the outside. It’s not just merely an external change of life, change of the way we do this, that, and the other. Or, the way we relate to people. Sure, it will include those things. Really, though, in reality, it is a change on the inside the results in all those ‘external’ things. It’s a change of the heart.
Jesus Cuts to the Heart with Nicodemus (TMF:3002)
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
The question presented by Nicodemus doesn’t ask about how he can personally be saved from his sins, and yet, surprisingly the whole notion is implied. After all, it is Nicodemus who is coming to Jesus seeking answers. There isn’t any other reason he would be coming to him, to seek him out. The assumption on the part of Jesus is that it must be. Nicodemus is wondering what this whole thing is about, what Jesus being here, what his earthly ministry, is all about. And the answer is presented to him. Jesus cuts straight to the heart. He jumps straight to the point. He tells Nicodemus, and indeed all of us who are listening, how a new life is possible. The desire of the heart of God for each and every individual, for “the Jew first and also the Greek” as the Apostle Paul will tell the Romans (Romans 2:10, ESV). Up and to this point, steps have been made by Nicodemus down his own path, the current path of all Jews at the time. But Jesus is telling him now that circumstances are different. The rules are changing.
Nicodemus Visits Jesus by Night, Part 2 (TMF:3001)
Monday, November 09, 2026
by Daniel Litton Listen to the Feature
Nicodemus himself is supposed to have all the answers, and yet he is seeking this Jesus, who isn’t part of the Pharisees, on religious matters. Not something that would go over well with his fellow peers if they knew about it. Even though he uses the plural “we” in his question, it’s likely that a lot of his fellow Pharisees aren’t wondering the same things as he. It’s probable they aren’t and wouldn’t be on Nicodemus’ side. Regardless, he addresses Jesus using the proper term “Rabbi,” which denotes respect toward him. Now for Jesus’ response. Verse 3: “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (ESV). The question presented by Nicodemus doesn’t ask about how he can personally be saved from his sins, and yet, surprisingly the whole notion is implied. After all, it is Nicodemus who is coming to Jesus seeking answers. There isn’t any other reason he would be coming to him, to seek him out. The assumption on the part of Jesus is that it must be.