I.   It means being converted

A.   Must be converted Matthew 18:3

1.   If not you are still in sin Acts 3:19
2.   Still in darkness  Colossians 1:13
3.   An enemy of the Lord  Luke 11:23

B.   To be in the Kingdom you must be born John 3:3-5

1.  You can only being born into Christ (Put Him On Galatians 3:27)  if you have completed the proper steps 

a.  Hearing and Believing Romans 10:14-17
b.  Repenting Acts 2:38
c.  Confessing Christ Romans 10:10 and Acts 8:37

C.  Being baptized is following Christ's example Matthew 3:13-17

1.   Christ is our example to follow I Peter 2:21

A.  You must give your life Luke 9:23-26

1.  Not turning back once you decided to follow Him Luke 9:57-62

a.   Looking back is a bad idea Genesis 19:26 and Luke 17:32

B.  The cost may even be your family Matthew 19:29

1.   Family can be one of our biggest foes Matthew 10:34-39

A.   The reward for persecution Matthew 5:10-12
B.   A reward for giving of ourselves Matthew 16:24-27

1.   The reward is a crown of righteousness II Timothy 4:6-8
2.   A place of rest Matthew 11:28-30

a.  This place of rest is  great place Revelation 21:3-7
b.  It will never end Luke 18:29-30

C.   There will be a victory for those who stand unmoveable in Christ I Corinthians 15:57-58

Copyright 2001 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.