It is estimated that in the year 1900 25% of Canadians were born-again believers, meaning they had placed their faith in Jesus as their personal saviour. In Kenya that same year only 5% professed faith in Jesus.
Today 2026 less than 5% of Canadians claim to be born-again believers while in Kenya 25% profess faith in Jesus as Saviour.
A preacher underlined the danger of 100 years. He listed a number of schools, colleges, universities and church denomination that started out with a clear mandate to preach the Gospel and by the time they reached their centenary year they had strayed so far away from their roots that many even denied to truths their founding fathers preached.
It is with thankfulness to God and a deep appreciation for the leadership of WBCC that we can say this church still believes the Bible, still preaches the clear message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 100 years on the Message is still the same, Miracles of grace are still taking place and the Mandate has not changed. I count it a real privilege to stand and preach the same Gospel that this church was founded to preach 100 years ago.
The context: John 3:1-21 Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus
THE MAN – A Religious man, a Pharisee
A Ruler, with a prominent position. Sanhedrin??
A Reasonable man who saw Jesus as a teacher sent from God
A Searching man who had no assurance of Salvation or Heaven
THE MASTER – Jesus knew Nicodemus’s heart – a lost man looking for an answer.
Jesus went to the heart of Nicodemus’s problem
THE MESSAGE – v 3 “you must be born again” preached here for 100 years.
A Misunderstood message – how could this be?
A Life Changing message – new creature 2 Cor 5:17
An Explained message – v 14-18
Message of God’s love v16. Message of God’s transforming grace – He gave His only son Message of eternal hope –
Jesus took our place and died as a substitute. His sacrifice was sufficient, no more sacrifice necessary for sin.
THE MIRACLE – John 7 Nicodemus defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin John 19 After the crucifixion he brought spices to anoint Jesus
Nicodemus is obviously a changed man – now identified with Jesus, a follower of Jesus. A change has taken place in his heart that has resulted in a change in his life.
THE MANDATE – Looking ahead to the next 100 years or however long it is before Jesus returns, what is the mandate for Woodland Beach Community Church?
Mark 16:15 Jesus to disciples “ Go into all the world and preach the Gospel…”
2 Timothy 4:2 Paul to Timothy “Preach the word …”
1 Cor 9:16 Paul to himself “Woe is me if I do not preach the Gospel…”
John Bennett
