The Effort isn't to perform; the Effort is Transform

In this message, Pastor Alan teaches on what it means to be born again and to live as a child of God rather than as a performer. He begins by telling that the goal is not to make everyone the same, but to help each person be at peace with who they are. He says Christianity is not about earning approval through works, but about becoming like Jesus in love, holiness, and the knowledge of God. He explains that many people try to find value by doing things for God or by being accepted by others. He says this often leads to insecurity, performance, and a cycle of trying harder, then returning to the same place. Instead, he says believers are called to transformation, where change comes from focusing on the Holy Spirit rather than on self-effort. Pastor Alan emphasizes that God is Father to those who are born again. He says believers should not relate to God only as a distant deity, but as a loving parent who already values them. He uses the image of a child recognizing a father to describe how God sees each person individually, not as part of a crowd. He also teaches from John 3:1-3 that being born again is a real new birth, not just joining religion or trying to improve morally. He says the inner person is born of God, while the outward person still struggles, and that Christians should not identify with the old life of sin and insecurity. He closes by leading a prayer for salvation and inviting people to receive Jesus and be born of God.