You may have seen this big Banner at many of the big matches on T.V. and wondered what it is, who would bring this to a game and why?

The man who brings the banner to the matches is called “John” by the supporters. His real name is Frank Hogan, and he lives in Limerick.

Frank was born in Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary. When he was just a few months old the family moved to Limerick. As a youngster Frank played hurling with the school teams, and at an early age developed a great love for Gaelic games. His love for our national games often brought him to Thurles, the birthplace of the G. A. A., where he witnessed many memorable encounters in Semple Stadium.
The first time he displayed the John 3: 7 Banner Frank was at a hurling match in Croke Park, Dublin.
For over twenty years he has carried the Banner on trains, buses, and in cars as he travelled the length and breadth of Ireland to hurling and football matches. He is recognised and respected in Gaelic grounds all over the country.

Many people have wondered why Frank displays the John 3:7 Banner.
He does it because of a life-changing event he experienced some years ago.

Frank’s parents had six children. Like his three brothers and two sisters, Frank was baptised and confirmed. The family attended church regularly. But one day Frank was confronted with the fact that because of his sin he was separated from God. He discovered that church membership or sacraments could not reconcile him to God and save his soul.

Then on 28 September 1976 he discovered that the Lord Jesus Christ had died on the cross as his substitute, and by doing this had paid the penalty for his sins. At 11 p.m., in the front room of his home, Frank repented of his sins and asked the Lord to forgive him. He put his faith (trust) in Christ, believing that Jesus had purchased a Pardon for his sins through His sufferings and death on the cross. This Pardon was put to Frank’s account when, on that memorable evening, he invited Christ into his life as Saviour and Lord.

Frank was Born Again, and received the assurance of eternal life, and now experiences the life-transforming Grace of God in his life day by day.

God did something wonderful for Frank, and this is what motivates him to display the John 3:7 Banner. He wants men and women to experience the forgiveness and grace of God that has meant so much to him.

What is John 3:7? It is a verse from the Bible!

It reads, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again”.

The Bible is God’s Word and is therefore the highest authority on earth. We must listen to what God says and obey Him always. God is saying that just as you began to live physically on the day that you were born, you must be born anew spiritually in order to have a relationship with Him. Without this you are separated from God forever.

God wants to have a living and eternal relationship with you. That is why He has given these clear instructions: “You must be born again”.

Who is this verse about? You and me!

The Lord Jesus was speaking to a man called Nicodemus. He was a very important religious teacher and leader. He must have realised that his religion could not take his separation and guilt away. He was also conscious of what others might think if he was seen talking to the Lord Jesus. So he went at night when no one else would see him. He said,

“ We know that you are come from God to teach us”. Jesus replied, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”.

This very religious man could not see heaven unless he was born again!
If he was separated from God then what hope can there be for you or me?

How did this separation happen? Through sin!

Sin came when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.

The payment for sin is death. God said to Adam and Eve, “If you eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you will surely die”.

They died in three ways:
1. They were separated physically from God. Their relationship with God died as soon as they sinned. God no longer came in person to spend time with them and to talk with them.

2. They would grow old and die physically. Death and disease would come, along with pain, disappointment, loneliness and shame. God had not desired that Adam and Eve should experience these feelings.

3. One day their soul would be separated from their body and be separated from God forever in the place the Bible calls hell.

They felt ashamed and tried to cover their sin up .They now knew what sin was, and they knew that they were guilty!

Every person born physically ever since was born a sinner, separated from God, spiritually dead and guilty before a Holy God.

Do you ever feel guilty?

God, in His Word (The Bible) says that all are born in sin, spiritually dead and separated from God. All have sinned and are helpless, lost and unable of themselves to do anything about their sin.

You might try to turn over a new leaf, start going to church or take part in some event, hoping it will bring you closer to God. But because of your sin you cannot have a relationship with God. God cannot look upon sin. He cannot overlook sin. Sin must be punished!

Is there any hope? YES!

Back at the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned, God punished Satan, Adam and Eve. However God did something He did not have to do. Good News!
He promised to send a deliverer, a Saviour who would be born of the seed of the woman (not a man and woman). This Saviour would pay for the sins and take away the separation and guilt of those who were sorry enough to admit their sin and to turn from it and believe that the deliverer had died in their place.
This deliverer is the Lord Jesus! He is God the Saviour! It was the Lord Jesus that Nicodemus went to. He went to right person!
Jesus never sinned. He was not guilty like you and me.
He was born of the seed of the woman and not of a man and woman.
He took the punishment for your sins so that He could bring you to God.
He did so willingly because He loves you.

Why did God do this? Because he loves you and me!

God knew that you would be separated from Him by sin, but that didn’t stop HimHim from loving you enough to provide a way of salvation. The only way possible was for the Lord Jesus to leave heaven and take your place and mine on the cross. The Bible says in John 3 v 16, “ For God so loved the world (you and me ) that he gave his only begotten SonSon , that whosoever (you or me ) believeth inin him should not perish but have everlasting life”.
God’s love demands a response!

How can I be born again? It’s as simple as A, B, C.

When you Admit you are a sinner, and Believe that Christ died on the cross for you as your only means of being reconciled to God, you can Call upon Him, asking Him to be your Saviour.
You are then born again into God’s family. You become His child by faith alone in Jesus alone.

You are then:
No longer separated
No longer guilty
No longer under the sentence of death, eternal separation and punishment.

Will you acknowledge and admit that you are a sinner, separated from God?
Do you believe that The Lord Jesus died on the cross for your sins and guilt and shame? Will you trust in His sacrifice as the only way that you can be reconciled to Him?
If the answers to these questions are yes then why don’t you ask Him to take away your sins and be your Saviour now?

There may be barriers in the way?
What will people say?
What if I can’t keep this up?
People might object.
They might laugh at you.
You need to count the cost like Nicodemus did.
Life may not be easy for you as a born again Christian. The Lord Jesus does not promise an easy life, but He does promise to be forever with those who trust in Him.
You do not have to try to keep this faith! The Lord Jesus keeps those who trust in Him. He cares for them and gives them the necessary strength and help to live for Him day by day.
There are millions of people who can testify to this fact.