WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.259 3, and we like to remain standing as we hear the Word of God, the sermon text. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:13.060 That's what the people of God did in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, as these sojourners 00:00:13.060 --> 00:00:19.339 were brought back to worship and the kingdom was prefigured, it was typified for what we 00:00:19.339 --> 00:00:21.019 now enjoy in Jesus Christ. 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:24.339 So we hear this Word as the Word of our King Jesus. 00:00:24.339 --> 00:00:31.160 Today's sermon text is John chapter 3, verses 1 through 12. 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:38.780 I'm going to read this, and then at the end I will say, this is the Word of God, and we 00:00:38.780 --> 00:00:40.859 will respond, thanks be to God. 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:47.159 So hear now the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:53.159 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:59.379 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher 00:00:59.379 --> 00:01:04.280 come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. 00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:12.879 Jesus answered him, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:14.259 the kingdom of God. 00:01:15.259 --> 00:01:19.340 Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:22.980 Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:31.200 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:33.420 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:40.780 That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. 00:01:41.580 --> 00:01:44.980 Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again. 00:01:44.980 --> 00:01:51.960 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes 00:01:51.960 --> 00:01:53.579 from or where it goes. 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:58.520 So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. 00:01:59.520 --> 00:02:02.480 Nicodemus said to him, How can these things be? 00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:09.159 Jesus answered him, You are the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:16.979 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and bear witness to what we have seen, 00:02:17.079 --> 00:02:20.139 but you do not receive our testimony. 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:28.780 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:30.300 heavenly things? 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:32.639 This is the Word of God. 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:34.500 Thanks be to God. 00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:35.620 You may be seated. 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:41.659 Let's pray. 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:47.000 Oh Lord, you formed the Spirit of man within him. 00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:49.659 You made his life. 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:53.340 The Spirit of God made us. 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:56.939 And it's the breath of the Almighty that gives life. 00:02:57.659 --> 00:03:04.980 You put wisdom in the innermost being, and you are the one who gives understanding to the mind of man. 00:03:04.979 --> 00:03:14.780 We ask now that once again, by the power of your Holy Spirit, you will breathe spiritual life to all who have an ear to hear. 00:03:15.379 --> 00:03:19.060 Speak, Lord, that your Word will not return in void. 00:03:19.799 --> 00:03:25.219 We pray for the glory of King Jesus and for the coming of his kingdom through his church. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:26.079 Amen. 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:26.200 Amen. 00:03:29.480 --> 00:03:31.800 I have a very simple message for you today. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:35.980 I believe this is the message Jesus had, and it's this. 00:03:36.480 --> 00:03:37.860 It's the title of our sermon. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:42.280 Your salvation is an act of God. 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:46.400 Your salvation is an act of God. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:04:07.360 In 1987, a weather forecaster in the United Kingdom named Michael Fish, he told viewers in the midday broadcast to ignore talk of a hurricane approaching southern England, saying it would become merely very windy that day. 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:15.480 As you might be able to imagine, those who listened to this man were left speechless by what actually happened. 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:21.920 A severe storm felled 15 million trees. 00:04:22.520 --> 00:04:25.759 It caused damage surpassing $2.3 billion. 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:34.520 Tragically, 20 people were killed because they were unprepared and then unable to save themselves. 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:40.240 It was too late for them to find a safe shelter by the time the storm hit. 00:04:41.799 --> 00:04:45.759 Such a hurricane is what insurance companies call acts of God. 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:58.060 They're so massive, so much mightier than human power, so majestically sovereign, and mysteriously unpredictable. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:05.759 No one in their right mind would claim credit for a hurricane or a tornado or a tsunami or a typhoon. 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:08.199 Those are acts of God, aren't they? 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:12.300 And Jesus says the wind blows where it wishes. 00:05:12.780 --> 00:05:14.860 No one sees where it's coming or where it's going. 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:26.199 Similarly, when a baby is born, the toughest former veteran grandpa, he will just melt into a puddle and he will say, 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:28.900 this is a miracle, this little baby. 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:29.699 What a miracle. 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:36.280 The fact that a new life can take place and be formed inside the womb of a mommy, 00:05:36.279 --> 00:05:40.759 and then a tiny new little person comes forth, comes out of there, 00:05:41.799 --> 00:05:43.919 that's an even mightier act, isn't it? 00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:47.179 It's the same God who controls the wind. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:49.659 His providence is over all his creation. 00:05:50.359 --> 00:05:54.519 That same God breathed life into Adam and Eve, his image bearers, 00:05:54.739 --> 00:06:01.019 and it's that same God alone who has the power to breathe new life into a dead soul. 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:04.899 So that's what Jesus is telling Nicodemus. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:09.680 Greater than these acts of God in nature, even greater than a physical birth, 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:15.439 is the phenomenon that God alone can do to bring forth new life. 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:17.240 The new birth. 00:06:17.599 --> 00:06:23.439 And that's the one doctrine that's in focus in these first 12 verses of chapter 3. 00:06:23.799 --> 00:06:28.299 It's what the church has called new birth, which also can be worded this way, 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:31.060 regeneration, regeneration. 00:06:31.780 --> 00:06:33.800 So that's our doctrine in view today. 00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:39.680 Greater than the mightiest storm, greater than the birth of your most precious baby, 00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:44.300 is God's act in bringing forth spiritual life. 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:48.560 An act of God that takes place inside the person, 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:53.600 and it happens mysteriously, like the movement of the wind. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:54.680 Look at verse 5. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:07:00.139 Jesus tells Nicodemus in verse 5, 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:06.780 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, 00:07:07.280 --> 00:07:11.100 he cannot, physically, spiritually cannot, 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:15.180 he's incapable of entering the kingdom of God. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:19.740 So what I pray that you'll be able to hear today is just that. 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:26.420 You cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you are born of the Spirit. 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:33.720 You cannot enjoy eternal life with God unless you are given new life by God's Holy Spirit. 00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:42.379 You are unable to choose salvation from sin by the power of your own will. 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:47.379 That's what Jesus preaches, unless you are first regenerated by the Spirit of God, 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:51.860 sent from heaven to apply the work of Christ to your soul. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:55.819 So about three times, I'm going to say the title of the sermon, 00:07:56.019 --> 00:08:00.279 and I want you to cry back with as much energy as this gospel is true for you. 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:02.279 Your response is simply this, 00:08:02.659 --> 00:08:04.379 All glory be to God. 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:06.079 Let's practice it one time. 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:08.859 I'm going to say the title of the sermon, and you say it back. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:09.039 Ready? 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:12.159 Your salvation is an act of God. 00:08:12.719 --> 00:08:14.879 All glory be to God. 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:16.139 Now be ready. 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:19.180 Listen for that title, and you say that every time. 00:08:20.099 --> 00:08:23.360 Well, I want to show this to you from this passage in two points. 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:24.959 The first point is this, 00:08:25.719 --> 00:08:28.019 Why new birth is necessary. 00:08:28.539 --> 00:08:30.180 And the second point is, 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:31.860 What is new birth? 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:33.100 So what is new birth? 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:34.960 Why is it necessary? 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.740 Is that clear? 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:36.620 That's where we're going. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:36.900 Okay. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:39.740 So why new birth is necessary? 00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:42.420 I want to give you a couple reasons. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:43.080 Number one, 00:08:44.040 --> 00:08:46.040 because knowing about God, 00:08:46.180 --> 00:08:47.160 knowing of God, 00:08:47.280 --> 00:08:48.280 is not enough. 00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:51.620 As simple as that sounds, 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:53.840 there's no one who knew more about God 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:55.780 at this time than Nicodemus. 00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:58.040 And it was not enough. 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:00.080 Look at verse one. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:03.400 We're told he was a man of the Pharisees, 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:05.699 a ruler of the Jews. 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:09.500 So Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews, 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:11.579 a member of the Sanhedrin. 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:15.639 The Sanhedrin was made up of about 70 representatives, 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:17.419 very, very powerful. 00:09:17.939 --> 00:09:19.939 And he was also a Pharisee. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:23.620 And the Pharisees were coming from within this religious establishment, 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:25.759 but they had a high view of God's word, 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.519 and they wanted to reform it from within. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:30.699 They wanted to try to purify the established religion. 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:35.259 There were probably about 2,000 Pharisees scattered throughout all of Israel. 00:09:36.059 --> 00:09:37.039 And only, you know, 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:40.199 representative maybe 40 or 50 got to be on the Sanhedrin. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:42.279 And that's who Nicodemus was among. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.720 Steve Lawson, another pastor, 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:47.480 said the Sanhedrin, in our mind, 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:50.100 it would be like combining the Supreme Court, 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:52.259 all the power that they have in this land, 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:53.519 with Congress. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:56.539 That's like how powerful the Sanhedrin would have been. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:10:00.579 But it was not enough for Nicodemus to be from the Sanhedrin, 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:01.740 a ruler of the Jews. 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:04.399 And it wasn't enough for him to be a Pharisee, 00:10:04.579 --> 00:10:05.679 because the Pharisees, 00:10:06.059 --> 00:10:08.740 they would want to take God's word so highly 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:11.279 that they started to add on extra cautions. 00:10:11.939 --> 00:10:14.799 So they wanted to put guards around their own life 00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:16.500 that they would never break God's law. 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:17.960 They had a high view of God, 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:20.259 high view of his word and his law. 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:22.439 And that was not enough to save himself. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:27.480 It's also not enough to know that a heavenly kingdom exists. 00:10:27.780 --> 00:10:28.620 Look at verse 3. 00:10:30.400 --> 00:10:33.640 Nicodemus begins this dialogue at night in the dark, 00:10:34.260 --> 00:10:38.320 most likely coming to flatter Jesus, 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:40.720 to try to establish maybe we can work together here. 00:10:40.800 --> 00:10:42.600 I'm representing Sanhedrin. 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:45.080 We see that you've got some signs from God. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.680 Let's work together. 00:10:47.180 --> 00:10:51.440 And Jesus does not have a conversation with Nicodemus' words. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:55.600 Jesus has a conversation with Nicodemus' inner man, 00:10:55.780 --> 00:10:56.700 with his soul. 00:10:58.260 --> 00:11:00.080 And let's just pause about that for a moment. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:03.140 When you're praying, 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:05.220 you're having a dialogue with God. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:08.720 And you can turn to the Psalms 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:10.300 and let the Psalms help give words 00:11:10.300 --> 00:11:12.400 to what's in your inner man, your soul, 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:14.940 because God knows your heart. 00:11:14.940 --> 00:11:17.820 And yes, he hears your words, 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.980 but he's going to speak truth to you, 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:20.780 to your soul. 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:23.740 So don't think that with our words, 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:25.220 we can ever deceive God. 00:11:25.300 --> 00:11:27.640 He sees, he knows what's in the heart of man. 00:11:27.760 --> 00:11:29.460 Remember, John's made this point. 00:11:30.400 --> 00:11:31.380 And Jesus tells him, 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:34.700 you cannot see the kingdom of God 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:36.040 unless you're born again. 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.000 Verse 3. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:39.480 So Nicodemus, 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:40.639 at least in the inner man, 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:42.620 he knew there is a heavenly kingdom. 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:44.840 There is a spiritual realm. 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:46.620 And he's trying his best 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:48.120 to live that out in his life. 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:49.139 Live my life now 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.860 in light of a future heaven. 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:52.700 And that's not enough 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:53.940 to save himself. 00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:56.279 One biblical scholar, 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:57.379 William Hendrickson, 00:11:57.480 --> 00:11:57.740 said, 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:58.879 Pharisees, 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:00.039 it means separatists. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.659 And they began to appear 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:03.279 about 100 years before Christ. 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.820 And they were right 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:06.300 on many points of doctrine. 00:12:06.420 --> 00:12:06.879 For example, 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.280 they did believe 00:12:08.280 --> 00:12:09.920 that God had a divine decree. 00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:11.560 He ruled and governed 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:13.280 over the entire earth. 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.560 They also believed 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:16.720 that men and women in our life, 00:12:16.800 --> 00:12:18.200 we will be morally accountable 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:19.540 to God, our creator. 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:22.000 The Pharisees believed then 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.540 that there would be 00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:23.840 a resurrection of the body. 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:25.420 They believed in the existence 00:12:25.420 --> 00:12:26.160 of spirits, 00:12:26.260 --> 00:12:27.340 so angels and demons 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.980 at work in the world. 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.340 They also believed 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:31.420 that God would reward 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:32.540 or punish a person 00:12:32.540 --> 00:12:34.100 based on how they live their life. 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:35.920 Some examples of those 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:36.920 who grew up 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:37.820 out of this movement 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:38.659 of the Pharisees 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:39.580 were Gamaliel, 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:41.560 who discipled Saul of Tarsus. 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:43.240 He was also a Pharisee. 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:43.740 And then later, 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.540 Josephus, 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:45.980 one of the most solid, 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.460 credible historians 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.560 of this time period. 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:51.320 In Acts 26.5, 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.139 Paul says, 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:53.920 I was according 00:12:53.920 --> 00:12:55.259 to the strictest party 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.200 of our religion. 00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:57.600 That's who I was from. 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:58.980 And I lived as a Pharisee. 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:00.580 Paul knew this very well. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:02.639 But the scholar says, 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.679 these Pharisees 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:06.559 made one tragic error 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:07.539 in their doctrine. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:10.139 They externalized religion. 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:11.519 And they taught 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:13.019 that conformity to the law 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:14.159 on the outside, 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.259 no matter what was going on 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:15.779 in the heart, 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:17.460 is how you could earn 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.899 your own salvation. 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:21.580 You can merit your salvation 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:24.059 by the principle of works. 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:25.740 If you work for it, 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:26.960 God will see that 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:27.700 and He'll give you 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:28.980 eternal life. 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:30.440 You see how that's 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.139 a fatal flaw? 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.519 And it's not enough 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.779 to know God's Word 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:35.860 and even teach others. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:37.539 Look at verse 10 briefly 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:38.899 with Nicodemus in mind. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:40.519 Jesus says, 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.159 not only are you 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:42.000 a ruler of the Jews, 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:43.659 you are the teacher 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:44.720 of Israel. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:45.960 So, 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.180 of all the Sanhedrin, 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.279 of all the Pharisees, 00:13:48.420 --> 00:13:49.720 Jesus called Nicodemus 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.580 number one. 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:52.080 You are the teacher 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.340 of all of Israel. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:54.940 And now He points out 00:13:54.940 --> 00:13:56.759 how He falls short. 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.700 You do not know 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:59.000 these things of heaven 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.539 that I'm talking to you about. 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.559 It's also not enough 00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.860 to have great esteem 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.340 in the eyes of man. 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:06.840 In the church 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.460 or in the world, 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.179 it doesn't matter. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:10.539 That's what Nicodemus had 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.659 in addition to wealth 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.240 and power. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.779 He was highly esteemed. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.840 He had that reputation. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.000 And he still falls short 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.980 of the glory of God. 00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:19.639 It's not even enough 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.679 to say, 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:20.879 yeah, 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.240 I believe historically 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.080 this man Jesus 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:24.259 performed these signs 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.819 and that God was with him. 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:26.940 Look at verse 2. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.680 Nicodemus says that. 00:14:28.780 --> 00:14:29.100 He says, 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.540 we know you are a teacher 00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:31.280 come from God 00:14:31.280 --> 00:14:33.020 because of your signs. 00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:34.379 And then verse 2, 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:34.660 he says, 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.420 you wouldn't be able 00:14:35.420 --> 00:14:36.220 to do these signs 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.560 unless God was with you. 00:14:38.020 --> 00:14:38.320 So yeah, 00:14:38.420 --> 00:14:38.800 you're from, 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:39.920 God is with you. 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:40.600 He's helping you 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:41.320 to do these things. 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.400 I believe that much 00:14:42.400 --> 00:14:43.500 about Jesus. 00:14:44.180 --> 00:14:45.440 And that much about Jesus 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:47.220 means spiritual death. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.380 So knowing about God 00:14:51.380 --> 00:14:52.440 is not enough. 00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:54.620 Why is the new birth necessary? 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.820 Number 2, 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.580 it's necessary 00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:59.159 because all men 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:01.360 from Adam onward 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:04.700 are in spiritual darkness. 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.259 Nicodemus came to visit Jesus 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.419 in verse 1, 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:08.919 we're told, 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:09.840 verse 2, 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.480 by night. 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:12.840 We're in spiritual darkness. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.320 Remember, 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:13.940 John is, 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:15.720 he's a preacher of contrast, 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:17.279 but he's also very subtle. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.240 And he's creating this backdrop 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.299 of darkness 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:22.240 surrounding the teacher 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.000 of the Jews 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.440 who needed the light 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.120 from heaven 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.259 so that he could even 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.659 see the kingdom of God. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.220 All men 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:31.360 are in spiritual darkness. 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.600 Without the new birth, 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:34.000 you can't even see 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.060 God's kingdom, 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:35.620 he says. 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.940 You're so far away 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:37.879 from heaven, 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.899 from the presence 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:39.899 of the holy God. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.379 It's not even in your sight. 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.820 It's not even on the radar 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:43.940 of what you should be 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:44.740 walking toward. 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.940 Under Adam's curse, 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.200 your will, 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:49.919 your very will, 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.519 your desires are bound 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.599 and enslaved 00:15:52.599 --> 00:15:53.719 to sin 00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:55.039 and to wickedness. 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.259 Look at verse 6, 00:15:56.339 --> 00:15:57.639 what Jesus tells Nicodemus 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.379 in verse 6. 00:16:00.479 --> 00:16:01.879 That which is born 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.019 of flesh 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.799 is what? 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.399 It's flesh. 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:06.939 He's saying, 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:07.699 Nicodemus, 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:09.259 you had one birth. 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:10.699 You were born of flesh. 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.279 That's not enough. 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.159 You will fall short 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:14.019 of the glory of God. 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.480 The only birth you got 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.980 came from the bloodline 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:17.620 of Adam. 00:16:17.959 --> 00:16:19.740 You are still under the curse 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.879 of that first 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:23.440 federal representative head 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:25.220 who was banished 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.180 from the holy presence 00:16:26.180 --> 00:16:26.820 of God. 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.180 You're under that curse. 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.399 You're flesh. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.600 How could you ever 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:32.340 understand heavenly things 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:34.919 unless you are born again, 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.080 born of heaven? 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.720 The canons of Dort 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:43.600 had to affirm this teaching. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.299 That which is born of flesh 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:46.259 is flesh. 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:48.620 You are born in sin. 00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:50.200 It's all over scripture. 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.799 But our pride, 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.500 like Nicodemus, 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.899 our pride can blind us. 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.240 So this doctrine 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.679 called total depravity 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.659 came under attack. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.320 And representatives 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.320 from all the churches, 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:01.179 different, you know, 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.799 Presbyterian, 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.419 Dutch Reformed, 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.480 Anglican, 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.359 they came together 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:06.400 in the city of Dort 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.299 and they came up 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.140 with these statements, 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.720 very simple, 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.680 it's not even that long, 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.740 just affirming, 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.140 here's what the Bible teaches. 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.859 And here's what they said, 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.359 and this is one of our confessions 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:16.680 at Reformed Heritage Church. 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:18.000 It's simply this, 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:21.160 you and I got our corruption 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.560 from the nature 00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:24.480 of our original parent. 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.220 That's Adam. 00:17:25.860 --> 00:17:26.920 That's what the Bible teaches. 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:29.080 You and I were in sin 00:17:29.080 --> 00:17:31.039 since our conception. 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.680 Think of Psalm 51. 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.460 That's what David says. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:36.259 And we were by nature 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:37.340 prone to evil, 00:17:37.820 --> 00:17:38.720 dead in sin, 00:17:38.840 --> 00:17:39.860 and in bondage, 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.600 enslaved to sin. 00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:44.340 Think of Romans chapters 1, 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:44.740 2, 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.459 and 3. 00:17:46.419 --> 00:17:50.000 So without the regenerating grace 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.119 of the Holy Spirit, 00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:52.679 we are neither able 00:17:52.679 --> 00:17:54.019 nor willing 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:55.459 to return to God 00:17:55.459 --> 00:17:57.139 by our own strength. 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:59.339 We don't even desire 00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:00.659 to be reformed 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:02.720 in our depraved nature. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.279 And we are not even willing 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:07.019 to dispose ourself 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.639 to be reformed. 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.339 We have to affirm that 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:10.919 from Scripture. 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.000 Scripture. 00:18:12.300 --> 00:18:13.440 You cannot choose 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.840 to have faith in God 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:16.320 because you are so blind, 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.759 you can't even grasp 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.740 what it is you're supposed 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:20.140 to have faith in. 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:22.940 Notice how this is true. 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:24.259 Look at verses 9 and 10. 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.380 After Jesus tells him 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.060 this truth, 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:27.560 Nicodemus says, 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:28.519 how can this be? 00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:30.800 See, he is his own 00:18:30.800 --> 00:18:31.480 case in point. 00:18:32.080 --> 00:18:32.980 How can this be? 00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:33.880 I don't understand 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.620 what I'm even supposed 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.980 to be grasping here. 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.759 Because he's in that darkness, 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:39.000 even though he knew the law 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.039 and the word of God 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:41.200 better than anyone else. 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.640 He says, 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.079 you are, 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:45.279 Nicodemus is basically saying, 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.440 I am still my own God 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:48.660 and it's my own pride here 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:50.240 and that is blinding me. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.799 And if you think 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:53.940 that you can save yourself 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.019 by being a good enough 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.660 of a person, 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.480 you're just as blind 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.380 as Nicodemus 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.559 until God gives you 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.079 a new heart 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:01.599 and opens your eyes 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.400 to see that. 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:04.559 No act of man, 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.579 mere man, 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.559 can save. 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.940 It must be the act of God. 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.640 Your pride will fight 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.299 against this. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.460 You will hate 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.380 to hear this doctrine. 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.839 You will try to grab 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.759 every argument you can 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.640 to fight against it. 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:17.740 That's what Nicodemus does. 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.519 Look at verse 4. 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:19.960 He says, 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.000 he kind of ridicules 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.680 this whole argument. 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.539 How can a man 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.700 who's old 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.380 get it back into 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:25.180 his mom's tummy 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.700 and be born again 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.779 when you're old? 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.059 He just ridicules this. 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.759 This is crazy. 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.539 No one's going 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.180 to believe that. 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:33.019 And that's what 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.839 our pride wants us to see. 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.859 The gospel truth 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.799 is going to seem 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.700 like foolishness 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:37.720 to the flesh. 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.279 It's going to take 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.339 an act of God. 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:42.059 So here's our conclusion 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:43.140 of why the new birth 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:43.799 is necessary 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.660 from these verses. 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.240 Before anyone 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.819 can enter the kingdom 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.360 of God, 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.519 he must be made 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.500 to see 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.259 the kingdom 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.180 of God. 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.000 And before you can even 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.799 see the kingdom 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.279 of God, 00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:55.880 verse 3, 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.579 you must be born again 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.279 from above. 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.559 Your eyes must be opened. 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.579 Hendrickson again 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:03.019 concludes, 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.440 He says, 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.240 It is clear 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.039 from the words 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.059 of Christ Himself, 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:06.599 therefore, 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.900 that there is 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.200 an act of God 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.940 which precedes 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.599 any act of man. 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.799 Regeneration 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:15.359 comes before 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:17.220 conversion and faith. 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.859 We just sang 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:20.700 one of our songs. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:21.940 The verse was, 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.379 Holy, 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:22.879 holy, 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:23.440 holy. 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:26.359 Though the darkness 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.519 hide thee. 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.440 What's the next line? 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:31.039 Though the eye 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.680 of sinful man 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.019 thy glory 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.019 may not see. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.799 We just sang that. 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.839 You must be born 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.619 again, 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.119 church. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:42.700 Children, 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:45.220 you must be born 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.700 again. 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.359 That's what Jesus says. 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.779 You must be 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.579 regenerated. 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.720 There was a preacher 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.460 from England 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.899 named George Whitefield 00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:54.980 in the mid to late 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.299 1700s 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.099 and he came from England 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.759 and he was preaching 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.659 around all the colonies 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.240 in America 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:01.000 and one lady 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.380 had followed him 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:02.740 around. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.819 She'd been to one 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:05.299 gathering where he 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.140 preached the gospel 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.059 from John 3 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:07.559 and he said, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.700 you must be born again. 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:09.900 And then she followed 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.839 him to another gathering 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.420 and he preached 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.200 the same verse, 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.859 you must be born again. 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.119 And then it was 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:16.039 another Lord's Day 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.880 and there was no place 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:18.460 for him to preach. 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.240 They had just gone out 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.119 to an open field, 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.680 a pasture. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.019 A bunch of people 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.980 came and just sat 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.640 on the grass 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.279 and stumps 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.720 and George Whitefield 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.839 opened up to John 3 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.140 and said, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.720 you must be born again. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.039 And afterwards, 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.839 she came up to him 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.259 and said, 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:32.579 preacher, 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.240 why do you keep saying 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.759 over and over, 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:36.079 you must be born again? 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.700 I don't know these details. 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.900 This is how I imagine him 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.880 swallowing hard, 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.059 maybe praying 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.680 that the Spirit 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.460 will do a work 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.740 in this lady's soul 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:48.059 and with compassionate 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.220 pastoral eyes 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:51.039 to convey the grace 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.160 that he's received. 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.360 He said, 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.140 dear lady, 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:56.900 because you must 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.660 be born again. 00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:01.740 Well, 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.900 remember, 00:22:03.040 --> 00:22:03.860 you're going to have to say 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.740 all glory be to God 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.640 here in just a moment 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:07.420 because you cannot 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.800 enter the kingdom 00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.360 of God 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:10.380 unless you are born 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:11.000 of the Spirit. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:13.320 You cannot enjoy 00:22:13.320 --> 00:22:14.980 eternal life 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.640 with God 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.880 unless God 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.840 gives you 00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:18.920 that life 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:20.100 by the Holy Spirit. 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.759 You are unable 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.800 to choose 00:22:22.800 --> 00:22:23.540 salvation 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.379 from sin 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:25.039 by the power 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.899 of your own will 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:27.039 unless you are 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.819 first regenerated 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.019 by the Spirit 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.639 of God 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:31.700 sent from heaven. 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.379 To do what? 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:33.659 The Spirit 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:35.299 applies to your soul 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:37.220 the finished work 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.619 that Christ accomplished. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:39.740 Why? 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:42.279 Because your salvation 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.779 is an act 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:45.000 of God. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:47.879 All glory be to God. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.339 All glory be to God indeed. 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:50.859 Well, 00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:51.579 that's why 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.539 the new birth 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.519 is necessary. 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.619 Are you convinced 00:22:55.619 --> 00:22:56.220 the new birth 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.920 is necessary 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.680 for salvation? 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.059 That God gets 00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:00.819 all the glory 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.519 for salvation 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.899 from the very start 00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:04.759 until the very end, 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.639 the last breath 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:06.659 before your soul 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.319 is joined with Him. 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.440 He gets the glory 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.440 from start to finish. 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.039 Well, 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.180 the second point is 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:12.700 if regeneration 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.599 is necessary, 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.259 what is it? 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.879 What is this new birth? 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.879 That's our second point. 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:20.440 I want to break this down 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:22.360 into four responses. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:22.860 Why? 00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:23.940 Or what regeneration 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:25.040 is from this text. 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:25.640 Number one, 00:23:26.320 --> 00:23:26.700 regeneration 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:29.200 is a new birth. 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:31.000 And the reason I say that 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.900 is because Jesus, 00:23:32.260 --> 00:23:33.220 He is the creator 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:33.900 of heaven and earth. 00:23:34.260 --> 00:23:35.220 He had literally 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.980 every metaphor 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.540 at His disposal. 00:23:39.260 --> 00:23:40.780 He had the longest list 00:23:40.780 --> 00:23:42.060 of things He could compare 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:43.420 regeneration to. 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:44.600 I mean, 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.180 just think of it. 00:23:45.260 --> 00:23:45.800 Insects, 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.000 you know, 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.400 He could have picked anything. 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.839 And what does He say 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:50.079 regeneration is? 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:53.380 Regeneration is new birth. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.279 So we need to 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.599 take from that metaphor 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.920 all that Christ intended 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:58.500 to load into it 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.859 that pregnant phrase. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.579 Look at verse 3 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.380 one more time now. 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.700 Not from Nicodemus' 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.720 dark perspective, 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.619 but from the words of Christ 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:06.619 who came from heaven 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.559 to show you 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.400 the love of God. 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.420 Verse 3, 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.160 Truly, truly, 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:11.059 I say to you, 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:14.160 unless one is born again, 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.800 he cannot see 00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:16.840 the kingdom of God. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:17.820 Now, 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.920 underline that phrase, 00:24:19.060 --> 00:24:20.120 born again. 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:23.720 I want you to think about 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.380 a baby 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:25.779 inside the womb 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:28.220 being born into the world. 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.140 And then also that word 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.720 again. 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.820 The word again 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:32.779 can actually mean 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.840 from above, 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.140 which is a little bit different. 00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:36.519 It's like creation, 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:36.900 you know, 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:38.640 time and space is here. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.900 And what happens again, 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.640 it's coming from 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.700 somewhere beyond right here, 00:24:41.800 --> 00:24:42.880 so it actually makes sense. 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.580 If you're born, 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.780 you're going to be born again. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.460 You're going to be born 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.340 from above. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.440 What Jesus says 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.580 in John 6, 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:53.140 verses 44 and 45, 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.220 no one, 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.540 not even Nicodemus, 00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:56.180 not even you, 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.820 no one, 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:58.200 can come to me, 00:24:58.280 --> 00:24:58.940 says Jesus, 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.360 unless the Father 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:02.100 who sent me 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:03.620 draws him. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.420 So, 00:25:06.060 --> 00:25:07.180 this regeneration 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:09.120 is from above. 00:25:09.780 --> 00:25:10.460 It is also 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.700 unmerited. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:13.140 Now back to the baby. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.720 Does a baby 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.480 merit their birth? 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:17.539 I mean, 00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:18.500 is anyone sitting there 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:18.860 thinking, 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:20.440 I did a great job 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.500 at getting born. 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.360 I mean, 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:22.860 I really, 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.740 I really had to, 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:23.960 you know, 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.200 get my head out first 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.420 and just do my best. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.420 I worked hard 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.940 for that one. 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.480 No one is going to boast 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.460 in your regeneration 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.480 in the same way. 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.880 Ephesians 2, 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.240 for by grace 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.299 you have been saved 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.160 through faith. 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.539 Listen to what Paul says next. 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.799 And this 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:40.039 is not 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.420 your own doing. 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.680 It is 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.539 the gift 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.500 of God. 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:45.740 Just to make sure 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.819 we're not confused, 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.299 he says, 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:48.559 it's not a result 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.200 of works 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.299 so that 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.980 no one 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.379 may boast. 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:55.240 Finally, 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.319 it's effectual. 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.599 This new birth 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:59.139 actually happens. 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.759 A baby is not 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:02.059 hypothetically born. 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:03.299 You know, 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:03.879 they are actually 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.759 brought forth 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.420 in the act 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.080 of being born. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.980 God actually 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.400 saves sinners. 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.240 He does not 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.600 create the possibility 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.620 that you may choose 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.060 to then, 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:13.620 you know, 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.480 set yourself free. 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.240 No, 00:26:15.300 --> 00:26:16.840 he actually saves you 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:18.019 from darkness. 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.240 Galatians 4, 00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:19.960 9 says, 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.519 but now that you 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.740 have come to know God 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.740 or rather to be known 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.480 by God, 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.840 how can you turn back 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.940 again to the weak 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.800 and worthless 00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:29.240 elementary principles 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.019 of the world? 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.720 Now listen to this. 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.519 Whose slaves 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:35.400 you once were. 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.580 If a slave is there 00:26:37.580 --> 00:26:38.880 in slavery 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.620 and bondage, 00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.580 the Bible does not 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.160 describe it as 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.860 Christ coming 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.800 and creating 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:43.480 the conditions 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.120 that would allow 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.640 you to then 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.560 choose to be set 00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:45.900 free. 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.160 No, 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.779 the word is 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.560 ransomed. 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.740 The blood of Jesus 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:52.420 was the ransom price 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.519 to purchase you, 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:55.080 to remove you 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:55.759 from that from 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.259 which you were 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.019 a slave, 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.160 so you are 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:59.380 actually saved. 00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:00.519 You are actually 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:00.880 saved. 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.620 The new covenant 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.160 of Christ 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.980 to save sinners 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.400 is effectual. 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.140 Now it's also 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:07.460 a cleansing work. 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.259 Look at verse 5. 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:08.819 Jesus says, 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.519 truly, truly, 00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.519 I say to you, 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.779 unless one is born, 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.140 this is confusing, 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.519 unless one is born 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.259 of water 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.740 and the Holy Spirit, 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.180 you cannot enter 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.019 the kingdom 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.960 of God. 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.720 Now notice, 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.059 in verse 3, 00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:23.620 Jesus says, 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.400 you can't see 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.460 the kingdom of God 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.759 unless you're born again. 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.000 And then verse 5, 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.259 he opens it up 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.819 even more. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.539 You cannot enter it. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.759 You couldn't see it. 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.019 You still won't be able 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.819 to enter it 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.539 unless you're born 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.079 of water 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.920 and the Spirit. 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.160 So by combining 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.200 water and Spirit, 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.400 he wants you to think 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:41.059 of baptism. 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.400 And I'll show you 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.339 why this is. 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.160 Remember in John chapter 2? 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:46.779 Remember how 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.960 it was a wedding feast 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.700 and there were 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.839 these jars of cleansing. 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.299 And the bride 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.000 had to go through 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.359 a cleansing ritual 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:54.579 before she could 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.680 consummate her marriage. 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:56.799 Cleansing 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:58.019 comes before 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.019 consummation. 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.700 The washing 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.440 of the Spirit 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.200 preparing you, 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.160 that's sanctification, 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.740 it comes before 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.000 the wedding supper 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.720 of the Lamb. 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.379 So when the Spirit 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.460 gives you new life, 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.299 He's cleansing 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.799 your entire being. 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.799 He's reversing 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.660 the curse of Adam. 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:16.359 Body, 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.099 mind, 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:17.799 soul, 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.460 all of those 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:19.960 are cursed 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.920 and tainted 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.500 by sin. 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.140 And the Spirit 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:22.779 comes in and says, 00:28:22.879 --> 00:28:23.000 no, 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.240 I'm going to gradually 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.400 cleanse and reform 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.359 every aspect 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.099 of your being 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:28.119 and prepare you 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:28.680 for heaven. 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.620 Jesus said 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.200 in Mark 1, 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:30.480 8, 00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:31.279 I have, 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:31.840 I'm sorry, 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:32.400 John the Baptist 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.660 said, 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.640 I have baptized 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.519 you with water, 00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:35.660 he's connecting it, 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.940 but there is one 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.980 coming who will 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.680 baptize you 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.840 with the Holy Spirit. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.120 Water and the Spirit 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:42.080 combine together. 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.220 So cleansing, 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.480 the picture of the thing 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.320 it's pointing to, 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.660 it's really representing 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.640 the inward work 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.480 of the Holy Spirit 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.060 cleansing 00:28:49.060 --> 00:28:50.580 the inner being 00:28:50.580 --> 00:28:51.580 of those 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:53.120 Christ saved. 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.460 I do want to 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.200 make a comment 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:55.680 about this. 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:56.380 you must be born 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:56.900 of water 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.820 and the Spirit. 00:28:58.820 --> 00:28:59.880 I'm so excited 00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:00.320 that we have 00:29:00.320 --> 00:29:00.660 a number 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.660 of our older children 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:03.140 who love the Lord 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:04.539 and who are growing 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.420 as disciples 00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:06.299 in a hunger 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.320 for the Word of God. 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.500 You need to hear 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.019 these words. 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:09.779 Jesus said, 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.519 you must be born 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.019 of water 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.740 and the Spirit. 00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:15.039 He wants your baptism, 00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:15.720 the picture 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.240 that we have 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.759 with water, 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.620 to be associated 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.860 with the true cleansing 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.820 that that points to 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:22.060 of the Holy Spirit 00:29:22.060 --> 00:29:22.539 in you. 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.440 And that's what 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.039 your parents 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.559 and the church, 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:25.220 that's what we're here 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.799 to do with you, 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.980 to help you discern 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.200 that. 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:28.059 Is the Holy Spirit 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.180 cleansing you? 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.099 Is He giving you 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:30.740 a new heart, 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.799 growing your love 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.159 for Him 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:33.599 and bearing that fruit 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.720 that keeps with repentance? 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.819 So let's define it here. 00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:38.159 What is this cleansing 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:39.200 work of the Spirit 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.980 to regenerate? 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.619 Well, J.I. Packer, 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.980 he puts it this way. 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:44.759 It is the implanting 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.819 of the seed 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:47.420 from which faith 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.319 and repentance 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.339 spring up 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.139 when you are 00:29:50.139 --> 00:29:51.180 effectually called 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.819 to God. 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.119 The seed of 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:53.980 the Holy Spirit 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.559 put in you 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.419 to bring forth 00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:56.079 this life 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.960 when you hear 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.460 God's word, 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:57.939 the gospel 00:29:57.939 --> 00:29:58.779 that draws you 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.539 to God. 00:29:59.599 --> 00:29:59.919 That's what 00:29:59.919 --> 00:30:01.539 regeneration is. 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:03.500 Turn a few pages 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.240 forward to 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.759 1 John chapter 3. 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:07.240 I want to show you 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.919 where J.I. Packer 00:30:07.919 --> 00:30:08.599 gets this from. 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.980 1 John chapter 3 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.720 verse 9. 00:30:13.639 --> 00:30:14.539 Now this is our 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:16.000 same human author. 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.299 The Holy Spirit, 00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:17.759 you'll see 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.619 everywhere you turn 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:18.980 in the Bible 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.960 it's the same doctrine. 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:21.399 Now the same human author, 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:22.100 John again, 00:30:23.040 --> 00:30:24.519 in 1 John chapter 3 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.380 verse 9. 00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:27.360 Look at what he says. 00:30:27.840 --> 00:30:28.360 He says, 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:31.220 No one born of God 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.640 makes a practice 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.660 of sinning, 00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:35.900 for God's seed 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:38.000 abides in him, 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.600 and he cannot, 00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:41.500 just like you could not 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.140 save yourself, 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.420 now with the Spirit in you, 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:45.860 you cannot keep on sinning. 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:47.819 What a great promise. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.639 Because he 00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.959 has been born 00:30:50.959 --> 00:30:52.579 of God. 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:57.319 What is regeneration? 00:30:57.959 --> 00:30:58.899 It's a new birth. 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.459 It's a cleansing 00:31:00.459 --> 00:31:01.619 work of God 00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:02.519 in your life. 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.339 Number three, 00:31:04.459 --> 00:31:05.259 it's above 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:07.179 man's comprehension. 00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:08.159 Look at verse 8. 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.019 Jesus, 00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:11.859 knowing that Nicodemus 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.759 is very confused 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.839 and still in the dark, 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:15.759 he tells them in verse 8, 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.819 the wind blows 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.500 where it wishes 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.899 and you hear 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:20.579 its sound, 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.199 but you 00:31:21.199 --> 00:31:22.339 do not know 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:23.379 where it comes from 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:24.579 or where it goes. 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.720 It's above 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.639 your comprehension. 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.259 So it is 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.519 with everyone 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.379 who is born 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.899 of the Spirit. 00:31:32.899 --> 00:31:33.859 I want you to see 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:34.619 how the New Hampshire 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.480 Statement of Faith 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.619 that we subscribe to, 00:31:36.679 --> 00:31:37.159 how it pulls 00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:38.339 all these truths together. 00:31:38.939 --> 00:31:39.659 Listen to this. 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.740 regeneration 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:42.060 consists in 00:31:42.060 --> 00:31:43.180 the giving 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:44.440 of a new 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.340 and holy disposition 00:31:45.340 --> 00:31:46.680 to an otherwise 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.820 rebellious heart. 00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:49.860 It is accomplished 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.720 in a way 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.500 that is above 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.360 our comprehension 00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:54.040 by the power 00:31:54.040 --> 00:31:55.060 of the Holy Spirit 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:56.860 and in connection 00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:58.279 with divine truth. 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.740 As you hear the gospel, 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.580 you hear the truth, 00:32:01.060 --> 00:32:01.820 the Spirit works. 00:32:02.880 --> 00:32:03.320 Thus, 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.320 securing, 00:32:05.080 --> 00:32:05.680 securing, 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:06.660 guaranteeing 00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:08.540 your voluntary 00:32:08.540 --> 00:32:09.600 obedience 00:32:09.600 --> 00:32:10.740 to the gospel. 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:12.759 What a beautiful paradox. 00:32:13.380 --> 00:32:14.420 What a glorious mystery. 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.080 Praise God 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:15.660 that it's above 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.440 our comprehension. 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.820 It's just true. 00:32:18.800 --> 00:32:19.440 And the Spirit 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.500 helps us to believe 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.220 it is true. 00:32:22.100 --> 00:32:22.960 I want to show you 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.960 this same truth now. 00:32:24.100 --> 00:32:25.860 Acts 26, 18. 00:32:26.060 --> 00:32:26.820 You can either turn there 00:32:26.820 --> 00:32:27.860 or just listen carefully. 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:29.360 Acts 26, 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:31.620 verse 18. 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.680 This is when Jesus 00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:33.820 calls Paul 00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:34.960 to be an apostle. 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:36.200 But it's not 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:37.100 the event itself. 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.220 It's Paul telling 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.059 his own testimony. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.680 The story of his regeneration 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:42.079 and his conversion. 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.500 Here's how Paul 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.240 describes it. 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.840 Jesus told Paul, 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:47.819 Paul, 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.860 through your preaching 00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:50.019 to all the nations, 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:50.960 not only Jews 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.779 but to the Gentiles, 00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:52.620 to every people, 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.299 through your preaching 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.460 to the nations, 00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:56.940 listen to what Jesus says, 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:59.340 I will open their eyes 00:32:59.340 --> 00:33:01.180 so that they may turn 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:01.920 from darkness 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:03.360 to the light 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.559 and from the power 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.639 of Satan to God 00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:07.099 that they may receive 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:08.399 forgiveness of sins 00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:10.000 and a place among those 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.099 who are sanctified 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:13.219 by faith in me. 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:15.119 God will open their eyes. 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.219 They will turn. 00:33:17.719 --> 00:33:18.279 Regeneration, 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.240 conversion. 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:22.359 The fourth thing 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:23.699 that regeneration is, 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.639 it's that. 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:26.579 It's the gift 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.500 of believing 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:29.779 in heavenly things. 00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:30.859 Look at verse 12. 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.119 It's our last verse 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.739 of the text. 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.239 Jesus says, 00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.539 if I have told you 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.479 of earthly things 00:33:37.479 --> 00:33:38.979 and you do not believe, 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.359 how can you believe 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:41.319 if I tell you 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.539 heavenly things? 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.239 So it's a gift 00:33:44.239 --> 00:33:45.559 to be able to believe 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.719 in heavenly things. 00:33:47.139 --> 00:33:48.199 You don't get to boast 00:33:48.199 --> 00:33:49.299 about the fact 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.159 that you believe 00:33:50.159 --> 00:33:50.819 and you understand 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.699 and you have faith 00:33:51.699 --> 00:33:52.639 in these heavenly 00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:54.500 spiritual realities. 00:33:54.719 --> 00:33:55.399 It's a gift. 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:57.459 You must understand 00:33:57.459 --> 00:33:58.379 of heavenly things. 00:33:58.719 --> 00:33:59.559 Without the work 00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:00.399 of the Holy Spirit 00:34:00.399 --> 00:34:01.179 inside you, 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:02.259 you will always 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.100 remain bound 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:04.640 to earthly things. 00:34:05.560 --> 00:34:06.440 So regeneration 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:08.980 is an eye-opening experience. 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:11.019 In 1 Corinthians 12, 3, 00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:12.280 Paul writes, 00:34:12.720 --> 00:34:14.139 no one can say, 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.960 you cannot, 00:34:15.220 --> 00:34:15.880 you're incapable 00:34:15.880 --> 00:34:16.519 of saying, 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:18.240 Jesus is Lord 00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:21.559 except in the Holy Spirit. 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:23.599 Regeneration 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.760 is a fulfillment 00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:26.639 of God's promise. 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.599 This is the last text. 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.280 I want you to turn 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:28.840 to this one. 00:34:29.080 --> 00:34:29.780 I need you to see 00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:31.140 this one with your own eyes. 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:33.440 Turn to Ezekiel chapter 36. 00:34:36.160 --> 00:34:36.640 Regeneration 00:34:36.640 --> 00:34:38.160 is a fulfillment 00:34:38.160 --> 00:34:40.680 of God's promise. 00:34:42.260 --> 00:34:43.600 What God says, 00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:44.780 He is Jehovah. 00:34:45.200 --> 00:34:46.500 He is our covenant Lord. 00:34:46.600 --> 00:34:47.400 What He says, 00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:49.120 He fulfills. 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:52.460 So Ezekiel chapter 36, 00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:54.900 verse 25 and 26. 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:57.059 Now the context 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:57.920 is important here. 00:34:58.720 --> 00:34:59.500 The people of Israel 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.420 have been banished 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.139 from the land. 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.240 All of their hopes 00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:03.380 and earthly promises 00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:04.340 are gone. 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:05.720 And now God 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.639 raises up a prophet, 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.300 Ezekiel, 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:08.340 from exile 00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.480 to this people 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:10.240 without a land, 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.760 without any earthly blessings. 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.960 And what is it 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.519 that He wants them 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.480 to still believe 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:15.440 and hold on to 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.079 as their hope? 00:35:16.500 --> 00:35:17.480 It's these words. 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.840 Verse 25, 00:35:18.840 --> 00:35:20.400 I will sprinkle 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:22.039 clean water on you 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:23.720 and you shall be clean 00:35:23.720 --> 00:35:25.320 from all your uncleanness 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.840 and from all your idols 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:28.059 I will cleanse you. 00:35:28.620 --> 00:35:29.100 26, 00:35:29.300 --> 00:35:30.059 I will give you 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.039 a new heart 00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:32.820 and a new spirit 00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:34.660 I will put within you 00:35:34.660 --> 00:35:36.559 and I will remove 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.720 the heart of stone 00:35:37.720 --> 00:35:39.180 from your flesh 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:40.440 and give you 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:42.360 a heart of flesh. 00:35:43.600 --> 00:35:44.720 God promises 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:45.860 He will do this 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.960 for His people. 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:49.880 regeneration is 00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:50.860 a new birth, 00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:52.639 a cleansing work of God. 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:54.199 It's above man's comprehension. 00:35:54.980 --> 00:35:55.619 It's a gift 00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:56.340 of believing 00:35:56.340 --> 00:35:57.480 these heavenly truths 00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:58.480 that opens your eyes 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:58.940 to them 00:35:58.940 --> 00:36:00.360 and it fulfills 00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:01.400 everything God 00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:02.579 has promised. 00:36:03.240 --> 00:36:04.159 So our conclusion 00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:05.599 to the second point, 00:36:05.740 --> 00:36:06.380 what is it? 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:08.099 It's really been given 00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:08.820 to us already. 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:09.539 You can turn back 00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:10.260 a couple pages. 00:36:10.820 --> 00:36:11.800 John chapter 1 00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:13.139 verses 1, 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:13.679 11, 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.220 12, 00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:14.840 and 13. 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.639 Jesus said, 00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:16.940 or actually John says, 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:17.559 of Jesus, 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.240 He came, 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:20.940 so this is John 1 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.760 verse 11, 00:36:22.740 --> 00:36:24.139 He came to His own 00:36:24.139 --> 00:36:25.460 and His own people 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.820 did not receive Him. 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:28.220 They had hearts of stone. 00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:29.480 They are in darkness 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.440 like Nicodemus. 00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:31.579 But to all 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.880 who did receive Him, 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:34.619 who believed in His name, 00:36:34.820 --> 00:36:35.720 how did they believe? 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:37.000 Because they were born 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.599 of the Spirit. 00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:38.860 He opened their eyes 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:40.119 and to them 00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:41.079 He gave the right 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:42.220 to become children 00:36:42.220 --> 00:36:42.840 of God. 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.559 In case you're wondering 00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.380 or want to fight it 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:46.140 like Nicodemus, 00:36:46.200 --> 00:36:46.660 here it is, 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:47.800 who were born 00:36:47.800 --> 00:36:49.340 not of blood 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:50.280 nor of the will 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.940 of the flesh 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:52.039 nor of the will 00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:52.680 of man 00:36:52.680 --> 00:36:55.180 but of God. 00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:57.660 So here's the promise 00:36:57.660 --> 00:36:58.220 now to you. 00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:59.320 Our same proposition, 00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:01.039 if you have had 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:01.880 your eyes open 00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:03.019 to believe in Christ, 00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:04.860 you will enter 00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:06.340 the kingdom of God 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:08.059 because you are born 00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.820 of the Spirit. 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:10.460 You will enjoy 00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:11.840 eternal life with God 00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:13.539 once you are given 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.820 this new life 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:16.519 promised by the Holy Spirit. 00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.820 You are saved 00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:18.460 from sin 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:19.620 by the power of God 00:37:19.620 --> 00:37:21.740 who regenerated you 00:37:21.740 --> 00:37:22.840 by the Spirit 00:37:22.840 --> 00:37:24.059 sent from heaven. 00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:26.620 He applies the work 00:37:26.620 --> 00:37:27.960 of Christ to your soul 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:29.300 and He cleanses you. 00:37:29.640 --> 00:37:30.780 He prepares your soul 00:37:30.780 --> 00:37:33.220 to rule with King Jesus 00:37:33.220 --> 00:37:34.360 over the new heavens 00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:35.380 and the new earth 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:36.280 forever. 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.900 Ready to call back 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:40.140 one more time? 00:37:40.260 --> 00:37:41.120 All glory be to God. 00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:43.739 Your wondrous salvation 00:37:43.739 --> 00:37:46.400 is an act of God. 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:49.500 All glory be to God. 00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:51.019 All glory. 00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:52.119 All glory. 00:37:52.279 --> 00:37:53.139 Start to finish. 00:37:53.259 --> 00:37:53.980 Be to God. 00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:55.679 I don't want you 00:37:55.679 --> 00:37:56.659 to leave here wondering 00:37:56.659 --> 00:37:57.940 am I regenerated? 00:37:58.759 --> 00:37:59.639 I want to give you 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:01.119 seven points 00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:02.559 briefly to reflect on 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:03.299 and these come from 00:38:03.299 --> 00:38:04.219 Benjamin Keech's 00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:05.980 Catechism of 1693. 00:38:06.819 --> 00:38:07.339 Number one, 00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:08.400 you are regenerated 00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:10.119 if God has given you 00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:11.500 the gift of faith. 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:14.139 Has God worked faith 00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:14.719 in you? 00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.380 See, the Spirit 00:38:16.380 --> 00:38:17.599 applies to us 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.339 the redemption 00:38:18.339 --> 00:38:20.059 purchased by Christ 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:21.539 which is faith 00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.900 working in you. 00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:23.900 Number two, 00:38:24.279 --> 00:38:25.299 you are regenerated 00:38:25.299 --> 00:38:27.079 if you have heard 00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:28.239 or maybe you hear now 00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:30.460 Christ calling you 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.819 to follow Him 00:38:31.819 --> 00:38:33.219 as your Savior 00:38:33.219 --> 00:38:34.359 and your Lord. 00:38:34.899 --> 00:38:35.639 That means you are 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.639 united to Him. 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.219 His righteousness 00:38:38.219 --> 00:38:40.199 is your righteousness. 00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:41.480 Number three, 00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:42.759 you are regenerated 00:38:42.759 --> 00:38:43.839 if His Spirit 00:38:43.839 --> 00:38:44.559 continues 00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:46.039 to patiently 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:47.359 convince you 00:38:47.359 --> 00:38:48.500 of your sin 00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:49.500 and your need 00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:50.039 for Him 00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:51.199 every day, 00:38:51.639 --> 00:38:52.259 every week. 00:38:53.659 --> 00:38:54.559 Number four, 00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:55.759 you are regenerated 00:38:55.759 --> 00:38:57.099 if God shines 00:38:57.099 --> 00:38:58.339 the light of His Word 00:38:58.339 --> 00:38:59.059 on your mind 00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:00.799 so that you are growing 00:39:00.800 --> 00:39:01.820 in your knowledge 00:39:01.820 --> 00:39:02.480 of Christ. 00:39:04.620 --> 00:39:05.920 Number five, 00:39:06.060 --> 00:39:07.000 you are regenerated 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:09.019 if God is increasingly, 00:39:09.780 --> 00:39:10.560 not perfectly 00:39:10.560 --> 00:39:12.180 until we join Him 00:39:12.180 --> 00:39:12.539 in Heaven, 00:39:12.660 --> 00:39:13.580 but increasingly, 00:39:14.300 --> 00:39:15.440 season after season, 00:39:15.920 --> 00:39:17.580 renewing your will 00:39:17.580 --> 00:39:19.080 so that you will 00:39:19.080 --> 00:39:20.160 seek first 00:39:20.160 --> 00:39:20.820 His kingdom 00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:22.500 and His righteousness. 00:39:22.500 --> 00:39:24.960 I want to illustrate 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:25.579 this one 00:39:25.579 --> 00:39:26.900 with something 00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:27.920 that Martin Luther, 00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:29.079 that great reformer 00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:30.099 in the 1500s 00:39:30.099 --> 00:39:31.219 said in his book 00:39:31.219 --> 00:39:32.739 The Bondage of the Will 00:39:32.739 --> 00:39:34.360 about total depravity. 00:39:34.760 --> 00:39:35.340 He said, 00:39:35.639 --> 00:39:35.699 now, 00:39:36.239 --> 00:39:37.519 with a regenerated heart, 00:39:38.199 --> 00:39:39.400 I have the comfortable 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.440 certainty, 00:39:41.139 --> 00:39:42.099 there's a great phrase, 00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.360 it's a comfortable 00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:44.300 certainty 00:39:44.300 --> 00:39:45.900 that I please God 00:39:45.900 --> 00:39:46.840 not by reason 00:39:46.840 --> 00:39:47.820 of the merit 00:39:47.820 --> 00:39:49.280 of my works, 00:39:49.420 --> 00:39:49.980 the opposite 00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:51.159 of Nicodemus, 00:39:51.159 --> 00:39:52.420 but by reason 00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:53.440 of His mercy 00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:54.839 and His favor 00:39:54.839 --> 00:39:55.819 which has been 00:39:55.819 --> 00:39:57.539 promised to me. 00:39:57.659 --> 00:39:58.599 We anchor our hopes 00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.119 and our promise 00:39:59.119 --> 00:39:59.859 on His word. 00:40:00.219 --> 00:40:00.819 He's faithful. 00:40:01.920 --> 00:40:02.539 Luther says, 00:40:02.779 --> 00:40:04.139 if I work too little 00:40:04.139 --> 00:40:04.980 one day 00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:06.259 and He does not 00:40:06.259 --> 00:40:07.559 impute the condemnation 00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:08.039 to me, 00:40:09.219 --> 00:40:10.399 but with fatherly 00:40:10.399 --> 00:40:10.960 compassion, 00:40:11.119 --> 00:40:12.099 He pardons me 00:40:12.099 --> 00:40:12.659 again 00:40:12.659 --> 00:40:14.379 and He makes me 00:40:14.379 --> 00:40:14.799 better. 00:40:15.679 --> 00:40:16.279 Number six, 00:40:16.399 --> 00:40:17.319 you are regenerated 00:40:17.320 --> 00:40:19.700 if your heart 00:40:19.700 --> 00:40:21.000 overflows 00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:22.480 with praise to God 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:24.320 and you're so quick 00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:24.700 to say, 00:40:24.800 --> 00:40:25.740 all glory be to God 00:40:25.740 --> 00:40:28.000 because He's persuaded 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:28.340 you 00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:29.620 and enabled you 00:40:29.620 --> 00:40:31.420 to embrace Christ 00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:31.860 who has been 00:40:31.860 --> 00:40:32.700 freely offered 00:40:32.700 --> 00:40:33.280 to you 00:40:33.280 --> 00:40:34.519 in the gospel. 00:40:36.100 --> 00:40:36.740 And number seven, 00:40:36.840 --> 00:40:37.580 the last one 00:40:37.580 --> 00:40:38.440 for application 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:38.980 is that 00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:41.440 if you are 00:40:41.440 --> 00:40:42.340 regenerated, 00:40:42.420 --> 00:40:43.320 if you've experienced 00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:44.519 a spiritual new birth, 00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:47.539 you treasure Christ. 00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:49.360 You treasure Him 00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:50.980 as your Savior 00:40:50.980 --> 00:40:52.039 and your Lord. 00:40:52.159 --> 00:40:53.360 Do you treasure Christ? 00:40:54.519 --> 00:40:55.599 And I want to illustrate 00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.599 treasuring Christ 00:40:56.599 --> 00:40:58.059 from Nicodemus himself 00:40:58.059 --> 00:40:59.420 from this same book. 00:41:00.900 --> 00:41:03.219 In John chapter 19 00:41:03.219 --> 00:41:04.099 toward the very end 00:41:04.099 --> 00:41:05.400 of this gospel account, 00:41:06.579 --> 00:41:08.400 we read in verse 39 00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:11.019 that Nicodemus also, 00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.119 along with those 00:41:12.119 --> 00:41:13.119 who treasure Christ, 00:41:13.119 --> 00:41:14.059 even as He was 00:41:14.059 --> 00:41:15.359 hanging on the tree, 00:41:16.119 --> 00:41:17.239 the same Nicodemus 00:41:17.239 --> 00:41:17.940 who earlier 00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:19.440 had come to Jesus 00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:20.259 by night, 00:41:21.339 --> 00:41:22.179 he came 00:41:22.179 --> 00:41:23.619 bringing a mixture 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:24.400 of myrrh 00:41:24.400 --> 00:41:25.719 and aloes, 00:41:26.159 --> 00:41:28.139 about 75 pounds 00:41:28.139 --> 00:41:29.019 of weight. 00:41:30.739 --> 00:41:31.679 Did Nicodemus 00:41:31.679 --> 00:41:32.599 treasure Christ? 00:41:34.039 --> 00:41:35.259 Well, that's the last thing 00:41:35.259 --> 00:41:36.199 this same apostle 00:41:36.199 --> 00:41:37.819 tells us of Nicodemus. 00:41:39.279 --> 00:41:40.319 He's at the foot 00:41:40.319 --> 00:41:40.940 of the cross. 00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:42.740 He's bringing 00:41:42.740 --> 00:41:44.280 His savings account 00:41:44.280 --> 00:41:46.820 to help preserve 00:41:46.820 --> 00:41:47.599 and embalm 00:41:47.599 --> 00:41:48.380 the body 00:41:48.380 --> 00:41:49.840 of Jesus. 00:41:50.780 --> 00:41:51.700 And only the Lord 00:41:51.700 --> 00:41:52.440 knows His heart. 00:41:53.760 --> 00:41:54.800 But if you had visited 00:41:54.800 --> 00:41:55.800 Jesus by night 00:41:55.800 --> 00:41:56.740 and you were left 00:41:56.740 --> 00:41:57.380 in darkness, 00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:58.380 you walk away 00:41:58.380 --> 00:41:59.619 thinking, 00:41:59.960 --> 00:42:00.880 this is foolishness. 00:42:02.039 --> 00:42:03.200 The Holy Spirit 00:42:03.200 --> 00:42:04.920 seems to have 00:42:04.920 --> 00:42:05.820 brought Nicodemus 00:42:05.820 --> 00:42:06.360 once again 00:42:06.360 --> 00:42:06.980 to the foot 00:42:06.980 --> 00:42:08.059 of the cross. 00:42:08.059 --> 00:42:11.320 and as 00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:12.039 they're removing 00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:13.320 those long spikes 00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:15.420 from His ankles 00:42:15.420 --> 00:42:16.420 and His wrists, 00:42:17.820 --> 00:42:18.860 the body 00:42:18.860 --> 00:42:21.079 of God Himself, 00:42:21.279 --> 00:42:22.059 Creator of heaven 00:42:22.059 --> 00:42:22.420 and earth, 00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:23.239 who took on 00:42:23.239 --> 00:42:24.000 flesh, 00:42:25.279 --> 00:42:28.460 paid for the sins 00:42:28.460 --> 00:42:29.619 of everyone 00:42:29.619 --> 00:42:30.500 who will believe 00:42:30.500 --> 00:42:31.579 in His finished work. 00:42:32.759 --> 00:42:33.980 We treasure Him. 00:42:33.980 --> 00:42:38.679 I think Nicodemus 00:42:38.679 --> 00:42:39.420 appears to have 00:42:39.420 --> 00:42:40.599 treasured Christ 00:42:40.599 --> 00:42:41.679 and it made me think, 00:42:41.760 --> 00:42:42.260 how do we even 00:42:42.260 --> 00:42:43.119 get this account 00:42:43.119 --> 00:42:44.320 in John chapter 3? 00:42:45.559 --> 00:42:46.639 We don't necessarily 00:42:46.639 --> 00:42:47.900 know that John the Apostle 00:42:47.900 --> 00:42:49.179 heard any of this. 00:42:50.280 --> 00:42:51.019 It could be that 00:42:51.019 --> 00:42:52.059 Nicodemus was part 00:42:52.059 --> 00:42:53.000 of that early church 00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:54.460 and when you hear 00:42:54.460 --> 00:42:55.300 Nicodemus, 00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:56.380 the ruler of the Jews, 00:42:56.500 --> 00:42:57.539 giving his testimony, 00:42:58.599 --> 00:42:59.380 bearing witness 00:42:59.380 --> 00:43:00.519 of the work of Christ, 00:43:00.719 --> 00:43:01.960 this is how Nicodemus 00:43:01.960 --> 00:43:02.800 wanted to tell 00:43:02.800 --> 00:43:03.960 his testimony 00:43:03.960 --> 00:43:05.639 and John was delighted 00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:06.599 to record it. 00:43:07.780 --> 00:43:08.380 So just like 00:43:08.380 --> 00:43:09.019 John the Baptist, 00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:10.159 just like each one of them, 00:43:10.699 --> 00:43:12.079 Christ must increase, 00:43:12.220 --> 00:43:13.220 I must decrease. 00:43:14.380 --> 00:43:15.880 So are you regenerated? 00:43:16.820 --> 00:43:18.119 Well, tell your testimony. 00:43:18.800 --> 00:43:19.300 Ask the Lord 00:43:19.300 --> 00:43:20.539 to give you that opportunity 00:43:20.539 --> 00:43:22.000 and in your testimony 00:43:22.000 --> 00:43:23.059 it will become evident. 00:43:24.260 --> 00:43:25.539 Do you treasure Christ? 00:43:25.539 --> 00:43:25.699 Christ. 00:43:27.699 --> 00:43:28.920 In your testimony, 00:43:30.139 --> 00:43:30.900 does God 00:43:30.900 --> 00:43:32.800 save you 00:43:32.800 --> 00:43:33.639 by an act 00:43:33.639 --> 00:43:34.860 that only God could do 00:43:34.860 --> 00:43:36.219 so that He 00:43:36.219 --> 00:43:37.559 gets all the glory? 00:43:38.500 --> 00:43:39.860 Then find comfort. 00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:41.860 Find that comforting 00:43:41.860 --> 00:43:42.920 certainty 00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:44.380 that He's given you 00:43:44.380 --> 00:43:45.199 a new heart 00:43:45.199 --> 00:43:46.860 and He who began 00:43:46.860 --> 00:43:48.139 a good work in you 00:43:48.139 --> 00:43:49.059 will see it through 00:43:49.059 --> 00:43:50.179 to completion 00:43:50.179 --> 00:43:52.219 at the return of Christ. 00:43:52.779 --> 00:43:53.380 Can we say it 00:43:53.380 --> 00:43:53.900 one more time? 00:43:53.900 --> 00:43:55.519 Your salvation 00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:57.059 is an act of God. 00:43:57.780 --> 00:43:58.800 All glory 00:43:58.800 --> 00:44:00.039 be to God. 00:44:00.599 --> 00:44:01.200 Let's pray 00:44:01.200 --> 00:44:03.280 from 2 Timothy 1.9. 00:44:04.720 --> 00:44:06.320 O God, 00:44:07.000 --> 00:44:07.440 You 00:44:07.440 --> 00:44:09.340 have saved 00:44:09.340 --> 00:44:10.099 us 00:44:10.099 --> 00:44:11.619 and You have 00:44:11.619 --> 00:44:12.220 called us 00:44:12.220 --> 00:44:13.440 to a holy calling 00:44:13.440 --> 00:44:14.559 not because 00:44:14.559 --> 00:44:15.720 of our works 00:44:15.720 --> 00:44:16.400 but because 00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:17.440 of Your own 00:44:17.440 --> 00:44:18.019 purpose 00:44:18.019 --> 00:44:19.200 and grace 00:44:19.200 --> 00:44:20.639 which You gave us 00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:22.039 in Christ Jesus 00:44:22.039 --> 00:44:24.239 before the ages 00:44:24.239 --> 00:44:25.239 begin. 00:44:25.880 --> 00:44:26.639 Thanks be 00:44:26.639 --> 00:44:27.480 to God. 00:44:31.480 --> 00:44:32.400 We will take 00:44:32.400 --> 00:44:33.119 a few moments 00:44:33.119 --> 00:44:33.619 next. 00:44:33.619 --> 00:44:34.679 all right. 00:44:34.679 --> 00:44:34.960 All right. 00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:36.000 All right. 00:44:36.000 --> 00:44:37.259 All right.