Divine Salvation: The Transformative Power of Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation is God's Sovereign Work

Salvation is a divine act, not dependent on human effort or religious rituals. Just as we contribute nothing to our physical birth, we contribute nothing to our spiritual rebirth. This truth challenges the notion of legalism and emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention. The encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3 illustrates this profound truth. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, struggled to understand the concept of being "born again," as he was accustomed to relying on religious deeds. Jesus explained that spiritual rebirth is a work of God, highlighting the futility of human effort in achieving salvation. [09:29]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts rather than trusting in God's sovereign work? How can you shift your focus to rely more on His grace today?

Day 2: The Mystery and Sovereignty of God's Work

The analogy of birth used by Jesus highlights the mystery and sovereignty of God's work in salvation. Just as the wind is uncontrollable and unpredictable, so is the work of the Spirit in bringing about new life. This understanding calls us to trust in God's sovereign will. The wind's unpredictability serves as a metaphor for the Spirit's work, which cannot be controlled or fully understood by human means. This calls believers to a posture of trust and surrender, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than ours. [10:23]

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (ESV): "As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign will, especially in areas of your life where you feel uncertain or out of control?

Day 3: The Inadequacy of Religious Deeds

Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus reveals the inadequacy of relying on religious deeds for salvation. Despite his extensive knowledge and adherence to the law, he was confronted with the need for a divine miracle to enter the kingdom of God. This challenges us to examine our own reliance on religious practices. Jesus' words to Nicodemus shattered his reliance on legalism, pointing instead to the necessity of divine intervention. This narrative invites believers to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and consider whether they are relying on rituals or truly seeking a relationship with God. [22:59]

Isaiah 64:6 (ESV): "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."

Reflection: Are there religious practices or traditions you rely on for a sense of righteousness? How can you shift your focus to seek a genuine relationship with God?

Day 4: The Tension of Faith and Sovereignty

The tension between God's sovereign work and human responsibility is evident in the call to believe. While we cannot initiate our rebirth, faith is essential, and it comes by hearing the Word of God. This highlights the importance of proclaiming the gospel faithfully. Believers are called to respond in faith, even as they recognize that salvation is ultimately a work of God. This tension invites a humble acknowledgment of God's sovereignty while actively engaging in the call to share the gospel and live out one's faith. [46:02]

Romans 10:17 (ESV): "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

Reflection: How can you actively engage in sharing the gospel with others, trusting that God will work in their hearts as they hear His Word?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of God's Grace

Nicodemus' transformation from a legalistic Pharisee to a disciple of Christ illustrates the power of God's grace. His journey challenges us to rely solely on God's grace for salvation and to trust in His work in the hearts of those who hear the gospel. Over time, the divine wind of the Spirit moved in Nicodemus' life, leading him to defend Jesus and ultimately become a true believer. This narrative encourages believers to trust in the transformative power of God's grace, both in their own lives and in the lives of others. [50:31]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the transformative power of God's grace in your life? How can you share this testimony with others to encourage them in their faith journey?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that "the Lord is my salvation," focusing on the monergistic nature of salvation as illustrated in John 3. This passage recounts the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, who sought understanding of spiritual rebirth. Jesus explained that to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again, a concept that Nicodemus struggled to grasp. This rebirth is not something that can be achieved through human effort or religious rituals; it is a divine act of God, akin to the mystery and sovereignty of the wind.

The analogy of birth is crucial here. Just as we contribute nothing to our physical birth, we contribute nothing to our spiritual rebirth. It is entirely a work of God, highlighting the futility of legalism and human effort in achieving salvation. Jesus emphasized that salvation is a divine miracle, a transformation that involves being born of water and the Spirit, as prophesied in Ezekiel 36. This transformation cleanses us from sin and instills a new heart and spirit within us, enabling us to live righteously.

Nicodemus, despite his extensive religious knowledge, was confronted with the inadequacy of his legalistic approach. Jesus' words shattered his reliance on religious deeds, pointing instead to the necessity of divine intervention. The conversation underscores the tension between God's sovereign work in salvation and human responsibility to believe. While we cannot initiate our rebirth, faith is essential, and it comes by hearing the Word of God.

Nicodemus' journey from a legalistic Pharisee to a disciple of Christ illustrates the transformative power of God's grace. Over time, the divine wind of the Spirit moved in his life, leading him to defend Jesus and ultimately become a true believer. This narrative challenges us to rely solely on God's grace for salvation and to proclaim the gospel faithfully, trusting God to work in the hearts of those who hear.

Key Takeaways

1. Salvation is entirely a work of God, not dependent on human effort or religious rituals. Just as we contribute nothing to our physical birth, we contribute nothing to our spiritual rebirth. This truth challenges the notion of legalism and emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention. [09:29]
2. The analogy of birth used by Jesus highlights the mystery and sovereignty of God's work in salvation. Just as the wind is uncontrollable and unpredictable, so is the work of the Spirit in bringing about new life. This understanding calls us to trust in God's sovereign will. [10:23]
3. Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus reveals the inadequacy of relying on religious deeds for salvation. Despite his extensive knowledge and adherence to the law, he was confronted with the need for a divine miracle to enter the kingdom of God. This challenges us to examine our own reliance on religious practices. [22:59]
4. The tension between God's sovereign work and human responsibility is evident in the call to believe. While we cannot initiate our rebirth, faith is essential, and it comes by hearing the Word of God. This highlights the importance of proclaiming the gospel faithfully. [46:02]
5. Nicodemus' transformation from a legalistic Pharisee to a disciple of Christ illustrates the power of God's grace. His journey challenges us to rely solely on God's grace for salvation and to trust in His work in the hearts of those who hear the gospel. [50:31]
** [50:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Introduction and Gratitude
[00:59] - Partnership with Ligonier Ministries
[01:33] - The Lord is My Salvation
[02:16] - John 3: The Encounter with Nicodemus
[03:05] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
[04:13] - The Great Commission and Our Purpose
[05:17] - Monergistic Salvation Explained
[06:02] - The Absurdity of Self-Generated Rebirth
[07:44] - Earthly Analogy for Heavenly Reality
[09:29] - The Analogy of Birth
[10:23] - Regeneration: A Divine Sovereign Act
[12:16] - Nicodemus' Legalistic Struggle
[14:23] - The Death-Knell of Legalism
[16:51] - The Sinner's Worry
[20:10] - Nicodemus' Beliefs and Concerns
[22:59] - The Uselessness of Religion
[25:41] - The Necessity of Regeneration
[29:24] - The Creative Miracle of God
[32:07] - The New Covenant and Transformation
[37:09] - The Depravity of Man
[39:44] - The Savior's Word to the Sinner
[41:46] - The Analogy of the Wind
[46:02] - The Tension of Faith and Sovereignty
[50:31] - Nicodemus' Transformation
[53:09] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Nicodemus' initial understanding of Jesus' identity, and how did he express this when he first approached Jesus? [02:16]
How does Jesus describe the process of being "born again" to Nicodemus, and what analogy does He use to explain it? [03:05]
What is the significance of Jesus using the analogy of the wind in explaining the work of the Spirit to Nicodemus? [40:45]
How does Nicodemus' understanding of salvation change from the beginning of his encounter with Jesus to the end of the Gospel of John? [50:31]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize that being "born again" is not something that can be achieved through human effort or religious rituals? How does this challenge Nicodemus' legalistic beliefs? [22:59]
What does the analogy of birth reveal about the nature of salvation and our role in it? How does this analogy help us understand the concept of monergistic salvation? [09:29]
How does the tension between God's sovereign work in salvation and human responsibility to believe manifest in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus? [46:02]
In what ways does Nicodemus' journey from a Pharisee to a disciple of Christ illustrate the transformative power of God's grace? [50:31]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own understanding of salvation. Have you ever relied on religious deeds or rituals for assurance of salvation? How does this sermon challenge that reliance? [22:59]
The analogy of the wind suggests that the work of the Spirit is uncontrollable and unpredictable. How can you learn to trust in God's sovereign will in your own spiritual journey? [40:45]
Nicodemus' transformation was gradual and involved defending Jesus before becoming a disciple. Is there someone in your life who is on a similar journey? How can you support them in their faith journey? [50:31]
How does understanding that salvation is entirely a work of God affect the way you share the gospel with others? What changes might you make in your approach to evangelism? [54:19]
Consider the role of faith in salvation. How can you cultivate a deeper faith in your daily life, knowing that it is essential for experiencing God's work in your heart? [46:02]
Nicodemus eventually became a true believer despite his initial legalistic mindset. Are there areas in your life where you need to let go of legalism and embrace God's grace more fully? [50:31]
How can you apply the lesson of relying solely on God's grace for salvation in your interactions with others, especially those who may be struggling with legalism or self-reliance? [22:59]

Sermon Clips

"Now, if you looked at the schedule today, you know that this final session is built around the idea that 'the Lord is my salvation'…the Lord is my salvation. That simple statement sums up what Dr. Nichols was saying in the Q&A that salvation is monergistic. It is a result of the actions of one person." [00:01:46]

"How is one born again? Our Lord gives no command in this passage. He gives no steps. He offers no prayer, because the whole point of His analogy is that none of that is possible. 'You must be born again.' What did you contribute to the first time you were born? Nothing! That’s the point." [00:08:20]

"Birth happens to us. Can I hear an 'amen'? Birth happens to us. I mean, this is so simple it makes us feel stupid. It doesn't happen by us; it happens to us. We receive life and existence from God who brought us into being. The message is this, regeneration is by divine sovereign choice, divine sovereign will, divine sovereign power." [00:10:13]

"Nicodemus is told, 'You can do nothing.' That’s what we tell the sinner, 'You must be born again, and you have no more part in that than you did in your physical birth.' That’s the whole point of the analogy. Now with that in mind, let’s look at the text and maybe you’ll see it in a way you hadn’t seen it before." [00:12:44]

"The kingdom of salvation has a door, but the door has no handle on the outside, it can only be opened from the inside. The new birth is something you receive, not something you do. He is saying to Nicodemus, 'You’ve been trying your entire life,' like the Apostle Paul in his testimony in Philippians 3." [00:14:03]

"This is a smashing, crushing, denunciation of religious legalism – it’s useless. All religion is useless, including apostate Judaism. You must be born again if you’re going to enter into the kingdom. And by the way, Jesus says 'born again' in verse 3, verse 5, verse 6, verse 7, verse 8." [00:23:42]

"By the way, all human religion is an effort to ascend, isn’t it? Fruitless, absolutely useless. But Nicodemus should’ve known, he should’ve known, and Jesus shows him why, verse 5. He takes him back to the Old Testament. Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.'" [00:32:35]

"Do you not remember what it said in Ezekiel that salvation is a transformation, it’s a re-creation, it’s a taking out of the very core of your life and giving you a new heart, a new spirit, and then planting the Holy Spirit? It’s a change not of the physical but of the spiritual life." [00:35:39]

"Here is the Savior’s word to answer the sinner’s worry. There’s hope…there’s hope, a creative miracle from heaven must happen, you must be born of the Spirit, as He mentioned in verse 6. You must be born of the Spirit. 'So, how do I do that?' Nicodemus is thinking, 'How do I…how do I do that?'" [00:40:07]

"Into this monergistic work of divine sovereign regeneration is introduced an element of human responsibility. You’re never going to experience this as long as you don’t, what? Believe. And then we read this, verse 15, 'Whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'" [00:45:04]

"What happened to Nicodemus? Well, the divine wind began to blow in his direction. Over in chapter 7, he shows up again. And apparently, he’s been thinking a lot. The people are divided over Jesus. Verse 46, 'The officers say, ‘Never a man spoke in a way this man speaks.’ The Pharisees then answered them, ‘You have not also been led astray, have you?’" [00:47:26]

"He’s gone from being a crushed religionist legalist to being a defender of Jesus to being along with his friend Joseph, a disciple of Jesus. Now, he shows up with about seventy-five pounds of spices to anoint the body of Jesus, he is a true believer in Christ. Somewhere between John 3 and John 19, over those years, the Holy Spirit gave Nicodemus life." [00:49:51]

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