Embracing Spiritual Rebirth: A Paradigm Shift in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truths found in John chapter 6, focusing on the paradigm shift Jesus introduced to His followers. Jesus emphasized that the spirit gives life, while the flesh counts for nothing. This teaching was difficult for many to accept, leading some disciples to turn away. However, Peter recognized that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. This passage challenges us to shift our focus from earthly, physical concerns to spiritual, eternal realities.
We also examined the concept of spiritual rebirth, contrasting it with physical birth. The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 highlights this theme, showing that God's promises often come through the "second" rather than the "first." This pattern is evident throughout Scripture, from Isaac over Ishmael to David over Saul. The first birth is physical and perishable, while the second birth is spiritual and eternal.
We delved into the Old Testament to see how God has always been about shifting paradigms, starting with Abraham, who was called to leave his earthly identity behind. This theme continues with Jesus, who calls us to embrace our spiritual identity. The story of Elisha and Gehazi in 2 Kings 6 serves as a vivid illustration of the spiritual realities that surround us, even when we can't see them.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reinforces this message, explaining that our physical bodies are perishable, but our spiritual bodies are imperishable. This underscores the importance of our spiritual rebirth and the eternal life it brings.
Finally, we are reminded that every day we have a choice: to live according to our earthly, first birth or to embrace our spiritual, second birth. This choice affects how we interact with others, how we handle challenges, and how we live out our faith. Today is the first day of the rest of our eternal life, and we are called to live in the power and reality of that truth.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Spirit Gives Life: Jesus teaches that the spirit gives life, while the flesh counts for nothing. This profound truth calls us to focus on our spiritual rebirth and eternal life rather than our physical existence. Our true identity is found in being children of God, born of the Spirit. [01:02:11]
2. The Paradigm Shift: Jesus' life and teachings represent a significant paradigm shift from earthly to spiritual realities. This shift requires us to leave behind our earthly identities and embrace our spiritual identities in Christ. This is a journey of continual transformation and renewal. [01:03:43]
3. The Importance of Spiritual Rebirth: The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 and the stories of Isaac, Jacob, and David illustrate that God's promises often come through the "second" rather than the "first." This pattern emphasizes the importance of our spiritual rebirth, which is eternal and imperishable. [01:08:18]
4. Seeing Spiritual Realities: The story of Elisha and Gehazi in 2 Kings 6 reminds us that spiritual realities surround us, even when we can't see them. We are called to lift our eyes to the hills and trust in God's provision and protection, knowing that those who are for us are more than those who are against us. [01:30:07]
5. Daily Choices: Every day, we have a choice to live according to our earthly, first birth or to embrace our spiritual, second birth. This choice affects our interactions, challenges, and faith. We are called to live in the power and reality of our eternal life, making decisions that reflect our spiritual identity. [01:34:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[54:33] - Introduction and Acknowledgements
[55:24] - Our Identity in Christ
[56:28] - Prayer and Reading of John 6
[57:40] - Context of John 6
[58:59] - Reading John 6:60-71
[01:00:21] - Prayer for Wisdom and Understanding
[01:01:35] - Simple but Profound Truths
[01:02:11] - The Spirit Gives Life
[01:02:50] - The Choice We Have
[01:03:43] - Jesus' Paradigm Shift
[01:04:42] - Searching Out God's Truth
[01:05:35] - Jesus' Teachings on Spiritual Realities
[01:06:20] - The First Paradigm Shift: Abraham
[01:07:13] - Abraham's Obedience and Righteousness
[01:08:18] - The Importance of Spiritual Rebirth
[01:09:40] - Paraphrasing Jesus' Message
[01:10:42] - Testing the Hypothesis
[01:11:46] - Genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1
[01:12:47] - The Significance of 14 Generations
[01:13:53] - The Second Birth
[01:14:43] - The Trinity of Generations
[01:15:36] - The Second Seven
[01:16:49] - Testing the Hypothesis Further
[01:17:19] - Examples from Scripture
[01:18:06] - God's Sovereignty and Choice
[01:18:49] - The First and Second Kings of Israel
[01:19:53] - Physical vs. Spiritual
[01:20:33] - The First and Second Worldwide Destruction of Sin
[01:21:13] - The First and Second Sons of God
[01:21:42] - Emphasizing the Spiritual
[01:22:39] - 1 Corinthians 15: The Resurrection of the Dead
[01:23:21] - The Natural and the Spiritual
[01:24:05] - The Perishable and the Imperishable
[01:24:59] - Victory Over Death
[01:25:53] - The Good News of the Gospel
[01:26:57] - Physical Manifestations of Spiritual Truths
[01:27:51] - The Story of Elisha and Gehazi
[01:28:46] - The Aramean Army and God's Protection
[01:29:30] - Gehazi's Fear and Elisha's Faith
[01:30:07] - Seeing Spiritual Realities
[01:31:22] - The Power of God's Protection
[01:32:03] - Jesus' Message in John 6
[01:32:47] - The Choice We Have
[01:33:32] - Peter's Confession
[01:34:22] - Daily Choices and Spiritual Identity
[01:35:33] - Living Out Our Faith
[01:36:28] - The First Day of Our Eternal Life
[01:37:25] - Paul's Prayer in Ephesians 1
[01:38:17] - The Power at Work Within Us
[01:39:09] - Trusting in God's Provision
[01:39:55] - Embracing Our Spiritual Identity
[01:40:47] - Prayer and Closing
[01:42:07] - Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 6:60-71: "On hearing it, many of his disciples said, 'This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?' Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, 'Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.' From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 'You do not want to leave too, do you?' Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.' Then Jesus replied, 'Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!' (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)"
2. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44: "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."
3. 2 Kings 6:15-17: "When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 'Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?' the servant asked. 'Don’t be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of many disciples to Jesus' teaching in John 6:60-71? ([58:59])
2. According to 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, what are the differences between the natural body and the spiritual body?
3. In 2 Kings 6:15-17, what did Elisha pray for his servant to see, and what was revealed? ([01:30:07])
4. How did Peter respond to Jesus when asked if the Twelve would leave Him as well? ([01:33:32])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus' teaching in John 6 was so difficult for many of His disciples to accept? ([58:59])
2. How does the concept of the perishable versus the imperishable body in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 relate to the idea of spiritual rebirth discussed in the sermon? ([01:24:05])
3. What does the story of Elisha and Gehazi in 2 Kings 6:15-17 teach us about spiritual realities and God's protection? ([01:30:07])
4. How does Peter's declaration in John 6:68-69 reflect a deeper understanding of Jesus' identity and mission? ([01:33:32])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Jesus' statement that "the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing," how can you shift your focus from earthly concerns to spiritual realities in your daily life? ([01:02:11])
2. In what ways can you embrace your spiritual identity in Christ, leaving behind your earthly identity as Abraham did? ([01:07:13])
3. How can you become more aware of the spiritual realities around you, similar to how Elisha's servant's eyes were opened? ([01:30:07])
4. What daily choices can you make to live according to your spiritual, second birth rather than your earthly, first birth? ([01:34:22])
5. How can you apply the lesson of trusting in God's provision and protection, as illustrated by the story of Elisha and Gehazi, in your current life challenges? ([01:30:07])
6. Peter recognized that Jesus has the words of eternal life. How can you deepen your understanding and commitment to Jesus' teachings in your personal faith journey? ([01:33:32])
7. Considering the importance of spiritual rebirth, what steps can you take to nurture and grow in your spiritual life this week? ([01:08:18])
Devotional
Day 1: The Spirit Gives Life
Description: Jesus teaches that the spirit gives life, while the flesh counts for nothing. This profound truth calls us to focus on our spiritual rebirth and eternal life rather than our physical existence. Our true identity is found in being children of God, born of the Spirit. Jesus' words in John 6 were challenging for many to accept, leading some disciples to turn away. However, Peter recognized that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. This passage challenges us to shift our focus from earthly, physical concerns to spiritual, eternal realities. [01:02:11]
John 6:63 (ESV): "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you overly focused on physical or earthly concerns? How can you begin to shift your focus to spiritual and eternal realities today?
Day 2: The Paradigm Shift
Description: Jesus' life and teachings represent a significant paradigm shift from earthly to spiritual realities. This shift requires us to leave behind our earthly identities and embrace our spiritual identities in Christ. This is a journey of continual transformation and renewal. The story of Abraham, who was called to leave his earthly identity behind, illustrates this shift. Jesus calls us to embrace our spiritual identity, just as Abraham did. [01:03:43]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What aspects of your earthly identity are you holding onto? How can you begin to embrace your spiritual identity in Christ more fully?
Day 3: The Importance of Spiritual Rebirth
Description: The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 and the stories of Isaac, Jacob, and David illustrate that God's promises often come through the "second" rather than the "first." This pattern emphasizes the importance of our spiritual rebirth, which is eternal and imperishable. The first birth is physical and perishable, while the second birth is spiritual and eternal. This concept is reinforced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, where he explains that our physical bodies are perishable, but our spiritual bodies are imperishable. [01:08:18]
1 Peter 1:23 (ESV): "Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God."
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual rebirth. How does understanding the imperishable nature of your spiritual life change the way you view your daily challenges and interactions?
Day 4: Seeing Spiritual Realities
Description: The story of Elisha and Gehazi in 2 Kings 6 reminds us that spiritual realities surround us, even when we can't see them. We are called to lift our eyes to the hills and trust in God's provision and protection, knowing that those who are for us are more than those who are against us. This story serves as a vivid illustration of the spiritual realities that surround us and encourages us to trust in God's unseen protection and provision. [01:30:07]
2 Kings 6:17 (ESV): "Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.' So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
Reflection: What spiritual realities might you be overlooking in your life? How can you ask God to open your eyes to see His provision and protection more clearly?
Day 5: Daily Choices
Description: Every day, we have a choice to live according to our earthly, first birth or to embrace our spiritual, second birth. This choice affects our interactions, challenges, and faith. We are called to live in the power and reality of our eternal life, making decisions that reflect our spiritual identity. Today is the first day of the rest of our eternal life, and we are called to live in the power and reality of that truth. [01:34:22]
Galatians 5:16 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can make a choice today that reflects your spiritual identity? How can you walk by the Spirit in this area?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We all are adopted into his family. And that is our identity. We go and we do. But the body has many parts. I'm up here today. I hope that you'll hear something today that encourages you to think just a little deeper about God's truth, understand it a little better. But every member of the body has something to share." [55:24] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Don't ever be afraid to answer the call to be your part of the body and share what it is that he has uniquely given you to say. So we'll have that this morning. Before we read the passage, we have a short passage this morning." [55:24] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The spirit gives life. The flesh counts for nothing. You could write a book on that. God did write a book on it. It's called the Bible. Very simple foundational truth. There's no mixing words there. There's no messing up the meaning." [01:02:11] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus, his whole life was a paradigm shift. They thought he was going to be a physical king. Ben covered that phenomenally well last week or two weeks ago. They're sitting there following him wanting physical food. They're wanting rescue from oppression. Everything was in the ways of the world. And they didn't quite understand. And Jesus is trying to say, hey, guys, you need to shift your paradigm here." [01:03:43] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The first birth is physical, perishable, mortal, weak, dishonorable, and of the dust of the earth. Your second birth, your eternal birth, it is imperishable, immortal, powerful, full of glory, and of heaven. Guys, that's the good news of the gospel. It doesn't matter how hard and screwed up your physical life is. It doesn't matter what kind of family you might have been born into. It doesn't matter what kind of physical ailments or personality, you know, you've got that you wish was different." [01:25:53] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus is constantly trying to teach the people. I've got a paradigm shift for you, people. You don't quite get it. You really don't quite get it. And so that's where we are. And then right before, you know, this passage we read today, he tells them, hey, if you don't eat my flesh and drink my blood, you don't have eternal life. And he didn't really go on to explain exactly what he meant by that." [01:05:35] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In order for us to live out the paradigm shift of what it really means to be a Christian in this physical world, but living the spiritual realities of his truth, we have to be righteous. We have to act righteously to the best we can, because that is how that paradigm shift manifests itself. But he gave up his country. He gave up his people. He gave up his household. And he left. And so his name was changed. God gave him a new name." [01:08:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The first is physical. And the second is spiritual and eternal. That's what Jesus is saying right here in John chapter 6. Flesh counts for nothing. What was the first worldwide destruction of sin? Anyone want to guess? Got a thought? The first worldwide destruction of sin. Right back here. Bingo! Somebody give that guy. At least a $10 bill. Yeah. That's fabulous. You know, you're too young to be in here, right? You're supposed to be with the other kids that aren't as smart as you." [01:19:53] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The first point is pretty easy. Flesh counts for nothing. The spirit is life and it's eternal. And it's about your second birth. That's how you step in to that eternal life is by accepting the grace of Jesus and being born of water and the spirit. So here's the rest of the passage. Yet there are some of you who do not believe. Jesus had known from the beginning which of them didn't believe and who would betray him." [01:32:47] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Today is the first day of the rest of your eternal life. You don't have to wait until this world is over to begin walking in the blessing and the eternity and the power that is at work in you. This is exactly what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 1 when he always gives prayers for his audience, for the churches. In Ephesians 1 verse 17, Paul says, You know, I pray. Just as Gehazi needed to see the chariots on the hillside, Paul says, Ephesians, I pray that the eyes of your heart might be opened." [01:36:28] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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