Embracing the Mystery: The Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth
Summary
In Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul implores the Ephesian Christians to pray for him so that he may boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel. This mystery, as we've been exploring, is not just a message but a profound revelation from God, hidden from human understanding and revealed through the Spirit. The world today, much like in the days of the Judges, is plagued by confusion and a lack of authority, with everyone doing what seems right in their own eyes. This chaos underscores the urgent need for the Gospel's message, which is often misunderstood or dismissed due to its mysterious nature.
The Gospel is not something that can be comprehended through human wisdom, science, or philosophy. It requires a childlike faith and a spiritual rebirth. This rebirth, or regeneration, is essential because it transforms us from being carnally minded to spiritually minded, enabling us to have fellowship with God. Without this transformation, we remain in darkness, unable to comprehend or appreciate the things of God.
The necessity of being born again is not just about moral improvement or adopting a new set of beliefs. It is about becoming a new creation, with a new heart and a new spirit. This transformation is a divine act, a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit, making us partakers of the divine nature. It changes our entire outlook, our desires, and our priorities, aligning them with God's will.
This rebirth is crucial because, without it, heaven would be unbearable for us. Heaven is a place of purity and holiness, and unless we are transformed, we cannot enjoy or even endure its glory. Therefore, the call to be born again is not just an invitation but an absolute necessity for anyone who desires to know God and spend eternity with Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The mystery of the Gospel is a divine revelation, hidden from human understanding and revealed by the Spirit. It requires a childlike faith and a spiritual rebirth to be comprehended. [04:11]
- The necessity of being born again is not about moral improvement but about becoming a new creation. This transformation is a divine act, a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit. [10:24]
- Without being born again, we remain in darkness, unable to comprehend or appreciate the things of God. This transformation changes our entire outlook, desires, and priorities, aligning them with God's will. [34:40]
- Heaven is a place of purity and holiness, and unless we are transformed, we cannot enjoy or even endure its glory. The call to be born again is an absolute necessity for anyone who desires to know God and spend eternity with Him. [45:27]
- The Gospel offers hope for everyone, as it is God's work to transform us. This message tells us that we are all hopeless on our own, but God can make us new, giving us new desires, hopes, and everything we need to enjoy fellowship with Him. [54:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:18-20
- [00:49] - The Mystery of the Gospel
- [01:51] - The Problem of Authority
- [02:39] - The Nature of the Gospel
- [03:26] - The Necessity of Childlike Faith
- [04:11] - The Divine Revelation
- [05:14] - The Mystery of Godliness
- [06:23] - The Heart of the Gospel
- [07:08] - The Way of Salvation
- [09:07] - The Wicked Gate
- [10:02] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
- [13:11] - The Rebirth in History
- [20:37] - Objections to the Rebirth
- [25:24] - The Absolute Necessity of Rebirth
- [31:59] - Knowing God
- [45:27] - Heaven and the Need for Rebirth
- [54:34] - The Hope of the Gospel
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:18-20
- John 3:3-7
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
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Observation Questions:
1. In Ephesians 6:18-20, what specific request does Paul make of the Ephesian Christians regarding his proclamation of the Gospel? [00:49]
2. According to the sermon, how does the world today resemble the days of the Judges, and what is the primary issue identified? [01:51]
3. What does the sermon describe as the "mystery of the Gospel," and why is it considered a mystery? [04:11]
4. How does the sermon explain the necessity of being "born again" in relation to understanding and appreciating the things of God? [34:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel, and how does this relate to the concept of the Gospel being a mystery? [06:23]
2. The sermon mentions that the Gospel requires a childlike faith. What does this mean in the context of understanding spiritual truths, and how might this challenge our natural inclinations? [03:26]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when one is "born again," and why is this transformation essential for fellowship with God? [10:24]
4. The sermon suggests that without being born again, heaven would be unbearable. What does this imply about the nature of heaven and the necessary preparation for it? [45:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. How can you incorporate Paul's request for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel into your prayers for yourself and others? [00:49]
2. The sermon compares today's world to the time of the Judges, where everyone did what was right in their own eyes. In what ways do you see this happening in your community, and how can you respond with the message of the Gospel? [01:51]
3. Consider the idea of having a childlike faith. What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate this kind of faith in your daily life, especially when faced with complex or challenging situations? [03:26]
4. The sermon emphasizes the necessity of being born again to truly understand and appreciate the things of God. How can you assess whether your desires and priorities align with God's will, and what changes might be necessary? [34:40]
5. Reflect on the statement that heaven would be unbearable without transformation. How does this perspective influence your understanding of spiritual growth and preparation for eternity? [45:27]
6. The sermon describes the Gospel as offering hope for everyone. Identify one person in your life who might feel hopeless. How can you share the hope of the Gospel with them this week? [54:34]
7. The sermon suggests that being born again is a divine act. How can you remain open to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, and what practices can help you stay attuned to His leading? [10:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gospel's Divine Mystery
The Gospel is a profound revelation from God, hidden from human understanding and revealed through the Spirit. It is not merely a message but a divine mystery that requires a childlike faith and a spiritual rebirth to be truly comprehended. In a world filled with confusion and a lack of authority, the Gospel stands as a beacon of truth, offering clarity and direction. This mystery cannot be unraveled through human wisdom, science, or philosophy; it is a spiritual truth that transforms lives and aligns them with God's will. [04:11]
1 Corinthians 2:7-10 (ESV): "But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you rely on human wisdom instead of seeking the Spirit's revelation? How can you cultivate a childlike faith to better understand the mysteries of God today?
Day 2: Transformation Beyond Morality
Being born again is not about moral improvement or adopting a new set of beliefs; it is about becoming a new creation. This transformation is a divine act, a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit, making us partakers of the divine nature. It changes our entire outlook, desires, and priorities, aligning them with God's will. This rebirth is essential because it moves us from being carnally minded to spiritually minded, enabling us to have fellowship with God. [10:24]
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: What old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to embrace your new identity in Christ? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform these areas of your life today?
Day 3: From Darkness to Light
Without being born again, we remain in darkness, unable to comprehend or appreciate the things of God. This transformation changes our entire outlook, desires, and priorities, aligning them with God's will. It is through this spiritual rebirth that we are able to move from darkness into the light, gaining a new perspective and understanding of God's truth. This change is not just about seeing things differently but about living in a way that reflects God's love and purpose. [34:40]
Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."
Reflection: In what ways are you still living in darkness, and how can you actively choose to walk in the light of God's truth today?
Day 4: The Necessity of Rebirth for Heaven
Heaven is a place of purity and holiness, and unless we are transformed, we cannot enjoy or even endure its glory. The call to be born again is not just an invitation but an absolute necessity for anyone who desires to know God and spend eternity with Him. This transformation prepares us for the purity and holiness of heaven, ensuring that we can fully experience and enjoy the presence of God. [45:27]
Revelation 21:27 (ESV): "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life."
Reflection: How does the promise of heaven influence your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take today to prepare your heart for the purity and holiness of God's presence?
Day 5: Hope in the Gospel's Transformative Power
The Gospel offers hope for everyone, as it is God's work to transform us. This message tells us that we are all hopeless on our own, but God can make us new, giving us new desires, hopes, and everything we need to enjoy fellowship with Him. The transformative power of the Gospel is not just about personal change but about becoming part of God's redemptive plan for the world. [54:34]
Titus 3:4-7 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the hope of the Gospel? How can you share the transformative power of God's love with them today?
Quotes
"The mystery of the Gospel is something that men would never have thought of, never imagine, but it is the mind and the wisdom of God, and God has been pleased to reveal it, and he has done so supremely in the person of his only begotten son." [00:43:20]
"The necessity of being born again, the necessity if you prefer it of regeneration, or if you prefer it again, the absolute need of having a new heart, of becoming a new creature or a new creation. Now here again we are face to face with one of the great Mysteries of the Gospel." [00:10:02]
"Why must every man born into this world be born again? This is the mystery to the Natural man. He's prepared to believe in moral uplift, he's prepared to believe in Improvement, he's prepared to believe in anything that is going to make things a little bit better, but what he cannot abide is this suggestion that we must be born again." [00:25:24]
"Christianity is not just a point of view, it's not just a matter of certain ideas, it's not just a question of conduct, it's not just a matter of Behavior. Now that is the fatal error. I have to keep on repeating this because, you see, the explanation is always the same." [00:26:40]
"The trouble with us all by nature is that we are in the flesh, we are carnal. Our Lord puts it to Nicodemus that which is born of the flesh is flesh, yes, and that which is born of the spirit is Spirit. You see, the two Realms are entirely different, and we all of us by Nature are born in the flesh." [00:34:40]
"If you want to go to heaven, you must be born again. There is a city bright, closed are its gates to sin, not that defileth shall enter in. That's why a man must be born again. It's clear, sheer logic, it's inevitable when you realize the truth about God and Heaven and yourself." [00:45:27]
"Regeneration, well, my dear friend, you see, it's just the thing that puts you into a condition in which you can have fellowship with God and enjoy it. It's the thing that prepares you for heaven. What is it? Well, it's nothing that you and I do. We can't do it." [00:46:00]
"The very term tells us that it's no use saying that you can change yourself. You can't. We've all tried that, haven't we? You can't do it. Can the Ethiopian change his skin to the leopard dis spots? Of course, he can't. What's the value of all our foolish resolutions?" [00:46:30]
"The very term defines it: you must be born again. A baby doesn't give birth to itself; the mother gives birth to the child, and you and I have got to be born again. It isn't something that we do; it's something that happens to us." [00:47:20]
"Thank God for a gospel of a rebirth. Yes, the only place in which there is a hope for all, and he can make the foulest clean. He can answer the prayer of David and give us a clean heart and renew a right Spirit within us." [00:54:34]
"Thank God that it's his, the Creator's action, and he makes us new, gives us new outlooks and dispositions, new desires, new hopes, new everything. Thank God for what it makes of us even in this world." [00:55:00]
"Thank God to be delivered from the thraldom of the world. That doesn't say that we as Christians are perfect, but it does say this: we are not controlled by the world. I thank God that I'm immune to the court circular, immune to what polite Society does." [00:55:30]
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