Experiencing the Transformative Power of Being Born Again

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound concept of being "born again," a central tenet of Christian faith. This transformation is not merely a metaphorical change but a literal rebirth, a new creation brought about by the divine intervention of God through the Holy Spirit. This new birth is not something we can achieve through our own efforts or moral improvements; it is a divine act that results in a complete transformation of our nature and being.

The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in the Gospel of John serves as a foundational text for understanding this concept. Jesus emphasizes that to see and enter the Kingdom of God, one must be born of water and the Spirit. This rebirth is not about adhering to a set of rules or traditions but about experiencing a profound internal change that affects every aspect of our lives.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment, describing those in Christ as new creations where old things have passed away, and all things have become new. This transformation is not superficial; it is a deep, intrinsic change that alters our desires, outlook, and actions. We are no longer bound by the corruptible seed of our natural birth but are reborn of incorruptible seed through the living and abiding word of God.

This new life is characterized by a new outlook and desires. The desires of the natural man, driven by self-interest and worldly pursuits, are replaced by a longing for righteousness, purity, and holiness. This transformation also brings new power, enabling us to resist sin and live in accordance with God's will. We are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered by the Spirit to live victoriously.

Ultimately, being born again is a miraculous work of God, a mystery that we may not fully understand but can experience and testify to. It is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace and the new life we have in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The Necessity of New Birth: To enter the Kingdom of God, one must experience a spiritual rebirth, a transformation that is not achieved by human effort but by the divine work of the Holy Spirit. This new birth is essential for a true Christian life. [22:10]

- Transformation Over Improvement: Christianity is not about self-improvement or moral enhancement but about a complete transformation into a new creation. This change is profound and affects every aspect of our being, making us new creatures in Christ. [29:15]

- Divine Agency in Rebirth: The process of being born again is entirely a work of God. It is not something we can initiate or accomplish on our own. It is a divine act of creation, bringing new life where there was none before. [31:56]

- New Desires and Power: The new birth results in new desires and a new power to live a life pleasing to God. Our desires shift from self-centered pursuits to a longing for righteousness and holiness, and we are empowered by the Spirit to overcome sin. [46:25]

- The Mystery of God's Work: The work of God in our rebirth is a mystery that we may not fully comprehend, but it is a reality we can experience. This divine transformation is a testament to the miraculous and supernatural nature of God's work in our lives. [49:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [22:10] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
- [22:23] - Living Water and Eternal Life
- [23:00] - Abundant Life in Christ
- [23:16] - New Creation in Christ
- [23:56] - Partakers of the Divine Nature
- [24:50] - Evidence of New Testament Teaching
- [25:11] - Understanding the Perfect Tense
- [26:20] - The Event of New Birth
- [27:28] - The Analogy of Birth
- [28:24] - Profound Change of New Birth
- [29:15] - Vital Transforming Renewal
- [30:39] - Divine Agency in Rebirth
- [32:39] - The Work of the Spirit
- [34:41] - Nature of the Change
- [36:10] - Born of God, Not of Flesh
- [39:15] - The Corruptible Seed
- [42:10] - Incorruptible Seed and New Nature
- [46:25] - New Desires and Power
- [49:02] - The Mystery of God's Work

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Necessity and Mystery of Being Born Again

#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:3-8 (Jesus and Nicodemus)
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (New Creation in Christ)
3. 1 Peter 1:23 (Born Again of Incorruptible Seed)

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus is necessary to see the Kingdom of God? How does this relate to the concept of being "born again"? [22:10]
2. According to the sermon, how does the Apostle Paul describe those who are in Christ? What does this imply about their past and present state? [23:16]
3. What is the significance of the term "incorruptible seed" as used in the sermon, and how does it contrast with "corruptible seed"? [42:10]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of being born again? [32:39]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus illustrate the necessity of spiritual rebirth for entering the Kingdom of God? [22:10]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being "born again" is more than just a metaphorical change? How does this affect a believer's life? [28:59]
3. What does the sermon imply about the limitations of human effort in achieving spiritual rebirth? How does this understanding impact one's faith journey? [31:56]
4. How does the sermon explain the transformation of desires and power in a person who is born again? What does this mean for daily living? [46:25]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Can you identify a moment or period in your life that you would describe as being "born again"? How did it change you? [27:12]
2. The sermon emphasizes that being born again leads to new desires and a longing for righteousness. What are some specific desires you have noticed changing in your life since becoming a Christian? [46:25]
3. Consider the idea that being born again is a divine act that cannot be achieved through human effort. How does this perspective influence your approach to spiritual growth and reliance on God? [31:56]
4. The sermon describes a new power to resist sin and live according to God's will. What are some practical ways you can tap into this power in your daily struggles with sin? [47:14]
5. How do you perceive the mystery of God's work in your life? Are there areas where you struggle to understand His ways, and how can you embrace the mystery while still trusting in His plan? [49:02]
6. The sermon mentions a shift in outlook and desires as a result of being born again. What specific changes in your outlook on life have you experienced, and how do they affect your interactions with others? [45:24]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel the need for transformation. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in that area this week? [32:39]

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth
To enter the Kingdom of God, one must undergo a spiritual rebirth, a transformation that is not achieved by human effort but by the divine work of the Holy Spirit. This new birth is essential for a true Christian life. It is a profound internal change that affects every aspect of our lives, not just a superficial adherence to rules or traditions. This transformation is a divine act that results in a complete change of our nature and being, making us new creatures in Christ. The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in the Gospel of John highlights the necessity of being born of water and the Spirit to see and enter the Kingdom of God. [22:10]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel spiritually stagnant. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring about a new birth in that area today?

Day 2: Transformation Over Improvement
Christianity is not about self-improvement or moral enhancement but about a complete transformation into a new creation. This change is profound and affects every aspect of our being, making us new creatures in Christ. The Apostle Paul describes those in Christ as new creations where old things have passed away, and all things have become new. This transformation is not superficial; it is a deep, intrinsic change that alters our desires, outlook, and actions. We are no longer bound by the corruptible seed of our natural birth but are reborn of incorruptible seed through the living and abiding word of God. [29:15]

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: Identify one old habit or mindset that you need to let go of to embrace your new identity in Christ. What steps can you take today to begin this transformation?

Day 3: Divine Agency in Rebirth
The process of being born again is entirely a work of God. It is not something we can initiate or accomplish on our own. It is a divine act of creation, bringing new life where there was none before. This miraculous work of God is a mystery that we may not fully understand but can experience and testify to. It is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace and the new life we have in Christ. The rebirth is a divine intervention that results in a complete transformation of our nature and being. [31:56]

John 1:12-13 (ESV): "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's transformative power in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who needs to hear it today?

Day 4: New Desires and Power
The new birth results in new desires and a new power to live a life pleasing to God. Our desires shift from self-centered pursuits to a longing for righteousness and holiness, and we are empowered by the Spirit to overcome sin. This transformation brings new power, enabling us to resist sin and live in accordance with God's will. We are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered by the Spirit to live victoriously. This new life is characterized by a new outlook and desires, driven by a longing for righteousness, purity, and holiness. [46:25]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with sin? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome it today?

Day 5: The Mystery of God's Work
The work of God in our rebirth is a mystery that we may not fully comprehend, but it is a reality we can experience. This divine transformation is a testament to the miraculous and supernatural nature of God's work in our lives. Being born again is a miraculous work of God, a mystery that we may not fully understand but can experience and testify to. It is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace and the new life we have in Christ. This transformation is not something we can achieve through our own efforts or moral improvements; it is a divine act that results in a complete transformation of our nature and being. [49:02]

Colossians 1:26-27 (ESV): "The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Reflection: How can you embrace the mystery of God's work in your life without needing to fully understand it? What steps can you take to trust in His transformative power today?

Quotes

Israel very verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God except to Men He says be born of water and of the spirits he cannot enter into the kingdom of God same thing you get it in the next chapter of John's gospel where our Lord is speaking to the woman of Samaria. [00:21:51]

If any man be in Christ Jesus as Paul he's a new creature all things things are passed away behold all things are become new new creature New Creation all things are passed away behold all things are become new a new man in a new world the Apostle James in his epistle which comes before this one he says exactly the same thing. [00:23:20]

This event which has taken place in this life is a very profound one it has led to a complete change you see it is so profound and such a complete change that our Lord himself and the apostles and all the writers feel that there is nothing adequate as an analogy to describe it save that of a birth or a creation. [00:28:44]

Christianity is this vital transforming renewal regeneration that's the term a new creature a new creation a new birth it's a complete change that's what Peter's saying to these people there you were you were living that old life vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers but you're no longer doing that you've been born again. [00:29:29]

Nobody gives birth to himself because nobody can and you see how careful these writers are what a proof of divine inspiration Peter not only uses the perfect tense he uses the passive voice he says having being begotten again it's something that happens to us we don't do it can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spouse. [00:30:39]

Who is the agent there's only one answer it is God it's a new creation and nobody can create but God for creation means to bring something out of nothing men can't do that men can modify remold reshape do this and that but that's not a new creation creation is bringing something to being out of nothing it takes a God to do it. [00:32:00]

A new principle of life is put into him a new seed is put into him a new disposition is put into him and therefore he is really a new man he's not what he was before a new seed and principle of life this new disposition is in the men and it's manifesting himself so he's a new man he's been born again. [00:34:01]

What is a Christian a Christian is a man who has been born again and made a new after the pattern and the image of the Lord Jesus Christ what is this new nature well Paul describes it to the Ephesians in these words put on the new man he says which after God is created in righteousness and Holiness of the truth. [00:42:54]

Being born again not of corruptible seed but of Incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever Jesus Christ is the firstborn among many brethren we are formed and fashioned after the image of God's dear son that's what makes a man a Christian you're not left as you were and just told that you're forgiven. [00:44:25]

What makes a man a Christian is this that something happens to him an event takes place in his life he's no longer what he was it took place its effects continue having been having been born again let's be clear about a point that often trips people this does not mean you know that of necessity you can put your finger on a particular moment. [00:26:57]

The desires of the natural men of herself self last gratification of self not always physical lust lust of the Mind anxious to get on anxious to beat his rival in the profession anxious to make more money than his brother anxious to have a better house than the men next door anxious for a better car better this better that lost corruptible. [00:45:49]

He wants to be like the Saints he wants to be like Christ he wants to be worthy of the name of a child of God that's what he Longs for that's what he thirsts for that's what he desires with a whole of his being to be clean to be righteous to be just and holy and pure he has new desires. [00:46:40]

Chatbot

Transcript

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