The Mystery and Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth
Summary
In our exploration of what it means to be born again, we delve into the mysterious nature of spiritual rebirth. Initially, we established the necessity of regeneration for entering the Kingdom of God, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus. Now, we turn our attention to the enigmatic character of this rebirth. Through personal anecdotes, such as my conversation with Billy Graham and my wife Vesta's conversion, we see how the Holy Spirit orchestrates this transformation in ways that are both profound and inexplicable. Billy Graham's story, filled with passion and excitement, illustrates how the Holy Spirit draws individuals to Christ, emphasizing that the Spirit does the work of rebirth.
Vesta's experience further highlights the mystery of regeneration. Despite her religious upbringing, it wasn't until her personal encounter with Christ that she truly understood the Holy Spirit's identity. This transformation is not easily articulated, akin to explaining a rainbow to a blind person. Regeneration is a mystery not only to those who experience it but also to theologians like Nicodemus, who struggled to grasp Jesus' teachings on being born of the Spirit.
Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus underscores the distinction between flesh and spirit. The flesh gives birth to flesh, while the Spirit gives birth to spirit. This spiritual birth is not a mere repetition of biological birth but a profound transformation that is both invisible and mysterious. Jesus uses the analogy of the wind to describe the Spirit's work—unseen yet evident through its effects. The Spirit's work in regeneration is like the wind, leaving no footprints but manifesting in the fruits of a changed life.
The mystery of regeneration lies in its invisibility. We cannot see God working in someone's soul, making it possible to misjudge one's spiritual state. The true evidence of rebirth is a change in the inner disposition and attitude towards God. The unregenerate are indifferent or hostile to God, but those reborn have a newfound affection for Him. This change is not perfect but real and ongoing, a testament to the Spirit's mysterious work in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Necessity of Rebirth: Spiritual rebirth is essential for entering the Kingdom of God. It is not a mere religious formality but a profound transformation orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. This rebirth is a mystery, as it involves an invisible change in the soul that only God can accomplish. [00:28]
2. The Mystery of the Spirit's Work: The Holy Spirit's work in regeneration is mysterious and cannot be fully comprehended. Like the wind, the Spirit's presence is unseen, yet its effects are evident in the transformed lives of believers. This mystery invites us to trust in God's sovereign work in our hearts. [14:41]
3. Personal Encounters with Christ: Personal stories of conversion, like those of Billy Graham and Vesta, highlight the unique and personal nature of spiritual rebirth. These encounters with Christ are marked by a deep, lasting change that ignites a passion for God and His Kingdom. [03:04]
4. The Invisible Change of Heart: The first evidence of spiritual renewal is an internal change of heart and attitude towards God. This newfound affection for God is not perfect but is a genuine work of the Spirit, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. [26:31]
5. The Fruits of a Changed Life: The tangible evidence of rebirth is seen in the fruits of a changed life. While the process of regeneration is invisible, its impact is visible in the way we live, love, and serve others, reflecting the Spirit's ongoing work within us. [23:38]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - The Necessity of Regeneration
- [01:07] - Conversation with Billy Graham
- [02:30] - Billy Graham's Conversion Story
- [03:04] - Vesta's Conversion Experience
- [04:50] - Praying for Vesta
- [06:13] - Vesta's New Understanding of the Holy Spirit
- [08:10] - The Mystery of Regeneration
- [09:19] - Nicodemus' Confusion
- [10:58] - Flesh vs. Spirit
- [12:50] - The Spiritual Birth Explained
- [14:41] - The Wind and the Spirit
- [17:17] - The Breath of God
- [19:28] - The Invisible Work of the Spirit
- [23:38] - Evidence of a Changed Life
- [26:31] - The Heart's Transformation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Mystery of Spiritual Rebirth
Bible Reading:
1. John 3:1-8 - Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus about being born again.
2. Ezekiel 36:26-27 - God's promise of a new heart and spirit.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - The new creation in Christ.
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He tells Nicodemus that one must be "born of the Spirit" to enter the Kingdom of God? [08:57]
2. How does the analogy of the wind help explain the mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration? [14:41]
3. What were the personal experiences of Billy Graham and Vesta that highlighted the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit in their conversions? [03:04]
4. How does Jesus differentiate between being born of the flesh and being born of the Spirit in His conversation with Nicodemus? [10:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus reveal the limitations of human understanding when it comes to spiritual matters? [09:19]
2. How does the analogy of the wind illustrate the invisible yet powerful work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life? [14:41]
3. What does the transformation in Vesta's understanding of the Holy Spirit suggest about the personal nature of spiritual rebirth? [07:36]
4. How does the concept of being "born again" challenge traditional religious practices and beliefs, as seen in Nicodemus' reaction? [12:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Can you identify a moment when you felt a profound change in your heart towards God? How did that experience shape your faith? [26:31]
2. The sermon emphasizes the invisible nature of spiritual rebirth. How can you be more attentive to the subtle workings of the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [19:28]
3. Consider the analogy of the wind. In what ways can you recognize the "fruits of a changed life" in yourself or others? How can you cultivate these fruits further? [23:38]
4. How can you support someone who is struggling to understand the concept of being "born again"? What personal experiences can you share to help them? [08:10]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of a personal encounter with Christ. How can you create opportunities for such encounters in your community or family? [03:04]
6. Reflect on the change in Vesta's understanding of the Holy Spirit. How can you deepen your own understanding and relationship with the Holy Spirit? [07:36]
7. How can you ensure that your faith is not just a "religious formality" but a genuine transformation of the heart? What steps can you take to nurture this transformation? [00:28]
Devotional
Day 1: The Essential Transformation of Rebirth
The necessity of spiritual rebirth is not just a religious formality but a profound transformation that allows entry into the Kingdom of God. This rebirth is orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, who works invisibly within the soul to bring about a change that only God can accomplish. This transformation is mysterious and cannot be fully understood, yet it is essential for a true relationship with God. The Holy Spirit's work in regeneration is like the wind—unseen but evident through its effects. [00:28]
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 transformation in that area today?
Day 2: The Unseen Work of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit's work in regeneration is a profound mystery that cannot be fully comprehended. Like the wind, the Spirit's presence is unseen, yet its effects are evident in the transformed lives of believers. This mystery invites us to trust in God's sovereign work in our hearts, knowing that even though we cannot see the Spirit, we can see the fruits of His work in our lives. [14:41]
John 14:17 (ESV): "Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent change in your life that you attribute to the Holy Spirit. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in His unseen work?
Day 3: Personal Encounters with Christ
Personal stories of conversion, like those of Billy Graham and Vesta, highlight the unique and personal nature of spiritual rebirth. These encounters with Christ are marked by a deep, lasting change that ignites a passion for God and His Kingdom. Each person's journey to faith is different, yet the common thread is the transformative power of the Holy Spirit drawing individuals to Christ. [03:04]
Acts 9:17-18 (ESV): "So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized."
Reflection: Think about your own encounter with Christ. What specific event or moment ignited your passion for God, and how can you share that story with someone else today?
Day 4: The Heart's Transformation
The first evidence of spiritual renewal is an internal change of heart and attitude towards God. This newfound affection for God is not perfect but is a genuine work of the Spirit, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. The unregenerate are indifferent or hostile to God, but those reborn have a newfound affection for Him. [26:31]
Jeremiah 24:7 (ESV): "I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart."
Reflection: Identify an area in your heart where you feel indifferent or resistant to God. What steps can you take to open that part of your heart to His transforming love?
Day 5: The Fruits of a Changed Life
The tangible evidence of rebirth is seen in the fruits of a changed life. While the process of regeneration is invisible, its impact is visible in the way we live, love, and serve others, reflecting the Spirit's ongoing work within us. This change is not perfect but real and ongoing, a testament to the Spirit's mysterious work in our lives. [23:38]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Reflect on the fruits of the Spirit in your life. Which fruit do you feel is most evident, and which one do you need to cultivate more intentionally?
Quotes
In our first session in our study of what it means to be born again, I tried to focus our attention on Jesus’ teaching to Nicodemus of the absolute necessity of spiritual rebirth for entering into the Kingdom of God. What I would like to do in this segment is to discuss another aspect of rebirth and that is its mysterious character. [00:00:07]
Billy began to relate to me what had happened to him as a young man when he came under the influence of the preaching of a man by the name of Mordecai Hamm, who was doing a series of services in Charlotte, North Carolina. And Billy went through this episode for me privately, which he has preached about many times, and written about in his books, but to hear him tell it one-on-one after all of these years was a very humbling experience for me to sit there and listen to this. [00:01:45]
Because what came across in his story was that it seemed to me that he was as excited about it as if it had happened last night. He was still filled with a passion and a flame that had been kindled years and years and years and years ago in that moment when he met Christ. And he was describing all the different things that were … he went through as he was drawn to these services and listened night after night after night until he finally was irresistibly drawn to Christ. [00:02:35]
I remember vividly my wife’s conversion to Christ. I was converted to Christ a few months before Vesta was and she was coming to our college campus and we were going to have a meeting with our Christian organization there on the campus, and I was in a real moral dilemma. Vesta and I had gone together at that point for about five years and it was our desire and our plan to be married. We were engaged, and suddenly I found myself a new Christian, and I was told very early in my religious experience that as a Christian I was not permitted to marry a woman who was not a Christian. [00:03:10]
And so what I did the day that she was to arrive, I skipped classes that day and got alone in my room and locked the door and I got on the ground beside my bed and I prayed like I never prayed. I prayed like an Arminian to tell you the truth. I was saying, “Hey God, I don’t know what the eternal decrees are, but if You do have one that doesn’t fit my preference here, You better change it because” … I wrestled with God for hours for that occasion and made this commitment that if Vesta did not become a Christian that weekend that I would break up with her. [00:04:50]
And quite apart from me, she met Christ in that meeting. And she came out of that meeting; she was so excited. She was like Archimedes coming out of the bathtub screaming “Eureka, I have found it.” She knew what every Christian knows, the joy of her redemption. But when she went to bed that night, she told me the next day, she said that all night long she kept waking up, and she kept pinching herself, and said, “Is it still there? Do I still have it?” [00:05:52]
For the first time in her life she had a personal understanding of the identity and the character of God the Holy Spirit. And she said, you know, she had heard the name of the Holy Spirit. She wasn’t totally devoid of activities in religion. She had been reared in the church, and she had gone regularly attended church and they would say their prayers and they would pronounce the benediction, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. But it was all ceremony to her, and there was no personal substance of application involved in this religious background that she had, and then she said, “Now I know who the Holy Spirit is.” [00:07:13]
Regeneration is a mystery. And it’s not simply a mystery to those of us who experience it, but it is also an impenetrable mystery at the bottom line even for skilled theologians as it was for Nicodemus. I want to take you back now to that conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus where Jesus said to him, “Unless a man is born of the Spirit, he can’t see the kingdom of God and he can’t enter the kingdom of God.” [00:08:21]
Jesus gives this word of explanation. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh. And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Now Jesus again is … seems to have a tremendous grasp of the obvious, but it is an obvious point, an elementary point, that bears repeating for the ears of this theologian. You know where most professional theologians go astray is not at some technical point of theology, but at a foundational point, at an elementary point, a point that should have been mastered many, many years ago. [00:10:58]
The reason it’s necessary is because that which is born of the flesh is flesh. And you can’t get spirit out of flesh. You want to have an oak tree; you’ve got to plant an acorn and not a strawberry. The flesh only yields flesh. And everyone is born in the flesh. That’s not new, Nicodemus. The Old Testament teaches that concept on every page. And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. And we’re talking about spiritual birth. Don’t confuse it with a mere repetition of a biological process. I’m talking about something far more mysterious than that. [00:12:24]
The reason why regeneration is mysterious is because regeneration is invisible. I can’t see God doing something in your soul. That’s why we can fool each other about this business, can’t we? I can claim to be reborn. I can profess to be regenerate and not be. And by the same token, what? I can say, “I don’t think I’m regenerate,” and actually be regenerate. That’s why we’re warned in the Scriptures that man looks on the outward appearances but God looks on the heart. [00:19:28]
If you want to see the evidence, the tangible manifestation of rebirth, what has to happen? You have to look for the fruits of a changed life. I can’t see your soul. All I can see is your behavior. And that’s what causes so much problems for us because we can see changes in our lives for the good, but we also see what? The same old stuff. We see the things that we don’t want to see, and we don’t want anybody else to see. [00:23:38]
The first thing that changes when you are changed inwardly is not even your behavior. It’s the internal disposition of your soul. It is the attitude of your heart that is the first change of spiritual renewal. You now have an affection for God that you never had before. It is not perfect and it’s far from being perfected but it is there and it’s real and it’s working. You’ll not be able to locate it on an x-ray. Its origins and its power will probably remain mysterious to you until the day you die, but the undeniable reality is that your heart is beating for God where it never did before. [00:26:31]
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