Transformative Love: The Evidence of New Birth
Summary
In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 8, we find a profound truth about the Christian life: "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." This passage reveals the mysterious and transformative nature of being born again, a foundational concept for every believer. Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, struggled to understand this, much like many of us who assume we are right with God based on our religious upbringing or practices. However, Jesus makes it clear that being born again is not about joining a church or following a set of rules; it is a spiritual rebirth that is essential to see and enter the Kingdom of God.
This new birth manifests in various ways, both negative and positive, and is evident in the life of a true believer. It is not about achieving perfection but about recognizing the presence of these manifestations, however small they may be. Just as family traits are present in all members, though in varying degrees, so are the characteristics of the new life in Christ. One of the most significant manifestations of this new life is the love for the brethren. This love is not based on natural liking but is a deeper, spiritual love that transcends personal preferences and differences.
Loving the brethren means treating those we may not naturally like as if we do, because we are bound by the same Spirit and share the same divine life. This love is a test of our new birth and is evident in our relationships with other believers. It is a love that is more profound than any natural bond, even surpassing the ties of flesh and blood. It is a love that unites us in our shared hope of glory, our common battles, and our mutual concerns for the Kingdom of God.
In practice, this love shows itself in our instinctive recognition of fellow believers, our preference for their company, and our shared interests and concerns. It is a love that bears with one another, forgives, and seeks the well-being of the family of God. This love is the infallible proof that we have passed from death to life, and it is the hallmark of those who are truly born again.
Key Takeaways:
- Being born again is a spiritual rebirth essential for entering the Kingdom of God. It is not about religious practices or affiliations but a transformative experience that changes our nature and outlook on life. [02:18]
- The new birth manifests in various ways, and while perfection is not expected, the presence of these manifestations is inevitable. Just as family traits vary among members, so do the characteristics of the new life in Christ. [04:17]
- Loving the brethren is a significant test of our new birth. It is a spiritual love that transcends natural preferences and differences, uniting us in our shared divine life and hope of glory. [13:31]
- This love is practical and evident in our instinctive recognition of fellow believers, our preference for their company, and our shared interests and concerns. It is a love that bears with one another, forgives, and seeks the well-being of the family of God. [30:58]
- The love for the brethren is an infallible proof that we have passed from death to life. It is the hallmark of those who are truly born again, demonstrating the transformative power of the Spirit in our lives. [46:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to John 3:8
- [00:33] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
- [01:09] - Misconceptions About Righteousness
- [01:59] - The Absolute Necessity of New Birth
- [02:51] - Manifestations of New Life
- [03:39] - The Human Analogy of Spiritual Life
- [05:20] - Hunger for Righteousness
- [06:23] - The Fruit of the Spirit
- [07:50] - Love for the Brethren
- [09:04] - Historical Example of Early Christians
- [11:11] - The Importance of Church Unity
- [12:56] - Defining Love for the Brethren
- [14:50] - Loving Beyond Liking
- [19:18] - The Spiritual Family
- [21:56] - Speaking the Same Language
- [25:50] - Family Concerns and Desires
- [30:28] - Practical Expressions of Love
- [36:27] - Love Beyond Flesh and Blood
- [41:06] - Bearing One Another's Burdens
- [46:23] - Conclusion: Proof of New Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 3:8
- 1 John 3:14
- Romans 8:9
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 3:8, what analogy does Jesus use to describe those who are born of the Spirit, and what does this suggest about the nature of spiritual rebirth? [00:11]
2. According to the sermon, what common misconception did Nicodemus have about being right with God, and how did Jesus correct this misunderstanding? [01:09]
3. How does the sermon describe the manifestations of the new life in Christ, and what is the significance of these manifestations? [03:23]
4. What does 1 John 3:14 say is the proof that we have passed from death to life, and how is this concept expanded upon in the sermon? [08:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of the wind in John 3:8 help us understand the mysterious nature of being born again, and why might this be challenging for some to accept? [00:33]
2. The sermon emphasizes that being born again is not about religious practices or affiliations. How does this perspective challenge traditional views of religious identity? [01:59]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love for the brethren is a test of our new birth, and how does this love differ from natural affection? [13:31]
4. How does Romans 8:9 relate to the idea that the presence of the Holy Spirit is essential for being a Christian, and what implications does this have for our understanding of spiritual life? [06:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you ever assumed you were right with God based on religious upbringing or practices? How does the concept of being born again challenge or affirm your understanding? [01:09]
2. Consider the manifestations of the new life in Christ mentioned in the sermon. Which of these manifestations do you see in your own life, and which areas do you feel need more growth? [03:23]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of loving the brethren. Think of someone in your church community whom you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take to show love to them this week? [14:50]
4. How do you instinctively recognize fellow believers, and how does this recognition influence your interactions with them? Share a recent experience where you felt an immediate connection with another believer. [31:14]
5. The sermon discusses the idea of speaking the same spiritual language. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and use of this language in your daily conversations with other believers? [21:56]
6. Reflect on the concept of bearing one another's burdens. Is there someone in your church community who is currently struggling? How can you offer support and encouragement to them this week? [41:06]
7. The sermon suggests that love for the brethren is an infallible proof of new life. How can you actively demonstrate this love in your church community, especially towards those who are different from you? [46:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Rebirth: A New Beginning
Being born again is a profound spiritual rebirth that transforms our nature and outlook on life. It is not about adhering to religious practices or affiliations but about experiencing a fundamental change that allows us to see and enter the Kingdom of God. This rebirth is essential for every believer, as it signifies a new beginning where the Spirit of God breathes life into our souls, much like the wind that blows where it wishes. This transformation is mysterious and cannot be fully understood by human reasoning, as Nicodemus discovered when he struggled to grasp this concept. Yet, it is a reality that every believer must embrace to truly walk in the newness of life. [02:18]
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: What areas of your life need the transformative touch of the Spirit today? How can you invite God to renew your heart and mind in those areas?
Day 2: Manifestations of New Life
The new birth in Christ manifests in various ways, and while perfection is not expected, the presence of these manifestations is inevitable. Just as family traits vary among members, so do the characteristics of the new life in Christ. These manifestations may be small at first, but they grow as we mature in our faith. They include a hunger for righteousness, the fruit of the Spirit, and a love for the brethren. Recognizing these traits in our lives is crucial, as they serve as evidence of our spiritual rebirth and our ongoing transformation into the likeness of Christ. [04:17]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: What small manifestations of new life do you see in yourself? How can you nurture these traits to grow more into the image of Christ?
Day 3: Love Beyond Preferences
Loving the brethren is a significant test of our new birth. It is a spiritual love that transcends natural preferences and differences, uniting us in our shared divine life and hope of glory. This love is not based on natural liking but is a deeper, spiritual love that binds us together as members of the same spiritual family. It is a love that calls us to treat those we may not naturally like as if we do, because we are bound by the same Spirit and share the same divine life. This love is a testament to our new birth and is evident in our relationships with other believers. [13:31]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Who in your life do you find difficult to love? How can you begin to show them the love of Christ today, despite your natural preferences?
Day 4: Practical Expressions of Love
This love for the brethren is practical and evident in our instinctive recognition of fellow believers, our preference for their company, and our shared interests and concerns. It is a love that bears with one another, forgives, and seeks the well-being of the family of God. This love is the infallible proof that we have passed from death to life, and it is the hallmark of those who are truly born again. It is a love that is more profound than any natural bond, even surpassing the ties of flesh and blood, uniting us in our shared hope of glory, our common battles, and our mutual concerns for the Kingdom of God. [30:58]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: How can you practically express love to a fellow believer today? What specific action can you take to bear their burden or support them in their walk with Christ?
Day 5: Proof of New Life
The love for the brethren is an infallible proof that we have passed from death to life. It is the hallmark of those who are truly born again, demonstrating the transformative power of the Spirit in our lives. This love is not just an emotion but a commitment to seek the well-being of others, to forgive, and to bear with one another. It is a love that unites us in our shared hope of glory and our mutual concerns for the Kingdom of God. This love is the evidence of our new life in Christ and serves as a powerful testimony to the world of the reality of the Gospel. [46:23]
1 John 3:14 (ESV): "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death."
Reflection: In what ways does your love for fellow believers serve as a testimony to those around you? How can you make this love more visible in your daily interactions?
Quotes
"The Christian is one I say who though he doesn't like a person doesn't allow that to make any difference he goes out of his way to treat that person as if he did like him because he is a brother and because he's Bound by the ties that I'm going to put before you now there is the difference between loving and liking you see you can be commended to love but not to like we can't control our liking but we can control our loving in this respect." [00:15:20]
"Now here is the definition what what does he mean by saying we love the Brethren let me Define it negatively and I feel this again is most important it's a distinction I've often emphasize from this pulpit and it seems to me it's more and more necessary loving and liking are not the same thing we are not told we know that we have passed from Death to life because we like like the Brethren that isn't what we are told we are told that we love the Brethren." [00:13:00]
"Now I say this is foundational that was why this had to be said to a man like Nicodemus he hadn't understood this so many of us have passed through this phase this stage of imagining that we were right in the sight of God and well pleasing to him when in reality we were not here was a man of course as a Jew because he worshiped God after the Jewish religion thought that all was well with him and many you know times and many of us in experience having been brought up in the atmosphere of the Christian church have been liable to think exactly the same thing." [00:01:01]
"Now you notice there are three groups there and one of them very clearly has reference to our relationship to one another as Christian people longsuffering and gentleness and goodness there we're put into relationship with one another and you remember how these things are always put like this in the New Testament teaching take for instance the way Peter puts all this in his Second Epistle and in the first chapter reading from verse 5 besides this he says giving all diligence and to your faith virtue and to Virtue knowledge and to knowledge Temperance and to Temperance patience and to patience godliness and to Godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity love." [00:06:40]
"Now let's define our terms we know that we have passed from Death to life because we love the brethren now here is the definition what what does he mean by saying we love the Brethren let me Define it negatively and I feel this again is most important it's a distinction I've often emphasize from this pulpit and it seems to me it's more and more necessary loving and liking are not the same thing." [00:12:56]
"Now here is a categorical statement we know it's an absolute proof that we have passed from Death To Life we've been born again how because we love the Brethren there it is stated in a doctrinal form if you want it put in a more natural human historical form you'll find it at the end of the second chapter of the book of The Acts of the Apostles the Apostle Peter you remember preached his sermon on the day of Pentecost they were just Christians were just about 120 people until that point Peter preaches in Jerusalem and 3,00 people were added to the church." [00:07:56]
"Now transfer all that to the spiritual realm and the children of God you will find always have these family concerns family desires they all have the great concern for the family name the name of the Father the success of the Kingdom in other words you test yourself like this how do you react to the world and the life of the world as it is at the present time it's one thing to be appalled at the immorality and the vice and the mounting moral problems in this country and in other countries but that isn't the way the Christian looks at it the Christian looks at all this from the standpoint of men and women are souls and the kingdom of God and the glory of God he's grieved about this about the godlessness that's how he reacts to it all because he's a child of God and because he's a member of the family." [00:25:50]
"Now the Apostle Paul again has put this in his usual exceptionally clear manner in the second chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians where he puts it like this uh we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of god that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God which things also we speak not in The Words which men's wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual in other words I say a man who is Born Again begins to speak in a certain language and it's a spiritual language he uses the same words that he used before but there's a difference in his use of words and in his manner of speech he's got a kind of new language and others who are born of The Same Spirit understand his language." [00:22:00]
"Now if those are the reasons for this how does this show itself in practice I'm concerned to be most practical you see this is the difficulty that the devil will delude us and persuade us that we are when we are not well we must be equally subtle and we are given the means whereby we can be in the teaching of the script how then do I know that I love the Brethren I see that I ought to that it's inevitable that I do if I'm truly born again but do I how do I test myself we'll here are some of the tests I suggest again that the first and it works out from the human analogy is this that one becomes aware of the relationship at once you recognize it immediately in the other this is something intuitive this is something instinctive and it is of course one of the most marvelous and thrilling experiences in the Christian Life." [00:30:28]
"Now transfer all that to the spiritual realm and the children of God you will find always have these family concerns family desires they all have the great concern for the family name the name of the Father the success of the Kingdom in other words you test yourself like this how do you react to the world and the life of the world as it is at the present time it's one thing to be appalled at the immorality and the vice and the mounting moral problems in this country and in other countries but that isn't the way the Christian looks at it the Christian looks at all this from the standpoint of men and women are souls and the kingdom of God and the glory of God he's grieved about this about the godlessness that's how he reacts to it all because he's a child of God and because he's a member of the family." [00:25:50]
"Now you notice there are three groups there and one of them very clearly has reference to our relationship to one another as Christian people longsuffering and gentleness and goodness there we're put into relationship with one another and you remember how these things are always put like this in the New Testament teaching take for instance the way Peter puts all this in his Second Epistle and in the first chapter reading from verse 5 besides this he says giving all diligence and to your faith virtue and to Virtue knowledge and to knowledge Temperance and to Temperance patience and to patience godliness and to Godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity love." [00:06:40]
"Now I say this is foundational that was why this had to be said to a man like Nicodemus he hadn't understood this so many of us have passed through this phase this stage of imagining that we were right in the sight of God and well pleasing to him when in reality we were not here was a man of course as a Jew because he worshiped God after the Jewish religion thought that all was well with him and many you know times and many of us in experience having been brought up in the atmosphere of the Christian church have been liable to think exactly the same thing." [00:01:01]
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