Transformative Power of Regeneration and the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound transformation that occurs through regeneration and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Regeneration is not merely an announcement of forgiveness but a promise of a new life, a new nature, and a new relationship with God. This transformation affects every aspect of our being, making everything new—our outlook, our life, and even our understanding of death. The Holy Spirit continues to work within us, not leaving us to our own devices but actively transforming our conscience, will, and ability to live righteously.

The Holy Spirit sensitizes our conscience, making us more aware of sin and guiding us toward righteousness. This transformation is not about manipulating our conscience to justify our actions but allowing the Spirit to awaken and guide it. Our will, too, is transformed as the Spirit aligns our desires with God's will, enabling us to do what we once thought impossible. This change is often so profound that we find ourselves surprised by our new desires and actions.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit empowers us to resist temptation and the devil. This is not a call to rely on our strength but to trust in the Spirit's power within us. The Spirit also leads us, guiding us in our daily walk and helping us to live in a way that pleases God. This guidance is not passive but an active partnership where we walk in the Spirit, overcoming the desires of the flesh.

Finally, the Holy Spirit makes the presence of Christ real to us, providing strength and comfort in our journey. This relationship with Christ is not just a historical fact but a living reality that empowers us to face life's challenges. The Spirit also gives us a glimpse of heaven, reminding us that our ultimate hope and joy lie in our eternal inheritance with God.

Key Takeaways:

1. Regeneration and New Life: Regeneration is not just about forgiveness but a complete transformation into a new life with a new nature and relationship with God. This change affects every aspect of our being, making everything new and aligning us with God's will. [20:14]

2. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit works within us, sensitizing our conscience and aligning our will with God's desires. This transformation is not about manipulating our conscience but allowing the Spirit to guide and awaken it to righteousness. [23:08]

3. Empowerment to Resist Temptation: The Holy Spirit empowers us to resist temptation and the devil, not through our strength but through His power within us. This empowerment enables us to live victoriously, overcoming the desires of the flesh. [32:19]

4. Guidance and Walking in the Spirit: The Holy Spirit leads us in our daily walk, guiding us to live in a way that pleases God. This guidance is an active partnership where we walk in the Spirit, overcoming the desires of the flesh and living a life of righteousness. [28:39]

5. The Reality of Christ's Presence: The Holy Spirit makes the presence of Christ real to us, providing strength and comfort in our journey. This relationship with Christ is a living reality that empowers us to face life's challenges and reminds us of our eternal hope. [36:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:14] - Regeneration and New Life
- [21:00] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
- [22:12] - Sensitizing the Conscience
- [23:36] - Transformation of the Will
- [25:44] - Surprised by New Desires
- [27:38] - Empowerment to Resist Temptation
- [28:39] - Walking in the Spirit
- [30:59] - Strength to Overcome
- [32:19] - Resisting the Devil
- [35:37] - The Reality of Christ's Presence
- [37:29] - Christ's Sympathy and Power
- [39:44] - Assurance of Christ's Presence
- [42:23] - The Joys of Christian Living
- [45:21] - The Gospel's Transformative Power

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. John 3:3-8 - Jesus speaks about being born again and the work of the Spirit.
2. Romans 8:14-17 - The role of the Holy Spirit in leading and affirming us as children of God.
3. Galatians 5:16-18 - Walking in the Spirit to overcome the desires of the flesh.

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, how does the Holy Spirit work within us to transform our conscience? [23:08]
2. What are some ways the Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist temptation and the devil, as mentioned in the sermon? [32:19]
3. How does the sermon describe the Holy Spirit's role in making the presence of Christ real to us? [35:37]
4. What changes in desires and actions might surprise a believer as a result of the Holy Spirit's work, according to the sermon? [25:44]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of regeneration as a new life with a new nature challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation? [20:14]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit's guidance is an active partnership rather than a passive experience? [28:39]
3. How might the Holy Spirit's work in sensitizing our conscience affect our daily decision-making and moral judgments? [23:08]
4. What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to give us a glimpse of heaven, and how might this perspective influence our current life choices? [43:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt your conscience was being guided by the Holy Spirit. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [23:08]
2. Identify a specific temptation you struggle with. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to resist it this week? [32:19]
3. Consider a decision you need to make soon. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in this decision-making process? [28:39]
4. Think about a time when you felt distant from Christ. What steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit to make Christ's presence more real in your life? [35:37]
5. How can the hope of eternal life with God change the way you approach challenges and setbacks in your current life? [43:21]
6. Choose one area of your life where you desire transformation. What specific actions can you take to align your will with God's will, as empowered by the Holy Spirit? [25:44]
7. Reflect on a moment when you were surprised by a new desire or action that aligned with God's will. How can you cultivate more of these moments in your spiritual journey? [25:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Regeneration as a New Beginning
Regeneration is not just about forgiveness but a complete transformation into a new life with a new nature and relationship with God. This change affects every aspect of our being, making everything new and aligning us with God's will. It is a profound shift that redefines our identity and purpose, allowing us to live in harmony with God's desires. This transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process where the Holy Spirit continually renews and reshapes us. As we embrace this new life, we find our perspectives, priorities, and even our understanding of life and death transformed. [20:14]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What is one old habit or mindset you need to "put off" today to fully embrace the new life God has given you?


Day 2: The Spirit's Work in Our Conscience
The Holy Spirit works within us, sensitizing our conscience and aligning our will with God's desires. This transformation is not about manipulating our conscience but allowing the Spirit to guide and awaken it to righteousness. As the Spirit sensitizes our conscience, we become more aware of sin and more attuned to God's voice, leading us to live in a way that honors Him. This process involves a deepening awareness of our actions and their alignment with God's will, prompting us to seek His guidance in all areas of life. [23:08]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your conscience today, especially in decisions you face?


Day 3: Empowered to Overcome Temptation
The Holy Spirit empowers us to resist temptation and the devil, not through our strength but through His power within us. This empowerment enables us to live victoriously, overcoming the desires of the flesh. It is a call to rely not on our own abilities but on the Spirit's strength, trusting that He will provide the means to resist and overcome. This empowerment is a daily reliance on the Spirit's presence, acknowledging our weaknesses and seeking His strength to stand firm against the challenges we face. [32:19]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV): "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Reflection: Identify a specific temptation you struggle with. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome it today?


Day 4: Walking in the Spirit's Guidance
The Holy Spirit leads us in our daily walk, guiding us to live in a way that pleases God. This guidance is an active partnership where we walk in the Spirit, overcoming the desires of the flesh and living a life of righteousness. It involves a conscious decision to follow the Spirit's leading, seeking His direction in every aspect of our lives. As we walk in the Spirit, we find ourselves empowered to make choices that reflect God's character and bring glory to His name. [28:39]

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 decision you need to make today where you can actively seek the Spirit's guidance?


Day 5: Experiencing the Reality of Christ's Presence
The Holy Spirit makes the presence of Christ real to us, providing strength and comfort in our journey. This relationship with Christ is a living reality that empowers us to face life's challenges and reminds us of our eternal hope. It is not merely a historical fact but a dynamic and personal experience that transforms our daily lives. Through the Spirit, we experience Christ's love, power, and presence, which sustain us and give us the courage to persevere. [36:57]

Colossians 1:27 (ESV): "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 cultivate an awareness of Christ's presence in your life today, especially in moments of difficulty or doubt?

Quotes


My dear friend, the gospel of Christ isn't merely an announcement of forgiveness. It tells you that you will have a new life, you'll be a new man. It talks about being born again, a new start, absolutely new, quite incredible. But it's a effect, a new beginning, a new nature, a new relationship to God. You see, everything new. Your outlook is new, the world is new, life is new, death is new, everything is new. [00:20:14]

The Holy Spirit of God, in this secret, mystic manner which we can't understand but which we know to be true, works even upon my conscience. The trouble with us left to ourselves is, isn't it, that we manipulate our consciences. We can twist it and reason, we can argue with it and make it say something that it really isn't saying. [00:21:56]

But you see, once the Holy Spirit comes into you, he works upon your conscience. He's got a way of making it more sensitive. As any man grows and develops in the Christian life, he becomes conscious inevitably of the fact that his conscience is becoming more sensitive. There were things we used to pass; we can no longer pass them. [00:22:56]

The Holy Spirit enables it today. The Spirit worketh within us, but it not only makes our conscience sensitive, it operates upon our wills in exactly the same way. It is God that worketh in you both to will. Now, where is the most extraordinary faculty? It is the kind of executive faculty in us all. We will things, and it's because we will them that we do them. [00:24:33]

But you see, when the Holy Spirit comes into a man, his will is obviously going to be affected. We saw that in the doctrine of regeneration last Sunday night. His desires are different, his aims are different, the things he wants to do, the man he wants to be is something different. And it all happens in this amazing way that the man is not aware of it. [00:25:19]

The astounding thing is that you become aware of the fact that you're now able to do things that you were not able to do before. You're able to resist temptations that you could never resist in the past. You can meet certain people and not fall as the result of it in a way you couldn't before. [00:27:09]

He is your guide and your companion. He's your friend, he's your advocate. He puts thoughts and ideas into your mind. He tells you what to do. He's there leading you, oh, not carrying you, not in a passive state, but he's there as your friend and as your companion, and you're walking with him. [00:28:47]

The Holy Spirit by working in us and working upon our minds and all our faculties enables us to understand his word in a way that we've never done before. And this word begins to speak to us. I said last Sunday night, a man begins to enjoy it, yes, but even beyond that, it begins to speak to him. [00:29:36]

The Holy Spirit also, by working within us and by being resident within us, gives us strength and power to resist temptations and to resist the devil. Oh, this is a glorious truth again, isn't it? How I thank God that the gospel is just not merely a message telling me that my past sins are forgiven. [00:30:59]

The Holy Spirit does is to make real to us the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The real business of the Holy Spirit is to mediate Christ to us, to make him real to us. Haven't you felt that? You've said, oh, if only I'd been alive when he was here in this world and could walk with him. [00:35:37]

The Holy Spirit makes me see that this is but a kind of interlude. I'm not detracting from or depreciating life in this world. It's no part of the preaching of the gospel to do that. Hinduism and those Eastern religions do that. Christianity doesn't do that, and I don't want to do that. [00:43:44]

The Holy Spirit emancipates us by giving us a knowledge of heaven and something of a foretaste of heaven. John puts it in these words, doesn't he? Their glowing words, we know not yet what we shall be, he says, but we know this, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him. [00:45:21]

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Transcript
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