Transformative Power of the Gospel: Being Born Again
Summary
In this sermon, the focus is on the transformative power of the Gospel, particularly the concept of being "born again" as described in 1 Peter 1:23. The Apostle Peter emphasizes that this new birth is not from a corruptible seed but from an incorruptible one, through the living and enduring word of God. This new birth is central to the Christian faith and is essential for anyone who wishes to truly understand and live out the teachings of Christianity. The sermon explores the necessity of this rebirth, contrasting it with the natural birth, which is inherently corrupt due to original sin. This corruption is evident in the world's vanity, lust, and ignorance, which are the results of being born of a corruptible seed.
The sermon further explains that Christianity is not merely a set of ethical teachings to be followed but a profound transformation that begins with the new birth. This transformation is initiated by the Holy Spirit, who imparts a new, incorruptible seed into the believer, making them a new creation. This new life is characterized by a desire for the word of God, a love for others, and a life that reflects the divine nature. The sermon challenges listeners to examine their own lives to see if they have experienced this new birth, urging them to seek God for this transformation if they have not.
The sermon concludes with a call to action, encouraging those who have not been born again to confess their need for God and to seek His mercy and new life. It underscores the urgency of this decision, reminding listeners of the fleeting nature of life and the eternal consequences of remaining in a state of spiritual death.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Necessity of New Birth: The new birth is essential for true Christian living. It is not about following a set of rules but about a profound transformation that begins with being born again through the incorruptible seed of God's word. This transformation is necessary because our natural birth is from a corruptible seed, leading to a life of sin and separation from God. [08:54]
2. The Corruption of Natural Birth: Our natural birth is characterized by corruption due to original sin. This corruption manifests in the world's vanity, lust, and ignorance. The sermon emphasizes that without the new birth, we remain in this state of corruption, unable to live the life God intends for us. [25:00]
3. The Transformative Power of the Gospel: The Gospel offers a new birth, a new life that is initiated by the Holy Spirit. This new life is marked by a desire for God's word, a love for others, and a life that reflects the divine nature. It is a complete transformation that changes our nature and empowers us to live a life pleasing to God. [46:26]
4. The Urgency of Spiritual Rebirth: The sermon stresses the urgency of being born again, highlighting the fleeting nature of life and the eternal consequences of remaining in a state of spiritual death. It calls listeners to seek God for this transformation, emphasizing that it is a work of the Holy Spirit, not something we can achieve on our own. [56:05]
5. The Assurance of Eternal Life: Those who are born again are given the assurance of eternal life. This new life is incorruptible and everlasting, contrasting with the temporary and corruptible nature of our first birth. The sermon encourages believers to live in the hope of this eternal inheritance, which is reserved in heaven for them. [54:16]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to 1 Peter 1:23
- [01:19] - The Purpose of Gospel Preaching
- [02:32] - The Gospel's Focus on the Soul
- [03:54] - Reasons to Listen to the Gospel
- [06:48] - The Power of the Gospel to Transform
- [08:54] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
- [12:31] - Misunderstandings About Christianity
- [15:42] - The Gospel's Call to Repentance
- [18:31] - The Impossibility of Self-Transformation
- [22:39] - The Two Births: Natural and Spiritual
- [25:00] - The Corruption of Natural Birth
- [30:52] - The Vanity of Human Glory
- [36:53] - The Ignorance of the Natural Man
- [46:26] - The Nature of the New Birth
- [54:16] - The Assurance of Eternal Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 1:23
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the Apostle Peter mean by being "born again" through an incorruptible seed? How does this differ from a corruptible seed? [00:10]
2. According to the sermon, what are the characteristics of the natural birth, and how do they manifest in the world? [25:00]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformative power of the Gospel in the life of a believer? [46:26]
4. What urgency does the sermon convey about the necessity of spiritual rebirth? [56:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the sermon emphasize that Christianity is not merely about following ethical teachings but about a profound transformation? How does this understanding affect one's approach to faith? [15:42]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the natural birth leads to a life of vanity, lust, and ignorance? How does this contrast with the life offered through the new birth? [25:00]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in initiating the new birth? What implications does this have for someone seeking spiritual transformation? [46:26]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the assurance of eternal life for those who are born again? How does this assurance impact a believer's daily life and hope? [54:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Have you experienced the transformative power of being "born again"? If not, what steps can you take to seek this transformation? [08:54]
2. The sermon highlights the corruption of natural birth. In what ways do you see this corruption manifesting in your own life, and how can you address it through the Gospel? [25:00]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper desire for God's word and a love for others, as described in the sermon? What practical steps can you take this week to grow in these areas? [46:26]
4. The sermon stresses the urgency of spiritual rebirth. What distractions or obstacles might be preventing you from fully embracing this new life, and how can you overcome them? [56:05]
5. Consider the assurance of eternal life mentioned in the sermon. How does this assurance influence your perspective on life's challenges and your interactions with others? [54:16]
6. Identify one area of your life where you feel separated from God. How can the message of the new birth help you bridge that gap and draw closer to Him? [08:54]
7. The sermon calls for a confession of the need for God. What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to God, and how can you seek His mercy and new life in that area? [56:05]
Devotional
Day 1: The Essential Rebirth for True Christian Living
The concept of being "born again" is central to the Christian faith, as it signifies a profound transformation that goes beyond merely following a set of rules. This new birth is described as being from an incorruptible seed, the living and enduring word of God, which is essential for anyone who wishes to truly understand and live out the teachings of Christianity. Our natural birth, tainted by original sin, leads to a life of sin and separation from God. Therefore, the new birth is necessary to overcome this inherent corruption and to live a life that aligns with God's intentions. This transformation is not something that can be achieved through human effort but is initiated by the Holy Spirit, who imparts a new, incorruptible seed into the believer, making them a new creation. [08:54]
1 Peter 1:23-25 (ESV): "Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for 'All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.' And this word is the good news that was preached to you."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the transformative power of being "born again"? How can you seek a deeper understanding of this new birth in your daily walk with God?
Day 2: The Corruption of Our Natural Birth
Our natural birth is characterized by corruption due to original sin, which manifests in the world's vanity, lust, and ignorance. This inherent corruption is a result of being born of a corruptible seed, leading to a life that is separated from God. Without the new birth, we remain in this state of corruption, unable to live the life God intends for us. The world's values and desires often lead us away from God's truth, highlighting the necessity of a spiritual rebirth that can only be achieved through the incorruptible seed of God's word. This new birth allows us to break free from the chains of sin and to live a life that reflects God's divine nature. [25:00]
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: Identify an area in your life where you see the influence of the world's vanity, lust, or ignorance. How can you invite God to transform this area through His incorruptible word?
Day 3: The Gospel's Transformative Power
The Gospel offers a new birth and a new life that is initiated by the Holy Spirit. This transformation is marked by a desire for God's word, a love for others, and a life that reflects the divine nature. It is not merely about following ethical teachings but about a complete transformation that changes our nature and empowers us to live a life pleasing to God. This new life is characterized by a deep connection with God and a commitment to living out His teachings in every aspect of our lives. The transformative power of the Gospel is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit, who guides and empowers us to live according to God's will. [46:26]
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: Reflect on how the Gospel has transformed your life. What specific changes have you experienced, and how can you continue to grow in your desire for God's word and love for others?
Day 4: The Urgency of Spiritual Rebirth
The fleeting nature of life and the eternal consequences of remaining in a state of spiritual death underscore the urgency of being born again. This spiritual rebirth is a work of the Holy Spirit, not something we can achieve on our own. It is essential to seek God for this transformation, as it determines our eternal destiny. The call to action is clear: confess your need for God, seek His mercy, and embrace the new life He offers. The urgency of this decision cannot be overstated, as it impacts not only our present life but also our eternal future. [56:05]
James 4:14 (ESV): "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
Reflection: Consider the urgency of spiritual rebirth in your own life. What steps can you take today to seek God's transformation and ensure you are living in alignment with His eternal purposes?
Day 5: The Assurance of Eternal Life
Those who are born again are given the assurance of eternal life, which is incorruptible and everlasting. This new life contrasts with the temporary and corruptible nature of our first birth, offering a hope that is reserved in heaven for believers. The assurance of eternal life is a source of comfort and motivation for Christians, encouraging them to live in the hope of this eternal inheritance. It is a reminder that our ultimate destiny is secure in Christ, and that we are called to live in a way that reflects this eternal perspective. [54:16]
1 John 5:11-12 (ESV): "And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life influence your daily decisions and priorities? In what ways can you live more fully in the hope of your eternal inheritance?
Quotes
The gospel announces and gives a new birth, being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever. Now this of course this new birth this talk about being born again is one of the great New Testament terms. [00:08:42]
The difference between the man who is not a Christian and the man who is a Christian is this: that the man who is not a Christian has only been born once. The Christian is a man who's been born twice. Every man has had this natural birth that's common to all of us. [00:23:17]
The first thing that's true of him, says the Apostle, is this: the seed of which he has been born and which has given him life is a corruptible seed. You notice his contrast. You, he says, you Christian men whom I'm exalting to love the Brethren with a pure heart fervently. [00:24:31]
Every one of us who is born into this world is born corrupted, born polluted. We've come out of a seed, the seed of our parents. They were corrupt, therefore we are corrupt. This is the great biblical doctrine of original sin. And remember, original sin includes original pollution. [00:26:00]
The nature of the new birth. Have you been following me? Have you realized your nature is vile and polluted and that you need a new nature, that you must be born again for the reasons I've been adducing? Very well, says the gospel, you can be. This is my message. [00:44:58]
The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers us this new birth, this new life, this new beginning. It is one of its central offers. And yet, as I'm trying to show you, the world doesn't seem to see this. Christianity is just one of a number of teachings, one of a number of philosophies. [00:21:46]
The gospel never comes to us as we are and says, well now look here, you must live a better life than that, you must pull yourself together, you must read this scripture, you must begin to apply the Ten Commandments, moral law, Sermon on the Mount, set off and do it. [00:16:03]
The gospel does not start by putting to us primarily an appeal to attempt to live its kind of life because it tells us that before we move or take a single action, our whole position in the presence of God is so desperately dangerous that our whole eternal destiny may be one of misery. [00:17:44]
The gospel doesn't come to us and say, now look here, read the sermon on the mountain, go out and try and live it, because it knows perfectly well that we cannot do so. Did you notice that in my text this evening, the Apostle says here being born again and not of corruptible seed. [00:18:29]
The gospel you can be. This is my message. I'm not asking you to attempt the impossible. I know you can't do it. I'll give you new life. I'll give you a new birth. There is another seed being born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God. [00:45:10]
The life that comes out of this new seed, this seed of God, is imperishable, is indestructible. And when the world vanishes in the final judgment and the last manifestation of the wrath of God, it will be there, flourishing and standing out in all its glory and in all its perfection. [00:54:16]
The assurance of eternal life. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. If you're planted in the house of God, you're not going to be thrown to the oven the next day. No, no, you'll flourish in heaven. [00:52:00]
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