Regeneration

Text: John 2 Doctrine: Regeneration Bridge to Doctrine: Jesus changed water into wine and cleansed the Jerusalem temple, giving evidence of His regenerating power. He brings refreshing new life to His people, filling them with joy, worship, and the promise of eternal life.

Key Points and Insertion of Doctrine into Passage: John 2:5, 9-10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19-20 ● Mary recognized and surrendered to Jesus’s authority. She trusted her son—her Lord—to bring relief from a social crisis. ● Jesus transformed the water in the stone jars into wine. The jars, normally used for ritualistic cleansing, picture the regeneration Jesus brings by His Spirit and through His atoning sacrifice. ● Jesus performed countless signs throughout His ministry, regenerating hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit to come to faith in Him. ● Jesus is the true and perfect Passover Lamb, regenerating believers from death to life through His Spirit. ● In a fallen world, the Holy Spirit regenerates us to live our lives as holy and righteous in God’s sight. ● The Holy Spirit regenerates our spirits from lifelessness, indwelling us and filling us with zeal for God. ● Through Jesus’s regenerated body achieving victory over death, our Lord offers His people regenerated, eternal life with Him. ● When I do not believe in the power of regeneration Jesus offers, my life on earth is stunted, hopeless, and lacking in joy—a foretaste of the eternal separation from God to come. ● When I believe in the Holy Spirit’s regeneration, I can live filled with divine joy, knowing I am an image-bearer, witness, and eternal companion, friend, and son/daughter of the Lord God Almighty.

Possible Applications for Leaders: The following concepts can be developed into applications specific to your leaders: ● Regeneration brings joyful refreshment to a believer’s life. – Regeneration is a work of the Holy Spirit who gives new life by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. – How has God regenerated your thinking about Him? How has your view of God been transformed? ● Regeneration empowers the believer to live a holy life. – What practices embedded in your life need regeneration by the Holy Spirit? – The world is an anxious place. Jesus regenerates the believer’s life with peace, contentment, and confidence in Him which is possible only through the indwelling Holy Spirit. ● Regeneration brings the dead to new life in Jesus. – The Holy Spirit regenerates those who believe in Jesus to enjoy a renewed relationship and life with God. – The Holy Spirit regenerates our bodies from broken vessels into temples indwelt by Him. How do you abide in Christ and reflect the glory of His Spirit in you? – Regeneration calls believers to live in a new economy ordained by God. How do you look upon those in need? If you are in an advantaged position, how will you serve others and reflect the love and humility of Jesus?