Topic #2 – Our Need for a new self Eph. 4:22-24 and John 3

Topic #2 – Our Need for a new self Eph. 4:22-24 and John 3

Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV): 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Lets pray

The concept of regeneration or a new self holds profound significance, as it represents a central aspect of the believer's journey of faith.

Regeneration is not merely an intellectual or emotional experience; it is a spiritual transformation that reaches to the very core of one's being.

This transformation is often described as being "born again," a term Jesus Himself used to convey the profound nature of this change.

**What Regeneration Is Not:**

1. Regeneration is not just about intellectual agreement with religious concepts.

2. It's not confined to outward religious practices and rituals.

3. It extends beyond ethical behavior alone.

4. It doesn't hinge solely on emotional experiences or feelings of spirituality.

5. It's more than mere self-help or self-improvement efforts.

6. Regeneration isn't solely about acquiring religious knowledge

7. It's not achieved through human willpower alone.

8. It doesn't rely solely on cultural or social identification.

9. It's not the result of following religious rules without a transformed heart.

10. It doesn't depend on the accumulation of religious titles or positions.

11. It's not the product of external pressure or coercion.

12. It doesn't arise from seeking approval or validation from others.

13. It's not fueled by fear of punishment but by a genuine love for God.

14. It's more than a temporary emotional high during religious gatherings.

16. It's not contingent on personal achievements or success.

17. It can't be bought or earned through material wealth.

18. Regeneration doesn't discriminate based on social status or background.

19. It doesn't rely on human strength to change one's nature.

20. It's not about conforming to societal norms without inner renewal.

**What Regeneration Is:**

1. Regeneration entails a deep spiritual transformation.

2. It involves a profound inner change, not just external rituals.

3. Regeneration encompasses both ethical behavior and a renewed heart.

4. It goes beyond fleeting emotions, rooted in a spiritual awakening.

5. It's a supernatural work, distinct from self-improvement efforts.

6. Regeneration is about spiritual renewal, not mere knowledge.

7. It's initiated by God's grace, not human effort.

8. It's marked by a genuine love for God and His ways.

9. Regeneration results in a heart that seeks true righteousness.

10. It leads to a transformed life, not just religious titles.

11. It's not coerced but flows from a sincere inner conviction.

12. It's grounded in love and not in seeking approval.

13. It's deeply rooted in love, not fear of punishment..

16. It's not about personal achievements but about God's work within.

17. It's not for sale; it's a free gift of God's grace.

18. Regeneration transcends social distinctions; it's for all.

19. It relies on God's strength to transform one's inner nature.

20. It's not just about conforming but about profound inner renewal.

John 3:1–10 (ESV): Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 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.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

John 3:1–7 (BEC): Nicodemus was initially attracted to Jesus because of the miracles He did.

He wanted to know more about Jesus and the doctrines that He taught.

Nicodemus himself was “the teacher of the Jews” (John 3:10, literal translation) and he had great respect for the Teachers from Galilee.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, which meant he lived by the strictest possible religious rules.

Not all of the Pharisees were hypocrites and evidence indicates that Nicodemus was deeply sincere in his quest for truth.

He came to Jesus by night, not because he was afraid of being seen, but most likely because he wanted to have a quiet uninterrupted conversation with the new Teacher “come from God.”

The fact that Nicodemus used the plural pronoun “we,” and Jesus responded with the plural “ye” (John 3:7) may indicate that Nicodemus was representing the religious leaders.

He was a man of high moral character, deep religious hunger, and yet profound spiritual blindness.

In order to instruct Nicodemus in the basics of salvation, our Lord used the illustration of birth

Birth (vv. 1–7). Our Lord began with that which was familiar, birth being a universal experience.

The word translated “again” also means “from above.”

Though all human beings have experienced natural birth on earth, if they expect to go to heaven, they must experience a supernatural spiritual birth from above.

Once again, we meet with the blindness of sinners: this well-educated religious leader, Nicodemus, did not understand what the Saviour was talking about!

Jesus was speaking about a spiritual birth, but Nicodemus thought only of a physical birth.

The situation is no different today. When you talk with people about being born again, they often begin to discuss their family’s religious heritage, their church membership, religious ceremonies, and so on.

Being a patient teacher, our Lord picked up on Nicodemus’ words and further explained the new birth.

To be “born of water” is to be born physically (“enter a second time into his mother’s womb”) but to be born again means to be born of the Spirit.

Just as there are two parents for physical birth, so there are two “parents” for spiritual birth: the Spirit of God (John 3:5) and the Word of God

James 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures

1 Peter 1:23–25 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

The Spirit of God takes the Word of God and, when the sinner believes, imparts the life of God.

- Jesus was not teaching that the new birth comes through water baptism

- In the New Testament, baptism is connected with death, not birth; and no amount of physical water can effect a spiritual change in a person.

- The emphasis in John is on believing because salvation comes through faith alone

Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV): 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone according to scripture alone for the glory of God alone

No men effort no works done by me perfect example thief on the cross (Luke 23:39–43).

- In every age, there has been but one way of salvation—faith in God’s promise

- Our Saviour had to die on the cross so that we might become members of the family of God

Christ took it upon himself the just for the unjust

- The child inherits the nature of the parents, and so does the child of God.

- We become “partakers of the divine nature

- Nature determines appetite, which explains why the Christian has an appetite for the things of God

1 Peter 2:2–3 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

- He has no desire to go back to the foul things of the world that once appealed to him

So there is a love for the things that God loves and a hate for the things that God hates

- He feeds on the Word of God and grows into spiritual maturity

- Of course, birth involves life; and spiritual birth from above involves God’s life.

WHy we need a new self - The opposite of life is death, and the person who has not believed on Jesus Christ does not have God’s life, eternal life, abundant life.

- You do not manufacture Christians any more than you manufacture babies!

- The only way to enter God’s family is through the new birth

John 1:12–13 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

When you are born again into God’s family, your sins are forgiven and forgotten, and your future is bright with a living hope.

When you experience the new birth, you become a living testament to God's sovereign grace, chosen and called into His family for His glory."

"Being born again is a profound reminder that salvation is entirely the work of God, not by our own merit or effort, magnifying His unconditional love and mercy."

"In the new birth, we receive a spiritual inheritance, adopted as heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ, securing an eternal future that surpasses any earthly wealth."

So that means if you put it on a scale worldly things and christ He outweighs it all

"As the redeemed, we partake in the divine nature, marked by an hunger for God's Word and a transformation of our desires to align with His holy will."

"The new birth ushers us into a living hope, reminding us that no matter the circumstances, our future is secure, and our sins are forever forgiven through the atoning work of Christ."

"Regeneration stands as a divine act, highlighting God's sovereignty in initiating the process of spiritual rebirth, proving that it is wholly His work."

"In the miracle of regeneration, we witness the irresistible grace of God, as He quickens our dead hearts and draws us irresistibly to Himself."

"Regeneration underscores our total dependence on God's mercy, as it is He alone who imparts spiritual life, awakening our souls to the beauty of His truth."

"It's a comforting truth that our salvation, including regeneration, is not contingent on our human efforts or abilities, but on God's unfailing love and power."

So our need for a new self arises from the recognition that our old self is stained by sin and in need of redemption and transformation through the grace of Christ."

"In acknowledging our need for a new self, we humble ourselves before God, recognizing that only through His power can we overcome the sinful nature that dwells within us."

"The desire for a new self reflects our yearning for holiness and conformity to the image of Christ, understanding that our old ways are incompatible with God's perfect standards."

"Our need for a new self reminds us that self-reliance is futile, and true change can only occur through a surrendered heart and the work of the Holy Spirit."

"Embracing the need for a new self is an invitation to experience the abundant life Christ offers, where our brokenness is replaced with His righteousness, and our purpose is found in Him."

This is how God paints the picture of the new birth to Eze 11:19–20.19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God

The new birth is not the improvement of human nature, but a creation of a new one.

Because this new birth we become partakers of the kingdom of God

This is what Christ promises to those who are in Christ Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

"For those who have found their refuge in Christ Jesus, there is no judgment."

"In the presence of Christ Jesus, rejections no longer hold sway."

"In Christ Jesus, the burden of guilt is forever lifted."

"Those who walk with Christ Jesus walk in the freedom from condemnation."

"Condemnation has no place in the lives of those abiding in Christ Jesus."

Because of the sinful condition explained in our first session we can see clearly that in order for anybody to see the kingdom of God they need to be born again to a living hope.

In the new birth, the Holy Spirit supernaturally gives us new spiritual life by connecting us with Jesus Christ through faith.

Or, to say it another way, the Spirit unites us to Christ where there is cleansing for our sins, and he replaces our hard, unresponsive heart with a soft heart that treasures Jesus above all things and is being transformed by the presence of the Spirit into the kind of heart that loves to do the will of God

Lets Pray