09 New Creature
Foundational Doctrines:
What Does it Mean To Be Born Again?
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:12-21
Introduction:
1. Foundational Doctrine Series brings us to the doctrine of regeneration
a. The bible speaks of a “new birth.”
b. The term we use most is “born again.”
2. It goes like this:
| NOTES |
“We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.”
3. What does it mean to be “born again?”
a. Not a silly question: It was asked by a sincere Jewish thologian.
b. The right answer determines one’s eternal destiny.
I. The Nature of Regeneration
A. Regeneration is NOT Baptism
1. For the Ethiopian it was the act of believing that saved him (Acts 8:35-37)
Acts 8:35-37 (NKJV)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
2. For the thief on the cross his salvation was immediate.
3. Regeneration is spiritual, not physical. It is based on God’s work , not ours. (God is a spirit John 4:24)
a. Physical birth is the work of the mother
B. Regeration is NOT Reformation
1. Reformation is a step-by-step process of improving one’s behavior.
a. Our best efforts are cannot compare to God’s standard of righteousness.
b. Reformation alone is not acceptable to God (Titus 3:5)
Titus 3:5 (NKJV)
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
2. Regeneration is a supernatural act of God (James 1:18)
James 1:18 (NKJV)
18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
a. It is a divine intervention
b. It is a new birth that marks the beginning of one’s eternal life.
C. Regeneration is a spiritual quickening.
1. Humans are, by nature, physically alive, but spiritually dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1)
2. The new birth imparts spiritual life, the life of God.
a. We, like Nicodemus, have been physically born by water – amniotic fluid.
b. Nicodemus needed to be “born again” spiritually. (John 3:1-16)
3. The new birth, like physical birth, ushers us into a new realm of life.
a. There is a new set of values.
b. All things are become NEW (2 Corinthians 5:17)
D. Regenration is having a new nature.
1. This new nature is God’s nature.
a. 2 Peter 1:4
2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV)
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
b. Ephesians 4:24
Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV)
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
c. Colossians 3:10
Colossians 3:10 (NKJV)
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
2. Jesus now lives in the believer! (Galatians 2:20)
II. The Necessity of Regeneration
A. Our sinful condition demands a new birth.
1. By nature we are born into Adam’s family line and naturally sinful.
2. Being spiritually dead we are alienated from God.
3. If we die in this condition we are eternally separated from God.
4. We must be born again into the family line of Jesus Christ.
B. God’s holiness demands a new birth.
1. Holiness cannot be obtained by natural development nor by self-effort.
2. When one is born again they take on the nature of God.
III. The Means of Regeneration
A. Jesus is the only way
1. By his atoning death for the sins of the world Jesus made a way. (1 John 2:2)
1 John 2:2 (NKJV)
2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
2. Jesus is the only acceptable sacrifice to God for our sin. (John 3:16)
B. Personal faith is the condition. (John 1:12,13)
John 1:12-13 (NKJV)
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
2. Only through believing in his word does one have hope of being “born again.” (1 Peter 1:23)
1 Peter 1:23 (NKJV)
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
C. The Holy Spirit is the agent. (John 3:5, 6)
John 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, 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.
1. The Holy Spirit brings conviction and open the heart to receive the message.
2. The Spirit imparts spirtual life in place of spiritual death.
Conclusion:
1. The requirement for entry into God’s Kingdom is regeneration or “new birth.”
2. YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!
3. If you are born again you have the inner witnes of his abiding indwelling Spirit. REJOICE!
4. If you are not born again you are spiritually dead and under the cloud of guilt!