Untitled Sermon (6)

Last week Review.

Last week, we talked about the human’s original condition. There were various passages that describe all human’s natural condition.

And this condition can be summarize in one sentence that is

“There is no one who does good, not even one.” Psalm 14:3

Now, some of you may wonder about this statement or do not agree with this idea because we know there are people who does good.

So, I want to clarify what this here.

First of all, we need to know that this doesn’t mean that all the people in this world are criminal or there is no one do good deed for others.

In fact, we know that there are many people in this world do good work for other people. Right?

Then, what do you think this word of God mean?

“There is no one who does good, not even one.” Psalm 14:3

It means, in God’s eyes, although loving other people is important as a good work, yet if we do this without knowing God and loving Him, it is meaningless because Jesus says the great commandment of God is first love your God, and second love your neighbor.

In the sense, if you do good work without knowing Him, it is worthless.

So, book of Hosea 6:6 God says this.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 6

For aI delight in loyalty brather than sacrifice,

And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

And in the time of Old Testament, most of the people even including the chosen people of God, Israel did not seek God or love God, therefore, in God’s eyes, they are all sinners.

In nowadays, we know still most of the people in this world do not seek God or truly believe in Him., yet ignore His existence creating their idols. Therefore, in His eye’s there is no one does good work.

Total depravity

And the word of God describes this condition as all humans are under the power of sin. So people do not seek or obey God, but ignore and resist God Himself.

Now, last week, when the ruler of Nicodimo came to Jesus and asked Him how does people can be saved, what did Jesus answer?

You must be born again!

why? Because our human nature is corrupt and thus naturally is against God.

However, when Nicodemo heard this, he was puzzled by Jesus’ answer. Because he was not able to understand its meaning. So, he asked Jesus again how people can be born again?

And Jesus answered this.

You must be born again with water and the Spirit.

And we were able to find the meaning of water and the Spirit.

The water means the word of God. And the Spirit is the Holy Spirit.

In the sense, Jesus tells us that the Salvation of God is not coming from Human’s work because we are totally under sin power, yet it is the work of God in human’s inner man by the Sprit and His Word.

Now, then you may have a question.

What does exactly happen when the work of born again have placed in us.

Thankfully, the word of God clearly gives us its answer.

Let us open our bible to book of Jeremiah 31:33.

And also look at the book of Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Jeremiah and Ezekiel were prophets of Israel. They were the people who deliver the word of God to the people of Israel.

And one of the main ministry of their life was to call the people of Israel to repent their sinful life and turn to God.

However, the people of Israel was not able to turn back to God for they enjoyed their sinful life styles.

So, prophet, Jeremiah delivered the message of God’s judgement for them.

And he cried for the fall of the nation of Israel.

However, God shows him the wonderful plan of His salvation for His people.

That is the passage here.

It clearly describes the work of God’s salvation when people’s born again happen.

As you see, the basic idea of the born again is that God changes our stony heart which is sinful and disobedient and will give us new heart.

In this new heart, he will put His law in our heart and His spirit so that we

joyfully follow His word.

We call this as “Regeneration work” of God.

Application Question.

1) How can we distinguish the heart of people who are saved or not?

A: When we see someones heart want to obey the word of God, we know they are saved. If they do not want to obey the word of God, it is clear evidence that they are not saved by God.

John 10:27

27 “My sheep hear My voice, and bI know them, and they follow Me;

2) How do you think about your heart? Does your heart has the heart of obedient or not?