The Process Of Regeneration (Lesson 3) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

3. The process of regeneration

Introductory Remarks.

1. This is the third sermon discussing the “exception of Jesus” in being born “anew.” This lesson will address the process of being “born again.” It is often referred to as the “new birth.” In some sense, it is that, but it entails a more heavenly meaning. Our first birth was earthly. To be born “anew” will require the help of the Holy Spirit in the process of regeneration. We will attempt to answer all the believers' questions regarding their being born “anew.”

2. This final lesson in this series will outline the process of regeneration, which is the heavenly birth described by Jesus to Nicodemus. First, He told this teacher what it is not. Jesus said: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again (anew).”

3. The Lord explains to him that his first birth was of the flesh, and the new birth or “being born anew” is of the Spirit. The first is earthly; the second is heavenly

4. Finally, the Lord concludes: “Marvel not that I say to you: you must be born anew.” In this directive, the Lord gave Nicodemus no exceptions. Every believer in God who desires to be saved must “accept His exception.” To do this any other way will not bring forth the new birth or “being born anew” and will not permit an entrance into the kingdom of God. With this brief introduction, we can now discuss the regeneration process.

BODY OF LESSON

III THE PROCESS OF REGENERATION

A. The creation of the natural man. To fully understand the regeneration process, one must look more closely at the creation of the first man, Adam. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...God created in his image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them," Genesis 1:26-27.

ILLUSTRATION: Male and female. Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve! "Let us make man." Who is the “us” in this text? The phrase describes more than one person in the verse (this affirms the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). What were the elements that God used to make the first man? Consider,

1. When God formed man's natural body: "But there went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul," Genesis 2:6-7. God formed man out of water and dust, breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living soul. Observe,

a. Water and dust (dirt). Jehovah made man of dust and water. The Lord said later: "For dust thou art, and dust thou shall return," Genesis 3:19.

ILLUSTRATION: Made woman from Adam's rib, Genesis 2:18, 21-25. You can hear my discussion of the “new birth” in the Lesson: “Is there Water in the Plan? At Archive.org, by Ron Freeman, Evangelist. Moving forward, David wrote,

b. “What is man, that thou are mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visiteth him?” Psalms 8:4. See also Hebrews 2:6.

c. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well,” Psalms 139:14.

d. “God made man in his image and likeness a “little lower than the angels,” Hebrews 2:7.

2. God formed man’s spirit. Zechariah wrote: "The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him," Zechariah 12:1.

a. Job wrote of the spirit of man within him. Observe,

1) "But there is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding," Job 32:8.

2) "If he set his heart upon man if he gathers unto himself his spirit and his breath; all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust," Job 34:14-15; Ecclesiastes 8:8.

b. David notes: “Through thy precepts, I get understanding: therefore, I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” Psalms 119:104-105.

c. Solomon penned: "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it," Ecclesiastes 12:7.

d. Paul penned: “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so, the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God," 1 Corinthians 2:11. See also Philippians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15.