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.
e. James inscribed: “For the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also,” James 2:26. James affirms that when the spirit (not the breath) departs the body, the body is dead.
At death, the spirit of man returns to God, who gives it.
3. Body and spirit immortal. Adam and Eve were created immortal human beings. They were made in the image of God Himself. Moses wrote: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…So God created man in His image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them…And God saw everything He had made, and, behold, it was (very good) perfect,” Genesis 1:26-31. Therefore,
a. The body and spirit of man were created in the image of God, without sins, and immortal (he was made to live and abide with Him forever). The Lord God,
b. Gave unto the man commandments to live by: Genesis 2:15-17. He said unto him: “You may eat of all the trees in the Garden: “except of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Then,
c. God made for the man a companion: “He said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a help meet for him,” Genesis 2:17. She was formed from a rib out of his side, Genesis 2:21-25. Both Adam and Eve were created and made immortal beings in the likeness of God.
4. Man is a triune being. Consisting of body, soul, and spirit. We know this because Paul wrote: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
5. Adam’s disobedience brought about sin and death. Adam and Eve lost their divine nature (immortality) when they ate the fruit of the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.” The Lord told them: “Ye shall surely die,” Genesis 3:1-3. “The serpent beguiled Eve, and she did eat. She gave it to Adam, and he did eat,” Genesis 3:4-6. Adam and Eve died spiritually that very moment, and the natural body began to decay because of sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord,” Romans 6:23; Romans 3:23. Observe,
a. Their sin of disobedience caused them to die (loss of immortality and eternal life), Genesis 3:3.
b. They knew that they were naked and were punished, Genesis 3:7-21. The Lord asked: “Who told thee that thou art naked?” They were now aware of “good and evil.” They had sinned and now are separated from their God “spiritually.” It is sin that separates all from God, Isaiah 59:1-2. Therefore, the offense of one, all have likewise sinned. Thus, all have been separated from God and must be “born anew” through the “water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.”
c. The Lord God dispels them from the Garden and the Tree of Life, Genesis 3:22-24. It was the fruit from this tree that granted them eternal life. God had to separate them from the tree that could have preserved their lives (in this sinful state) forever.
d. Conclusion: The curse from man’s sins. Paul wrote: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so, death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned,” Romans 5:12-19a. However, sin and death came into the world because of one man's disobedience. Life and immortality were again possible through one man's obedience. Observe,
6. Christ's obedience destroyed the power of sin and death (restoring immortality and life). “So, by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so, might grace reign unto eternal life by Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:19b-21. “For the law was given to Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,” John 1:14-17. Paul penned elsewhere,
a. He wrote: “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” 2 Timothy 1:10.
God has now made known His righteousness and our salvation in Christ. Consider,
b. Paul again: “There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus hath freed me from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” Romans 8:1-4. Observe,
c. Jesus said: “I am come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly,” John 10:10. The Lord also declared He is “The way, truth, and the life,” John 14:6.
d. He told Mary and Martha, “He was the resurrection and the life,” John 11:23-27. What is the purpose of being “born anew” or “regeneration?” Let’s look now at the,
B. Purpose of regeneration. The divine purpose of regeneration, or being “born anew,” was to reform or restore the whole man's “body and spirit” into that God created in Adam and Eve before their fall due to sin and disobedience. This is what we call “divine planning” by the divine planners.
1. Both body and spirit would undergo the “process of regeneration” through the “water and of the Spirit.” Both components make up the “natural man,” and they must also be part of the “spiritual man” to be born “anew” through the “washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5.
2. What the Lord had in mind in our rebirth or regeneration. Simon Peter calls: “Becoming partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world through lust,” 2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:1-5.
a. We must allow God now to instruct us on how to become a “new creature” or be “re-created” in Christ’s “likeness in righteousness and true holiness.”
b. If God could make from “stones” children of Abraham, He could make the soul of man like that of Christ through the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost,” Titus 3:5.
c. This is what David had in mind when he wrote: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew the right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and the sinner shall be converted unto thee,” Psalms 51:10-13.
3. This is what Paul calls “the operation of God.” He wrote: “In…putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. You, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven all your trespasses (and sins),” Colossians 2:11-13; Ephesians 2:4-10.
4. To Rome, Paul wrote: “Know ye not…we are buried with Him by baptism into death…For if we have been planted in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is justified from the sin,” Romans 6:3-7.
5. Conclusion: Let me summarize: God plans to restore the “creature” or “fallen man” to his original state of life and immortality through the new birth or being “born anew.” The “new birth,” in reality, is our being made anew in “body, soul, and spirit” through the “washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
a. Recall that the word “anothen” or “anew” bears the same meaning and is translated as “from the first; anew: —from above, again, from the beginning the (very first), the top.” The idea of this word is heavenly, from above, from a divine source, from God to one's first state, “born from above.” See James 1:17; James 3:15. Recall,
b. The Greek word “gennao anothen” means “born anew.” Born, or “gennao,” is translated as “to regenerate: —bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring, or to come forth anew.” Paul wrote the Corinthians,
c. “For which cause (reason) we faint not, but though our outward man perishes, yet our inward (esothen) man is renewed (anakainoo) day by day,” 2 Corinthians 4:16. Looking at these,
1) Two words, “inward” and “renewed,” we can see the words “anew” or “anothen.”
2) Maybe that’s why Paul also calls this man “a new creature” or “a new creation,” 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10. Finally,
d. Surprisingly, the word “regeneration,” or “palingenesis” in Greek, includes this very idea: “Through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5. We are now ready to describe the regeneration process as taught by the apostle Paul. Observe,
C. Process of Regeneration. Recall that I mentioned earlier that we would revisit Titus 3:5. Now that we have seen the work of the Holy Spirit and water in conversion, let’s see how Paul mentions these two components in the regeneration process. He wrote: “But after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us:” How?
1. First, “By the washing of regeneration.” We are saved through the bath or “washing of regeneration.” This refers to the “new birth or being born anew,” which we discussed and illustrated earlier in this lesson. Hear our brother,
a. B. W. Johnson again: “Two elements enter into the saving; these are referred to in John 3:5 as the birth of water and the Spirit. God's Spirit (affects) the renewal of the spirit of man by bringing him to faith and repentance through the preaching of the gospel; thus, the renewal of the Holy Spirit is begun, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is promised as a sequence of baptism. Romans 6:1-8 shows that the sinner dies to sin, is buried by baptism, rises to a new life, and is a new creature.”
b. B. W. Johnson again: “Washing of regeneration. (The) ‘Bath of regeneration.’ All commentators of reputation refer to baptism, such as Meyer, Olshausen, Lange, Plumptree, Schaff, Canon Cook, Wesley, etc. Regeneration is due to the Holy Spirit, but baptism is an outward act (of obedience) that God requires to complete the fact (process of regeneration),” Page 290. The parentheses (are my) insertions for clarity only to this quotation.
c. Reference: People’s New Testament with Explanatory Notes, by B. W. Johnson, Gospel Light Publishing Company, Delight Arkansas, 1891.
2. Next, “By the renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Here, Paul speaks of being given the gift of the Holy Ghost in the regeneration process. To the Ephesians, he wrote: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13-14; Acts 19:1-7.
3. Also, “Which He (Holy Ghost) shed (poured out) on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” In obtaining the “remission of our sins,” we were also granted the “gift of the Holy Spirit through repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32.
4. Additionally, “That, being justified by His grace.” Our works of righteousness did not save us but the grace of Jesus Christ. Paul again: “For by grace are you saved through the faith...it is the gift of God... not of works lest any man should boast,” Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1-2.
5. Finally, “That, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life,” Titus 3:4-7.
a. Paul to the Galatians wrote: “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ,” Galatians 4:4-7; Galatians 3:26-29.
b. Paul to the Romans wrote: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but, ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ,” Romans 8:14-17. As we conclude, here is an example of conversion that exhibits these two components for your consideration. Observe,
D. Regeneration in real-time. Now, let’s consider this process in real time by reviewing the conversion experience of the Ethiopian treasurer. His conversion outlines the work of the Holy Spirit and the preacher in this man’s hearing, believing, and obedience to the gospel of Christ. Please turn your bible to Acts, chapter 8. We will begin at verse 26. Are all eyes there? Notice,
1. Philip was sent to meet the man in Gaza who the angel of the Lord sent. The Holy Spirit told Philip to join the chariot, Acts 8:26-29. While approaching the chariot,
a. Philip heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked: “Do you understand what you're reading?" The man responded: “How can I accept that some man should guide me?” He asked Philip: “Would he come up and join him in the chariot?” Acts 8:30-31. Which he did and found,
b. The place of the scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened not he his mouth...who shall declare his generation...for his life was taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or some other man,” Acts 8:32-34.
2. Philip preached Christ. “Then Philip opened his mouth: And began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus,” Acts 8:35. The seed was sown into the Ethiopian’s heart! Fertilization in the heart took place.
a. Believe in Jesus Christ. “As they went on their way...they came unto a certain water...And the eunuch said: See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”
1) Philip said: “If thou believeth with all thine heart thou mayest.” If you have faith in Jesus as the Son of God, you may.
2) And he answered and said: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” Acts 8:37. Faith is acquired, and conception has now taken place: “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17; Romans 10:9-10.
b. He wanted to be baptized. The Ethiopian now takes command of the event: “He commanded the chariot to stand still.” In Philip’s preaching, he instructed this nobleman of his need to be baptized. So, the chariot was stopped,
1) Both entered the water: “And they went down into the water both Philip and the eunuch.” These are not my words but the Holy Spirit. Just like other believers in Samaria, Acts 8:12.
2) Baptism occurred in the water: “And he baptized him.”
3) Both came up out of the water: “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the (eunuch) treasurer saw him no more,” Acts 8:38.
3. Conclusion: It was at this time the treasurer experienced the “new birth,” John 3:5. “And went on his way rejoicing,” Acts 8:39. Now, we have seen the Spirit’s work in this birth; and the water from which he was “born out of to enter the kingdom of God.”
a. These are those who now walk in the newness of life. Paul wrote: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life,” Romans 6:3-4. Remember the Lord’s instruction to Saul: “When the messenger arrived,”
b. Ananias told Saul: “Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord,” Acts 22:16. Notice Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians: “The Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized,” Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 6:11. Remember,
c. The Jailer and his house at midnight: “Believed in God, and was baptized he and all his house,” Acts 16:31-34. Let’s look now at what will happen when Christ returns. Observe,
E. The mystery of the resurrection. Paul inscribed: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, (and) the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, by beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord,” 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. The fulfillment of God’s promise will be fully realized at the return of Christ. Consider,
1. Christ is now in heaven. Paul wrote: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ...whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself,” Philippians 3:20-21. Paul affirms:
a. Christ is now in heaven. He is sitting on the “right hand of the Majesty on high,” Hebrews 1:3.
b. Christ now has a “glorious body.” The body Jesus was raised in is now in heaven! Flesh and blood cannot go to heaven, but “flesh and bones can ascend into the heavens,” Luke 24:39; John 20:17.
c. Christ shall fashion our “vile body” to be like His glorious body, Philippians 3:20-21.
d. The church itself “are members of His body, of His flesh, and His bones,” Ephesians 5:30.
e. When shall this occur? At the time, Jesus returns from heaven, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.
ILLUSTRATION: Christ’s glorious body, Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-29.
2. The resurrection of the dead. The beloved apostle speaks to the resurrection of the dead and the judgment when the Lord returns. These two things will occur when the Lord returns: 1) the resurrection of the body and 2) the final judgment of all people (good and bad). Let’s consider the resurrection first. Observe,
a. The resurrection of the body. Paul wrote: “That flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Therefore, when the Lord returns, both those in the grave and yet alive will all be changed in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump.”
1) Then it shall come to pass: “The saying written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2) At His coming, these things shall come to pass:
a) The corruptible body shall put on incorruption. This body will be like the Lord’s body after His resurrection—flesh and bones, not flesh and blood.
b) This mortal body shall become immortal when “created by God” initially (in the beginning). The divine purpose of being “born anew” was to reform or restore the “spirit and body of man” into that which God had created in Adam and Eve before their fall because of sin and disobedience.
c) This earthly body must become heavenly. This body shall be changed like the Lord into a “glorious body” equipped to return with Jesus unto the Father in heaven.
d) This natural body must become spiritual. The natural body shall be changed into that which is spiritual. This will occur at what Paul calls “the end,” when Christ returns to claim the living from among the dead: those who died in Christ will rise in Christ, and their bodies, when raised, shall be changed into a “glorious body” like unto the Lord, Philippians 3:20-21. When will all this occur? Paul wrote,
b. When the Lord returns. “For we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. Paul assures the saints that those who remain alive at His coming shall not meet the Lord before those raised from the dead. He now introduces an order of the resurrection. Let’s read what Paul wrote about the Lord’s descent from heaven and the order of the resurrection, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Observe,
1) Lord shall descend. Paul explains: "For the Lord, himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trump of God ... Wherefore comfort one another with these words,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. Text shortened for brevity. Notice the order,
a) For the Lord (in person; in bodily form) shall descend from heaven.
b) He is coming with His saints and the holy angels, 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:7.
c) With a shout, with the archangel's voice and the trump of God, 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
d) With the trump of God (at the last trump: for the trump shall sound), 1 Corinthians 15:52.
2) A loud shout and the trump of God will precede Jesus’ return. It does not appear His second coming will be unnoticed or unheard. The voice of an archangel and the trump of God will awaken all the dead, and they shall come forth from the grave. Paul gives an order to the general resurrection.
c. The order of the resurrection. He wrote: “And the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Observe,
1) First, “the dead (those that sleep) in Christ shall rise first.”
2) Second, “then we which are alive and remain shall be changed and caught up.”
3) Third, “caught up with them in the air.”
d. Paul does not speak of any ungodly being resurrected in this text. Notice,
1) He establishes an order between the living and those asleep in Christ upon His return. Those sleeping will be raised, and those yet alive shall be changed. In his letter to Corinth, this change shall be “in the twinkling of an eye,” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. More on this later. Then,
2) Together, both will be caught up in the heavens.
3) To meet the Lord in the air.
4) And so shall we ever be with the Lord. [This is our final HOME.] Heaven! Amen, and amen.
3. Paul’s teaching on the resurrection. To the Jewish council, he declared: “There shall be a resurrection of the just and the unjust,” Acts 24:25. He places no time between these resurrections. They will happen simultaneously. The order will be the just and then the unjust. This agrees with what Jesus said of the resurrection. Both good and evil, just and unjust, will be raised together!
4. Jesus taught: "Marvel not at this: for in the same hour all that are in the graves shall hear my voice: And shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation," John 5:28-29. John heard Jesus say:
a. In the same hour, all in the graves shall hear His voice.
b. Both good and evil shall be raised.
c. Judgment will be given to both life and damnation.
d. There is no mention of two resurrections. Amen, brothers and sisters!
e. Conclusion: Both the Lord and Paul, in his letters to the Thessalonians, preaching, and writings elsewhere, mention only one resurrection, including both "good and evil," "just and unjust," in the same hour, as the only interval between them. I wish I had some help, beloved of the Lord. Let’s consider now what awaits the saints after the Lord descends from heaven and the resurrection of the dead. Paul wrote all shall not sleep, but,
5. All shall be changed when the Lord returns. The inner man was changed into “the image of Christ” when we were born anew. The outer man (the man of clay) will be raised incorruptible (both spirit and body) and united as an immortal child of God, possessing eternal life as it was in the Garden. Observe Paul’s description,
a. As the “spirit of man” enjoys now eternal redemption, the “mortal man” itself finally enjoys the “eternal redemption of the body,” free from sin, corruption, and death. We now shall appear in glory “just like our Lord,” having overcome the world and never to die again. What a solemn picture of our “victory in Christ,” resulting from being “born anew,” that we might enter into the kingdom of God, John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:22-23.
b. The apostle John wrote: “Beloved, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is,” 1 John 3:1-3. Regarding his expectations,
c. Paul wrote Corinth: “For we know that if our earthly house (body) of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building (body) of God, a house not made with (human) hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this, we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house from heaven: if so, be that being clothed, we shall not be found naked (like Adam and Eve). For we in this tabernacle groan…that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit,” 2 Corinthians 5:1-5. Consider his words,
d. To Ephesus: “In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance unto the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory,” Ephesians 1:13-14. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s down payment on the surety note he had made with us. What, then, is the purchased possession?
e. To Ephesus again: “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption,” Ephesians 4:30. If appears this “seal” the gift of the Holy Spirit is our “earnest” or “down payment” of something to be claimed on the “day of redemption.” What is it the apostle is declaring unto the saints? In Paul’s Letter to Rome, we find our answer. Observe,
6. The redemption of our body. He wrote: “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the change of the sons of God. The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but because of him, who hath subjected the same in hope. The creature it/him (self) also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” He explains,
a. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
b. “And now not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit.”
c. “Even we groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption.” What adoption?
d. “To wit, the redemption of our body,” Romans 8:19-23. Paul explains that on the “last day” when the Lord returns, the body itself shall be changed “on the day of redemption.” Amen, somebody!
e. Conclusion: Every saint's redeemed spirit, soul, and body shall enjoy the life as God had re-created them, to experience anew: “immortality and eternal life.” Jesus meant this when He said: “Except a man or woman is ‘born anew,’ he or she shall not enter the kingdom of God,” as it has been eternally prepared. Listen to Him, passing judgment on the sheep and goats,
1) He says: “Then the King shall say unto them on His right hand (the sheep). Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom of God prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” Matthew 25:34; Matthew 25:46. Notice Paul,
2) He wrote: “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen,” 2 Timothy 4:18. Finally Peter,
3) He penned: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give the diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” 2 Peter 1:10-11. This brings us to the judgment: we are nearing the conclusion of this lesson. Back to the bible, I go. Please turn your Bible to 2 Corinthians 5:9-11. Listen to Paul,
7. The judgment seat of Christ. He inscribed: “Wherefore, we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him, for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive (reward for) the things done in his body, according to what he hath done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences,” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.
a. First, to the Hebrews, he wrote: “As it is appointed unto men to die. But after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27. In this verse, Paul speaks of these two things: death and the judgment. These two things are appointed for all; none shall escape either.
ILLUSTRATION: The certainty of both death and judgment. The cemetery is the testimony that death is inevitable; therefore, the judgment will follow!
b. Further, to Rome, he penned: “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God, So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God,” Romans 14:11-12. See also Philippians 2:5-11. Every tongue shall confess: Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father!”
c. Next, Peter penned: “That judgment will begin at the house of God,” 1 Peter 4:17-18. He continued:
1) “And if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Paul states,
2) “And to you who are troubled rest with us…In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished…when He shall come to be glorified in His saints…in that day,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. The Lord will return to pronounce judgment on the good and evil, just and unjust! Are you ready for His return? Have you been “born anew?” If not, then you are not!
d. Added, Solomon wrote: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil,” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
e. Jesus declared it to be so. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day,” John 12:48. See also Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 25:31-46. It took a little while to get here, but let me conclude by reviewing what we discussed in this lesson. This concludes our lesson series on “Ye Must Be Born Anew.” You have been wonderful and engaged all along the way. Here now….
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
3. The process of regeneration
B. Summary of main points.
1. This is the third sermon discussing the “exception of Jesus” in being born “anew.” We reached the end of this lesson series: the process of regeneration, the heavenly birth described by Jesus to Nicodemus. He told this teacher what it was 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, You must be born again (anew).”
2. 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. Finally, the Lord concluded: “Marvel not that I say to you: you must be born anew.”
3. 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. Let me describe that process of faith and obedience.
C. Invitation. Present God's pattern of conversion. Jesus said: "Come unto me all ye that labor," Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: "repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved," Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: "Save thyself," Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
Acknowledgements and Commendation
I submit this verse unto you that I may: “Render therefore to all their dues: tributes to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; and honor to whom honor, (is due),” Romans 13:7. I acknowledge my consultation with these distinguished authors in this lesson.
References
1. Definition of Participles, by Eoghan Ryan, Published on November 25, 2022, and revised on September 25, 2023.
2. Scribbr.com – “Your path to academic success.” Singel 542, 1017AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands, https://www.scribbr.com/.
3. Merriam-Webster, since 1828, by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (Merriam-Webster.com), 2017.
4. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
5. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
6. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
7. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
8. The Greek-English Interlinear CSB New Testament, Holman Bible Publishers, 28th Revised Edition, Christian Standard Bible, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Copyright 2022.
9. The New Greek/English Interlinear, NRSV, New Testament, United Bible Societies,’ Fifth Revised Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188, Copyright, 2020.
10. “Five Points of Calvinism,” from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, dated 3 February 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Points_of_Calvinism.
11. Clarke Commentary on the Bible, Eight Volumes, Published 1810-1826, New York, Published by J. Emory and B. Waugh, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the conference office, 13 Crosby-Street., J. Collord, Printer, 1831.
12. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
13. Greek Manuscript 1992. New Testament. Gospel of John Image 79, Page 86. Manuscripts in St. Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai, 1400 to 1499 AD, dated April 21, 1950. ["Library of Congress Collection of Manuscripts in St. Catherine's Monastery, Mt. Sinai." Mount Sinai: Microfilm 5010: Greek (1,078); and Mount Sinai (1,691), Library of Congress (LOC).]
14. “Unfolding Word Greek Grammar,” 13485 Veterans Way Suite 460, Orlando, FL 32827, Copyright 2024. [With Creative Commons Corporation, P.O. Box 741107, Los Angeles, CA 90074-1107.] The link is https://creativecommons.org/mission/contact/.
15. The BlueLetterBible.org, (BLB's) Interlinear, Textus Receptus; and the Morphological GNT, © 2022, by the Blue Letter Bible. This tool allows you to access the Greek New Testament in both manuscripts. http://www.blb.org/The BLB also provides tutorials to help you learn how to use it. Link, (www.BLB.org).
A word of thanks to BLB.org.
Thank you for this valuable tool of study, BLB.org. It has been an excellent instrument for me to learn and use the Interlinear to bring my sermons alive to the audience. Thank you very much for this great Application to help study the scriptures.
Contact Information
Ron Freeman, Evangelist
wwmcoc@earthlink.net
https://wwmchurchofchrist.org/
Website: https://en.gravatar.com/refreeman
