June 26, 2005
Morning Sermon Outline
The Holy Spirits Great Work in Our Salvation:
The New Birth
John 3:1-21; 2 Corinthians 5:7
I. It is a necessary work
1. Without the new birth we cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3:3
A. Unless a man (woman) is born again he cannot understand the things of God at all 1 Corinthians 2:14
B. The cross itself is foolishness to the unregenerate person, ii is not understood or appreciated 1 Corinthians 1:18
C. The beautiful things of God are not known or desired unless the Spirit reveals them to us 1 Corinthians 3:9-10 &12
2. Without the new birth we cannot enter the Kingdom of God John 3:5; 3:7
3. Only the new birth fits us for heaven Titus 3:4-7
II. It is a drastic work
1. The changes necessary for our salvation are not easily accomplished or even humanly possible Jeremiah 13:23; John 1:13
2. Being born again requires spiritual heart surgery Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26
3. Being born again means a kingdom transfer Colossians 1:13
4. Being born again means God changes us from dead in sin, children of wrath and the devil Ephesians 2:1-5; John 8:39-45 into alive in Christ, children of God John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-17
5. This great work is credited to the Holy Spirit John 3:5-8
III. It is a dramatic work 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:8
1. The new birth gives us New Eyes John 3:3
2. New Ears John 10:26-27; Revelation 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; 3:22
3. We who are born anew, hear to follow and do James 1:22
4. A New Mouth
A. Before Romans 3:13-14
B. After Psalm 40:3
5. New Taste Buds (desires) Psalm 34:8; Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 37:4
6. A New Heart Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26; Jeremiah 24:7
7. New Feet
A. Before Proverbs 1:16; Romans 3:15-16
B. After Isaiah 52:7; Habakkuk 3:19; Ephesians 2:10
8. A New Face 1 John 3:1-3; Colossians 3:9-14; Ephesians 3:22-24
Application for Today
1. Because this work is entirely of the Holy Spirit there is nothing a person can do to save himself: being baptized, going forward in a church, joining a church, doing good works etc
etc
none of these things brings salvation YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN John 3:7
2. Yet God promises in Scripture, if we seek Him we will find Him and that if we will come to Him He will not cast us out Jeremiah 29:11-13; John 6:37
3. We search the Scriptures because they are the seed of faith 1 Peter 1:22-25: Romans 10:17
4. This is why we put so much emphasis on the word and prayer in our ministry Acts 2:42-47
5. Remember the new birth is only the beginning 1 Peter 2:2
6. It is a root from which God expects fruit 1 Peter 1:22; Galatians 5:17-23
