Lesson 5 - Regeneration

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Christian Basics: Lesson 5

Experiencing God: Regeneration

Regeneration Last week we began our series on Experiencing God by looking at what it means to have Union with Christ. This doctrine underlies and permeates all aspects of the application of our salvation. This week we are looking at the starting point of our salvation, which is our regeneration. In John, chapter 3, Jesus explains to Nicodemus that he must be “born again” before he can “see the Kingdom of God”. John 3:1-15 1Now

there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 2This

5Jesus

answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is sflesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows wwhere it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus

said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13No

one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. A Second Birth Regeneration begins with the understanding that we have no ability on our own to reach out to God. Nicodemus proves this point when he responds to Jesus with the question in verse 4, “can (a man) enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Of course the answer is no. We played no part in our first birth and we cannot play a part in our second birth. Our first birth happened as a result of the will of our parents, and our second birth happens as a result of the will of God. Jesus teaches that this regeneration takes place by the act of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can breathe life into the spiritually dead. And we need this life, this regeneration, because without Christ we are spiritually dead. (Ephesians 2:5) So God alone, by his own will and grace, takes our cold dead heart and replaces it with a heart that can respond to Him. (Ezekiel 36:26) “A man is opposed to Christ, he hates his gospel, does not understand it and will not receive it-- the Holy Spirit comes, ©2011 Second Presbyterian Church. All Rights Reserved.

Christian Basics: Lesson 5

Experiencing God: Regeneration

puts light into his darkened understanding, takes the chain from his bondaged will, gives liberty to his conscience, gives life to his dead soul, so that the voice of conscience is heard, and the man becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus.” ! ! ! ! – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Discussion Questions 1) What is the analogy Jesus makes between physical and spiritual birth?

2) Have you heard people make a distinction between a ‘Christian’ and a ‘born-again Christian’? What did they mean? Is there such a distinction?

Memory Verses FOR THIS WEEK

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”. John 3:3 FOR NEXT WEEK

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Romans 3:23-24 Read For This Week ARTICLE

3) How does knowing that your Regeneration was an act of God alone encourage you in your daily walk with Christ?

Regeneration Precedes Faith by R.C. Sproul (www.monergism.com) Related Reading ARTICLE

Union with Christ by Michael Horton HELPFUL BOOKS

4) How does knowing that Regeneration proceeds faith change your prayers for your friends who do not know Christ?

Redemption Accomplished and Applied – Chapter 9: Union with Christ by John Murray Manual of Christian Doctrine by Louis Berkhof

Digging Deeper Discuss how Regeneration affects people’s understanding of God’s Word

The Mystery of the Holy Spirit – Chapter 6: The New Genensis by R.C. Sproul

Make a list of 3 people who need salvation and commit to pray each week that God would change their hearts.

©2011 Second Presbyterian Church. All Rights Reserved.