Words of Hope

#2250 05-23-04 The Trials of a Christian Series, #1 of 8 Message Notes (See Page 5)

Born Again
by the Rev. David Bast 1 Peter 1:1-12
#1 in series: The Trials of a Christian (1 and 2 Peter) Today David Bast begins a new series the Trials of a Christian based on the first and second letters of Peter written by the aged disciple of Jesus to Christians scattered throughout the ancient world. Peter urges them as well as believers today to face whatever trials confront them with the courage and faithfulness of devoted followers of the Lord.

The most fundamental Christian experience of all is summed up in the expression, being born again. What does that mean, and why do Christians talk that way? The apostle Peter explains.

Chuck Colson, the former White House hatchet man turned Christian
evangelist and social reformer, titled his best-selling autobiography, simply, Born Again. In his case that well-worn phrase accurately described an almost incredible life change. Colson fell from the pinnacle of worldly power and prestige into the disgrace of a felons prison cell, but then emerged to a life of godly service to others, especially to prisoners throughout the world in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ. But though Colsons conversion was particularly dramatic, the experience of being born again is common to every believer in Jesus Christ. I have sometimes heard people use the phrase born-again Christian as if it were a description of one particular, rather exotic, species of believer, as in So-and-so has become a born-again Christian. The idea seems to be that there are ordinary Christians quiet, passive, rather harmless folk and then there are those radical, firebreathing, born-again types. I think we all understand the kind of distinction thats being made here, but we have to insist that according to the Bible it is a false distinction. There are no Christians except born-again Christians! Talking about Christians who havent been born again is like talking about mothers whove never had a child. Just as the act of having or adopting a baby makes one a parent, so the experience of being born again makes one a Christian.

#2250 5-23-04 Message Notes - Born Again

Born Again
After the opening greeting of his first general letter, which we call 1 Peter, the Apostle Peter gets right to the point of Christian life and experience in an outburst of thanksgiving and praise: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading . . . (1 Peter 1:3, ESV). In describing Christians here as being born again, Peter is echoing language that Jesus himself used. The third chapter of the Gospel of John tells the story of a visit to Jesus by a Jewish Pharisee named Nicodemus. Nicodemus came to call upon Jesus at night, which was unusual, perhaps because he was embarrassed about being seen with him or reluctant to risk his reputation by consulting with the upstart rabbi from Nazareth. But Nicodemus was attracted to Jesus character, and he was eager to speak with Jesus and learn from him. He began their conversation by politely observing that Jesus must have been sent from God because of all the mighty signs he was performing. And Jesus responded abruptly with this: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (Jn 3:3). Needless to say, Nicodemus was taken aback. Here he had come for a quiet theological discussion and all of a sudden he is confronted with this radical demand. He tried to interpret Jesus metaphor literally, but Jesus wasnt talking about physical birth. He was talking about a mysterious, inward, spiritual change that takes place in a person by the power of God. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. . . . The wind blows where 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. (John 3:5,8 ESV) The most fundamental experience of the Christian lifefundamental in the literal sense because it is the foundation upon which all else is built is the experience of the new birth. John Wesley, the great 18th century evangelist who founded the Methodist movement, was once asked why he preached so often upon Jesus words from John 3, You must be born again. Because you must be born again was Wesleys simple reply. So here is a foundational truth that is critically important to understand. This is how you become a Christian. You dont become a Christian simply by being born into a Christian family or by having Christian parents, or by virtue of being a 2

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native of a so-called Christian country. You dont become a Christian by joining a church. You dont even become a Christian by making a personal decision to follow Jesus or by confessing your faith in Christ though, of course, believing in and following Christ are part of every Christians life. But you become a Christian only by being born again. This new birth is the work of God; he must act before we can do a thing. The Bible says that to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, Jesus gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (Jn 1:12-13, ESV). So the birth of God comes first and the receiving and the believing come later.

Born by the Spirit and the Word

But how does all this happen? As Jesus said, the new birth is of God. It is the mysterious action of the Spirit of God at work in the human soul. It cannot be fully grasped or understood by us, and it certainly isnt under our control. The Spirits activity is like the wind; the wind blows wherever it wants, and the Spirit of God works wherever and whenever he wants. So we do not control him. In fact, we may not even realize it when its happening to us. To us it seems at first only that we find ourselves interested in Jesus, or that we are attracted to him. We then realize somehow that, well, yes, I really do believe in him. I want to follow him. And so I decide to confess Christian faith and join a Christian church. It seems like its all just our own decision, a series of choices that we ourselves are making perhaps even that we simply choose to ratify choices that others (like our parents) may have made for us. But then, when we have learned more, we come to understand that we dont make the first move at all; God does. Whatever choices and decisions we make are really only the result of the prior decision the Lord has made: to choose us for his own, and to send his Spirit into our hearts, giving us new birth and new life in Christ. Christians experience this in different ways. We dont all have dramatic conversions, like Chuck Colson did. I havent had that. If I may talk for a moment about my own experience of the new birth, I would have to say that I have never had a clear, night and day, before and after, 180 turn-around kind of conversion. I cant tell you the exact day I became a believer. I cant remember when I first gave my life to Jesus Christ. I cant point to a specific time and place where I knew, right then, that at that moment I had been born again. So how do I know that I have been? I know because I know that I believe in Christ right now, I know that I love him, I know that I know Him! And I know that I want to follow and 3

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serve him with all that I am and have. And none of that can happen until a person has been born again. And what triggers that? What brings about this new birth in our hearts? There is one specific means that the Holy Spirit uses to give us new life and bring us to faith in Christ. A little later in chapter one Peter urges his scattered flock to love one another earnestly and with pure hearts, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God . . . . And this word is the good news that was preached to you (1 Peter 1:23,25, ESV). So the word of God, the Bible, and more specifically the message of the gospel is the means the Holy Spirit uses to cause us to be born again. So faith comes from hearing, hearing through the Word of Christ, (Romans 10:17 ESV) wrote the apostle Paul. Gods Word is the seed, Jesus said, that when planted in our hearts, brings new life within us. We are born again, not through participating in religious rituals or sacramental rites, not by repeating prescribed phrases or obeying formulas and rules, but by hearing and believing the gospel message about the miraculous life, the sacrificial death, and the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ. If thats true, it has some pretty profound implications. We all need to be born again! You cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you have been. So if you havent, you need to make this your most urgent priority. You need to expose yourself to the Spirits means and methods. Put yourself in his way so that he can do his work in you. Physical new-borns are found in nurseries; spiritual newborns are found in churches where the word of God is proclaimed, believed and obeyed. So find a church like that and listen to the gospel. Sit under biblical preaching and teaching. Read the word of God for yourself. And always pray for the Spirit of the Lord to have his way with you and to do his work in you. And if you have been born again? Then praise God! It is the greatest gift he has to give you. And it lasts forever. We are born again to a living hope, writes Peter, through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, an eternal hope that guarantees our own future. As new-born children of our heavenly Father, we have been promised an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for us (v. 4, NIV). In the meantime as we live for and unto him we are being guarded by Gods power through faith until the time comes when our salvation will be fully revealed (v. 5).
Words of Hope #2250 5-23-04

#2250 5-23-04 Message Notes - Born Again

Message Notes
by the Rev. Paul E. Hostetter
Introduction The message introduction says that this is the first message in a series on The Trials of a Christian. But, this first message is not about trials! It is about the greatest wonder and fact of the Christian life that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit together because of their great mercy give new life (a new birth) and a living hope to sinful people who believe in Jesus. Isnt that exciting and wonderful? Think for a moment about people who are born into very poor families where there is trouble, disease, fighting, not enough money, little love and no comfort. People like that may actually wish that they could be born again! But they cant. But, there is a real hope for everyone in the world who suffers from the effects of sin, evil, injustice, tragedy and hardships. This living hope comes from God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Gods power working in people, to change them, give them new inner power, and lead them to be like Jesus Christ. This is the greatest hope in the world! All around our troubled world every day, believers in Jesus are being born again. They experience the forgiveness of their sins they are washed clean because of the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for them. And they also experience the sanctifying action of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit turns them away from sin to a good, new life which is pleasing to God, and good for them! 1. Title Born again might be lengthened to How God gives new spiritual life to believers, or, How you can be born again, or Born again by a Holy Spirit. This last title may help people listen to your message who are afraid of evil or personal spirits. 2. Theme The verses answer the question - What does God want to do for you? The answer is, God, because of his great kindness, has decided to give his life-changing Spirit to sinners who will believe in him. God, the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are united in this effort to give new life and hope to people everywhere. 3. Bible Background We believe Peter, the quick-acting, clumsy yet enthusiastic follower of Jesus ,wrote these two letters that have his name. In them you will see the Lord Jesus in all his love, power and compassion for believers, especially those who suffer because of their faith and stay true to him. The Message translation for verses 1-9: I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifices of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!

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A NEW LIFE What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, weve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when youll have it all life healed and whole. I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, its your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. You never saw him, yet you love him. You still dont see him, yet you trust him with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, youll get what youre look forward to: total salvation. This is what we call a free or paraphrase translation. This is an attempt by the translator to take the original Greek words and transfer the meaning in the best way for native English speakers today. This is exactly what you must do when you make a message. You take the words of the Bible as you have them and attempt to re-state the important truths so that your listeners will feel that you are talking to them directly. Our goal in speaking the Good News of Jesus is to make it seem that Jesus is talking to us now in the circumstances of our life touching our customs, people, religious practices and beliefs with words that make sense immediately, and do not seem to be foreign! That is a big order! The Message attempts to do this in English. But some Christians dont like it because they are so accustomed to traditional and often very old words and ways of talking about the Gospel. But, think about The Message translation carefully. If you speak contemporary American English, you will recognize right away that this is ordinary speech for ordinary thinking people! The church tends to develop its own language to express the special meanings that come from the Bible. But that often sets believers off from others. They really dont understand us. We seem like a separate people (which we are)! But we should not be because God has us here in the world to share the gospel, not make it hidden, confusing or hard to understand. I hope you understand what I mean! Paul worked hard at using local language and idioms to preach the Good News. We must do so also. 4. Key Words born again 1 Peter 1:3, 23. These two words are used in both verses. They mean exactly what they say: A believer in Jesus is born again by the Holy Spirit of God. This is a special work of God in the heart and mind of a person. The Bible teaches that this Spirit of God changes our spirits or souls. The Holy Spirit enters our hearts

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and we are changed. sanctifying action (work) (v. 2) This means the Holy Spirit turns people away from Satan and sin and gives them the power and desire to do right and follow the commands and Word of God. This change is amazing! It takes away the fear that comes from guilt and sin. Believers change, in how they think, what they say, and what they do. conversion (p.1) This is a good Bible word. It refers to the way a believer turns away from evil to God. The Holy Spirit moves people to do this. At first people may resist and refuse to believe and obey. But, after they believe, they find that God was turning them while they were making their decision! God wants all people to turn to him. He never rejects anyone who turns to him. Preachers dont convert sinners. The Holy Spirit does. When the Spirit says to us, Turn from sin, and believe, that is what we should do. That is God speaking to us by his Holy Spirit.

5. Doctrine and teaching notes The Holy Spirit Scholars of religion tell us that most people have a high God but, from all that I know, there is no high spirit. The Bible teaches us that there is one Holy Spirit. He has all the characteristics of a person, so we use the pronouns he, him for the Holy Spirit, and not it, which we use for things. The Holy Spirit talks, listens, moves, influences and teaches people, interprets the Bible, fills believers hearts with his power and presence. Most people think of spirits as frightening, invisible and powerful forces. They are often evil, and not good or holy. They use their powers to make trouble. What do your people believe? Ask people in your region what they believe about spirits. You may be surprised at what they will tell you. The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is God. We can and should pray to him. Jesus called him the Comforter, Helper, Intercessor. (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7). We should not be afraid of him. He has the power to give us the new birth which is a great gift. He also gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as the calling and ability to be pastors, evangelists, teachers, administrators, deacons and persons with the power to bring healing and cast out demons. Each person receives the Holy Spirit when they believe in Jesus. When you believe you will know this Spirit. (Romans 8:9-16) Regeneration This is the word we use in English when we teach about the new birth through the Holy Spirit. Re- means again; generation refers to the persons who are born at a time very near to each other. So, regeneration describes how God puts us in his family again. We are re-generated, born again of incorruptible seed, by the living Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). Most people believe that they are born into their religion and should stay in it. The Bible teaches us that we have become enemies of God because of our sin. This happens to all people who are born. So, what can they do to get back into Gods

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family again and truly be his children? They must be born again. John 1:10-13 CEV The Word was in the world, but no one knew him, though God had made the world with his Word. He came into his own world, but his own nation did not welcome him. Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God. They were not Gods children by nature or because of any human desires. God himself was the one who made them his children. See the article Regeneration in the New Bible Dictionary. Note the verses listed especially in the New Testament. The article is quite scholarly. Here is a short description of the meaning of regeneration: 1. The regenerating grace of God comes directly to lost sinners through the Holy Spirit. 2. The Word of God (through the Bible) helps sinners to understand so they repent and turn from their sins and believe in Jesus. 3. Baptism, a sign or symbol, shows the spiritual union of a believer with Christ in his death and rising from the dead.* 4. The new life comes from God through the Holy Spirit, not by the water of baptism. 5. This new birth happens as the sinner believes. If there is no faith, the new birth has not taken place. * Baptism of infants is a separate but related issue. Your mission or church can tell you their views and how their views relate to regeneration. Some Christian churches believe in baptismal regeneration of infants (babies). At Words of Hope we do not believe the Bible teaches spiritual rebirth of babies. The new birth is a mystery, just as the wind is a mystery to us. The Spirit of God is not a wild wind. Jesus sent this Holy Spirit to believers after he rose from the dead and went up to heaven to be with God. The Holy Spirit is God with us and God in us. We are not gods, but God gives his power to us through the Spirit. That is how we are born again. 6. Culture What is a spirit? What words do your people use for spirits, souls, demons, unseen powers and forces? It make take some work for you to explain the Biblical meaning of Holy Spirit. Here is a listing of some of the ways people see spirits: they are unseen powers that hurt people they are like animals, usually fierce and dangerous they are living unseen powers in the dark places of earth and water in caves, in

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deep holes in the ground, in deep rivers and large seas (oceans) their powers may be contacted in the entrails (intestines) of animals they are like strange, weird people, often ugly and mean in appearance and acts. ordinary people do not have power over them. Shamans, witch doctors, and native religious healers may claim that they have power to control these powerful spirits. they are the souls or spirits of family (relatives) who have died and who return to be fed and have their requests satisfied. they are not gods but they have powers much greater than people there are many stories about the bad that spirits have done to people in the past. People believe that they may cause this trouble again. People feel powerless. these spirits give frightening messages and predictions in dreams. Other?

Our age has been called the age of science. Many scientists do not believe in God and they do not believe in the power of spirits. Communists believe like this and many people in America. But, surprisingly, today in America many people are very much interested in the world of spirits. All kinds of strange theories and ideas are being taught and considered. The need for a clear understanding of the Holy Spirit is very important. Even Christians do not claim to know much about angels, demons, spirits and the Devil. But we do know there is ONE SUPERIOR POWER that is the Holy Spirit of God. When he makes our hearts new we have all the protection we need against whatever unknown and unseen powers or spirit may be working against us. Praise God! The Holy Spirit of God How can we understand what he is like and what he does? I think we can best understand him by examining the fruits of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:19-23 CEV. These verses explain the bad and harmful desires of people before they believe in Jesus. They act and feel like this because of their own choices and the powers of the Devil and bad spirits in their lives. The great Holy Spirit of God produces very different desires and emotions (feelings). Look carefully at this list: Gods Spirit makes believers loving the opposite of being hateful, mean, revengeful. happy or joyous. Believers mood changes from sad and sullen to happy! peaceful quiet, relaxed, confident not anxious, agitated, frantic. patient able to control discontent, to wait on others, to solve problems. kind always considerate of the feelings and troubles of others, doing good even when it is not expected. good doing the opposite of evil and wrong. Being strong to do the best for people and God. faithful means trusting, as belief in God, and also being trustworthy, a person we can believe in without doubt. Full of faith with integrity.

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gentle a person who is soft and caring like a good mother and Jesus. self-controlled under Gods control. This is a person who does not lose control of his/her feelings and desires. The Holy Spirit takes away the inclination to satisfy selfish desires at all costs. People who are under the control and influence of evil spirits are often out of control and very obsessed with their own desires.

What a list of virtues (good points)! We call this the Spirit-filled life. When people believe and are born again, the Holy Spirit drives them to act as this list explains. Believers feel and act like the true children of God. They are not just religious! 7. Outline My Notes are already very long. Here is the outline of the message, which can well be divided into two parts. Introduction The only real Christians are born-again Christians. 1. Born again expand the points in this section. Use above information. 2. Born of the Spirit and the Word explain the points in this section. 8. Here is a summary of 11 points in 1 Peter 1:3-7, reasons for praising God: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has come to us! (v.3) God gives us the new birth (regeneration, renewal) through the Holy Spirit. (v.3) God does this because he is so kind and merciful. (v.3) This new birth gives us a living hope, not a dead religion. (v.3) The means and basis of this hope is the rising of Jesus from the dead. (v.3) The object or outcome of this hope is an inheritance with God forever. (v.3) This inheritance cannot be spoiled, polluted or faded from within or without. (v.4) This inheritance is kept in heaven for us by Jesus. (v.4) We are protected against loss of our heavenly inheritance by the power of God. (v.5)

10. We are protected by our faith through which we hold on to Gods promises. (v.5) 11. The final goal of life is our salvation which God will show us when Jesus appears at the end of time. (vv. 5,7) 9. My testimony of the new birth and power of the Holy Spirit in my life. This is my story of faith in Jesus. I was born into a farm family of parents who loved Jesus, read the Bible, prayed constantly, taught me and took me to church. For the first 16 years of my life I was quite a good boy. I did not turn away from God, but going to church, praying and reading the Bible did not affect me greatly. This was not my parents fault. I was not a rebel. But I was bored and not deeply interested in Jesus. Then, when I was 16, a young preacher who had been saved from a life of sin and unbelief came to our church. He told his story. I realized something was missing in my

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#2250 5-23-04 Message Notes - Born Again

life but I didnt know what to do about it. I had fulfilled all the requirements of my church. I was baptized in a stream by our loving pastor on a Saturday afternoon with other teen-agers in our church. But it did not make any real difference in my life. When this preacher came I listened. On that Sunday morning when we had communion, but I decided I should not take it because my heart was not at rest and at peace with God. I went home and came back for the evening worship service. Everything was the same! But, when I went to bed that evening, I took the Bible from my bedside table to read it which I had been doing with very little interest. All of a sudden, the words on the page seemed like living words to me. I read them with great excitement and joy. Then I prayed to God, almost as if being led into it by God himself. For the first time in my life I knew in my heart that God was really alive and that I was truly his child, genuinely born again. That started me on a new path in my life. I studied the Bible and enjoyed it. I loved God with my heart. I prayed for myself and others. I wanted to obey and believe in God with my full strength. Soon after that I felt called to be a pastor and later a missionary. I entered the U.S. Army just after World War II and God kept me from all the evil temptations to which other troops were giving themselves. I went to college and God gave me a wonderful wife. We went to Sudan and Pakistan together with our three daughters. My first wife died of cancer, and God replaced her with another marvelous person. We served God together in churches, in the jungles of Mexico, in a Bible College and in the ministry of Words of Hope. What did I do? I believed, however weakly. God helped my weak faith and gave me a new life through the Holy Spirit. That Spirit has always been with me even though I have tried to reject his counsel sometimes. I have had a rich and wonderful life because of the kindness and power of God. You can have the same. Not exactly! But, God will bless you, guide you, change you, give you peace and joy, and direct your life. He will be your Father and you will be his child.

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