Made Alive for the Kingdom

Suddenly what was boring or hated is Suddenly what was boring or hated is interesting and necessary and beautiful interesting and necessary and beautiful interesting and necessary and beautiful and crucial and everything is changing and crucial and everything is changing and crucial and everything is changing unto a knowledge of the truth. And you unto a knowledge of the truth. And you unto a knowledge of the truth. And you know what Jesus said about truth? know what Jesus said about truth? know what Jesus said about truth? You will know the truth and the truth You will know the truth and the truth You will know the truth and the truth will finish it will finish it will finish it >> from everything >> from everything >> from everything by which you're bound through sin and by which you're bound through sin and by which you're bound through sin and Satan. Satan. Satan. One of the clearest signs that something One of the clearest signs that something One of the clearest signs that something supernatural happens in the new birth is supernatural happens in the new birth is supernatural happens in the new birth is that your relationship to truth changes. that your relationship to truth changes. that your relationship to truth changes. Things you once ignored, even resisted, Things you once ignored, even resisted, Things you once ignored, even resisted, suddenly start to matter deeply. I'm suddenly start to matter deeply. I'm suddenly start to matter deeply. I'm your host, Dan Kruever. In this episode your host, Dan Kruever. In this episode your host, Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper shows of Light and Truth, John Piper shows of Light and Truth, John Piper shows that when the Spirit gives life, he that when the Spirit gives life, he that when the Spirit gives life, he [music] frees us from the deception of [music] frees us from the deception of [music] frees us from the deception of sin and opens our eyes to see [music] sin and opens our eyes to see [music] sin and opens our eyes to see [music] Christ as beautiful and necessary. This Christ as beautiful and necessary. This Christ as beautiful and necessary. This message was originally [music] delivered message was originally [music] delivered message was originally [music] delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on December at Bethlehem Baptist Church on December at Bethlehem Baptist Church on December 16th, 2007.

Apart from the new birth, we are slaves Apart from the new birth, we are slaves to sin. The Apostle Paul celebrates our The Apostle Paul celebrates our liberation liberation liberation like this in Romans 6:17. like this in Romans 6:17. like this in Romans 6:17. Thanks be to God that you who were once Thanks be to God that you who were once Thanks be to God that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from slaves of sin have become obedient from slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart. the heart. the heart. Thanks to whom? Thanks to whom? Thanks to whom? Me? Me? Me? No. Thanks be to God that anybody now No. Thanks be to God that anybody now No. Thanks be to God that anybody now obeys from the heart stony dead heart now from the heart stony dead heart now obeying. Thanks be to God that we who were once Thanks be to God that we who were once slaves are free [snorts] to obey. And slaves are free [snorts] to obey. And slaves are free [snorts] to obey. And the implication is when you are born the implication is when you are born the implication is when you are born again, a new heart is given you. The law again, a new heart is given you. The law again, a new heart is given you. The law is written on your heart. The old is written on your heart. The old is written on your heart. The old disincclinations and hatreds and loves disincclinations and hatreds and loves disincclinations and hatreds and loves are taken out. New hatreds and new loves are taken out. New hatreds and new loves are taken out. New hatreds and new loves are put in. You hate sin and you love are put in. You hate sin and you love are put in. You hate sin and you love righteousness and your heart goes out righteousness and your heart goes out righteousness and your heart goes out towards holiness. And now obedience towards holiness. And now obedience towards holiness. And now obedience marks your life.

But once it was not so But once it was not so slavery slavery slavery was the word used was the word used was the word used of our condition and the master was of our condition and the master was of our condition and the master was sin. sin. sin. Sin wasn't the only master. Sin wasn't the only master. Sin wasn't the only master. Apart from the new birth, we were slaves Apart from the new birth, we were slaves Apart from the new birth, we were slaves of Satan. This is one of the terrible things about This is one of the terrible things about our spiritual deadness. Our deadness is our spiritual deadness. Our deadness is our spiritual deadness. Our deadness is not unresponsive not unresponsive not unresponsive to the devil. Our deadness is in perfect sync with the Our deadness is in perfect sync with the devil. devil. devil. Listen to Ephesians 2 1 and 2. You were dead in your trespasses and You were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you once walked, sins in which you once walked, sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the course of this world, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the following the prince of the power of the following the prince of the power of the air, air, air, the spirit that is now at work in the the spirit that is now at work in the the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

In other words, the mark of the In other words, the mark of the unregenerate unregenerate unregenerate person person person is that our minds and our desires is that our minds and our desires is that our minds and our desires are according with according to that's are according with according to that's are according with according to that's the literal translation accord with the the literal translation accord with the the literal translation accord with the devil. This may seem very strange to many This may seem very strange to many unregenerate people because they would unregenerate people because they would unregenerate people because they would say to me, "I don't even believe in the say to me, "I don't even believe in the say to me, "I don't even believe in the devil." To which I respond, To which I respond, "What would you expect from the prince "What would you expect from the prince "What would you expect from the prince of lies?" >> Perfectly in sync with the devil is the >> Perfectly in sync with the devil is the denial of the existence of the devil. denial of the existence of the devil. denial of the existence of the devil. What else would you expect him to do in What else would you expect him to do in What else would you expect him to do in the 21st century but encourage people the 21st century but encourage people the 21st century but encourage people not to believe in him? He is the father of lies. He's been a He is the father of lies. He's been a liar from the beginning.

liar from the beginning. liar from the beginning. The unregenerate mind is in lock step The unregenerate mind is in lock step The unregenerate mind is in lock step with the devil. However, that's Ephesians 2, the However, that's Ephesians 2, the clearest, most wonderful clearest, most wonderful clearest, most wonderful description of that bondage description of that bondage description of that bondage because it happens in the context of because it happens in the context of because it happens in the context of liberation is in 2 Timothy 2 24-26. And liberation is in 2 Timothy 2 24-26. And liberation is in 2 Timothy 2 24-26. And I'll read you this one. 2 Timothy 2 I'll read you this one. 2 Timothy 2 I'll read you this one. 2 Timothy 2 24-26. 24-26. 24-26. This is a word to pastors or anybody who This is a word to pastors or anybody who This is a word to pastors or anybody who wants to be used in the hand of God to wants to be used in the hand of God to wants to be used in the hand of God to liberate people from their bondage to liberate people from their bondage to liberate people from their bondage to the devil. the devil. the devil. So listen carefully if you would like to So listen carefully if you would like to So listen carefully if you would like to be used like that in people's lives. be used like that in people's lives. be used like that in people's lives. The Lord's servant must not be this is 2 The Lord's servant must not be this is 2 The Lord's servant must not be this is 2 Timothy 2:24. The Lord's servant must Timothy 2:24. The Lord's servant must Timothy 2:24. The Lord's servant must not be quarrelome not be quarrelome not be quarrelome but kind to everyone. Doesn't sound but kind to everyone. Doesn't sound but kind to everyone. Doesn't sound exactly like an exorcism, does it?

exactly like an exorcism, does it? exactly like an exorcism, does it? But it is. Listen very carefully. But it is. Listen very carefully. But it is. Listen very carefully. The Lord's servant must not be The Lord's servant must not be The Lord's servant must not be quarrelome, but kind to everyone, able quarrelome, but kind to everyone, able quarrelome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, to teach, to teach, patiently enduring evil, patiently enduring evil, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with correcting his opponents with correcting his opponents with gentleness. gentleness. gentleness. God may perhaps grant them to repent, God may perhaps grant them to repent, God may perhaps grant them to repent, leading to a knowledge of the truth, leading to a knowledge of the truth, leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and and they may come to their senses and and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil after escape from the snare of the devil after escape from the snare of the devil after being captured by him to do his will. Do you hear the process of liberation in Do you hear the process of liberation in that verse? We are apt to teach, correcting, gently We are apt to teach, correcting, gently loving, displaying, hopefully some of loving, displaying, hopefully some of loving, displaying, hopefully some of the glories of Christ in our way of the glories of Christ in our way of the glories of Christ in our way of loving our enemies, loving our enemies, loving our enemies, demon demon demon oppressed and controlled enemies, even oppressed and controlled enemies, even oppressed and controlled enemies, even if they like us.

if they like us. if they like us. And God And God And God may and this is the new birth happening may and this is the new birth happening may and this is the new birth happening here here here grant them repentance. What's that? You know the word What's that? You know the word metaninoia change metaninoia change metaninoia change or maybe like this. Suddenly what was boring or hated is Suddenly what was boring or hated is interesting and necessary and beautiful interesting and necessary and beautiful interesting and necessary and beautiful and crucial and everything is changing and crucial and everything is changing and crucial and everything is changing unto a knowledge of the truth. And you unto a knowledge of the truth. And you unto a knowledge of the truth. And you know what Jesus said about truth? know what Jesus said about truth? know what Jesus said about truth? You will know the truth and the truth You will know the truth and the truth You will know the truth and the truth will finish it will finish it will finish it >> free >> free >> free >> from everything >> from everything >> from everything by which you're bound through sin and by which you're bound through sin and by which you're bound through sin and Satan. Satan. Satan. So the sequence seems to be we do So the sequence seems to be we do So the sequence seems to be we do teaching. I'm going to get to this in a teaching. I'm going to get to this in a teaching. I'm going to get to this in a couple of weeks about how the new birth couple of weeks about how the new birth couple of weeks about how the new birth is brought about. Here we're we're is brought about. Here we're we're is brought about. Here we're we're talking. We're talking. We're loving and talking. We're talking. We're loving and talking. We're talking. We're loving and God may God may God may open, open, open, regenerate, regenerate, regenerate, change, heart transplant, give faith, change, heart transplant, give faith, change, heart transplant, give faith, give repentance, knowledge happens.

give repentance, knowledge happens. give repentance, knowledge happens. You remember this illustration I've used You remember this illustration I've used You remember this illustration I've used before? I love it. I'll use it again. In before? I love it. I'll use it again. In before? I love it. I'll use it again. In the dark, we get this brooch hanging the dark, we get this brooch hanging the dark, we get this brooch hanging around our neck. We love to fondle it. around our neck. We love to fondle it. around our neck. We love to fondle it. This is our favorite brooch. This is our favorite brooch. This is our favorite brooch. And then the gift of light is given and And then the gift of light is given and And then the gift of light is given and we look down. It's a cockroach. we look down. It's a cockroach. we look down. It's a cockroach. It's a cockroach hanging on this string It's a cockroach hanging on this string It's a cockroach hanging on this string around my neck. We rip it off and we around my neck. We rip it off and we around my neck. We rip it off and we throw it away. That's what happens when throw it away. That's what happens when throw it away. That's what happens when you're born again. Freedom Freedom is to do what you want to do. is to do what you want to do. is to do what you want to do. And the new birth is designed And the new birth is designed And the new birth is designed to make you want holiness and hate the devil and hate the devil and flee from him. Romans 7:18. Romans 7:18. Apart from the new birth, no good thing Apart from the new birth, no good thing Apart from the new birth, no good thing dwells in me. That that that is an dwells in me. That that that is an dwells in me. That that that is an unintelligible statement to the unintelligible statement to the unintelligible statement to the unregenerate.

because they know good and well that because they know good and well that they do many good things they do many good things they do many good things and they know good and well they could and they know good and well they could and they know good and well they could do a lot more evil than they do. So you do a lot more evil than they do. So you do a lot more evil than they do. So you tell them apart from the new birth tell them apart from the new birth tell them apart from the new birth there is no good thing in them. They there is no good thing in them. They there is no good thing in them. They simply will think you're crazy because because a conviction is underneath that verse a conviction is underneath that verse a conviction is underneath that verse which they don't share. Here's which they don't share. Here's which they don't share. Here's the conviction. the conviction. the conviction. Everything good that God has made, Everything good that God has made, Everything good that God has made, everything good that God sustains everything good that God sustains everything good that God sustains is ruined is ruined is ruined when it does not when it does not when it does not get used in reliance upon his grace and get used in reliance upon his grace and get used in reliance upon his grace and in the pursuit of his glory. So yes, So yes, the human being, the human person, soul, the human being, the human person, soul, the human being, the human person, soul, mind, heart, brain, eye, hand, social, human structures, marriage, social, human structures, marriage, family, government, business, they're family, government, business, they're family, government, business, they're all all all good.

good. good. That is, God made them. God holds them That is, God made them. God holds them That is, God made them. God holds them in being. God wants that they be. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all all your heart and all your soul and all all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength." your mind and all your strength." your mind and all your strength." Meaning all that stuff you do with your Meaning all that stuff you do with your Meaning all that stuff you do with your hands and all that stuff you do with hands and all that stuff you do with hands and all that stuff you do with your brain and all that stuff you do your brain and all that stuff you do your brain and all that stuff you do with your heart, let it be reliance on with your heart, let it be reliance on with your heart, let it be reliance on his grace and a display of his glory. his grace and a display of his glory. his grace and a display of his glory. And if you don't, it is ruined. And if you don't, it is ruined. And if you don't, it is ruined. It's prostituted. It's prostituted. It's prostituted. That's the meaning of the word That's the meaning of the word That's the meaning of the word prostitute. You take something prostitute. You take something prostitute. You take something beautiful, something good, and you sell beautiful, something good, and you sell beautiful, something good, and you sell it. it. it. And that's what we do with our brains And that's what we do with our brains And that's what we do with our brains and we do with our hearts and our hands.

and we do with our hearts and our hands. and we do with our hearts and our hands. If God is not the one that we're drawn If God is not the one that we're drawn If God is not the one that we're drawn down grace from and pursuing the glory down grace from and pursuing the glory down grace from and pursuing the glory of, these are prostitutes at the end of of, these are prostitutes at the end of of, these are prostitutes at the end of my arms. These are prostitutes in my eye my arms. These are prostitutes in my eye my arms. These are prostitutes in my eye sockets. This is a prostituted heart, a sockets. This is a prostituted heart, a sockets. This is a prostituted heart, a prostituted brain, and a prostituted prostituted brain, and a prostituted prostituted brain, and a prostituted being is not a good thing. being is not a good thing. being is not a good thing. There is in me apart from the new birth There is in me apart from the new birth There is in me apart from the new birth nothing nothing nothing good. That verse that I quot that I referred That verse that I quot that I referred to, I haven't quoted it yet because it's to, I haven't quoted it yet because it's to, I haven't quoted it yet because it's got a qualification in it and I wanted got a qualification in it and I wanted got a qualification in it and I wanted to set up to set up to set up [snorts] the situation before I give you [snorts] the situation before I give you [snorts] the situation before I give you the qualification. Now, let me read the the qualification. Now, let me read the the qualification. Now, let me read the verse. This is Romans 7:18. verse. This is Romans 7:18. verse. This is Romans 7:18. I know that nothing good dwells in me I know that nothing good dwells in me I know that nothing good dwells in me that is that is that is in my flesh. in my flesh. in my flesh. Oo, Oo, Oo, what's that qualification about?

That which is born of the flesh is That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the spirit flesh. That which is born of the spirit flesh. That which is born of the spirit is spirit and spirit is good. is spirit and spirit is good. is spirit and spirit is good. Everything God doing in your life is Everything God doing in your life is Everything God doing in your life is beautiful. beautiful. beautiful. It may be contaminated by some leftover It may be contaminated by some leftover It may be contaminated by some leftover you. you. you. But he's doing a good work in your life. But he's doing a good work in your life. But he's doing a good work in your life. Don't belittle it. Don't belittle it. Don't belittle it. Don't make nothing of it. There is in me Don't make nothing of it. There is in me Don't make nothing of it. There is in me that is in my old nature, in my old John that is in my old nature, in my old John that is in my old nature, in my old John Piper that keeps trying to crawl off the Piper that keeps trying to crawl off the Piper that keeps trying to crawl off the cross. No good thing. cross. No good thing. cross. No good thing. But what God is doing in me is a good But what God is doing in me is a good But what God is doing in me is a good thing. The Holy Spirit is a good thing. thing. The Holy Spirit is a good thing. thing. The Holy Spirit is a good thing. The new nature is a good thing. The new The new nature is a good thing. The new The new nature is a good thing. The new heart is a good thing. The law written heart is a good thing. The law written heart is a good thing. The law written on my heart is a good thing. on my heart is a good thing. on my heart is a good thing. Inclinations of love and joy and peace Inclinations of love and joy and peace Inclinations of love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and patience and kindness and goodness and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and self-control is a and faithfulness and self-control is a and faithfulness and self-control is a good thing. good thing. good thing. And I chalk it all up to the new birth And I chalk it all up to the new birth And I chalk it all up to the new birth and to God and his mercy. So hear me and to God and his mercy. So hear me and to God and his mercy. So hear me very carefully.

very carefully. very carefully. Apart from the new birth, it's all Apart from the new birth, it's all Apart from the new birth, it's all ruined. ruined. ruined. And with the new birth, it's being And with the new birth, it's being And with the new birth, it's being fixed. So that's the answer to the first So that's the answer to the first question or the first way of asking the question or the first way of asking the question or the first way of asking the question, question, question, why do we have to be born again? why do we have to be born again? why do we have to be born again? Now, why questions are always ambiguous why questions are always ambiguous because in English we don't have what because in English we don't have what because in English we don't have what the Germans have several words for why. the Germans have several words for why. the Germans have several words for why. When we say why, it's ambiguous. When we say why, it's ambiguous. When we say why, it's ambiguous. A why question can be asked by looking A why question can be asked by looking A why question can be asked by looking to the past and talking about causes. to the past and talking about causes. to the past and talking about causes. Why am I in the condition that requires Why am I in the condition that requires Why am I in the condition that requires new birth? Or a why do you need to be new birth? Or a why do you need to be new birth? Or a why do you need to be born again may be answered with a future born again may be answered with a future born again may be answered with a future looking question. What won't happen if looking question. What won't happen if looking question. What won't happen if this doesn't happen?

this doesn't happen? this doesn't happen? Get the difference. Why do I need new Get the difference. Why do I need new Get the difference. Why do I need new birth? 10fold birth? 10fold birth? 10fold mess. That's why. But there's another mess. That's why. But there's another mess. That's why. But there's another way to answer the question. Why do I way to answer the question. Why do I way to answer the question. Why do I need new birth? because this this and need new birth? because this this and need new birth? because this this and this isn't going to happen if you don't this isn't going to happen if you don't this isn't going to happen if you don't get it. And that's the question I turn get it. And that's the question I turn get it. And that's the question I turn to now and Lord willing next week. So to now and Lord willing next week. So to now and Lord willing next week. So let me give you a summary rather than an let me give you a summary rather than an let me give you a summary rather than an exposition of these this answer to the exposition of these this answer to the exposition of these this answer to the future oriented question. So here's future oriented question. So here's future oriented question. So here's here's the question we're answering now. here's the question we're answering now. here's the question we're answering now. Why must I be born again? that is what Why must I be born again? that is what Why must I be born again? that is what won't happen to me if I am not born won't happen to me if I am not born won't happen to me if I am not born again. again. again. And Jesus gave a sweeping and And Jesus gave a sweeping and And Jesus gave a sweeping and devastating and simple and devastating and simple and devastating and simple and straightforward answer straightforward answer straightforward answer in John 3:3. in John 3:3. in John 3:3. Truly, truly I say to you, unless you Truly, truly I say to you, unless you Truly, truly I say to you, unless you are born again, you will not see the are born again, you will not see the are born again, you will not see the kingdom of God.

kingdom of God. kingdom of God. That's why you need to be born again. That's why you need to be born again. That's why you need to be born again. You will perish if you don't. You'll go You will perish if you don't. You'll go You will perish if you don't. You'll go to hell if you don't. You won't enter to hell if you don't. You won't enter to hell if you don't. You won't enter into my fellowship eternally. You will into my fellowship eternally. You will into my fellowship eternally. You will be cut off from me forever. be cut off from me forever. be cut off from me forever. Jesus said. However, between However, between entering the kingdom in its final full entering the kingdom in its final full entering the kingdom in its final full form and the new birth, form and the new birth, form and the new birth, some amazing works of salvation are some amazing works of salvation are some amazing works of salvation are wrought. wrought. wrought. And the new birth is the key to all of And the new birth is the key to all of And the new birth is the key to all of them. them. them. And I want you to see how the new birth And I want you to see how the new birth And I want you to see how the new birth relates to each of these. And here they relates to each of these. And here they relates to each of these. And here they are. I'll just mention them negatively are. I'll just mention them negatively are. I'll just mention them negatively and then positively and we'll be done. and then positively and we'll be done. and then positively and we'll be done. Just a summary ending of where we're Just a summary ending of where we're Just a summary ending of where we're going here. The negative way of saying going here. The negative way of saying going here. The negative way of saying these things. these things. these things. Without the new birth, we will not have Without the new birth, we will not have Without the new birth, we will not have saving faith but only unbelief.

saving faith but only unbelief. saving faith but only unbelief. Number two, without the new birth, we Number two, without the new birth, we Number two, without the new birth, we won't have justification but only won't have justification but only won't have justification but only condemnation. condemnation. condemnation. Three, without the new birth, we won't Three, without the new birth, we won't Three, without the new birth, we won't be the children of God, but the children be the children of God, but the children be the children of God, but the children of the devil. Number four, without the of the devil. Number four, without the of the devil. Number four, without the new birth, we won't bear the divine new birth, we won't bear the divine new birth, we won't bear the divine fruit of love, but will bear fruit for fruit of love, but will bear fruit for fruit of love, but will bear fruit for death. And fifth, without the new birth, death. And fifth, without the new birth, death. And fifth, without the new birth, we will not have eternal joy in we will not have eternal joy in we will not have eternal joy in fellowship with God, but only eternal fellowship with God, but only eternal fellowship with God, but only eternal misery with the devil and his angels. misery with the devil and his angels. misery with the devil and his angels. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Now, if you're going to know yourself >> Now, if you're going to know yourself >> Now, if you're going to know yourself and know the Savior and know his work and know the Savior and know his work and know the Savior and know his work and know how he saves, and know how he saves, and know how he saves, you need to know how the new birth you need to know how the new birth you need to know how the new birth relates to those five things. [snorts] relates to those five things. [snorts] relates to those five things. [snorts] So, let me close by saying them So, let me close by saying them So, let me close by saying them positively and giving you a verse with positively and giving you a verse with positively and giving you a verse with each one. And then next time we just let each one. And then next time we just let each one. And then next time we just let the little bud with these five things the little bud with these five things the little bud with these five things open hopefully.

open hopefully. open hopefully. Number one, when God causes us to be Number one, when God causes us to be Number one, when God causes us to be born again, born again, born again, saving faith is awakened and we are saving faith is awakened and we are saving faith is awakened and we are united to Christ. 1 John 5:1, united to Christ. 1 John 5:1, united to Christ. 1 John 5:1, "Everyone who believes "Everyone who believes "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ that Jesus is the Christ that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God." has been born of God." has been born of God." Not will be born of God. Not will be born of God. Not will be born of God. Say it again. Everyone who believes Say it again. Everyone who believes Say it again. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born that Jesus is the Christ has been born that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. of God. of God. The first flicker of life The first flicker of life The first flicker of life in the newborn soul is faith. in the newborn soul is faith. in the newborn soul is faith. They are inseparable. They happen They are inseparable. They happen They are inseparable. They happen simultaneously. Which is why sometimes the Bible says Which is why sometimes the Bible says you must be born again and sometimes the you must be born again and sometimes the you must be born again and sometimes the Bible says believe on the Lord Jesus Bible says believe on the Lord Jesus Bible says believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

They cannot be separated. They cannot be separated. Number two, Number two, Number two, when the new birth takes place and faith when the new birth takes place and faith when the new birth takes place and faith is awakened and we're united to Christ, is awakened and we're united to Christ, is awakened and we're united to Christ, we are justified we are justified we are justified in an instant. in an instant. in an instant. God through faith counts us as righteous God through faith counts us as righteous God through faith counts us as righteous because we're in Christ. What he is because we're in Christ. What he is because we're in Christ. What he is counts for us. And he was perfect. We're counts for us. And he was perfect. We're counts for us. And he was perfect. We're not. His perfection counts for us not. His perfection counts for us not. His perfection counts for us because we've in we've been united to because we've in we've been united to because we've in we've been united to him. Romans 5:1. Therefore, since we him. Romans 5:1. Therefore, since we him. Romans 5:1. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith which was have been justified by faith which was have been justified by faith which was awakened by the new birth, we have peace awakened by the new birth, we have peace awakened by the new birth, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. New birth awakens faith. Faith looks to New birth awakens faith. Faith looks to New birth awakens faith. Faith looks to Christ for righteousness. In that Christ for righteousness. In that Christ for righteousness. In that moment, we are counted righteous moment, we are counted righteous moment, we are counted righteous forever. forever. forever. Number three, Number three, Number three, the new birth awakens faith, unites us the new birth awakens faith, unites us the new birth awakens faith, unites us to Christ. All the legal obstacles are to Christ. All the legal obstacles are to Christ. All the legal obstacles are removed by justification and God adopts removed by justification and God adopts removed by justification and God adopts us legally into his family and then us legally into his family and then us legally into his family and then conforms us to his son conforms us to his son conforms us to his son so that we are both legally adopted and so that we are both legally adopted and so that we are both legally adopted and hes by his transforming nature.

hes by his transforming nature. hes by his transforming nature. John 1:12 John 1:12 John 1:12 to all who did receive him, who believed to all who did receive him, who believed to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become in his name, he gave the right to become in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were who were born children of God, who were who were born children of God, who were who were born not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God. nor the will of man, but of God. nor the will of man, but of God. We were born of God. Faith is awakened. We were born of God. Faith is awakened. We were born of God. Faith is awakened. We received Christ, our righteousness. We received Christ, our righteousness. We received Christ, our righteousness. Every legal obstacle is removed. A holy Every legal obstacle is removed. A holy Every legal obstacle is removed. A holy God adopts us into his family and we are God adopts us into his family and we are God adopts us into his family and we are hes four. four. When the new birth wakens faith and When the new birth wakens faith and When the new birth wakens faith and we're united to Christ and condemnation we're united to Christ and condemnation we're united to Christ and condemnation is replaced with justification and the is replaced with justification and the is replaced with justification and the spirit of adoption comes in, he now spirit of adoption comes in, he now spirit of adoption comes in, he now begins to work his nature. Remember begins to work his nature. Remember begins to work his nature. Remember this. this. this. He now begins to work his nature. He now begins to work his nature. He now begins to work his nature. They're called the fruit of the Holy They're called the fruit of the Holy They're called the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Spirit. Spirit. Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:6, for in Christ Jesus, neither for in Christ Jesus, neither for in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts circumcision nor uncircumcision counts circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working for anything, but only faith working for anything, but only faith working through love. Or 1 John 3:14, through love. Or 1 John 3:14, through love. Or 1 John 3:14, we know that we have passed out of death we know that we have passed out of death we know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brothers.

When the Holy Spirit of adoption is When the Holy Spirit of adoption is dwelling within us, he forms himself dwelling within us, he forms himself dwelling within us, he forms himself within us and he is chiefly a lover of within us and he is chiefly a lover of within us and he is chiefly a lover of God's people and so are we. God's people and so are we. God's people and so are we. Finally, number five, when the new birth Finally, number five, when the new birth Finally, number five, when the new birth awakens, faith awakens, faith awakens, faith unites us to Christ. unites us to Christ. unites us to Christ. Christ becomes our righteousness. Christ becomes our righteousness. Christ becomes our righteousness. Sanctifying power of the spirit is Sanctifying power of the spirit is Sanctifying power of the spirit is unleashed in our lives. We're on the unleashed in our lives. We're on the unleashed in our lives. We're on the narrow way that leads to life. And the narrow way that leads to life. And the narrow way that leads to life. And the pinnacle of that new life is knowing God and enjoying him forever. is knowing God and enjoying him forever. John 17:3. John 17:3. John 17:3. This is eternal life that they know you, This is eternal life that they know you, This is eternal life that they know you, the only true God the only true God the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Therefore, Bethlehem, Therefore, Bethlehem, Therefore, Bethlehem, in the name of Jesus, I say as we close, in the name of Jesus, I say as we close, in the name of Jesus, I say as we close, truly, truly, I say to you, truly, truly, I say to you, truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, unless one is born again, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

he cannot see the kingdom of God. he cannot see the kingdom of God. Marvel not that I say to you. Marvel not that I say to you. Marvel not that I say to you. You must be born again. You must be born again. You must be born again. Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, [music] where we are of Light and Truth, [music] where we are of Light and Truth, [music] where we are committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Piper continues our 15-part series, Born Piper continues our 15-part series, Born Piper continues our 15-part series, Born from Above, with a message titled Born from Above, with a message titled Born from Above, with a message titled Born to Destroy the Devil's Works. I hope to Destroy the Devil's Works. I hope to Destroy the Devil's Works. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, you'll join us. For more resources, you'll join us. For more resources, visit desiring.org.