God Begets Faith

Your role in the new birth, acting the Your role in the new birth, acting the new birth, bringing about the new birth, new birth, bringing about the new birth, new birth, bringing about the new birth, experiencing the new birth, is to experiencing the new birth, is to experiencing the new birth, is to believe believe believe in Jesus. in Jesus. in Jesus. Receive Receive Receive Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> And to know that in the very act of >> And to know that in the very act of >> And to know that in the very act of believing, you are experiencing [music] believing, you are experiencing [music] believing, you are experiencing [music] God's begetting. >> There's something wonderfully simple >> There's something wonderfully simple about the gospel call to believe in the about the gospel call to believe in the about the gospel call to believe in the Lord [music] Jesus Christ. But behind Lord [music] Jesus Christ. But behind Lord [music] Jesus Christ. But behind that simplicity is a miracle, because that simplicity is a miracle, because that simplicity is a miracle, because dead hearts don't trust [music] Christ. dead hearts don't trust [music] Christ. dead hearts don't trust [music] Christ. They have to be made alive. They have to be made alive. They have to be made alive. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this episode of Light and [music] In this episode of Light and [music] In this episode of Light and [music] Truth, John Piper explains how faith and Truth, John Piper explains how faith and Truth, John Piper explains how faith and the new birth belong together in God's the new birth belong together in God's the new birth belong together in God's [music] saving work. This message was [music] saving work. This message was [music] saving work. This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on February 10th, 2008.

>> Let's go to 1 Peter chapter 1 verses 22 >> Let's go to 1 Peter chapter 1 verses 22 to 23. 1 Peter 1:22, "Having purified to 23. 1 Peter 1:22, "Having purified to 23. 1 Peter 1:22, "Having purified your souls love one another earnestly from a pure love one another earnestly from a pure heart. Since Since you have been born again you have been born again you have been born again born again born again born again not of perishable seed not of perishable seed not of perishable seed but of imperishable but of imperishable but of imperishable through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of God. Let's notice several things here. Let's notice several things here. First, First, First, notice that the aim of what is happening notice that the aim of what is happening notice that the aim of what is happening in verse 22, in verse 22, in verse 22, "Having purified your souls by your "Having purified your souls by your "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth." The aim is obedience to the truth." The aim is obedience to the truth." The aim is love, brotherly love, love, brotherly love, love, brotherly love, love among believers and then spilling love among believers and then spilling love among believers and then spilling over to others. over to others. over to others. And then there's a commandment.

And then there's a commandment. And then there's a commandment. Once the aim is stated, Once the aim is stated, Once the aim is stated, So, let's read it. "Having purified your So, let's read it. "Having purified your So, let's read it. "Having purified your souls souls souls by your obedience to the truth for a by your obedience to the truth for a by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the of the brethren." sincere love of the of the brethren." sincere love of the of the brethren." For a sincere brotherly love. You see For a sincere brotherly love. You see For a sincere brotherly love. You see that word for there? that word for there? that word for there? That's what it's for. That's where it's That's what it's for. That's where it's That's what it's for. That's where it's going. Literally, "Having purified your going. Literally, "Having purified your going. Literally, "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth souls by your obedience to the truth souls by your obedience to the truth unto unto something." It's going unto unto something." It's going unto unto something." It's going somewhere. somewhere. somewhere. It's going somewhere. It's going somewhere. It's going somewhere. But here, But here, But here, I just want you to see that I just want you to see that I just want you to see that the purifying of the soul the purifying of the soul the purifying of the soul through obedience to the truth is not through obedience to the truth is not through obedience to the truth is not love. It is unto love. It is unto love. That's really important. That's really important. That's really important. Everything I have to say is hanging on Everything I have to say is hanging on Everything I have to say is hanging on that. We usually think of a pure heart as a We usually think of a pure heart as a loving heart. Well, certainly it would loving heart. Well, certainly it would loving heart. Well, certainly it would become one, but in this text, purified become one, but in this text, purified become one, but in this text, purified heart by obedience this obedience heart by obedience this obedience heart by obedience this obedience is to the truth which purifies the heart is to the truth which purifies the heart is to the truth which purifies the heart which leads to love. So, it's not yet which leads to love. So, it's not yet which leads to love. So, it's not yet love.

love. love. What is it? What does obedience to the truth mean? What does obedience to the truth mean? That's crucial. That's crucial. That's crucial. To answer that question, what does To answer that question, what does To answer that question, what does obedience to the truth mean? My answer obedience to the truth mean? My answer obedience to the truth mean? My answer is is is it means it means it means faith in the gospel. What is the truth here? What is the truth here? Well, I think in the context verse 23, Well, I think in the context verse 23, Well, I think in the context verse 23, it would be the living and abiding word it would be the living and abiding word it would be the living and abiding word of God, which is then in verse 25 at the of God, which is then in verse 25 at the of God, which is then in verse 25 at the end defined as the gospel. end defined as the gospel. end defined as the gospel. So, obedience to the truth is obedience So, obedience to the truth is obedience So, obedience to the truth is obedience to the word of God, the living abiding to the word of God, the living abiding to the word of God, the living abiding word of God. This is the gospel that was word of God. This is the gospel that was word of God. This is the gospel that was preached to you. So, it is obedience to preached to you. So, it is obedience to preached to you. So, it is obedience to the truth, i.e. the word of God, i.e. the truth, i.e. the word of God, i.e. the truth, i.e. the word of God, i.e. the gospel. the gospel. the gospel. And then the question is, And then the question is, And then the question is, how do you obey the gospel? What's the What's the what's the what's the what's the summons of the gospel that you must summons of the gospel that you must summons of the gospel that you must obey?

obey? obey? You want to risk it out loud? You want to risk it out loud? You want to risk it out loud? What? What? What? Repent or believe, two sides of the same Repent or believe, two sides of the same Repent or believe, two sides of the same coin. coin. coin. Not yet love. The The gospel is not love Not yet love. The The gospel is not love Not yet love. The The gospel is not love people and you will be saved. people and you will be saved. people and you will be saved. That's not the gospel. That's not the gospel. That's not the gospel. The gospel is The gospel is The gospel is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. will be saved. will be saved. Acts 16:31. Acts 16:31. Acts 16:31. And when you are, you're going to love And when you are, you're going to love And when you are, you're going to love people. people. people. But if you switch it, you don't have But if you switch it, you don't have But if you switch it, you don't have gospel anymore. It is unto love. It is gospel anymore. It is unto love. It is gospel anymore. It is unto love. It is unto love. unto love. unto love. In verse 22. In verse 22. In verse 22. So, you see where I'm going? So, you see where I'm going? So, you see where I'm going? I'm arguing that I'm arguing that I'm arguing that purifying the soul by obeying the truth purifying the soul by obeying the truth purifying the soul by obeying the truth means purifying the soul by believing means purifying the soul by believing means purifying the soul by believing the gospel, which is the gospel, which is the gospel, which is trust me, I'm your savior and Lord, and trust me, I'm your savior and Lord, and trust me, I'm your savior and Lord, and treasure, embrace me, trust me, and that treasure, embrace me, trust me, and that treasure, embrace me, trust me, and that will lead to love. will lead to love. will lead to love. Now, Now, Now, does Peter think that way? Am Am I on does Peter think that way? Am Am I on does Peter think that way? Am Am I on his track here? We're going to test this his track here? We're going to test this his track here? We're going to test this that obeying the truth or the word or that obeying the truth or the word or that obeying the truth or the word or the gospel the gospel the gospel means believing. That's what I'm means believing. That's what I'm means believing. That's what I'm arguing. Means believing. Not loving arguing. Means believing. Not loving arguing. Means believing. Not loving yet, believing.

yet, believing. yet, believing. Do you remember the word in chapter 3 to Do you remember the word in chapter 3 to Do you remember the word in chapter 3 to wives who have unbelieving husbands? wives who have unbelieving husbands? wives who have unbelieving husbands? Very important passage for you women who Very important passage for you women who Very important passage for you women who are married to men who don't believe. are married to men who don't believe. are married to men who don't believe. And to men who have women who don't And to men who have women who don't And to men who have women who don't believe. And how is that man described believe. And how is that man described believe. And how is that man described in verse 1 of chapter 3? I'll read it to in verse 1 of chapter 3? I'll read it to in verse 1 of chapter 3? I'll read it to you. You can look at it if you want. you. You can look at it if you want. you. You can look at it if you want. It says, "Likewise, wives be subject to It says, "Likewise, wives be subject to It says, "Likewise, wives be subject to your own husbands so that even if some your own husbands so that even if some your own husbands so that even if some do not obey do not obey do not obey the word, they may be won." W O N, won, the word, they may be won." W O N, won, the word, they may be won." W O N, won, that means converted that means converted that means converted without a word. without a word. without a word. So, I'm arguing now that this is a So, I'm arguing now that this is a So, I'm arguing now that this is a confirmation confirmation confirmation that I'm on the right track in chapter 1 that I'm on the right track in chapter 1 that I'm on the right track in chapter 1 verse 22 when I say, "Obeying the truth, verse 22 when I say, "Obeying the truth, verse 22 when I say, "Obeying the truth, which is the word of God, which is the which is the word of God, which is the which is the word of God, which is the gospel, means believing." And here, gospel, means believing." And here, gospel, means believing." And here, these unbelieving husbands are described these unbelieving husbands are described these unbelieving husbands are described as those who do not obey the words. On as those who do not obey the words. On as those who do not obey the words. On Peter's mind, to obey the word as it's Peter's mind, to obey the word as it's Peter's mind, to obey the word as it's preached is to believe. And then other preached is to believe. And then other preached is to believe. And then other kinds of obedience will grow out of kinds of obedience will grow out of kinds of obedience will grow out of that, but here we just mean believe.

that, but here we just mean believe. that, but here we just mean believe. Now, let me confirm it a second time Now, let me confirm it a second time Now, let me confirm it a second time with the way Paul talks. Listen to 2 with the way Paul talks. Listen to 2 with the way Paul talks. Listen to 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Thessalonians 1:8. Thessalonians 1:8. Paul says, Paul says, Paul says, "God will inflict vengeance when Christ "God will inflict vengeance when Christ "God will inflict vengeance when Christ comes on those who do not know God and comes on those who do not know God and comes on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord do not obey the gospel of our Lord do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." Jesus." Jesus." So, even Paul uses the language of So, even Paul uses the language of So, even Paul uses the language of "They're not saved because they haven't "They're not saved because they haven't "They're not saved because they haven't obeyed the gospel, which says, 'Believe obeyed the gospel, which says, 'Believe obeyed the gospel, which says, 'Believe and you will be saved.'" and you will be saved.'" and you will be saved.'" And so, to obey the gospel is to believe And so, to obey the gospel is to believe And so, to obey the gospel is to believe its message, its savior. its message, its savior. its message, its savior. Now, back to verse 22 of 1 Peter 1. Now, back to verse 22 of 1 Peter 1. Now, back to verse 22 of 1 Peter 1. Having purified your souls Having purified your souls Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth, that is by your obedience to the truth, that is by your obedience to the truth, that is by belief in the word of God, which is by belief in the word of God, which is by belief in the word of God, which is the gospel, which says trust Christ. the gospel, which says trust Christ. the gospel, which says trust Christ. Having believed in Christ unto a sincere Having believed in Christ unto a sincere Having believed in Christ unto a sincere love of the of the brothers. That means love of the of the brothers. That means love of the of the brothers. That means what about the new birth?

what about the new birth? what about the new birth? We haven't even mentioned the new birth. We haven't even mentioned the new birth. We haven't even mentioned the new birth. New birth comes in ver- verse 23. New birth comes in ver- verse 23. New birth comes in ver- verse 23. But have we not said anything about the But have we not said anything about the But have we not said anything about the new birth? John 3:5 John 3:5 Titus 3:5 Titus 3:5 Titus 3:5 Unless you are born of water Unless you are born of water Unless you are born of water and the spirit you won't enter the and the spirit you won't enter the and the spirit you won't enter the kingdom. We were born again We were born again through the washing of regeneration. I've argued in two messages that two I've argued in two messages that two things happen at least in new birth. One things happen at least in new birth. One things happen at least in new birth. One is cleansing or purification. is cleansing or purification. is cleansing or purification. And the other is renewal by the Holy And the other is renewal by the Holy And the other is renewal by the Holy Spirit. Those have been my two Spirit. Those have been my two Spirit. Those have been my two focuses of the new birth. And here we focuses of the new birth. And here we focuses of the new birth. And here we have Peter saying you have purified your have Peter saying you have purified your have Peter saying you have purified your souls by your obedience or in your souls by your obedience or in your souls by your obedience or in your obedience to the truth.

Which leads me to say Which leads me to say your role in the new birth is faith. your role in the new birth is faith. your role in the new birth is faith. That's where I'm getting to. That's where I'm getting to. That's where I'm getting to. I hope you I hope you're with me. I hope you I hope you're with me. I hope you I hope you're with me. Got to put the pieces together like Got to put the pieces together like Got to put the pieces together like this. this. this. Our part, our way of participating in Our part, our way of participating in Our part, our way of participating in the event of the new birth is your the event of the new birth is your the event of the new birth is your belief. belief. belief. You believe. >> Which means >> Which means that the new birth is that the new birth is that the new birth is in or by obedience to the truth. in or by obedience to the truth. in or by obedience to the truth. In believing, we are acting out the new In believing, we are acting out the new In believing, we are acting out the new birth. birth. birth. Now we're at verse 23. And here the language of new birth is And here the language of new birth is explicit. So let's read all together. explicit. So let's read all together. explicit. So let's read all together. Verse 22 and 23 together to see how Verse 22 and 23 together to see how Verse 22 and 23 together to see how they're connected. they're connected. they're connected. Having purified your souls by your Having purified your souls by your Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth obedience to the truth obedience to the truth >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> for a sincere brotherly love, that's >> for a sincere brotherly love, that's >> for a sincere brotherly love, that's where it's all going to go. Love one where it's all going to go. Love one where it's all going to go. Love one another. So go ahead and live in this as another. So go ahead and live in this as another. So go ahead and live in this as your new birth is going there. Live in your new birth is going there. Live in your new birth is going there. Live in this since or having been born again.

Not of perishable seed, but of Not of perishable seed, but of imperishable imperishable imperishable through the living and abiding word through the living and abiding word through the living and abiding word of God. Now here it seems to me that the Now here it seems to me that the connection between our action and connection between our action and connection between our action and clearly our action in verse 22 clearly our action in verse 22 clearly our action in verse 22 you obeyed you obeyed you obeyed the truth and in obeying the truth the truth and in obeying the truth the truth and in obeying the truth purified your soul. purified your soul. purified your soul. That's our action. That's our action. That's our action. And it's the new birth. Now Now he says having been born again. The command love one another earnestly The command love one another earnestly from the heart is the from the heart is the from the heart is the point where all this is going point where all this is going point where all this is going and our purification of our hearts and our purification of our hearts and our purification of our hearts through faith and God's regeneration by through faith and God's regeneration by through faith and God's regeneration by the word are supporting that, pushing the word are supporting that, pushing the word are supporting that, pushing love out into action. And the question love out into action. And the question love out into action. And the question is how these two relate to each other.

is how these two relate to each other. is how these two relate to each other. God's activity in begetting God's activity in begetting God's activity in begetting and my activity in purifying my heart by and my activity in purifying my heart by and my activity in purifying my heart by faith or my activity in faith. That's faith or my activity in faith. That's faith or my activity in faith. That's how they relate. And my my first and how they relate. And my my first and how they relate. And my my first and immediate observation is to say it looks immediate observation is to say it looks immediate observation is to say it looks like like like since it comes second and is underneath since it comes second and is underneath since it comes second and is underneath in in in it looks like a it looks like a it looks like a causality. It just looks like it. causality. It just looks like it. causality. It just looks like it. It's not proof, but when you say this It's not proof, but when you say this It's not proof, but when you say this happened, this having happened, it looks happened, this having happened, it looks happened, this having happened, it looks like this is underneath it, supporting like this is underneath it, supporting like this is underneath it, supporting it. it. it. So, I got three clues. That's the first So, I got three clues. That's the first So, I got three clues. That's the first one. Three clues that argue that God's one. Three clues that argue that God's one. Three clues that argue that God's begetting is the cause of my believing. begetting is the cause of my believing. begetting is the cause of my believing. And they're instantaneous and And they're instantaneous and And they're instantaneous and simultaneous simultaneous simultaneous when they when they when they happen. happen. happen. So, that was clue number one. Just the So, that was clue number one. Just the So, that was clue number one. Just the sheer flow of the text sheer flow of the text sheer flow of the text and the way verse 22 appears to be and the way verse 22 appears to be and the way verse 22 appears to be supported by verse 23. Here's the second supported by verse 23. Here's the second supported by verse 23. Here's the second clue.

God makes the word the instrument of the God makes the word the instrument of the new birth new birth new birth in verse 23. God makes the word. Born in verse 23. God makes the word. Born in verse 23. God makes the word. Born again through again through again through the living and abiding word of God. the living and abiding word of God. the living and abiding word of God. Let's read the whole thing. You have Let's read the whole thing. You have Let's read the whole thing. You have been born again, not of perishable seed, been born again, not of perishable seed, been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable through the living but of imperishable through the living but of imperishable through the living and abiding word of God. Now, some take and abiding word of God. Now, some take and abiding word of God. Now, some take imperishable seed here to refer to the imperishable seed here to refer to the imperishable seed here to refer to the Holy Spirit. It might. Holy Spirit. It might. Holy Spirit. It might. It might. It might. It might. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I don't think anything I don't think anything I don't think anything fundamental or essential changes. fundamental or essential changes. fundamental or essential changes. I I think, however, I I think, however, I I think, however, that that that since the word imperishable, defining since the word imperishable, defining since the word imperishable, defining the seed, the seed, the seed, is virtually synonymous with is virtually synonymous with is virtually synonymous with living and abiding abiding abiding it living and abiding abiding abiding it living and abiding abiding abiding it never perishes never perishes never perishes describing the word that seed and word describing the word that seed and word describing the word that seed and word are probably synonymous. are probably synonymous. are probably synonymous. And he's saying it simply in two ways. And he's saying it simply in two ways. And he's saying it simply in two ways. You are not born again by anything You are not born again by anything You are not born again by anything perishable seed but imperishable seed perishable seed but imperishable seed perishable seed but imperishable seed that is that is that is through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of God.

God. God. Now the point here is that God makes the Now the point here is that God makes the Now the point here is that God makes the word the instrument of the new birth. word the instrument of the new birth. word the instrument of the new birth. Now think about that Now think about that Now think about that in how God relates to your activity. in how God relates to your activity. in how God relates to your activity. How does the word relate to faith How does the word relate to faith How does the word relate to faith according to Romans 10:17? Faith comes by hearing Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the and hearing by the and hearing by the word of Christ. word of Christ. word of Christ. So if you ask biblically So if you ask biblically So if you ask biblically for Peter and Paul for Peter and Paul for Peter and Paul Okay, my role in this activity of the Okay, my role in this activity of the Okay, my role in this activity of the new birth is faith. new birth is faith. new birth is faith. And God says And God says And God says I bring it about I bring about the new I bring it about I bring about the new I bring it about I bring about the new birth through the word and the word birth through the word and the word birth through the word and the word produces the faith you've got God behind produces the faith you've got God behind produces the faith you've got God behind the word behind the faith therefore God the word behind the faith therefore God the word behind the faith therefore God is the one who begets and the begetting is the one who begets and the begetting is the one who begets and the begetting produces the faith. produces the faith. produces the faith. I think that's the implication of saying I think that's the implication of saying I think that's the implication of saying you were born again through the living you were born again through the living you were born again through the living and abiding word which is my word. I'm and abiding word which is my word. I'm and abiding word which is my word. I'm sending it. I'm delivering it. I'm doing sending it. I'm delivering it. I'm doing sending it. I'm delivering it. I'm doing this.

That's my clue number two. Here's clue That's my clue number two. Here's clue number three. number three. number three. God's begetting God's begetting God's begetting is the cause of our believing is the cause of our believing is the cause of our believing because in the Jerusalem Council because in the Jerusalem Council because in the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, in Acts 15, in Acts 15, when Peter when Peter when Peter is standing up and talking about why we is standing up and talking about why we is standing up and talking about why we should accept Gentiles into the church, he says something very he says something very closely related to what he says here. closely related to what he says here. closely related to what he says here. He says this. This is Acts 15:9. He says this. This is Acts 15:9. He says this. This is Acts 15:9. Peter talking. Peter talking. Peter talking. God made no distinction between us and God made no distinction between us and God made no distinction between us and them, them, them, Gentile and Jew. God made no distinction Gentile and Jew. God made no distinction Gentile and Jew. God made no distinction between us and them, between us and them, between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Exactly the same thought as verse 22 Exactly the same thought as verse 22 with one massive difference.

with one massive difference. with one massive difference. He said God did it. He said God did it. He said God did it. Through faith. Through faith. Through faith. Verse 22 says we did it. Verse 22 says we did it. Verse 22 says we did it. By believing. By believing. By believing. And And And Acts 15:9 says Acts 15:9 says Acts 15:9 says God cleansed their hearts God cleansed their hearts God cleansed their hearts by faith. by faith. by faith. Which puts God underneath supporting Which puts God underneath supporting Which puts God underneath supporting this whole massive transaction. this whole massive transaction. this whole massive transaction. Yes, we have faith. Yes, our faith Yes, we have faith. Yes, our faith Yes, we have faith. Yes, our faith purifies our hearts. No, we don't purifies our hearts. No, we don't purifies our hearts. No, we don't originate that faith. It comes from the originate that faith. It comes from the originate that faith. It comes from the word and it comes from God. So, So, my question now, having my question now, having my question now, having tried to persuade you that your role in tried to persuade you that your role in tried to persuade you that your role in the new birth, acting the new birth, the new birth, acting the new birth, the new birth, acting the new birth, bringing about the new birth, bringing about the new birth, bringing about the new birth, experiencing the new birth, is to experiencing the new birth, is to experiencing the new birth, is to believe believe believe in Jesus. in Jesus. in Jesus. Receive Receive Receive Jesus.

Jesus. Jesus. And to know that in the very act of And to know that in the very act of And to know that in the very act of believing you are experiencing God's believing you are experiencing God's believing you are experiencing God's begetting. begetting. begetting. This is unconscious. This is unconscious. This is unconscious. This is very conscious. This is very conscious. This is very conscious. Which is why the New Testament, whenever Which is why the New Testament, whenever Which is why the New Testament, whenever anybody asks, "What must I do to be anybody asks, "What must I do to be anybody asks, "What must I do to be saved?" answers, saved?" answers, saved?" answers, "Believe." "Believe." "Believe." "Repent. Believe." "Repent. Believe." "Repent. Believe." This is what's conscious. This is what This is what's conscious. This is what This is what's conscious. This is what you do. you do. you do. This is what your will has in front of This is what your will has in front of This is what your will has in front of it as an option and can embrace. it as an option and can embrace. it as an option and can embrace. And then, And then, And then, when you are taught, when you are taught, when you are taught, you say, you say, you say, "Thank you "Thank you "Thank you for doing for me what you did for for doing for me what you did for for doing for me what you did for Lydia." The Lord opened her heart to Lydia." The Lord opened her heart to Lydia." The Lord opened her heart to give heed to the gospel and she give heed to the gospel and she give heed to the gospel and she believed, but it was that opening. believed, but it was that opening. believed, but it was that opening. It was that It was that It was that awakening. It was that life-giving. It awakening. It was that life-giving. It awakening. It was that life-giving. It was that begetting was that begetting was that begetting that you give ultimate that you give ultimate that you give ultimate praise to. praise to. praise to. What does it mean for for all of you and What does it mean for for all of you and What does it mean for for all of you and for me?

for me? for me? I'll give you four things. Number one. I'll give you four things. Number one. I'll give you four things. Number one. It means you must believe It means you must believe It means you must believe on Jesus in order to be saved. on Jesus in order to be saved. on Jesus in order to be saved. Nobody is saved and nobody is born again Nobody is saved and nobody is born again Nobody is saved and nobody is born again who's not a believer. who's not a believer. who's not a believer. Just like there's no light and there's Just like there's no light and there's Just like there's no light and there's no heat where there's no fire. no heat where there's no fire. no heat where there's no fire. So, just know that So, just know that So, just know that I am I am I am issuing, on behalf of Jesus Christ, as I issuing, on behalf of Jesus Christ, as I issuing, on behalf of Jesus Christ, as I close, close, close, an invitation and an appeal to you to an invitation and an appeal to you to an invitation and an appeal to you to believe on Jesus. believe on Jesus. believe on Jesus. You're here for a reason. You're here for a reason. You're here for a reason. You're there, the North Campus and the You're there, the North Campus and the You're there, the North Campus and the South Campus, for a reason. You didn't South Campus, for a reason. You didn't South Campus, for a reason. You didn't come without the providence and mercy of come without the providence and mercy of come without the providence and mercy of God active in your life. God active in your life. God active in your life. And you're listening to me say, on And you're listening to me say, on And you're listening to me say, on behalf of the risen Christ, behalf of the risen Christ, behalf of the risen Christ, believe in him.

believe in him. believe in him. Trust him. Receive him as what he really Trust him. Receive him as what he really Trust him. Receive him as what he really is, is, is, the savior, the lord, the treasure the savior, the lord, the treasure the savior, the lord, the treasure of your life. of your life. of your life. That's number one. That's number one. That's number one. Number two. Number two. Number two. It means It means It means that you, that you, that you, left to yourself, left to yourself, left to yourself, will not believe. you will not you will not believe. believe. believe. Dead people Dead people Dead people don't choose don't choose don't choose to breathe. to breathe. to breathe. If they're going to breathe, it will be If they're going to breathe, it will be If they're going to breathe, it will be because Jesus Christ says, because Jesus Christ says, because Jesus Christ says, "Live!" And you will live. That is, And you will live. That is, God says, through the word, God says, through the word, God says, through the word, "You are mine. "You are mine. "You are mine. And I make you my own by new birth."

God, who is rich in mercy, God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he out of the great love with which he out of the great love with which he loved us, is the decisive cause loved us, is the decisive cause loved us, is the decisive cause of your faith. You must believe. You must believe. You can't believe if left to yourself. You can't believe if left to yourself. You can't believe if left to yourself. God is the decisive cause of all saving God is the decisive cause of all saving God is the decisive cause of all saving faith. faith. faith. Which leads me to number four. Which leads me to number four. Which leads me to number four. According to verse 22 According to verse 22 According to verse 22 of 1 Peter 1, of 1 Peter 1, of 1 Peter 1, the fruit of being born again the fruit of being born again the fruit of being born again is love. is love. is love. We're going to spend a lot of time on We're going to spend a lot of time on We're going to spend a lot of time on that in the weeks to come because 1 John that in the weeks to come because 1 John that in the weeks to come because 1 John is saturated with this truth. is saturated with this truth. is saturated with this truth. Those are born again love each other. That means that nothing in life is left That means that nothing in life is left untouched by the new birth. Racism, Racism, global warming, global warming, global warming, abortion, abortion, abortion, limited health care for children, limited health care for children, limited health care for children, homelessness, poverty, homelessness, poverty, homelessness, poverty, war in Iraq, war in Iraq, war in Iraq, white-collar crime, white-collar crime, white-collar crime, human trafficking, global AIDS crisis, human trafficking, global AIDS crisis, human trafficking, global AIDS crisis, rampant fatherlessness, rampant fatherlessness, rampant fatherlessness, greed behind the subprime mortgage greed behind the subprime mortgage greed behind the subprime mortgage crisis.

crisis. crisis. The treatment of illegal aliens, the The treatment of illegal aliens, the The treatment of illegal aliens, the plight of Christians coming out of plight of Christians coming out of plight of Christians coming out of prison, and on. Nothing prison, and on. Nothing prison, and on. Nothing is untouched by the new birth. is untouched by the new birth. is untouched by the new birth. Having purified your souls, it is having participated in the new it is having participated in the new birth by believing in the truth, which birth by believing in the truth, which birth by believing in the truth, which is the gospel, which is trust me, I'm is the gospel, which is trust me, I'm is the gospel, which is trust me, I'm your savior, your savior, your savior, unto brotherly love. Love each other now unto brotherly love. Love each other now unto brotherly love. Love each other now earnestly from the heart. earnestly from the heart. earnestly from the heart. That's the That's the way the New That's the That's the way the New That's the That's the way the New Testament is written. Testament is written. Testament is written. The miracle of God, the participation in The miracle of God, the participation in The miracle of God, the participation in faith, the impulses of love enter the faith, the impulses of love enter the faith, the impulses of love enter the world. world. world. And I hope And I hope And I hope I hope none of you are sitting at home I hope none of you are sitting at home I hope none of you are sitting at home twiddling your thumbs while Rome burns. Saying, "I'm going to heaven, Saying, "I'm going to heaven, and that's all that matters." and that's all that matters." and that's all that matters." That's not all that matters. That's not all that matters. That's not all that matters. There are other people There are other people There are other people who aren't going.

who aren't going. who aren't going. And the Bible says, the savior whom you And the Bible says, the savior whom you And the Bible says, the savior whom you love says, "Do unto others as you would love says, "Do unto others as you would love says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Therefore, Therefore, I plead with you on behalf of Christ to I plead with you on behalf of Christ to I plead with you on behalf of Christ to believe and and receive him receive him receive him savior, Lord, treasure savior, Lord, treasure savior, Lord, treasure of your life, who he really is, receive of your life, who he really is, receive of your life, who he really is, receive him. And Christian, him. And Christian, him. And Christian, humble yourself under the gracious hand humble yourself under the gracious hand humble yourself under the gracious hand of God. of God. of God. And as an everlasting, invincible child And as an everlasting, invincible child And as an everlasting, invincible child of God who knows that you will spend of God who knows that you will spend of God who knows that you will spend your eternity with him your eternity with him your eternity with him on the new heavens and the new earth on the new heavens and the new earth on the new heavens and the new earth in that absolute security in that absolute security in that absolute security pour out your pour out your pour out your fourscore fourscore fourscore if you get strength if you get strength if you get strength to relieve suffering to relieve suffering to relieve suffering now now now and especially forever.

and especially forever. and especially forever. They're they're kind of a seamless They're they're kind of a seamless They're they're kind of a seamless fabric. Pour out your life, Christian. Pour out your life, Christian. Pour out your life Pour out your life Pour out your life to relieve suffering to relieve suffering to relieve suffering now now now just like you would want somebody to just like you would want somebody to just like you would want somebody to pour out their life to relieve your pour out their life to relieve your pour out their life to relieve your suffering suffering suffering and especially and especially and especially forever. forever. forever. Let's pray. Father in heaven, Father in heaven, I am so thankful I am so thankful I am so thankful that many years ago that many years ago that many years ago owing to nothing in me or my parents owing to nothing in me or my parents owing to nothing in me or my parents you sovereignly you sovereignly you sovereignly said, "John Piper, said, "John Piper, said, "John Piper, live." And my little heart And my little heart was awakened was awakened was awakened to my need to my need to my need and the sufficiency of a savior and the sufficiency of a savior and the sufficiency of a savior and believed. and believed. and believed. And you've never let go of me. And you've never let go of me. And you've never let go of me. Thank you.

And I pray that sweetness, And I pray that sweetness, that security, that security, that security, that persevering grace for everybody in that persevering grace for everybody in that persevering grace for everybody in the sound of my voice. the sound of my voice. the sound of my voice. Do this mighty saving work. Do this mighty saving work. Do this mighty saving work. I close where I began. I close where I began. I close where I began. We are born again through the living and We are born again through the living and We are born again through the living and abiding word of God. And I believe God. abiding word of God. And I believe God. abiding word of God. And I believe God. I have preached it. I have preached it. I have preached it. And that you are at work right now. Making it like a two-edged sword Making it like a two-edged sword pierce pierce pierce to the division to the division to the division soul and spirit, bone and marrow, and soul and spirit, bone and marrow, and soul and spirit, bone and marrow, and reveal the secret things of the heart, reveal the secret things of the heart, reveal the secret things of the heart, and incline people to the savior. and incline people to the savior. and incline people to the savior. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I ask that that would be a completed >> I ask that that would be a completed >> I ask that that would be a completed work. work. work. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Amen. >> I want to thank you for listening to >> I want to thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth. As you this episode of Light and Truth. As you this episode of Light and Truth. As you know, we are [music] committed to know, we are [music] committed to know, we are [music] committed to providing God-centered preaching to help providing God-centered preaching to help providing God-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him you see Christ clearly and treasure him you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly.

truly. truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. On our next episode, John Piper begins On our next episode, John Piper begins On our next episode, John Piper begins an eight-part [music] series titled The an eight-part [music] series titled The an eight-part [music] series titled The Bible We Trust. I hope you'll join us. Bible We Trust. I hope you'll join us. Bible We Trust. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, [music] For more resources, [music] For more resources, [music] visit desiringGod.org.