Born to Destroy the Devil’s Works

So, he's born of a virgin. So, he's born of a virgin. He increases in wisdom and stature and He increases in wisdom and stature and He increases in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. favor with God and man. favor with God and man. He's perfectly obedient without sin as He's perfectly obedient without sin as He's perfectly obedient without sin as verse 5 says. verse 5 says. verse 5 says. He perfectly He perfectly He perfectly dies in our place, dies in our place, dies in our place, mightily rises from the dead, all of it mightily rises from the dead, all of it mightily rises from the dead, all of it to take away sin and destroy the works to take away sin and destroy the works to take away sin and destroy the works of the devil. of the devil. of the devil. >> One of the reasons the birth of Christ >> One of the reasons the birth of Christ >> One of the reasons the birth of Christ matters so much is because it marks the matters so much is because it marks the matters so much is because it marks the moment God's rescue mission entered the moment God's rescue mission entered the moment God's rescue mission entered the world in [music] flesh and blood. The world in [music] flesh and blood. The world in [music] flesh and blood. The Son of God came here for a very [music] Son of God came here for a very [music] Son of God came here for a very [music] particular reason. particular reason. particular reason. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this episode of Light and Truth, John In this episode of Light and Truth, John In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper turns to 1 John Jesus [music] was Piper turns to 1 John Jesus [music] was Piper turns to 1 John Jesus [music] was born, lived, died, and rose born, lived, died, and rose born, lived, died, and rose [music] [music] [music] again to destroy the works of the devil again to destroy the works of the devil again to destroy the works of the devil and save his people [music] from their and save his people [music] from their and save his people [music] from their sins. sins. sins. This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on [music] Bethlehem Baptist Church on [music] Bethlehem Baptist Church on [music] December 23rd, 2007.

>> Two times in that passage that was just >> Two times in that passage that was just read from 1 John 3, we are told why the read from 1 John 3, we are told why the read from 1 John 3, we are told why the divine divine divine eternal Son of God clothed himself with eternal Son of God clothed himself with eternal Son of God clothed himself with human human human being. Verse 5, John says, "You know being. Verse 5, John says, "You know being. Verse 5, John says, "You know that he appeared that he appeared that he appeared to take away sins. to take away sins. to take away sins. And in him there is no sin." So, he And in him there is no sin." So, he And in him there is no sin." So, he affirms the sinlessness of of the affirms the sinlessness of of the affirms the sinlessness of of the incarnate Christ, and he affirms why he incarnate Christ, and he affirms why he incarnate Christ, and he affirms why he appeared, namely to take away sins. And appeared, namely to take away sins. And appeared, namely to take away sins. And then verse 8, second half of the verse, then verse 8, second half of the verse, then verse 8, second half of the verse, the reason the Son of God appeared the reason the Son of God appeared the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy was to destroy was to destroy the works of the devil. And the specific the works of the devil. And the specific the works of the devil. And the specific focus focus focus he has in his mind when he says works of he has in his mind when he says works of he has in his mind when he says works of the devil the devil the devil is sin. You can see that in the first is sin. You can see that in the first is sin. You can see that in the first part of the verse. part of the verse. part of the verse. Verse 8, "Whoever makes a practice of Verse 8, "Whoever makes a practice of Verse 8, "Whoever makes a practice of sinning sinning sinning is of the devil.

is of the devil. is of the devil. For the devil has been sinning from the For the devil has been sinning from the For the devil has been sinning from the beginning. So, the works of the devil beginning. So, the works of the devil beginning. So, the works of the devil that he came to destroy are primarily that he came to destroy are primarily that he came to destroy are primarily the works of sin. So, two times in this the works of sin. So, two times in this the works of sin. So, two times in this text we're told why Jesus appeared text we're told why Jesus appeared text we're told why Jesus appeared to take away sin to take away sin to take away sin and to destroy the works of the devil, and to destroy the works of the devil, and to destroy the works of the devil, which are sin. So, he's born of a which are sin. So, he's born of a which are sin. So, he's born of a virgin. virgin. virgin. He increases in wisdom and stature and He increases in wisdom and stature and He increases in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. favor with God and man. favor with God and man. He's perfectly obedient and without sin, He's perfectly obedient and without sin, He's perfectly obedient and without sin, as verse 5 says. as verse 5 says. as verse 5 says. He perfectly dies in our place, He perfectly dies in our place, He perfectly dies in our place, mightily rises from the dead, all of it mightily rises from the dead, all of it mightily rises from the dead, all of it to take away sin and destroy the works to take away sin and destroy the works to take away sin and destroy the works of the devil. Now, we're in the middle of the devil. Now, we're in the middle of the devil. Now, we're in the middle of a series of messages on the new of a series of messages on the new of a series of messages on the new birth. birth. birth. And I'm asking the question, And I'm asking the question, And I'm asking the question, "What does the birth of Jesus "What does the birth of Jesus "What does the birth of Jesus have to do with our new birth?"

have to do with our new birth?" have to do with our new birth?" Or, "What does the incarnation have to Or, "What does the incarnation have to Or, "What does the incarnation have to do with regeneration?" do with regeneration?" do with regeneration?" That's my question in this That's my question in this That's my question in this message. What is the the coming of message. What is the the coming of message. What is the the coming of Christ into the world, Christ into the world, Christ into the world, we call it incarnation, we call it incarnation, we call it incarnation, have to do with our new birth, that is have to do with our new birth, that is have to do with our new birth, that is our our our regeneration? And to move toward an regeneration? And to move toward an regeneration? And to move toward an answer, I want to build a bridge between answer, I want to build a bridge between answer, I want to build a bridge between last last last week's sermon and week's sermon and week's sermon and this text. this text. this text. So, here's my effort to build that So, here's my effort to build that So, here's my effort to build that bridge. bridge. bridge. The bridge consists The bridge consists The bridge consists in the amazing love of God. in the amazing love of God. in the amazing love of God. But, I'll show you that in a minute. But, I'll show you that in a minute. But, I'll show you that in a minute. What we said last time was that when you What we said last time was that when you What we said last time was that when you ask, "Why do you need to be born again?" ask, "Why do you need to be born again?" ask, "Why do you need to be born again?" you can answer it in two senses. You can you can answer it in two senses. You can you can answer it in two senses. You can answer it by looking back and drawing answer it by looking back and drawing answer it by looking back and drawing attention to the terrible condition that attention to the terrible condition that attention to the terrible condition that we're in as dead and rebellious we're in as dead and rebellious we're in as dead and rebellious and unresponsive to spiritual reality, and unresponsive to spiritual reality, and unresponsive to spiritual reality, and therefore you must be born again and therefore you must be born again and therefore you must be born again because you're in that bad spiritual because you're in that bad spiritual because you're in that bad spiritual condition. And we said and we said, you condition. And we said and we said, you condition. And we said and we said, you you could also answer that question by you could also answer that question by you could also answer that question by looking to the future and observing from looking to the future and observing from looking to the future and observing from the Bible that there are things you the Bible that there are things you the Bible that there are things you won't experience in the future if you're won't experience in the future if you're won't experience in the future if you're not born again. And so, you must be born not born again. And so, you must be born not born again. And so, you must be born again if you would experience and enjoy again if you would experience and enjoy again if you would experience and enjoy those future things. Jesus said, "Truly,

those future things. Jesus said, "Truly, those future things. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, truly, I say to you, truly, I say to you, unless one is unless one is unless one is born again, he will never see the born again, he will never see the born again, he will never see the kingdom of kingdom of kingdom of heaven." That's an answer to the heaven." That's an answer to the heaven." That's an answer to the second kind of why. Why do we need to be second kind of why. Why do we need to be second kind of why. Why do we need to be born again? Because there are things in born again? Because there are things in born again? Because there are things in the future the future the future we'd like to avoid and things in the we'd like to avoid and things in the we'd like to avoid and things in the future we would like to experience, and future we would like to experience, and future we would like to experience, and new birth makes the difference whether new birth makes the difference whether new birth makes the difference whether you enjoy the you enjoy the you enjoy the positive ones and get rid of the positive ones and get rid of the positive ones and get rid of the negative ones. So, that was negative ones. So, that was negative ones. So, that was the way we developed it last week, and the way we developed it last week, and the way we developed it last week, and the bridge between that message, the bridge between that message, the bridge between that message, especially Ephesians 2, especially Ephesians 2, especially Ephesians 2, and this text in 1 John 3 and this text in 1 John 3 and this text in 1 John 3 is is is that that that phrase in verse 5 or 4, I think it is, phrase in verse 5 or 4, I think it is, phrase in verse 5 or 4, I think it is, "being rich in mercy, "being rich in mercy, "being 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, loved us, loved us, while we were dead in trespasses and while we were dead in trespasses and while we were dead in trespasses and sins, he made us alive together with sins, he made us alive together with sins, he made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved.

Christ. By grace you have been saved. Christ. By grace you have been saved. So, you hear the the focus in verse 4 of So, you hear the the focus in verse 4 of So, you hear the the focus in verse 4 of Ephesians 2 on because of the great love Ephesians 2 on because of the great love Ephesians 2 on because of the great love with which he loved us while we were with which he loved us while we were with which he loved us while we were dead, he made us alive. So, he traces dead, he made us alive. So, he traces dead, he made us alive. So, he traces our new birth, our spiritual life, our our new birth, our spiritual life, our our new birth, our spiritual life, our quickening, our awakening from the dead, quickening, our awakening from the dead, quickening, our awakening from the dead, traces it back traces it back traces it back to the magnificence to the magnificence to the magnificence of the love of God. of the love of God. of the love of God. Now, Now, Now, read with me read with me read with me verses 1 and 2 of 1 John verses 1 and 2 of 1 John verses 1 and 2 of 1 John 3 and you will see exactly 3 and you will see exactly 3 and you will see exactly the same the same the same thing. See See or behold or behold or behold what kind of love what kind of love what kind of love the Father has given to us. There's the the Father has given to us. There's the the Father has given to us. There's the link. link. link. He's saying, "Wake up to this. This is He's saying, "Wake up to this. This is He's saying, "Wake up to this. This is amazing." That's the point of beginning amazing." That's the point of beginning amazing." That's the point of beginning with that little word behold or see with that little word behold or see with that little word behold or see because we don't, right? We read too because we don't, right? We read too because we don't, right? We read too fast.

fast. fast. We take courses in how to read fast. We take courses in how to read fast. We take courses in how to read fast. It's crazy. We should take courses in It's crazy. We should take courses in It's crazy. We should take courses in how to read slow. how to read slow. how to read slow. Which is why LEARNING GREEK IS AN Which is why LEARNING GREEK IS AN Which is why LEARNING GREEK IS AN valuable thing. Main value, makes you valuable thing. Main value, makes you valuable thing. Main value, makes you read slow. WE DON'T SEE. AND SO, sometimes authors WE DON'T SEE. AND SO, sometimes authors HAVE TO SAY, "SEE." HAVE TO SAY, "SEE." HAVE TO SAY, "SEE." SO, that's what he says. See what kind SO, that's what he says. See what kind SO, that's what he says. See what kind of love the Father has given to us. Now, of love the Father has given to us. Now, of love the Father has given to us. Now, that we should be called that we should be called that we should be called children of God. And so we are. And so we are. The reason why the world does not know The reason why the world does not know The reason why the world does not know us is because it didn't know him. us is because it didn't know him. us is because it didn't know him. Beloved, loved ones, I just said you Beloved, loved ones, I just said you Beloved, loved ones, I just said you were beloved. Some calling you beloved, were beloved. Some calling you beloved, were beloved. Some calling you beloved, loved ones. loved ones. loved ones. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> We are God's children now >> We are God's children now >> We are God's children now and what and what and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we we will be has not yet appeared, but we we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears, we'll be like know that when he appears, we'll be like know that when he appears, we'll be like him him him because we'll see him because we'll see him because we'll see him as he is. When it says in verse one as he is. When it says in verse one as he is. When it says in verse one that we are called that we are called that we are called children of God, children of God, children of God, don't don't don't infer infer infer that to mean that to mean that to mean well, we were children of God, well, we were children of God, well, we were children of God, but we weren't called it yet, and so he but we weren't called it yet, and so he but we weren't called it yet, and so he named us or something strange like that.

named us or something strange like that. named us or something strange like that. The word called here doesn't carry that The word called here doesn't carry that The word called here doesn't carry that kind of meaning. Like kind of meaning. Like kind of meaning. Like we really were all along children of we really were all along children of we really were all along children of God, we just weren't called that until God, we just weren't called that until God, we just weren't called that until God comes along and he creates names for God comes along and he creates names for God comes along and he creates names for us. Wrong. us. Wrong. us. Wrong. This This word called here, he called us This This word called here, he called us This This word called here, he called us children of God means he made us children of God means he made us children of God means he made us children of God. He called us into being children of God. He called us into being children of God. He called us into being as children of God, as children of God, as children of God, and you can see that in the last phrase and you can see that in the last phrase and you can see that in the last phrase there. there. there. Called children of God, and so we are Called children of God, and so we are Called children of God, and so we are because he called us that. We are because he called us that. We are because he called us that. We are because he called us that. His call because he called us that. His call because he called us that. His call makes us children. This is new birth. makes us children. This is new birth. makes us children. This is new birth. So now we have the bridge, the link So now we have the bridge, the link So now we have the bridge, the link forged a little more clearly there. He forged a little more clearly there. He forged a little more clearly there. He made us alive was owing to magnificent made us alive was owing to magnificent made us alive was owing to magnificent love, and here he called us to be love, and here he called us to be love, and here he called us to be children, made us to be children, gave children, made us to be children, gave children, made us to be children, gave us the life of the divine life in us, us the life of the divine life in us, us the life of the divine life in us, and that was owing to what great love and that was owing to what great love and that was owing to what great love he has. Observation number two.

he has. Observation number two. he has. Observation number two. This new birth into the family of God is This new birth into the family of God is This new birth into the family of God is owing owing owing to the greatness of the love of God. I to the greatness of the love of God. I to the greatness of the love of God. I said it already, just making it a said it already, just making it a said it already, just making it a separate observation. separate observation. separate observation. Ephesians 2:4, Because of the great love with which he Because of the great love with which he loved us, he made us alive. loved us, he made us alive. loved us, he made us alive. Here, Here, Here, look what kind of love the Father has look what kind of love the Father has look what kind of love the Father has given us that we should be called the given us that we should be called the given us that we should be called the children children children of God. Made alive, born again, now of God. Made alive, born again, now of God. Made alive, born again, now children of God instead of dead and children of God instead of dead and children of God instead of dead and under his wrath. under his wrath. under his wrath. Observation number three. Observation number three. Observation number three. This This This event of God's love event of God's love event of God's love moving into our lives and sovereignly moving into our lives and sovereignly moving into our lives and sovereignly calling us into being as children of calling us into being as children of calling us into being as children of God, that is God, that is God, that is making us alive, raising us from the making us alive, raising us from the making us alive, raising us from the dead spiritually, and dead spiritually, and dead spiritually, and causing the new birth, that event, causing the new birth, that event, causing the new birth, that event, according to this text, secures according to this text, secures according to this text, secures that we will one day be perfected into that we will one day be perfected into that we will one day be perfected into the likeness of Jesus.

the likeness of Jesus. the likeness of Jesus. Let's see that Let's see that Let's see that here. here. here. Verse two Verse two Verse two connects the love of God and our present connects the love of God and our present connects the love of God and our present life as his children with the future life as his children with the future life as his children with the future like this. Beloved, like this. Beloved, like this. Beloved, those loved by God in this way, beloved, those loved by God in this way, beloved, those loved by God in this way, beloved, we are God's children now. You don't we are God's children now. You don't we are God's children now. You don't have to wait for this. You don't have to have to wait for this. You don't have to have to wait for this. You don't have to wait for the judgment day to see if wait for the judgment day to see if wait for the judgment day to see if you're a child of God like some you're a child of God like some you're a child of God like some religions teach. religions teach. religions teach. We know we are children of God now. We know we are children of God now. We know we are children of God now. What we will be has not yet appeared. In What we will be has not yet appeared. In What we will be has not yet appeared. In other words, you don't look at anybody other words, you don't look at anybody other words, you don't look at anybody that looks like a child of God. We get that looks like a child of God. We get that looks like a child of God. We get sick, we die, we get upset with each sick, we die, we get upset with each sick, we die, we get upset with each other. Good night. other. Good night. other. Good night. There is nobody on the planet who looks There is nobody on the planet who looks There is nobody on the planet who looks very much like a child of God. And so very much like a child of God. And so very much like a child of God. And so we're incognito. we're incognito. we're incognito. Walking around dressing just like the Walking around dressing just like the Walking around dressing just like the world does, you know.

Does not yet appear Does not yet appear what we shall be. what we shall be. what we shall be. But we know, now there's the phrase I'm But we know, now there's the phrase I'm But we know, now there's the phrase I'm going to underline. going to underline. going to underline. We know We know We know when he appears, when he appears, when he appears, we will be like him. we will be like him. we will be like him. Because Because Because we'll see him we'll see him we'll see him as he is. And evidently when you see as he is. And evidently when you see as he is. And evidently when you see him, in the twinkling of an eye, him, in the twinkling of an eye, him, in the twinkling of an eye, replica. But now look at the logic here. But now look at the logic here. We are God's children We are God's children We are God's children now. We don't yet see, hasn't appeared yet, We don't yet see, hasn't appeared yet, the fullness of the beauty of what the fullness of the beauty of what the fullness of the beauty of what that's going to mean when the whole that's going to mean when the whole that's going to mean when the whole creation bows down to us. But we know. But we know. Now there's the link. Now there's the link. Now there's the link. Love of God Love of God Love of God behold what kind behold what kind behold what kind incomprehensible love of God coming to incomprehensible love of God coming to incomprehensible love of God coming to dead enemies dead enemies dead enemies quickens us and calls us into being his quickens us and calls us into being his quickens us and calls us into being his children so that we know we are the children so that we know we are the children so that we know we are the children of God, we are the children of children of God, we are the children of children of God, we are the children of God, and now we know something else God, and now we know something else God, and now we know something else about the future. Namely, when he comes, about the future. Namely, when he comes, about the future. Namely, when he comes, we're going to be like him.

we're going to be like him. we're going to be like him. None of this question mark, oh I wonder None of this question mark, oh I wonder None of this question mark, oh I wonder if I'll make it at the last day, I if I'll make it at the last day, I if I'll make it at the last day, I wonder if I'm in the 144,000 or wonder if I'm in the 144,000 or wonder if I'm in the 144,000 or something weird like that. something weird like that. something weird like that. We're going to make this thing because We're going to make this thing because We're going to make this thing because we know who we are. we know who we are. we know who we are. Right now. Right now. Right now. I I come to that testimony business I I come to that testimony business I I come to that testimony business inside in in a few minutes. inside in in a few minutes. inside in in a few minutes. So, my third observation is So, my third observation is So, my third observation is this issue of what the new birth secures this issue of what the new birth secures this issue of what the new birth secures for us for us for us in the future, namely that we will be in the future, namely that we will be in the future, namely that we will be like him someday, like him someday, like him someday, was secured by the love of God was secured by the love of God was secured by the love of God causing us to be born again. Know we are causing us to be born again. Know we are causing us to be born again. Know we are now the children of God and that we will now the children of God and that we will now the children of God and that we will one day be like him. This is all a one day be like him. This is all a one day be like him. This is all a golden chain of absolute rock-solid golden chain of absolute rock-solid golden chain of absolute rock-solid divine certitude worked for us divine certitude worked for us divine certitude worked for us and in us. Observation number four. and in us. Observation number four. and in us. Observation number four. Simply makes explicit, I think, what Simply makes explicit, I think, what Simply makes explicit, I think, what I've already I've already I've already drawn out. drawn out. drawn out. The new birth, therefore, is a necessary The new birth, therefore, is a necessary The new birth, therefore, is a necessary prerequisite and guarantee of the future prerequisite and guarantee of the future prerequisite and guarantee of the future perfection that we will have in the perfection that we will have in the perfection that we will have in the presence of Christ someday.

presence of Christ someday. presence of Christ someday. Jesus said it this way, "Truly, truly I Jesus said it this way, "Truly, truly I Jesus said it this way, "Truly, truly I say to you, say to you, say to you, >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> unless you are born again, you will not >> unless you are born again, you will not >> unless you are born again, you will not see the kingdom of heaven." And I'm see the kingdom of heaven." And I'm see the kingdom of heaven." And I'm simply putting that in a positive way, simply putting that in a positive way, simply putting that in a positive way, namely, if you are born again, you will namely, if you are born again, you will namely, if you are born again, you will see it. see it. see it. If you are born again, you'll see him If you are born again, you'll see him If you are born again, you'll see him when he appears and when he appears and when he appears and in the twinkling of an eye at the last in the twinkling of an eye at the last in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet, trumpet, trumpet, you will be changed. you will be changed. you will be changed. And this mortal will put on immortality And this mortal will put on immortality And this mortal will put on immortality and this perishable will put on the and this perishable will put on the and this perishable will put on the imperishable and we shall be changed imperishable and we shall be changed imperishable and we shall be changed and forever without sin and forever without sin and forever without sin >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> and have glorified bodies perfectly >> and have glorified bodies perfectly >> and have glorified bodies perfectly suited to live with a glorified savior. suited to live with a glorified savior. suited to live with a glorified savior. All of that All of that All of that follows follows follows from the new birth. And if you don't from the new birth. And if you don't from the new birth. And if you don't have the new birth, you may not get have the new birth, you may not get have the new birth, you may not get that. That is, you will not that. That is, you will not that. That is, you will not get that.

get that. get that. So, So, So, now the question I ask, What does the new birth and all of its What does the new birth and all of its effects effects effects have to do with Jesus being born? Being a man, walking in history 2,000 Being a man, walking in history 2,000 years ago, he would have had a social years ago, he would have had a social years ago, he would have had a social security number if he were here today. security number if he were here today. security number if he were here today. Probably would have an email account. What's the relationship between that What's the relationship between that event, that historical incarnation of event, that historical incarnation of event, that historical incarnation of the eternal divine Son of God, second the eternal divine Son of God, second the eternal divine Son of God, second person of the Trinity? person of the Trinity? person of the Trinity? And the word became flesh and dwelt And the word became flesh and dwelt And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. among us. among us. And we beheld his glory, glory as of the And we beheld his glory, glory as of the And we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of only begotten of the Father, full of only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. What's that got to do grace and truth. What's that got to do grace and truth. What's that got to do with my new birth?

with my new birth? with my new birth? My being a child of God. My being a child of God. My being a child of God. My anticipating with great certainty My anticipating with great certainty My anticipating with great certainty that I'll see him someday that I'll see him someday that I'll see him someday and be like him. No more sin. Couldn't and be like him. No more sin. Couldn't and be like him. No more sin. Couldn't God simply have done the new birth God simply have done the new birth God simply have done the new birth without the incarnation? without the incarnation? without the incarnation? Just Just cause sinners to be born Just Just cause sinners to be born Just Just cause sinners to be born again. again. again. Quicken them. Give them life. Quicken them. Give them life. Quicken them. Give them life. Help them battle sin. Help them battle sin. Help them battle sin. Shape them into better people. And when Shape them into better people. And when Shape them into better people. And when Jesus comes, do it totally. Jesus comes, do it totally. Jesus comes, do it totally. Forget this incarnation and all this Forget this incarnation and all this Forget this incarnation and all this bloody cross. What in the world? Why is bloody cross. What in the world? Why is bloody cross. What in the world? Why is the the the Why is that part of the picture of the Why is that part of the picture of the Why is that part of the picture of the new birth thing? Did there need to be an incarnation of Did there need to be an incarnation of the Son of God, perfect obedience, death the Son of God, perfect obedience, death the Son of God, perfect obedience, death on a cross on a cross on a cross in order for me to be born again?

in order for me to be born again? in order for me to be born again? And the answer is And the answer is And the answer is the new birth and all of its effects, the new birth and all of its effects, the new birth and all of its effects, including faith, justification, including faith, justification, including faith, justification, purification, final conformity to purification, final conformity to purification, final conformity to Christ, would have been impossible Christ, would have been impossible Christ, would have been impossible without the incarnation. Totally without the incarnation. Totally without the incarnation. Totally impossible impossible impossible without the incarnation. I want to spend without the incarnation. I want to spend without the incarnation. I want to spend the rest of this message on why that the rest of this message on why that the rest of this message on why that why that is. why that is. why that is. And I hope you get a glimpse of your And I hope you get a glimpse of your And I hope you get a glimpse of your savior savior savior so that during these final so that during these final so that during these final Advent days you will love him more. The new birth, the aim of the new birth, The new birth, the aim of the new birth, is first to awaken, quicken, produce, is first to awaken, quicken, produce, is first to awaken, quicken, produce, cause, create cause, create cause, create faith in Jesus Christ, faith in Jesus Christ, faith in Jesus Christ, the incarnate one. the incarnate one. the incarnate one. That's the aim of the new birth. That's the aim of the new birth. That's the aim of the new birth. To awaken faith in the incarnate Christ.

To awaken faith in the incarnate Christ. To awaken faith in the incarnate Christ. And if the aim is impossible because And if the aim is impossible because And if the aim is impossible because there is no incarnate Christ, the new there is no incarnate Christ, the new there is no incarnate Christ, the new birth won't happen because that's the birth won't happen because that's the birth won't happen because that's the point of the new birth. God won't do the point of the new birth. God won't do the point of the new birth. God won't do the new birth because the new birth is aimed new birth because the new birth is aimed new birth because the new birth is aimed to open our eyes to see the glory of to open our eyes to see the glory of to open our eyes to see the glory of Christ crucified. And he can't be crucified if he's not And he can't be crucified if he's not a man. Look at 1 John 5:1. a man. Look at 1 John 5:1. a man. Look at 1 John 5:1. Just a couple of chapters over. 1 John Just a couple of chapters over. 1 John Just a couple of chapters over. 1 John 5:1. 5:1. 5:1. Everyone Everyone Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ who believes that Jesus is the Christ who believes that Jesus is the Christ that Jesus that Jesus that Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus He didn't have that name before he was He didn't have that name before he was He didn't have that name before he was born. born. born. You shall call his name Jesus because You shall call his name Jesus because You shall call his name Jesus because he'll save his people from their sins. he'll save his people from their sins. he'll save his people from their sins. He wasn't called Jesus in the Trinity. Everyone who believes that the incarnate Everyone who believes that the incarnate historical Jewish teacher from Nazareth historical Jewish teacher from Nazareth historical Jewish teacher from Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah, the divine is the Christ, the Messiah, the divine is the Christ, the Messiah, the divine Son of God.

Son of God. Son of God. Everyone who believes that has been born Everyone who believes that has been born Everyone who believes that has been born of God. That's the point of the new of God. That's the point of the new of God. That's the point of the new birth. If you believe that, the new birth. If you believe that, the new birth. If you believe that, the new birth brought that about. birth brought that about. birth brought that about. Because that's the point of the new Because that's the point of the new Because that's the point of the new birth, to get attention for Jesus, to birth, to get attention for Jesus, to birth, to get attention for Jesus, to open your eyes to Jesus. If you're here open your eyes to Jesus. If you're here open your eyes to Jesus. If you're here tonight and Jesus means nothing to you, tonight and Jesus means nothing to you, tonight and Jesus means nothing to you, it's just kind of a boring historical it's just kind of a boring historical it's just kind of a boring historical figure alongside Mahatma Gandhi and figure alongside Mahatma Gandhi and figure alongside Mahatma Gandhi and and Muhammad and a few others, you're and Muhammad and a few others, you're and Muhammad and a few others, you're not born again. And the moment you become born again, he And the moment you become born again, he changes. He's everything to you. That's changes. He's everything to you. That's changes. He's everything to you. That's what has to happen. what has to happen. what has to happen. The Holy Spirit quickens your heart, The Holy Spirit quickens your heart, The Holy Spirit quickens your heart, opens the eyes that are blind right now, opens the eyes that are blind right now, opens the eyes that are blind right now, that are thinking the greatest person that are thinking the greatest person that are thinking the greatest person ever was is boring. That's blindness ever was is boring. That's blindness ever was is boring. That's blindness with a vengeance. And when the new birth with a vengeance. And when the new birth with a vengeance. And when the new birth happens, and may it happen as I speak, you will see him differently. you will see him differently. So, that's the point of the new birth So, that's the point of the new birth So, that's the point of the new birth John John John 1 John 5 1 John 5 1 John 5 1 1 1 Everyone who believes has been born of Everyone who believes has been born of Everyone who believes has been born of God. That's what the new birth does. It God. That's what the new birth does. It God. That's what the new birth does. It enables you to believe like that.

>> Thank you for listening to this episode >> Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, 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 Cruver. Dan Cruver. Dan Cruver. On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper continues our 15-part series Born from continues our 15-part series Born from continues our 15-part series Born from Above with a message titled No Above with a message titled No Above with a message titled No Incarnation, No Regeneration. I hope Incarnation, No Regeneration. I hope Incarnation, No Regeneration. I hope you'll join us. you'll join us. you'll join us. For more resources, [music] visit For more resources, [music] visit For more resources, [music] visit desiringgod.org.