Cleansed and Raised

The spirit unites us to Christ The spirit unites us to Christ where there is cleansing. And cleansing where there is cleansing. And cleansing where there is cleansing. And cleansing is understood as forgiveness according is understood as forgiveness according is understood as forgiveness according to Jeremiah 33:8. to Jeremiah 33:8. to Jeremiah 33:8. There is cleansing. And he replaces our hard, unresponsive And he replaces our hard, unresponsive heart with a soft heart that treasures heart with a soft heart that treasures heart with a soft heart that treasures Jesus above all things Jesus above all things Jesus above all things and is being formed. and is being formed. and is being formed. Have you ever stopped to think about Have you ever stopped to think about Have you ever stopped to think about what it means that becoming a Christian what it means that becoming a Christian what it means that becoming a Christian involves receiving a new heart? Not just involves receiving a new heart? Not just involves receiving a new heart? Not just new ideas, not merely new habits, but new ideas, not merely new habits, but new ideas, not merely new habits, but new desires, new loves. I'm your host, new desires, new loves. I'm your host, new desires, new loves. I'm your host, Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens John 3:es and Truth, John Piper opens John 3:es and Truth, John Piper opens John 3:es 1:10 to show that the miracle of the new 1:10 to show that the miracle of the new 1:10 to show that the miracle of the new birth includes both the forgiveness of birth includes both the forgiveness of birth includes both the forgiveness of our sins and the birth of new affections our sins and the birth of new affections our sins and the birth of new affections for Christ. This message was originally for Christ. This message was originally for Christ. This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on December 2nd, 2007.

Here we are. Verse 5, truly truly I say Here we are. Verse 5, truly truly I say to you, Jesus talking to Nicodemus, to you, Jesus talking to Nicodemus, to you, Jesus talking to Nicodemus, unless one is born of water unless one is born of water unless one is born of water and the spirit, and the spirit, and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Now, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Now, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Now, what does Jesus mean by those two what does Jesus mean by those two what does Jesus mean by those two things? Born of water and born of the things? Born of water and born of the things? Born of water and born of the spirit. spirit. spirit. Now, millions of people have been taught Now, millions of people have been taught Now, millions of people have been taught that their baptism causes them to be that their baptism causes them to be that their baptism causes them to be born again. Millions of people around born again. Millions of people around born again. Millions of people around the world have been taught that their the world have been taught that their the world have been taught that their baptism causes them to be born again. baptism causes them to be born again. baptism causes them to be born again. And if it's true, then I don't understand this text. And then I don't understand this text. And if it's not true, it is a global if it's not true, it is a global if it's not true, it is a global tragedy, which it is, tragedy, which it is, tragedy, which it is, great tragedy. great tragedy. great tragedy. So what does he mean? So what does he mean? So what does he mean? If born of water doesn't mean baptismal If born of water doesn't mean baptismal If born of water doesn't mean baptismal regeneration, born again by the baby being sprinkled born again by the baby being sprinkled or the adult being immersed or poured or the adult being immersed or poured or the adult being immersed or poured over or sprinkled. If if that's not what over or sprinkled. If if that's not what over or sprinkled. If if that's not what this means, water, what do you think it this means, water, what do you think it this means, water, what do you think it means? He says in verse 10, "Are you a means? He says in verse 10, "Are you a means? He says in verse 10, "Are you a teacher in Israel and you do not teacher in Israel and you do not teacher in Israel and you do not understand these things?"

understand these things?" understand these things?" Now, that seems to send us back to what Now, that seems to send us back to what Now, that seems to send us back to what teachers in Israel studied, teachers in Israel studied, teachers in Israel studied, namely the Old Testament. Like, you've namely the Old Testament. Like, you've namely the Old Testament. Like, you've been reading your Old Testament, you been reading your Old Testament, you been reading your Old Testament, you memorized your Old Testament, and you memorized your Old Testament, and you memorized your Old Testament, and you don't understand what I'm talking about don't understand what I'm talking about don't understand what I'm talking about here. here. here. So, it I feel by that verse, I feel So, it I feel by that verse, I feel So, it I feel by that verse, I feel pushed to go look for water and spirit pushed to go look for water and spirit pushed to go look for water and spirit in the Old Testament. Born of water, in the Old Testament. Born of water, in the Old Testament. Born of water, born of the spirit. Where in the Old born of the spirit. Where in the Old born of the spirit. Where in the Old Testament might something like that show Testament might something like that show Testament might something like that show up so that Jesus could say to him, "You up so that Jesus could say to him, "You up so that Jesus could say to him, "You don't get that. Why don't you get that?" don't get that. Why don't you get that?" don't get that. Why don't you get that?" And and the clearest illustration, there And and the clearest illustration, there And and the clearest illustration, there are others, the clearest illustration is are others, the clearest illustration is are others, the clearest illustration is Ezekiel 36. And I invite you to turn Ezekiel 36. And I invite you to turn Ezekiel 36. And I invite you to turn there with me. there with me. there with me. Ezekiel 36:24-28. I will I will take you. Now, he's this I will I will take you. Now, he's this is Ezekiel telling the people on God's is Ezekiel telling the people on God's is Ezekiel telling the people on God's behalf what God will do after the exile behalf what God will do after the exile behalf what God will do after the exile in Babylon. in Babylon. in Babylon. And it's much bigger than that. It's And it's much bigger than that. It's And it's much bigger than that. It's part of the new covenant promise. And part of the new covenant promise. And part of the new covenant promise. And Jesus said, "This cup is the new Jesus said, "This cup is the new Jesus said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood." And so Jesus covenant in my blood." And so Jesus covenant in my blood." And so Jesus considered his own death to be a considered his own death to be a considered his own death to be a purchase of new covenant promises for purchase of new covenant promises for purchase of new covenant promises for all those who are in him. We are the all those who are in him. We are the all those who are in him. We are the true Israel. We are in Christ. And true Israel. We are in Christ. And true Israel. We are in Christ. And therefore, these new covenant promises therefore, these new covenant promises therefore, these new covenant promises apply to Christians. Verse apply to Christians. Verse apply to Christians. Verse 24 of Ezekiel 36. I will take you from 24 of Ezekiel 36. I will take you from 24 of Ezekiel 36. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the the nations and gather you from all the the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own countries and bring you into your own countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on

land. I will sprinkle clean water on land. I will sprinkle clean water on you. you. you. Here's water. I will sprinkle clean Here's water. I will sprinkle clean Here's water. I will sprinkle clean water on you and you shall be clean from water on you and you shall be clean from water on you and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses and from all your all your uncleannesses and from all your all your uncleannesses and from all your idols. I will bless you idols. I will bless you idols. I will bless you and I will give you a new heart and a and I will give you a new heart and a and I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you new spirit I will put within you new spirit I will put within you and I will remove the heart of stone and I will remove the heart of stone and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of from your flesh and give you a heart of from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh and I will put my spirit within flesh and I will put my spirit within flesh and I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes you and cause you to walk in my statutes you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. and be careful to obey my rules. and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave You shall dwell in the land that I gave You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers and you shall be my to your fathers and you shall be my to your fathers and you shall be my people and I will be your God. people and I will be your God. people and I will be your God. I think that's the passage to which I think that's the passage to which I think that's the passage to which Jesus would have pointed Nicodemus when Jesus would have pointed Nicodemus when Jesus would have pointed Nicodemus when he scratched his head about water and he scratched his head about water and he scratched his head about water and spirit. spirit. spirit. Unless one is born of water and the Unless one is born of water and the Unless one is born of water and the spirit, he can't enter the kingdom.

spirit, he can't enter the kingdom. spirit, he can't enter the kingdom. To whom? To whom? In verse in verses 26 To whom? To whom? In verse in verses 26 To whom? To whom? In verse in verses 26 to 28 of Ezekiel 36, to whom does God to 28 of Ezekiel 36, to whom does God to 28 of Ezekiel 36, to whom does God say you will be my people and I will be say you will be my people and I will be say you will be my people and I will be your God? Because that's salvation. your God? Because that's salvation. your God? Because that's salvation. If if you're not his people and he's not If if you're not his people and he's not If if you're not his people and he's not your God, you're lost. You you're not in your God, you're lost. You you're not in your God, you're lost. You you're not in the kingdom. the kingdom. the kingdom. Who does he say that to? He says it to Who does he say that to? He says it to Who does he say that to? He says it to those who I will sprinkle clean water on those who I will sprinkle clean water on those who I will sprinkle clean water on you and you shall be clean from all your you and you shall be clean from all your you and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses. uncleannesses. uncleannesses. It's the waterwashed, forgiven, cleansed It's the waterwashed, forgiven, cleansed It's the waterwashed, forgiven, cleansed people. It's the people to whom he says, I I'll It's the people to whom he says, I I'll put a new spirit within you. Your heart put a new spirit within you. Your heart put a new spirit within you. Your heart of stone I will take out and I'll put in of stone I will take out and I'll put in of stone I will take out and I'll put in the heart of flesh. why does he refer to both water and why does he refer to both water and spirit here?

spirit here? spirit here? And why does Jesus feel obliged to pick And why does Jesus feel obliged to pick And why does Jesus feel obliged to pick them up? them up? them up? What what's the difference between What what's the difference between What what's the difference between the expression of you need to be the expression of you need to be the expression of you need to be forgiven symbolized by water making the forgiven symbolized by water making the forgiven symbolized by water making the cleanness go uncleanness go off of you cleanness go uncleanness go off of you cleanness go uncleanness go off of you and you need a new spirit. and you need a new spirit. and you need a new spirit. Let me try to put the two together for Let me try to put the two together for Let me try to put the two together for you. you. you. The reason both are necessary is this. The reason both are necessary is this. The reason both are necessary is this. When we say that a new spirit or a new When we say that a new spirit or a new When we say that a new spirit or a new heart is given to us, we don't mean that heart is given to us, we don't mean that heart is given to us, we don't mean that we cease to be the human being that we we cease to be the human being that we we cease to be the human being that we were before the new birth. The human being, the morally The human being, the morally accountable, responsible self of John Piper before I was born again is of John Piper before I was born again is the same human being, the same morally the same human being, the same morally the same human being, the same morally accountable human self as after I was accountable human self as after I was accountable human self as after I was born again.

born again. born again. That's why the imagery of water and That's why the imagery of water and That's why the imagery of water and cleansing is necessary. cleansing is necessary. cleansing is necessary. Because Because Because if we conceived of the newness of the if we conceived of the newness of the if we conceived of the newness of the new creation or the newness of the new new creation or the newness of the new new creation or the newness of the new life to obliterate life to obliterate life to obliterate the human being that was before, there'd the human being that was before, there'd the human being that was before, there'd be nothing there to forgive. there'd be nothing there to cleanse. there'd be nothing there to cleanse. The whole concept of you need cleansing The whole concept of you need cleansing The whole concept of you need cleansing means you're there. means you're there. means you're there. You're not gone You're not gone You're not gone and you're always going to be there. and you're always going to be there. and you're always going to be there. It's you. You and me bring to this thing It's you. You and me bring to this thing It's you. You and me bring to this thing our record. our record. our record. And we don't just need to be fixed up, And we don't just need to be fixed up, And we don't just need to be fixed up, made new. We need some cleanup. made new. We need some cleanup. made new. We need some cleanup. and some forgiveness.

Now, I know Now, I know that Paul says things like, "Our old that Paul says things like, "Our old that Paul says things like, "Our old self was crucified. self was crucified. self was crucified. We have died with Christ. Consider We have died with Christ. Consider We have died with Christ. Consider yourselves dead to sin. Put off the old yourselves dead to sin. Put off the old yourselves dead to sin. Put off the old self." self." self." But there's no reason to take that in But there's no reason to take that in But there's no reason to take that in some kind of philosophical stretch to some kind of philosophical stretch to some kind of philosophical stretch to mean mean mean the human being who was there that just the human being who was there that just the human being who was there that just got born again is not that human being got born again is not that human being got born again is not that human being anymore. anymore. anymore. We have an old character that needs We have an old character that needs We have an old character that needs changing, an old principle that needs changing, an old principle that needs changing, an old principle that needs abolishing, old nature that needs abolishing, old nature that needs abolishing, old nature that needs renewing, an old bent that needs to be renewing, an old bent that needs to be renewing, an old bent that needs to be pushed in another direction. But as far pushed in another direction. But as far pushed in another direction. But as far as obliterating the the John Piper who as obliterating the the John Piper who as obliterating the the John Piper who who was born of the flesh, he doesn't. who was born of the flesh, he doesn't. who was born of the flesh, he doesn't. And you could just go back and look at And you could just go back and look at And you could just go back and look at the pictures. So I think the way to think about the So I think the way to think about the new heart and the new spirit and the new new heart and the new spirit and the new new heart and the new spirit and the new nature nature nature is that it's still you is that it's still you is that it's still you and you need to be cleansed and forgiven and you need to be cleansed and forgiven and you need to be cleansed and forgiven for all the stuff you did when you were for all the stuff you did when you were for all the stuff you did when you were four four four 10.

10. 10. You need forgiveness for that. That's You need forgiveness for that. That's You need forgiveness for that. That's why he died. why he died. why he died. They didn't disappear out of existence. They didn't disappear out of existence. They didn't disappear out of existence. Well, we don't have to deal with that Well, we don't have to deal with that Well, we don't have to deal with that anymore. That's gone. Nothing needs to anymore. That's gone. Nothing needs to anymore. That's gone. Nothing needs to be forgiven there. That's poof. It's be forgiven there. That's poof. It's be forgiven there. That's poof. It's annihilated. No way. We desperately need annihilated. No way. We desperately need annihilated. No way. We desperately need that forgiven today. I need to walk in that forgiven today. I need to walk in that forgiven today. I need to walk in the consciousness that everything I the consciousness that everything I the consciousness that everything I brought to this humanity and everything brought to this humanity and everything brought to this humanity and everything I've performed in this humanity is I've performed in this humanity is I've performed in this humanity is forgiven, forgiven, forgiven, cleansed. cleansed. cleansed. Jeremiah 33:8 Jeremiah 33:8 Jeremiah 33:8 clarifies, I think, what what is going clarifies, I think, what what is going clarifies, I think, what what is going on here in the water thing. It says, "I on here in the water thing. It says, "I on here in the water thing. It says, "I will cleanse them from all the guilt of will cleanse them from all the guilt of will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive their sin against me, and I will forgive their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion all the guilt of their sin and rebellion all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me." That assumes right now I'm against me." That assumes right now I'm against me." That assumes right now I'm dealing with a person with a record.

dealing with a person with a record. dealing with a person with a record. As I put my new spirit within him, I got As I put my new spirit within him, I got As I put my new spirit within him, I got to deal with the record and I'm dealing to deal with the record and I'm dealing to deal with the record and I'm dealing with it with his imagery of water. I'm with it with his imagery of water. I'm with it with his imagery of water. I'm cleaning him up. cleaning him up. cleaning him up. I'm canceling it out. I'm canceling it out. I'm canceling it out. I'm going to have my son die for these I'm going to have my son die for these I'm going to have my son die for these sins, but but forgiveness and cleansing are not forgiveness and cleansing are not forgiveness and cleansing are not enough. enough. enough. It's why both water and spirit, water It's why both water and spirit, water It's why both water and spirit, water and spirit, they're not enough. and spirit, they're not enough. and spirit, they're not enough. We need We need We need a new way of seeing, a new way of a new way of seeing, a new way of a new way of seeing, a new way of thinking, a new way of valuing. thinking, a new way of valuing. thinking, a new way of valuing. If we're going to if we're going to end If we're going to if we're going to end If we're going to if we're going to end up in heaven and want to be there, we up in heaven and want to be there, we up in heaven and want to be there, we need to be new, not just forgiven. need to be new, not just forgiven. need to be new, not just forgiven. Forgiven, people who hate spiritual Forgiven, people who hate spiritual Forgiven, people who hate spiritual things won't be happy in heaven. And therefore, they won't be there. And therefore, they won't be there. Now we're at verses 26 and 27 in Ezekiel Now we're at verses 26 and 27 in Ezekiel Now we're at verses 26 and 27 in Ezekiel 36. So important.

36. So important. 36. So important. I will give you a new heart and a new I will give you a new heart and a new I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you. spirit I will put within you. spirit I will put within you. So now he's moved away from the water So now he's moved away from the water So now he's moved away from the water thing of forgiveness and cleansing and thing of forgiveness and cleansing and thing of forgiveness and cleansing and all of that imagery. And now he's got all of that imagery. And now he's got all of that imagery. And now he's got another kind of imagery, heart another kind of imagery, heart another kind of imagery, heart transplant. transplant. transplant. Heart of stone coming out, heart of Heart of stone coming out, heart of Heart of stone coming out, heart of flesh going in. You see that? I will flesh going in. You see that? I will flesh going in. You see that? I will remove the heart of stone. Verse 26 at remove the heart of stone. Verse 26 at remove the heart of stone. Verse 26 at the end. I will remove the heart of the end. I will remove the heart of the end. I will remove the heart of stone from you from your flesh and I stone from you from your flesh and I stone from you from your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh and will give you a heart of flesh and will give you a heart of flesh and I will put my spirit within you and I will put my spirit within you and I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be cause you to walk in my statutes and be cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Now, here's careful to obey my rules. Now, here's careful to obey my rules. Now, here's how I understand how I understand how I understand this heart transplant. The heart of this heart transplant. The heart of this heart transplant. The heart of stone in verse 26, the heart of stone stone in verse 26, the heart of stone stone in verse 26, the heart of stone means means means uh John Piper was dead uh John Piper was dead uh John Piper was dead spiritually.

spiritually. spiritually. Stone means you touch it, it doesn't Stone means you touch it, it doesn't Stone means you touch it, it doesn't feel anything. feel anything. feel anything. Bang on it, resist, break your knife. Bang on it, resist, break your knife. Bang on it, resist, break your knife. Stone, cold, hard, Stone, cold, hard, Stone, cold, hard, unresponsive, unresceptive unresponsive, unresceptive unresponsive, unresceptive to spiritual to spiritual to spiritual reality. This stone very strange stone that I was This stone very strange stone that I was could feel many things. No, did it have could feel many things. No, did it have could feel many things. No, did it have desires. desires. desires. Food, Food, Food, sex, popularity. So this stone has desires. It's just So this stone has desires. It's just stone when it comes to Jesus. stone when it comes to Jesus. stone when it comes to Jesus. He's boring. He's uninteresting. He is He's boring. He's uninteresting. He is He's boring. He's uninteresting. He is not beautiful. He certainly isn't my not beautiful. He certainly isn't my not beautiful. He certainly isn't my treasure. Thank you very much. Money, treasure. Thank you very much. Money, treasure. Thank you very much. Money, popularity, what you name it. Whatever popularity, what you name it. Whatever popularity, what you name it. Whatever your treasure is with Jesus, that's your treasure is with Jesus, that's your treasure is with Jesus, that's signaling you've got this stone for a signaling you've got this stone for a signaling you've got this stone for a heart.

heart. heart. Everybody has desires. But only people Everybody has desires. But only people Everybody has desires. But only people who have that heart taken out. And who have that heart taken out. And who have that heart taken out. And another heart put in feel that. Now, why another heart put in feel that. Now, why another heart put in feel that. Now, why does he call it a heart of flesh? I does he call it a heart of flesh? I does he call it a heart of flesh? I mean, that mixes us up, right? Because mean, that mixes us up, right? Because mean, that mixes us up, right? Because flesh is not what I mean in in John 3, flesh is not what I mean in in John 3, flesh is not what I mean in in John 3, that which is born of the flesh is that which is born of the flesh is that which is born of the flesh is flesh. The word flesh there means what flesh. The word flesh there means what flesh. The word flesh there means what you are by human nature apart from any you are by human nature apart from any you are by human nature apart from any divine intervention. That's not the divine intervention. That's not the divine intervention. That's not the meaning here. The meaning here is meaning here. The meaning here is meaning here. The meaning here is contrasted with stone. And what is the contrasted with stone. And what is the contrasted with stone. And what is the contrast with stone? soft, contrast with stone? soft, contrast with stone? soft, alive, alive, alive, easily pricricked. easily pricricked. easily pricricked. This imagery of I'm going to put in you This imagery of I'm going to put in you This imagery of I'm going to put in you a heart of flesh simply means a heart a heart of flesh simply means a heart a heart of flesh simply means a heart that's now responsive, receptive. It that's now responsive, receptive. It that's now responsive, receptive. It feels spiritual reality. When Christ is feels spiritual reality. When Christ is feels spiritual reality. When Christ is lifted up, it says yes. lifted up, it says yes. lifted up, it says yes. It can feel the worth of Jesus. Once It can feel the worth of Jesus. Once It can feel the worth of Jesus. Once Jesus was not worthy, now he's Jesus was not worthy, now he's Jesus was not worthy, now he's everything. That's difference between everything. That's difference between everything. That's difference between stone and flesh.

stone and flesh. stone and flesh. That's what happens in the new birth. We That's what happens in the new birth. We That's what happens in the new birth. We we need more than forgiveness. We need we need more than forgiveness. We need we need more than forgiveness. We need more than cleansing. We need to be new. more than cleansing. We need to be new. more than cleansing. We need to be new. New new thinking and new feeling and new New new thinking and new feeling and new New new thinking and new feeling and new valuing and new treasuring. And that's valuing and new treasuring. And that's valuing and new treasuring. And that's what the new birth is designed to do what the new birth is designed to do what the new birth is designed to do here. here. here. Then Then Then he says in verse 20 he says in verse 20 he says in verse 20 27, 27, 27, "And I will put my spirit within you and "And I will put my spirit within you and "And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes. H H going to give you a new heart and a new going to give you a new heart and a new going to give you a new heart and a new spirit." Little S. And I'm going to move in And I'm going to move in myself coming in. My spirit's coming in. How How are we supposed to think about How How are we supposed to think about that? that? that? Let me try a picture on you. This is my Let me try a picture on you. This is my Let me try a picture on you. This is my best shot of how my newness relates to best shot of how my newness relates to best shot of how my newness relates to his presence. Okay, cuz they're both his presence. Okay, cuz they're both his presence. Okay, cuz they're both there. So, I got to figure this out. Is there. So, I got to figure this out. Is there. So, I got to figure this out. Is it just him or am I new? Well, clearly it just him or am I new? Well, clearly it just him or am I new? Well, clearly I'm new. I got a new heart, but he's I'm new. I got a new heart, but he's I'm new. I got a new heart, but he's there. So, that's important. How does there. So, that's important. How does there. So, that's important. How does how does the presence of the spirit how does the presence of the spirit how does the presence of the spirit relate to my new spirit?

relate to my new spirit? relate to my new spirit? Here's my here's my my best shot. I was Here's my here's my my best shot. I was Here's my here's my my best shot. I was going to use a lava lamp, but I figured going to use a lava lamp, but I figured going to use a lava lamp, but I figured nobody would know what they were. So, nobody would know what they were. So, nobody would know what they were. So, I'm just going to say you've got this I'm just going to say you've got this I'm just going to say you've got this big big big big ball of soft warm big ball of soft warm big ball of soft warm clay and and it's you can do like this with and and it's you can do like this with it's no particular shape or it might be it's no particular shape or it might be it's no particular shape or it might be shaped like a dollar bill. That's your shaped like a dollar bill. That's your shaped like a dollar bill. That's your heart. heart. heart. And And And the new heart is soft. It's not hard. the new heart is soft. It's not hard. the new heart is soft. It's not hard. And the Holy Spirit like like my take my And the Holy Spirit like like my take my And the Holy Spirit like like my take my fist. He's pushing himself up into this fist. He's pushing himself up into this fist. He's pushing himself up into this clay like this. Go like like this. Okay. clay like this. Go like like this. Okay. clay like this. Go like like this. Okay. And in there he's starting to flex his And in there he's starting to flex his And in there he's starting to flex his character. He's got things he loves and character. He's got things he loves and character. He's got things he loves and things he hates and things he does. He things he hates and things he does. He things he hates and things he does. He starts to just kind of form himself. And starts to just kind of form himself. And starts to just kind of form himself. And you, this this clay is starting to take you, this this clay is starting to take you, this this clay is starting to take on the form of what's forming in you. on the form of what's forming in you. on the form of what's forming in you. Oh, that Christ would be formed in you, Oh, that Christ would be formed in you, Oh, that Christ would be formed in you, Paul said.

Paul said. Paul said. And it's you who need to be formed, not And it's you who need to be formed, not And it's you who need to be formed, not just Christ. Christ doesn't want to get just Christ. Christ doesn't want to get just Christ. Christ doesn't want to get in there and be himself and have you in there and be himself and have you in there and be himself and have you stay old. stay old. stay old. He He's being himself in you so that as He He's being himself in you so that as He He's being himself in you so that as he as he stretches out his love finger he as he stretches out his love finger he as he stretches out his love finger and his his uh I didn't think of all the and his his uh I didn't think of all the and his his uh I didn't think of all the details. details. details. You add the details. Just stretching out You add the details. Just stretching out You add the details. Just stretching out his character in all his wonderful ways. his character in all his wonderful ways. his character in all his wonderful ways. That's you. You're shaped that way. That's you. You're shaped that way. That's you. You're shaped that way. That's who you are. That's your heart. That's who you are. That's your heart. That's who you are. That's your heart. And and it can happen to your heart And and it can happen to your heart And and it can happen to your heart because it's soft. It's flesh. It's it's because it's soft. It's flesh. It's it's because it's soft. It's flesh. It's it's not a stone anymore that was keeping him not a stone anymore that was keeping him not a stone anymore that was keeping him out and saying no thank you to Jesus. out and saying no thank you to Jesus. out and saying no thank you to Jesus. So, let me try to sum it all up. What So, let me try to sum it all up. What So, let me try to sum it all up. What happens in the new birth? The Holy happens in the new birth? The Holy happens in the new birth? The Holy Spirit supernaturally gives us new Spirit supernaturally gives us new Spirit supernaturally gives us new spiritual life spiritual life spiritual life by connecting us with Jesus Christ by connecting us with Jesus Christ by connecting us with Jesus Christ through faith. through faith. through faith. Say it another way, the spirit unites us Say it another way, the spirit unites us Say it another way, the spirit unites us to Christ to Christ to Christ where there is cleansing. And cleansing where there is cleansing. And cleansing where there is cleansing. And cleansing is understood as forgiveness according is understood as forgiveness according is understood as forgiveness according to Jeremiah 33:8.

to Jeremiah 33:8. to Jeremiah 33:8. There is cleansing and he replaces our hard unresponsive and he replaces our hard unresponsive heart with a soft heart that treasures heart with a soft heart that treasures heart with a soft heart that treasures Jesus above all things and is being Jesus above all things and is being Jesus above all things and is being formed. I hope this gives you hope. formed. I hope this gives you hope. formed. I hope this gives you hope. Don't be an all or nothing person here. Don't be an all or nothing person here. Don't be an all or nothing person here. You'll go crazy. You'll bail on You'll go crazy. You'll bail on You'll go crazy. You'll bail on Christianity if you're an all or nothing Christianity if you're an all or nothing Christianity if you're an all or nothing person. If you say the new birth has to person. If you say the new birth has to person. If you say the new birth has to produce that entire form immediately you produce that entire form immediately you produce that entire form immediately you will die, you kill yourself or you'll will die, you kill yourself or you'll will die, you kill yourself or you'll bail on the faith. It is it is being the bail on the faith. It is it is being the bail on the faith. It is it is being the spirit is in you and he's being formed spirit is in you and he's being formed spirit is in you and he's being formed in you. He's he's taking that brand new in you. He's he's taking that brand new in you. He's he's taking that brand new soft responsive touchable sensitive soft responsive touchable sensitive soft responsive touchable sensitive heart and he's giving it form. And thus, And thus, picking up now on the last phrase in picking up now on the last phrase in picking up now on the last phrase in verse 28 of Ezekiel 36. And thus, verse 28 of Ezekiel 36. And thus, verse 28 of Ezekiel 36. And thus, he is shaping us into the kind of people he is shaping us into the kind of people he is shaping us into the kind of people who love to do the will of God.

who love to do the will of God. who love to do the will of God. I will cause you to walk in my statutes. I will cause you to walk in my statutes. I will cause you to walk in my statutes. That doesn't mean kicking and screaming. That doesn't mean kicking and screaming. That doesn't mean kicking and screaming. That's not the way the Holy Spirit does. That's not the way the Holy Spirit does. That's not the way the Holy Spirit does. That's the way the law does. the law land on you without doing this? the law land on you without doing this? Well, you may do it and become Nicodemus Well, you may do it and become Nicodemus Well, you may do it and become Nicodemus to the core. to the core. to the core. Classic Pharisee, Classic Pharisee, Classic Pharisee, but when the new birth happens, he but when the new birth happens, he but when the new birth happens, he causes us to walk in his statutes from causes us to walk in his statutes from causes us to walk in his statutes from the inside shaping. We start to think, the inside shaping. We start to think, the inside shaping. We start to think, well, not committing adultery is a well, not committing adultery is a well, not committing adultery is a beautiful thing. Not stealing is a beautiful thing. Not stealing is a beautiful thing. Not stealing is a beautiful thing. Not killing is a beautiful thing. Not killing is a beautiful thing. Not killing is a beautiful thing. Not lying is a beautiful thing. Not lying is a beautiful thing. Not lying is a beautiful thing. Loving my neighbor and beautiful thing. Loving my neighbor and beautiful thing. Loving my neighbor and inconveniencing myself and dying is a inconveniencing myself and dying is a inconveniencing myself and dying is a beautiful thing because he's that way beautiful thing because he's that way beautiful thing because he's that way and he's in me and he's taking shape. and he's in me and he's taking shape. and he's in me and he's taking shape. He's stretching himself out He's stretching himself out He's stretching himself out and forming himself within. So and forming himself within. So and forming himself within. So concluding exhortation since the way that that you experience since the way that that you experience all of this all of this all of this is through faith. Since the way that you is through faith. Since the way that you is through faith. Since the way that you experience experience experience all of this is through faith, I invite all of this is through faith, I invite all of this is through faith, I invite you now in the name of Jesus and by the you now in the name of Jesus and by the you now in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit to receive him.

power of the Holy Spirit to receive him. power of the Holy Spirit to receive him. another word for faith according to John another word for faith according to John another word for faith according to John 1:12 to receive him 1:12 to receive him 1:12 to receive him as the sinforgiving as the sinforgiving as the sinforgiving transforming treasure of your life. transforming treasure of your life. transforming treasure of your life. I'm going say that again now so the I'm going say that again now so the I'm going say that again now so the actual closing exhortation will I hope actual closing exhortation will I hope actual closing exhortation will I hope be clear. Since the way all these be clear. Since the way all these be clear. Since the way all these wonderful, glorious, divinely initiated wonderful, glorious, divinely initiated wonderful, glorious, divinely initiated things are experienced by us is through things are experienced by us is through things are experienced by us is through faith. faith. faith. Therefore, Therefore, Therefore, I invite you in the name of Jesus I invite you in the name of Jesus I invite you in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit to by the power of the Holy Spirit to by the power of the Holy Spirit to receive him receive him receive him as your sin as your sin as your sin forgiving forgiving forgiving transforming transforming transforming treasure. treasure. treasure. 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, 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 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 Made from Above, with a message titled Made from Above, with a message titled Made Alive by Great Love. I hope you'll join Alive by Great Love. I hope you'll join Alive by Great Love. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, visit us. For more resources, visit us. For more resources, visit desiring.org.