The Firstfruits of a Renewed World

God's purpose for this universe that he God's purpose for this universe that he made made made is that the entire creation be born is that the entire creation be born is that the entire creation be born again. again. again. That the whole universe That the whole universe That the whole universe replace futility, replace corruption, replace futility, replace corruption, replace futility, replace corruption, replace disease, degradation, replace disease, degradation, replace disease, degradation, degeneration, disasters, a whole new degeneration, disasters, a whole new degeneration, disasters, a whole new order, new heavens, new earth. order, new heavens, new earth. order, new heavens, new earth. He calls it He calls it He calls it when the son of man when the son of man when the son of man sits in the regeneration. sits in the regeneration. sits in the regeneration. He'll be on a throne. >> One of the things I appreciate about the >> One of the things I appreciate about the Bible is that it [music] never tells us Bible is that it [music] never tells us Bible is that it [music] never tells us to pretend that this world isn't broken, to pretend that this world isn't broken, to pretend that this world isn't broken, but it also refuses to let us believe but it also refuses to let us believe but it also refuses to let us believe that brokenness gets the last word. I'm that brokenness gets the last word. I'm that brokenness gets the last word. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. your host, Dan Cruver. 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 shows that regeneration is bigger Piper shows that regeneration is bigger Piper shows that regeneration is bigger than the transformation of individual than the transformation of individual than the transformation of individual sinners. It's actually the firstfruits sinners. It's actually the firstfruits sinners. It's actually the firstfruits of God's coming renewal of all things.

of God's coming renewal of all things. of God's coming renewal of all things. This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on February Bethlehem Baptist Church on February Bethlehem Baptist Church on February 3rd, 2008. >> Father, >> Father, now I stand in need now I stand in need now I stand in need not of any money, not of any money, not of any money, but of your Holy Spirit. but of your Holy Spirit. but of your Holy Spirit. Money would be of no use to me right now Money would be of no use to me right now Money would be of no use to me right now at all at all at all to accomplish what I want to accomplish. to accomplish what I want to accomplish. to accomplish what I want to accomplish. Namely, the salvation of the lost and Namely, the salvation of the lost and Namely, the salvation of the lost and the strengthening of your people, the strengthening of your people, the strengthening of your people, the reconciling of the alienated, the reconciling of the alienated, the reconciling of the alienated, the teaching of the ignorant, the the teaching of the ignorant, the the teaching of the ignorant, the guidance for the confused, refreshment guidance for the confused, refreshment guidance for the confused, refreshment for the downcast. for the downcast. for the downcast. I pray for the pastors who are here for I pray for the pastors who are here for I pray for the pastors who are here for the conference that they would take the conference that they would take the conference that they would take heart from this service and this message heart from this service and this message heart from this service and this message and that you would begin to do a deep and that you would begin to do a deep and that you would begin to do a deep and profound work all the way through and profound work all the way through and profound work all the way through Wednesday that would set them to put Wednesday that would set them to put Wednesday that would set them to put their hand to the plow fresh and not their hand to the plow fresh and not their hand to the plow fresh and not look back. look back. look back. So, wherever we are on the spiritual So, wherever we are on the spiritual So, wherever we are on the spiritual spectrum from unbelief to radical spectrum from unbelief to radical spectrum from unbelief to radical belief, I pray that you would do a a belief, I pray that you would do a a belief, I pray that you would do a a saving, strengthening, healing, saving, strengthening, healing, saving, strengthening, healing, reconciling, empowering, guiding, reconciling, empowering, guiding, reconciling, empowering, guiding, encouraging work.

encouraging work. encouraging work. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen. Notice in verse 5 Notice in verse 5 the word regeneration. the word regeneration. the word regeneration. Uh this is the ninth in the series on Uh this is the ninth in the series on Uh this is the ninth in the series on regeneration. In the first one I told regeneration. In the first one I told regeneration. In the first one I told all the children to remember to teach all the children to remember to teach all the children to remember to teach their parents that another name for the their parents that another name for the their parents that another name for the new birth was regeneration. I hope all new birth was regeneration. I hope all new birth was regeneration. I hope all the children have taught their parents the children have taught their parents the children have taught their parents well so that when I get to this word well so that when I get to this word well so that when I get to this word they'll know what it means. Verse 5 goes they'll know what it means. Verse 5 goes they'll know what it means. Verse 5 goes He, that is God, saved us not because of He, that is God, saved us not because of He, that is God, saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness works done by us in righteousness works done by us in righteousness but according to his own mercy, by the but according to his own mercy, by the but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration. So, there's our washing of regeneration. So, there's our washing of regeneration. So, there's our keyword, which is why I have chosen this keyword, which is why I have chosen this keyword, which is why I have chosen this text in this next message in the series. text in this next message in the series. text in this next message in the series. The washing of regeneration and the The washing of regeneration and the The washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit. renewal of the Holy Spirit. renewal of the Holy Spirit. We've posed the question, what is it? We've posed the question, what is it? We've posed the question, what is it? What is the new birth? We've posed the What is the new birth? We've posed the What is the new birth? We've posed the question, why is it needed?

question, why is it needed? question, why is it needed? And we've posed the question, how does And we've posed the question, how does And we've posed the question, how does it happen? Dividing the how question it happen? Dividing the how question it happen? Dividing the how question into two parts, namely uh how does God into two parts, namely uh how does God into two parts, namely uh how does God do it and how do we take part in it? We do it and how do we take part in it? We do it and how do we take part in it? We haven't gotten here yet. haven't gotten here yet. haven't gotten here yet. We're still here. We're still here. We're still here. And that's what I'm doing in this text, And that's what I'm doing in this text, And that's what I'm doing in this text, posing the question again posing the question again posing the question again how does it happen? how does it happen? how does it happen? What is involved from God's side in this What is involved from God's side in this What is involved from God's side in this reality called the new birth or being reality called the new birth or being reality called the new birth or being born again or regeneration? born again or regeneration? born again or regeneration? Now, before we go directly to that Now, before we go directly to that Now, before we go directly to that question, question, question, I cannot pass over quickly I cannot pass over quickly I cannot pass over quickly the answer given to the what question the answer given to the what question the answer given to the what question and the and the and the why question in this text. So, just by why question in this text. So, just by why question in this text. So, just by way of a little expansion and review, way of a little expansion and review, way of a little expansion and review, let's take a what let's take a what let's take a what and a why before we get to the how. and a why before we get to the how. and a why before we get to the how. There are some signals here that are There are some signals here that are There are some signals here that are extraordinary extraordinary extraordinary about what it is.

about what it is. about what it is. Let's take one of them. Let's take one of them. Let's take one of them. This word regeneration here, This word regeneration here, This word regeneration here, the word behind it in the Greek, the word behind it in the Greek, the word behind it in the Greek, only occurs one other time in the Bible. And it's very significant. And it's very significant. So, I'll read it to you. So, I'll read it to you. So, I'll read it to you. It's Matthew 19, it's in the mouth of It's Matthew 19, it's in the mouth of It's Matthew 19, it's in the mouth of Jesus, verse 28, talking to the 12 Jesus, verse 28, talking to the 12 Jesus, verse 28, talking to the 12 apostles apostles apostles after the event of saying that the rich after the event of saying that the rich after the event of saying that the rich man will have a hard time getting into man will have a hard time getting into man will have a hard time getting into the kingdom of heaven and Peter having the kingdom of heaven and Peter having the kingdom of heaven and Peter having said, "Oh, we've left everything and said, "Oh, we've left everything and said, "Oh, we've left everything and followed you. What about us?" followed you. What about us?" followed you. What about us?" Jesus says this, Jesus says this, Jesus says this, Matthew 19:28, Matthew 19:28, Matthew 19:28, "Truly, truly, I say to you, "Truly, truly, I say to you, "Truly, truly, I say to you, in the new world," that's the word. in the new world," that's the word. in the new world," that's the word. It should be translated It should be translated It should be translated very literally, very literally, very literally, "in the regeneration."

It's exact what it means. It's exact what it means. The new birth, in the second birth, in The new birth, in the second birth, in The new birth, in the second birth, in the new birth, "when the Son of Man will sit on his "when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, glorious throne, glorious throne, you who have followed me will sit on 12 you who have followed me will sit on 12 you who have followed me will sit on 12 thrones thrones thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel." judging the 12 tribes of Israel." judging the 12 tribes of Israel." So, the regeneration So, the regeneration So, the regeneration in Matthew 19:28 is a reference to the in Matthew 19:28 is a reference to the in Matthew 19:28 is a reference to the regeneration of the universe. In the regeneration, In the regeneration, translated here new world, well, that's translated here new world, well, that's translated here new world, well, that's okay. Just okay. Just okay. Just can't do the parallel with Titus 3:5 can't do the parallel with Titus 3:5 can't do the parallel with Titus 3:5 when you see there when you see there when you see there In the regeneration, In the regeneration, In the regeneration, the Son of Man will sit in a glorious the Son of Man will sit in a glorious the Son of Man will sit in a glorious throne and the 12 apostles on the throne and the 12 apostles on the throne and the 12 apostles on the thrones judging Israel. This is the new heavens and the new This is the new heavens and the new earth earth earth described in Isaiah 65 and 66. described in Isaiah 65 and 66. described in Isaiah 65 and 66. So, Jesus conceives of the new birth So, Jesus conceives of the new birth So, Jesus conceives of the new birth as not simply a spiritual thing going on as not simply a spiritual thing going on as not simply a spiritual thing going on in here, in here, in here, but a global, universal thing going on but a global, universal thing going on but a global, universal thing going on out there. And this thing going on in out there. And this thing going on in out there. And this thing going on in here is to get me ready for that.

here is to get me ready for that. here is to get me ready for that. To make me suitable for that. To make me To make me suitable for that. To make me To make me suitable for that. To make me an inhabitant of that. an inhabitant of that. an inhabitant of that. Cuz not everybody will be there. Cuz not everybody will be there. Cuz not everybody will be there. There will be an outer darkness outside There will be an outer darkness outside There will be an outer darkness outside the universe. The most important The most important text in the Bible, I think, about the text in the Bible, I think, about the text in the Bible, I think, about the new birth of the universe is Romans 8:20 new birth of the universe is Romans 8:20 new birth of the universe is Romans 8:20 to 23. to 23. to 23. You can go there with me if you want. To You can go there with me if you want. To You can go there with me if you want. To me, this is an absolutely me, this is an absolutely me, this is an absolutely fundamental, foundational, pervasively fundamental, foundational, pervasively fundamental, foundational, pervasively influential text in the way I do my influential text in the way I do my influential text in the way I do my ministry because it affects how I visit ministry because it affects how I visit ministry because it affects how I visit you in the hospital and think about your you in the hospital and think about your you in the hospital and think about your sickness. sickness. sickness. And a host of other things. I cannot And a host of other things. I cannot And a host of other things. I cannot overemphasize the importance of Romans overemphasize the importance of Romans overemphasize the importance of Romans 8:20 to 23. 8:20 to 23. 8:20 to 23. So, let me read it for you. And I'll So, let me read it for you. And I'll So, let me read it for you. And I'll point it I'll When we get to the place, point it I'll When we get to the place, point it I'll When we get to the place, you'll see it, but I'll point it out you'll see it, but I'll point it out you'll see it, but I'll point it out when we get there, where the when we get there, where the when we get there, where the regeneration of the universe happens.

regeneration of the universe happens. regeneration of the universe happens. For the creation For the creation For the creation not all of it, not just you and your not all of it, not just you and your not all of it, not just you and your little soul little soul little soul for the creation was subjected to for the creation was subjected to for the creation was subjected to futility futility futility not not not willingly willingly willingly nobody nobody nobody nobody among us wanted this. nobody among us wanted this. nobody among us wanted this. Subjected to futility not willingly, but Subjected to futility not willingly, but Subjected to futility not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope. because of him who subjected it in hope. because of him who subjected it in hope. There's only one person who can subject There's only one person who can subject There's only one person who can subject the universe in hope. And the devil the universe in hope. And the devil the universe in hope. And the devil doesn't do that. God does that. In hope that the creation itself will be In hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption set free from its bondage to corruption set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of and obtain the freedom of the glory of and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. You get it first the children of God. You get it first the children of God. You get it first and then he says, I'm going to have a and then he says, I'm going to have a and then he says, I'm going to have a universe for these new people. Just as I'm making them new, I'm going Just as I'm making them new, I'm going to make the universe new. And they will to make the universe new. And they will to make the universe new. And they will have a new heavens and a new earth in have a new heavens and a new earth in have a new heavens and a new earth in which to dwell. They have spiritual which to dwell. They have spiritual which to dwell. They have spiritual bodies and I'll have a spiritual bodies and I'll have a spiritual bodies and I'll have a spiritual universe where they eat fish and pass universe where they eat fish and pass universe where they eat fish and pass through doors.

Verse 22. Verse 22. For we know that the whole creation has For we know that the whole creation has For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together been groaning together been groaning together in the pains of childbirth. There it is. Tsunami, Tsunami, labor pains. labor pains. labor pains. That's the meaning of that verse. That's the meaning of that verse. That's the meaning of that verse. Everywhere you look inside your body and Everywhere you look inside your body and Everywhere you look inside your body and outside in this world, Kenya, Chad, outside in this world, Kenya, Chad, outside in this world, Kenya, Chad, labor pains, groaning. labor pains, groaning. labor pains, groaning. Horrible groanings. I saw some horrible Horrible groanings. I saw some horrible Horrible groanings. I saw some horrible pictures on the internet of burn victims pictures on the internet of burn victims pictures on the internet of burn victims and tumors this week. and tumors this week. and tumors this week. Cried. I cried. We have to keep them hidden. We can't We have to keep them hidden. We can't take it.

Paul looked it right in the face Paul looked it right in the face and he named it. and he named it. and he named it. This is the fall. This is futility. This This is the fall. This is futility. This This is the fall. This is futility. This is corruption. This is subjection. is corruption. This is subjection. is corruption. This is subjection. Let's start [snorts] over in verse 22. Let's start [snorts] over in verse 22. Let's start [snorts] over in verse 22. For we know we know that the whole For we know we know that the whole For we know we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in creation has been groaning together in creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth, yours might the pains of childbirth, yours might the pains of childbirth, yours might say, in travail. That's the implication. say, in travail. That's the implication. say, in travail. That's the implication. Verse 23, "And not only the creation." Verse 23, "And not only the creation." Verse 23, "And not only the creation." This is how I feel about your hospital This is how I feel about your hospital This is how I feel about your hospital stay. stay. stay. "But we ourselves "But we ourselves "But we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Holy who have the first fruits of the Holy who have the first fruits of the Holy Spirit." This is spirit-empowered, Spirit." This is spirit-empowered, Spirit." This is spirit-empowered, indwelt saints and children of God dying indwelt saints and children of God dying indwelt saints and children of God dying in agony in hospitals. in agony in hospitals. in agony in hospitals. And with machete swipes right down their And with machete swipes right down their And with machete swipes right down their face like this. "Not only the creation, but we ourselves "Not only the creation, but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Holy who have the first fruits of the Holy who have the first fruits of the Holy Spirit groan as we wait eagerly for our Spirit groan as we wait eagerly for our Spirit groan as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our adoption as sons, the redemption of our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." In other words, when when our bodies." In other words, when when our bodies." In other words, when when our adoption is complete, adoption is complete, adoption is complete, it's going to include our bodies and it it's going to include our bodies and it it's going to include our bodies and it doesn't yet.

doesn't yet. doesn't yet. That's important for a pastor to get his That's important for a pastor to get his That's important for a pastor to get his arms around when he has a suffering arms around when he has a suffering arms around when he has a suffering people. people. people. Otherwise, he's going to say stupid Otherwise, he's going to say stupid Otherwise, he's going to say stupid things about their lack of faith. So, when you put all that together, So, when you put all that together, here's the picture. here's the picture. here's the picture. God's purpose for this universe that he God's purpose for this universe that he God's purpose for this universe that he made is that the entire creation be born made is that the entire creation be born made is that the entire creation be born again. again. again. That the whole universe That the whole universe That the whole universe replace futility, replace corruption, replace futility, replace corruption, replace futility, replace corruption, replace disease, degradation, replace disease, degradation, replace disease, degradation, degeneration, disasters, a whole new degeneration, disasters, a whole new degeneration, disasters, a whole new order, new heavens, new earth. order, new heavens, new earth. order, new heavens, new earth. He calls it He calls it He calls it when the Son of Man when the Son of Man when the Son of Man sits in the regeneration. sits in the regeneration. sits in the regeneration. He'll be on a throne. So, So, when when when Paul uses this word, only other place in Paul uses this word, only other place in Paul uses this word, only other place in the Bible, in Titus 3:5, hear it big. the Bible, in Titus 3:5, hear it big. the Bible, in Titus 3:5, hear it big. Hear it small, Hear it small, Hear it small, but hear it big.

Not just our spirits, Not just our spirits, not just our bodies, not just our not just our bodies, not just our not just our bodies, not just our bodies, but also our spirits. bodies, but also our spirits. bodies, but also our spirits. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> We who have the first fruits of the >> We who have the first fruits of the >> We who have the first fruits of the Spirit Spirit Spirit grown inwardly grown inwardly grown inwardly as we wait for our adoption as sons. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Why >> Why >> Why did God subject did God subject did God subject the world? I can't go on without just the world? I can't go on without just the world? I can't go on without just addressing this, to futility like this. addressing this, to futility like this. addressing this, to futility like this. What you see in the world What you see in the world What you see in the world in terms of horror is owing to God's subjecting is owing to God's subjecting the world to futility when Adam and Eve the world to futility when Adam and Eve the world to futility when Adam and Eve sinned. sinned. sinned. It's called the fall. They fell, but the It's called the fall. They fell, but the It's called the fall. They fell, but the question is, why did the universe fall? Why do hurricanes go together with Why do hurricanes go together with disobedience?

Then I'll tell you the only answer I Then I'll tell you the only answer I know. know. know. God regarded the moral outrage of sin, God regarded the moral outrage of sin, God regarded the moral outrage of sin, moral evil, as so horrendous, moral evil, as so horrendous, moral evil, as so horrendous, he gave us he gave us he gave us touchable, visible evidences of the touchable, visible evidences of the touchable, visible evidences of the outrage outrage outrage in our own in our own in our own sicknesses, sicknesses, sicknesses, our [clears throat] own tsunamis, our our [clears throat] own tsunamis, our our [clears throat] own tsunamis, our own wars, our own divorces. own wars, our own divorces. own wars, our own divorces. He unleashed on the world so much pain He unleashed on the world so much pain He unleashed on the world so much pain that we would have to say, that we would have to say, that we would have to say, "Either this is massively "Either this is massively "Either this is massively wrong and unjust, wrong and unjust, wrong and unjust, or sin is more horrible than I thought or sin is more horrible than I thought or sin is more horrible than I thought it was." it was." it was." I hope you give the second answer. It's a physical It's a physical imaging of a moral outrage.

You come to Titus 3:5 now, You come to Titus 3:5 now, and the beginning of the healing, and the beginning of the healing, and the beginning of the healing, the beginning of the the beginning of the the beginning of the the regeneration. the regeneration. the regeneration. God saved us, God saved us, God saved us, not because of works done by us in not because of works done by us in not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own righteousness, but according to his own righteousness, but according to his own mercy by the washing of regeneration mercy by the washing of regeneration mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit. So, when he gets to verse seven, So, when he gets to verse seven, and he says that the aim of that and he says that the aim of that and he says that the aim of that regeneration and that salvation regeneration and that salvation regeneration and that salvation is that being justified by his grace, we is that being justified by his grace, we is that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope might become heirs according to the hope might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Now, I hope you fill up of eternal life. Now, I hope you fill up of eternal life. Now, I hope you fill up the term eternal life as big as it the term eternal life as big as it the term eternal life as big as it really is. really is. really is. Heirs in hope of a life that is not just Heirs in hope of a life that is not just Heirs in hope of a life that is not just this awful life extended. this awful life extended. this awful life extended. If it's not awful for you, If it's not awful for you, If it's not awful for you, you're in a bubble. you're in a bubble. you're in a bubble. You're just not sharing in the problems.

You're just not sharing in the problems. You're just not sharing in the problems. Not the extension of this awful life, Not the extension of this awful life, Not the extension of this awful life, but a totally new life in a totally new but a totally new life in a totally new but a totally new life in a totally new universe. New bodies, New bodies, new heavens, new heavens, new heavens, new earths, new perfected relationships, new earths, new perfected relationships, new earths, new perfected relationships, new sinless sight of all that is good new sinless sight of all that is good new sinless sight of all that is good and glorious, beautiful, new capacities and glorious, beautiful, new capacities and glorious, beautiful, new capacities for a kind of pleasure in God that now for a kind of pleasure in God that now for a kind of pleasure in God that now you never dreamed of. you never dreamed of. you never dreamed of. It will be so. It will be so. It will be so. New New New and so glorious. and so glorious. and so glorious. So, I couldn't pass by the what of So, I couldn't pass by the what of So, I couldn't pass by the what of regeneration in this text. regeneration in this text. regeneration in this text. The why of regeneration here is not new. The why of regeneration here is not new. The why of regeneration here is not new. It's just so clear, I think I should say It's just so clear, I think I should say It's just so clear, I think I should say it, namely verse three. it, namely verse three. it, namely verse three. We ourselves were once foolish, We ourselves were once foolish, We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, disobedient, disobedient, led astray, led astray, led astray, slaves slaves slaves to various passions and pleasures, to various passions and pleasures, to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, passing our days in malice and envy, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others, hating one another.

That's not the material creation under That's not the material creation under the curse. That's our sin, the curse. That's our sin, the curse. That's our sin, which brings the material which brings the material which brings the material creation under the curse. Foolish, Foolish, disobedient, disobedient, disobedient, led astray, slaves to pleasures that are led astray, slaves to pleasures that are led astray, slaves to pleasures that are sinful, malice, sinful, malice, sinful, malice, envy, hated and hating. envy, hated and hating. envy, hated and hating. You're there somewhere. The reason we need regeneration The reason we need regeneration is because that's us. is because that's us. is because that's us. It's the way we It's the way we It's the way we were were were and because remnants remain, it's and because remnants remain, it's and because remnants remain, it's sometimes the way we still sometimes the way we still sometimes the way we still are. Jesus said, "Unless you're born again, Jesus said, "Unless you're born again, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." And the reason is because hearts like And the reason is because hearts like And the reason is because hearts like verse 3 don't go to heaven.

verse 3 don't go to heaven. verse 3 don't go to heaven. God won't let that kind of heart in his God won't let that kind of heart in his God won't let that kind of heart in his heaven. heaven. heaven. That kind of heart will not be in That kind of heart will not be in That kind of heart will not be in heaven, heaven, heaven, which means you must be born which means you must be born which means you must be born again. And then comes in verse 4, And then comes in verse 4, like so many times in the Bible, like so many times in the Bible, like so many times in the Bible, that glorious and most precious of all that glorious and most precious of all that glorious and most precious of all phrases, perhaps, phrases, perhaps, phrases, perhaps, but God. But when the goodness and loving But when the goodness and loving kindness of God, but when the goodness kindness of God, but when the goodness kindness of God, but when the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared, God and loving kindness of God appeared, God and loving kindness of God appeared, God saved us. saved us. saved us. It's exactly like the logic of Ephesians It's exactly like the logic of Ephesians It's exactly like the logic of Ephesians 2:3-5, isn't it? 2:3-5, isn't it? 2:3-5, isn't it? Listen to those great words. Listen to those great words. Listen to those great words. We were carrying out the desires of the We were carrying out the desires of the We were carrying out the desires of the body and the mind and were by nature body and the mind and were by nature body and the mind and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of children of wrath like the rest of children of wrath like the rest of mankind, but God, being rich in mercy, mankind, but God, being rich in mercy, mankind, but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he because of the great love with which he because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our loved us, even when we were dead in our loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with trespasses, made us alive together with trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. We Christ. By grace you have been saved. We Christ. By grace you have been saved. We were dead, but God made us alive.

were dead, but God made us alive. were dead, but God made us alive. By grace you've been saved. Exactly the By grace you've been saved. Exactly the By grace you've been saved. Exactly the same logic as we have here in Titus 3: same logic as we have here in Titus 3: same logic as we have here in Titus 3: 3 and 4. So, So, there's the what of regeneration. there's the what of regeneration. there's the what of regeneration. This This This first installment of this universal first installment of this universal first installment of this universal renewal is happening right here when God renewal is happening right here when God renewal is happening right here when God does it in us. does it in us. does it in us. And it's because we were so foolish and And it's because we were so foolish and And it's because we were so foolish and so hated and so hating and so wicked. So selfish. So selfish. And we knew that our hearts as they are And we knew that our hearts as they are And we knew that our hearts as they are could never be in heaven. There has to be a renewal There has to be a renewal called the new birth. called the new birth. called the new birth. >> I want to thank you for listening to >> 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 committed to providing know, we are committed to providing know, we are committed to providing God-centered preaching to help you see God-centered preaching to help you see God-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Christ clearly and treasure him 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 On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper continues our 15-part series Born continues our 15-part series Born continues our 15-part series Born [music] from Above with a message titled [music] from Above with a message titled [music] from Above with a message titled Kindness that makes [music] us new. I Kindness that makes [music] us new. I Kindness that makes [music] us new. I hope you'll join us. hope you'll join us. hope you'll join us. For more resources, [music] visit For more resources, [music] visit For more resources, [music] visit desiringgod.org.