The Living Word Imparts Imperishable Life

If you're not born again, you should If you're not born again, you should listen to this because listen to this because listen to this because this this this is the way God makes it happen. is the way God makes it happen. is the way God makes it happen. Listening to the gospel, listening to Listening to the gospel, listening to Listening to the gospel, listening to this message this message this message is the way God causes people to be born is the way God causes people to be born is the way God causes people to be born again. again. again. >> I don't think we always realize how >> I don't think we always realize how >> I don't think we always realize how hopeful it is that God brings new life hopeful it is that God brings new life hopeful it is that God brings new life through something as ordinary as [music] through something as ordinary as [music] through something as ordinary as [music] hearing, listening, hearing the gospel hearing, listening, hearing the gospel hearing, listening, hearing the gospel preached. And one of the things that preached. And one of the things that preached. And one of the things that means is no one is beyond [music] the means is no one is beyond [music] the means is no one is beyond [music] the reach of what God can do through his reach of what God can do through his reach of what God can do through his word. word. word. 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 opens 1 Peter 1:13-25 [music] Piper opens 1 Peter 1:13-25 [music] Piper opens 1 Peter 1:13-25 [music] to show that the living and abiding word to show that the living and abiding word to show that the living and abiding word of God is the means by which dead of God is the means by which dead of God is the means by which dead sinners [music] are born again into sinners [music] are born again into sinners [music] are born again into everlasting life. everlasting life. everlasting life. This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on January Bethlehem Baptist Church on January Bethlehem Baptist Church on January 13th, 2008.

>> One of the unsettling things about the >> One of the unsettling things about the new birth new birth new birth is that is that is that it's not in our control to make happen. We don't control it. We don't control it. We don't decide We don't decide We don't decide to make it happen any more than a baby to make it happen any more than a baby to make it happen any more than a baby uh uh uh decides to be conceived decides to be conceived decides to be conceived or decides to be born. or decides to be born. or decides to be born. Or to be more accurate Or to be more accurate Or to be more accurate we don't any more decide to be born we don't any more decide to be born we don't any more decide to be born again than a dead man decides to come to again than a dead man decides to come to again than a dead man decides to come to life. That's very unsettling for people. That's very unsettling for people. It's unsettling for me. It's unsettling for me. It's unsettling for me. The very reason The very reason The very reason that we need to be born again that we need to be born again that we need to be born again is that we can't make ourselves be born is that we can't make ourselves be born is that we can't make ourselves be born again. That's the reason again. That's the reason again. That's the reason we need to be born again. If we could we need to be born again. If we could we need to be born again. If we could make ourselves new make ourselves new make ourselves new we'd be alive.

we'd be alive. we'd be alive. We wouldn't need to be born again. We wouldn't need to be born again. We wouldn't need to be born again. The reason we need the new birth is The reason we need the new birth is The reason we need the new birth is because we're dead because we're dead because we're dead in our trespasses and sins. Our in our trespasses and sins. Our in our trespasses and sins. Our condition condition condition apart from the new birth apart from the new birth apart from the new birth is that if you're not born again, test is that if you're not born again, test is that if you're not born again, test yourself to see if this is not the case. yourself to see if this is not the case. yourself to see if this is not the case. And if if you are born again, think back And if if you are born again, think back And if if you are born again, think back and test yourself to see if this was not and test yourself to see if this was not and test yourself to see if this was not the case. the case. the case. Our condition before we were born again Our condition before we were born again Our condition before we were born again was that we treasured sin and was that we treasured sin and was that we treasured sin and self-exaltation self-exaltation self-exaltation so much we could not treasure Christ so much we could not treasure Christ so much we could not treasure Christ supremely. In other words, we were so rebellious In other words, we were so rebellious at the root of our fallen human at the root of our fallen human at the root of our fallen human nature that we couldn't find it within nature that we couldn't find it within nature that we couldn't find it within ourselves ourselves ourselves to humbly see him to humbly see him to humbly see him and savor him as the infinite treasure and savor him as the infinite treasure and savor him as the infinite treasure that he is. that he is. that he is. We couldn't. We just loved other things We couldn't. We just loved other things We couldn't. We just loved other things more.

And we were guilty for this. And we were guilty for this. It was and it is a real evil in us. This It was and it is a real evil in us. This It was and it is a real evil in us. This inability is blameworthy. We were so hard We were so hard and so dead that we couldn't see him for and so dead that we couldn't see him for and so dead that we couldn't see him for who he who he who he love him for who he is, trust him for love him for who he is, trust him for love him for who he is, trust him for who he is, embrace him for who he is. who he is, embrace him for who he is. who he is, embrace him for who he is. We had all kinds of names for him and We had all kinds of names for him and We had all kinds of names for him and all kinds of feelings about him, all kinds of feelings about him, all kinds of feelings about him, but they were not of him as our but they were not of him as our but they were not of him as our supremely valuable supremely valuable supremely valuable savior and lord savior and lord savior and lord and treasure. Our consciences Our consciences did not excuse us in that condition. We did not excuse us in that condition. We did not excuse us in that condition. We knew we were guilty. knew we were guilty. knew we were guilty. We felt it late at night or early in the We felt it late at night or early in the We felt it late at night or early in the morning morning morning or after the hangover. We knew we were or after the hangover. We knew we were or after the hangover. We knew we were guilty in our resistance guilty in our resistance guilty in our resistance to Christ as our supreme treasure. Our to Christ as our supreme treasure. Our to Christ as our supreme treasure. Our hardness was not hardness was not hardness was not an excusing hardness. It was a an excusing hardness. It was a an excusing hardness. It was a convicting hardness. In our best convicting hardness. In our best convicting hardness. In our best moments, we knew we were rejecting and moments, we knew we were rejecting and moments, we knew we were rejecting and pushing and resisting and walking away, pushing and resisting and walking away, pushing and resisting and walking away, and we felt guilty for it because we and we felt guilty for it because we and we felt guilty for it because we were guilty for it.

were guilty for it. were guilty for it. So, this kind of deadness and inability So, this kind of deadness and inability So, this kind of deadness and inability is not an excusing one. It's a is not an excusing one. It's a is not an excusing one. It's a heightening of our guilt, not a heightening of our guilt, not a heightening of our guilt, not a lessening lessening lessening of our guilt. Something had to happen to of our guilt. Something had to happen to of our guilt. Something had to happen to us. And the Bible has many names for it. And the Bible has many names for it. We're just happened to be talking about We're just happened to be talking about We're just happened to be talking about one of them, namely one of them, namely one of them, namely the new birth. We needed to be born the new birth. We needed to be born the new birth. We needed to be born again. again. again. The Holy Spirit has to work in our The Holy Spirit has to work in our The Holy Spirit has to work in our hearts to give us new spiritual life. hearts to give us new spiritual life. hearts to give us new spiritual life. We were dead, and we needed to be made We were dead, and we needed to be made We were dead, and we needed to be made alive. alive. alive. About 220 of our teenagers are away About 220 of our teenagers are away About 220 of our teenagers are away right now, and perhaps, not sure the right now, and perhaps, not sure the right now, and perhaps, not sure the timing of it, but within the next hour timing of it, but within the next hour timing of it, but within the next hour or so, we'll probably be under the or so, we'll probably be under the or so, we'll probably be under the preaching of the word by Kempton preaching of the word by Kempton preaching of the word by Kempton Turner. Turner. Turner. One of those kids was stone drunk on her One of those kids was stone drunk on her One of those kids was stone drunk on her parents' kitchen floor. That's what we parents' kitchen floor. That's what we parents' kitchen floor. That's what we get. get. get. One of those kids One of those kids One of those kids hates his dad hates his dad hates his dad and will say it to his face.

and will say it to his face. and will say it to his face. One of those kids doesn't want to be in One of those kids doesn't want to be in One of those kids doesn't want to be in this church cuz his parents recently this church cuz his parents recently this church cuz his parents recently came here and drug him from another came here and drug him from another came here and drug him from another church. church. church. The needs at that meeting right now are The needs at that meeting right now are The needs at that meeting right now are extraordinary. extraordinary. extraordinary. So, while I'm preaching and through the So, while I'm preaching and through the So, while I'm preaching and through the rest of this evening, ask that God would rest of this evening, ask that God would rest of this evening, ask that God would show up. show up. show up. God would show up and these teenagers God would show up and these teenagers God would show up and these teenagers come back a flame for God. In other come back a flame for God. In other come back a flame for God. In other words, there's dozens of them that need words, there's dozens of them that need words, there's dozens of them that need to be born again. to be born again. to be born again. The church kids have grown up, lots of The church kids have grown up, lots of The church kids have grown up, lots of them in this church, they need to be them in this church, they need to be them in this church, they need to be born again. Going to church doesn't make born again. Going to church doesn't make born again. Going to church doesn't make anybody a Christian. anybody a Christian. anybody a Christian. The Holy Spirit has to come down and The Holy Spirit has to come down and The Holy Spirit has to come down and take a heart and break it and heal it take a heart and break it and heal it take a heart and break it and heal it and open it and give it eyes and give it and open it and give it eyes and give it and open it and give it eyes and give it ears. ears. ears. So, the spiritual things are precious So, the spiritual things are precious So, the spiritual things are precious now. They're not boring like they have now. They're not boring like they have now. They're not boring like they have been all these kids' lives. The way The way this happens, the Spirit of God this happens, the Spirit of God this happens, the Spirit of God supernaturally supernaturally supernaturally gives us new spiritual life by gives us new spiritual life by gives us new spiritual life by connecting us to the living Christ connecting us to the living Christ connecting us to the living Christ through faith.

through faith. through faith. The Spirit of God gives us new life by The Spirit of God gives us new life by The Spirit of God gives us new life by connecting us with the source of life, connecting us with the source of life, connecting us with the source of life, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, through faith. through faith. through faith. There is no separating There is no separating There is no separating new birth and Christ new birth and Christ new birth and Christ and new birth and faith. and new birth and faith. and new birth and faith. Where there is new birth, there is Where there is new birth, there is Where there is new birth, there is faith. faith. faith. Where there is new birth, there is union Where there is new birth, there is union Where there is new birth, there is union with Jesus. with Jesus. with Jesus. There is no temporal There is no temporal There is no temporal distinction. When you light a match and fire happens, When you light a match and fire happens, heat is there. heat is there. heat is there. Heat doesn't wait a few seconds and then Heat doesn't wait a few seconds and then Heat doesn't wait a few seconds and then show up. show up. show up. Neither does Neither does Neither does faith wait a few seconds and then show faith wait a few seconds and then show faith wait a few seconds and then show up in new life. up in new life. up in new life. The way we experience new life is I The way we experience new life is I The way we experience new life is I believe.

That's the sign God's done something. That's the sign God's done something. Before I wasn't believing, I wasn't Before I wasn't believing, I wasn't Before I wasn't believing, I wasn't treasuring, I wasn't loving, I wasn't treasuring, I wasn't loving, I wasn't treasuring, I wasn't loving, I wasn't embracing, I wasn't receiving, and now I embracing, I wasn't receiving, and now I embracing, I wasn't receiving, and now I am. Something happened and it was God am. Something happened and it was God am. Something happened and it was God that happened. that happened. that happened. God showed up. God showed up. God showed up. God changed something and now you know God changed something and now you know God changed something and now you know it's of him. it's of him. it's of him. One of the evidences of new birth is One of the evidences of new birth is One of the evidences of new birth is that you give him glory. that you give him glory. that you give him glory. That you're a believer. That you're a believer. That you're a believer. You don't have any final explanation for You don't have any final explanation for You don't have any final explanation for it in yourself. All those years he meant it in yourself. All those years he meant it in yourself. All those years he meant little or nothing to you. little or nothing to you. little or nothing to you. And then one day And then one day And then one day might be very slowly that you discovered might be very slowly that you discovered might be very slowly that you discovered it, might be instantaneous that you it, might be instantaneous that you it, might be instantaneous that you discovered it. discovered it. discovered it. He's true and he's real and he's He's true and he's real and he's He's true and he's real and he's precious and he's necessary and precious and he's necessary and precious and he's necessary and we're on our faces thanking God that we're on our faces thanking God that we're on our faces thanking God that we've been we've been we've been born again. We have spent seven weeks posing two We have spent seven weeks posing two questions. questions. questions. Number one, what is it?

Number one, what is it? Number one, what is it? And number two, And number two, And number two, why is it so needed? Now we're coming, why is it so needed? Now we're coming, why is it so needed? Now we're coming, as I said we would last week, to the as I said we would last week, to the as I said we would last week, to the third question. How does it happen? How? What's the way that it comes about, How? What's the way that it comes about, this miracle of the new birth. And this miracle of the new birth. And this miracle of the new birth. And if you think about it, there are there if you think about it, there are there if you think about it, there are there two questions in that. Question one is two questions in that. Question one is two questions in that. Question one is how does it happen from God's side? That how does it happen from God's side? That how does it happen from God's side? That is, what's the way God acts in doing it? is, what's the way God acts in doing it? is, what's the way God acts in doing it? And the other is And the other is And the other is how does it happen from my side? how does it happen from my side? how does it happen from my side? What's the way I do it? Those are the two questions Those are the two questions we're going to we're going to we're going to to pose. to pose. to pose. You might think You might think You might think having heard me say that we don't having heard me say that we don't having heard me say that we don't control this thing, God does, and we're control this thing, God does, and we're control this thing, God does, and we're dead, and we can't make it happen, we're dead, and we can't make it happen, we're dead, and we can't make it happen, we're absolutely dependent on his free and absolutely dependent on his free and absolutely dependent on his free and sovereign mercy and grace and love, you sovereign mercy and grace and love, you sovereign mercy and grace and love, you might think I I wouldn't ask that second might think I I wouldn't ask that second might think I I wouldn't ask that second question.

What is the way I do it? What is the way I do it? Or how am I involved in my new birth? I Or how am I involved in my new birth? I Or how am I involved in my new birth? I pose that question because even though I pose that question because even though I pose that question because even though I don't make it happen, don't make it happen, don't make it happen, it happens to me, and I act in it. it happens to me, and I act in it. it happens to me, and I act in it. Let me give you an example of what I Let me give you an example of what I Let me give you an example of what I mean. mean. mean. Lazarus was dead how many days Lazarus was dead how many days Lazarus was dead how many days before Jesus came? before Jesus came? before Jesus came? Four days before Jesus showed up. That's Four days before Jesus showed up. That's Four days before Jesus showed up. That's intentional. Jesus waited a couple of intentional. Jesus waited a couple of intentional. Jesus waited a couple of days to make sure he was days to make sure he was days to make sure he was manifestly, clearly dead and buried, and manifestly, clearly dead and buried, and manifestly, clearly dead and buried, and impossible to impossible to impossible to save. save. save. And so he's in the grave, he's dead four And so he's in the grave, he's dead four And so he's in the grave, he's dead four days, days, days, and Jesus, and Jesus, and Jesus, according to John 11:43, according to John 11:43, according to John 11:43, says this, says this, says this, "Lazarus, "Lazarus, "Lazarus, come out." >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> That's ridiculous, right? >> That's ridiculous, right? >> That's ridiculous, right? Until you see Lazarus come out.

Until you see Lazarus come out. Until you see Lazarus come out. And he came out. Now, what happened? And he came out. Now, what happened? And he came out. Now, what happened? Lazarus did not decide Lazarus did not decide Lazarus did not decide to make himself alive. to make himself alive. to make himself alive. The word spoken by Jesus created what it The word spoken by Jesus created what it The word spoken by Jesus created what it commanded. commanded. commanded. It commanded, "Come out." And in the It commanded, "Come out." And in the It commanded, "Come out." And in the speaking, this is the way God works, in speaking, this is the way God works, in speaking, this is the way God works, in the speaking, God makes what he the speaking, God makes what he the speaking, God makes what he commands. Which is why I prayed for some commands. Which is why I prayed for some commands. Which is why I prayed for some of you as I began. of you as I began. of you as I began. If there is any not born again here, as If there is any not born again here, as If there is any not born again here, as you walk by their grave you walk by their grave you walk by their grave in this service, would you pause and in this service, would you pause and in this service, would you pause and say, say, say, "Live." So, he said that to Lazarus, "Live." And So, he said that to Lazarus, "Live." And he lived. However, he lived. However, he lived. However, Lazarus got up. Lazarus got up. Lazarus got up. Jesus didn't get up for Lazarus. Jesus didn't walk for Lazarus. Jesus Jesus didn't walk for Lazarus. Jesus didn't breathe for Lazarus.

didn't breathe for Lazarus. didn't breathe for Lazarus. He just said, He just said, He just said, "Live." "Live." "Live." And he lived. And after that, And he lived. And after that, And he lived. And after that, it's Lazarus walking, living, breathing, it's Lazarus walking, living, breathing, it's Lazarus walking, living, breathing, acting. acting. acting. So, the way to say it, I think, is that So, the way to say it, I think, is that So, the way to say it, I think, is that Christ causes it and Lazarus does it. Christ brings it about. Christ brings it about. Lazarus acts it out. Christ doesn't take our place Christ doesn't take our place in believing, loving, treasuring, delighting, living, loving, treasuring, delighting, living, leaping. leaping. leaping. He just awakens from the dead. He just awakens from the dead. He just awakens from the dead. Gives us everything it takes to do that. Gives us everything it takes to do that. Gives us everything it takes to do that. The instant Christ commands Lazarus to The instant Christ commands Lazarus to The instant Christ commands Lazarus to rise, Lazarus does the rising. The instant God gives life, we do the The instant God gives life, we do the living.

living. living. So, we've got questions before us. So, we've got questions before us. So, we've got questions before us. This question in this service is, This question in this service is, This question in this service is, "What's God do?" "What's God do?" "What's God do?" How does God do this? And then, 3 weeks How does God do this? And then, 3 weeks How does God do this? And then, 3 weeks we'll take up we'll take up we'll take up "What do I do?" "What do I do?" "What do I do?" So, So, So, in this text, 1 Peter 1, in this text, 1 Peter 1, in this text, 1 Peter 1, I'm going to go back to verse 3 and I'm going to go back to verse 3 and I'm going to go back to verse 3 and include that. include that. include that. I see three answers to the question, "How does God do this?" "How does God do this?" What does he do What does he do What does he do to cause us to be born again? to cause us to be born again? to cause us to be born again? And if you're not born again, you should And if you're not born again, you should And if you're not born again, you should listen to this because listen to this because listen to this because this this this is the way God makes it happen. is the way God makes it happen. is the way God makes it happen. Listening to the gospel, listening to Listening to the gospel, listening to Listening to the gospel, listening to this message this message this message is the way God causes people to be born is the way God causes people to be born is the way God causes people to be born again. again. again. So, it says in verse 23. So, it says in verse 23. So, it says in verse 23. You're born again through the living and You're born again through the living and You're born again through the living and abiding word of God. This is the gospel abiding word of God. This is the gospel abiding word of God. This is the gospel which we preach. That's clear as bell.

which we preach. That's clear as bell. which we preach. That's clear as bell. There are people who today, for those There are people who today, for those There are people who today, for those hearing this and watching it, And those of you who are already born And those of you who are already born again, you listen, too. again, you listen, too. again, you listen, too. Because my my deep concern for this Because my my deep concern for this Because my my deep concern for this series of messages is that Christians series of messages is that Christians series of messages is that Christians awaken awaken awaken to what has happened to you and who you to what has happened to you and who you to what has happened to you and who you are. are. are. Because the level of life in Christ will Because the level of life in Christ will Because the level of life in Christ will rise remarkably if this church could rise remarkably if this church could rise remarkably if this church could see and hear and know at the roots of see and hear and know at the roots of see and hear and know at the roots of our beings what has happened to us, what our beings what has happened to us, what our beings what has happened to us, what God has done in history and in our God has done in history and in our God has done in history and in our hearts to bring us to the point where we hearts to bring us to the point where we hearts to bring us to the point where we are are are in the new birth. in the new birth. in the new birth. Start with verses 3 and 4. Start with verses 3 and 4. Start with verses 3 and 4. Blessed Blessed Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ according to His great mercy. He Christ according to His great mercy. He Christ according to His great mercy. He has caused us to be born again to a has caused us to be born again to a has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead from the dead from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable.

to an inheritance that is imperishable. to an inheritance that is imperishable. I'm going to stop right there and just I'm going to stop right there and just I'm going to stop right there and just fasten onto that word imperishable. The point of these two verses The point of these two verses is that the effect of the new birth is a is that the effect of the new birth is a is that the effect of the new birth is a living hope. And so what you get And so what you get mentioned in the verses then is a is a a mentioned in the verses then is a is a a mentioned in the verses then is a is a a support for living hope. support for living hope. support for living hope. And one support is the resurrection of And one support is the resurrection of And one support is the resurrection of Jesus and another support is this Jesus and another support is this Jesus and another support is this imperishable inheritance. If it were imperishable inheritance. If it were imperishable inheritance. If it were perishable, perishable, perishable, we wouldn't have a living hope. We'd we wouldn't have a living hope. We'd we wouldn't have a living hope. We'd have a hope that's going to run out. have a hope that's going to run out. have a hope that's going to run out. Going to perish. So it's not living Going to perish. So it's not living Going to perish. So it's not living hope. It's going to perish, going to hope. It's going to perish, going to hope. It's going to perish, going to leave us high and dry someday. And so leave us high and dry someday. And so leave us high and dry someday. And so he's underlining you getting started he's underlining you getting started he's underlining you getting started with the resurrection of Jesus, with the resurrection of Jesus, with the resurrection of Jesus, life indomitable, conquering death, and life indomitable, conquering death, and life indomitable, conquering death, and the hope, the inheritance that you have the hope, the inheritance that you have the hope, the inheritance that you have out there will never perish. out there will never perish. out there will never perish. That's what you are born again to enjoy.

That's what you are born again to enjoy. That's what you are born again to enjoy. It's like saying It's like saying It's like saying the life we receive in the new birth is the life we receive in the new birth is the life we receive in the new birth is not just new life, it's forever life. not just new life, it's forever life. not just new life, it's forever life. It's eternal life. That's what we get in It's eternal life. That's what we get in It's eternal life. That's what we get in the new birth. If you're born again, you the new birth. If you're born again, you the new birth. If you're born again, you have a life and an inheritance have a life and an inheritance have a life and an inheritance imperishable. imperishable. imperishable. Should make you the most bold, Should make you the most bold, Should make you the most bold, courageous, risk-taking people on the courageous, risk-taking people on the courageous, risk-taking people on the planet. Now, let's go to verses 18 and planet. Now, let's go to verses 18 and planet. Now, let's go to verses 18 and 19. Knowing Knowing that you were ransomed that you were ransomed that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your from the futile ways inherited from your from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers. So, something's changed forefathers. So, something's changed forefathers. So, something's changed here. Something's happened. He doesn't here. Something's happened. He doesn't here. Something's happened. He doesn't call it the new birth, but he's talking call it the new birth, but he's talking call it the new birth, but he's talking about the new birth in verse three. He's about the new birth in verse three. He's about the new birth in verse three. He's talking about the new birth in verse 23. talking about the new birth in verse 23. talking about the new birth in verse 23. And here, something happened and all my And here, something happened and all my And here, something happened and all my old ways that I got from my old ways that I got from my old ways that I got from my tradition, tradition, tradition, they're gone. they're gone. they're gone. And I'm different. And I'm different. And I'm different. Let me start over again. Knowing that Let me start over again. Knowing that Let me start over again. Knowing that you were ransomed you were ransomed you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your from the futile ways inherited from your from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers.

forefathers. forefathers. Now, here's how it happened. Not with Now, here's how it happened. Not with Now, here's how it happened. Not with perishable. Now, I'm fastening on to perishable. Now, I'm fastening on to perishable. Now, I'm fastening on to that word again that word again that word again cuz it's showing up three times in this cuz it's showing up three times in this cuz it's showing up three times in this chapter and it's not an accident. Not chapter and it's not an accident. Not chapter and it's not an accident. Not with perishable things such as silver with perishable things such as silver with perishable things such as silver and gold, you know, mere silver and and gold, you know, mere silver and and gold, you know, mere silver and gold, gold, gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, but with the precious blood of Christ, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without spot. So, like that of a lamb without spot. So, like that of a lamb without spot. So, the ransom price the ransom price the ransom price that is paid for what happened to that is paid for what happened to that is paid for what happened to liberate you from the old ways liberate you from the old ways liberate you from the old ways was the blood of Jesus. And it's way was the blood of Jesus. And it's way was the blood of Jesus. And it's way more valuable than gold and way more more valuable than gold and way more more valuable than gold and way more valuable than silver. They can be burned valuable than silver. They can be burned valuable than silver. They can be burned up. You get a fire hot enough, they're up. You get a fire hot enough, they're up. You get a fire hot enough, they're gone. gone. gone. But the blood of Jesus, so infinitely But the blood of Jesus, so infinitely But the blood of Jesus, so infinitely valuable, way better than gold, way valuable, way better than gold, way valuable, way better than gold, way better than silver, they will never better than silver, they will never better than silver, they will never perish and therefore, what do they perish and therefore, what do they perish and therefore, what do they guarantee? Life forever. This change guarantee? Life forever. This change guarantee? Life forever. This change that has happened never goes bad.

that has happened never goes bad. that has happened never goes bad. Never goes bad. It'll always be there Never goes bad. It'll always be there Never goes bad. It'll always be there and you will live forever in him because and you will live forever in him because and you will live forever in him because of the ransom that was paid for you. So, of the ransom that was paid for you. So, of the ransom that was paid for you. So, now we got resurrection of Jesus in now we got resurrection of Jesus in now we got resurrection of Jesus in verse 3 verse 3 verse 3 underneath this living hope that we get underneath this living hope that we get underneath this living hope that we get by the new birth. And here we've got by the new birth. And here we've got by the new birth. And here we've got ransom by the blood of Jesus underneath ransom by the blood of Jesus underneath ransom by the blood of Jesus underneath this change that frees us from all these this change that frees us from all these this change that frees us from all these old destructive ways. old destructive ways. old destructive ways. And now, number three, verse 23. Since you have been born again, Since you have been born again, not of not of not of perishable, third time. You got it now? perishable, third time. You got it now? perishable, third time. You got it now? That's what In my mind, that's what's That's what In my mind, that's what's That's what In my mind, that's what's holding That's why this sermon is holding That's why this sermon is holding That's why this sermon is structured the way it is. That's why I structured the way it is. That's why I structured the way it is. That's why I picked these three things. Verse 3, picked these three things. Verse 3, picked these three things. Verse 3, verse 18, verse 23 all have this not verse 18, verse 23 all have this not verse 18, verse 23 all have this not perishable idea. He just keeps coming perishable idea. He just keeps coming perishable idea. He just keeps coming back to it. Why? Cuz we're born again to back to it. Why? Cuz we're born again to back to it. Why? Cuz we're born again to a living hope. We're born again by a living hope. We're born again by a living hope. We're born again by resurrection. We're born again with with resurrection. We're born again with with resurrection. We're born again with with blood that's so valuable that it'll blood that's so valuable that it'll blood that's so valuable that it'll never let us down. And here now in verse never let us down. And here now in verse never let us down. And here now in verse 23, we're born again not of perishable 23, we're born again not of perishable 23, we're born again not of perishable seed.

seed. seed. So, kind of in his mind, I think, is the So, kind of in his mind, I think, is the So, kind of in his mind, I think, is the sexual act and the seed deposited and a sexual act and the seed deposited and a sexual act and the seed deposited and a conception happens and a new being comes conception happens and a new being comes conception happens and a new being comes into existence, new creature in Christ. into existence, new creature in Christ. into existence, new creature in Christ. Now, now what is that? What's this seed? Now, now what is that? What's this seed? Now, now what is that? What's this seed? How's it How's it How's it put in us? put in us? put in us? Through the living and abiding word of Through the living and abiding word of Through the living and abiding word of God. God. God. Through the living and abiding word of Through the living and abiding word of Through the living and abiding word of God. Then he quotes Isaiah 40, verses 6 God. Then he quotes Isaiah 40, verses 6 God. Then he quotes Isaiah 40, verses 6 and 8, and 8, and 8, verses 24 and 25 in 1 Peter 1. verses 24 and 25 in 1 Peter 1. verses 24 and 25 in 1 Peter 1. For all flesh is like grass, all its For all flesh is like grass, all its For all flesh is like grass, all its glory like the flower of grass. The glory like the flower of grass. The glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls. So, grass withers and the flower falls. So, grass withers and the flower falls. So, he's drawing a contrast between he's drawing a contrast between he's drawing a contrast between what you don't want. what you don't want. what you don't want. I don't want to be born to a life that's I don't want to be born to a life that's I don't want to be born to a life that's going to be like a flower. going to be like a flower. going to be like a flower. Flowers are pretty, and they die. Flowers are pretty, and they die. Flowers are pretty, and they die. I don't want that beauty. That's the I don't want that beauty. That's the I don't want that beauty. That's the beauty everybody in the world is after. beauty everybody in the world is after. beauty everybody in the world is after. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I don't want it. I don't want it. I don't want it. I want to live with him forever. Have I want to live with him forever. Have I want to live with him forever. Have you got news for me, Peter?

you got news for me, Peter? you got news for me, Peter? And so he's drawing a contrast between And so he's drawing a contrast between And so he's drawing a contrast between all the beauties and the glories of the all the beauties and the glories of the all the beauties and the glories of the world, and he's saying they're just like world, and he's saying they're just like world, and he's saying they're just like flowers. They fall, but verse 25, but flowers. They fall, but verse 25, but flowers. They fall, but verse 25, but the word of God, the word of the Lord the word of God, the word of the Lord the word of God, the word of the Lord remains forever. And remember, he just remains forever. And remember, he just remains forever. And remember, he just said it was through that that you were said it was through that that you were said it was through that that you were born again. So we got the same point in born again. So we got the same point in born again. So we got the same point in verse three, the same point in verse 18, verse three, the same point in verse 18, verse three, the same point in verse 18, the same point in verses 23 and 25, the same point in verses 23 and 25, the same point in verses 23 and 25, namely the new birth is undergirded by namely the new birth is undergirded by namely the new birth is undergirded by realities that don't let you down ever. realities that don't let you down ever. realities that don't let you down ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. Resurrection of Jesus, Resurrection of Jesus, Resurrection of Jesus, ransom blood infinitely valuable, word ransom blood infinitely valuable, word ransom blood infinitely valuable, word of God that never falls. These are the of God that never falls. These are the of God that never falls. These are the foundations through which the new birth foundations through which the new birth foundations through which the new birth came to us. came to us. came to us. >> 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. As you know, we are of Light and Truth. As you know, we are of Light and Truth. As you know, we are committed [music] to providing committed [music] to providing committed [music] 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 [music] our 15-part series continues [music] our 15-part series continues [music] our 15-part series Born from Above with a message titled Born from Above with a message titled Born from Above with a message titled God's Call Creates Life. I hope you'll God's Call Creates Life. I hope you'll God's Call Creates Life. I hope you'll join us. join us. join us. For more resources, visit For more resources, visit For more resources, visit desiringgod.org.