The Life Only Jesus Gives

We're lost. We're dead. There's no life We're lost. We're dead. There's no life in us. Where is life? It's in Jesus. The in us. Where is life? It's in Jesus. The in us. Where is life? It's in Jesus. The Spirit loves to magnify Jesus. How does Spirit loves to magnify Jesus. How does Spirit loves to magnify Jesus. How does he magnify Jesus? At root, he gets us he magnify Jesus? At root, he gets us he magnify Jesus? At root, he gets us connected to Jesus. He He draws us into connected to Jesus. He He draws us into connected to Jesus. He He draws us into union with Christ where there's life. union with Christ where there's life. union with Christ where there's life. That's the the surgical divine objective That's the the surgical divine objective That's the the surgical divine objective spiritual supernatural reality. spiritual supernatural reality. spiritual supernatural reality. >> Have you ever thought about how >> Have you ever thought about how >> Have you ever thought about how impossible Christianity would be if it impossible Christianity would be if it impossible Christianity would be if it were merely a set of teachings or moral were merely a set of teachings or moral were merely a set of teachings or moral expectations? expectations? expectations? Because at the center of it is something Because at the center of it is something Because at the center of it is something [music] supernatural that God actually [music] supernatural that God actually [music] supernatural that God actually gives life to dead sinners and joins gives life to dead sinners and joins gives life to dead sinners and joins them to his son. I'm your host, Dan them to his son. I'm your host, Dan them to his son. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this episode of Light and Cruver. In this episode of Light and Cruver. In this episode of Light and [music] Truth, John Piper opens John [music] Truth, John Piper opens John [music] Truth, John Piper opens John chapter 3, verses 1 to 10 to show that chapter 3, verses 1 to 10 to show that chapter 3, verses 1 to 10 to show that the Spirit creates new life by bringing the Spirit creates new life by bringing the Spirit creates new life by bringing us into union with Christ where only us into union with Christ where only us into union with Christ where only true life [music] is found.

true life [music] is found. true life [music] is found. This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on November Bethlehem Baptist Church on November Bethlehem Baptist Church on November 25th, 2007. Verse 2. Verse 2. Rabbi, Rabbi, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from we know that you are a teacher come from we know that you are a teacher come from God, God, God, for no one can do these signs that you for no one can do these signs that you for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. do unless God is with him. do unless God is with him. Nicodemus sees in Jesus Nicodemus sees in Jesus Nicodemus sees in Jesus genuine divine activity. genuine divine activity. genuine divine activity. Jesus is from God. He says that. Jesus is from God. He says that. Jesus is from God. He says that. To which Jesus does not respond, To which Jesus does not respond, To which Jesus does not respond, Nicodemus, I wish everybody in Palestine Nicodemus, I wish everybody in Palestine Nicodemus, I wish everybody in Palestine could see what you see. could see what you see. could see what you see. He doesn't say that. He doesn't say that. He doesn't say that. Even though what Nicodemus just said is Even though what Nicodemus just said is Even though what Nicodemus just said is gloriously true. He just passes right under it. He just passes right under it. And says, And says, And says, "Seeing in me the supernatural is not "Seeing in me the supernatural is not "Seeing in me the supernatural is not the key to the kingdom.

the key to the kingdom. the key to the kingdom. Experiencing the supernatural in you is Experiencing the supernatural in you is Experiencing the supernatural in you is the key to the kingdom." the key to the kingdom." the key to the kingdom." That's what he's saying. I have ambivalent feelings about signs I have ambivalent feelings about signs and wonders, right? and wonders, right? and wonders, right? We've walked through decades of We've walked through decades of We've walked through decades of contemplation about these things at contemplation about these things at contemplation about these things at Bethlehem. I believe in signs and Bethlehem. I believe in signs and Bethlehem. I believe in signs and wonders. wonders. wonders. God heals the sick. God drives out God heals the sick. God drives out God heals the sick. God drives out demons. God can raise the dead. He could demons. God can raise the dead. He could demons. God can raise the dead. He could do it today if he wanted to do it. do it today if he wanted to do it. do it today if he wanted to do it. God puts back together impossible God puts back together impossible God puts back together impossible marriages and makes them whole. God does marriages and makes them whole. God does marriages and makes them whole. God does wonders in our day, and we should pray wonders in our day, and we should pray wonders in our day, and we should pray for them. But here's my ambivalence. for them. But here's my ambivalence. for them. But here's my ambivalence. How many people How many people How many people see them, see them, see them, are amazed by them, attribute them to are amazed by them, attribute them to are amazed by them, attribute them to Jesus, and would still hear the words of Jesus, and would still hear the words of Jesus, and would still hear the words of Jesus to Nicodemus?

Jesus to Nicodemus? Jesus to Nicodemus? "You must be born again, and you're "You must be born again, and you're "You must be born again, and you're not." not." not." Here's the [snorts] reason. Here's the [snorts] reason. Here's the [snorts] reason. It takes no new nature, no new life to It takes no new nature, no new life to It takes no new nature, no new life to be amazed at signs and wonders. be amazed at signs and wonders. be amazed at signs and wonders. None. None. None. Ordinary people, lost and hellbound, are Ordinary people, lost and hellbound, are Ordinary people, lost and hellbound, are amazed when somebody is made well amazed when somebody is made well amazed when somebody is made well miraculously. miraculously. miraculously. They're amazed when some circumstance in They're amazed when some circumstance in They're amazed when some circumstance in life is turned right around by the life is turned right around by the life is turned right around by the intervention of God. They're amazed when intervention of God. They're amazed when intervention of God. They're amazed when there's a demonism thing and a person is there's a demonism thing and a person is there's a demonism thing and a person is flopping around on the floor like a fish flopping around on the floor like a fish flopping around on the floor like a fish and somebody says, "In the name of and somebody says, "In the name of and somebody says, "In the name of Jesus, come out of her." And they go Jesus, come out of her." And they go Jesus, come out of her." And they go totally limp and get up with a totally totally limp and get up with a totally totally limp and get up with a totally new facial. That's happened. I've been new facial. That's happened. I've been new facial. That's happened. I've been there. there. there. You don't have to be born again to be You don't have to be born again to be You don't have to be born again to be amazed at that. amazed at that. amazed at that. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> You don't have to be born again to say >> You don't have to be born again to say >> You don't have to be born again to say that's of God. How do I know that? that's of God. How do I know that? that's of God. How do I know that? Because the demon said to Jesus, "We Because the demon said to Jesus, "We Because the demon said to Jesus, "We know who you are. You're the holy one of know who you are. You're the holy one of know who you are. You're the holy one of God."

>> [snorts and gasps] >> [snorts and gasps] >> May God grant signs and wonders to >> May God grant signs and wonders to >> May God grant signs and wonders to Bethlehem. Bethlehem. Bethlehem. Once we have in place the deep roots of Once we have in place the deep roots of Once we have in place the deep roots of the new birth, so that we're not the new birth, so that we're not the new birth, so that we're not distracted by the phenomena distracted by the phenomena distracted by the phenomena of the signs and wonders, but all we see of the signs and wonders, but all we see of the signs and wonders, but all we see right through them to the glory of right through them to the glory of right through them to the glory of Jesus, which you can't see apart from Jesus, which you can't see apart from Jesus, which you can't see apart from the new birth. Well, we could go on here. When he says, Well, we could go on here. When he says, "Rabbi, we know that you're a teacher "Rabbi, we know that you're a teacher "Rabbi, we know that you're a teacher come from God. No one can do these signs come from God. No one can do these signs come from God. No one can do these signs unless God is with him." And Jesus says, "I'm glad you see that." And Jesus says, "I'm glad you see that." No. No. No. You need to be born again. You need to be born again. You need to be born again. I just want to say that over all I just want to say that over all I just want to say that over all fascination with signs and wonders. because it points you to the name, the because it points you to the name, the sweetest name on earth, so that if no sweetest name on earth, so that if no sweetest name on earth, so that if no miracles happen in your life, he would miracles happen in your life, he would miracles happen in your life, he would be there as your treasure and your all?

be there as your treasure and your all? be there as your treasure and your all? Or Or Or if you do not get rescued from this if you do not get rescued from this if you do not get rescued from this situation by a miracle, you're out of situation by a miracle, you're out of situation by a miracle, you're out of here. here. here. Which is it? And then you know a little more about And then you know a little more about whether you're born again or not. whether you're born again or not. whether you're born again or not. I hope you hear I hope you hear I hope you hear both and right now. both and right now. both and right now. Yes to signs and wonders and Yes to signs and wonders and Yes to signs and wonders and no to the love of signs and wonders in no to the love of signs and wonders in no to the love of signs and wonders in and of themselves. [snorts] Which is and of themselves. [snorts] Which is and of themselves. [snorts] Which is apparently what Jesus saw apparently what Jesus saw apparently what Jesus saw in Nicodemus. in Nicodemus. in Nicodemus. What Nicodemus needed What Nicodemus needed What Nicodemus needed was to be born again supernaturally. was to be born again supernaturally. was to be born again supernaturally. Verse six. Verse six. Verse six. That which is born of the flesh is flesh That which is born of the flesh is flesh That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is and that which is born of the spirit is and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Flesh, mom, dad, seed sown, conception, Flesh, mom, dad, seed sown, conception, baby comes just like mom and dad. It's baby comes just like mom and dad. It's baby comes just like mom and dad. It's uh participating in that humanity.

uh participating in that humanity. uh participating in that humanity. Spirit, seed sown by the word of God, Spirit, seed sown by the word of God, Spirit, seed sown by the word of God, new life comes into existence, new life comes into existence, new life comes into existence, participates in the divine reality. participates in the divine reality. participates in the divine reality. There's There's There's It's a miracle here. It's a miracle here. It's a miracle here. This is supernatural. Verse eight. The This is supernatural. Verse eight. The This is supernatural. Verse eight. The wind blows where it wishes. wind blows where it wishes. wind blows where it wishes. You hear the sound of it, you don't know You hear the sound of it, you don't know You hear the sound of it, you don't know where it comes from or where it goes. where it comes from or where it goes. where it comes from or where it goes. And so is everyone who is born of the And so is everyone who is born of the And so is everyone who is born of the spirit. Born of the spirit. Born of the spirit. Born of the spirit. Born of the spirit. Born of the spirit. Born of the spirit. The spirit is God. spirit. The spirit is God. spirit. The spirit is God. God is supernatural. The birth therefore God is supernatural. The birth therefore God is supernatural. The birth therefore is supernatural. Born of the spirit. is supernatural. Born of the spirit. is supernatural. Born of the spirit. The new birth is not turning over a new The new birth is not turning over a new The new birth is not turning over a new leaf. The new birth is not waking up in leaf. The new birth is not waking up in leaf. The new birth is not waking up in the middle of the night when you've been the middle of the night when you've been the middle of the night when you've been really depressed and discouraged and really depressed and discouraged and really depressed and discouraged and crying out to your crystals and feeling crying out to your crystals and feeling crying out to your crystals and feeling a great peace come over you and knowing a great peace come over you and knowing a great peace come over you and knowing something amazing has happened and something amazing has happened and something amazing has happened and you've been born again. People have That you've been born again. People have That you've been born again. People have That those things happen. those things happen. those things happen. People in all religions everywhere have People in all religions everywhere have People in all religions everywhere have experiences that are phenomenal. experiences that are phenomenal. experiences that are phenomenal. And they're not new birth. New birth And they're not new birth. New birth And they're not new birth. New birth comes by the spirit of the living comes by the spirit of the living comes by the spirit of the living God.

God. God. Not by a Not by a Not by a ecstasies from other sources. So, here are my two answers so far. So, here are my two answers so far. One, One, One, what happens in the new birth is not what happens in the new birth is not what happens in the new birth is not getting a new religion or getting a getting a new religion or getting a getting a new religion or getting a hyped-up religion, but getting a new hyped-up religion, but getting a new hyped-up religion, but getting a new life life life through birth, spiritual birth. through birth, spiritual birth. through birth, spiritual birth. And secondly, And secondly, And secondly, what happens in regeneration or in the what happens in regeneration or in the what happens in regeneration or in the new birth new birth new birth is not seeing in Jesus is not seeing in Jesus is not seeing in Jesus the supernatural merely. the supernatural merely. the supernatural merely. You got to do that. You got to do that. You got to do that. But rather experiencing the supernatural But rather experiencing the supernatural But rather experiencing the supernatural in here. in here. in here. The life that's given is given by the The life that's given is given by the The life that's given is given by the spirit of God and it is supernaturally spirit of God and it is supernaturally spirit of God and it is supernaturally given and produces something given and produces something given and produces something above nature that the resources of this above nature that the resources of this above nature that the resources of this universe cannot do. universe cannot do. universe cannot do. God alone can do it.

God alone can do it. God alone can do it. Now, Now, Now, let me close let me close let me close by reflecting by reflecting by reflecting on a crucial connection between being on a crucial connection between being on a crucial connection between being born again born again born again by the spirit and having eternal life by the spirit and having eternal life by the spirit and having eternal life through Jesus. Born again by the spirit, Born again by the spirit, verse six, verse eight. verse six, verse eight. verse six, verse eight. Having eternal life, that's the same Having eternal life, that's the same Having eternal life, that's the same life. Eternal life is the new life. Eternal life is the new life. Eternal life is the new miraculous life. miraculous life. miraculous life. How do those relate to each other? How do those relate to each other? How do those relate to each other? Eternal life through Jesus, Eternal life through Jesus, Eternal life through Jesus, new birth and life that comes through new birth and life that comes through new birth and life that comes through the spirit. the spirit. the spirit. The reason I'm going to go here for a The reason I'm going to go here for a The reason I'm going to go here for a few minutes as we draw this to a close few minutes as we draw this to a close few minutes as we draw this to a close is because is because is because >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> I'm deeply convinced that the Holy >> I'm deeply convinced that the Holy >> I'm deeply convinced that the Holy Spirit in this room right now has a bent has a bent to glorify the Son.

to glorify the Son. to glorify the Son. To glorify the Son. To glorify the Son. To glorify the Son. Jesus, not himself. Jesus, not himself. Jesus, not himself. I get that from John 16:14. I get that from John 16:14. I get that from John 16:14. "I will send the Spirit and he will "I will send the Spirit and he will "I will send the Spirit and he will glorify me," Jesus said. The reason the glorify me," Jesus said. The reason the glorify me," Jesus said. The reason the Spirit is here in this room is to awaken Spirit is here in this room is to awaken Spirit is here in this room is to awaken hearts to see Christ for who he is and hearts to see Christ for who he is and hearts to see Christ for who he is and cause you to make much of him and love cause you to make much of him and love cause you to make much of him and love him and delight in him and trust him and him and delight in him and trust him and him and delight in him and trust him and admire him and follow him and obey him admire him and follow him and obey him admire him and follow him and obey him and die for him. That's why the Holy and die for him. That's why the Holy and die for him. That's why the Holy Spirit's here, to get Jesus up big in Spirit's here, to get Jesus up big in Spirit's here, to get Jesus up big in your heart. So, if I don't lift him up, your heart. So, if I don't lift him up, your heart. So, if I don't lift him up, I think the Holy Spirit just hangs back. I think the Holy Spirit just hangs back. I think the Holy Spirit just hangs back. "If I be lifted up, "If I be lifted up, "If I be lifted up, I will draw." That's the work of the I will draw." That's the work of the I will draw." That's the work of the Spirit. Spirit. Spirit. So, if I end the sermon here, So, if I end the sermon here, So, if I end the sermon here, Jesus has been doing some talking, Jesus has been doing some talking, Jesus has been doing some talking, but the Spirit is the one who's giving but the Spirit is the one who's giving but the Spirit is the one who's giving life and so, at this point in my life and so, at this point in my life and so, at this point in my message, Jesus could just be a good, message, Jesus could just be a good, message, Jesus could just be a good, better rabbi better rabbi better rabbi informing this other rabbi what he's informing this other rabbi what he's informing this other rabbi what he's missing.

missing. missing. That's And And I think the Holy Spirit That's And And I think the Holy Spirit That's And And I think the Holy Spirit WOULD SAY, "FINISH IT! WOULD SAY, "FINISH IT! WOULD SAY, "FINISH IT! READ THE REST OF THE BOOK! READ THE REST OF THE BOOK! READ THE REST OF THE BOOK! >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Read the rest of the chapter!" >> Read the rest of the chapter!" >> Read the rest of the chapter!" I think that's So, I don't want the Holy I think that's So, I don't want the Holy I think that's So, I don't want the Holy Spirit to say that to me. Spirit to say that to me. Spirit to say that to me. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> He already did. >> He already did. >> He already did. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> So, let's take a few minutes. >> So, let's take a few minutes. >> So, let's take a few minutes. John chapter 6, verse 63 says, "It is John chapter 6, verse 63 says, "It is John chapter 6, verse 63 says, "It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh is of no avail." That's just repeating of no avail." That's just repeating of no avail." That's just repeating chapter 3, verse 6, chapter 3, verse 8. chapter 3, verse 6, chapter 3, verse 8. chapter 3, verse 6, chapter 3, verse 8. "It is the Spirit who gives life. It is "It is the Spirit who gives life. It is "It is the Spirit who gives life. It is the Spirit who gives life. the Spirit who gives life. the Spirit who gives life. So, let us praise the Holy Spirit. Let So, let us praise the Holy Spirit. Let So, let us praise the Holy Spirit. Let us be thankful for the Holy Spirit. It us be thankful for the Holy Spirit. It us be thankful for the Holy Spirit. It is the spirit who gives life. However, However, you've all read you've all read you've all read most of you most of you most of you the Gospel of John and you know another the Gospel of John and you know another the Gospel of John and you know another thing about life in this Gospel. thing about life in this Gospel. thing about life in this Gospel. You know, in fact, I'll just do a little You know, in fact, I'll just do a little You know, in fact, I'll just do a little quiz here and let you all test quiz here and let you all test quiz here and let you all test yourselves whether you know this.

yourselves whether you know this. yourselves whether you know this. You fill in the blank, okay? I, Jesus said, am the way, the truth, I, Jesus said, am the way, the truth, and the and the and the He is life. There's no life There's no life but Christ. but Christ. but Christ. There's no life anywhere but being There's no life anywhere but being There's no life anywhere but being attached to Christ. attached to Christ. attached to Christ. So, yes, we've got this one truth, the So, yes, we've got this one truth, the So, yes, we've got this one truth, the spirit gives life. And then we got this spirit gives life. And then we got this spirit gives life. And then we got this other set of truths in John, other set of truths in John, other set of truths in John, Jesus is life. Jesus is life. Jesus is life. And we got to bring these together. And we got to bring these together. And we got to bring these together. Here's Here's the next one. You fill in Here's Here's the next one. You fill in Here's Here's the next one. You fill in the blank. the blank. the blank. Jesus said, "I am the bread of Jesus said, "I am the bread of Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. life. life. So, we eat him, we have life. So, we eat him, we have life. So, we eat him, we have life. And yet it says the spirit gives life. And yet it says the spirit gives life. And yet it says the spirit gives life. Here's the third one. Here's the third one. Here's the third one. These [snorts] things are written so These [snorts] things are written so These [snorts] things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the that you may believe that Jesus is the that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and believing Christ, the son of God, and believing Christ, the son of God, and believing you may have you may have you may have life in his name. So, you got these life in his name. So, you got these life in his name. So, you got these three verses and goodness knows how many three verses and goodness knows how many three verses and goodness knows how many others in the Gospel of John that say others in the Gospel of John that say others in the Gospel of John that say there's no life apart from Jesus.

there's no life apart from Jesus. there's no life apart from Jesus. He is life. He is life. He is life. If [snorts] you don't get connected with If [snorts] you don't get connected with If [snorts] you don't get connected with Jesus, if you're not united with Jesus, Jesus, if you're not united with Jesus, Jesus, if you're not united with Jesus, you're not going to have any life. you're not going to have any life. you're not going to have any life. The very life that The very life that The very life that Nicodemus doesn't have. So, So, uh how shall we put them uh how shall we put them uh how shall we put them together. together. together. Well, Well, Well, here's my simple here's my simple here's my simple statement. statement. statement. The Holy Spirit gives life by connecting The Holy Spirit gives life by connecting The Holy Spirit gives life by connecting us to Jesus. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Gloriously mysterious, >> Gloriously mysterious, >> Gloriously mysterious, amazingly simple, amazingly simple, amazingly simple, the way the Holy [snorts] Spirit causes the way the Holy [snorts] Spirit causes the way the Holy [snorts] Spirit causes us to be born again is by us to be born again is by us to be born again is by uniting us to the uniting us to the uniting us to the vine. vine. vine. I am the vine, you are the I am the vine, you are the I am the vine, you are the And what flows from the vine to the And what flows from the vine to the And what flows from the vine to the branches? Life.

branches? Life. branches? Life. And yet we're not connected. We're lost, And yet we're not connected. We're lost, And yet we're not connected. We're lost, we're dead, there's no life in us. Where we're dead, there's no life in us. Where we're dead, there's no life in us. Where is life? It's in Jesus. The Spirit loves is life? It's in Jesus. The Spirit loves is life? It's in Jesus. The Spirit loves to magnify Jesus. How does he magnify to magnify Jesus. How does he magnify to magnify Jesus. How does he magnify Jesus? At root, he gets us connected to Jesus? At root, he gets us connected to Jesus? At root, he gets us connected to Jesus. He He draws us into union with Jesus. He He draws us into union with Jesus. He He draws us into union with Christ where there's life. That's the Christ where there's life. That's the Christ where there's life. That's the the surgical, divine, objective, the surgical, divine, objective, the surgical, divine, objective, spiritual, supernatural reality. spiritual, supernatural reality. spiritual, supernatural reality. And then, And then, And then, here's the here's the amazing thing. here's the here's the amazing thing. here's the here's the amazing thing. At the experiential level, the conscious At the experiential level, the conscious At the experiential level, the conscious level, all that's happening by God down level, all that's happening by God down level, all that's happening by God down here. At the at the conscious level, how here. At the at the conscious level, how here. At the at the conscious level, how do we experience that? We experience it because We experience it because wherever there is life, wherever there is life, wherever there is life, there is faith there is faith there is faith in Jesus. Everywhere Everywhere life life life is awakened, the first experience is is awakened, the first experience is is awakened, the first experience is faith.

faith. faith. Faith [snorts] is the cry of the newborn Faith [snorts] is the cry of the newborn Faith [snorts] is the cry of the newborn baby. You spank that baby, whack whack baby. You spank that baby, whack whack baby. You spank that baby, whack whack whack. Means trust trust you. There is no life There is no life where there's no faith. where there's no faith. where there's no faith. And there is no faith And there is no faith And there is no faith where there's no where there's no where there's no life. Never Bethlehem. Never never never life. Never Bethlehem. Never never never life. Never Bethlehem. Never never never separate the new birth from faith in separate the new birth from faith in separate the new birth from faith in Jesus. From God's side, we are united to Christ From God's side, we are united to Christ miraculously by the new birth. That's miraculously by the new birth. That's miraculously by the new birth. That's what the Holy Spirit does. what the Holy Spirit does. what the Holy Spirit does. From our side, we experience this union From our side, we experience this union From our side, we experience this union through faith through faith through faith in Jesus. Let me just read you a couple in Jesus. Let me just read you a couple in Jesus. Let me just read you a couple of verses from of verses from of verses from the first epistle to show you the the first epistle to show you the the first epistle to show you the connection. connection. connection. 1 John 5:4 1 John 5:4 1 John 5:4 Everyone who has been born of God, well, Everyone who has been born of God, well, Everyone who has been born of God, well, there's new birth. Everyone who has been there's new birth. Everyone who has been there's new birth. Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.

born of God overcomes the world. born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the This is the victory that overcomes the This is the victory that overcomes the world, OUR FAITH. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> EVERYONE born deep down objective >> EVERYONE born deep down objective >> EVERYONE born deep down objective spiritual reality triumphs over the worldly powers that triumphs over the worldly powers that threaten to destroy you. threaten to destroy you. threaten to destroy you. And then he says, "This is the victory And then he says, "This is the victory And then he says, "This is the victory that overcomes those powers, your that overcomes those powers, your that overcomes those powers, your faith." faith." faith." He will not let them be separated. He He will not let them be separated. He He will not let them be separated. He puts them right together. puts them right together. puts them right together. Because wherever there is this powerful Because wherever there is this powerful Because wherever there is this powerful working of the Holy Spirit, there is the working of the Holy Spirit, there is the working of the Holy Spirit, there is the experiencing of it through faith. Here's the other one. 1 John 5:11 and Here's the other one. 1 John 5:11 and 12. 12. 12. This is the testimony This is the testimony This is the testimony that God gave us eternal life. that God gave us eternal life. that God gave us eternal life. Now, that's the new birth. This is the Now, that's the new birth. This is the Now, that's the new birth. This is the testimony that God gave us eternal life. testimony that God gave us eternal life. testimony that God gave us eternal life. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> And this life is in his son.

>> And this life is in his son. >> And this life is in his son. Whoever has the son has life. Whoever has the son has life. Whoever has the son has life. Whoever does not have the son does not Whoever does not have the son does not Whoever does not have the son does not have life. So, life is in the son of God. And if So, life is in the son of God. And if you have the son, if you receive the you have the son, if you receive the you have the son, if you receive the son, if the son is your life, you have son, if the son is your life, you have son, if the son is your life, you have life. And yet he also says, life. And yet he also says, life. And yet he also says, "It is the spirit who gives life. The "It is the spirit who gives life. The "It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh is of no avail. You must be born flesh is of no avail. You must be born flesh is of no avail. You must be born of the spirit." of the spirit." of the spirit." So, I conclude So, I conclude So, I conclude the new birth the new birth the new birth in the new birth, the Holy Spirit in the new birth, the Holy Spirit in the new birth, the Holy Spirit supernaturally supernaturally supernaturally gives us new spiritual life by gives us new spiritual life by gives us new spiritual life by connecting us with Jesus through faith. Never, Bethlehem, separate these two Never, Bethlehem, separate these two verses in John 3, verse 3 and verse 36. verses in John 3, verse 3 and verse 36. verses in John 3, verse 3 and verse 36. Verse 3, Verse 3, Verse 3, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see "Unless one is born again, he cannot see "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

the kingdom of God." the kingdom of God." Verse 36, Verse 36, Verse 36, "Whoever believes in the son "Whoever believes in the son "Whoever believes in the son has eternal life." Because Because wherever the new birth is, there is wherever the new birth is, there is wherever the new birth is, there is faith. faith. faith. And wherever genuine faith is, And wherever genuine faith is, And wherever genuine faith is, there is the new birth. there is the new birth. there is the new birth. And they're never separated. Father in heaven, Father in heaven, oh, how I pray that in these days oh, how I pray that in these days oh, how I pray that in these days by the living and abiding word of God, by the living and abiding word of God, by the living and abiding word of God, which I attempt to express through my which I attempt to express through my which I attempt to express through my mouth. mouth. mouth. You would cause people to be born again You would cause people to be born again You would cause people to be born again and thus awaken and thus awaken and thus awaken faith. faith. faith. That you would cause people to believe That you would cause people to believe That you would cause people to believe and thus give expression and thus give expression and thus give expression to the life to the life to the life >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> that is in them.

>> that is in them. >> that is in them. Dear God, don't leave us to ourselves. Dear God, don't leave us to ourselves. Dear God, don't leave us to ourselves. Christianity is not a religion, mainly. Christianity is not a religion, mainly. Christianity is not a religion, mainly. It's a life, mainly. It's a life, mainly. It's a life, mainly. And so please, we say as a church, "He And so please, we say as a church, "He And so please, we say as a church, "He who has the Son who has the Son who has the Son has life. He who has not the Son has life. He who has not the Son has life. He who has not the Son does not have life." does not have life." does not have life." And we get the Son And we get the Son And we get the Son deeply, profoundly by the work of the deeply, profoundly by the work of the deeply, profoundly by the work of the Spirit uniting us to the Son. As the Son Spirit uniting us to the Son. As the Son Spirit uniting us to the Son. As the Son is lifted up in the living and abiding is lifted up in the living and abiding is lifted up in the living and abiding word, and that baby says, word, and that baby says, word, and that baby says, "Oh Jesus, "Oh Jesus, "Oh Jesus, my life. Oh Jesus, my savior. Oh Jesus, my life. Oh Jesus, my savior. Oh Jesus, my life. Oh Jesus, my savior. Oh Jesus, my Lord. Oh Jesus, my treasure." That's my Lord. Oh Jesus, my treasure." That's my Lord. Oh Jesus, my treasure." That's what the baby what the baby what the baby says. It was grace that taught my heart to It was grace that taught my heart to fear, fear, fear, and grace and grace and grace my fears my fears my fears relieved. How precious did that grace relieved. How precious did that grace relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first appear the hour I first appear the hour I first by grace by grace by grace believed.

believed. believed. >> 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 [music] are of Light and Truth, where we [music] are of Light and Truth, where we [music] are committed to providing God-centered committed to providing God-centered committed to providing God-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. Dan Cruver. Dan Cruver. On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper continues our 15-part series Born from continues our 15-part series Born from continues our 15-part series Born from Above [music] with a message titled Above [music] with a message titled Above [music] with a message titled Cleansed and raised. I hope you'll join Cleansed and raised. I hope you'll join Cleansed and raised. I hope you'll join us. us. us. For more resources, [music] visit For more resources, [music] visit For more resources, [music] visit desiringgod.org.