Kindness That Makes Us New

When the goodness and loving-kindness of When the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior appeared, God our Savior appeared, God our Savior appeared, if he had been kind in his nature, if he had been kind in his nature, if he had been kind in his nature, and if he had been a philanthropist in and if he had been a philanthropist in and if he had been a philanthropist in his nature, and it never appeared, that his nature, and it never appeared, that his nature, and it never appeared, that would do us no good. would do us no good. would do us no good. It's the arrival. It's the arrival. It's the arrival. It's the going public. It's the It's the going public. It's the It's the going public. It's the appearing. It's the manifestation appearing. It's the manifestation appearing. It's the manifestation on the planet that saves. on the planet that saves. on the planet that saves. >> Have you ever thought about what would >> Have you ever thought about what would >> Have you ever thought about what would have happened if God were only kind in have happened if God were only kind in have happened if God were only kind in secret? If his goodness [music] stayed secret? If his goodness [music] stayed secret? If his goodness [music] stayed hidden? If his mercy never stepped into hidden? If his mercy never stepped into hidden? If his mercy never stepped into history? history? history? 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 Titus chapter 3, verses 1 to Piper opens Titus chapter 3, verses 1 to Piper opens Titus chapter 3, verses 1 to 8, to show that our salvation rests on 8, to show that our salvation rests on 8, to show that our salvation rests on the appearing of God's goodness [music] the appearing of God's goodness [music] the appearing of God's goodness [music] and loving-kindness in Jesus Christ in and loving-kindness in Jesus Christ in and loving-kindness in Jesus Christ in history. [music] history. [music] history. [music] 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.

>> Now we turn to the question, how? >> Now we turn to the question, how? How does it happen? How did God do it? How does it happen? How did God do it? How does it happen? How did God do it? This regeneration. It's amazing to me that Paul It's amazing to me that Paul here here here speaks in [snorts] the same speaks in [snorts] the same speaks in [snorts] the same pattern as Jesus did in John 3. You remember in John 3, he said, "Unless You remember in John 3, he said, "Unless you're born of water and the spirit, you're born of water and the spirit, you're born of water and the spirit, you cannot see the kingdom of God." you cannot see the kingdom of God." you cannot see the kingdom of God." Water, spirit, water, spirit. Water, spirit, water, spirit. Water, spirit, water, spirit. And here we have in verse five And here we have in verse five And here we have in verse five God saved us by the washing God saved us by the washing God saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy of regeneration and renewal in the Holy of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit. Washing, water. Washing, water. Renewal by the spirit, spirit. Renewal by the spirit, spirit. Renewal by the spirit, spirit. That's really important, I think. That's really important, I think. That's really important, I think. To see what Paul is doing here.

To see what Paul is doing here. To see what Paul is doing here. Jesus said, verse five of John 3, Jesus said, verse five of John 3, Jesus said, verse five of John 3, "Unless you "Unless you "Unless you And easier way to remember it is 3:5 and And easier way to remember it is 3:5 and And easier way to remember it is 3:5 and 3:5. John 3:5, Titus 3:5. 3:5. John 3:5, Titus 3:5. 3:5. John 3:5, Titus 3:5. Unless one is born of water and the Unless one is born of water and the Unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Now, I argued of God." Now, I argued of God." Now, I argued that Jesus was getting those categories that Jesus was getting those categories that Jesus was getting those categories of water and spirit from Ezekiel chapter of water and spirit from Ezekiel chapter of water and spirit from Ezekiel chapter 36, which goes like this. 36, which goes like this. 36, which goes like this. This is the new covenant promise, which This is the new covenant promise, which This is the new covenant promise, which Jesus says is now here. It's happening. Jesus says is now here. It's happening. Jesus says is now here. It's happening. "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your you shall be clean from all your you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses and all your idols, I will uncleannesses and all your idols, I will uncleannesses and all your idols, I will cleanse you. cleanse you. cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart and a And I will give you a new heart and a And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you, and I new spirit I will put within you, and I new spirit I will put within you, and I will put my spirit within you and cause will put my spirit within you and cause will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes." So, Ezekiel is saying that when the new So, Ezekiel is saying that when the new covenant is fulfilled in and through the covenant is fulfilled in and through the covenant is fulfilled in and through the Messiah, the blood of the new covenant Messiah, the blood of the new covenant Messiah, the blood of the new covenant as Jesus called it when he held up that as Jesus called it when he held up that as Jesus called it when he held up that cup, "This cup is the new covenant in my cup, "This cup is the new covenant in my cup, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood." When that new covenant is blood." When that new covenant is blood." When that new covenant is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the the fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the the fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the the newness that we're going to experience newness that we're going to experience newness that we're going to experience will be experienced in terms of will be experienced in terms of will be experienced in terms of cleansing cleansing cleansing and in terms of renewal by the spirit.

and in terms of renewal by the spirit. and in terms of renewal by the spirit. And and we argued both of these are And and we argued both of these are And and we argued both of these are absolutely crucial. absolutely crucial. absolutely crucial. If you only spoke in terms of renewal, If you only spoke in terms of renewal, If you only spoke in terms of renewal, you'd think, "Well, am I the same person you'd think, "Well, am I the same person you'd think, "Well, am I the same person I was before I was born again? I was before I was born again? I was before I was born again? Or am I not John Piper then?" Or am I not John Piper then?" Or am I not John Piper then?" And this one says, "No, no, no. And this one says, "No, no, no. And this one says, "No, no, no. You are the same because I cleaned you. You are the same because I cleaned you. You are the same because I cleaned you. I cleaned you. It's the same you I cleaned you. It's the same you I cleaned you. It's the same you who was pre-born again, and the same you who was pre-born again, and the same you who was pre-born again, and the same you after, only clean." And then this one says, "And a new And then this one says, "And a new nature." Because as you move into the nature." Because as you move into the nature." Because as you move into the future, you're not just moving with the future, you're not just moving with the future, you're not just moving with the same resources you had, only clean. same resources you had, only clean. same resources you had, only clean. You're now got new resources. Your Your You're now got new resources. Your Your You're now got new resources. Your Your nature is new. You have the Holy Spirit nature is new. You have the Holy Spirit nature is new. You have the Holy Spirit empowering you, renewing you. And so, empowering you, renewing you. And so, empowering you, renewing you. And so, that's the same thing we have here, that's the same thing we have here, that's the same thing we have here, [snorts] I think. [snorts] I think. [snorts] I think. Namely, a washing of regeneration and Namely, a washing of regeneration and Namely, a washing of regeneration and renewal renewal renewal in in in the Holy the Holy the Holy Spirit.

Spirit. Spirit. Now, the question is, Now, the question is, Now, the question is, how does that happen? Start. Start. But when the goodness But when the goodness But when the goodness verse four. verse four. verse four. When the goodness and loving kindness of When the goodness and loving kindness of When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us God our Savior appeared, he saved us God our Savior appeared, he 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, mercy, mercy, by the washing of regeneration by the washing of regeneration by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. and renewal of the Holy Spirit. and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is this big overarching term. Salvation is this big overarching term. Salvation is this big overarching term. He saved us. Regeneration is one part of He saved us. Regeneration is one part of He saved us. Regeneration is one part of the way he's doing it in this verse, but the way he's doing it in this verse, but the way he's doing it in this verse, but the key how words are the key how words are the key how words are goodness, goodness, goodness, loving kindness, loving kindness, loving kindness, and mercy. and mercy. and mercy. You see those? You see those? You see those? When the goodness When the goodness When the goodness and the loving kindness of God our and the loving kindness of God our and the loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us not because Savior appeared, He saved us not because Savior appeared, He saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness, of works done by us in righteousness, of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own but according to his own but according to his own mercy. So, those are the three words I'm mercy. So, those are the three words I'm mercy. So, those are the three words I'm fastening on.

fastening on. fastening on. Goodness, Goodness, Goodness, loving kindness, loving kindness, loving kindness, and mercy. Let's take those one at a and mercy. Let's take those one at a and mercy. Let's take those one at a time. time. time. This is how it happened. Goodness, Goodness, this word here is this word here is this word here is kindness. kindness. kindness. Kindness. Kindness. Kindness. It's the word that Paul used in that It's the word that Paul used in that It's the word that Paul used in that magnificent I know Tom loves this verse magnificent I know Tom loves this verse magnificent I know Tom loves this verse in Ephesians 2:7. I've seen him come in Ephesians 2:7. I've seen him come in Ephesians 2:7. I've seen him come back to it again and again and again. back to it again and again and again. back to it again and again and again. God made us alive God made us alive God made us alive so that in the coming ages so that in the coming ages so that in the coming ages God might show his immeasurable riches God might show his immeasurable riches God might show his immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness of his grace in kindness of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. It will take an eternity for you to know It will take an eternity for you to know how kind God is. In order for the word kindness in the In order for the word kindness in the deity deity deity to land on us with something like it's to land on us with something like it's to land on us with something like it's appropriate force, we have to enlarge appropriate force, we have to enlarge appropriate force, we have to enlarge our picture of God.

our picture of God. our picture of God. Because little weak people, we expect to Because little weak people, we expect to Because little weak people, we expect to be nice. And we associate kind with be nice. And we associate kind with be nice. And we associate kind with nice. nice. nice. So, let yourself just enlarge God. He So, let yourself just enlarge God. He So, let yourself just enlarge God. He created the universe. created the universe. created the universe. He numbers the stars. He numbers the stars. He numbers the stars. He holds the world in being. He runs He holds the world in being. He runs He holds the world in being. He runs everything in the universe. He is down everything in the universe. He is down everything in the universe. He is down to the details in terms of whether a to the details in terms of whether a to the details in terms of whether a bird falls out of the tree or whether bird falls out of the tree or whether bird falls out of the tree or whether one of your hairs turns gray or not. one of your hairs turns gray or not. one of your hairs turns gray or not. He's down to the details in his He's down to the details in his He's down to the details in his involvement in the universe, and he's involvement in the universe, and he's involvement in the universe, and he's never taxed in any of this effort. And that great God And that great God is kind. is kind. is kind. He's kind. And so, And so, if you stand in front of the mirror if you stand in front of the mirror if you stand in front of the mirror with the gospel with the gospel with the gospel and say, and say, and say, "I'm saved.

"I'm saved. "I'm saved. I'm saved. My sins are forgiven. I'm saved. My sins are forgiven. I'm saved. My sins are forgiven. I'm a new person. I'm not the person I I'm a new person. I'm not the person I I'm a new person. I'm not the person I was before I believed and before the was before I believed and before the was before I believed and before the Holy Spirit came into my life. I'm new. Holy Spirit came into my life. I'm new. Holy Spirit came into my life. I'm new. I'm saved. I'm born again." Let that I'm saved. I'm born again." Let that I'm saved. I'm born again." Let that reality bear witness to this. reality bear witness to this. reality bear witness to this. God is kind. God is kind. God is kind. Because that's the only reason you can Because that's the only reason you can Because that's the only reason you can say it. say it. say it. When the kindness of God appeared, he When the kindness of God appeared, he When the kindness of God appeared, he saved us through the washing of saved us through the washing of saved us through the washing of regeneration. regeneration. regeneration. That's number one. Number two, That's number one. Number two, That's number one. Number two, translated here, translated here, translated here, loving loving loving kindness. It's not a common word. It's not a common word. It's not a common word. In fact, it only It's not a common word. In fact, it only It's not a common word. In fact, it only occurs here in the New Testament. occurs here in the New Testament. occurs here in the New Testament. And if I told you the Greek, you'd know And if I told you the Greek, you'd know And if I told you the Greek, you'd know the English. the English. the English. Philanthropia. Philanthropia. Philanthropia. Philanthropia.

Philanthropia. Philanthropia. Philanthropia. Philanthropia. Philanthropia. Philanthropia. Philanthropy Philanthropy is divided into two parts, phil, love, is divided into two parts, phil, love, is divided into two parts, phil, love, anthropos, man, humans, anthropos, man, humans, anthropos, man, humans, love of humans. love of humans. love of humans. God's the the ultimate philanthropist. God's the the ultimate philanthropist. God's the the ultimate philanthropist. He's the ultimate lover of humans. He's the ultimate lover of humans. He's the ultimate lover of humans. He likes to make things go well He likes to make things go well He likes to make things go well for humans. for humans. for humans. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> He likes to found hospitals and >> He likes to found hospitals and >> He likes to found hospitals and cures to diseases and so on. cures to diseases and so on. cures to diseases and so on. And And And when his philanthropia appears, when his philanthropia appears, when his philanthropia appears, he saves Appears. Appears. That's an important word.

That's an important word. That's an important word. When the goodness and loving kindness of When the goodness and loving kindness of When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, God our Savior appeared, God our Savior appeared, if he had been kind in his nature if he had been kind in his nature if he had been kind in his nature and if he had been a philanthropist in and if he had been a philanthropist in and if he had been a philanthropist in his nature and it never appeared, that his nature and it never appeared, that his nature and it never appeared, that would do us no good. It's the arrival. It's the arrival. It's the going public. It's the It's the going public. It's the It's the going public. It's the appearing. It's the manifestation appearing. It's the manifestation appearing. It's the manifestation on the planet that saves. on the planet that saves. on the planet that saves. So, what is that? So, what is that? So, what is that? When did that happen? When When and how did the kindness and the and how did the kindness and the and how did the kindness and the philanthropy philanthropy philanthropy of God our Savior of God our Savior of God our Savior appear? Now, there's appear? Now, there's appear? Now, there's you don't have to just answer that you don't have to just answer that you don't have to just answer that theological. Oh, I know what it verse theological. Oh, I know what it verse theological. Oh, I know what it verse two. You you can you can answer it two. You you can you can answer it two. You you can you can answer it textually. textually. textually. Because there's a clue here and the clue Because there's a clue here and the clue Because there's a clue here and the clue is that in verse four, is that in verse four, is that in verse four, God is called God is called God is called our Savior.

our Savior. our Savior. And in verse six, Christ is called our And in verse six, Christ is called our And in verse six, Christ is called our Savior. When the goodness and loving kindness of When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, God our Savior appeared, God our Savior appeared, then verse six, then verse six, then verse six, whom Spirit poured out on us richly whom Spirit poured out on us richly whom Spirit poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our savior. through Jesus Christ our savior. through Jesus Christ our savior. God our savior God our savior God our savior came came came and his name was Jesus our savior. and his name was Jesus our savior. and his name was Jesus our savior. God our savior is kind God our savior is kind God our savior is kind and philanthropical and philanthropical and philanthropical and it appeared and it appeared and it appeared and his name was Jesus. That's clear. That's clear. The only reason we're saved is not The only reason we're saved is not The only reason we're saved is not simply the fact that God is a certain simply the fact that God is a certain simply the fact that God is a certain way. way. way. Regeneration Regeneration Regeneration remember remember remember is not some vague spiritual thing is not some vague spiritual thing is not some vague spiritual thing disconnected from history. disconnected from history. disconnected from history. It's rooted in objective reality as the It's rooted in objective reality as the It's rooted in objective reality as the spirit moves in on my life and it spirit moves in on my life and it spirit moves in on my life and it happens as I am brought into union with happens as I am brought into union with happens as I am brought into union with the God-man Jesus Christ risen from the the God-man Jesus Christ risen from the the God-man Jesus Christ risen from the dead who is life.

dead who is life. dead who is life. And that's the only way I have life. And that's the only way I have life. And that's the only way I have life. It's not some vague kind of God is good It's not some vague kind of God is good It's not some vague kind of God is good and God is philanthropical and so if you and God is philanthropical and so if you and God is philanthropical and so if you just somehow relate to God you'll be just somehow relate to God you'll be just somehow relate to God you'll be born again. No, no, no. born again. No, no, no. born again. No, no, no. That goodness, that kindness, that That goodness, that kindness, that That goodness, that kindness, that philanthropy appeared. philanthropy appeared. philanthropy appeared. And it appeared in a person And it appeared in a person And it appeared in a person who had to die for my sins and who who had to die for my sins and who who had to die for my sins and who invites me to come to him to have what invites me to come to him to have what invites me to come to him to have what he offers me and if I will come he offers me and if I will come he offers me and if I will come then it all counts then it all counts then it all counts for me. Number three Number three the last one, mercy. the last one, mercy. the last one, mercy. So kindness philanthropy philanthropy and and and mercy, verse five. mercy, verse five. mercy, verse five. He saved us He saved us He 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. If you're born again, If you're born again, it's owing to God's mercy.

it's owing to God's mercy. it's owing to God's mercy. God is merciful. We were dead God is merciful. We were dead God is merciful. We were dead and he made us alive. and he made us alive. and he made us alive. God being rich in mercy when we were God being rich in mercy when we were God being rich in mercy when we were dead in our own trespasses, God made us dead in our own trespasses, God made us dead in our own trespasses, God made us alive. Being rich in mercy, he made us alive. Being rich in mercy, he made us alive. Being rich in mercy, he made us alive. alive. alive. God's kind. God's kind. God's kind. God is loving toward humanity and God is God is loving toward humanity and God is God is loving toward humanity and God is merciful and that's how the new birth merciful and that's how the new birth merciful and that's how the new birth comes comes comes about. about. about. Now, he could have stopped right there. Now, he could have stopped right there. Now, he could have stopped right there. That would have been great. The three That would have been great. The three That would have been great. The three big sources through which it happens. big sources through which it happens. big sources through which it happens. Kindness, Kindness, Kindness, love of humanity, love of humanity, love of humanity, mercy. Could have just stopped right mercy. Could have just stopped right mercy. Could have just stopped right there. Stayed positive. People like there. Stayed positive. People like there. Stayed positive. People like people to be positive and not say anything negative. and not say anything negative. But he didn't. Negations and denials are absolutely Negations and denials are absolutely essential. essential. essential. Only asking people what they believe Only asking people what they believe Only asking people what they believe will not show you what they believe.

I have done it too many times in too I have done it too many times in too many conversations. many conversations. many conversations. You must ask them what they do not You must ask them what they do not You must ask them what they do not believe. Then it comes clear what they believe. Then it comes clear what they believe. Then it comes clear what they believe when they say what they believe. And Paul And Paul operates that way. operates that way. operates that way. So, So, So, we read, he saved us we read, he saved us we read, he saved us not not not He's got people in mind here. He's got people in mind here. He's got people in mind here. He's got error in mind here. He's got He's got error in mind here. He's got He's got error in mind here. He's got devastation and damnation in mind here devastation and damnation in mind here devastation and damnation in mind here that come from these kinds of mistakes that come from these kinds of mistakes that come from these kinds of mistakes and he loves these people and he loves these people and he loves these people and so he negates as well as affirms. and so he negates as well as affirms. and so he negates as well as affirms. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> He saved us not because of works done by >> He saved us not because of works done by >> He saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness. And why does he Why us in righteousness. And why does he Why us in righteousness. And why does he Why does he do that? He does it because he does he do that? He does it because he does he do that? He does it because he knows the way John Piper is wired. knows the way John Piper is wired. knows the way John Piper is wired. And he knows the way you're wired. And And he knows the way you're wired. And And he knows the way you're wired. And I'll tell you how you're wired unless I'll tell you how you're wired unless I'll tell you how you're wired unless you're really unusual.

you're really unusual. you're really unusual. Like divine. You're wired like this. You're wired like this. When something really wonderful happens When something really wonderful happens When something really wonderful happens to you, your mind defaults, I must have to you, your mind defaults, I must have to you, your mind defaults, I must have done something good. done something good. done something good. That's the way we're wired. When something really good happens to When something really good happens to you, you think, I must have done you, you think, I must have done you, you think, I must have done something right. something right. something right. And Paul, with this massive negation, is And Paul, with this massive negation, is And Paul, with this massive negation, is saying, now listen, all you wired up saying, now listen, all you wired up saying, now listen, all you wired up folks. When it comes to salvation through When it comes to salvation through regeneration, do not think that way. regeneration, do not think that way. regeneration, do not think that way. That's what he's saying. Because we're wired to think, okay, got Because we're wired to think, okay, got to do something. Got to do something. Or if you're already a Christian because Or if you're already a Christian because the great thing has already happened to the great thing has already happened to the great thing has already happened to you, the devil and your own nature, your you, the devil and your own nature, your you, the devil and your own nature, your own wiring, day by day is whispering own wiring, day by day is whispering own wiring, day by day is whispering little in your ear saying, little in your ear saying, little in your ear saying, was owing to you.

was owing to you. was owing to you. Was owing to you. Was owing to you. Was owing to you. It was owing to you. It was owing to you. It was owing to you. It was owing to you. It was owing to you. It was owing to you. You got it right. They didn't, you did. Mark this. Mark this. He does not say, He does not say, He does not say, he saved us he saved us he saved us not because of deeds done by us in not because of deeds done by us in not because of deeds done by us in legalism. He is not saying He is not saying it is your worst deeds and your worst it is your worst deeds and your worst it is your worst deeds and your worst motives that I am excluding from having motives that I am excluding from having motives that I am excluding from having any causality here. any causality here. any causality here. It's not what he's saying. It's not what he's saying. It's not what he's saying. He's saying, "I am excluding your best He's saying, "I am excluding your best He's saying, "I am excluding your best deeds and your best motives from having deeds and your best motives from having deeds and your best motives from having any causality here." That's what he's any causality here." That's what he's any causality here." That's what he's saying. saying. saying. Let's read it again. Let's read it again. Let's read it again. He saved us not because of works done by He saved us not because of works done by He saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness.

Your best work, Your best work, your purest motive your purest motive your purest motive was irrelevant when you were born again. And the alternative that he puts over And the alternative that he puts over against those best of all deeds and against those best of all deeds and against those best of all deeds and motives, motives, motives, mercy. He saved us not because of works done by He saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness. us in righteousness. us in righteousness. But according to his But according to his But according to his own sovereign free [snorts] own sovereign free [snorts] own sovereign free [snorts] mercy. Just like Romans 9 mercy. Just like Romans 9 mercy. Just like Romans 9 16. It was not your willing or running It was not your willing or running but of God but of God but of God who has mercy. This is one reason, in closing, This is one reason, in closing, why I say why I say why I say the washing of regeneration does not the washing of regeneration does not the washing of regeneration does not refer to baptism.

You can read the commentaries. You can read the commentaries. 80% of them say it refers to baptism. 80% of them say it refers to baptism. 80% of them say it refers to baptism. And here stands little Piper. And here stands little Piper. And here stands little Piper. I don't think so. I have strong feelings about I have strong feelings about sacramentalism. If I use the language I sacramentalism. If I use the language I sacramentalism. If I use the language I feel I would get emails. You were not born again through your You were not born again through your baptism. The washing of regeneration is a The washing of regeneration is a spiritual reality effected by the Holy spiritual reality effected by the Holy spiritual reality effected by the Holy Spirit, not a physical or a spiritual Spirit, not a physical or a spiritual Spirit, not a physical or a spiritual reality effected by the deeds done in reality effected by the deeds done in reality effected by the deeds done in righteousness by a pastor on your body righteousness by a pastor on your body righteousness by a pastor on your body or your own deeds done in righteousness. or your own deeds done in righteousness. or your own deeds done in righteousness. Neither circumcision under the old Neither circumcision under the old Neither circumcision under the old covenant nor baptism under the new covenant nor baptism under the new covenant nor baptism under the new covenant is the means by which covenant is the means by which covenant is the means by which regeneration is effected. It is free. regeneration is effected. It is free. regeneration is effected. It is free. It is not under the management of It is not under the management of It is not under the management of anybody's hands or water or words.

>> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> How many people are in hell today >> How many people are in hell today >> How many people are in hell today because they thought because they thought because they thought I was born again when I was baptized. I was born again when I was baptized. I was born again when I was baptized. That's tragic. That's tragic. That's tragic. So, you can see why I feel strongly So, you can see why I feel strongly So, you can see why I feel strongly about it. And I reject it for numerous reasons. I And I reject it for numerous reasons. I gave about five of them. gave about five of them. gave about five of them. In John 3, the one I'm adding is In John 3, the one I'm adding is In John 3, the one I'm adding is He saved us He saved us He saved us through the washing of regeneration, not through the washing of regeneration, not through the washing of regeneration, not by deeds done by us in righteousness, by deeds done by us in righteousness, by deeds done by us in righteousness, but by mercy. but by mercy. but by mercy. So, I close with this So, I close with this So, I close with this benedictory longing. benedictory longing. benedictory longing. May God give you May God give you May God give you eyes to see eyes to see eyes to see that nothing could make you humbler that nothing could make you humbler that nothing could make you humbler and nothing could make you happier and nothing could make you happier and nothing could make you happier than the truth than the truth than the truth that your new birth that your new birth that your new birth was owing to nothing that you ever done, was owing to nothing that you ever done, was owing to nothing that you ever done, but owing entirely but owing entirely but owing entirely to the mercy of God.

to the mercy of God. to the mercy of God. May God give us eyes to see and enjoy May God give us eyes to see and enjoy May God give us eyes to see and enjoy that. that. that. Let's pray. Father in heaven, Father in heaven, there are some in the room who are not there are some in the room who are not there are some in the room who are not yet born again. It has to be so It has to be so in a group this size. in a group this size. in a group this size. I don't know who they are. I don't know who they are. I don't know who they are. You see them crystal clear. You see them crystal clear. You see them crystal clear. It is your kindness and your It is your kindness and your It is your kindness and your philanthropy and your mercy that brought philanthropy and your mercy that brought philanthropy and your mercy that brought them here tonight them here tonight them here tonight to hear Shai Lin take them back to hear Shai Lin take them back to hear Shai Lin take them back to the climax of history, to the climax of history, to the climax of history, to watch us to watch us to watch us symbolize the glory of the death and symbolize the glory of the death and symbolize the glory of the death and resurrection of Jesus at the communion resurrection of Jesus at the communion resurrection of Jesus at the communion table, table, table, to let them see this congregation rise to let them see this congregation rise to let them see this congregation rise in song to the greatest news in the in song to the greatest news in the in song to the greatest news in the world that Christ came into the world to world that Christ came into the world to world that Christ came into the world to save sinners, and to hear this message save sinners, and to hear this message save sinners, and to hear this message about how about how about how the new birth is brought about by the new birth is brought about by the new birth is brought about by kindness, love of humanity, love of humanity, and mercy.

and mercy. and mercy. And I pray that this And I pray that this And I pray that this would simply take them. And make them your own. And make them your own. So that they would So that they would So that they would believe in you. believe in you. believe in you. And enjoy you And enjoy you And enjoy you forever forever forever and ever. and ever. and ever. Thank you Thank you Thank you for the mercy. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Amen. >> I want to thank you for listening to >> I want to thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, where this episode of Light and Truth, where this episode of Light and Truth, where we are committed to providing we are committed to providing 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 concludes our 15-part [music] series concludes our 15-part [music] series concludes our 15-part [music] series Born from Above with a message titled Born from Above with a message titled Born from Above with a message titled God begets faith. I hope you'll join God begets faith. I hope you'll join God begets faith. I hope you'll join [music] us. [music] us. [music] us. For more resources, visit For more resources, visit For more resources, visit desiringgod.org.