God’s Call Creates Life

Everybody, unless there's somebody Everybody, unless there's somebody asleep somewhere, is hearing what I'm asleep somewhere, is hearing what I'm asleep somewhere, is hearing what I'm saying. saying. saying. Hearing this general call. Awake, Hearing this general call. Awake, Hearing this general call. Awake, believe, embrace, live. You're hearing believe, embrace, live. You're hearing believe, embrace, live. You're hearing this. this. this. The question is, The question is, The question is, why do some why do some why do some hear it hear it hear it and love it? and love it? and love it? Preach on. Say more good things about my Preach on. Say more good things about my Preach on. Say more good things about my Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Love it. Can't get enough of it. >> Love it. Can't get enough of it. >> Love it. Can't get enough of it. And others, God, when are we going to And others, God, when are we going to And others, God, when are we going to get out of here? get out of here? get out of here? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Because God calls some. Because God calls some. Because God calls some. >> Many of us at one time or another have >> Many of us at one time or another have >> Many of us at one time or another have wondered why [music] the gospel sounds wondered why [music] the gospel sounds wondered why [music] the gospel sounds beautiful to some and completely beautiful to some and completely beautiful to some and completely uninteresting to others. uninteresting to others. uninteresting to others. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Same words, same Christ, same >> Same words, same Christ, same >> Same words, same Christ, same invitation, and yet one person hears invitation, and yet one person hears invitation, and yet one person hears life in it, [music] and another just life in it, [music] and another just life in it, [music] and another just wants the talking to end.

wants the talking to end. wants the talking to end. 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 Piper opens 1 Peter 1:13-25 Piper opens 1 Peter 1:13-25 to show that the new birth happens when to show that the new birth happens when to show that the new birth happens when God's call creates the very life it God's call creates the very life it God's call creates the very life it commands. commands. commands. This message was originally [music] This message was originally [music] This message was originally [music] delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on January 13th, 2008. [music] >> The gifts God has for us in the new >> The gifts God has for us in the new birth are irrevocable gifts. birth are irrevocable gifts. birth are irrevocable gifts. They will not let you down. It's not They will not let you down. It's not They will not let you down. It's not like your first birth. I'm so thankful. like your first birth. I'm so thankful. like your first birth. I'm so thankful. I'm getting old. I can't hear as well. I I'm getting old. I can't hear as well. I I'm getting old. I can't hear as well. I can't see as well. My hair's falling can't see as well. My hair's falling can't see as well. My hair's falling out. My back aches. I am getting old. out. My back aches. I am getting old. out. My back aches. I am getting old. But my new life in Christ is being But my new life in Christ is being But my new life in Christ is being renewed every day. I am ripening to be renewed every day. I am ripening to be renewed every day. I am ripening to be plucked and put in heaven for infinite and and put in heaven for infinite and ever-increasing joy.

ever-increasing joy. ever-increasing joy. And I feel so bad. And I feel so bad. And I feel so bad. People in my neighborhood and the people People in my neighborhood and the people People in my neighborhood and the people who who who come to this church who are also getting come to this church who are also getting come to this church who are also getting old old old and they have no hope. and they have no hope. and they have no hope. And they're trying to cover their age in And they're trying to cover their age in And they're trying to cover their age in every possible way and find the fountain every possible way and find the fountain every possible way and find the fountain of youth to just stretch it out another of youth to just stretch it out another of youth to just stretch it out another decade and I'm saying decade and I'm saying decade and I'm saying let it go. let it go. let it go. Don't bring me back, please. Okay, now we want to take them one at a Okay, now we want to take them one at a time and unpack them a little more time and unpack them a little more time and unpack them a little more fully. Number one, fully. Number one, fully. Number one, I'm going to take them not in the order I'm going to take them not in the order I'm going to take them not in the order they come in the text, but in the order they come in the text, but in the order they come in the text, but in the order they happened in history. Number one, they happened in history. Number one, they happened in history. Number one, God ransomed us by the blood of Christ. God ransomed us by the blood of Christ. God ransomed us by the blood of Christ. Let's read verse 18 again. You were Let's read verse 18 again. You were Let's read verse 18 again. You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited ransomed from the futile ways inherited ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable from your fathers, not with perishable from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver and gold, but with things such as silver and gold, but with things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ like that the precious blood of Christ like that the precious blood of Christ like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

of a lamb without blemish or spot. of a lamb without blemish or spot. The point here is very simply that the The point here is very simply that the The point here is very simply that the new birth, this change that liberates us new birth, this change that liberates us new birth, this change that liberates us from these old ways, this ransom implies from these old ways, this ransom implies from these old ways, this ransom implies that that we had a slavery. You don't that that we had a slavery. You don't that that we had a slavery. You don't You don't pay a ransom. You don't pay a ransom. You don't pay a ransom. That's the word. You don't pay a ransom That's the word. You don't pay a ransom That's the word. You don't pay a ransom for somebody who's not in captivity. for somebody who's not in captivity. for somebody who's not in captivity. Somebody's got you. Somebody's got you. Somebody's got you. And a And a ransom is is required and And a And a ransom is is required and And a And a ransom is is required and and then liberty can happen and that's and then liberty can happen and that's and then liberty can happen and that's what the picture is what the picture is what the picture is here. We were under the wrath of God here. We were under the wrath of God here. We were under the wrath of God because of these ways. We're children of because of these ways. We're children of because of these ways. We're children of wrath. wrath. wrath. And God required in his justice that And God required in his justice that And God required in his justice that there be there be there be punishment. punishment. punishment. And Jesus, it says in I mean he said in And Jesus, it says in I mean he said in And Jesus, it says in I mean he said in Mark 10:45, Mark 10:45, Mark 10:45, "The Son of Man "The Son of Man "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and came not to be served, but to serve and came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom to give his life a ransom to give his life a ransom for many." And so God ordained that he would send And so God ordained that he would send his Son into the world and that his Son, his Son into the world and that his Son, his Son into the world and that his Son, we've been singing our hearts out about we've been singing our hearts out about we've been singing our hearts out about it, his Son would bear the wrath, it, his Son would bear the wrath, it, his Son would bear the wrath, bear the punishment.

bear the punishment. bear the punishment. That is absolutely That is absolutely That is absolutely indispensable indispensable indispensable to the new birth because you cannot to the new birth because you cannot to the new birth because you cannot justly justly justly give a dyed-in-the-wool give a dyed-in-the-wool give a dyed-in-the-wool unforgiven sinner unforgiven sinner unforgiven sinner the gift of everlasting life in the the gift of everlasting life in the the gift of everlasting life in the presence of God. presence of God. presence of God. You can't do that. But you can But you can if if if Christ paid Christ paid Christ paid the ransom the ransom the ransom and removed their guilt and removed the and removed their guilt and removed the and removed their guilt and removed the wrath and removed their sin, then God is wrath and removed their sin, then God is wrath and removed their sin, then God is free and he's the one who freed himself free and he's the one who freed himself free and he's the one who freed himself in doing this in doing this in doing this to pour his spirit into the hearts of to pour his spirit into the hearts of to pour his spirit into the hearts of people who are forgiven because of the people who are forgiven because of the people who are forgiven because of the ransom. ransom. ransom. So, the gift of eternal life, not just So, the gift of eternal life, not just So, the gift of eternal life, not just new life, is because of a ransom that new life, is because of a ransom that new life, is because of a ransom that was was was paid. The blood of Christ is infinitely paid. The blood of Christ is infinitely paid. The blood of Christ is infinitely valuable valuable valuable and will never lose its ransoming and will never lose its ransoming and will never lose its ransoming power, which is why the new power, which is why the new power, which is why the new life we have in the new birth lasts life we have in the new birth lasts life we have in the new birth lasts forever.

forever. forever. Number two. Number two. Number two. God raised Jesus from the dead. God raised Jesus from the dead. God raised Jesus from the dead. Three and four. Blessed be the God and Three and four. Blessed be the God and Three and four. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy, he has According to his great mercy, he has According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again caused us to be born again caused us to be born again to a living hope through the to a living hope through the to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead dead dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, to an inheritance that is imperishable, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and kept in heaven for you. Born again Born again through the resurrection. through the resurrection. through the resurrection. So, in the first case, we are born again So, in the first case, we are born again So, in the first case, we are born again because we have a purchased ransom because we have a purchased ransom because we have a purchased ransom underneath sustaining God's merciful underneath sustaining God's merciful underneath sustaining God's merciful grace and making it just for him to do grace and making it just for him to do grace and making it just for him to do this for sinners like us because there's this for sinners like us because there's this for sinners like us because there's a ransom being paid. And so, the new a ransom being paid. And so, the new a ransom being paid. And so, the new birth can graciously and mercifully birth can graciously and mercifully birth can graciously and mercifully happen to sinners, undeserving sinners happen to sinners, undeserving sinners happen to sinners, undeserving sinners who are dead. who are dead. who are dead. And now, we've got resurrection over And now, we've got resurrection over And now, we've got resurrection over here holding up the gift of eternal life here holding up the gift of eternal life here holding up the gift of eternal life cuz you not only have to solve the legal cuz you not only have to solve the legal cuz you not only have to solve the legal problem, all this guilt over here, you problem, all this guilt over here, you problem, all this guilt over here, you have to solve the have to solve the have to solve the what should we call it? The uh what should we call it? The uh what should we call it? The uh the the death problem that If I'm going the the death problem that If I'm going the the death problem that If I'm going to live forever, it's got to be rooted to live forever, it's got to be rooted to live forever, it's got to be rooted in the conquering of death. And Jesus in the conquering of death. And Jesus in the conquering of death. And Jesus conquers death by rising from the dead.

conquers death by rising from the dead. conquers death by rising from the dead. And then, as I'm united to him in the And then, as I'm united to him in the And then, as I'm united to him in the new birth, I get his life which he has new birth, I get his life which he has new birth, I get his life which he has through the resurrection. I I clarified, through the resurrection. I I clarified, through the resurrection. I I clarified, I can't remember which sermon it was, I can't remember which sermon it was, I can't remember which sermon it was, but somewhere back there I said but somewhere back there I said but somewhere back there I said it's it's not just union with the it's it's not just union with the it's it's not just union with the eternal Son of God that gets you new eternal Son of God that gets you new eternal Son of God that gets you new birth. It's union with the incarnate, risen, It's union with the incarnate, risen, crucified, reigning Christ that gets you crucified, reigning Christ that gets you crucified, reigning Christ that gets you the new birth. Our new life flows from the new birth. Our new life flows from the new birth. Our new life flows from the risen Christ who paid our debt and the risen Christ who paid our debt and the risen Christ who paid our debt and who conquered death. who conquered death. who conquered death. That's what we have to be united to in That's what we have to be united to in That's what we have to be united to in order to have life, order to have life, order to have life, his life, the death-conquering life his life, the death-conquering life his life, the death-conquering life that he has through the resurrection. that he has through the resurrection. that he has through the resurrection. So, that's the second way that God has So, that's the second way that God has So, that's the second way that God has brought our new birth about. Here's the brought our new birth about. Here's the brought our new birth about. Here's the third and final way. third and final way. third and final way. Third, he called us. Now, I focused on verse 23. Now, I focused on verse 23. He calls us to be born again through the He calls us to be born again through the He calls us to be born again through the living and abiding word of God. I'm living and abiding word of God. I'm living and abiding word of God. I'm going to I'm going to go there through going to I'm going to go there through going to I'm going to go there through this word.

this word. this word. So, first, he ransomed us. Second, So, first, he ransomed us. Second, So, first, he ransomed us. Second, raised you from the dead. Third, he raised you from the dead. Third, he raised you from the dead. Third, he called us. Now, let's read verses 14 and called us. Now, let's read verses 14 and called us. Now, let's read verses 14 and 15. 15. 15. As obedient children, As obedient children, As obedient children, do not be conformed do not be conformed do not be conformed to the passions of your former to the passions of your former to the passions of your former ignorance. ignorance. ignorance. Referring again to the change that's Referring again to the change that's Referring again to the change that's happened. Once they lived a life when happened. Once they lived a life when happened. Once they lived a life when they were spiritually blind and ignorant they were spiritually blind and ignorant they were spiritually blind and ignorant about all the glories of Christ, they're about all the glories of Christ, they're about all the glories of Christ, they're not that way anymore. So, now bring your not that way anymore. So, now bring your not that way anymore. So, now bring your lives into conformity to your true lives into conformity to your true lives into conformity to your true condition. condition. condition. Don't live according to your former Don't live according to your former Don't live according to your former ignorance, but ignorance, but ignorance, but as he who called you, that's what as he who called you, that's what as he who called you, that's what happened. Is holy, Is holy, you now you now you now be holy in all your conduct. So, if you be holy in all your conduct. So, if you be holy in all your conduct. So, if you want to draw the line between the old want to draw the line between the old want to draw the line between the old you and the new you, you can do it with you and the new you, you can do it with you and the new you, you can do it with new birth. new birth. new birth. That word. That word. That word. Or you can do it with he called me.

Or you can do it with he called me. Or you can do it with he called me. He called me. Now, to understand how that relates to Now, to understand how that relates to the new birth, the new birth, the new birth, we need to make some distinctions. we need to make some distinctions. we need to make some distinctions. This calling This calling This calling that that that distinguishes the old you distinguishes the old you distinguishes the old you from the new you, the way of ignorance, from the new you, the way of ignorance, from the new you, the way of ignorance, the former ways inherited from your the former ways inherited from your the former ways inherited from your fathers, and the new you, resisting fathers, and the new you, resisting fathers, and the new you, resisting that, fighting that, drawing down the that, fighting that, drawing down the that, fighting that, drawing down the spiritual power, loving Christ, living spiritual power, loving Christ, living spiritual power, loving Christ, living in Christ, depending on Christ. What divides the line there, and it's a What divides the line there, and it's a very clear line, though most of you very clear line, though most of you very clear line, though most of you don't remember when it happened. That's don't remember when it happened. That's don't remember when it happened. That's okay, not a problem. I'll talk about okay, not a problem. I'll talk about okay, not a problem. I'll talk about that later. that later. that later. There's a clear line in God's mind where There's a clear line in God's mind where There's a clear line in God's mind where that happened. And the line is And the line is he called you. he called you. he called you. He said He said He said live. live. live. Now, that's what I mean by call. Now, that's what I mean by call. Now, that's what I mean by call. But for you to understand that, I think But for you to understand that, I think But for you to understand that, I think we need to make some distinctions we need to make some distinctions we need to make some distinctions because that call happens because that call happens because that call happens through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of God, which is the gospel that I'm God, which is the gospel that I'm God, which is the gospel that I'm preaching.

preaching. preaching. What I'm saying right now is not that What I'm saying right now is not that What I'm saying right now is not that call. When I say believe, live, awaken, it may When I say believe, live, awaken, it may or may not become that call. I'm not God. I'm not God. My words are not God. But God is pleased through human voices But God is pleased through human voices to do an internal call through an to do an internal call through an to do an internal call through an external word. external word. external word. Now, that's what I want you to see. Now, that's what I want you to see. Now, that's what I want you to see. That's the distinction I want you to That's the distinction I want you to That's the distinction I want you to make. Look at verses 23 to 25. make. Look at verses 23 to 25. make. Look at verses 23 to 25. Since you have been born again, Since you have been born again, Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of not of perishable seed, but of not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, imperishable, imperishable, through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of God. And then at the end of verse 25, he God. And then at the end of verse 25, he God. And then at the end of verse 25, he defines that living and abiding word of defines that living and abiding word of defines that living and abiding word of God. He says, God. He says, God. He says, "This is the good news that was preached "This is the good news that was preached "This is the good news that was preached to you."

to you." to you." So, this is what I'm doing right now. So, this is what I'm doing right now. So, this is what I'm doing right now. I'm preaching good news. I'm doing verse I'm preaching good news. I'm doing verse I'm preaching good news. I'm doing verse 25 and 23. 25 and 23. 25 and 23. What God is doing in this room, I don't What God is doing in this room, I don't What God is doing in this room, I don't know yet. But I'm doing what I'm called to do. But I'm doing what I'm called to do. And you're doing, I hope, what you're And you're doing, I hope, what you're And you're doing, I hope, what you're called to do. called to do. called to do. Listening, praying, examining, Listening, praying, examining, Listening, praying, examining, following. The question is The question is How many people are here? 600 maybe? How many people are here? 600 maybe? How many people are here? 600 maybe? 500? 500? 500? Everybody, unless there's somebody Everybody, unless there's somebody Everybody, unless there's somebody asleep somewhere, is hearing what I'm asleep somewhere, is hearing what I'm asleep somewhere, is hearing what I'm saying. saying. saying. Hearing this general call, awake, Hearing this general call, awake, Hearing this general call, awake, believe, embrace, live. You're hearing believe, embrace, live. You're hearing believe, embrace, live. You're hearing this. this. this. And the question is And the question is And the question is Why do some Why do some Why do some hear it and love it?

hear it and love it? hear it and love it? Preach on. Say more good things about my Preach on. Say more good things about my Preach on. Say more good things about my Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Love it. Can't get enough of it. Love it. Can't get enough of it. Love it. Can't get enough of it. And others can't. When are we going to And others can't. When are we going to And others can't. When are we going to get out of here? get out of here? get out of here? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Because God calls some. He says to some He says to some live. Born again Born again through through through the gospel. Lazarus Lazarus come out. come out. come out. Lazarus didn't say, I don't think so. Because Because when the internal call happens, it when the internal call happens, it when the internal call happens, it creates what it commands. If God says live, you live. If God says live, you live. And your life is manifest in many And your life is manifest in many And your life is manifest in many things. Faith is the first.

So you have the general external call So you have the general external call that I'm issuing right now, that I'm issuing right now, that I'm issuing right now, and you have the internal effective call and you have the internal effective call and you have the internal effective call of God that creates what it commands. of God that creates what it commands. of God that creates what it commands. Now, if you'd like to see this, the Now, if you'd like to see this, the Now, if you'd like to see this, the clearest place in the New Testament clearest place in the New Testament clearest place in the New Testament where this distinction is made where this distinction is made where this distinction is made is in 1 Corinthians 1. I invite you to is in 1 Corinthians 1. I invite you to is in 1 Corinthians 1. I invite you to go there with me. go there with me. go there with me. 1 Corinthians chapter 1 1 Corinthians chapter 1 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and I pray that all of you who are born and I pray that all of you who are born and I pray that all of you who are born of God will be praying right now of God will be praying right now of God will be praying right now that God would be that God would be that God would be not just helping me preach not just helping me preach not just helping me preach but in and through these words but in and through these words but in and through these words awakening the dead. 1 Corinthians 1 1 Corinthians 1 22 to 24. Jews demand signs 22 to 24. Jews demand signs 22 to 24. Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom. and Greeks seek wisdom. and Greeks seek wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, a But we preach Christ crucified, a But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly stumbling block to Jews and folly stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.

But to those who are called But to those who are called both Jews and Greeks both Jews and Greeks both Jews and Greeks Christ Christ Christ the power of God the power of God the power of God and the wisdom of God. Now, think hard and the wisdom of God. Now, think hard and the wisdom of God. Now, think hard for 1 minute about that verse. Those two for 1 minute about that verse. Those two for 1 minute about that verse. Those two verses. verses. verses. Or 23 and 24. The gospel is being preached by Paul. The gospel is being preached by Paul. Just like I'm doing now. He said Christ Just like I'm doing now. He said Christ Just like I'm doing now. He said Christ crucified, I spent 5 minutes on the crucified, I spent 5 minutes on the crucified, I spent 5 minutes on the ransom. ransom. ransom. I'm preaching Christ crucified here and I'm preaching Christ crucified here and I'm preaching Christ crucified here and risen. risen. risen. Coming in power. Coming in power. Coming in power. Now, he says Now, he says Now, he says two groups of people. He's two groups of people. He's two groups of people. He's Gentiles and Jews were hearing what he Gentiles and Jews were hearing what he Gentiles and Jews were hearing what he preached. preached. preached. And by and large, it was foolishness to And by and large, it was foolishness to And by and large, it was foolishness to one group and a stumbling block to one group and a stumbling block to one group and a stumbling block to another group. So, nobody was getting another group. So, nobody was getting another group. So, nobody was getting saved. saved. saved. They just heard it and it was They just heard it and it was They just heard it and it was Thank you very much. That's ridiculous. Thank you very much. That's ridiculous. Thank you very much. That's ridiculous. Or you can't have a crucified king. You Or you can't have a crucified king. You Or you can't have a crucified king. You just can't have a crucified Messiah. It just can't have a crucified Messiah. It just can't have a crucified Messiah. It just doesn't work. It shatters the just doesn't work. It shatters the just doesn't work. It shatters the stereotypes and all the It just doesn't stereotypes and all the It just doesn't stereotypes and all the It just doesn't work. So, it we they stumble over it.

work. So, it we they stumble over it. work. So, it we they stumble over it. And the Greeks say, "Baloney. That just And the Greeks say, "Baloney. That just And the Greeks say, "Baloney. That just is so foolish." is so foolish." is so foolish." But, then look at the rest. But, then look at the rest. But, then look at the rest. There are some of those Gentiles and There are some of those Gentiles and There are some of those Gentiles and some of those Jews some of those Jews some of those Jews who who who say, "Christ is the power of God. say, "Christ is the power of God. say, "Christ is the power of God. Christ is the wisdom of God." And what's Christ is the wisdom of God." And what's Christ is the wisdom of God." And what's the difference? the difference? the difference? Answer, Answer, Answer, those who are called those who are called those who are called say, "Christ, the power of God." say, "Christ, the power of God." say, "Christ, the power of God." So, the first call is the general So, the first call is the general So, the first call is the general external call of Paul on Areopagus or external call of Paul on Areopagus or external call of Paul on Areopagus or wherever or me here in this room and on wherever or me here in this room and on wherever or me here in this room and on this video saying, this video saying, this video saying, "Christ is great. Christ is glorious. "Christ is great. Christ is glorious. "Christ is great. Christ is glorious. Christ is sufficient. He paid a ransom. Christ is sufficient. He paid a ransom. Christ is sufficient. He paid a ransom. He rose from the dead. He offers life. He rose from the dead. He offers life. He rose from the dead. He offers life. Believe." Believe." Believe." That's that's the gospel. And some say, And some say, "No."

"No." "No." And others say, And others say, And others say, "Power of God, wisdom of God." And the "Power of God, wisdom of God." And the "Power of God, wisdom of God." And the difference is whether difference is whether difference is whether in and through these words the spirit of in and through these words the spirit of in and through these words the spirit of God is God is God is saying saying saying to you, to you, to you, "Live." "Live." "Live." And if he does, And if he does, And if he does, you will live. Which is why he gets all the glory. I Which is why he gets all the glory. I don't. don't. don't. I cannot make that happen. I cannot make that happen. I cannot make that happen. I'm absolutely helpless. I'm desperate I'm absolutely helpless. I'm desperate I'm absolutely helpless. I'm desperate when I come to this pulpit. when I come to this pulpit. when I come to this pulpit. We meet for 30 minutes downstairs not to We meet for 30 minutes downstairs not to We meet for 30 minutes downstairs not to flap our lips, but to say, "God, I can't flap our lips, but to say, "God, I can't flap our lips, but to say, "God, I can't do anything here." We could have a club do anything here." We could have a club do anything here." We could have a club here, here, here, but I can't make this happen. but I can't make this happen. but I can't make this happen. This is the miracle of Lazarus, come This is the miracle of Lazarus, come This is the miracle of Lazarus, come forth. So, So, the third thing to say after ransom the third thing to say after ransom the third thing to say after ransom and resurrection is and resurrection is and resurrection is call or new birth. They're the same.

call or new birth. They're the same. call or new birth. They're the same. Same event, just two way of talking Same event, just two way of talking Same event, just two way of talking about the same thing. The inner, about the same thing. The inner, about the same thing. The inner, powerful, effective, powerful, effective, powerful, effective, irresistible call of God that makes you irresistible call of God that makes you irresistible call of God that makes you a believer. a believer. a believer. Or you can call it Or you can call it Or you can call it new birth. new birth. new birth. So, I close. So, I close. So, I close. Believer, Believer, Believer, most of you are that, I do believe. most of you are that, I do believe. most of you are that, I do believe. Thank God for it. Who else would you Thank God for it. Who else would you Thank God for it. Who else would you thank? Believer, Believer, know what has happened to you. know what has happened to you. know what has happened to you. Know what God has done for you. Know what God has done for you. Know what God has done for you. God sent his son to ransom you with God sent his son to ransom you with God sent his son to ransom you with infinite cost. The blood of the son of infinite cost. The blood of the son of infinite cost. The blood of the son of God paid a ransom so that sinners could God paid a ransom so that sinners could God paid a ransom so that sinners could be born again. be born again. be born again. Number two, Number two, Number two, God raised Jesus from the dead. Didn't God raised Jesus from the dead. Didn't God raised Jesus from the dead. Didn't leave him in the in the grave. If he if leave him in the in the grave. If he if leave him in the in the grave. If he if he were in the grave, we wouldn't be he were in the grave, we wouldn't be he were in the grave, we wouldn't be born again, because you're born again to born again, because you're born again to born again, because you're born again to a living hope. You're born again to new a living hope. You're born again to new a living hope. You're born again to new life. And if he had no new life in him life. And if he had no new life in him life. And if he had no new life in him because he's lying in the grave, then we because he's lying in the grave, then we because he's lying in the grave, then we would be attached to him and we'd be would be attached to him and we'd be would be attached to him and we'd be where he is.

where he is. where he is. But we are attached to him and he's not But we are attached to him and he's not But we are attached to him and he's not in the grave. He's alive and we're alive in the grave. He's alive and we're alive in the grave. He's alive and we're alive because he's alive. That's what he's because he's alive. That's what he's because he's alive. That's what he's done for us. Our lives are hidden with done for us. Our lives are hidden with done for us. Our lives are hidden with him in heaven, Paul says. him in heaven, Paul says. him in heaven, Paul says. And thirdly, somewhere in your background, I was six. somewhere in your background, I was six. I don't remember it. My mother told me I don't remember it. My mother told me I don't remember it. My mother told me it happened. it happened. it happened. I trust her. I trust her. I trust her. Somewhere you were listening to radio, Somewhere you were listening to radio, Somewhere you were listening to radio, you're reading a tract, you're at a you're reading a tract, you're at a you're reading a tract, you're at a Billy Graham Crusade, you're at your Billy Graham Crusade, you're at your Billy Graham Crusade, you're at your mother's knee, you're sitting on the mother's knee, you're sitting on the mother's knee, you're sitting on the sofa in the living room, you're at a sofa in the living room, you're at a sofa in the living room, you're at a church meeting, you were at a Bible church meeting, you were at a Bible church meeting, you were at a Bible study in college, somewhere. And you And you he ceased to be a stumbling block. he ceased to be a stumbling block. he ceased to be a stumbling block. He ceased to be foolishness. He ceased to be foolishness. He ceased to be foolishness. He He was power. He He was power. He He was power. He was wisdom. You couldn't get enough He was wisdom. You couldn't get enough He was wisdom. You couldn't get enough of it. You wanted to read your Bible. of it. You wanted to read your Bible. of it. You wanted to read your Bible. You wanted to go to church. You wanted You wanted to go to church. You wanted You wanted to go to church. You wanted to be around people who talked about to be around people who talked about to be around people who talked about him. You wanted to know more. Something him. You wanted to know more. Something him. You wanted to know more. Something happened and now I'm just trying to help happened and now I'm just trying to help happened and now I'm just trying to help you love what's happened to you.

you love what's happened to you. you love what's happened to you. You were born again. You were born again. You were born again. You were called. You were called. You were called. And we should spend the rest of eternity And we should spend the rest of eternity And we should spend the rest of eternity thanking him for that. And And I might thanking him for that. And And I might thanking him for that. And And I might just say one other thing to believers just say one other thing to believers just say one other thing to believers and unbelievers, listen carefully cuz it and unbelievers, listen carefully cuz it and unbelievers, listen carefully cuz it can be yours. can be yours. can be yours. If you walk through some trials and you If you walk through some trials and you If you walk through some trials and you will soon will soon will soon and you turn again to Romans 8:28, and you turn again to Romans 8:28, and you turn again to Romans 8:28, right? I hope you don't ever make fun of right? I hope you don't ever make fun of right? I hope you don't ever make fun of Romans 8:28 because it's worn out. It's Romans 8:28 because it's worn out. It's Romans 8:28 because it's worn out. It's glory. So, you turn to Romans 8:28, I glory. So, you turn to Romans 8:28, I glory. So, you turn to Romans 8:28, I hope that after this sermon hope that after this sermon hope that after this sermon it will have an unusual pop. it will have an unusual pop. it will have an unusual pop. Because it says Because it says Because it says all things work together for good for all things work together for good for all things work together for good for those who love God and are those who love God and are those who love God and are called. If you're born again, If you're born again, that is called, that is called, that is called, everything everything everything works for your good. If you're an unbeliever, If you're an unbeliever, I'm offering that to you.

I'm offering that to you. I'm offering that to you. I would simply close by saying I would simply close by saying I would simply close by saying while you have life and while there is while you have life and while there is while you have life and while there is gospel in the planet on the planet, gospel in the planet on the planet, gospel in the planet on the planet, the arms of Jesus are extended to you. the arms of Jesus are extended to you. the arms of Jesus are extended to you. Come. Come. Come. Believe. Awaken. See Believe. Awaken. See Believe. Awaken. See that I am the power of God and the that I am the power of God and the that I am the power of God and the wisdom of God. wisdom of God. wisdom of God. Let's pray. Father, I confess to being an imperfect Father, I confess to being an imperfect preacher preacher preacher in love with a perfect gospel in love with a perfect gospel in love with a perfect gospel and a perfect Christ. and a perfect Christ. and a perfect Christ. And I believe And I believe And I believe that you are here in these services that you are here in these services that you are here in these services and I pray that you would move in power and I pray that you would move in power and I pray that you would move in power and that some would date their awakening and that some would date their awakening and that some would date their awakening their walking out of the grave of their walking out of the grave of their walking out of the grave of cynicism cynicism cynicism and doubt and doubt and doubt into the light into the light into the light of life.

of life. of life. So, So, So, speak, Lord, speak, Lord, speak, Lord, with your powerful with your powerful with your powerful live. It's a wonderful thing It's a wonderful thing that you have done for us that you have done for us that you have done for us and we thank you with all of our hearts and we thank you with all of our hearts and we thank you with all of our hearts in Jesus' name. in Jesus' name. in Jesus' name. Amen. >> Thank you for listening to this episode >> Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and [music] Truth, where we are of Light and [music] Truth, where we are of Light and [music] Truth, where we are committed to providing God-centered committed to providing God-centered committed to providing God-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan 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 with a message titled The Above with a message titled The Above with a message titled The Firstfruits of a renewed world. I hope Firstfruits of a renewed world. I hope Firstfruits of a renewed world. I hope you'll join us. you'll join us. you'll join us. For more resources, visit For more resources, visit For more resources, visit desiringgod.org.