Agreed Dick Lucus ( St Helens London Bishopsgate) once said we should preach repentance first, this leads to faith. If i dont understand my condition, then the offer of salvation and forgiveness has very little meaning.
Amen. What he shared reminds me of 1 Chronicles 12:32 , "men who had understanding of the times", and a lack of preaching on regeneration is indeed missing in our day and age.
Regeneration comes by FAITH in Jesus alone apart from any works. Romans 11:6. Romans 1:16. Gods sense of humor. Just move the colon one place to the left. The gospel. First Corinthians 15:1-4. Galatians 1:6-9.
Amen....l too rarely hear anyone teaching this... except you. That's why people are confessing Salvation with no evidence. No Indwelling Holy Spirit. I started searching for it because l know how l was Born Again. I was not in the Christian realm.... Church or anything. I was at home watching TV in my bedroom when the Holy Spirit came. I felt like Eternity was echoing in my soul. Then God led me to a Bible some months later...l was given a free Bible and opened it to the Gospel of John. I was Born Again that very day. I discovered who Jesus was and God opened the Scripture's to my understanding. It was Soo dramatic that my family some months later begged for the Old me to come back. But she was gone. 🌷📜✝️
Amen! very similar here, except I was in church...but it was while the music was playing (no preaching). But I believe God was drawing me to go to church and a neighbor invited me.
Amen. This happened to me. It was seeing the light as I and Scripture calls it. God saved me and then I knew light entered in the person of the Holy Spirit as I was pondering the Scripture I had just heard preached. This was after searching for the Truth. I had made a profession and was baptized 4 years earlier after my mom’s prompting, but there was no internal change. No hunger and thirst for truth then, but after being born of the Spirit or being regenerated, I had a ravenous appetite for Scripture truth as well as the realization of needed growth in grace. The justification by faith alone was done. I see a lot of people who may want to”Jesus” for the perks and so make profession of their faith being strong enough to save them. But the evidence is lacking.
The NEW BIRTH is so essential ofcourse. But NO MAN can INITIATE the new birth by himself. Never! It is caused by God the Father and the WORD- the LOGOS..! Ezek 36: 25-27
Agree...it becomes all about "religion". Is Christ being exalted, or is church all about lifting MY spirit and having a "good time"? How to have MY best life now?
@@kristenspencer9751 You are exactly right. T. Austin Sparks said that proof of the Holy Spirit truly working in a person's life is the constant growth of Jesus Christ in our lives. He becomes more central and significant on a greater and growing level each day. That is proof that we are on the "narrow road" that leads to life.
Nailed it. Good despises half hearted Christian’s and as revelations says he will spew them out of his mouth. Narrow is the path that leads to life. Many will say Lord, Lord look what we did for you but Jesus will say depart from me. There are only a few theologians and preachers who preach this truth: R. C. Sproul, John MacArthur, and Dr. Steven Lawson are three off my absolute favorite. May God put a fire in the souls of modern liberal pastors for great bold truthful teaching like this and for all of us Christian’s to live a life honoring to Christ.
So will God 'spew John MacArthur out of his mouth then' for being unbiblically qualified for having such poor judgement and character regarding his hand in the David and Eileen Grays case? David Grays, whom he supported before during his prison sentence, was found guilty of spousal abuse and child abuse and now serving 21 years in prison. John MacArthur doesn't even recognise his own sin here, nor the sin of the counseller his church hires to teach pastors that spousal abuse is perfectly fine (which blatently goes against scripture). So how does this equate to regeneration? What was MacArthur like before being 'elect'? Jeffrey Dhamer, perhaps? At his position, and length of being a believer, he should be a pretty unblemished lamb by now. Not so, it seems! Lawson, by the way, is not preaching Gospel truth. Far from it. He is preaching the doctrine of John Calvin. More fool you for believing it. It clearly states in the Bible, in several places, that coming to faith is to accept Jesus' invitation to trust and believe in him for everlasting life. That is all that is required and all that could be required too, without negating the whole purpose of the cross and resurrection. Calvinism is a toxic heresy.
@@ericwillett8709 Is that your response to my post? Are so blinded by the truth you can only come up with this patronising one liner. Have you no reasoning to apply to my post or is it just easier to go into denial? That is plain unhealthy. Denial is a personality defect. How can you seek the truth when you deny any truth that doesn't fit with your own preferences. You demonstrate a total inability to seek truth. I will do the same with you - pray for you. It is you that needs blinders off your soul - assuming you have one!
This type of self-examination is unbiblical and an endless well of "was that done in faith? How much faith? Was it even of God? Was I deceiving myself?" Extra nos. Christ really is the only solid rock. Only His life and work eliminates every one of those questions. All other ground is sinking sand.
Ezekiel 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
I WOULD SAY 2 PETER 1 .. DILIGENTLY ADDING TO OUR FAITH AS SO AN ENTRANCE MAY BE GRANTED INTO THE EVRLASTING KINGDOM .. THIS IS CALLED "GOOD WORKS" WHICH GOD ORDAINED US TO WALK IN .. NO "GOOD WORKS" EVIDENT IS A RED FLAG UNTO OUR HEARTS .. AMEN
Maybe regeneration would be taught from the pulpits more if the man behind the pulpit utilized the Confessions more. Those who tend have a Reformed understanding of Justification also have a Reformed understanding of Regeneration. One flows out of the other. HC 1: :...I am not my own, 1 but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, 2 to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. 3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, 4 and has set me free from all the power of the devil. 5 He also preserves me in such a way 6 that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; 7 indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. 8 Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life 9 and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him. 10
The radical heinous nature of our fallen being to the extent that YHVH ADONAI GOD must reject us and send us to eternal torment unless their is a scapegoat. I think that is missing along with the clear depiction prophesy and execution of The Christ or Meshiach/Anointed 1 as a Kinsman Redeemer.
How much holy living before it's enough? Since the very air we breath is tainted by our sin nature, to what extent can I consider my faithfulness to God enough evidence to inherit the kingdom of God?
Becoming more like Christ is a main theme of the New Testament--Paul's letters, James and John. It's a lifelong process of putting off the old and putting on Christ (as Paul explains). But we'll never be completely sinless in this life. Denying the flesh, living by the power of the Spirit. Trials and difficulties are the most common ways that God brings the old-man nature to death and gives us spiritual growth after the trial is over. It's like winning a race and receiving a prize---and you get to go to the next level. It's not technically US doing works, but rather obeying the Spirit...learning how to live in this world with faith and trust and prayer as a child of God in a sinful world. With justification, God views you as completely HOLY. So relax and just be who you are!
Is it biblical that we get less sinful as we progress in our sanctification, or is it that we find more and more emptiness in ourselves that we fix our gaze more and more to Christ? Can we be less sinful this side of heaven? After reading the sermon on the mount, I can't say that anyone can with any confidence. If I look at my brother wrongly, I've killed him. Neither should we stop striving to be more like Christ, but our hope is in His work, not ours. God bless
exactly! Where are the Bible studies for new believers with a systematic approach? Most people think "born again" just means "saved". But they are not saved TO anything or FOR anything (at least in their thinking) and they don't read the Bible much.
It seems to me that there are many who believe they are born again & yet have no qualms of living like the devil. Is that because people have misunderstood regeneration's claims? Do you have a definitive sermon on regeneration that you could share?
Hey Charles, I come across many professing Christians when I street preach and when I ask if they are born again they look at me as if I have a 3rd growing out of my head. Completely oblivious.
What? Having changes, real conversion, in your life upon being born again? How novel the idea !!. I bet it can find a hundred preachers out there will disagree with you. What a terrible waste of money and words.
O there are several. Go to u tube. And search Paul Washer. Voddie Baucham. John Macarther Steven Lawson. If regeneration is not evident in your life. Have u truly repented of sin. Have u truly wept over your sin? Just questions that because I have experienced the new birth. I feel compelled to ask. God bless
There are Christians who are not carnal. They seem to live "good lives" and keep the commandments and attend church, but may not actually be regenerated. They look to baptism as the mark of salvation. I try not to judge...only God knows. But while one appreciates and even admires the "works", there is little joy and enthusiasm for the Lord...the religious part seems 'dead', not alive. So I wonder. @@jamesprays7533
He was known before time and appointed his fate. That's childs play corn ball. God moves every molecule and every soul without Him nothing could exist and nothing could move.
Admit you are a sinner and against God. Read the Bible especially the Law the Prophets and the Gospel. Draw near to Him and he will draw near to you. Gennao Anothen is the term it means literally born from above. See John chapter 1.
It's called being born again it was weird hearing you say new birth. While I know your saying them interchangeably it didn't penetrate. "EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, HE CAN NOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN". Acts 19:2-6 Paul asks the believers if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed? It's biblical to ask if someone, when they believed, if they received the Holy Spirit? And if infact they did, don't you think Holy Spirit will teach them? And that God started the work and He will be faithful to finish it? The fear of the the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Not Earthly knowledge but heavenly knowledge. I am so grateful that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; Thank you Lord that you work in spite of mans flaws and mistakes. Holy Father, thank you for Your Son, the cross, the blood, the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name Amen Are you a Cessationist? What is your doctrinal position?
You must respond. You must be convicted and you must agree you have used your choices to reject God by rejecting His way. Read the Bible all have turned aside. All have gone astray.
I hear about the concept of regeneration preceding faith but wary of embracing it as truth at this moment. Can anyone point me to sound biblical based resources that would help me understand this concept more fully?
John 1.13 - those who were born not of blood (human lineage), nor of the will of the flesh (human works), nor of the will of man (human choice), but of God. Eph 2.1 "And you were dead in your transpasses and sins..." 2.4-5 "but God made us alive...."
Reformed people often say the gospel is justification by faith alone. Then call evangelicals who deny the necessity of regeneration before faith christians. In doing so they are not being faithful to ALL of the gospel. Pauls treatise on his gospel in Romans extends from 1:16 to 15:14. This includes regeneration also known as calling as well as predestination. Many reformed think you can deny these doctrines and still be a christian but you must hold to justification or you are not, such as Catholics. This is arbitrary and inconsistent and fails to grasp the full scope of Paul’s gospel.
@@HearGodsWord Many in the Church deny or refrain from teaching Election or God alone as the author of the new birth or Regeneration, or the doctrine prominently known as Perseverance, all of these are connected to the teaching of our “union with Christ”. All of these doctrines are Gospel doctrine, they are also all directly connected to the doctrine of Grace. These doctrines are not taught for a variety of reasons, avoiding controversy, not considered practical etc., or they don’t seem to be necessary for “evangelism”.They are considered arcane and obscure elements of “Systematic Theology” as if that was itself a category of Revelation instead of a tool for understanding it. Bottom line is these doctrines are Gospel, they are all part of Paul’s “my gospel” Romans 2:16, 16:25., which begins at Romans 1:16 and extends through 15:14. Yes, ALL of this book except for the beginning and ending salutations are Paul,s gospel. We don’t get to edit it to fit our preconceived ideas about what it is or what we think it should be.
So let me get this straight, God has to regenerate us before we can put our faith in Him? In other words, He has predetermined who will receive regeneration and who will not?
@@sokrat3s Thank you for replying to my comment. But can you show me where in the Bible it says that regeneration precedes faith? Or regeneration is necessary before one can believe?
Dead men can't do anything. God has to bring them to life first (regeneration) so that they will believe. That's what the dead bones in Ezekiel 37 teaches us. Jesus also said that we must be born again (regeneration).
@@HearGodsWord That's all fine and good if you believe that but what should count is WHAT the Bible SAYS AND NOT WHAT CALVIN SAYS OR ANY OTHER BIBLE TEACHER. So it appears to me that this is an issue of ordo salutis. What comes first in the sequence of salvation? That is the issue here. So with that said, what Biblical evidence can you give to support your claims?
How can one teach or even believe in, for that matter, a doctrine that cannot be defended from Scripture? I think we all are in danger of (including myself) believing in something because we heard from somewhere or someone before searching the Scriptures ourselves. We hear it from someone and so when we look at the Scriptures we already have preconceived notions of those passages. So we don’t let Scripture speak for Itself. I Calvinism has done this to way too many well-intended people…
I can’t agree with Dr Lawson in this. I believe the doctrine least underscored is the sufficiency of Christ. Much more important imo than any evidences I can show.
Appalling. He is effectively saying that we must sanctify ourselves with God's help, and that Jesus died on the cross to clear the field for us doing that. What an insult to God. Jesus said that 'it was finished' not that 'this is necessary but not sufficient and that there is more.' He died for our sins - to pay the penalty for them in full - past, present and future. There is nothing more except to disciple as part of works out of service, which has nothing to do with salvation. Calvinists try to tie salvation in with discipleship fruits, which is a negation of what it says in the book of Corinthians.
"Paperwork in heaven is so egregious." If you aren't justified you are not saved. You can't be regenerated till God gives you faith. So if the way we receive Faith by God isn't enough then what is? If you just yell at dead people to live they never will.
@@Over-for-now basically in order to be saved you must be justified by God by faith. Saying that you must be born again like we could born ourselves again is dumb we can't. Christ must regenerate us.
Understood. However it is what it is. I to have been regenerated and what followed was my interest in scriptures. It's not easy teaching and preaching truth. Do not marvel that to enter the kingdom of heaven. One must be born again. Such truth
Obviously it is Biblical Separation! To separate from sin and from disobedient Christians Based on God's holiness For the protection of the local church For the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ To maintain Christian testimony And it is not even found in most systematic theologies!
Yikes! Justification is just paperwork in heaven and does nothing to change your life? Justification by faith alone is the very foundation of our right standing with God. That in and of itself is life changing because it changes our status before God. A believer has nothing without justification by faith alone. The gospel or gratitude for Christ’s redemptive work to justify sinners is what fuels holiness.
You know when you have been born again when you have heard the gospel/the word of God, believed it, confessed Christ, repented, and baptized, (See Acts 2:37-38). Then, and only then, is one born again. When Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus in John 3 about being born of water and the Spirit, in Jn. 1:25, John the immerser was teaching about Jesus and immersing Jews. In Jn. 4:1, the Lord Jesus was making and baptizing/immersing disciples. When Jesus told Nicodemus about being "born of water and the Spirit", the water was immersion and the Spirit's part is the words of the Holy Spirit - the message. Look at how Peter explained being born again: "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God." - 1 Peter 1:22-23 (NASB) The purification of the soul takes place in baptism. Notice Colossians 2:11-13 (NASB) - 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions." When is one regenerated? When is one made alive? When is one forgiven? There is no such doctrine as a doctrine of faith alone in Scripture. The doctrine most lacking in churches today is faith and obedience! "And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation" (Hebrews 5:9, NASB).
And I would add that the true born again follower of JESUS never gets tired of hearing the GOSPEL, preaching it to himself continuously and I add praying thanks to GOD for the GOSPEL.
Regarding water baptism, the Lord Jesus told one of the thieves on the cross that he would be in paradise upon death. The thief had not been baptized, yet he was saved. People are saved by grace alone, in Christ alone, apart from good works. Baptism is a step of obedience and should be done, but the thief had been saved on the cross, trusting in the Savior.
A Mormon doesn’t call himself a Christian! They study the Christian Bible! Their absolute authority to interpret the Bible is their Book of Mormon! Ask them any meaning of any verse in the Bible and they would go look in the Book of Mormon for the TRUE meaning." and twist it to Joseph Smiths heresy! A Jehovah Witness doesn’t call himself a Christian! They study the Christian Bible! Their absolute authority to interpret the Bible is The Watch Tower! Ask them any meaning of any verse in the Bible and they would go look in the Watch Tower for the TRUE meaning." and twist it to Russel's heresy! A Calvinist didn’t call himself a Christian! They study the Christian Bible! Their absolute authority to interpret the Bible is The John Calvin Institutes! Ask them any meaning of any verse in the Bible and they would go look in John Calvin’s Institutes for the TRUE meaning." and twist it to John Calvin’s heresy! A Christian call’s himself a Christian! They study the Christian Bible! Their absolute authority to interpret the Bible is The Bible! Ask them any meaning of any verse in the Bible and they would go look in the Bible and look for the TRUE meaning." and believe it for what it says! Christians rely on the leading and discernment The Holy Spirit promises to give Gods Children. "Not a Guru! That is assurance! When in history did the Calvinist start calling themselves Christians? Truth in Love
@@Over-for-now Yes but barely. Just like a Catholic could . Teachers like John MacArthur who know flat out what Calvinism is could not possibly be a Christian as he teaches against the salvation of the cross. If he was just in error the Holy Spirit would have urged him out of the Devils heresy. MacArthur has made his demonic choice. Harsh yes but we are to mark out these false teachers in our day. Truth in Love
