As we continue through our theme of the gospel we preach, having concluded last Lord's Day with our thoughts on repentance, the doctrine of repentance, we want to just take a couple of Sundays to look at the doctrine of regeneration. And you'll find that the doctrine is very adequately and gloriously expressed in this very well-known, familiar passage of John chapter 3. We're all very familiar with the account of the visit of Nicodemus to see Jesus under cloak of darkness. And this, of course, is very relevant because even though Nicodemus is a leader of Israel, he is a man well educated in the religious system and has a degree of authority in teaching and also in ensuring that the doctrines of Israel so-called are kept vigorously and enthusiastically. It's very evident that Nicodemus in terms of spiritual enlightenment is very much in the dark And so someone who is in darkness comes to see Jesus under cloak of darkness and is about to be confronted by the light, the light which exposes his heart, exposes his need and opens up by way of explanation and then confirmation how one can be lifted or taken or drawn from the darkness into the light of the glory of God. And so in a very real sense, in John chapter 3, as well as providing us in verse 16 with perhaps the best known gospel text in the Bible, we have a glorious illustration of how a soul can be exposed to truth and that truth enlightened and then eventually lead into the light. Now the passage underscores the difficulty of a man or a woman in a non-converted state having or grasping to some degree and receiving an understanding of the things of God. We won't spend a lot of time looking at this, but just come with me to verse 3 of John chapter 3. And notice how Jesus brings into the conversation the need for new birth. Nicodemus came to Jesus and said, Rabbi, we know that you're a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. So Nicodemus is looking here to dialogue with someone who is at least on a par with his own religious energies and enlightenment and is perhaps even more intimate in his knowledge of these religious affairs. So Nicodemus is now posing this question in verse 2. And so Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I said to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Now you can imagine an academic coming along to visit you having heard of a ministry or a work that you have been conducting and for which there has been some report. And they form the impression and the concept and idea that you must be a well-learned man in things religious. or a well-learned woman. And so they come along and knock on your door and say, look, I've come along to have a little talk with you about religion. And here is the response. Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Now, obviously, we are now coming to what is a kind of intellectual barrier in terms of the understanding of Nicodemus. He doesn't realize at this point that Jesus is actually confirming the question that he has raised in verse 2. He has come from God. He is working the works of God. He does have a religious knowledge that surpasses any other including that of Nicodemus. All of these things are right. But the approach of Jesus to this religious concept and experience is totally alien to anything that Nicodemus has previously learned, heard, or understood. And so it is that very often there is a confusion When involved in religious circles, we begin to speak about a spiritual experience, a relationship with Christ, a knowledge of God that is not found in textbook or lecture, but is found in the intimacy of a close walk with God and relationship with God. You go along to someone who is very religious and try to explain to them what the new birth means. And you'll find it difficult because their mind is saturated by religious teachings and feelings. And so it's natural then for Nicodemus to try to tease this a little more and to get to the bottom of what Jesus is actually trying to convey to him. Nicodemus said to him, verse 4, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? I'm sure you've often encountered those who would try to impress upon you their knowledge of scripture. And they might even quote various texts and try to explain to you where it fits into the context of a scriptural passage. And as they talk, you begin to realize more and more that they have no real understanding of what they are quoting or misquoting. and they have no real vibrant and living understanding of even the context in which the text sits. And Nicodemus is trying to work out and he's trying to understand as he ponders the response of Jesus, how can the need to be born again relate to a genuine religious experience? Where does it fit in and how can it happen? And so in verse 5 to 7, Jesus takes up this question in verse 4. How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? Here's the answer of Jesus. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again." So the problem that we have this morning is to work out from Scripture what it means to be born again. What is this experience of which Jesus speaks and upon which he insists? if we are to be found in the kingdom of God. If being religious is not enough, If having a good acquaintance with things that are religious will not secure for me a place in the kingdom of God, then I need to know what Jesus meant when He said, you must be born again. Now you'll find that the word that describes this new birth experience only appears twice in Scripture. Let's go first of all to Titus chapter 3. Titus chapter 3. You will notice in the first two verses some practical teaching in relation to Christian conduct. Having told us in verse 15 of chapter 2, "...speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority, let no one despise you." Paul continues, "...remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities." to obey and to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Then he confirms the reason why we ought to live like that. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. So here we have the glorious illustration that provides for us the understanding that it's possible for those who were once benighted in their sin, those who once sat in darkness, who were not only disobedient but were the children of disobedience, to be brought from that position and condition and to find ourselves in a position of being acceptable unto God. And this comes about not by works of righteousness which we have done. So here we find Nicodemus fitting right in to this example, this illustration. Not by works of righteousness that we have done. But according to His mercy, He saved us. There is that word again, saved. And then notice the medium through which this saving grace reaches the heart. Through the washing of regeneration. and renewing of the Holy Spirit. You see, salvation is not of us, but of God. Salvation is not of works, but of grace. How then does God perform this work of saving grace in the heart of the sinner, Titus 3, 5, by the washing of regeneration. That word literally means being born again. Come with me to Romans chapter 6. Romans chapter 6. What shall we say then, verse 1, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not. How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. That's the new birth. born again by the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection that is being raised from the dead Ephesians 2 verse 1 confirms, you have he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. There is a new birth that comes through a spiritual resurrection from the dead. Raised to walk and to live in this newness of life. Born again of the Holy Spirit. Let's go to John chapter 13. John chapter 13. And here we have this lovely passage which has been referred to by many theologians and Bible scholars as the inner sanctuary of Scripture. We have right at the end of this passage in chapter 17, the high priestly prayer of Jesus. You'll find from chapter 13 through to the end of 16, there is an unfolding of the truths that are gloriously encapsulated and expressed in Christ's prayer in John 17. His concern for his people is central to all of the teaching in this passage, 13 through to the end of 16. And in the early part of chapter 13, we have the example of Christ washing his disciples' feet. We want to read from verse 3 through to verse 20. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God. Remember again the link with John chapter 3, where Nicodemus expressed his understanding that Jesus had come from God. But Nicodemus had grasped the truth that many have grasped today. But they get no further. They don't go beyond the truth that Jesus came from God. And they will acknowledge and confess that they believe that Jesus was the Son of God. But their limit does not take them into the understanding of what John refers to here. That he had come from God and was going to God. So Jesus came on a mission. He came to fulfill a purpose. That purpose was Calvary. That purpose was the empty tomb. That purpose was the promise of his second coming. That work of God, that coming, was to facilitate and fulfill all that God had purposed for his elect people. And so in verse 3 we read, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, took a towel, and girded himself. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. Then he came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to him, Lord, are you washing my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this. Peter said to him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, You have no part with me." Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not all of you. For he knew who would betray him. Therefore, he said, you are not all clean. So when he had washed their feet, taken his garments, and sat down again, he said to them, do you know what I have done to you? You call me teacher and Lord, and you say, well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who was sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but that the Scripture may be fulfilled. He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me. And he who receives me, receives him who sent me." Now we know that in this physical act of washing the disciples' feet, Jesus is bringing into their knowledge and understanding a deep spiritual truth. The work of saving grace is a work of identification. It's an identification with a new family, an identification with a new purpose. Here in the early part of the chapter, Peter couldn't quite fathom or understand what was happening. Lord, you're washing my feet. This can't happen. Just the same as Peter stood with Jesus and said, Lord, you won't go to die. This can't happen. We will make sure that you'll be safe. You won't need to go. to the cross. But remember how Jesus in John 14 said to Peter and the other disciples, I go to prepare a place for you. He was not speaking at that point about returning to heaven. Jesus is not frantically, busily employed in trying to put together a dwelling place for his people. He's not waiting to see who will respond to his call, who will accept him as their saviour, and then he scurries off to build a mansion for them to dwell in. That's not the presentation of Scripture. Jesus has already prepared a place for all of his people known to him from before the foundation of the world. And when Jesus said to his disciples, I go to prepare a place for you, he was speaking about the cross. Jesus on the cross prepared heaven for saved sinners. And no one will arrive there, no one will reach that haven of eternal rest without coming by the cross on which Christ died. And so Peter here is failing to grasp the significance of what is taking place and what will take place when Jesus goes to Calvary. In verse 10, Jesus said to him, he who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not all of you. Peter, Peter who would deny Christ, Peter who would try to turn Jesus aside from going to the cross. Peter, who would try to defend Him in the garden. Jesus said, Peter, you are already completely clean. And so it is in Romans chapter 6, verses 3 to 5, We have that glorious illustration which we've just looked at a few moments ago that describes how outward baptism symbolizes the inward baptism into Christ. Plunged into the cleansing stream. The old man crucified with Jesus. And we are raised from the depth of the darkness of our sinful state into the glorious light and liberty of the presence of Jesus. Clean, washed from head to toe, covered by the robes of Christ's own righteousness. Romans chapter 6, if you just flick back over again and read verse 6, which follows that illustration we've read. In Romans 6 and verse 6, notice how the experience is expressed by Paul. We have been united together in the likeness of his death. Certainly we also shall be in the likeness of his resurrection. Here's how Paul describes or expresses this experience, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. See, that's a new birth experience. Turn for the second time that this word is used over in Matthew chapter 19 verse 28. Matthew 19 verse 28. So Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you that in the regeneration when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, what a glorious prospect that is for God's people. We by faith see Christ on the cross. We by faith see Him seated at the Father's right hand. But there is coming a day of glorious regeneration when Christ sits on the throne of His glory. You who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." A day of regeneration. Turn over to Acts chapter 3. And in verse 21 you find how the Apostle Paul treats that particular text. Acts chapter 3. Sorry, Peter. on the day of Pentecost. As Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost, we come through to verse 21. Speaking of Jesus in verse 20, who was preached to you before, verse 21, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began. Note the first part, whom heaven must receive. Jesus will not come back to earth until the time of the restoration or regeneration of all things. And when the time is fulfilled, Christ will return and we will see Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. who has prevailed. Let's just read Acts 3 from verse 19 to 21. Acts 3, 19 to 21. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus Christ who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." So, putting this all together, let's go over to Ephesians 4 and verse 24. Ephesians 4 verse 24. Speaking to us about the new birth experience and what it means to be a child of God, In verse 22, we're told, put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lust, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Here, verse 24, note, Paul writes, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God. in true righteousness and holiness. Go back to chapter 2. Look at verse 10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. So before time began, God had already prepared us for good works, already created in Christ. But we need to put off the old man and put on the new man. in order for that to be fulfilled within our hearts and lives. What is that work by which the old man is put off and the new man is put on? It's a work of regeneration. It's a work of new birth. For in the old sinful nature we cannot be adorned with righteousness. It is only when God does that work within our hearts. But notice as this truth widens out, we'll go over to Revelation 21, verse 5. Revelation 21, verse 5. And you notice the context of this verse as you go back into the latter part of Verse 3, God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. The old man has been put off. Now look at verse 5, who sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. Everything that has been associated with sin and the curse has forever gone. And all things have become new. That's the work of regeneration. I turn over into 2 Peter chapter 3. 2 Peter chapter 3. Let's read from verse 5. Scoffer is having asked the question in verse 4, where is the promise of His coming? Because everything just keeps on keeping on. One day rolls into another month after month, year after year, generation after generation. Christ has not went to heavens and returned. Where is the promise of His coming? Is it to be believed? Can it be reckoned on? Verse 5, For this they willfully forget. Notice the word willfully. Man has made up his mind that the things of God are not true, and they're certainly not convenient. And so man will of his own will concoct any kind of impression that will lead him to believe that the promises of God are without value, and they will fail. But notice how Peter addresses this problem, For this they willfully forget, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water, and in the water about which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth, which are now preserved by the same Word, are reserved for fire. until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Let me, without making any major comment on the current issue that's facing us as a nation, note in verse 7, but the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same Word are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment. God has already appointed a day in which this world will end. And it will not be affected either way by climate change. But beloved, do not forget this one thing that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years. And a thousand years as one day, the Lord is not slack concerning His promise of some kind slackness. but as long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what man of persons ought you to be? in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. There will be no stone left unturned. No sin will lurk in a fallen log in the deepest, darkest jungle of this earth. For the vengeance of God's fiery wrath will consume the elements. This old world will perish, and God will do a new thing. And in that new heaven and earth, righteousness will dwell. not that defileth will ever enter in. So, this work of regeneration is God's work. He makes all things new. And so, Ephesians 2, 1 tells us, You hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and in sin. The new birth experience means that the flame of God touches your heart and consumes all of your guilt and shame and your sin. As long as you are in the world, you will still suffer to the conditions of the curse. And sin will still lurk within the darkened corners of your being. But in the fire of God and the new birth experience, we are plucked as plants from the burning. And God does that work of regeneration in our lives where the old is dealt with by virtue of the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross of Calvary. And we are presented before God, justified just as if we had never sinned. And the only one who can do that in us and for us is Christ. We cannot do it for ourselves. We must be born again by the Holy Spirit. There are kindred words that are used to describe this experience. We won't take time to look at these this morning, but if you turn to John chapter 3 again and just look at verse 3 and 7, you'll see the outstanding words born again. You must be born again. The word born and the word begotten are the same word in the original. In John's epistles, 1st, 2nd and 3rd John, the word born or begotten in relation to the people of God appears ten times. In John chapter 1 and verse 13, we read the term born of God. To as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on His name. Those who were not born of the will of the flesh or the will of man, but of God. Born of God. In 1 John 2.29, and then repeated again three other times in John's first epistle, The term born of Him, that is of God, is used. In John 3, 5, 6 and 8, the term is born of the Spirit. Born again, born of God, born of the Spirit. All of these references leave us in no doubt that salvation is all of God. It is not of works. It is not of us. It is therefore imperative that we pay great attention to these words of Jesus to Nicodemus. John 3 verse 7. Do not marvel that I say to you, you must be born again. In the will of God next Lord's Day we'll continue with this theme and we'll address two issues. First of all, we look at the necessity of the new birth. And secondly, we look at the nature of the new birth. Why do we need to consider the new birth? Because we must be born again. Why do we need to consider the need to be born again? Because God has prepared a heaven in which dwells righteousness. And if you and I are going to be there, then we must be born again. Let's pray. Father, we thank you again this morning for your Word, which always addresses the confronting issues of our heart, brings us in humble submission to the cross as we recognize that there is nothing we can add to salvation. There is nothing we can do, nothing we can say, nothing we can be that will make any difference to our sinful condition. We might present ourselves better. We might try to wash ourselves clean on the outside. But we know that unless we're born again, we will not see the kingdom of God. And we pray that by your spirit you will work within our hearts today so that no one here will be left with a misunderstanding in their mind that they don't need Christ to get to heaven. But we pray that by your Spirit you will teach us so that we might fully appreciate Christ's death, His resurrection, And may we know in our heart the reality of saving grace and saving faith. This we pray in our Saviour's name and for His sake. Amen.