The New Birth
A Sermon on the New Birth
Scripture
Sermon Description
Why do some believe in Christ’s message while others do not? In this sermon titled on the new birth, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers this by appealing to the biblical doctrine of the new birth. This new birth is an act of God by which He regenerates the hearts and minds of fallen people. From this act of regeneration comes the new life with new desires and dispositions. This new person lives a Spirit-empowered life that evidences the supernatural work of Christ. In this it is seen that regeneration does not merely change one’s standing with God, but it transforms their very hearts and minds. Because this new life is brought about by the work of the Spirit, it is kept by the work of the Spirit so that once a person has been born again they cannot lose this new nature. The new person cannot become old again, for it is the Spirit that forms and keeps them. Once the Spirit transforms the believer, they will seek a life that honors Christ. This seeking of Christ and His kingdom do not make a person new, but it is the result of the Spirit regenerating them and making them a new creation in Christ Jesus the Savior.
Sermon Breakdown
- Regeneration is a profound change that takes place within us. It is not merely a change in our relationship to truth or a person.
- Regeneration is illustrated by the process of grafting. A new life is put into us, like a graft is put into a tree. There are then two natures in one - the old and the new. The old nature must be pruned off so the new nature can grow.
- Regeneration is essential according to Scripture. No one can see or enter the kingdom of God without being born again. Holiness is essential to see God, and regeneration implants holiness in us.
- Regeneration is essential because of the character of God and the sinful character of man. There is no correspondence between the two without regeneration.
- Regeneration is not brought about by moral influence or baptism. It is the direct work of the Holy Spirit.
- The relationship between regeneration and the Word is that the Word is used to bring regeneration to birth and fruition, not to actually regenerate. Regeneration must come first.
- Old Testament saints and infants prove regeneration is the direct work of the Spirit, not the result of the Word.
- Regeneration can never be lost. It is the work of God, and nothing can separate us from His work. Those who are truly regenerate will not continue in sin.
- Regeneration shows itself in the life of the believer. True believers will abide because they have the life of God in them. Those without life will not abide.
Great Biblical Doctrines
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.