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John Winebrenner A Popular Treatise on Regeneration (1878) |
SERMON OUTLINES
by Ernie Stefanik
Sermon I:
Showing What Regeneration Is Not.
Text: John 3:7
I. Reformation, or amendment of life, is not regeneration
A. Reformation is a consequence of regeneration, and not
regeneration itself
1. Morality changes the outside, but a change of heart
requires divine power
2. Scribes and Pharisees kept commandments, but they were not
born again (Mt 28:33)
B. Many have been moral from youth up; others have reformed
vicious lives; but they are ignorant of a true change of heart
II. Orthodoxy, soundness of doctrine, is not regeneration
A. A man may have a sound mind and at the same time have a bad
heart
B. Devils are orthodox, but they are still devils
C. Preachers ought to labor not only to instruct the mind, but to
better the heart (1Co 13:2)
III. Baptism is not regeneration; it will not transform sinners into
Christians
A. Those who hold this doctrine explicitly are:
1. Roman Catholics--Catechism of Council of Trent states
"Perfect conversion consists in regeneration by baptism"
2. Episcolpalians
3. Lutherans
4. Dunkers, or German Baptists
5. Disciples, or Reformed Baptists
B. Those who hold this doctrine implicitly are:
1. Presbyterians
2. Methodists
3. Associated Reformed
4. German Reformed
5. Dutch Reformed
6. Congregationalists
C. Baptismal regeneration is unscriptural and anti-scriptural
1. Doctrine is unscriptural in that it is unsupported and
indefensible by Scriptures
a. Tit 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"
is used as a proof text
b. But 1 Peter 1:23 indicates that "washing of
regeneration" does not refer to baptism, but to the
Gospel, the Word of God
c. In Joh 3:5, "water" does not mean baptism in terms of
penitents, but the truth of God
2. Doctrine is anti-scriptural, in that it is contrary to the
Word of God
a. The Spirit is the great agent, and the Word of God is
the instrument of regeneration (Jas 1:18 1Pe 1:23)
b. Faith in Jesus, not baptism, is insisted on by the
apostles as the appointed means of regeneration
(Joh 1:14 1Jo 5:1)
c. Conversion precedes baptism (Ac 10:43-48 8:37 18:8)
IV. Confirmation is not regeneration
A. Confirmation is a religious rite of Catholic, Episcopalian,
Lutheran, German Reformed, and Moravian churches, practiced as
a means for perfecting a regenerate state
B. Confirmation is unsupported by scriptural authority
C. Confirmation is contradicted by testimony of the ages
Sermon II:
Showing What Regeneration Is.
Text: Joh 3:7
Introduction:
1. Regeneration is a thorough change of man's depraved moral nature,
after the image of God
a. "Moral nature of man"--his natural disposition, or spirit of
mind
b. "Depraved nature"--natural propensity to do evil
c. "Image of God"--conformity or resemblance to God in His moral
perfections, especially in righteousness and holiness
2. Twofold change is necessary for salvation, to regain the favor
and image of God
a. Change of state--the bondman must be made a freeman; the
alien, a freeman; the enemy, a friend (Joh 8:36
Eph 2:12,19 Ro 5:10 1Pe 2:9,10), wrought in
justification
b. Change of nature--lion becomes a lamb; the vulture, a dove;
the corrupt tree, a fruitful tree (Joh 10:26,27 Mt 7:17
Ro 11:7,24), wrought in regeneration
3. The word regeneration:
a. "Generation" is used to denote a race of people of a given age
and the creation of things (Ec 1:4 Mt 1:17 Ge 2:4)
b. "Regeneration" means to change, renew, renovate, or new-create
that which was made
4. Regeneration occurs only twice in the New Testament
a. Mt 9:28, as a change or renewal in moral state of things.
Jesus refers to change in dispensation from Law to Gospel
b. Tit 3:5, as a change or renewal in moral state and nature
of man. Word is linked with "washing," referring to the Gospel
I. Regeneration is a moral change, a renewal of man's moral nature,
but not his physical and intellectual nature
A. Mind and body remain the same as before regeneration
B. Moral nature (governing principle of the soul) is new, created
after God in righteousness and true holiness
II. Regeneration is a real change, not merely a relative or formal
one
A. Man's carnal and vicious nature is made spiritual and holy
B. The reality of this change is proved by
1. Scriptures (Eze 36:26,27 Joh 3:6 2Co 5:17)
2. Experience of early Christians (Col 3:9,10 Tit 3:3-7
Eph 2:1-7)
3. Experience and observations of modern Christians--John
Bunyan, John Newton, John and Charles Wesley, &c.
III. Regeneration is a great change
A. Passage from death to life (Joh 5:24 Lu 15:24 Eph 2:4-6
1Jo 3:14)
B. New creation (2Co 5:17 Eph 2:10 Col 3:9 Ga 6:15)
C. Born again (Tit 3:5 Joh 3:5,7 1Pe 1:23 Joh 1:13)
IV. Regeneration is a universal change
A. Change of the whole man
B. Change is complete, not partial (Joh 3:6 2Co 5:17
Col 3:9,10)
V. Regeneration is a manifest change
1. Perceptible to those who are subjects of it
a. From nature of the work--if change from darkness to light,
from death to life, is perceptible, then so is regeneration
b. From experience of early Christians--recognized a brother,
being received into fellowship and baptized
c. From experience of modern Christians--intuitive evidence of
their acceptance by God
2. Evident to others, both converted and unconverted. How else
would enemies know who to persecute?
VI. Regeneration is a speedy (sudden) change
A. Men are either converted or unconverted; there is no middle
ground
1. Progressive or gradual regeneration would imply men who are
neither sinful nor holy
2. Progressive or gradual regeneration would imply man has no
moral nature, and deserves neither praise nor blame from
God
B. Instantaneous change is supported by
1. Scripture (Eph 2:1 Ga 5:1 Ps 146:8 Joh 3:3)
2. Testimony of early Christians
a. Three thousand on day of Pentecost
b. Cornelius and his household
c. Lydia and her house
d. Philippian jailer and his family
VII. Regeneration is a mysterious change (Joh 3:9)
A. God
1. Changes the heart of man from stone to flesh
2. Changes the spirit of mind from evil to good
3. Infuses grace, or a holy disposition averse to sin
B. We know little about how God brings about this change; Jesus
did not explain the means of change to Nicodemus
C. Man himself is a mystery
1. He cannot explain the union of body and soul
2. He cannot explain how food is converted to flesh and bones
3. He cannot solve mystery of vegetation (growth, maturation,
seed time)
D. The Israelites could not explain how a bronze serpent on a
pole could heal them
1. There simply was no other remedy
2. Jesus is the only remedy for the sinner
VIII. Regeneration is a supernatural change
A. Cannot be affected by natural causes, or stated operations of
nature
B. Is accomplished by influence and power of God
1. Scripture testimonies (Joh 1:13 Eph 2:4 5:8 Tit 3:5)
2. Scripture facts (Ac 10:44-46 26:13-20)
Conclusion:
The born-again know so by the internal and external evidences. It is
the work of God, changing the depraved to the regenerate through free
moral agency, received through faith.
Sermon III:
Showing the Causes of Regeneration.
Text: Joh 3:7
I. Moving or impelling cause of the new birth
A. Not man himself
1. Adam fell by transgression, losing favor and image of his
Maker, yet we are never told he desired or sought
restoration
2. None desire and seek a change in their own hearts
B. God is the impulsive cause of restoration (Ro 5:12,13,17
Eph 2:4,5 2Co 8:9 Tit 3:4-7 1Jo 4:10 Joh 3:16,17)
II. Meritorious cause of regeneration
A. The atonement, or propitiatory sacrifice made by sufferings
and death of Jesus Christ for sins of the world
B. Atonement is substantiated by sacrifices under the Law
(Le 1:4 4:15,24 16:6,16,21,22)
1. Vicarious offerings, that is, put in place of guilty
sinners to appease anger of God to atone for their sins and
save them from punishment (Le 4:27-35)
2. Levitical offerings typical of atonement of Christ
(Heb 10:12 9:14-26)
3. Testimony of Scripture
a. Jesus Christ as a propitiation for sins (Ro 3:25
1Jo 2:2,4:10)
b. Christ as ransom for sin (1Ti 2:6 Mt 20:28 Mr 10:45)
c. We are redeemed and saved by Jesus Christ (Ro 3:24
Ga 3:13 Eph 1:7 Re 5:9 Mt 1:21 18:11 Lu 19:10 9:56
Joh 12:47 1Ti 1:15 Isa 53:4-8 Mr 8:37 Ro 4:25 5:6-10
1Co 15:3 2Co 5:21 Eph 5:2 Heb 2:9 1 Pet 2:24 3:18)
III. Efficient cause of regeneration
A. Man does not have the power to regenerate himself, not
efficiently contribute to the conversion of others
B. Regeneration is a renewing or restoring of the lost image of
God--a birth, a resurrection, a creation, a transformation;
not in man's power
1. Means cannot do it: God gives the increase
2. Motives cannot do it: will cannot change the human heart or
disposition
C. Efficient cause of regeneration is not discipline of
circumstances (losses and afflictions)
D. Efficient cause is God and special agency of the Holy Spirit
(De 30:6 Eze 36:26,27 Joh 1:12,13 3:5,6 Tit 3:5)
1. God's agency is never exerted in violation of the
established laws of nature or inconsistently with the free
moral agency of man
2. Spirit of God may exert a saving influence on men without
infringing on his freedom
3. Reconciling special agency of the Spirit with free agency
of man is an insuperable difficulty
a. Denial of former is Pelagianism
b. Denial of latter is Calvinism
IV. Instrumental cause of regeneration
A. Testimony of God--"Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (Joh 3:5)
1. "Water" is not tears of the penitent
2. "Water" is not baptism
a. Water is an element
b. Baptism is an action
3. "Water" does mean
a. Gospel, or Word of God (De 32:3 Eze 47:1-5 1Jo 5:8)
b. Regeneration is ascribed to power of the Gospel as a
means (Ro 1:16 1Co 4:15 Jas 1:18 1Pe 1:23 Ps 19:7)
B. Testimony of facts
1. Wherever God intends to bring men to salvation, He first
sends the Gospel and excites their attention to it
(Mt 10:5,6 Mr 1:15 Ac 13:26 11:13,14)
2. Wherever Gospel is regularly and faithfully provided, there
are more converted than when it is loosely proclaimed
(De 29:29)
V. Procuring cause of regeneration
A. Man's part is repentance and faith
1. Repentance denotes a change of mind with regard to sin
(Mt 21:29 Lu 17:3) and implies
a. Knowledge of sin
b. Sorrow for sin
c. Hatred to sin
d. Confession of sin
e. Renunciation of sin
2. Faith signifies a full persuasion of mind of the truth of
revelation, composed of
a. Assent to truth concerning Jesus Christ
b. Desire to have Jesus become Savior
c. Trust in Jesus for living and saving faith
3. Faith and repentance are both voluntary acts
a. Nothing is required for a moral agent that is not in his
nature
b. Must be voluntary acts of mind
c. Scripture: Mt 3:2 Ac 19:4 Mr 1:15 Ac 20:21 17:30
1Jo 3:23 Lu 13:5 John 3:36 1:12 Ro 10:10 Mr 16:16
4. From first to last, salvation is conditional, God treating
men as moral agent, not as necessary ones or mere machines
B. Faith and repentance are not effects of regeneration, but are
antecedents; if true,
1. How could God command duty of faith on pain of eternal
damnation? He would be the author of folly and sin.
2. If Jesus died for all and commands all to believe on Him on
pain of endless death, and none can obey Him, He is charged
with cruelty, partiality, and folly
3. God does not suspend salvation of men upon impossible
demands and indication
C. Sinners are required to use appointed means of grace,
repentance, and faith (Eph 2:18 1Jo 5:1)
D. If sinners are not willing to be saved through repentance and
faith, they cannot be saved at all
1. By faith, sinners are justified
2. By faith, sinners are regenerated
Conclusion:
1. The moving or impulsive cause of regeneration is God (Joh 3:19)
2. The meritorious cause is the atonement of Christ
3. The efficient cause is the Holy Spirit
4. The instrumental cause is the truth of God
5. The procuring cause is true and living faith in Jesus Christ
Sermon IV:
Inconclusive Evidences or Marks of Regeneration.
Text: Joh 3:7
Introduction:
By inconclusive evidences is meant such evidences, signs, or marks
that pertain to both regenerate and unregenerate, and therefore do not
clearly and conclusively prove a regenerate state.
I. Special or extraordinary gifts do not prove a man to be in a
regenerate state
A. Gifts are twofold, natural and spiritual
1. Natural gifts include strong constitution, sound mind,
prodigious memory, pleasant voice, fluent tongue
a. Cain was gifted reasoner (Ge 4:9)
b. Noah's carpenters had mechanical skills
c. Scribes and Pharisees were learned (Mt 23:27-33)
2. Spiritual gifts include praying, prophesying
a. Balaam uttered a prophecy of Christ (Nu 24:17)
b. Judas cast out devils (Lu 9:10 Ac 1:25)
c. "Workers of iniquity" (Mt 7:22)
d. False prophet wrought miracles before the beast
(Re 19:20)
B. Gifts are given to profit and edify others (1Co 12:7)
II. Great spiritual privileges are no sign of a regenerate state
A. God favors all His people, as a general rule, with high and
distinguished privileges (De 28:1-12)
B. Favor does not argue for a gracious state
1. People of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were exalted,
yet thrust down to hell
2. Jews boasted of being Abraham's children, yet their father
was the devil (Mt 3:7 Joh 8:44)
C. Today many claim church membership and eat at the Lord's
table, but do it unworthily
III. Much knowledge is no evidence of a regenerate state
A. Knowledge is fourfold
1. Natural (Ro 11:21 Jude 1:10)
2. Artificial (Ex 35:31)
3. Legal (Ro 3:20 7:7)
4. Evangelical or spiritual (2Co 2:14)
B. Scribes and Pharisees had much knowledge, but are called "a
generation of vipers" (Ro 2:17,18 Mt 23:33)
C. Heathen has much knowledge (Ro 1:21)
D. Men may have much knowledge of God but lack disposition to
obey Him (1Co 13:2 Lu 11:21 1Co 1:30)
IV. Church membership is no proof of regeneration
A. In days of apostles, the regenerated with a church
B. When this duty is neglected, something is wrong (Joh 12:42
10:31 Ro 9:6 2:28)
C. Pharisees and Sadducees had "a form of godliness but deny the
power
D. Pharisee who went to Temple with publican (Lu 18:11)
E. Young lawyer who went to Jesus (Lu 18:18)
F. Paul prior to conversion
G. The Laodeceans (Re 3:17)
H. The foolish virgins (Mt 25:3)
I. Today professors of religion may have been baptized, are
regular churchgoers, they hear the Word of God, often go to
Lord's Table, but have never been born again
V. Morality is no certain evidence of the new birth
A. A young man told Jesus he had been moral and religious from
youth up, but he lacked the radical change of nature, the new
birth
B. One may be civil, honest, and well-behaved, and yet not born
again of the Spirit
C. Morality may be result of education, custom, fear, or
restraining grace, but regeneration is result of divine
influence
VI. Plainness of dress is no evidence of regeneration
A. Among some denominations, much stress is placed on uniformity
of dress and speech, but this is a matter of education and
custom, not the new birth
B. The heart is the seat of religion, not in dress; a man's dress
may be right, but yet his heart is all wrong (1Sa 16:7)
C. One must put on the new man (Eph 4:24)
VII. An approving (or unaccusing) conscience is not sure criterion of
a renewed state
A. Conscience, or moral sense, is implanted in man for noble
purposes, but it is darkened by sin, and must be enlightened
by grace
1. An "evil conscience" is a natural conscience
2. A "good conscience" is a sanctified conscience
B. Conscience may give false testimony through blindness,
sleepiness, security
C. Jesus told disciples that they who killed them would believe
they are doing service to God (Joh 16:2)
D. Paul's conscience told him it was his duty to persecute the
disciples and suppress Christianity (Ac 26:9-11)
E. Following natural conscience, "the light within," is not
conclusive evidence of a regenerate state
F. Scripture is the compass by which conscience must bend its
course
VIII. Tenderness of heart is no mark of grace
A. Tender feelings are twofold
1. Natural
2. Gracious
B. Christians are tenderhearted because they have received the
Spirit of Christ through the new birth (Jas 5:11
1Jo 4:17)
C. Sinners may also show tender feelings
D. Esau (Ge 27:33), Ishmael (Jer 41:6), Samson's wife
(Jud 14:36), and the merchants of the earth wept
(Re 18:15-19), but who will say they were regenerated
E. While tenderheartedness is to be sought and appreciated by
Christians, it cannot be relied on as proof of the new birth
IX. Hatred of sin is no evidence of conversion
A. Regenerate hates sin because
1. It offends God
2. It wounds Christ
3. It grieves the Spirit
4. It wrongs the soul
5. It subverts the government of God
B. The unregenerate may hate sin because of
1. Shame and disgrace that attends it
a. Absalom hated Ammon's lewdness because it brought shame
on him and his sister (2Sa 13:22)
b. Similarly, many today hate disgraceful sins such as
drunkenness, theft, fornication
2. Contrariety to lust
a. When lust becomes master in the soul, it often works a
hatred to its contrary
b. Their nature is to love sin, and were it not for warring
lusts, it would never be otherwise
X. Delight in God's Word is no conclusive evidence
A. Saints delight in words and ordinances of God because
1. They are from heaven
2. They are congenial to their nature
3. They are medium of communication with God
B. Unregenerate men delight from motives of selfishness
1. It may promote interests or popularity
2. May not delight in doctrines, but in eloquence of preaching
(Eze 33:32)
3. May take delight in approaching God (Isa 58:2)
4. May be a stony ground hearer (Mt 13:20 Mr 6:20)
XI. Secret and family prayer is not a sign of the regenerate
A. The born-again are a praying people
1. Pray always because they love to do it
2. To please God
3. Because they are needy and dependent creatures
4. Because prayer is appointed means of procurement
B. The unregenerate may pray because
1. Motives to keep conscience quiet
2. To escape punishment and procure help
3. Scribes and Pharisees prayed (Mt 23:14)
4. With some, they more they sin, the more they pray
XII. Sanctification of the Lord's Day does not determine state of men
who are spiritually good
A. Sabbath
1. Is unquestionably from heaven
2. Is of perpetual and universal obligation
3. Is moral in its nature
4. Is political, moral, and religious in the observance
5. Is a privilege and a blessing
B. Some are strict and others lax in faith and manners
XIII. Alms or relief to the poor is no evidence of state of
grace
A. Duty of almsgiving
1. Of perpetual and universal obligation
2. Saints are never without opportunity
B. Practically illustrated by
1. Good Samaritan (Lu 10:33-37)
2. Cornelius the centurion (Ac 10:1,2)
3. Dorcas (Ac 9:39)
4. Paul (Ga 2:10)
C. Man may be liberal and not a Christian (natural benevolence)
XIV. Regular observance of ordinances is no decisive mark
A. Man may be baptized, wash saints' feet, and regularly commune,
and yet be ignorant of salvation
B. Ordinances are important, but they cannot change the heart
C. The new and holy disposition, and not observing the
ordinances, is the best evidence of a spiritual and sanctified
nature
XV. Zeal in benevolence and religion is no sign of the new birth
A. Zeal in every good cause is commendable and useful
B. Zeal may be
1. False and spurious
2. True and genuine
C. Men may be zealous for different reasons
1. Jehu zealous against Baal and his priests (because it was
Ahab's sin), but not against the calves of Bethel (because
it was his own) (2Ki 10:16)
2. Jews were zealous, but not according to knowledge
(Ro 10:2)
3. Paul was zealous before and after conversion (Ac 22:3,4
Ga 1:13,14)
4. Some are more zealous for machinations of men than for
institutes of God
5. Some are zealous in cause of benevolence and religion, but
others from selfish and unholy motives (2Sa 15:1,9,15)
XVI. Success and prosperity in cause of benevolence and religion are
no evidence of regeneration
A. Success in every good cause is desirable, but it does not
prove a regenerate state
1. Judas was just as successful as rest of apostles
2. Preacher of the Gospel may have success in revivals, prior
to his own conversion
B. No one should conclude that success and prosperity in religion
is evidence of regeneration
XVII. Persecution for religion is no positive proof of a regenerate
state
A. Persecution for religion is only proof of human depravity
B. Persecution may not be because of purity in religion, but
because of envy or superior strength while both are corrupt
C. Some men provoke their own sufferings, being persecuted for
the evil they do rather than the good
XVIII. Patience under suffering furnishes no conclusive evidence of a
regenerate state
A. The righteous will not fail to show patience and long
suffering as sign of grace when they are
1. In Christ's strength
2. For Christ's sake
B. Patience under suffering can be a mere plant of nature,
growing out of a selfish end
XIX. Reputation for purity does not show a gracious state
A. Unregenerate men may make pretensions to sanctity and deceive
the simple
1. Simon Magus
2. Judas deceived the eleven disciples (Joh 6:69
Mt 19:27 26:22)
3. Paul was mistaken in Demas (Phm 1:24)
B. Many today have a high reputation for piety among men, but are
hypocrites before God
XX. Strong hopes of heaven is no evidence of regeneration
A. Kinds of true hope (Heb 6:19)
1. Gracious or living hope (1Pe 1:3)
2. Well-founded hope (Col 1:27 Heb 6:19 1Pe 3:15)
3. Purifying hope (1Jo 3:3)
4. Cheering and joyful hope (Ro 5:2)
B. False hope
1. Some who think they love God; they hope that they have
religion, but are dead in sins
2. Jews in Jesus's day had strong hopes of heaven, but Jesus
told them they were doing the works of their father, the
devil (Joh 8:44)
3. Paul says that "he was alive once without the law," that
is, "his way was right in his own eyes" and had hopes of
getting to heaven, and yet there was only a step between
him and hell
XXI. Willingness to die is no sure sign of regeneration
A. Grace prepares for death and heaven
B. Other reasons men are willing to die unprepared for heaven
1. Bodily afflictions
2. Temporal losses and difficulties
3. Old age
4. Persecutions
C. This state of mind may be begotten by ignorance
1. Of claims of God
2. Of work of grace
3. Of their own true character
D. Re 9:6--The wicked, that is, without seal of God on their
foreheads, will seek death
Conclusion:
"Be not deceived" in the matter of regeneration
1. Of all delusions, religious delusion is the worst, because it
relates not only to temporal matters but to spiritual and eternal
things
2. Think of
(1) "Lord, Lord," (Mt 7:21-23)
(2) Foolish virgins (Mt 25:11,12)
(3) Scribes and Pharisees
(4) All those who now have a form of godliness and deny the
power, who have a name that they live but are spiritually
dead
3. "Prove your own selves; for know ye not your own selves how that
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates" (2Co 13:5)
Sermon V.
Showing the Conclusive Evidences of Regeneration.
Text: Joh 3:7
Introduction: Conclusive evidences are those marks which give
undeniable proof of a regenerate state
I. Salvation from sin is evidence of regeneration
A. Meaning of sin in Scriptures
1. Guilt or blameworthiness (Ro 5:13 Heb 10:2 Jas 4:17)
2. Depravity, or man's carnal and corrupt nature
a. "The body of sin" (Ro 6:6)
b. "The sinful body" (Ro 7:29)
c. "The body of this death" (Ro 6:7,12,14 7:8,17
1Jo 5:17)
3. Transgression, or actual violation of God's law (Nu 5:6
1Jo 5:16 3:6,8,9)
B. Because man is guilty, he must be justified; because he is
depraved, he must be regenerated; when he is justified and
regenerated, he will evidence by refraining from actual sin
(1Jo 3:9 5:18)
C. When Christians are "freed from sin" (Ro 6:7), they no
longer have moral ability to commit sin, since it is contrary
to their moral nature
1. Christians have a natural ability to sin, but they have no
inclination for such sin (Joh 8:36 Ro 6:11 Ga 5:24
Lu 6:43-44)
2. Children of the devil relish and delight in the "works of
the flesh," but Christians love "the ways of truth"
(Joh 8:34 1Jo 3:10)
D. Ro 3:9-12 means that depravity is universal and none are
righteous by blood or natural descent; all need to be
justified by the grace of God through redemption that is in
Jesus Christ
E. 1Jo 1:8,10 is quoted as evidence of theory that saints are
sinners; but in context it means that the denial of sin is a
falsification of God's Word
1. The seventh chapter of Romans is the master proof of this
theory, where Paul refers to his experience as a penitent
under the Law
2. In Ro 7:5 he shows they were under the law; but in
Ro 7:6, they were under the Gospel--the Christian is made
free from controlling influence of sin
3. In regeneration man is changed from "the image of the
earthly" to "the image of the heavenly" as love fulfills
the Law
4. Sinners are described as carnal and sold under sin, but
Christians are described as being delivered from sin, the
world, and the devil
F. Scriptures affirm that it is the privilege of the Christian to
be saved from sin, and this salvation from sin is conclusive
evidence of a regenerate state
II. Brotherly love is decisive evidence of the new birth
A. Brotherly love is mutual love which exists among Christians
1. Virtuous character is the prime object of their mutual
devotion
2. Christians cannot exercise this love toward sinners because
they do not have virtuous character
B. From the testimony of Christ in Joh 13:34-35 15:12 we learn
1. The measure of brotherly love is to love one another as
Christ loved them
a. Heartily and sincerely, but not in words only
b. Impartially, without respect to persons
c. Constantly, even to the end
2. By this love, Christians are to be known to the world
a. Virtuous character must be evident
b. We love Christians because they are born of God and wear
His image (1Jo 2:10-11 3:10,14 4:7,20,21)
C. If we know that we possess and exercise this love, we know we
are born again
1. Love men for their goodness' sake
2. Love their company and pious conversation
3. Pray and work for their holiness, happiness, and prosperity
III. Love to enemies is strong and decisive evidence of regeneration
A. All those who are not friends of a Christian must be
considered to be enemies (Mt 12:30 Ac 28:22 Joh 15:18
Lu 23:31 Mt 10:17,22 Ga 4:28,29)
1. Sinner who hate God, also hate the godly
2. It is duty and privilege of Christians to love their
enemies as Christ loves them (Joh 3:16 Ro 5:8,10
Mt 23:37 Lu 23:34)
B. Christ commands us to love our enemies (Mt 5:44,45
Lu 6:32)
1. In moral law, we are to "love our neighbors as ourselves,"
including our enemies
2. Scriptures require philanthropy, brotherly love, and
charity (disinterested benevolence) (Ac 7:60 26:29)
C. Loving enemy is same as loving a friend, except that the love
is not reciprocal and mutual
1. Requires disinterested benevolence (Ro 12:20 Mt 7:12)
2. Disinterested love identifies us with God (Mt 5:45)
IV. Delight or joy in God and godliness is evidence of regeneration
A. Sinners may delight in God's Word and outward ordinances of
religion because of self-interest, but cannot delight in God
or true godliness
1. Requires grace because our feelings run out after the world
(Jer 17:9)
2. Regenerate places his affections on God and things of God
(Hab 3:17,18 Joe 2:23 Ps 33:1 37:4 Php 4:4 Ro 5:11 1Pe 1:9)
B. The regenerate delights in things of God (Word, people, and
worship of God) because they are congenial to their nature
(Ps 119:47,70 1:2 16:3 40:8)
V. Truth and leading of the Holy Spirit are evidence of regeneration
A. Christ compares the regenerate to good trees, and the
unregenerate to corrupt (Mt 7:16-17)
B. Fruits of the regenerate (Ga 5:22-23) by which he can be
known from the unregenerate
1. Love, or universal and disinterested benevolence
2. Spiritual joy in God
3. Peace with God, peace of conscience, and peaceableness
toward all men
4. Long-suffering, or patience
5. Gentleness, or friendliness
6. Goodness, or loving-kindness
7. Faith, or reliance, trust, and confidence
8. Meekness, or humility
9. Temperance, or chastity
C. The leading of the Spirit (Ro 8:14 Ga 5:18) is in
accordance with the Word
VI. Implicit, universal, and constant obedience to God is conclusive
evidence of regeneration
A. Implicit obedience
1. Sinners may obey God in some things, but never obey
implicitly
2. Christians obey because it is right to obey Him, not asking
why
B. Universal obedience
1. Those who obey God from selfish motives are only partial in
obedience
2. Obedience must be universal (De 5:29 Mt 28:20
Joh 15:14 Jas 2:10)
C. Constant obedience
1. Temporary obedience is no mark of grace (Lu 9:6
Heb 10:38)
2. Must "follow the Lord fully" (Nu 14:24) and do
them "even unto the end" (Ps 119:6,112)
Sermon VI:
Showing the Necessity of Regeneration from the Scriptures.
Text: Joh 3:7
I. Necessity of regeneration according to Scriptures
A. Scriptures explicitly and implicitly show the necessity of
regeneration
1. Mt 7:17-20 teaches the importance of the new birth
a. The moral character of men must be tested and known by
the tenor of life and conversation
b. The moral nature of man must be changed "by the washing
of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit"
2. Ac 3:19: Conversion always includes regeneration, but
also a change of heart and life
3. Ro 12:2 shows God requires a transformation of moral
character
4. Eph 4:22-24 indicates God requires a great and radical
change in moral character of a man
5. Eze 18:31: Man must change his heart by being in Christ,
or die
B. Necessity of being born again to be heirs of heaven
1. Mt 5:18: Only regenerate are pure of heart, obtained by
"washing of regeneration"
2. Mt 19:28: Those who have followed Christ have promise
of heaven and privileges in the kingdom
3. Joh 5:24: Passing from death to life is equivalent to new
birth
4. Ro 8:15-17: Children and heirs of God are those who have
been adopted into family of God through regeneration
5. Col 3:34: Saints are said to be dead and their life
hidden with Christ in God
6. Tit 3:47: Only the born-again can become heirs of
eternal life
7. 1Pe 1:1: God chosen men to be holy, to be appointed as
saints
C. Names by which God has named His people indicate a changed
nature
1. Servants of righteousness (Ro 6:17,18,22)
2. New creature (2Co 5:17)
3. Sanctified and justified (1Co 6:11)
4. Brethren (Heb 2:11)
5. Chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, a
peculiar people (1Pe 2:9,10)
III. Necessity of new birth
A. Those who live and die without regeneration are condemned to
eternal punishment and excluded from kingdom of God
1. Mt 5:20: Righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees is
outward conformity to the law and tradition instead of
conformity to will of God
2. Mt 18:3: Conformity to image of little children is
required for regeneration
a. "To grow in grace" (2Pe 3:18)
b. "To add to their faith" (2Pe 1:5)
B. In discourse with Nicodemus, Christ offers no qualification or
condition
1. "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of
God" (Joh 3:3)
2. "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God" (Joh 3:5)
3. "Ye must be born again" (Joh 3:7)
C. The evidence of Scriptures
1. Heb 12:14 Ro 3:10-12 1Jo 3:2: By nature men are
destitute of peace and holiness; without regeneration, they
cannot have peace with God or enjoy Him in His kingdom
2. Re 21:27 Php 4:3: City of God is for regenerate only
3. Mt 3:10 7:19 13:40-42: By nature, men are corrupt and
must be made good by regeneration
4. Mt 22:11-13: The regenerate have a virtuous and holy
character; those without this character are cast into the
outer darkness
5. Lu 19:12-20,27 Ro 8:7,8: The unregenerate hate Christ,
and not have Him reign over them; regeneration changes that
enmity to love
6. Ro 8:13: "To live after the flesh" is to live according
to natural propensities and inclinations of the carnal mind
7. Ro 6:21-23 8:6 Re 20:11-14: Those who live according to
the natural inclinations of the unregenerate heart will be
punished in the world to come
8. 2Th 1:7-10: Those not born again and made saints cannot
avoid "everlasting destruction"
9. Re 20:15 21:7,8: Those who remain in a carnal state,
unpardoned and unsanctified, shall be placed in the lake of
fire, the second death
Conclusion:
The evidence from Scripture is not inferred, but stated plainly that
one must be born again.
1. From passages which require it
2. From those which show that heirs of salvation have undergone
renewal of moral nature
3. From texts which exclude from heaven and condemn to hell all who
live and die without being born again God takes no delight in
consigning men to hell, or debarring them from heaven; on the
contrary, it is His will that they repent and be born again
(Eze 33:11 2Pe 3:19)
From the character of God, and the end of man, from the nature of
the fitness of things, it is clear that man cannot be saved and enjoy
eternal life, unless he is regenerated.
Sermon VII:
Showing the Necessity of Regeneration from the Nature of Things.
Text: Joh 3:7
I. Argument from the nature of things
A. Happiness of all living beings depends on suitability and
congeniality between their natures and things enjoyed
1. Physical world
a. Every creature has a nature suited to climate, element,
and mode of existence
1) Fish, adapted to water, not air
2) Birds, adapted to air, not water
b. Some animals adapted to subterranean, others above
ground
c. Some are carnivorous, others herbivorous
d. Some are tame and easily domesticated, others are wild
and untameable
2. Moral or spiritual world
a. Human nature has not changed; it has been identical to
mankind since the Fall of man
1) There are those who are carnal, minding things of the
flesh (Ga 5:19-21)
2) There are those who are spiritual, by regeneration,
minding things of the Spirit
II. The unregenerate cannot enjoy God
A. Their nature is dissimilar
1. God is benevolent, just, and holy
2. Sinners are malevolent, unjust, and unholy
B. They do not love God
1. The carnal mind is not subject to the law of God
(Ro 8:7)
2. Sinners do not have a nature or character like God;
therefore, they cannot love Him
III. The natural man cannot enjoy the things of God
A. The communion of saints
1. Sinners are strangers to the love and favor of Christian
fellowship
2. The unconverted have a natural dislike and aversion to the
company of Christians
a. They do not like the society of those who walk and talk
as their Master did
b. They cannot enjoy religious conversation, devotions,
heavenly places
B. The reading and hearing of God's Word
1. They may have a selfish interest in the Word of God, but
they have no moral or spiritual enjoyment
2. They account spiritual things as foolishness and cannot
delight in them until they are born again
C. Devotions at home and in the church
1. May attend for conscience's sake, but do not delight in
them
2. Sinners must have renewed minds before they can properly
receive and delight in holy exercises and pursuits
IV. If the unregenerate cannot enjoy things of God in this world,
they cannot enjoy them in heaven
A. Death makes no change in moral character of men
1. As death leaves them, the judgment will find them
(Ec 11:3)
2. They enter the next world with the same moral character
with which they leave this one, whether regenerated or
unregenerated
B. Inhabitants of heaven are holy and immaculate
1. God is "holy, undefiled, and separate from sinners"
(Heb 7:26)
2. Generations of heaven
a. Natives: angels are spotless and holy beings
b. Foreigners: Spirits of just men made perfect
C. Pursuits of heaven are spiritual, virtuous, and holy
1. Employment is to adore and glorify God
2. Unregenerate sinners who do not love God and delight in His
worship here cannot be expected to glorify and love Him in
heaven
3. A Mohammedan paradise of sensual or carnal delights would
make sinners happy, but heaven is not such a place
V. Remarks and Inferences
A. Regeneration is a cardinal and fundamental doctrine of the
Bible
B. Regeneration is a doctrine that must be preached
1. Nature of regeneration ought to be explained
2. Evidences of change must be pointed out
3. The necessity of the changes ought to be made by fair and
sound arguments and pressed upon the consciences,
emphasizing submission to God
4. Press for repentance, faith, and consecration of the whole
man to God
5. The Gospel--not prayer closet, books, catechism, baptism,
or Lord's Supper--is approved means for conversion of
sinners
C. Since men must be born "of water and of the Spirit," we are
not sure that the heathen will be saved
1. If they cannot be saved without the Gospel, many will be
excluded from the kingdom
2. Those not taught, live and die without knowing what
regeneration is
D. If sinners are not regenerated, it is not God's fault
1. He sent servants and prophets to preach salvation
2. He sent His only begotten Son into the world to save it
a. Established divine mission by signs and wonders
b. He suffered and died, the just for the unjust, to bring
sinners to God
c. He was buried and resurrected for our justification
d. He commissioned His disciples to go into all the world
and preach the Gospel that they might have everlasting
life
3. If His orders are not obeyed and His offers of salvation
not accepted, whose fault is it that men are not saved?
E. Christians should cherish a lively sense of their obligations
to God for regenerating grace
1. They are freed from power of the evil one
2. They are made children of God and joint heirs with Christ
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John Winebrenner A Popular Treatise on Regeneration (1878) |