Regeneration

(#885, Imperial, 1960, 1967

Read Ephesians 2:1-10.

In this text we have a continuation of the thought of God's power toward the Christian.  The quickening of Christians is a continual putting forth of the resurrection power, the new birth being as much a miracle as the resurrection of Christ.

ƒ      The need for regeneration, vs. 1-3.

w    We are dead in trespasses and sins, v1.

This goes back to the garden of Eden.  "In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."  We are as spiritually dead as Lazarus was physically dead: bound hand and foot with corruption, the stone of unbelief laid on the sepulcher, dead for a long time,  a stench to God, and unable to raise ourselves.

w    The walk of the dead, vs. 2-3.

Our walk, or regular behavior, is the result of 3 fatal guides.

    1.  The world.  The course of this world is to get what you want when you want it.  The Lord wants us to have Him first!  God wants us to find our pleasure, our blessings, our satisfaction in Him.  We are not to be conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2).

    2.  The devil.  Satan appears as an "angel of light" but in fact deceives the believer.  We are to give no place to the devil (Eph. 4:27).

    3.  The flesh.  This is the sinful disposition or nature we are born with.

ƒ      The method of regeneration, vs. 4-6.

What a dark picture it would be if Scripture stopped at v3.

w    BUT GOD.  What wonderful words.  God is our only hope. He is rich in mercy; our extreme hopelessness needs God's rich mercy.  He has great love.  He loves where there is nothing to love.

w    He has quickened us together.  We are united with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:4) thus bringing deliverance from the world, the flesh and the Devil.

ƒ      The root and fruit of regeneration, vs. 7-10.

w    God places us on exhibition through eternity as achievements of His love through Christ.

w    We are to walk in the good works God has prepared.

Have you been regenerated?  Is there evidence?

Made Nigh by the Blood