Zac Poonen - New Birth and Growth Thereafter

Zac PoonenNovember 4, 201948mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionZac Poonen379 messages

Speaker: Zac Poonen Title: New Birth and Growth Thereafter Date: 11-03-2019 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that true spiritual growth requires a genuine 'new birth' from the Spirit, which is distinct from merely being a good person or knowledgeable about scripture. The speaker emphasizes that one must be discerning enough to know if they are truly born again, warning against relying on religious language or the opinions of others. Spiritual growth involves an increasing awareness of sin, much like a student learning new subjects.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Understanding the new birthJust as a person is born physically into the world, everyone needs a genuine experience of being born of the Spirit.John 3:3

Good behavior is not new birthGrowing up in a Christian home, obeying rules, and doing good things is not the same as experiencing the new birth.

Nicodemus and the Samaritan womanReligious leaders like Nicodemus and outwardly sinful people alike both need the transforming experience of being born again.

Born through the Living WordBelievers are born again through the living seed of God's Word, which brings true light into the heart rather than just academic knowledge.1 Peter 1:23

Light shining in darknessPaul compares the new birth to God speaking light into darkness at creation, completely transforming a person's inner life.

Putting aside sins after new birthJust as a child learns to walk, believers must actively put away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

Desiring the pure milk of the WordBelievers must go directly to the Bible to drink pure spiritual milk so they can grow up to salvation.

The three tenses of salvationSalvation involves rescue from the guilt of sin in the past, freedom from the power of sin in the present, and ultimate deliverance from the presence of sin.

Grace as God's power in weaknessGrace is not merely God overlooking sin, but His divine power that operates best when we recognize our own weakness.

The three secrets: humility, humility, humilityTo grow up to salvation, believers must follow the mindset of Jesus and continually humble themselves.Philippians 2:5

The steps down to exaltationJesus went from being God to becoming a man, then a slave, and finally dying the death of a criminal, leading to His ultimate exaltation by God.

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