When was the last time you thought through your own salvation? In what ways have you seen fruit recently that bears witness of your rebirth? With whom can you share this message of new life even this month. How?
As spring approaches, we’re reminded of the cycle of the seasons. Spring is a time of new beginnings and new birth. Dormant buds come to life with beautiful color; trees that looked dead will soon be in full bloom. It’s amazing to think that something so seemingly dead can, in a matter of days, come back to life. And such rebirth is seen not only in the botanical realm, but in the spiritual realm, as well.
When Jesus was dialoging with Nicodemus in John 3, he spoke about the necessity of this new birth:
Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4”How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Jesus’ earthly ministry involved many different things: healings, miracles, teaching. But the greatest aspect of Christ’s work was bringing new birth to people who were dead. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2 about our transfer from death to life:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.
Just as many trees and plants show no signs of physical life during the winter, unregenerate humanity shows no signs of life when it comes to spiritual things. Instead of following Christ, people follow the schemes and passions of the world. Yet Christ, in his grace and mercy, gives us the hope of new life in him, taking away the old and bringing forth the new. He does this by means of a process that Paul writes about in the third chapter of Titus:
[W]hen the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
At Village Bible Church, we celebrate our new life in Christ every Sunday, exalting the Father who is the giver of this new life, praising the Spirit who sustains and guides us in this new life, and proclaiming the excellencies of the Son who died to make this new life possible.
Let us live every day in light of our experience of new birth, ridding ourselves of anything that might still remain from our days before Christ, bearing fruit and allowing the blossoms of holiness and godliness to be seen by all, and sharing the good news of rebirth with those around us who are spiritually dead and need to learn this vital truth.
When was the last time you thought through your own salvation? In what ways have you seen fruit recently that bears witness of your rebirth? With whom can you share this message of new life even this month. How?
Look through this ministry update not only as a menu of programs that can be a blessing for our own church family, but also as a list of opportunities for sharing the miracle of rebirth with someone else. Our vision as a church includes reaching the world around us with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. May this spring be a time of rebirth—not only in the plants around us, but in the lives of our family and friends, as well.
Your elder team,
Al Gonnerman, Mario Arindaeng, Tim Badal, Scott Capp, Keith Duff, Jon Pilkington & Ray Prigodich
