BENEFITS OF THE NEW BIRTH by Steven T. Eddy, 1990 Text: John 3:3-5 Aim: To describe the characteristics and benefits of the new birth in order to encourage obedience to the gospel and faithfulness therein. Introduction: 1. People who have babies usually have something in mind. a. Girl, boy, names, training, education, enjoyment b. They want to develop a complete human being. 2. The new birth into Christ has a result in view. a. God has certain expectations. b. The Christian also expects certain things. 3. If we are to interest others, we must show them results. 4. If we will stay faithful, we must have results. 5. The new birth presents great opportunities for development. Discussion: I. THE NEW BIRTH IS PRODUCTIVE OF KNOWLEDGE. A. There are important spiritual insights (1 Cor. 2:12-13). 1. God wants us to know greater blessings. a. Otherwise, we are like the cave man who froze to death sitting on a ledge of coal. b. Ignorance of God's ways robs us of all lasting good. 2. Knowledge of the truth produces freedom (John 8:32). a. Free from blinding superstition. b. We are free from slavery to sin. B. Knowing God produces eternal life (John 17:3). 1. Know that our own righteousness is insufficient. 2. Know that the highest price was paid for our souls. 3. Know of the love of God. 4. Know of the coming judgment. II. THE NEW BIRTH IS PRODUCTIVE OF CHANGE. A. We become more like God (2 Cor. 3:18). 1. Love 2. Solid in opposition to evil 3. Wise in overcoming evil 4. Sure of the victory of good 5. Less like the world B. We change masters (Rom. 6:16). 1. Sin was leading to death. 2. Righteousness leads to life. C. We are moved into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13). 1. Out of Christ, we were in the power of darkness. 2. In Christ, we have the blessings of the children of God. D. We change the direction of our attention (Col. 3:1-2). 1. We have good reasons to look to God. a. Because of who he is b. Because of what he did c. Because of his righteousness d. Because of what he will do 2. We have good reasons to look away from sin. a. Because of what sin is b. Because of what sin did c. Because sin is evil d. Because of what sin will do III. THE NEW BIRTH IS PRODUCTIVE OF DISCIPLINE. A. God is working with us (Heb. 12:3-13). 1. The caterpillar said, "God is not finished with me yet." 2. The same can be said of those who follow Christ. 3. Resisting sin tends to go against our grain. a. Satisfaction of bodily desires tempts us. b. The path of least resistance beckons us. c. Ignorance of truth and persuasive liars deceive us. 4. Sufferings can make us better if we are teachable (Heb. 5:8). 5. The discipline is to save our lives. 6. Illustration of learning to obey orders in the army. a. Listen carefu
