New Hope That Gives Us New Life
A Lesson from Tim Keller
Christ told Nicodemus to be born again (John 3). Was this just a fancy marketing term to intrigue Nicodemus?
Nicodemus was a Pharisee on the Jewish ruling council, suggesting he was a fervent, successful, and highly honored follower of Jewish law. Yet, Jesus told him to be born again. Starting all over again is not just a call for the wicked or the weak to improve, but even the most respected.
Let’s learn what born again means from 1 Peter 1:3-13, 23.
Born again gives us a living hope (v3). What we expect of the future directly shapes how we live today. Without a vibrant hope for something much bigger than ourselves, many of us live for nothing but selfish desire, which inevitably leads to a meaningless life that amounts to just fidgeting aimlessly while waiting for death.
Christ on the cross has given us a living hope of a wonderful salvation, with non-perishable inheritances in heaven (v3-5). With this hope, our joy and sadness are not dictated by our environment. This hope shifts us away from depending on our power, wealth, and other earthly things to rescue us (Psalm 33:17). With this hope, we can rest in Christ and His salvation.
On Earth, pain and suffering are common, but suffering should drive us deeper into the living hope, which can give us joy even in the midst of great pain (v6-7).
We cannot have this new hope or get this new birth through our effort. To be born again is to be brought on by Christ (v23).
We should trust in Christ to bring us a new beginning and give us a new hope. We will see the world through the lens of the Gospel, shifting our focus from worldly things to Christ. Then gradually, we will change and grow.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/hope-for-your-life-6024/
Nicodemus was a Pharisee on the Jewish ruling council, suggesting he was a fervent, successful, and highly honored follower of Jewish law. Yet, Jesus told him to be born again. Starting all over again is not just a call for the wicked or the weak to improve, but even the most respected.
Let’s learn what born again means from 1 Peter 1:3-13, 23.
Born again gives us a living hope (v3). What we expect of the future directly shapes how we live today. Without a vibrant hope for something much bigger than ourselves, many of us live for nothing but selfish desire, which inevitably leads to a meaningless life that amounts to just fidgeting aimlessly while waiting for death.
Christ on the cross has given us a living hope of a wonderful salvation, with non-perishable inheritances in heaven (v3-5). With this hope, our joy and sadness are not dictated by our environment. This hope shifts us away from depending on our power, wealth, and other earthly things to rescue us (Psalm 33:17). With this hope, we can rest in Christ and His salvation.
On Earth, pain and suffering are common, but suffering should drive us deeper into the living hope, which can give us joy even in the midst of great pain (v6-7).
We cannot have this new hope or get this new birth through our effort. To be born again is to be brought on by Christ (v23).
We should trust in Christ to bring us a new beginning and give us a new hope. We will see the world through the lens of the Gospel, shifting our focus from worldly things to Christ. Then gradually, we will change and grow.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/hope-for-your-life-6024/