We’ve been going through our Death, Resurrection, Heaven, and Hell series, and this is the second episode about resurrection. I’ve entitled this episode; *Resurrection Prequel: The Radical Truth of Being Born Again. What do I mean by a Resurrection Prequel, and what is the “Radical Truth” about being born again? Well, stick with me, and I’ll show you.
Before time began, before the creation, God had a plan for humanity (Ephesians 1:4-5). Before the foundation of the world, God decided, on his own, that he would choose and separate specific people for adoption as his children. He would love these children, and they would be made blameless forever through Jesus Christ.
How would God accomplish this (John 12:23-26)? It is clear from this passage that God will make his children blameless forever through death. God will achieve eternal life through death.
The Goal of God’s Plan (Isaiah 26:19, 2 Corinthians 5:17) is Resurrection.
Our Part in the Plan (John 3:3- 6) is to live in the kingdom of God, but to get into the kingdom of God; we must be born again.
How Are We Born Again (1 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 2:4-6)? These verses and others show that we are Born Again by God’s Power.
How are we Born Again (Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:25)? We are Born Again by God’s Spirit.
How are we Born Again (1 Peter 1:23, James 1:18)? We are Born Again by God’s Word.
How are we Born Again (Romans 6:4-5, Colossians 2:12)? We are Born Again by God’s Burial. This goes back to the basics of “The Plan”: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. This isn’t about Baptism; it’s about dying to this life. Dead bodies don’t bury themselves. God buries our old, corrupted bodies, never to be remembered, and he raises us in Christ as new people.
How are we Born Again (Galatians 2:20)? We are Born Again by Faith.
The Kingdom of God is Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:50-52).
What is the Radical Truth about Being Born Again? It is that being Born Again is the Resurrection Prequel. It’s the Resurrection Prequel because it’s the guarantee we’re already part of the kingdom of Resurrection (Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
Hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and having faith in God’s plan of resurrection through death, you’ve been Born Again by the Power, the Spirit, the Word, and the Burial in Christ by God. This Born Again gift from God is the security or guarantee that you will enter the kingdom of God’s Eternal Resurrection.
