Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications

Is The Wind Blowing - Part 3

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2015-03-22

Synopsis: In this sermon, John Weaver concludes his series 'Is the Wind Blowing?' by examining the 'wind of regeneration' from John 3:8. He distinguishes regeneration (God's sovereign act of imparting spiritual life) from conversion (man's response of repentance and faith). Weaver emphasizes that regeneration is solely by God's sovereign pleasure, purpose, and power, using the metaphor of the wind to illustrate its mysterious yet effective nature. Applications challenge listeners to examine their lives for evidence of God's regenerating work.

[John Weaver] John 3 verse 1. There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

[John Weaver] The wind bloweth whither it listeth, And thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, How shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?

[John Weaver] I'm certainly going to take the time this morning to briefly review the last two messages in this short series titled, Is the Wind Blowing? But let me just say this about John chapter three. I certainly am not going to have the time to expound all of this passage today. If you look at verse 8, this is going to be the verse that I'm going to be concentrating on because it is in the theme of these three messages. The question is, is the wind blowing?

[John Weaver] And our Lord says, The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So it's everyone that is born of the Spirit. So the title of the message is The Wind Blowing. And we've looked at the wind of trepidation, the wind of domination, and today we're going to be looking at the wind of regeneration. In the last two messages, I answered the question, is the wind blowing? With yes, the wind is blowing. It's blowing somewhere all the time, and it may come as a refreshing breeze, a gale, or storm, or tornado. But I pointed out in each of the last two messages that God is absolutely sovereign and the wind is under the control of God. In fact, in each of the last two messages, I've quoted 2 Samuel 22, verse 11, where the Bible says about God that he rode upon a cherub and did fly and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. So in the first message we discuss the wind of trepidation, that is the wind of fear and horror.

[John Weaver] We looked at Isaiah chapter 7 and we saw that the heart of King Ahaz and the hearts of the people of Judah and Jerusalem were moved as the trees of the wood are moved by the wind. And of course that was because of the invasion or at least planned invasion by Israel and by Syria. And of course, they were planning on totally, absolutely overthrowing the line of David and establishing there a public king as well.

[John Weaver] And I pointed out that there is certainly a time to fear and there's a time not to fear. And I also pointed out that we're to fear God and not man. And interestingly, in Isaiah 51 in verse 1, God is talking about Babylon, and the inhabitants of Babylon, and he talks about bringing upon them the wind of destruction. So very obviously, when God sends that wind of fear and that wind of destruction, it's certainly time to be afraid. So there is the wind of trepidation. And secondly, I talked in the second message about the wind of domination as it is found in the book of Ezekiel chapter 37. And I try to demonstrate in that passage and in that message that our Lord is going to be absolutely victorious in every way and therefore that we his people shall be victorious in him. The Apostle Paul said it very plainly. in 1 Corinthians 15 and verse 57 when he says, But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] So our Lord does indeed give us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. So we look for our Lord to make us victorious in time and history as well as eternity. In Proverbs 11 and verse 31, the Word of God says, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth Much more the wicked in the center. So if God is going to pay back the wicked in the center in time and history, obviously he's going to give victory in time and history to his people as well. And the whole gist of the message last week was this that our God is going to raise a mighty army and give us victory even if he has to raise the dead. And of course he did raise the dead in the Lord Jesus Christ. And although I did not mention these verses last week, I would hope that your mind went to the book of Revelation and you remembered several passages there on the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ. For instance, in Revelation 17 and verse 14, the Bible says, and these, that is his enemies, these shall make war with the Lamb.

[John Weaver] And the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and they that are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." And when you get to Revelation 19 verses 11-16, the Apostle John writes this, And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness doth he judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns.

[John Weaver] And he had a name written that no man knew but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God."

[John Weaver] Now listen,"...and the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, and out of his mouth with a sharp sword, and with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron. And he treaded the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God, and he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords." So obviously Jesus Christ is indeed the victor.

[John Weaver] And to him, will go all honor, praise, and glory. Now today I want to come to the third point in our message. What I ask is the wind blowing. And of course it is blowing. And today we're going to look at the wind of regeneration. And we're going to see of course that regeneration is an act of the sovereign God. So I call your attention again to verse 8.

[John Weaver] Our Lord said to Nicodemus, The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit." Now, I want you to note, initially in verse 3, our Lord had said to Nicodemus, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Now, you have to remember that Nicodemus was a ruler in Israel and supposedly a very learned, erudite and educated man. But he did not understand what our Lord was saying. So in verse 4, he asked him, how can this be? Can a man enter into a second time into his mother's womb and be born?

[John Weaver] And then our Lord just simply repeats in verses 5 through 7 that which he's already said. He said, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Then he makes a distinction. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, you must be born again.

[John Weaver] Now, in order to grasp really and truly the difficulty that Nicodemus perceived, you have to understand the Greek word anathem. When our Lord said in verse three, you must be born again. And when he said in verse seven, you must be born again. The little Greek word anathem literally means from above. You must be born from above. It's exactly what our Lord was telling Nicodemus. So Nicodemus was very confused and he was equating a second birth with a physical birth. So very obviously, those two are not the same thing. Because our Lord has already said, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, in John chapter 3.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you the problem that most people have in understanding the doctrine of regeneration. Here's the problem. Most people confuse regeneration and conversion. Regeneration and conversion are not the same thing. Conversion is the fruit of regeneration. Let me say it another way. Regeneration is the cause and conversion is the effect. I'll say it another way. Regeneration is the root And conversion is the fruit. So the problem most people have in understanding regeneration and conversion is they confuse these two things.

[John Weaver] So what I want to do is this. I want to give you seven distinctions between regeneration and conversion. I preached the message not too long ago. Well, I say not too long ago, several years back. And the title of the message was Salvation illustrated and explained. I'm not going to repreach that message, but I did give these seven distinctions. I believe in that message, so I'm going to give them again in order to clear your thinking. And if this message then is not sufficient, I would encourage you to go back and listen to that message. Salvation illustrated and explained.

[John Weaver] So let me just try to. Try to. give you the distinctions between regeneration and conversion. Here it is. Here we begin. Number one, regeneration is an immediate act of God in imparting the principle of life. Conversion is the act of man by the power of the indwelling spirit in repenting and believing. So you have regeneration being the act of God, the immediate act of God, And then you have conversion being the act of man only in the power of the Holy Spirit in repenting and believing. Number two, regeneration is a single act of God and is never repeated in the life. Conversion is the beginning of a holy life and there are many conversion experiences throughout one's earthly pilgrimage.

[John Weaver] The position of the believer in Jesus Christ, by virtue of regeneration, cannot be increased nor can it be decreased. However, the condition of the Christian life will always vary according to one's conversions. And you remember our Lord said to Peter, who was already saved, already an apostle, He said in Luke 22, Simon, Simon, Satan had desired to have thee that he may sift thee a sweet, but I prayed for thee and when thou art converted.

[John Weaver] Ah, so there's another conversion experience. Simon was already saved, already an apostle. So there are many conversion experiences, but only regeneration is a one time act. Number three, regeneration is not in itself an experience. Regeneration is not in itself an experience. Conversion is a series of Christian experiences. Now listen carefully. Because in John chapter 3, our Lord is comparing a spiritual birth with a physical birth. But as there is no consciousness at the time of conception in the womb, So regeneration is not a matter of consciousness in its recipient.

[John Weaver] You are not conscious that you're regenerated any more than you were conscious that you were conceived. A person knows nothing of his original life or his original regeneration, just like, you know, nothing of your original conception. Conversion, however, is an awareness of what is taking place. Therefore, it is experiential repentance and faith or experiences known to the regenerated individual. Fourthly, regeneration is the cause of an individual turning to the Lord. Conversion is the regenerate person actually turning to the Lord.

[John Weaver] God does not repent for man, but he enables man to repent and to believe. Number five, regeneration is the Lord opening the heart. Conversion is that person whose heart has been opened, turning to Jesus Christ in faith and obedience. Number six, Regeneration is a once-for-all cleansing, while conversion is a continuation of renewal which was begun at regeneration. And here's the seventh distinction. In regeneration, we have God's power, that is, the power of the indwelling Spirit. In conversion, the power is not of us, but in us by God's sovereign choice.

[John Weaver] An understanding of this fact will erase all pride and all boasting from preachers and other Christians regarding their successes in winning people to Christ. What did the Apostle Paul say in 1 Corinthians 3, verses 6 and 7? Listen to this. He said, I have planted a palace water But God gave the increase. So then, neither is he that planteth anything, or he that watereth, but God who giveth the increase.

[John Weaver] Now, there's an important principle that you need to remember at this juncture. Here it is. Regeneration is the implantation of divine life into the soul by an immediate act of God. God is the only one who can give life. Conversion is the evidence and the exercise of that life being implanted in us by God. So regeneration and conversion are not the same thing. So here's a question.

[John Weaver] How do we explain these things? Well, I have told you in times past, whether you remember it or not, I do not know, but I told you that there are only three main illustrations of salvation in the Bible. Only three in the New Testament. Only three. The first illustration is that of birth, which we find in John chapter three. Barely, barely ascending, you must be born from above. The second illustration of salvation is that of creation in 2nd Corinthians 4 and verse 6 and 5 verse 17. The third illustration of salvation is that of resurrection in Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 1, and you have be quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Now, I want you to understand that each of these three illustrations demonstrate the absolute necessity of divine intervention. There can be no birth apart from the beginning of the Father. There can be no creation unless God speaks the word. And in fact, that's what the Bible says in Psalm 33.

[John Weaver] He spoke and it came into being. And certainly there can be no resurrection apart from the supernatural power of God, which is outside of man. There is no man, no man that has ever conceived himself or created himself or raised himself from the dead. Each of these illustrations demonstrate there must be, must be an outside supernatural power. So I want you to look in John 3 in verse 8. That's the verse I want to deal with today. So look in verse 8.

[John Weaver] Our Lord says, talking about regeneration, the wind bloweth whither it listeth. And thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is everyone that is born of the Spirit. Now I want to give you three thoughts on the wind of regeneration. First of all, regeneration is at the sovereign pleasure of God. Regeneration is at the sovereign pleasure of God. The Bible says the wind bloweth whether it listeth. Now the word for wind is the Greek word pneuma. That is the same word that is used of spirit. Hagios pneumatos, the Holy Spirit. Pneuma, that's where we get our word pneumatic from. Pneumonia. It deals with air, it deals with wind, it deals with spirit. So he says the wind bloweth where it listeth. And the Greek word for wind, pneuma, is exactly the same word for spirit. It is a word that is used in relation to the Holy Spirit.

[John Weaver] Now, let me explain the significance of this truth. In order to understand this, you have to understand the difference between the ontological trinity and the economical trinity. Okay? The ontological trinity is from the Greek word ontos, which just simply means being. If you talk about the ontological trinity, all you're talking about is the logical order of being Father, Son, Holy Ghost. That's all the ontological trinity is. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. So the Father divinely begets the Son, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. That's all the ontological trinity is. The economical trinity, is how God moves, or how God works. When you read your Bible, you will find that everything is out of the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. Everything is out of the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. That is the economical trinity. That's how God moves. That's how God works.

[John Weaver] Now, we see the reverse of this. In Ephesians 2 verse 18, now listen to what I'm going to read to you. Ephesians 2 verse 18, for through Him, that is Jesus Christ, we both have access in one Spirit unto the Father. So everything comes to us from the Father through the Son in the Spirit. Now we go back to the Father in the Spirit through the Son. Okay? That's the economical trinity. In regards to the doctrine of soteriology, which is nothing but the doctrine of salvation, we see the economical trinity very clearly. For instance, salvation originated with the Father. It was accomplished by the Son, and it's applied by the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is read Ephesians chapter 1, verses 1 through 14, which Sometime in the not too distant future, I'm going to be preaching on, but you will see there the work of the Father, the work of the Son and the work of the Holy Spirit. So that passage illustrates this truth very clearly.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to submit to you today that one of the reasons that our Lord uses the metaphor of wind is to demonstrate his sovereign pleasure in regeneration. The wind is not only inexplicable, it is also uncontrollable. There's not one individual alive on the earth today that can cause the wind to start or to cause the wind to cease. No one except the sovereign God of heaven and earth. The wind blows or it does not blow at His pleasure. I read to you I know in the first message, Job 37, verses 9-13, I want to read it again. I want you to listen. Here's what it says.

[John Weaver] Out of the south cometh a whirlwind, and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given, and the breath of waters is straightened. Also by watering, he God, wearieth the thick cloud, he scattereth the bright cloud, It is turned about by His counsels that they may do what is recommended upon the face of the world in the earth. So the whirlwind, all weather, is controlled by the counsels of God.

[John Weaver] It comes at His pleasure. So as the wind then blows where it pleases and how it pleases, Likewise, God regenerates whomever He pleases. Do you understand that no one can demand to be regenerated? One may seek it, one may cry for it, one may ask for it, but it is still within the prerogative of the sovereign to grant it at his pleasure. You know what we were told in James 1 in verse 18? Now listen to this.

[John Weaver] Of his own will begat he us. Of his own will begat he us.

[John Weaver] Now, since we're in the book of John, I want you to turn to John chapter 5. And look very quickly at verses 21 and 23. And I want to show you the importance of this in just a moment. Look at John 5 verse 21. Here's what the Scripture says. For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them. Did you hear that? For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. Why? For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. Why? Here's why. that all men should honour the Son even as or equally as they honour the Father. He that honours not the Son honours not the Father which hath sent him. Now, go back if you would please to verse 21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. Really? Do you understand what has just happened prior to these verses? If you were to read John chapter 5, verse 1, right on down through verse 19, you will find that our Lord walked into the porch of Bethesda, Solomon's porch there at Bethesda, wherein a great multitude of impotent and lame folks lay, waiting for the moving of the water.

[John Weaver] And our Lord walked through all of these sick people, And he got one lame man who had laid there for 38 years. And he asked him, will thou be made whole? The man said, I have no man to help me when the waters trouble to put me in, but while I'm coming, someone else steps in and is healed. Our Lord said, rise and walk. Let me ask you a question. Did not all of those sick people need healing? Could our Lord not have healed every one of them instantaneously? Yes. Why did He single out one man and just heal that one man out of all of those who needed it? Well, here's why.

[John Weaver] Verse 21, For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. In other words, it is His sovereign pleasure that proves that He is God. Only God does as He pleases.

[John Weaver] Now, if you understand the economical trinity, which I've just explained to you, then you're going to understand that the Holy Spirit is the agent in regeneration. I told you earlier, salvation originated with the Father. It was accomplished by the Son, and it is applied by the Holy Spirit. Let me just quote some verses. Titus 3 in verse 5. Listen to this. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Romans 5 in verse 5. And hope make it not a shame, for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 14, verse 17, For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Wow. You know what the Apostle Paul told those Thessalonican Christians? In 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 5 and 6, he said this, For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

[John Weaver] And you know what manner of men we were among you for your sakes, and you became followers of us. and of the Lord have received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost." Note it came with the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 3, Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God called Jesus a curse, and that no man can say that Jesus Christ is Lord but by the Holy Ghost. So it's the Holy Spirit that regenerates. It's the Holy Spirit that authenticates. It's the Holy Spirit that enables us to say that Jesus Christ is Lord. And in Ephesians 1 and verse 13, he said, In whom also you trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.

[John Weaver] Now, let me put it to you like this. No one has ever been. No one can be. And no one will ever be regenerated apart from the sovereign work of God, the Holy Spirit. In fact, if you do not possess the Holy Spirit, if He does not indwell you, you're not saved. Paul says this truth very bluntly in Romans 8 and verse 9. He said to those Roman Christians, but you're not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is not of his. Wow. So if you are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit, have you not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit? If you have not been sealed by the Holy Spirit, you do not belong to Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now let me ask you a few questions. Why did God create the world? Why did God create you?

[John Weaver] Let me ask you another way. Why did God save you? You have family members that are lost. You have friends that are lost. Why did God create the world? Why did God create you and why did God save you? Let me answer it. I'll answer it from Scripture, and here's the answer. The world was created, you were created and you were saved only because of the sovereign pleasure of God. In Revelation 4 and verse 11, the Scripture says this, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Isn't that amazing? For Thy pleasure they are and were created. You know what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, and I love this verse. Paul asked the Corinthians, for who maketh thee to differ one from another? Who makes you to differ? Why is it you want to hear the Word of God when multitudes do not want to hear the Word of God?

[John Weaver] Why is it you will read and study when nobody else will read and study? Who maketh thee to differ one from another? Listen to what else he said. What hast thou that thou didst not receive? And if thou didst receive it, what is thou glory or boast as thou has not received it? What's he saying? Everything that you are, everything that you have, God gave you. Regeneration is by the sovereign pleasure of God. Secondly, today, regeneration is by the sovereign purpose of God.

[John Weaver] When you go back to John 3 and verse 8, when he says, the wind bloweth whether it listeth, the word listed there literally means pleases. So there's the sovereign pleasure of God. The wind bloweth whether it pleases or listed. Now, here's the sovereign purpose of God. He says, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. You know, we oftentimes think that there is no purpose for the wind. In fact, I have. And so has Alice.

[John Weaver] Raked leaves into neat little piles for burning. And then the wind comes along and unrakes them. That may not be a word, but but that's exactly what the wind does. It just scatters them everywhere. Why does the wind blow wherever it desires and whenever it desires? Now just stop. Think about this. July and August, we would appreciate the wind on these dry, hot days. But isn't it amazing, in the winter, when it's cold and wet, we complain about the wind blowing. And I've often said it would not be cold if the wind was not blowing. Have you ever wondered Why does the wind blow the way it does?

[John Weaver] Seemingly, there's no purpose in it. But in reality, there is. We do not understand why God saves who he saves. Stop and think about that. We do not understand why God saves whom he saves. Why did God save you? Why didn't God have mercy upon you? Do you know if there was a poll taken in the first century of the man most likely to be damned, Saul of Tarsus would have won that poll hands down.

[John Weaver] In fact, Paul himself said in 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 13, but before his conversion, he was a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious. He hailed and hauled men and women off to prison. Christians threw them in dungeons just because they were Christians. Let me ask you a question. Why is Asia in darkness today? Did you know God sovereignly purposed not to allow the gospel to be preached in Asia? What? Yeah, look in your Bibles, Acts chapter 16, Acts chapter 16. And let's begin reading there with verse 6, Acts 16 and verse 6. You want to know why there are very few Christians in Asia. There are some, yes, but very few. You have all these various religions and sects and cults and all these things over in Asia today. Look in Acts chapter 16, if you would, beginning there with verse 6. The Bible is speaking about Paul and his company there. Now, when they had gone throughout Phrygia, the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, the Holy Spirit said, don't go to Asia, watch.

[John Weaver] And when they were come to Mycenae, they said to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not. And they, passing by Mysia, came down to Troas, and a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Do you know the gospel came west and not east? Why?

[John Weaver] That's the way God pleased it. Let me just show you. God not only pleased God, God purposed it like that. I want you to stop and think of the great revivals under Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield. Have you ever read of the great revival in Wales? Here's a question. Why has God not sent such revivals in this century and in our country? Oh yeah, many have sought them. They've asked for them. They prayed for God's mercies and God's miracles, and yet They have not happened on the scale that they happened in the previous century or in other countries. Many have claimed such revivals were happening in present, but I would ask this question, where are the effects and the results of those revivals? Now, listen carefully. I may not know where the wind of God originates. And I may not know where it terminates. However, I can see God's the wind and its effects upon flowers, herbs, trees, men and even buildings. I don't have to know the origination of the wind. Don't have to know the termination of the wind, but I can see its effects and God's workings are just as mysterious in their operations as they are sovereign in their originations.

[John Weaver] And just like we can see the effects of the wind on the trees and the flowers, we can also see the effects of God's regenerating wind in the lives of men and women and its effects upon societies, states, and even nations. Now, I want you to listen to me. I said that regeneration is by God's sovereign pleasure. Now, I'm telling you that regeneration is by God's sovereign purpose.

[John Weaver] God does not save anybody by accident. He saves them on purpose. God does not send revivals by accident. He sends them on purpose. Everything that God does, He does on purpose. You say, well, what is God's purpose? I can tell you. Ephesians 3 and verse 11 says, according to His eternal purpose, which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. So whatever God purposed in eternity past, before the world ever came into existence, before you were ever born, before I was ever born, whatever He purposed in Jesus Christ, that is His purpose. It is an eternal purpose. And God does things not only by His divine pleasure, But by his divine purpose as well. Thirdly. Regeneration is by the sovereign power of God. Look at verse 8 again in John chapter 3. He says the wind bloweth whether it listeth or whether it pleases. There's a sovereign pleasure of God.

[John Weaver] And now here's the sound thereof, and canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth. There's a sovereign purpose of God. Now, here's the sovereign power of God. So is everyone that is born of the spirit. So is everyone that is born of the spirit, just as the wind blows at God's pleasure and purpose, it also blows according to his power. The comparison is pointed out in the word, so S.O. The first point of analogy is found in the word where it listeth or pleaseth. The second is found in the words, Canst not tell. The wind bloweth whither it pleaseth. And then he said, So is every one that is born of the Spirit.

[John Weaver] Let me give you a quote by Arthur W. Pink. He's quoting, giving this comment on verse 8, and he says this, He says, God has thrown an impenetrable veil over the beginnings and processes of life. That we live, we know, and how we live, we cannot tell. Life is evident to the consciousness and manifest to the senses, but it is profoundly mysterious in its operations. It is so with the new life born of the Spirit. To sum up the teaching of this verse, the wind bloweth There is the fact. Thou hearest the sound thereof, there is the evidence of the fact. But knowest not whence, there is the mystery behind the fact. The one born again knows that he has a new life and enjoys the evidences of it, but how the Holy Spirit operates upon the soul, subdues his will, creates the new life within us, belongs to the deep things of God. In other words, we just don't know those things. The one thing we do know is that the one who is regenerated is regenerated by the power of God alone.

[John Weaver] Do you understand that just as physical life and physical birth are accomplished by the power of God, so is spiritual life and spiritual birth. Let me show you. I want you to hold John 3, but turn very quickly in your Bibles to Psalm 139. Psalm 139. Look what David said in verses 13 through 16. Psalm 139, beginning there with verse 13. David says to God, For thou hast possessed my reins, thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous life works that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." So David said, when I was conceived and how I grew, I wasn't hid from you. Watch verse 16.

[John Weaver] Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in my book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. So David said, I don't understand how I was conceived. I don't understand how I grew in the womb. And yet, Lord, you knew everything. You are the one that has done this. Let me ask you a question.

[John Weaver] When were you born physically? Now, I know you can give me a date, you can give me a day and a time. But here's my question. How do you really know you were born then? You don't. You know, my mother told me I was born September the 3rd. Interestingly, on my birth certificate, it says September the 2nd. Beats me. I would think my mother would know more than the doctor, but I'm just simply pointing out the fact you don't really know when you were born even physically. You know when you were told that you were born. You don't remember even though you were a full term baby. You still don't remember when you were born. You don't remember when you were conceived. You don't remember life in the womb. But yet, I can tell you exactly when you were born physically, and I can tell you exactly when you were born spiritually. How can I tell you that?

[John Weaver] By quoting what the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1, verses 15 and 16. Now, I want you to listen. Here's what Paul said. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen. Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." When was Paul separated from his mother's womb? When it pleased God. When did God call him by His grace? When it pleased God.

[John Weaver] Alice and I had some dear friends. Both are now dead. We called them Papa and Mama Marsh. We were not related. But Papa, before his conversion, was a drunk. He drank more alcohol than you can shake a stick at. And God saved him probably in his 50s. He died about 75, 76, something like that. He played a saxophone, played it beautifully. Some of you may have heard him. But he would come up to me and he would say, oh, I wish I had heard the gospel As a young man, I wish I had been saved earlier. One of his favorite songs that he always played was Wasted Years, Wasted Years. Oh, how foolish.

[John Weaver] And he just regretted throwing away his life. And I looked at him one day and I said, Papa. If you had heard the gospel when you were a teenager, you wouldn't have listened. If you had heard the truth when you were 20 and 30 and 40, You wouldn't have listened. I'll tell you when you were saved. When it pleased God to call you by his grace. And that's when you were saved. That's when I was saved. Let me just try to sum everything up. I've got some applications, but let me try to sum this up. Let me give you one good illustration.

[John Weaver] That I hope will forever distinguish in your mind. The difference between regeneration and conversion. If you can remember this illustration, you will never, ever confuse regeneration and conversion again. OK, here it is. John Chapter 11. You don't have to turn there. John Chapter 11. Lazarus died, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus. And our Lord tarried. He did not come immediately. Four days later, he shows up on the scene. And both Mary and Martha said, Lord, had you been here, my brother would not have died. Our Lord said, I am the resurrection and the life.

[John Weaver] He that believeth in me, yet shall he live. I like the way Lester Olof used to say this, he said, The resurrection just walked into town. And that's true. And our Lord said, take me to him. And Martha said, Lord. By this time, he's thinking. For he's been dead four days. Jesus had said, I'm not under thee that if thou believes, thou would see the power of God. And what did our Lord do? Our Lord said, Lazarus, come forth. And the scripture says, he that was bound with grave clothes came forth. And here's my question.

[John Weaver] I want you to answer this. Did God give Lazarus life inside that tomb? which enabled him to get up and walk out? Or did God only give him life after he got up and walked out? What's the answer? If God had not given him life inside that tomb, he would have never gotten up and walked out. What is regeneration? Listen carefully. Regeneration is the implantation of life into man by God. What is conversion? Conversion is the fruit and the evidence of that life coming into fruition. God regenerated, God restored Lazarus in that tomb and when he got up and walked out, that was pictorial of conversion. God had given his life given him life in that tomb and his walking out was evidence that God had given him that life.

[John Weaver] So when an individual repents of his sin and turns by faith to Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, that is not regeneration. That is the evidence of regeneration. Because had not God given him life, he would have never turned to God to begin with. You may know when you were converted, but you do not know when you were regenerated. It's impossible. Regeneration is the immediate act of God whereby he plants life in the soul. Conversion is when by his power of the Holy Spirit, he enables us to exercise that life and repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ. Here's some applications.

[John Weaver] The first one is this. Listen carefully. Is there anything in your life that is only there because of the absolute power of God? In other words, I'm asking you, are you different? That's what Paul asked. Who made thee to differ one from another? If you are different, Why are you different? The proper evidence of regeneration is conversion. It is a breaking forth from death unto life. And a life that is going to be lived for God's honor and God's glory.

[John Weaver] The second application is this. God has power over the most hardened sinner to change him. Just like God has power over the loftiest oak to bring it down with a sweeping blast. I remember years ago, there were some huge oak trees on the edge of a field. And I used to sit in those trees as I would hunt deer And some of those trees, oh, I would say, I don't know, six, eight feet in diameter, huge oak trees. A tornado came through. The field was planted in soybeans, and the soybean plants were just about this high.

[John Weaver] Two of those humongous oaks were laid over, their roots sticking up. And all those little, tender, flexible soybean plants were still standing. God just broke down the giant oak, left the little, measly soybeans standing in the field. Let me tell you, the saws of Tarsus of this world will fall easily by the power of God. There is no sinner that is too big and too mean and too bad that God cannot save. God can save anybody. God is omnipotent. God is all powerful.

[John Weaver] One man that I knew, he's now dead, was a Mafia member. God not only saved him, He called him to preach. There were contracts out on his life, even as he was preaching because he left the mafia. He was a tremendous, powerful preacher. All I'm trying to say is this. God is all powerful. I don't care how bad we think our children are or our neighbors or our friends or how mean we think someone is or how wicked or how vile God is still able to say.

[John Weaver] And here's the third application. God determines the kind of wind or the operations of the Spirit upon a sinner. I have actually seen in my ministry, I've actually seen men and women tremble and fall. They were so under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, they trembled and fell. One man I remember crying out in the middle of the church, screaming, I'm lost, I'm lost, and he ran forward and threw his arms around my feet, fell at my feet, begging God for mercy. I've seen others who were just very gently and easily and sweetly brought to the Lord Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now let me tell you something. Everyone has the same conversion experience. That is, everyone has to repent and believe. But not everyone has the same degree of experiences. How many of you were knocked down on the road like the Apostle Paul? Not one. Not one. It is not the degree of the experience that saves. It is Jesus Christ who saves. Our great grandbaby, my grandson's wife, was in labor 30 hours before she delivered that grandbaby. The longest Alice had ever been in labor was what? Eight hours. And it has been less than that, eight hours.

[John Weaver] Let me ask you a question. What if Virginia looked at Alice and said, you've never had a baby, you've never been in labor 30 hours. Really? Well, she's had four and Virginia's only had one. It is not the degree of the experience that counts, what counts is Is there a real baby born? Is there real life there? You may not get knocked down and tremble and shake. Like some sinners do.

[John Weaver] But you will certainly repent of your sin and believe in Jesus Christ like every sinner does if you're converted by the grace of God. I cannot stand here and say you have to have exactly my same experience or you're not saved. No, I can't do that. It's God who sovereignly determines the kind of wind and the power of that wind that blows upon us. That which you must see and that which you must know is, is there new life in your life? Is there life there that only God could give and only God can bring? And are you living obediently now and bringing your life into conformity to His Word. The wind is blowing. God has a people. God has a remnant. God has an elect. And yes, the wind will blow upon them, and God will save them. There is the wind of regeneration and restoration. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You that You have indeed regenerated us by Your grace, and You convicted us and converted us.

[John Weaver] And You deserve all honor, all praise, and all glory. Everything we are now, everything we ever will be, is only by Your grace and Your mercy. Give us grace, Lord, to give Thee the honor and the praise and to live for Thee. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask, Amen. Amen. This program was produced by Dominion Ministry. For more information about Pastor Weaver's sermons, you may contact Dominion Ministry by mail at 7400 Abracorn, that's A-B-E-R-C-O-R-N Street, Suite 705, PMB 175, Savannah, Georgia, 31406. or give us a call at 912-925-0995.

[John Weaver] You can also visit our website at www.dominionministry.com

Is The Wind Blowing - Part 3

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	68151447433
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications
Genre	Sermon
Date	2015-03-22
Dictation Name
Book	Book 100: Is The Wind Blowing — Chapter 3
Source Timed Segments	71

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and Review

Weaver reviews the previous two messages on the wind of trepidation and domination, and introduces the third message on the wind of regeneration from John 3:8.

John 3, verse 1:

Scripture Reading — John 3:1-8

"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." "The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?"

I'm certainly going to take the time this morning to briefly review the last two messages in this short series titled, "Is the Wind Blowing?" But let me just say this about John chapter 3. I certainly am not going to have the time to expound all of this passage today. If you look at verse 8, this is going to be the verse that I'm going to be concentrating on because it is in the theme of these three messages. The question is, is the wind blowing?

And our Lord says, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit." So the title of the message is "The Wind Blowing." And we've looked at the wind of trepidation, the wind of domination, and today we're going to be looking at the wind of regeneration. In the last two messages, I answered the question, "Is the wind blowing?" with "Yes, the wind is blowing. It's blowing somewhere all the time, and it may come as a refreshing breeze, a gale, or storm, or tornado." But I pointed out in each of the last two messages that God is absolutely sovereign and the wind is under the control of God. In fact, in each of the last two messages, I've quoted 2 Samuel 22, verse 11, where the Bible says about God that

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 22:11

He rode upon a cherub and did fly and He was seen upon the wings of the wind.

So in the first message we discussed the wind of trepidation, that is the wind of fear and horror.

Distinctions Between Regeneration and Conversion

Seven distinctions are given to clarify that regeneration is God's immediate act of imparting life, while conversion is the human response of repentance and faith enabled by the Spirit.

So what I want to do is this. I want to give you seven distinctions between regeneration and conversion. I preached the message not too long ago—well, I say not too long ago, several years back—and the title of the message was "Salvation Illustrated and Explained." I'm not going to re-preach that message, but I did give these seven distinctions, I believe, in that message, so I'm going to give them again in order to clear your thinking. And if this message then is not sufficient, I would encourage you to go back and listen to that message, "Salvation Illustrated and Explained."

So let me just try to give you the distinctions between regeneration and conversion. Here it is. Here we begin. Number one, regeneration is an immediate act of God in imparting the principle of life. Conversion is the act of man by the power of the indwelling Spirit in repenting and believing. So you have regeneration being the act of God, the immediate act of God, and then you have conversion being the act of man only in the power of the Holy Spirit in repenting and believing. Number two, regeneration is a single act of God and is never repeated in the life. Conversion is the beginning of a holy life and there are many conversion experiences throughout one's earthly pilgrimage.

The position of the believer in Jesus Christ, by virtue of regeneration, cannot be increased nor can it be decreased. However, the condition of the Christian life will always vary according to one's conversions. And you remember our Lord said to Peter, who was already saved, already an apostle, He said in Luke 22, "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have thee that he may sift thee as wheat, but I prayed for thee, and when thou art converted..." Ah, so there's another conversion experience. Simon was already saved, already an apostle. So there are many conversion experiences, but only regeneration is a one-time act. Number three, regeneration is not in itself an experience. Regeneration is not in itself an experience. Conversion is a series of Christian experiences. Now listen carefully. Because in John chapter 3, our Lord is comparing a spiritual birth with a physical birth. But as there is no consciousness at the time of conception in the womb, so regeneration is not a matter of consciousness in its recipient.

You are not conscious that you're regenerated any more than you were conscious that you were conceived. A person knows nothing of his original life or his original regeneration, just like you know nothing of your original conception. Conversion, however, is an awareness of what is taking place. Therefore, it is experiential repentance and faith or experiences known to the regenerated individual. Fourthly, regeneration is the cause of an individual turning to the Lord. Conversion is the regenerate person actually turning to the Lord. God does not repent for man, but He enables man to repent and to believe. Number five, regeneration is the Lord opening the heart. Conversion is that person whose heart has been opened, turning to Jesus Christ in faith and obedience. Number six, regeneration is a once-for-all cleansing, while conversion is a continuation of renewal which was begun at regeneration. And here's the seventh distinction. In regeneration, we have God's power, that is, the power of the indwelling Spirit. In conversion, the power is not of us, but in us by God's sovereign choice.

An understanding of this fact will erase all pride and all boasting from preachers and other Christians regarding their successes in winning people to Christ. What did the Apostle Paul say in 1 Corinthians 3, verses 6 and 7? Listen to this. He said, "I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then, neither is he that planteth anything, or he that watereth, but God who giveth the increase."

Regeneration is at the Sovereign Pleasure of God

As the wind blows where it pleases, God regenerates whom He pleases, demonstrating His sovereign will in salvation.

He spoke and it came into being. And certainly there can be no resurrection apart from the supernatural power of God, which is outside of man. There is no man, no man that has ever conceived himself or created himself or raised himself from the dead. Each of these illustrations demonstrate there must be, must be an outside supernatural power. So I want you to look in John 3 in verse 8. That's the verse I want to deal with today. So look in verse 8.

Our Lord says, talking about regeneration, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth. And thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is everyone that is born of the Spirit." Now I want to give you three thoughts on the wind of regeneration. First of all, regeneration is at the sovereign pleasure of God. Regeneration is at the sovereign pleasure of God. The Bible says "the wind bloweth whither it listeth." Now the word for wind is the Greek word pneuma. That is the same word that is used of spirit. Hagios pneumatos, the Holy Spirit. Pneuma, that's where we get our word pneumatic from. Pneumonia. It deals with air, it deals with wind, it deals with spirit. So He says "the wind bloweth where it listeth." And the Greek word for wind, pneuma, is exactly the same word for spirit. It is a word that is used in relation to the Holy Spirit.

Now, let me explain the significance of this truth. In order to understand this, you have to understand the difference between the ontological Trinity and the economical Trinity. Okay? The ontological Trinity is from the Greek word ontos, which just simply means "being." If you talk about the ontological Trinity, all you're talking about is the logical order of being: Father, Son, Holy Ghost. That's all the ontological Trinity is. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. So the Father divinely begets the Son, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. That's all the ontological Trinity is. The economical Trinity is how God moves, or how God works. When you read your Bible, you will find that everything is out of the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. Everything is out of the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. That is the economical Trinity. That's how God moves. That's how God works.

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:18

Now, we see the reverse of this. In Ephesians 2, verse 18, now listen to what I'm going to read to you. Ephesians 2, verse 18: "For through Him," that is Jesus Christ, "we both have access in one Spirit unto the Father." So everything comes to us from the Father through the Son in the Spirit. Now we go back to the Father in the Spirit through the Son. Okay? That's the economical Trinity. In regards to the doctrine of soteriology, which is nothing but the doctrine of salvation, we see the economical Trinity very clearly. For instance, salvation originated with the Father. It was accomplished by the Son, and it's applied by the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is read Ephesians chapter 1, verses 1 through 14, which sometime in the not too distant future, I'm going to be preaching on, but you will see there the work of the Father, the work of the Son and the work of the Holy Spirit. So that passage illustrates this truth very clearly.

Now, I want to submit to you today that one of the reasons that our Lord uses the metaphor of wind is to demonstrate His sovereign pleasure in regeneration. The wind is not only inexplicable, it is also uncontrollable. There's not one individual alive on the earth today that can cause the wind to start or to cause the wind to cease. No one except the sovereign God of heaven and earth. The wind blows or it does not blow at His pleasure. I read to you, I know, in the first message, Job 37, verses 9-13, I want to read it again. I want you to listen. Here's what it says.

"Out of the south cometh a whirlwind, and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given, and the breadth of the waters is straitened. Also by watering He, God, wearieth the thick cloud, He scattereth the bright cloud. It is turned about by His counsels that they may do whatsoever He commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth." So the whirlwind, all weather, is controlled by the counsels of God. It comes at His pleasure. So as the wind then blows where it pleases and how it pleases, likewise, God regenerates whomever He pleases. Do you understand that no one can demand to be regenerated? One may seek it, one may cry for it, one may ask for it, but it is still within the prerogative of the sovereign to grant it at His pleasure. You know what we were told in James 1 in verse 18? Now listen to this.

"Of His own will begat He us." Of His own will begat He us. Now, since we're in the book of John, I want you to turn to John chapter 5. And look very quickly at verses 21 and 23. And I want to show you the importance of this in just a moment. Look at John 5, verse 21. Here's what the Scripture says:

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them."

Did you hear that?

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will."

Why?

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."

Why? Here's why:

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"that all men should honour the Son even as,"

or equally as,

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."

Now, go back if you would please to verse 21.

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will."

Really? Do you understand what has just happened prior to these verses? If you were to read John chapter 5, verse 1, right on down through verse 19, you will find that our Lord walked into the porch of Bethesda, Solomon's porch there at Bethesda, wherein a great multitude of impotent and lame folks lay, waiting for the moving of the water.

And our Lord walked through all of these sick people, and He got to one lame man who had laid there for 38 years. And He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" The man said, "I have no man to help me when the waters trouble to put me in, but while I'm coming, someone else steps in and is healed." Our Lord said, "Rise and walk." Let me ask you a question. Did not all of those sick people need healing? Could our Lord not have healed every one of them instantaneously? Yes. Why did He single out one man and just heal that one man out of all of those who needed it? Well, here's why.

Verse 21: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will." In other words, it is His sovereign pleasure that proves that He is God. Only God does as He pleases. Now, if you understand the economical Trinity, which I've just explained to you, then you're going to understand that the Holy Spirit is the agent in regeneration. I told you earlier, salvation originated with the Father. It was accomplished by the Son, and it is applied by the Holy Spirit. Let me just quote some verses. Titus 3 in verse 5. Listen to this:

Scripture Reading — Titus 3:5

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Romans 5 in verse 5: "And hope maketh not ashamed, for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 14, verse 17: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." Wow. You know what the Apostle Paul told those Thessalonian Christians? In 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 5 and 6, he said this: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance."

"And you know what manner of men we were among you for your sakes, and you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost." Note it came with the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 3: "Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed, and that no man can say that Jesus Christ is Lord but by the Holy Ghost." So it's the Holy Spirit that regenerates. It's the Holy Spirit that authenticates. It's the Holy Spirit that enables us to say that Jesus Christ is Lord. And in Ephesians 1 and verse 13, he said, "In whom also ye trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

Now, let me put it to you like this. No one has ever been, no one can be, and no one will ever be regenerated apart from the sovereign work of God, the Holy Spirit. In fact, if you do not possess the Holy Spirit, if He does not indwell you, you're not saved. Paul says this truth very bluntly in Romans 8 and verse 9. He said to those Roman Christians, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Wow. So if you are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit, have you not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit? If you have not been sealed by the Holy Spirit, you do not belong to Jesus Christ.

Now let me ask you a few questions. Why did God create the world? Why did God create you?

Let me ask you another way. Why did God save you? You have family members that are lost. You have friends that are lost. Why did God create the world? Why did God create you and why did God save you? Let me answer it. I'll answer it from Scripture, and here's the answer. The world was created, you were created and you were saved only because of the sovereign pleasure of God. In Revelation 4 and verse 11, the Scripture says this: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power, for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." Isn't that amazing? For Thy pleasure they are and were created. You know what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, and I love this verse. Paul asked the Corinthians, "For who maketh thee to differ one from another?" Who makes you to differ? Why is it you want to hear the Word of God when multitudes do not want to hear the Word of God?

Why is it you will read and study when nobody else will read and study? Who maketh thee to differ one from another? Listen to what else he said. "What hast thou that thou didst not receive? And if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory or boast as thou hadst not received it?" What's he saying? Everything that you are, everything that you have, God gave you. Regeneration is by the sovereign pleasure of God. Secondly, today, regeneration is by the sovereign purpose of God.

Regeneration is by the Sovereign Purpose of God

Though the wind's origin and destination are mysterious, its effects are seen; similarly, God's saving purposes are intentional and eternal, even when not fully understood.

When you go back to John 3 and verse 8, when he says, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth," the word "listeth" there literally means "pleases." So there's the sovereign pleasure of God. The wind bloweth whither it pleases or listeth. Now, here's the sovereign purpose of God. He says, "And thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth." You know, we oftentimes think that there is no purpose for the wind. In fact, I have. And so has Alice. Raked leaves into neat little piles for burning. And then the wind comes along and unrakes them. That may not be a word, but that's exactly what the wind does. It just scatters them everywhere. Why does the wind blow wherever it desires and whenever it desires? Now just stop. Think about this. July and August, we would appreciate the wind on these dry, hot days. But isn't it amazing, in the winter, when it's cold and wet, we complain about the wind blowing. And I've often said it would not be cold if the wind was not blowing. Have you ever wondered, why does the wind blow the way it does?

Seemingly, there's no purpose in it. But in reality, there is. We do not understand why God saves who He saves. Stop and think about that. We do not understand why God saves whom He saves. Why did God save you? Why did God have mercy upon you? Do you know if there was a poll taken in the first century of the man most likely to be damned, Saul of Tarsus would have won that poll hands down.

In fact, Paul himself said in 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 13, but before his conversion, he was a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious. He hailed and hauled men and women off to prison. Christians threw them in dungeons just because they were Christians. Let me ask you a question. Why is Asia in darkness today? Did you know God sovereignly purposed not to allow the gospel to be preached in Asia? What? Yeah, look in your Bibles, Acts chapter 16. Acts chapter 16. And let's begin reading there with verse 6, Acts 16 and verse 6. You want to know why there are very few Christians in Asia. There are some, yes, but very few. You have all these various religions and sects and cults and all these things over in Asia today. Look in Acts chapter 16, if you would, beginning there with verse 6. The Bible is speaking about Paul and his company there. "Now, when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia," the Holy Spirit said, "Don't go to Asia." Watch.

"And when they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not. And they, passing by Mysia, came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." Do you know the gospel came west and not east? Why? That's the way God pleased it. Let me just show you. God not only pleased, God purposed it like that. I want you to stop and think of the great revivals under Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. Have you ever read of the great revival in Wales? Here's a question. Why has God not sent such revivals in this century and in our country? Oh yeah, many have sought them. They've asked for them. They prayed for God's mercies and God's miracles, and yet they have not happened on the scale that they happened in the previous century or in other countries. Many have claimed such revivals were happening in present, but I would ask this question, where are the effects and the results of those revivals? Now, listen carefully. I may not know where the wind of God originates. And I may not know where it terminates. However, I can see God's wind and its effects upon flowers, herbs, trees, men and even buildings. I don't have to know the origination of the wind. Don't have to know the termination of the wind, but I can see its effects and God's workings are just as mysterious in their operations as they are sovereign in their originations.

And just like we can see the effects of the wind on the trees and the flowers, we can also see the effects of God's regenerating wind in the lives of men and women and its effects upon societies, states, and even nations. Now, I want you to listen to me. I said that regeneration is by God's sovereign pleasure. Now, I'm telling you that regeneration is by God's sovereign purpose. God does not save anybody by accident. He saves them on purpose. God does not send revivals by accident. He sends them on purpose. Everything that God does, He does on purpose. You say, well, what is God's purpose? I can tell you. Ephesians 3 and verse 11 says, "According to His eternal purpose, which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." So whatever God purposed in eternity past, before the world ever came into existence, before you were ever born, before I was ever born, whatever He purposed in Jesus Christ, that is His purpose. It is an eternal purpose. And God does things not only by His divine pleasure, but by His divine purpose as well. Thirdly, regeneration is by the sovereign power of God. Look at verse 8 again in John chapter 3. He says, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth," or whither it pleases. There's a sovereign pleasure of God.

Regeneration is by the Sovereign Power of God

Just as physical birth is a mystery of God's power, spiritual birth is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by a changed life.

And now here's "the sound thereof, and canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth." There's a sovereign purpose of God. Now, here's the sovereign power of God. "So is everyone that is born of the Spirit." So is everyone that is born of the Spirit, just as the wind blows at God's pleasure and purpose, it also blows according to His power. The comparison is pointed out in the word "so," S-O. The first point of analogy is found in the word "where it listeth" or "pleaseth." The second is found in the words "canst not tell." The wind bloweth whither it pleaseth. And then He said, "So is every one that is born of the Spirit." Let me give you a quote by Arthur W. Pink. He's quoting, giving this comment on verse 8, and he says this: He says, "God has thrown an impenetrable veil over the beginnings and processes of life. That we live, we know, and how we live, we cannot tell. Life is evident to the consciousness and manifest to the senses, but it is profoundly mysterious in its operations. It is so with the new life born of the Spirit. To sum up the teaching of this verse, the wind bloweth—there is the fact. Thou hearest the sound thereof—there is the evidence of the fact. But knowest not whence—there is the mystery behind the fact. The one born again knows that he has a new life and enjoys the evidences of it, but how the Holy Spirit operates upon the soul, subdues his will, creates the new life within us, belongs to the deep things of God." In other words, we just don't know those things. The one thing we do know is that the one who is regenerated is regenerated by the power of God alone.

Do you understand that just as physical life and physical birth are accomplished by the power of God, so is spiritual life and spiritual birth. Let me show you. I want you to hold John 3, but turn very quickly in your Bibles to Psalm 139. Psalm 139. Look what David said in verses 13 through 16. Psalm 139, beginning there with verse 13. David says to God, "For Thou hast possessed my reins, Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvellous are Thy works that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." So David said, when I was conceived and how I grew, I wasn't hid from Thee. Watch verse 16.

"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." So David said, I don't understand how I was conceived. I don't understand how I grew in the womb. And yet, Lord, You knew everything. You are the one that has done this. Let me ask you a question.

When were you born physically? Now, I know you can give me a date, you can give me a day and a time. But here's my question. How do you really know you were born then? You don't. You know, my mother told me I was born September the 3rd. Interestingly, on my birth certificate, it says September the 2nd. Beats me. I would think my mother would know more than the doctor, but I'm just simply pointing out the fact you don't really know when you were born even physically. You know when you were told that you were born. You don't remember even though you were a full term baby. You still don't remember when you were born. You don't remember when you were conceived. You don't remember life in the womb. But yet, I can tell you exactly when you were born physically, and I can tell you exactly when you were born spiritually. How can I tell you that?

By quoting what the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1, verses 15 and 16. Now, I want you to listen. Here's what Paul said. "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen. Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." When was Paul separated from his mother's womb? When it pleased God. When did God call him by His grace? When it pleased God.

Alice and I had some dear friends. Both are now dead. We called them Papa and Mama Marsh. We were not related. But Papa, before his conversion, was a drunk. He drank more alcohol than you can shake a stick at. And God saved him probably in his 50s. He died about 75, 76, something like that. He played a saxophone, played it beautifully. Some of you may have heard him. But he would come up to me and he would say, "Oh, I wish I had heard the gospel as a young man, I wish I had been saved earlier." One of his favorite songs that he always played was "Wasted Years, Wasted Years. Oh, how foolish."

And he just regretted throwing away his life. And I looked at him one day and I said, "Papa. If you had heard the gospel when you were a teenager, you wouldn't have listened. If you had heard the truth when you were 20 and 30 and 40, you wouldn't have listened. I'll tell you when you were saved. When it pleased God to call you by His grace. And that's when you were saved. That's when I was saved." Let me just try to sum everything up. I've got some applications, but let me try to sum this up. Let me give you one good illustration.

That I hope will forever distinguish in your mind the difference between regeneration and conversion. If you can remember this illustration, you will never, ever confuse regeneration and conversion again. OK, here it is. John chapter 11. You don't have to turn there. John chapter 11. Lazarus died, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus. And our Lord tarried. He did not come immediately. Four days later, He shows up on the scene. And both Mary and Martha said, "Lord, had You been here, my brother would not have died." Our Lord said, "I am the resurrection and the life."

"He that believeth in Me, yet shall he live." I like the way Lester Roloff used to say this, he said, "The resurrection just walked into town." And that's true. And our Lord said, "Take Me to him." And Martha said, "Lord, by this time, he stinketh, for he's been dead four days." Jesus had said, "Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest believe, thou wouldest see the power of God?" And what did our Lord do? Our Lord said, "Lazarus, come forth." And the Scripture says, "He that was bound with grave clothes came forth." And here's my question. I want you to answer this. Did God give Lazarus life inside that tomb, which enabled him to get up and walk out? Or did God only give him life after he got up and walked out? What's the answer? If God had not given him life inside that tomb, he would have never gotten up and walked out. What is regeneration? Listen carefully. Regeneration is the implantation of life into man by God. What is conversion? Conversion is the fruit and the evidence of that life coming into fruition. God regenerated, God restored Lazarus in that tomb and when he got up and walked out, that was pictorial of conversion. God had given him life in that tomb and his walking out was evidence that God had given him that life.

Illustration of Lazarus

Lazarus being given life in the tomb before coming forth illustrates regeneration (life imparted) preceding conversion (walking out as evidence).

Applications

Listeners are urged to examine their lives for evidence of God's regenerating power, trust in God's ability to save the hardest sinners, and recognize that conversion experiences vary but all involve repentance and faith.

The first one is this. Listen carefully. Is there anything in your life that is only there because of the absolute power of God? In other words, I'm asking you, are you different? That's what Paul asked. "Who made thee to differ one from another?" If you are different, why are you different? The proper evidence of regeneration is conversion. It is a breaking forth from death unto life. And a life that is going to be lived for God's honor and God's glory.

The second application is this. God has power over the most hardened sinner to change him. Just like God has power over the loftiest oak to bring it down with a sweeping blast. I remember years ago, there were some huge oak trees on the edge of a field. And I used to sit in those trees as I would hunt deer. And some of those trees, oh, I would say, I don't know, six, eight feet in diameter, huge oak trees. A tornado came through. The field was planted in soybeans, and the soybean plants were just about this high.

Two of those humongous oaks were laid over, their roots sticking up. And all those little, tender, flexible soybean plants were still standing. God just broke down the giant oak, left the little, measly soybeans standing in the field. Let me tell you, the Sauls of Tarsus of this world will fall easily by the power of God. There is no sinner that is too big and too mean and too bad that God cannot save. God can save anybody. God is omnipotent. God is all powerful.

One man that I knew, he's now dead, was a Mafia member. God not only saved him, He called him to preach. There were contracts out on his life, even as he was preaching because he left the Mafia. He was a tremendous, powerful preacher. All I'm trying to say is this. God is all powerful. I don't care how bad we think our children are or our neighbors or our friends or how mean we think someone is or how wicked or how vile, God is still able to save.

And here's the third application. God determines the kind of wind or the operations of the Spirit upon a sinner. I have actually seen in my ministry, I've actually seen men and women tremble and fall. They were so under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, they trembled and fell. One man I remember crying out in the middle of the church, screaming, "I'm lost, I'm lost," and he ran forward and threw his arms around my feet, fell at my feet, begging God for mercy. I've seen others who were just very gently and easily and sweetly brought to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now let me tell you something. Everyone has the same conversion experience. That is, everyone has to repent and believe. But not everyone has the same degree of experiences. How many of you were knocked down on the road like the Apostle Paul? Not one. Not one. It is not the degree of the experience that saves. It is Jesus Christ who saves. Our great grandbaby, my grandson's wife, was in labor 30 hours before she delivered that grandbaby. The longest Alice had ever been in labor was what? Eight hours. And it has been less than that, eight hours.

Let me ask you a question. What if Virginia looked at Alice and said, "You've never had a baby, you've never been in labor 30 hours." Really? Well, she's had four and Virginia's only had one. It is not the degree of the experience that counts, what counts is, is there a real baby born? Is there real life there? You may not get knocked down and tremble and shake like some sinners do.

But you will certainly repent of your sin and believe in Jesus Christ like every sinner does if you're converted by the grace of God. I cannot stand here and say you have to have exactly my same experience or you're not saved. No, I can't do that. It's God who sovereignly determines the kind of wind and the power of that wind that blows upon us. That which you must see and that which you must know is, is there new life in your life? Is there life there that only God could give and only God can bring? And are you living obediently now and bringing your life into conformity to His Word. The wind is blowing. God has a people. God has a remnant. God has an elect. And yes, the wind will blow upon them, and God will save them. There is the wind of regeneration and restoration. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You that You have indeed regenerated us by Your grace, and You convicted us and converted us.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Sovereignty of God in Regeneration

Summary: Regeneration is entirely a work of God's sovereign pleasure, purpose, and power, not dependent on human will or effort.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Regeneration is at the sovereign pleasure of God... The wind bloweth whither it listeth... God regenerates whomever He pleases.'

Distinction Between Regeneration and Conversion

Summary: Regeneration is the cause (God imparting life), and conversion is the effect (man repenting and believing); they are not the same.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Regeneration is the cause and conversion is the effect... Regeneration is the root and conversion is the fruit.'

Mystery of the Spirit's Work

Summary: The Holy Spirit's work in regeneration is mysterious and uncontrollable, like the wind, yet its effects are observable.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'The wind is not only inexplicable, it is also uncontrollable... we can see its effects.'

Necessity of Divine Intervention

Summary: Salvation requires an outside supernatural power; no one can birth, create, or resurrect themselves spiritually.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'There can be no birth apart from the begetting of the Father... no resurrection apart from the supernatural power of God.'

Evidence of Regeneration in a Changed Life

Summary: True regeneration results in conversion—a life of repentance, faith, and obedience—as evidence of new life.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Is there new life in your life? ... Are you living obediently now?'

Key Arguments

Regeneration is God's act, not man's experience

Summary: Regeneration is an immediate, unconscious act of God imparting life, not an experiential event; conversion is the conscious experience.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Regeneration is not in itself an experience... you are not conscious that you're regenerated any more than you were conscious that you were conceived.'

God's sovereignty in salvation eliminates boasting

Summary: Because regeneration is God's work, no one can boast in their salvation or in winning others to Christ.

Evidence: Weaver quotes 1 Corinthians 4:7: 'Who maketh thee to differ... what hast thou that thou didst not receive?'

The wind metaphor illustrates sovereignty and mystery

Summary: Jesus used the wind to teach that the Spirit's work is sovereign (blows where it pleases) and mysterious (cannot tell its origin or destination).

Evidence: Weaver says, 'The wind bloweth whither it listeth... thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth.'

Salvation is by God's eternal purpose

Summary: God saves individuals and sends revivals according to His eternal purpose, not by accident.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'God does not save anybody by accident. He saves them on purpose... According to His eternal purpose.'

The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration

Summary: The Holy Spirit applies salvation, enabling repentance and faith, and indwelling believers as proof of their salvation.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'No one has ever been... regenerated apart from the sovereign work of God, the Holy Spirit.'

Scripture References

John 3:1-8

Context: The primary passage for the sermon, focusing on Jesus' teaching to Nicodemus about being born again and the wind metaphor.

2 Samuel 22:11

Context: Quoted to show God's sovereignty over the wind: 'He rode upon a cherub and did fly and He was seen upon the wings of the wind.'

Isaiah 7:2

Context: Referenced in the review of the first message: the hearts of Ahaz and Judah were moved as trees by the wind.

Isaiah 51:1

Context: Mentioned in review: God brings the wind of destruction upon Babylon.

Ezekiel 37

Context: The wind of domination from the second message, illustrating God's victory and raising of a mighty army.

1 Corinthians 15:57

Context: Quoted: 'But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.'

Proverbs 11:31

Context: Cited to show the righteous will be recompensed in the earth.

Revelation 17:14

Context: Quoted to show Christ's victory: 'The Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings.'

Revelation 19:11-16

Context: Describes Christ on a white horse, leading armies, and ruling with a rod of iron.

Luke 22:31-32

Context: Jesus tells Peter, 'when thou art converted,' showing conversion can occur multiple times in a believer's life.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

Context: Paul says, 'I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase,' emphasizing God's role in salvation.

2 Corinthians 4:6; 5:17

Context: Mentioned as one of three New Testament illustrations of salvation: creation.

Ephesians 2:1

Context: Illustration of salvation as resurrection: 'And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.'

Ephesians 2:18

Context: Explains the economical Trinity: access to the Father through Christ in one Spirit.

Job 37:9-13

Context: Read to show God's control over weather and wind by His counsels.

James 1:18

Context: 'Of His own will begat He us,' emphasizing God's sovereign will in regeneration.

John 5:21-23

Context: Jesus quickens whom He will, demonstrating His sovereign pleasure in giving life.

Titus 3:5

Context: Salvation by 'washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.'

Romans 5:5

Context: The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:17

Context: The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Historical References

Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield revivals

Context: Mentioned as examples of great revivals in history, contrasting with the lack of such revivals in the present century.

Great revival in Wales

Context: Referenced as a historical revival, questioning why God has not sent similar revivals in the current era.

Lester Roloff

Context: Quoted for his saying, 'The resurrection just walked into town,' regarding Jesus raising Lazarus.

Mafia member turned preacher

Context: A personal anecdote of a former Mafia member whom God saved and called to preach, illustrating God's power to save anyone.

Important Quotes

The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Significance: The key verse for the sermon, used to illustrate the sovereign, mysterious work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration.

Regeneration is the cause and conversion is the effect.

Significance: A concise summary of the central distinction Weaver makes between God's work and man's response.

Regeneration is not in itself an experience.

Significance: Highlights that regeneration is an unconscious act of God, not a felt experience.

Of His own will begat He us.

Significance: Quoted to emphasize God's sovereign will in regeneration.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will.

Significance: Demonstrates Christ's sovereign authority to give spiritual life to whomever He chooses.

Who maketh thee to differ one from another?

Significance: A rhetorical question from Paul used to humble believers and attribute all difference to God's grace.

God does not save anybody by accident. He saves them on purpose.

Significance: Emphasizes the intentional, purposeful nature of God's saving work.

Discussion Questions

How does understanding the distinction between regeneration and conversion affect the way you view your own salvation testimony?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that regeneration is God's unconscious act, while conversion is the conscious response.

In what ways does the metaphor of the wind help you trust God's sovereignty in salvation, especially when you don't see immediate results?

Context: The wind is uncontrollable and mysterious, yet its effects are seen; similarly, the Spirit's work may be hidden but is effective.

Why is it important to recognize that no one can boast in their salvation or in leading others to Christ?

Context: Weaver argues that regeneration is entirely God's work, eliminating human boasting.

How should the truth that God saves 'whom He will' impact our prayers for lost loved ones?

Context: Weaver uses John 5:21 to show Christ quickens whom He will, yet encourages seeking God's mercy.

What evidence of regeneration (new life) should we look for in our own lives and in others?

Context: Weaver asks, 'Is there new life in your life?' and points to repentance, faith, and obedience as evidence.

How can we avoid judging someone's salvation based on the intensity of their conversion experience?

Context: Weaver notes that experiences vary (e.g., Paul's dramatic conversion vs. others), but all involve repentance and faith.

Applications

Examine your life for evidence of regeneration

Summary: Ask whether there is anything in your life that can only be explained by God's power, indicating a true spiritual birth.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Is there anything in your life that is only there because of the absolute power of God? ... Are you different?'

Trust God's power to save the hardest sinners

Summary: No sinner is beyond God's saving power; He can break the most hardened heart like a tornado fells a giant oak.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'God has power over the most hardened sinner to change him... There is no sinner that is too big and too mean and too bad that God cannot save.'

Recognize the variety of conversion experiences

Summary: Do not demand a particular emotional experience for assurance; the essential elements are repentance and faith in Christ.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'It is not the degree of the experience that saves. It is Jesus Christ who saves.'

Live obediently as evidence of new life

Summary: True regeneration will produce a life of conformity to God's Word, demonstrating the reality of the new birth.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Are you living obediently now and bringing your life into conformity to His Word?'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T18:28:20Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T11:01:12Z

Clean Transcript

Is The Wind Blowing - Part 3

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

John 3, verse 1: "There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
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"The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?"
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I'm certainly going to take the time this morning to briefly review the last two messages in this short series titled, "Is the Wind Blowing?" But let me just say this about John chapter 3. I certainly am not going to have the time to expound all of this passage today. If you look at verse 8, this is going to be the verse that I'm going to be concentrating on because it is in the theme of these three messages. The question is, is the wind blowing?
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And our Lord says, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit." So the title of the message is "The Wind Blowing." And we've looked at the wind of trepidation, the wind of domination, and today we're going to be looking at the wind of regeneration. In the last two messages, I answered the question, "Is the wind blowing?" with "Yes, the wind is blowing. It's blowing somewhere all the time, and it may come as a refreshing breeze, a gale, or storm, or tornado." But I pointed out in each of the last two messages that God is absolutely sovereign and the wind is under the control of God. In fact, in each of the last two messages, I've quoted 2 Samuel 22, verse 11, where the Bible says about God that He rode upon a cherub and did fly and He was seen upon the wings of the wind. So in the first message we discussed the wind of trepidation, that is the wind of fear and horror.
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We looked at Isaiah chapter 7 and we saw that the heart of King Ahaz and the hearts of the people of Judah and Jerusalem were moved as the trees of the wood are moved by the wind. And of course that was because of the invasion, or at least planned invasion, by Israel and by Syria. And of course, they were planning on totally, absolutely overthrowing the line of David and establishing there a puppet king as well.
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And I pointed out that there is certainly a time to fear and there's a time not to fear. And I also pointed out that we're to fear God and not man. And interestingly, in Isaiah 51 and verse 1, God is talking about Babylon, and the inhabitants of Babylon, and He talks about bringing upon them the wind of destruction. So very obviously, when God sends that wind of fear and that wind of destruction, it's certainly time to be afraid. So there is the wind of trepidation. And secondly, I talked in the second message about the wind of domination as it is found in the book of Ezekiel chapter 37. And I tried to demonstrate in that passage and in that message that our Lord is going to be absolutely victorious in every way and therefore that we His people shall be victorious in Him. The Apostle Paul said it very plainly in 1 Corinthians 15 and verse 57 when he says, "But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
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So our Lord does indeed give us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. So we look for our Lord to make us victorious in time and history as well as eternity. In Proverbs 11 and verse 31, the Word of God says, "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner." So if God is going to pay back the wicked and the sinner in time and history, obviously He's going to give victory in time and history to His people as well. And the whole gist of the message last week was this: that our God is going to raise a mighty army and give us victory even if He has to raise the dead. And of course He did raise the dead in the Lord Jesus Christ. And although I did not mention these verses last week, I would hope that your mind went to the book of Revelation and you remembered several passages there on the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ. For instance, in Revelation 17 and verse 14, the Bible says, "And these, that is His enemies, these shall make war with the Lamb."
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"And the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and they that are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." And when you get to Revelation 19, verses 11-16, the Apostle John writes this: "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness doth he judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns."
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"And he had a name written that no man knew but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God."
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Now listen, "...and the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, and with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron. And he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God, and he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords." So obviously Jesus Christ is indeed the victor.
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And to Him will go all honor, praise, and glory. Now today I want to come to the third point in our message. What I ask is, "Is the wind blowing?" And of course it is blowing. And today we're going to look at the wind of regeneration. And we're going to see of course that regeneration is an act of the sovereign God. So I call your attention again to verse 8.
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Our Lord said to Nicodemus, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit." Now, I want you to note, initially in verse 3, our Lord had said to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Now, you have to remember that Nicodemus was a ruler in Israel and supposedly a very learned, erudite and educated man. But he did not understand what our Lord was saying. So in verse 4, he asked him, "How can this be? Can a man enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
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And then our Lord just simply repeats in verses 5 through 7 that which He's already said. He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Then He makes a distinction. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, You must be born again."
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Now, in order to grasp really and truly the difficulty that Nicodemus perceived, you have to understand the Greek word anothen. When our Lord said in verse 3, "You must be born again," and when He said in verse 7, "You must be born again," the little Greek word anothen literally means "from above." You must be born from above. It's exactly what our Lord was telling Nicodemus. So Nicodemus was very confused and he was equating a second birth with a physical birth. So very obviously, those two are not the same thing. Because our Lord has already said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit," in John chapter 3.
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Now, let me tell you the problem that most people have in understanding the doctrine of regeneration. Here's the problem. Most people confuse regeneration and conversion. Regeneration and conversion are not the same thing. Conversion is the fruit of regeneration. Let me say it another way. Regeneration is the cause and conversion is the effect. I'll say it another way. Regeneration is the root and conversion is the fruit. So the problem most people have in understanding regeneration and conversion is they confuse these two things.
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So what I want to do is this. I want to give you seven distinctions between regeneration and conversion. I preached the message not too long ago—well, I say not too long ago, several years back—and the title of the message was "Salvation Illustrated and Explained." I'm not going to re-preach that message, but I did give these seven distinctions, I believe, in that message, so I'm going to give them again in order to clear your thinking. And if this message then is not sufficient, I would encourage you to go back and listen to that message, "Salvation Illustrated and Explained."
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So let me just try to give you the distinctions between regeneration and conversion. Here it is. Here we begin. Number one, regeneration is an immediate act of God in imparting the principle of life. Conversion is the act of man by the power of the indwelling Spirit in repenting and believing. So you have regeneration being the act of God, the immediate act of God, and then you have conversion being the act of man only in the power of the Holy Spirit in repenting and believing. Number two, regeneration is a single act of God and is never repeated in the life. Conversion is the beginning of a holy life and there are many conversion experiences throughout one's earthly pilgrimage.
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The position of the believer in Jesus Christ, by virtue of regeneration, cannot be increased nor can it be decreased. However, the condition of the Christian life will always vary according to one's conversions. And you remember our Lord said to Peter, who was already saved, already an apostle, He said in Luke 22, "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have thee that he may sift thee as wheat, but I prayed for thee, and when thou art converted..."
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Ah, so there's another conversion experience. Simon was already saved, already an apostle. So there are many conversion experiences, but only regeneration is a one-time act. Number three, regeneration is not in itself an experience. Regeneration is not in itself an experience. Conversion is a series of Christian experiences. Now listen carefully. Because in John chapter 3, our Lord is comparing a spiritual birth with a physical birth. But as there is no consciousness at the time of conception in the womb, so regeneration is not a matter of consciousness in its recipient.
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You are not conscious that you're regenerated any more than you were conscious that you were conceived. A person knows nothing of his original life or his original regeneration, just like you know nothing of your original conception. Conversion, however, is an awareness of what is taking place. Therefore, it is experiential repentance and faith or experiences known to the regenerated individual. Fourthly, regeneration is the cause of an individual turning to the Lord. Conversion is the regenerate person actually turning to the Lord.
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God does not repent for man, but He enables man to repent and to believe. Number five, regeneration is the Lord opening the heart. Conversion is that person whose heart has been opened, turning to Jesus Christ in faith and obedience. Number six, regeneration is a once-for-all cleansing, while conversion is a continuation of renewal which was begun at regeneration. And here's the seventh distinction. In regeneration, we have God's power, that is, the power of the indwelling Spirit. In conversion, the power is not of us, but in us by God's sovereign choice.
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An understanding of this fact will erase all pride and all boasting from preachers and other Christians regarding their successes in winning people to Christ. What did the Apostle Paul say in 1 Corinthians 3, verses 6 and 7? Listen to this. He said, "I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then, neither is he that planteth anything, or he that watereth, but God who giveth the increase."
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Now, there's an important principle that you need to remember at this juncture. Here it is. Regeneration is the implantation of divine life into the soul by an immediate act of God. God is the only one who can give life. Conversion is the evidence and the exercise of that life being implanted in us by God. So regeneration and conversion are not the same thing. So here's a question.
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How do we explain these things? Well, I have told you in times past, whether you remember it or not, I do not know, but I told you that there are only three main illustrations of salvation in the Bible. Only three in the New Testament. Only three. The first illustration is that of birth, which we find in John chapter 3. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, you must be born from above." The second illustration of salvation is that of creation in 2 Corinthians 4 and verse 6 and 5 verse 17. The third illustration of salvation is that of resurrection in Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 1, "And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins." Now, I want you to understand that each of these three illustrations demonstrate the absolute necessity of divine intervention. There can be no birth apart from the begetting of the Father. There can be no creation unless God speaks the word. And in fact, that's what the Bible says in Psalm 33.
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He spoke and it came into being. And certainly there can be no resurrection apart from the supernatural power of God, which is outside of man. There is no man, no man that has ever conceived himself or created himself or raised himself from the dead. Each of these illustrations demonstrate there must be, must be an outside supernatural power. So I want you to look in John 3 in verse 8. That's the verse I want to deal with today. So look in verse 8.
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Our Lord says, talking about regeneration, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth. And thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is everyone that is born of the Spirit." Now I want to give you three thoughts on the wind of regeneration. First of all, regeneration is at the sovereign pleasure of God. Regeneration is at the sovereign pleasure of God. The Bible says "the wind bloweth whither it listeth." Now the word for wind is the Greek word pneuma. That is the same word that is used of spirit. Hagios pneumatos, the Holy Spirit. Pneuma, that's where we get our word pneumatic from. Pneumonia. It deals with air, it deals with wind, it deals with spirit. So He says "the wind bloweth where it listeth." And the Greek word for wind, pneuma, is exactly the same word for spirit. It is a word that is used in relation to the Holy Spirit.
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Now, let me explain the significance of this truth. In order to understand this, you have to understand the difference between the ontological Trinity and the economical Trinity. Okay? The ontological Trinity is from the Greek word ontos, which just simply means "being." If you talk about the ontological Trinity, all you're talking about is the logical order of being: Father, Son, Holy Ghost. That's all the ontological Trinity is. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. So the Father divinely begets the Son, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. That's all the ontological Trinity is. The economical Trinity is how God moves, or how God works. When you read your Bible, you will find that everything is out of the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. Everything is out of the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. That is the economical Trinity. That's how God moves. That's how God works.
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Now, we see the reverse of this. In Ephesians 2, verse 18, now listen to what I'm going to read to you. Ephesians 2, verse 18: "For through Him," that is Jesus Christ, "we both have access in one Spirit unto the Father." So everything comes to us from the Father through the Son in the Spirit. Now we go back to the Father in the Spirit through the Son. Okay? That's the economical Trinity. In regards to the doctrine of soteriology, which is nothing but the doctrine of salvation, we see the economical Trinity very clearly. For instance, salvation originated with the Father. It was accomplished by the Son, and it's applied by the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is read Ephesians chapter 1, verses 1 through 14, which sometime in the not too distant future, I'm going to be preaching on, but you will see there the work of the Father, the work of the Son and the work of the Holy Spirit. So that passage illustrates this truth very clearly.
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Now, I want to submit to you today that one of the reasons that our Lord uses the metaphor of wind is to demonstrate His sovereign pleasure in regeneration. The wind is not only inexplicable, it is also uncontrollable. There's not one individual alive on the earth today that can cause the wind to start or to cause the wind to cease. No one except the sovereign God of heaven and earth. The wind blows or it does not blow at His pleasure. I read to you, I know, in the first message, Job 37, verses 9-13, I want to read it again. I want you to listen. Here's what it says.
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"Out of the south cometh a whirlwind, and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given, and the breadth of the waters is straitened. Also by watering He, God, wearieth the thick cloud, He scattereth the bright cloud. It is turned about by His counsels that they may do whatsoever He commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth." So the whirlwind, all weather, is controlled by the counsels of God.
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It comes at His pleasure. So as the wind then blows where it pleases and how it pleases, likewise, God regenerates whomever He pleases. Do you understand that no one can demand to be regenerated? One may seek it, one may cry for it, one may ask for it, but it is still within the prerogative of the sovereign to grant it at His pleasure. You know what we were told in James 1 in verse 18? Now listen to this.
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"Of His own will begat He us." Of His own will begat He us.
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Now, since we're in the book of John, I want you to turn to John chapter 5. And look very quickly at verses 21 and 23. And I want to show you the importance of this in just a moment. Look at John 5, verse 21. Here's what the Scripture says: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them." Did you hear that? "For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will." Why? "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son." Why? Here's why: "that all men should honour the Son even as," or equally as, "they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him." Now, go back if you would please to verse 21. "For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will." Really? Do you understand what has just happened prior to these verses? If you were to read John chapter 5, verse 1, right on down through verse 19, you will find that our Lord walked into the porch of Bethesda, Solomon's porch there at Bethesda, wherein a great multitude of impotent and lame folks lay, waiting for the moving of the water.
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And our Lord walked through all of these sick people, and He got to one lame man who had laid there for 38 years. And He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" The man said, "I have no man to help me when the waters trouble to put me in, but while I'm coming, someone else steps in and is healed." Our Lord said, "Rise and walk." Let me ask you a question. Did not all of those sick people need healing? Could our Lord not have healed every one of them instantaneously? Yes. Why did He single out one man and just heal that one man out of all of those who needed it? Well, here's why.
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Verse 21: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will." In other words, it is His sovereign pleasure that proves that He is God. Only God does as He pleases.
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Now, if you understand the economical Trinity, which I've just explained to you, then you're going to understand that the Holy Spirit is the agent in regeneration. I told you earlier, salvation originated with the Father. It was accomplished by the Son, and it is applied by the Holy Spirit. Let me just quote some verses. Titus 3 in verse 5. Listen to this: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost." By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Romans 5 in verse 5: "And hope maketh not ashamed, for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 14, verse 17: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." Wow. You know what the Apostle Paul told those Thessalonian Christians? In 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 5 and 6, he said this: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance."
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"And you know what manner of men we were among you for your sakes, and you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost." Note it came with the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 3: "Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed, and that no man can say that Jesus Christ is Lord but by the Holy Ghost." So it's the Holy Spirit that regenerates. It's the Holy Spirit that authenticates. It's the Holy Spirit that enables us to say that Jesus Christ is Lord. And in Ephesians 1 and verse 13, he said, "In whom also ye trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
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Now, let me put it to you like this. No one has ever been, no one can be, and no one will ever be regenerated apart from the sovereign work of God, the Holy Spirit. In fact, if you do not possess the Holy Spirit, if He does not indwell you, you're not saved. Paul says this truth very bluntly in Romans 8 and verse 9. He said to those Roman Christians, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Wow. So if you are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit, have you not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit? If you have not been sealed by the Holy Spirit, you do not belong to Jesus Christ.
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Now let me ask you a few questions. Why did God create the world? Why did God create you?
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Let me ask you another way. Why did God save you? You have family members that are lost. You have friends that are lost. Why did God create the world? Why did God create you and why did God save you? Let me answer it. I'll answer it from Scripture, and here's the answer. The world was created, you were created and you were saved only because of the sovereign pleasure of God. In Revelation 4 and verse 11, the Scripture says this: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power, for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." Isn't that amazing? For Thy pleasure they are and were created. You know what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, and I love this verse. Paul asked the Corinthians, "For who maketh thee to differ one from another?" Who makes you to differ? Why is it you want to hear the Word of God when multitudes do not want to hear the Word of God?
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Why is it you will read and study when nobody else will read and study? Who maketh thee to differ one from another? Listen to what else he said. "What hast thou that thou didst not receive? And if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory or boast as thou hadst not received it?" What's he saying? Everything that you are, everything that you have, God gave you. Regeneration is by the sovereign pleasure of God. Secondly, today, regeneration is by the sovereign purpose of God.
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When you go back to John 3 and verse 8, when he says, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth," the word "listeth" there literally means "pleases." So there's the sovereign pleasure of God. The wind bloweth whither it pleases or listeth. Now, here's the sovereign purpose of God. He says, "And thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth." You know, we oftentimes think that there is no purpose for the wind. In fact, I have. And so has Alice.
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Raked leaves into neat little piles for burning. And then the wind comes along and unrakes them. That may not be a word, but that's exactly what the wind does. It just scatters them everywhere. Why does the wind blow wherever it desires and whenever it desires? Now just stop. Think about this. July and August, we would appreciate the wind on these dry, hot days. But isn't it amazing, in the winter, when it's cold and wet, we complain about the wind blowing. And I've often said it would not be cold if the wind was not blowing. Have you ever wondered, why does the wind blow the way it does?
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Seemingly, there's no purpose in it. But in reality, there is. We do not understand why God saves who He saves. Stop and think about that. We do not understand why God saves whom He saves. Why did God save you? Why did God have mercy upon you? Do you know if there was a poll taken in the first century of the man most likely to be damned, Saul of Tarsus would have won that poll hands down.
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In fact, Paul himself said in 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 13, but before his conversion, he was a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious. He hailed and hauled men and women off to prison. Christians threw them in dungeons just because they were Christians. Let me ask you a question. Why is Asia in darkness today? Did you know God sovereignly purposed not to allow the gospel to be preached in Asia? What? Yeah, look in your Bibles, Acts chapter 16. Acts chapter 16. And let's begin reading there with verse 6, Acts 16 and verse 6. You want to know why there are very few Christians in Asia. There are some, yes, but very few. You have all these various religions and sects and cults and all these things over in Asia today. Look in Acts chapter 16, if you would, beginning there with verse 6. The Bible is speaking about Paul and his company there. "Now, when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia," the Holy Spirit said, "Don't go to Asia." Watch.
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"And when they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not. And they, passing by Mysia, came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." Do you know the gospel came west and not east? Why?
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That's the way God pleased it. Let me just show you. God not only pleased, God purposed it like that. I want you to stop and think of the great revivals under Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. Have you ever read of the great revival in Wales? Here's a question. Why has God not sent such revivals in this century and in our country? Oh yeah, many have sought them. They've asked for them. They prayed for God's mercies and God's miracles, and yet they have not happened on the scale that they happened in the previous century or in other countries. Many have claimed such revivals were happening in present, but I would ask this question, where are the effects and the results of those revivals? Now, listen carefully. I may not know where the wind of God originates. And I may not know where it terminates. However, I can see God's wind and its effects upon flowers, herbs, trees, men and even buildings. I don't have to know the origination of the wind. Don't have to know the termination of the wind, but I can see its effects and God's workings are just as mysterious in their operations as they are sovereign in their originations.
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And just like we can see the effects of the wind on the trees and the flowers, we can also see the effects of God's regenerating wind in the lives of men and women and its effects upon societies, states, and even nations. Now, I want you to listen to me. I said that regeneration is by God's sovereign pleasure. Now, I'm telling you that regeneration is by God's sovereign purpose.
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God does not save anybody by accident. He saves them on purpose. God does not send revivals by accident. He sends them on purpose. Everything that God does, He does on purpose. You say, well, what is God's purpose? I can tell you. Ephesians 3 and verse 11 says, "According to His eternal purpose, which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." So whatever God purposed in eternity past, before the world ever came into existence, before you were ever born, before I was ever born, whatever He purposed in Jesus Christ, that is His purpose. It is an eternal purpose. And God does things not only by His divine pleasure, but by His divine purpose as well. Thirdly, regeneration is by the sovereign power of God. Look at verse 8 again in John chapter 3. He says, "The wind bloweth whither it listeth," or whither it pleases. There's a sovereign pleasure of God.
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And now here's "the sound thereof, and canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth." There's a sovereign purpose of God. Now, here's the sovereign power of God. "So is everyone that is born of the Spirit." So is everyone that is born of the Spirit, just as the wind blows at God's pleasure and purpose, it also blows according to His power. The comparison is pointed out in the word "so," S-O. The first point of analogy is found in the word "where it listeth" or "pleaseth." The second is found in the words "canst not tell." The wind bloweth whither it pleaseth. And then He said, "So is every one that is born of the Spirit."
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Let me give you a quote by Arthur W. Pink. He's quoting, giving this comment on verse 8, and he says this: He says, "God has thrown an impenetrable veil over the beginnings and processes of life. That we live, we know, and how we live, we cannot tell. Life is evident to the consciousness and manifest to the senses, but it is profoundly mysterious in its operations. It is so with the new life born of the Spirit. To sum up the teaching of this verse, the wind bloweth—there is the fact. Thou hearest the sound thereof—there is the evidence of the fact. But knowest not whence—there is the mystery behind the fact. The one born again knows that he has a new life and enjoys the evidences of it, but how the Holy Spirit operates upon the soul, subdues his will, creates the new life within us, belongs to the deep things of God." In other words, we just don't know those things. The one thing we do know is that the one who is regenerated is regenerated by the power of God alone.
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Do you understand that just as physical life and physical birth are accomplished by the power of God, so is spiritual life and spiritual birth. Let me show you. I want you to hold John 3, but turn very quickly in your Bibles to Psalm 139. Psalm 139. Look what David said in verses 13 through 16. Psalm 139, beginning there with verse 13. David says to God, "For Thou hast possessed my reins, Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvellous are Thy works that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth." So David said, when I was conceived and how I grew, I wasn't hid from Thee. Watch verse 16.
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"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." So David said, I don't understand how I was conceived. I don't understand how I grew in the womb. And yet, Lord, You knew everything. You are the one that has done this. Let me ask you a question.
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When were you born physically? Now, I know you can give me a date, you can give me a day and a time. But here's my question. How do you really know you were born then? You don't. You know, my mother told me I was born September the 3rd. Interestingly, on my birth certificate, it says September the 2nd. Beats me. I would think my mother would know more than the doctor, but I'm just simply pointing out the fact you don't really know when you were born even physically. You know when you were told that you were born. You don't remember even though you were a full term baby. You still don't remember when you were born. You don't remember when you were conceived. You don't remember life in the womb. But yet, I can tell you exactly when you were born physically, and I can tell you exactly when you were born spiritually. How can I tell you that?
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By quoting what the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1, verses 15 and 16. Now, I want you to listen. Here's what Paul said. "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen. Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." When was Paul separated from his mother's womb? When it pleased God. When did God call him by His grace? When it pleased God.
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Alice and I had some dear friends. Both are now dead. We called them Papa and Mama Marsh. We were not related. But Papa, before his conversion, was a drunk. He drank more alcohol than you can shake a stick at. And God saved him probably in his 50s. He died about 75, 76, something like that. He played a saxophone, played it beautifully. Some of you may have heard him. But he would come up to me and he would say, "Oh, I wish I had heard the gospel as a young man, I wish I had been saved earlier." One of his favorite songs that he always played was "Wasted Years, Wasted Years. Oh, how foolish."
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And he just regretted throwing away his life. And I looked at him one day and I said, "Papa. If you had heard the gospel when you were a teenager, you wouldn't have listened. If you had heard the truth when you were 20 and 30 and 40, you wouldn't have listened. I'll tell you when you were saved. When it pleased God to call you by His grace. And that's when you were saved. That's when I was saved." Let me just try to sum everything up. I've got some applications, but let me try to sum this up. Let me give you one good illustration.
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That I hope will forever distinguish in your mind the difference between regeneration and conversion. If you can remember this illustration, you will never, ever confuse regeneration and conversion again. OK, here it is. John chapter 11. You don't have to turn there. John chapter 11. Lazarus died, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus. And our Lord tarried. He did not come immediately. Four days later, He shows up on the scene. And both Mary and Martha said, "Lord, had You been here, my brother would not have died." Our Lord said, "I am the resurrection and the life."
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"He that believeth in Me, yet shall he live." I like the way Lester Roloff used to say this, he said, "The resurrection just walked into town." And that's true. And our Lord said, "Take Me to him." And Martha said, "Lord, by this time, he stinketh, for he's been dead four days." Jesus had said, "Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest believe, thou wouldest see the power of God?" And what did our Lord do? Our Lord said, "Lazarus, come forth." And the Scripture says, "He that was bound with grave clothes came forth." And here's my question.
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I want you to answer this. Did God give Lazarus life inside that tomb, which enabled him to get up and walk out? Or did God only give him life after he got up and walked out? What's the answer? If God had not given him life inside that tomb, he would have never gotten up and walked out. What is regeneration? Listen carefully. Regeneration is the implantation of life into man by God. What is conversion? Conversion is the fruit and the evidence of that life coming into fruition. God regenerated, God restored Lazarus in that tomb and when he got up and walked out, that was pictorial of conversion. God had given him life in that tomb and his walking out was evidence that God had given him that life.
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So when an individual repents of his sin and turns by faith to Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, that is not regeneration. That is the evidence of regeneration. Because had not God given him life, he would have never turned to God to begin with. You may know when you were converted, but you do not know when you were regenerated. It's impossible. Regeneration is the immediate act of God whereby He plants life in the soul. Conversion is when by His power of the Holy Spirit, He enables us to exercise that life and repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ. Here's some applications.
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The first one is this. Listen carefully. Is there anything in your life that is only there because of the absolute power of God? In other words, I'm asking you, are you different? That's what Paul asked. "Who made thee to differ one from another?" If you are different, why are you different? The proper evidence of regeneration is conversion. It is a breaking forth from death unto life. And a life that is going to be lived for God's honor and God's glory.
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The second application is this. God has power over the most hardened sinner to change him. Just like God has power over the loftiest oak to bring it down with a sweeping blast. I remember years ago, there were some huge oak trees on the edge of a field. And I used to sit in those trees as I would hunt deer. And some of those trees, oh, I would say, I don't know, six, eight feet in diameter, huge oak trees. A tornado came through. The field was planted in soybeans, and the soybean plants were just about this high.
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Two of those humongous oaks were laid over, their roots sticking up. And all those little, tender, flexible soybean plants were still standing. God just broke down the giant oak, left the little, measly soybeans standing in the field. Let me tell you, the Sauls of Tarsus of this world will fall easily by the power of God. There is no sinner that is too big and too mean and too bad that God cannot save. God can save anybody. God is omnipotent. God is all powerful.
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One man that I knew, he's now dead, was a Mafia member. God not only saved him, He called him to preach. There were contracts out on his life, even as he was preaching because he left the Mafia. He was a tremendous, powerful preacher. All I'm trying to say is this. God is all powerful. I don't care how bad we think our children are or our neighbors or our friends or how mean we think someone is or how wicked or how vile, God is still able to save.
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And here's the third application. God determines the kind of wind or the operations of the Spirit upon a sinner. I have actually seen in my ministry, I've actually seen men and women tremble and fall. They were so under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, they trembled and fell. One man I remember crying out in the middle of the church, screaming, "I'm lost, I'm lost," and he ran forward and threw his arms around my feet, fell at my feet, begging God for mercy. I've seen others who were just very gently and easily and sweetly brought to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Now let me tell you something. Everyone has the same conversion experience. That is, everyone has to repent and believe. But not everyone has the same degree of experiences. How many of you were knocked down on the road like the Apostle Paul? Not one. Not one. It is not the degree of the experience that saves. It is Jesus Christ who saves. Our great grandbaby, my grandson's wife, was in labor 30 hours before she delivered that grandbaby. The longest Alice had ever been in labor was what? Eight hours. And it has been less than that, eight hours.
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Let me ask you a question. What if Virginia looked at Alice and said, "You've never had a baby, you've never been in labor 30 hours." Really? Well, she's had four and Virginia's only had one. It is not the degree of the experience that counts, what counts is, is there a real baby born? Is there real life there? You may not get knocked down and tremble and shake like some sinners do.
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But you will certainly repent of your sin and believe in Jesus Christ like every sinner does if you're converted by the grace of God. I cannot stand here and say you have to have exactly my same experience or you're not saved. No, I can't do that. It's God who sovereignly determines the kind of wind and the power of that wind that blows upon us. That which you must see and that which you must know is, is there new life in your life? Is there life there that only God could give and only God can bring? And are you living obediently now and bringing your life into conformity to His Word. The wind is blowing. God has a people. God has a remnant. God has an elect. And yes, the wind will blow upon them, and God will save them. There is the wind of regeneration and restoration. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You that You have indeed regenerated us by Your grace, and You convicted us and converted us.
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And You deserve all honor, all praise, and all glory. Everything we are now, everything we ever will be, is only by Your grace and Your mercy. Give us grace, Lord, to give Thee the honor and the praise and to live for Thee. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask, Amen. Amen. This program was produced by Dominion Ministry. For more information about Pastor Weaver's sermons, you may contact Dominion Ministry by mail at 7400 Abercorn, that's A-B-E-R-C-O-R-N Street, Suite 705, PMB 175, Savannah, Georgia, 31406, or give us a call at 912-925-0995.
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You can also visit our website at www.dominionministry.com
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Is The Wind Blowing - Part 3

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

In this sermon, John Weaver concludes his series 'Is the Wind Blowing?' by examining the 'wind of regeneration' from John 3:8. He distinguishes regeneration (God's sovereign act of imparting spiritual life) from conversion (man's response of repentance and faith). Weaver emphasizes that regeneration is solely by God's sovereign pleasure, purpose, and power, using the metaphor of the wind to illustrate its mysterious yet effective nature. Applications challenge listeners to examine their lives for evidence of God's regenerating work.

Introduction and Review

Weaver reviews the previous two messages on the wind of trepidation and domination, and introduces the third message on the wind of regeneration from John 3:8.

John 3, verse 1:

Scripture Reading — John 3:1-8

"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." "The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?"

Scripture Reading — 2 Samuel 22:11

He rode upon a cherub and did fly and He was seen upon the wings of the wind.

So in the first message we discussed the wind of trepidation, that is the wind of fear and horror.

Distinctions Between Regeneration and Conversion

Seven distinctions are given to clarify that regeneration is God's immediate act of imparting life, while conversion is the human response of repentance and faith enabled by the Spirit.

Regeneration is at the Sovereign Pleasure of God

As the wind blows where it pleases, God regenerates whom He pleases, demonstrating His sovereign will in salvation.

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:18

Now, we see the reverse of this. In Ephesians 2, verse 18, now listen to what I'm going to read to you. Ephesians 2, verse 18: "For through Him," that is Jesus Christ, "we both have access in one Spirit unto the Father." So everything comes to us from the Father through the Son in the Spirit. Now we go back to the Father in the Spirit through the Son. Okay? That's the economical Trinity. In regards to the doctrine of soteriology, which is nothing but the doctrine of salvation, we see the economical Trinity very clearly. For instance, salvation originated with the Father. It was accomplished by the Son, and it's applied by the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is read Ephesians chapter 1, verses 1 through 14, which sometime in the not too distant future, I'm going to be preaching on, but you will see there the work of the Father, the work of the Son and the work of the Holy Spirit. So that passage illustrates this truth very clearly.

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them."

Did you hear that?

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will."

Why?

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."

Why? Here's why:

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"that all men should honour the Son even as,"

or equally as,

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."

Now, go back if you would please to verse 21.

Scripture Reading — John 5:21-23

"For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will."

Scripture Reading — Titus 3:5

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Now let me ask you a few questions. Why did God create the world? Why did God create you?

Regeneration is by the Sovereign Purpose of God

Though the wind's origin and destination are mysterious, its effects are seen; similarly, God's saving purposes are intentional and eternal, even when not fully understood.

Regeneration is by the Sovereign Power of God

Just as physical birth is a mystery of God's power, spiritual birth is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by a changed life.

Illustration of Lazarus

Lazarus being given life in the tomb before coming forth illustrates regeneration (life imparted) preceding conversion (walking out as evidence).

Applications

Is The Wind Blowing - Part 3

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	68151447433
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications
Genre	Sermon
Date	2015-03-22
Dictation Name
Book	Book 100: Is The Wind Blowing — Chapter 3
Source Timed Segments	71

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction and Review: Weaver reviews the previous two messages on the wind of trepidation and domination, and introduces the third message on the wind of regeneration from John 3:8.
Distinctions Between Regeneration and Conversion: Seven distinctions are given to clarify that regeneration is God's immediate act of imparting life, while conversion is the human response of repentance and faith enabled by the Spirit.
Regeneration is at the Sovereign Pleasure of God: As the wind blows where it pleases, God regenerates whom He pleases, demonstrating His sovereign will in salvation.
Regeneration is by the Sovereign Purpose of God: Though the wind's origin and destination are mysterious, its effects are seen; similarly, God's saving purposes are intentional and eternal, even when not fully understood.
Regeneration is by the Sovereign Power of God: Just as physical birth is a mystery of God's power, spiritual birth is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by a changed life.
Illustration of Lazarus: Lazarus being given life in the tomb before coming forth illustrates regeneration (life imparted) preceding conversion (walking out as evidence).
Applications: Listeners are urged to examine their lives for evidence of God's regenerating power, trust in God's ability to save the hardest sinners, and recognize that conversion experiences vary but all involve repentance and faith.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Regeneration is God's act, not man's experience

Regeneration is an immediate, unconscious act of God imparting life, not an experiential event; conversion is the conscious experience.

Weaver states, 'Regeneration is not in itself an experience... you are not conscious that you're regenerated any more than you were conscious that you were conceived.'

God's sovereignty in salvation eliminates boasting

Because regeneration is God's work, no one can boast in their salvation or in winning others to Christ.

Weaver quotes 1 Corinthians 4:7: 'Who maketh thee to differ... what hast thou that thou didst not receive?'

The wind metaphor illustrates sovereignty and mystery

Jesus used the wind to teach that the Spirit's work is sovereign (blows where it pleases) and mysterious (cannot tell its origin or destination).

Weaver says, 'The wind bloweth whither it listeth... thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth.'

Salvation is by God's eternal purpose

God saves individuals and sends revivals according to His eternal purpose, not by accident.

Weaver says, 'God does not save anybody by accident. He saves them on purpose... According to His eternal purpose.'

The Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration

The Holy Spirit applies salvation, enabling repentance and faith, and indwelling believers as proof of their salvation.

Weaver says, 'No one has ever been... regenerated apart from the sovereign work of God, the Holy Spirit.'

Scripture References

John 3:1-8: The primary passage for the sermon, focusing on Jesus' teaching to Nicodemus about being born again and the wind metaphor.
2 Samuel 22:11: Quoted to show God's sovereignty over the wind: 'He rode upon a cherub and did fly and He was seen upon the wings of the wind.'
Isaiah 7:2: Referenced in the review of the first message: the hearts of Ahaz and Judah were moved as trees by the wind.
Isaiah 51:1: Mentioned in review: God brings the wind of destruction upon Babylon.
Ezekiel 37: The wind of domination from the second message, illustrating God's victory and raising of a mighty army.
1 Corinthians 15:57: Quoted: 'But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.'
Proverbs 11:31: Cited to show the righteous will be recompensed in the earth.
Revelation 17:14: Quoted to show Christ's victory: 'The Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings.'
Revelation 19:11-16: Describes Christ on a white horse, leading armies, and ruling with a rod of iron.
Luke 22:31-32: Jesus tells Peter, 'when thou art converted,' showing conversion can occur multiple times in a believer's life.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7: Paul says, 'I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase,' emphasizing God's role in salvation.
2 Corinthians 4:6; 5:17: Mentioned as one of three New Testament illustrations of salvation: creation.
Ephesians 2:1: Illustration of salvation as resurrection: 'And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.'
Ephesians 2:18: Explains the economical Trinity: access to the Father through Christ in one Spirit.
Job 37:9-13: Read to show God's control over weather and wind by His counsels.
James 1:18: 'Of His own will begat He us,' emphasizing God's sovereign will in regeneration.
John 5:21-23: Jesus quickens whom He will, demonstrating His sovereign pleasure in giving life.
Titus 3:5: Salvation by 'washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.'
Romans 5:5: The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17: The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Historical References

Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield revivals: Mentioned as examples of great revivals in history, contrasting with the lack of such revivals in the present century.
Great revival in Wales: Referenced as a historical revival, questioning why God has not sent similar revivals in the current era.
Lester Roloff: Quoted for his saying, 'The resurrection just walked into town,' regarding Jesus raising Lazarus.
Mafia member turned preacher: A personal anecdote of a former Mafia member whom God saved and called to preach, illustrating God's power to save anyone.

Important Quotes

The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit.

The key verse for the sermon, used to illustrate the sovereign, mysterious work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration.

Regeneration is the cause and conversion is the effect.

A concise summary of the central distinction Weaver makes between God's work and man's response.

Regeneration is not in itself an experience.

Highlights that regeneration is an unconscious act of God, not a felt experience.

Of His own will begat He us.

Quoted to emphasize God's sovereign will in regeneration.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will.

Demonstrates Christ's sovereign authority to give spiritual life to whomever He chooses.

Who maketh thee to differ one from another?

A rhetorical question from Paul used to humble believers and attribute all difference to God's grace.

God does not save anybody by accident. He saves them on purpose.

Emphasizes the intentional, purposeful nature of God's saving work.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does understanding the distinction between regeneration and conversion affect the way you view your own salvation testimony?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that regeneration is God's unconscious act, while conversion is the conscious response.

[Question]

In what ways does the metaphor of the wind help you trust God's sovereignty in salvation, especially when you don't see immediate results?

[Context]

The wind is uncontrollable and mysterious, yet its effects are seen; similarly, the Spirit's work may be hidden but is effective.

[Question]

Why is it important to recognize that no one can boast in their salvation or in leading others to Christ?

[Context]

Weaver argues that regeneration is entirely God's work, eliminating human boasting.

[Question]

How should the truth that God saves 'whom He will' impact our prayers for lost loved ones?

[Context]

Weaver uses John 5:21 to show Christ quickens whom He will, yet encourages seeking God's mercy.

[Question]

What evidence of regeneration (new life) should we look for in our own lives and in others?

[Context]

Weaver asks, 'Is there new life in your life?' and points to repentance, faith, and obedience as evidence.

[Question]

How can we avoid judging someone's salvation based on the intensity of their conversion experience?

[Context]

Weaver notes that experiences vary (e.g., Paul's dramatic conversion vs. others), but all involve repentance and faith.

Applications

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