Regeneration and the New Creation

{By my friends Rick Martinez]

One of the most oft-quoted verses in Scripture is found in John 3:3 when Jesus

speaking to Nicodemus says, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom

of God.” In this one statement of fact we find a substantive part of what the Old

Testament anticipated and what the New Covenant realized.

The simple truth Jesus so clearly spoke to Nicodemus that night was the need for

what is Biblically known as regeneration…or to understand it another way, a re-

genesis, a second beginning. Without this regeneration, Jesus said the unseen

realities of God’s kingdom would forever remain hidden to a man. But because of

this rebirth, when a man comes into living union with Jesus Christ by the Holy

Spirit’s work of regeneration, the man stands as a new spiritual creation. The

reason for this new beginning is, as John says in his first letter, because he “has

been born of God.” God’s intent was not to simply fix the old nature of Adam, by

patching us up and then adding some religious talk, activities and duties. No, as

Paul says, a Christian is now a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17), born of the very seed

and life of God. (You cannot put a new patch on an old garment!) To understand

this, is to understand the import of what Jesus said to Nicodemus that fateful night

and it is nothing less than the very heart of the gospel itself.

The revelation Paul had gained as he penned his second letter to the Corinthian

church was that regeneration is creative in its nature. It results in a fundamental

change in the individual, a change that is so profound that it must be understood to

be more than just a “fresh start”, and nothing less than a new beginning for that

man, with a new nature, a new future, with new capacities, and a new

understanding of life itself. Regarding the old creation, Paul says, “All things were

made by Him and for Him,” but in regards to the new creation Paul says the new

life is now to be understood to be “in Him”. And so we see that through faith in

Jesus Christ, the regenerate man is given the remarkable privilege of participating

in the new beginning for mankind, Jesus himself being the prototypical man. This

is why Paul calls Jesus, “the last Adam” and “the second man.” (1 Cor. 15:45-47)

It’s clear from Scripture that the apostles believed and looked for a time of

eschatological fulfillment, when at the close of history there would be a literal,

cosmic, physical restoration of heaven and earth. It is also clear they believed that

restoration had already begun. The age to come and the realization of the eternal

purposes of God for His creation (which is His kingdom) invaded and overcame

this present evil age by the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of

Jesus Christ. Though the full and final restoration won’t be complete until His

second coming, Jesus became the first fruit of the new creation by being the first

born from among the dead, having overcome sin and death as a man, and the first

fruit of many more who would follow. (Romans 8:29)

This great truth shapes the larger narrative of Scripture, a truth which is prophesied

as early as Genesis 3:15. This was the hope of the prophets of old, traced by the

scarlet thread of redemption recorded throughout the Old Testament, and finally

finding its fulfillment at the cross of Golgotha and the glorious resurrection three

days later. This truth is the goal of the gospel, and the revelation of the One who

calls Himself “the beginning of God’s (new) creation”. (Rev. 3:14, ESV)

The whole of the New Testament is then the record of this new life in Christ, the

life of new creation, and the new man (humanity) of God of which every believer

is a part. This indwelling Life is the mystery of godliness. Paul says, “Christ in you

is the hope of the final fulfillment and its future glory.”

And so we have become, as the writer of the Hebrews so aptly and beautifully

describes you and I, “the church of the firstborn.” (Hebrews 12:23)

C2C

Genesis Collective will host C2C at Rock Harbor in Costa Mesa California in October.

This is intentionally not a conference but a "conversation". The nature of the event is to limit the number of planters and pastors to under 200. That way we can engage the catalysts on their subject. Interaction is pivotal to the gathering.

We will also interview planters throughout the days to get their stories, successes and failures - from local LA plants to USA plants to North America to the nations. We will add to the day, coffee moments with those Eph 4 gifts who work with plants to hang with small groups to dialogue around the lessons they have learnt whilst working with planters

The dates are 18 - 21 October.

The venue is Rock Harbor in Costa Mesa CA

We are looking to have the website up around the end of the month, - March

At the moment, you can contact me at chris@southlands.net

The primary catalysts who will join us are

Jeff Vanderstelt from Soma Communities in Tecoma WA who is planting missional communities passionately, he is also VP for Acts 29

as well as Terry Virgo who is the apostolic leader of New Frontiers from the UK who has been leading a church planting movement for some 30 years

Will keep you posted

Japan - our response?

Forgive me for not writing more this week. It has been a fun, strategic, busy week. However, I have been so impacted by the images as they have come out of Japan. None of us who have not gone through something like this, can know the sheer devastation that it has on the soul. To have experienced an earthquake of that magnitude is traumatic. It is difficult to describe for those not in an earthquake zone. The absolute sense of fear as the earth groans her own travail and you feel out of control, an initial sense of disbelief and then wondering if "this is it" [to quote M - the 'big one'] Then to see the ultimate but not virtual reality, as the wave powers its way to dominance destroying all in its wake. Watching it is like watching a deeply chilling horror movie - yet this time it is real... I just cannot get my mind around it. Sure, these are signs of the 'last of the last days'. Sure, they are ecological reminders of the earth writhing and groaning, waiting and watching for her creators return - the end of the age. Sure they are tragic reminders of the smallness of our humanity. But they are moments for the church to respond with deep humility not judgement. A nation is grieving and they need to know of our love. A nation is traumatized and they need to know of our prayers. A nation is limping and they need to know of our generosity. A nation is brought to her knees and she needs to know of our partnership in life - she is not alone. Christians our response can include:

Prayer for those in authority, for comfort, for the gospel to permeate these broken lives-with love, Financial gifts, to empower those who are working there to feed, clothe the hurting, Servants who will give of their time and labor to work shoulder to shoulder with the locals, Businesses to adopt a kingdom heartedness to help rebuild the economy of the areas affected, Pastors to go and minister to the hurting Cities that will adopt a Japanese city in partnership and hope.

Our gospel has hands to serve and feet to go. It has a heart to love and a mind to rebuild. It cannot simply be business as usual in our gatherings this morning - can it?

Future Church Planting

Reflecting on church planting, and the future over my morning espresso, I read this intriguing text - Number 13.

We first got involved in church planting in the 70's. The world was a different place. The end of the hippy revolution left many disillusioned by what promised so much and gave so little. The Vietnam war was winding down and America liked the wounds of a nation so bruised by her polarizing conflict. The bitter after effects of a social revolution that paved the way for legal abortions and the despair of a generation in turn, paved the way for a church planting, pioneering story that was so fashioned around street preaching and public gospel proclamation. Sheer passion, raw guts and humble obedience seemed to be enough to get planting. It wasn't and still isn't today.

Now in the 21st Century, church planting has again found its way onto the center stage of the western church's major activities [and rightfully so] However, my concern with the lack of understanding of the partnership between these churches and the Ephesians 4 grace giftings weighs on me daily. But that is for another time.

In Numbers 13 under divine instruction, Moses sends out 12 leaders who are to go and spy out the land. This is not a tourist trip but a clear culture / context conversation. They were given a clear mandate to go and find out what was knowable about these people. This was their research guideline:

• Cultural Character - people are strong or weak - What are the cultural distinctives that identify this community?
• Community Togetherness - few or many - What glues the community, holds them together?
• Gospel Ecology - land is good or bad - What is the gospel readiness of the community? Is the soil fertile for the gospel? If so, how?
• Spiritual Strengths - cites... camps or strongholds - What is the spiritual climate and history of the community? Idols?
• Economic Essentials - land is rich or poor - What is the economic condition and priorities of the people? Where do they put their money?
• Key Leadership - trees in it or not - Who are the key leaders and what are their key ideas / messages?
• Fruit Evidence - season of first ripe grapes - What is the fruit of the community - economically, educationally, politicly, spiritually...?

One cannot force the text to say what it is not saying. However one can use this great passage as a matrix metaphor to more thoroughly prepare for the task at hand. Too many church planters are simply hoping that passion, a "word from the Lord" and the promise of prayers of friends will be sufficient. Whilst these are wonderful, they are not enough. Even in these great Exodus days, where the cloud and fire directed them, God still sent them to spy out the land - find out what you are facing! Do you have the faith for the challenge before you?

Some Q's

From my friend Nick Davis in the UK:

If Intelligence Quotient (IQ) were somehow a true measure of mental acuity and capacity, high IQ would speak of the potential for "competence".

If Emotional Quotient (EQ) were a true measure of good soul management and relational skill, high EQ would speak of the potential for "intuitiveness".

If Spiritual Quotient (SQ) were a true measure of transcendent vision and inner ambition beyond survival and current success, high SQ would speak of the potential for a zealous, "goal-directed humility" (D Whiteside).

So, mature ministries that develop over years are competent, intuitive and humbly zealous. Some can be highly competent but have no genuine awareness or love interest in the welfare of others. Some can be intuitive but invulnerable. But God seeks to develop ministers who are intelligent in living, involved in people and intimate with Him.

Books, study and life experience activate IQ. Working with people tests and stretches the EQ. But only worship, meditation and secret devotion can enliven the SQ. Yet, it is SQ - the most neglected of the Q's - that emblazens both IQ and EQ.

I can love books without loving people. I can love people without a devotion to God. But I cannot find higher devotion without becoming better with people and more hungry to learn about God and His creatures.

C2C

Off to have a breakfast with my two friends - Alan and Todd... we are busy planning a church planters conversation for Oct 2011.

Our dream is not to have a conference - where "experts" wax lyrical about their stories [and that does have value]. We want to approach it slightly differently. Our heart is to have a smaller gathering where there can be interaction between the planters and the speakers, so the content can be processed immediately. Terry Virgo [Apo leader from New Frontiers who have planted all over the world] and Jeff Vanderstelt who has planted in the Seattle Tacoma area as well as being vice president of Acts 29, will lead most of our convos. We will also have smaller coffee chats with guys who have planted recently in different parts of the world

Let you know how it goes...

Framing the Future

Winston Churchill quipped "The main qualification for political office is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterward to say why it didn't". In the true wit of Churchill, lies the raw reality that leadership is often flummoxed by the uncertainty of the future. It must be approached with true humility. It has been a mixture of sadness and amusement that I have now listened to 3 decades of 'prophetic voices' proclaim their biased eschatological perspectives, but rarely offer an apology for their error. Yet, we cannot ignore such a mighty matter.

Framing the future must be simply bible. Without the hectic nature of the books of Daniel and Revelation, we can still find confidence in the sacred text, as we seek to ready the church for the "last of the last days". Now I am not suggesting we ignore these two books. Quite the opposite. As lovers of the scripture, we are to mine these truths with dignity and teachability — refraining from morbid narcissistic dogmatism. The Spirit wants to keep opening these texts to us as long as we are found in His presence.

But what about texts like Matt 24? These wondrous Jesus words are being felt around the world even as we pray. "Many will come in my name... but will lead many astray..." The error of the arrogant heretic will intensify in these last days. "Wars and rumors of war" splash across our screens as the Middle East burns in righteous revolution. "Famines and earthquakes" shudders the nation of New Zealand and straddles the continent of Africa in full flight. "They will deliver you up for persecution and put you to death" the quiet genocide of Christians does not gain traction in the postmodern media but the statistics are alarming. "You will be hated by all nations" is spreading rapidly across the darkened skies.

My spiritual father taught us in the 70's - "some signs for all times, all signs for end times". As the days of project planet earth draws to a close, so the signs will gather in force, more and more of them... every and all of them. However the most glorious sign of the last of last days will be that " the gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations then the end will come"

Yes, and there are many other verses that can drive a destructive stake in the fragile heart of the ill prepared believer. These texts are not there to drive fear into our hearts. They are there to empower us to train well for the days which lie ahead. They are like pre-season endurance training - the season gives meaning to our hard work. Will it be early elimination or will it be play-offs? They are there to shape our hope for the days which lie ahead. "Where sin abounds, there grace much more abounds"

This we know, a nation at war lives differently to a nation in times of peace. Our conversations about "church" has to be reconsidered as we frame the future...