In the sermon "Two Seeds Pt 1," Mikal Smith addresses the theological themes of regeneration and original sin through the metaphor of "two seeds" derived from Biblical texts, primarily Genesis 1 and James 1. He argues that believers are born again not through corruptible seeds, which he equates with humanity's sinful nature inherited from Adam, but by the incorruptible seed of Christ. By contrasting the natural man's birth from Adam with the spiritual rebirth through Christ, Smith highlights that while all humans are born into sin due to Adam's transgression, the elect are born again through the power of the Spirit, receiving a new and holy nature. He supports his arguments through multiple scripture references, particularly emphasizing 1 Peter 1:23 and Romans 5:12-19, which illustrate the necessity of sin for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The practical significance of this sermon lies in the assurance it provides to believers regarding their identity in Christ and the transformative power of salvation, asserting that true change comes from being part of Christ's spiritual lineage rather than Adam's corruptible heritage.
Key Quotes
“We are born again by the Spirit of Christ coming and giving life to our dead person.”
“The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away, but the word of the Lord endureth forever.”
“We don't become sinners because we at some point begin to sin. We are born sinners because we are born after the kind which Adam was.”
“If God did not want Adam to eat of that tree, he would not have said, in the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.”
The Bible describes being born again as being born of incorruptible seed, specifically through the Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1 Peter 1:23, it states, 'being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.' This speaks to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, where an individual who is dead in trespasses and sins is made alive in Christ. The passage emphasizes that it is not through the preaching of the gospel in a mere sense, but the Spirit of Christ giving spiritual life to the believer that constitutes the new birth. This process reflects a complete renewal, distinct from our physical birth, which stems from Adam, the 'corruptible seed.' Thus, each Christian is a new creation in Christ, born from above, marked by a new disposition towards God.
1 Peter 1:23, John 3:3-7
The doctrine of original sin is affirmed in Romans 5:12, which states that sin entered the world through one man, Adam.
Romans 5:12 explicitly states, 'Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.' This foundational doctrine asserts that all humanity inherits a sinful nature and death from Adam, serving as our representative federal head. The text argues that because Adam sinned, all his descendants are affected. The implications of this doctrine are profound, confirming that everyone is born a sinner, not merely from individual actions, but as a consequence of humanity's fallen state originating from Adam's transgression. Thus, original sin serves as a central tenet of Reformed theology, addressing the need for redemption through Christ.
Romans 5:12, Genesis 3:6-7
The concept of two seeds illustrates the distinction between the children of Adam and the children of Christ, emphasizing our need for regeneration.
The distinction between the two seeds—the seed of Adam and the seed of Christ—is vital for understanding the implications of regeneration. In Genesis 1:11, God established the principle that like produces after its own kind. Adam represents the corruptible seed, leading to all of his descendants being born in sin. In contrast, the incorruptible seed that believers have through Christ conveys a new identity and nature. This concept is vital for Christians as it underscores the transformative work of God; we must be born again as new creations, birthed from Christ, in order to inherit eternal life and righteousness. Therefore, believers can rejoice in their newfound identity in Christ as they move from the lineage of Adam to that of Christ, experiencing the grace of regeneration.
Genesis 1:11, 1 Peter 1:23, John 3:3-7
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