Podcast Summary: Live Big with Derek Grier

Episode: Made New In Christ | Part 2
Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Dr. Derek Grier

Overview of Main Theme

In this powerful episode, Dr. Derek Grier explores the biblical concept of being "made new" through faith in Christ. Drawing on the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3, Dr. Grier unpacks the meaning of spiritual rebirth, the nature of salvation, and the profound transformation that occurs when believers are "born again." He emphasizes that Christianity is not about superficial change or religious observance, but a deep, inner renewal performed by God Himself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nicodemus’ Encounter With Jesus (John 3)

• Background on Nicodemus: A respected Pharisee, Sanhedrin member, and powerful religious figure comes to Jesus at night, showing openness and humility (00:15).

• God Welcomes Honest Questions:

  “God is really not bothered by questions as long as they are honest and they come from a trusting and open heart.” (00:40)

• Jesus’ Direct Answer:
  Jesus doesn’t wait for Nicodemus to ask his real question. Instead, He goes straight to the heart:

  “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (02:11)

2. What Does It Mean to Be ‘Born Again’?

• Beyond Forgiveness—Change of Nature (03:50):
  Forgiveness is part of salvation, but the core is a transformed nature.

  “The Christian doesn't think that God will love us because we're good, but that God makes us good because he loves us.” (04:09)

• New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17):
  Every believer, regardless of past life or behavior, is offered a completely new start—“a new creation.” (05:40)

  • Dr. Grier illustrates by comparing being "in Christ" like being in an embassy—legally in a new jurisdiction, protected and governed by a different authority.

    “If you are in Christ, you have entered inviolable zone, you are under God's complete protection.” (07:15)

3. The Miracle of New Birth v. First Creation

• Greater Than Creation Itself:

  “The miracle of the new creation is greater than the miracle of God's original creation... when God steps into our lives to recreate you and I, there's much to oppose him.” (09:10)

• Where Does the Change Happen?
  The change is in the spirit, not in the body or personality.

  “God does something totally new and where he does it is in our spirit.” (12:03)

4. Jesus Explains Spiritual Birth

• Born of Water and Spirit (John 3:5):
  Jesus references Ezekiel 36 and introduces the concept that natural (fleshly) birth is not enough; only spiritual birth brings entry into God’s kingdom. (14:30)

• Image of God Restored:

  “When God created Adam, Adam in the spirit looked like the Father.” (18:30)

• True Worship Comes From a Changed Spirit:

  “The only way to truly worship God is to become like him in the spirit.” (21:12)

5. Adoption Into God’s Family

• Calling God ‘Father’:
  Jesus introduces an intimate relationship—radical for His Jewish audience.

  “Every time we call God Father, we are confessing our new heritage.” (23:30)

6. The Necessity & Evidence of New Birth

• You Must Be Born Again:
  Jesus undermines the idea that ethnicity or religious pedigree is enough (25:10).

  • Analogy of wind: You can’t see the wind (the spirit), but you see its effects in changed life.

• Personal Testimony:
  Dr. Grier shares his initial struggles after conversion, feeling convicted for actions that once felt normal:

  “In my new nature, I knew that ain’t right… God is not just into changing our behavior. He wants to change our nature.” (30:10)

• Nature Change Analogy:
  Entertainingly describes how a pig, if given his wife's clean nature, would avoid the mud.

  “Many of us get religion, but we don’t get the new nature. And we’re unhappy, we feel restricted because it’s not our nature to do the things God commands.” (32:35)

7. Practical Outworking: Spirit, Soul, and Body (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

• Majority Rules:
  We are spirit, soul, and body; the soul (mind, will, emotions) is where decisions are made. Renewing the mind through the Word helps align the soul with the spirit, empowering changed living (36:00).

• Signs of New Birth Are Seen—Not in Outward Religion:

  “Being born again is not a religion. It’s just a life changed by God.” (41:00)

8. The Sign of the Snake on the Pole - Looking to Christ (Numbers 21/John 3:14)

• Foreshadowing the Cross:
  Jesus references Moses lifting up the bronze serpent, showing the necessity of faith in His sacrificial death.

  “For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, 48:03)

• Looking to the Cross for Healing & Life:
  As the Israelites were healed by looking at the raised serpent, so we are saved by looking to Christ crucified.

  “When you look to the cross… the Holy Spirit moves in our heart and transforms.” (54:00)

• No Other Way:

  “Muhammad couldn’t do it, Buddha couldn’t do it… So God became a man to get it done for you and I.” (57:40)

• The Universality of the Offer:

  “That whoever… believes in him should not perish but… have eternal life.” (58:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Inviting Nature:

  “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives… liberally and without reproach.” (00:50)

• Christ’s Dual Nature (citing Tony Evans):

  “Because Jesus Christ is a man, he feels what we feel. But because he’s God, he can do something about it.” (02:37)

• The Embassy Analogy:

  “If you are in Christ, you have entered inviolable zone, you are under God’s complete protection.” (07:15)

• Personal Transformation:

  “Before, I could do those things and not feel bad about it… Then all of a sudden, [after salvation]… I do those things, then I feel bad, like, ‘What’s wrong with me?’” (30:10)

• On New Nature v. Religiosity:

  “Many of us get religion, but we don’t get the new nature. … But scripture says it’s for liberty that Christ set us free, meaning he frees us to live out our nature.” (32:35)

• Salvation is a Radical Rebirth:

  “Being born again is not a religion. It’s just a life changed by God.” (41:00)

• The Cross as Solution:

  “Jesus became what we are on the cross—sin—so we could become what he was—a son.” (51:13)

• The Offer is For Everyone:

  “Whoever you are, whoever you ain’t, whatever you is… the things I’m preaching today belong to you.” (58:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15 - Introduction & Nicodemus’ Credentials
• 02:11 - Jesus: “You must be born again”
• 05:40 - New Creation—In Christ analogy (embassy/inviolability)
• 09:10 - Miracle of New Birth surpasses original creation
• 14:30 - Born of Water and Spirit explained
• 18:30 - Being made in the image of God
• 21:12 - True worship must be in spirit and truth
• 23:30 - The radical idea of calling God ‘Father’
• 25:10 - No salvation by pedigree—necessity of new birth
• 30:10 - Dr. Grier’s personal testimony of conviction
• 32:35 - Pig and new nature analogy; new vs. religious
• 36:00 - Spirit, soul, and body—majority rules
• 41:00 - Evidence of new birth in life, not religion
• 48:03 - Jesus became sin so we become righteous
• 54:00 - Looking to the cross, transformation occurs
• 57:40 - Only Christ accomplished redemption
• 58:30 - Salvation is for everyone

Conclusion

Dr. Derek Grier brings the listener on a journey from theological exposition to practical application, making clear that true Christianity is not simply about adhering to rituals or beliefs but about being fundamentally renewed by God’s spirit. The episode ends with an invitation to bring all one’s brokenness to God, looking to Christ for complete transformation—a life truly “made new” in Him.