The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-01-26
JESUS AND
NICODEMUS
Prepared by trc Hiahway and
Byway" Preacher.
Copyright, 1904, by J. NJ. Edson.)
Sunday S scbcol Lesson for Jan. 29, 1905
LESSON TExT.-John S1-i5. Memor

GOLDEN XT.--"God 80 loved the
world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever beieveth In Him should
not perish, but have everlasting life" John
s16
TIME.-some time during the feast Of the
passover, which Jesus left Galilee to at
tend. John 213 Perhaps two months after
events of last lesson.
PLACE.-Jerusalem Probably In the up
per room reached by outside stairway, In
the house where Jesus was guest.
A REMINDER. Repeat John 2O:Sl. AS
we begin the study of this lesson let us ask
ourselves the question: How will 1t help
US to believe that Jesus is the Christ the
Son of God? and how will 1t help us TO con-
vince others of this all important TRUTH
The Lesson Outline.
THEME.-The New Birth
1.-The Fact Of the New Birth, vs. l-s,
Q) Nicodemus' Quest, VS.. l. z.
(2) Jesus Solemn Declaration, v. J.
1.-THE Nature of the New Birth, vs. Ala.
Q) Misunderstood by Nicodemus, v. T.
(2) Explained by Jesus, vs.. 5-l4,
(a) New Birth through the Spirit, " D.
(6j New Birth Spiritual not fieshy. V. o.
(c) New Birth not unreasonable, v. T.
(d) New Birth invisible, v. g.
(e) New Birth known absolutely by
Jesus. " IL
% New Birth an earthly experience
v. IL.
(s) New Birth made possible by Jesus
Christ, VS.. 13, a.
III.-The Recipient of New Birth, v. b'
% Believers In Christ.
(a) Escape Death.
(b) Obtain Eternal Life.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture.
|. The Fact of the New Birth. ~
Nicodemus' Quest, vs. /, 2.--Nicodemus
came seeking he knew not what, and
was brought face to face with one OF
the most profound truths Of Scripture.
He recognized Jesus as teacher sent
from God, yet doubted His personal
message to him. He admitted the
miracles Of Jesus, yet was stranger to
the greater miracle Of the new birth.
Whatever may have been the attitude
of Nicodemus towards Jesus that night,
certain 1t is that he became later secret
believer in Him. See John 7:5O-51 and
1899.
(2) Jesus Solemn Declaration, v. g.
This passage is specially significant In
that It is the first recorded discourse Of
Jesus and was delivered to Nicodemus
who was ruler Of the Jews and a
member of the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus'
high position as religious teacher
among the Jews and his zeal and devo-
ton to Gods law and the Jews religion,
did not assure him of place in the King
dom of God. He must be born again"
or from above marginal reading), as
must every one who enters the Kingdom
of God. The fact Of the new birth as es-
sential to salvation needs emphasis In
this day Of liberalism and apostasy. The
new birth is necessary because of cor
rupt human nature, VS. 6 and Rom. 8:7,8,
II. The Nature of the New Birth. Q)
Misunderstood by Nicodemus, V. 4.-The
natural mind cannot understand the
things of God. / Cor. 2:14. Jesus was
amazed at Nicodemus' blindness Of
heart, v. 10; Mark S:1S; Eph. Ais.
(2) Explained by Jesus. (a) New
Birth Through the Spirit, v. Born
of water and Of the Spirit" implying
thorough spiritual publication by the
operation of the Holy Spirit, water be-
Ing symbolic of cleansing in all the
Jewish ceremonies. Comp. Titus 3:5.
(b) New Birth Is Spiritual, v, e.
Just as flesh begets flesh, SO the Spirit
begets spiritual. 1t is spiritual resurrec-
ton. Eph. 81, g. A new creation, 2
Cor. 5:17; GAL 6:15; Eph. 210.
(c) New Birth Not Unreasonable, v.
IF physical birth is necessary to
share in physical life, then why should
It be thought strange that there must be
Spiritual birth to experience spiritual
life? The birth of the babe marks it's
advent into the world. The birth of a
soul under the power of the Spirit marks
the advent of soul into the Kingdom
of God. Marvel not" therefore, "ye
must be born again"
(d) New Birth Invisible and Unob-
servable. v. S.--The Spirit and the indi-
vidual soul are the only ones that know
of the sacred process. Curious eyes may
not lift tie curtain which God has drawn
over this natal spot of the soul
(e),/New Birth Known Absolutely by
Jesus, v. 11,-Luke 2:4O, So. A personal
testimony Of actual experience Is
stronger evidence than the most learned
and weighty theory or opinion.
(f) New Birth an Earthly Experience.
V. 12.-It marks the beginning of spirit
ual sight. If the initial truth Of the
Christian life seems so Incompetent
sible how could the deeper mysteries Of
the Kingdom Of God be received?
(g) New Birth Made Possible by
Jesus Christ, VS.. 13, 14.-Here is a sub
lime picture. Read the story in Mum.
21:4-9. A type Of which Christ was the
fulfllment Jesus sacrifice for sin was
to give life. 1t made the New Birth pos
sible. Those who are born from above
are begotten Of God. 1 John 81.
III. The Recipient of the New Birth,
v. 15.-Jesus declared the fact of the
New Birth. He then showed its nature
and it's necessity, and now because He
was the Lamb Of God which taketh away
the sin of the world, He makes the New
Birth dependent upon faith in Him.
The Golden Text.
For God so loved the world that He
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