Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-08-21
PROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Lesson for August "a
JESUS TALKS WITH NIcoDEMUs

I GOLDEN TEXT-tFor God so loved
the world, that He gave His only be-
gotten Son, that whatsoever believeth
In Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life."-John 3:16.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Nicodemus Visits
Jesus
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Visit of Nlco-
demus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-What 1t Means to Become Chris
tian.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
| The New Birth.
\ The subject of the conversation with
Nicodemus was the new birth. This
topic had peculiar significance In the
light of Nicodemus' station In life.
He was learned rabbi, doctor of
! the law and presumably man OF
good character. His coming by night
indicates his timidity. Like Joseph of
Arimathaea he was afraid to openly
spouse the cause of the new Teacher
of Galilee lest he be put out of the
synagogue.
|. The Necessity of the New Birth
+ wv. I'D.
| 1t Is not matter of choice as to
/ whether one Is to be born again but
of necessity if he is ever to see the
Kingdom of God. Regeneration is the
! first demand the Gospel Of Christ
makes upon men. The reasons for this
are:
/. The Kingdom of God is spirit
J ual Kingdom therefore there must
be spiritual birth in order to enter
1t. ". 81. AS we enter the physical
kingdom by natural birth, so we en-
ter the Kingdom Of God by super
natural birth.
2. The nature which we get through
the natural birth Is radically and es-
sentially bad Christ declares that
that which Is born of the flesh Is flesh
". 81. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul
gives a catalogue Of the works OF the
flesh. The flesh cannot be improved
(Jer. 10 :23). Culture and educate, do
all you please and 1t still remains
flesh. Furthermore. in order to enter
into the kingdom of heaven there must
be nature fitted for heaven There
is nothing that can be substituted for
the new birth. Men are trying to sub
stltute morality and education for the
new birth. Nicodemus possessed these;
yet Christ declared that he needed
something more. Regeneration is the
act of God through the Holy Spirit
which quickens a man from spiritual
death lid plants within him Gods
own nature Oh Pet. AZ
II. The Mystery Of the New Birth
wv. 8-13).
Its process is mysterious, but Its re-
suits are definite. You may not be
able to discern from whence the wind
cometh or whittier 1t goeth, but you
know that it blows by it's effects The
fruit Of our lives demonstrates our
nature, whether 1t Is heavenly or car
nal. We need not be told that we Kave
physical birth for our bodies with
their various faculties In exercise
prove 1t. Even so the presence within
us Of nature which has no affinity
for the things of the world, a strong
affection for God and disposition to
yield prompt obedience to His COM
mands, proves that we have been born
from above. Galatians 5 %, %, Is an
infallible test.
III. The Ground Upon Which the
New Birth Rests wv. 14-1S).
Christ's atoning death on the cross
makes regeneration possible He took
the place of sinners His infinite merit
was placed to their account He suf-
fered in the sinners stead. Just as the
Israelites had only to look on the
brazen serpent in the wilderness so
the sinner must look to Christ uplifted
upon the cross. See Mum. q 40, John
1882, II Cor. 5:21 Pet. 2:24. Our
salvation cost on the part of God the
giving up of His only begotten Son
and on the part of Christ the suffer
ings and shame of the cross
w. For Whom Salvation Was Pro-
vided wv. 16, I'D whatsoever be-
lieveth on Him"
These verses give in a condensed
form the whole plan of salvation. OBJ
serve:
1. The Source-God so loved.
2. The Ground-the death Of |
Christ.
3. The Recipients-whosoe
A. How Appropriated believing In
Him.
6. should not perish; ever
lasting life.
v. Mems Attitude Toward Christ
wv. 1920.
1. Some Believe and Are Saved.
Those who believe are now free from !
condemnation tJohn 5 .24).
2. Some VIII Not Follow and Are
Resting, Therefore, Under the Con-
demnation of God. The cause of their
unbelief in Him is their love of sin.
Speculation VS.. Certaintie."