The Winslow mail., 1924-08-22
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Si1n1daySclool 3
' Lesson
(By REV. p. B. FITZwATER, DID, Dean
of the Evening School, Moody Bible Insti-
tute of Chicago.)
90. 1924. Western Newspaper Union)
Lesson for August "a
JESUS TALKS WITH NlCoDEMUS
LESSON .TEXT-John 3:1-21.


gotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life."-John 3:16.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Nicodemus Visits
Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Visit of Nico-
demus
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-What 1t Means to Become a 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 a learned rabbi, a doctor of
the law and presumably a man Of
good character. His coming by night
indicates his timidity Like Joseph Of
Arimathaea he was afraid to openly
espouse the cause of the new Teacher
Of Galilee lest he be put out of the
synagogue.
|. The Necessity of the New Birth
(vv. Id.
1t is not a matter of choice as to
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:
1. The Kingdom Of God is spirit
ual Kingdom; therefore there must
be a spiritual birth in order to enter
it. ". 81. AS we enter the physical
kingdom by natural birth, so we en-
ter the Kingdom of God by a super
natural birth.
2. The nature which we get through
the natural birth is radically and es-
sentially bad VChrist declares that
that which is born of the flesh is flesh
". g.. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul
gives catalogue of the works of the
flesh. The flesh cannot be improved
(Jer 13 :23). Culture and educate, do
all you please, and it still remains
flesh. Furthermore, in order to enter
into the kingdom of heaven there must
be a nature fitted for heaven There
is nothing that can be substituted for
the new birth. Men are trying to sub
stitute 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 man from spiritual
death and plants within him Gods
own nature QI Pet. 1 ~.
II. The Mystery Of the New Birth
(vv. 8-13).
It's 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 its effects The
fruit of our lives demonstrates our
nature, whether it is heavenly or car
nal. We need not be told that we have
a physical birth for our bodies with
their various faculties in exercise
prove it. Even so the presence within
us of a nature which has no affinity
for the things of the world, a strong
affection for God and a 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 (vv. 14-1S>.
Christ's atoning death on the cross
makes regeneration possible. lie 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. 81 40, John
II 80, II Cor. 5 81. l Pet. 2 "a. 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
~. For Whom Salvation Was Pro-
vided (vv Is, 10. whatsoever be-
lieveth on Him."
These verses give in a condensed
form the whole plan of salvation OBJ
serve:
l. The Source-GOd so loved.
3 The Ground-the death Of
Christ.
8. The Recipients-whosoev
f. How Appropriated-beli in
Him.
6. Results should not perish; ever
: lasting life.
V. Mems Attitude Toward Christ
(vv. 1920.
l. Some Believe and Are Saved.
Those who believe are now free from
condemnation John :24).
2. Some Will Not Follow and Are
Resting. Therefore Under the Con-
demnation of God. The cause of their
unbelief in Him Is their love of sim