The Glenwood post., 1924-08-21
Lesson for August "a
JESUS TALKS WITH hlcoDEMus

LESSON TExT-John SILL. st.
GOLDEN TExT-"For God 10 loved
the world, that He gave His only be-
In Him should not perish. but have
everlasting life."-John s:1e.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Nioodemus Visits
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToP1c-The Visit of Nico-
demus.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-What 1t Means to Become Chris
tian.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Tho 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, 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
wv. 1-O.
1t is not a 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
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 1921, 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 1t still remains
flesh. Furthermore, in order to enter
Into the kingdom Of heaven there must
be a nature fitted for heaven. There
II nothing that can be substituted for
the new birth. Men are tryi1g 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 (H Pet. 1:4).
u. The Mystery Of the New Birth
Nv. s-18).
Its process is mysterious, but its re-
suits are definite. You may not be
able to discern from whence the wind
cometh or whittier It goeth, but you
know that 1t blows by Its effects. The
fruit Of our lives demonstrates our
nature, whether 1t is heavenly or car
nal. We need not be told that we have
q physical birth for our bodies with
their various faculties in exercise
prove It. Even 10 the presence within
rs Of q nature which has no affinity
for the things Of the world. strong
affection for God and a disposition to
yield prompt obedience to His COM
mands, proves that we have been born
from above. Galatians 8 :22, %. Is an
infallible test.
III. The Ground Upon Which the
New Birth Rssts 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-
fsred in the sinners stead. Just as the
Israelites had only to look on the
braxen serpent In the wilderness 20
the sinner must look to Christ uplifted
upon the cross. See Mum. n 40, John
12 :S2, 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
vlded wv. 16, I'D. "Whosoever be-
lieveth on Him."
These verses give In condensed
form the whole plan Of salvation. OBJ
serve:
/. The Source-God 80 loved.
2. The Ground-the death Of
Christ.
8. The Recipients
a. How MISUNDERSTANDING In
Him. -
9. Results-should not perish; ever.
lasting life.
v. Meme Attitude Toward Christ
wv. 1920. w
1. Some Believe and Are Saved
Those who believe are now free from
condemnation (John 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.