Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1926-01-14
Sunday School Lesson
Lesson for January II
JESUS AND NlcoDEMus

LESSON TExT-John 3:1-17.
GOLDEN TExT--For God so loved
the world that He gave His only be-
gotteE Son that whatsoever believeth in
Him should not perish. but have ever
lasting life.-John 1916
PRIMARY TOPIC-Nicodemus Visits
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPIC--A Ruler Visits Je-
sus by" Night
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-What Nicodenus Learned From
Jesus.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The New Birth.
l. The History Of Nicodemus (vv.
|, 9; CT. 7:45-52; 10 :38-42).
The lesson Of today has it's peculiar
significance in the light of Nicodemus'
station in life. He was a learned
rabbi, doctor of the law. and pre-
sumably a man of good character. His
coming by night indicates his timidity.
Like Joseph of Arimathea he was
afraid to openly espouse the cause of
the new teacher of Galilee. Though
timid, as an honest man he investi-
gated and got first-hand information
Because Of this information he uttered
the brave words in the Sanhedrin
against judging man before hearing
him (John 7:45-52), and he also rem
dered the loving service at the Lords
tomb (John 10 :3S-42).
II. Jesus Discourse With Nieode-
mus wv. 3-17).
The subject Of this conversation was
the new birth
l. The Necessity Of the New Birth
(vv. so.
1t is not matter of choice whether
one is to be born again, but Of ne
cessity, If he is ever to see or enter
the kingdom of God. Regeneration
is the first demand the gospel Of
Christ makes upon man.
(D The Kingdom Of God is spirit
ual kingdom. therefore there must be
spiritual birth in order to enter it
". 81. AS we enter the physical
kingdom by a natural birth. so we
enter the kingdom of God by super
natural birth.
(2) The nature which we get through
the natural birth is radical and es-
sentially bad ". g.; CT. Gal. 6:19-2D.
That which is born of the flesh Is flesh.
The flesh cannot be improved (Jer.
- :23) cultivate and educate it all
you please and 1t will still remain
flesh. In order to enter into the king
dom of heaven there must be na-
ture fitted for heaven. There is moth
ing that can be substituted for the
new birth. Men today are trying to
substitute morality and education for
the new birth. Nicodemus possessed
these. yet Christ declared that he
needed something more. 1t is no more
possible to have physical being with
out a physical birth than it is to have
a spiritual nature without being born
Of the spirit
3 The Mystery of the New Birth
wv. s-13).
Though mysterious it's results are
definite. We cannot discern from
whence the wind cometh. or whittier
it goeth, but we know that it blows
by it's effects. The fruits of our
life demonstrate our nature, whether
1t is heavenly or carnal We need not
be told that we have had physical
birth, for our bodies with their vari
Gus faculties prove it, Even so. the
presence within us of nature which
has no affinity for the things of the
world, but a strong affection for Sod
and disposition to yield prompt
obedience to His commands. proves
that we have been born from above.
3. The Ground Upon Which the New
Birth Rests wv. IA. 15).
sChrist's atoning death on the cross
makes regeneration possible He took
the place of sinners. His infinite
merit was placed to their account He
suffered In the sinners stead.
+ 4. For Whom Salvation Was Pro
vided wv, 16, ~,
'Whosoever beIieveth on Him"
These verses give in condensed form
the whole plan of salvation. Observe:
Q) Its source-"God so loved" (2)
It's ground, the death of Christ-"He
ever" (4) It's condition-"belleveth
on Him." It's should not per-
ish, have everlasting life"
III. Mans Attitude Toward Christ
(vv. 1S-21).
1. Some Believe and Are Saved.
Those who believe are now free from
condemnation (John 5:24). They are
not only saved now but forever John
1925, 29).
2. Some VIII Not Believe and Are