The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-01-14
Lesson for January II
JESUS AND NIcoDEMUs

LESSON TEXT-John s:1-21.
GOLDEN TEXT-For God so loved
the world that he gave his only be-
gotten Son. that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have sv-
erlasting life.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus Tells How
Much God Loves Us.
JUNIOR TOPIC-JesuS' Answer to .
Rulers Question.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP.
1C-Beginnings of the Christian Life.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-The New Birth.
!. The History Of Nieodemus wv. i,
2, ct. 1852; 10 :3S42).
The lesson today has its peculiar
significance in the light Of Ntcodemus'
station in life. He was learned rab-
hi. doctor of the law, and presume
bly, a man Of good character. His
coming by night indicates his tmfdity.
Like Joseph Of Arimathea, he was
afraid to espouse openly the cause Of
the new teacher Of Galilee. Though
timid, as an honest man, he investi-
gated and obtained nrst-hand infor-
nation. Because Of this information,
he uttered the brave words In the
Sanhedrin against judging a man be-
fore hearing him John, 7:45-52) and
rendered loving service at the Lords
tomb John 10 :3S-42).
u. Jesus Discourse to Nieodemus on
the New Birth wv. 3-1O.
/. The necessity of the new birth
wv. 80. If one is ever to see or en-
ter the kingdom of God, he must be
born again. There can be no person
al choice in the matter. Regenera-
tion is the first demand the gospel Of
Christ makes upon man. The rea-
sons for this are:
a. 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.
b. The nature which is ours through
the natural birth is radically and es-
sentially bad ". 6, CT. Gal. s :19-21).
That which is born of the flesh Is flesh.
In the Galatian text Paul gives cata-
logue of the works Of the flesh. The
flesh cannot be improved (Jer. Is :23).
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
today are trying to substitute morality
and education for the new birth. MIC
odemus possessed these, yet Christ
declared that he needed more.
2. The mystery Of the new birth
wv. S-13). Though the new birth is
mysterious, its results are definite.
This mystery is illustrated by the
wind. We cannot discern from whence
it cOmeth or wither it goeth, but we
know by It's effects that it blows. The
fruit Of the life demonstrates its ma
ture, whether it is heavenly or carnal.
We need not to be told that we have
had a physical birth for our bodies
with their various faculties in exercise
prove 1t. Even so, the presence with
in 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 our birth from above.
Just as the tree Is known by Its fruit,
so tastes. desires. and ambitions prove
the quality Of our nature.
8. The ground upon which the new
birth rests wv. IA, 15). Christ's atom
ing death on the cross makes regener-
alton possible. He took the place of
sinners. His infinite merit was placed
to their account. He suffered in the
sinners stead. Just as the Israelites
had only to look upon the brazen SER
pent in the wilderness, so the sinner
needs only to look upon Christ up
lifted on the cross (Num. 81 40;
John IL 30; II Cor. s :21; Pet. 2 PA.
Our salvation cost on the part Of God
the giving up Of his only begotten Son,
and on the part Of Christ the suffering
and shame Of the cross.
4. For whom the new birth was pro-
vided wv. 16. ~. whatsoever be-
!ieveth in him." These verses give in
a condensed form the whole plan Of
salvation. Observe:
a. It's source-"God so loved"
b. It's ground-the death Of Christ
''He gave"
c. Its Observation-Disclosures"
d. Its ondition-"Believeth in him."
e. It's results-"Should not perish
have everlasting life"
III. Mans Attitude Toward Christ
wv. 1920.
!. Some believe and are saved.
Those who believe are now free from
condemnation.
2. Some will not believe and are
therefore resting under the condem-
nation Of God. The awful sin which
causes men to be eternally lost is I'M
belief in Christ. The cause of their
unbelief In him is their love Of sin.