Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1943-01-07
JESUS INsTRUCTS A GREAT
TEACHER

LESSON TExT-John 3:1-16.
GOLDEN TEXT-For God so loved
the world. that he gave his only begotten
Son. that whosoever believeth on him
should not perish, but have everlasting
life.-John 3:l6.
Nicodemus came to our Lord
when He was in Jerusalem for the
Passover. Jesus had chosen six of
His disciples, had performed His
first miracle at Cana, and had made
a brief visit to Capernaum, after
which He came 30 Jerusalem for
the feast.
In high and holy indignation He
had driven the money changers out
Of the temple. The Pharisees who
looked for the coming Of the Mes
siah as secular conqueror won
dered at this new spiritual leader.
It was probably as much on their
behalf as his own that Nicodemus
came to inquire of Jesus.
In answering his questions Jesus
reveals the necessity, the nature,
and the method of regeneration. The
only entrance into the Christian life
is by the door of the new birth. Re-
generation is the act of God whereby
the divine nature is impaired to the
believing sinner and he becomes the
child of God. He who has not en-
tered by this way has not entered
at all He is still dead in tres
passes and sins, without God and
without hope (Eph. 81, 12).
Men seek to enter the household Of
God by almost any other means
culture, reform, character building
and neglect or reject Gods way.
1. The Necessity of Regeneration
wv. I'D.
Jesus was not unduly impressed
by the dignity and high station Of
his visitor, nor by the visitors cour-
teous acknowledgment Of His own
position as a great teacher. With
incisive holiness Jesus declared
that this man, cultured and dis
tinguished ruler of the Jews, must
be born again if he is to see the
kingdom of God.
God is no respecter Of persons.
This doctor of divinity" must be
born again, just as was the illiterate
fisherman. The requirements are
the same for all, and the necessity
as great in one level of society as
in another.
The surprising thing is that tfIfs
teacher of theology could be so is
norant Of the one essential element
Of real spiritual experience. He
evidently thought he could bring his
soul to eternal life by his own works,
when in fact he was not able to give
himself physical-let alone spiritual
life.
Two reasons are given BY our
Lord for the must" of verse z: ~
The kingdom of God is a spiritual
kingdom. and cannot be entered by
way of our human nature; and (2)
that which is born of the flesh is
flesh" and is radically and essential
ly bad. To learn why the flesh is
bad read jeremiah 1923 and Gala
tians 5:19-2l. Scripture on this point
is dramatically opposed to the
teaching Of unbelieving men. When
such difference arises be sure Of
this-God's Word is right. Follow It'll
ii. The Nature Of Regeneration
(vv. 8-13).
The new birth is divine mystery,
not fathomable by human reason.
Those who insist that all spiritual
truth be put through the little norm
Of their intelligence will never UNI
derstand 1t or receive its blessing.
The striking illustration Of the life-
giving and energizing wind used by
our Lord is most Illuminating. Wind
is unseen, Jut the results of its
movement are evident. Even SO the
spiritual rebirth Of men is an enigma
to the worldly man, but even he can
see its results in godly living. =
Observe the clarity and simplicity
Of our Lords teaching on what is
undoubtedly the most profound SUBJ
ject in all the world. Let us follow
His example and always make the
message clear and plain. Christ re-
ceiveth sinful meni"
III. The Method of Regeneration
wv. 1910.
Many there are who ask Nicode-
mus question, How can these
things be?" ". 81. The answer is
clear-"Only by faith in the Son of
God, our Saviour"
Just as there was healing and life
in a look at the uplifted serpent
Nuin. 21:8), so there is life for a
look at the Crucified One. Faith re-
ceives Gods perfect provision for
sin.
John 1915 may well be regarded
as the greatest sentence in the
greatest Book in the world. II pre-
sents the whole plan Of salvation
its source, its ground. its recipients.
its condition, and its result. II also
reveals Gods love-its object
character, manifestation. purpose
and the result tJohn W Bradbury
This glorious salvation is for all
men-''w hosoever"-but some re.
ject it. Notice that God does not
condemn them. Their own evil
works and desires condemn them