LESSON FOR JANUARY 19 The New Birth LESSON MATERIAL: John 3:1-11, 16, 17. GOLDEN T EX T : "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" ('John 3:3). Outline and Exposition I. T h e C on d ition of N icod em u s (VS. 1,2) Dissatisfied with his religion, and unconsciously disbelieving it,- Nicode mus went to Jesus, hoping for some thing better than what he had. It is my opinion that he went by night in order to have uninterrupted confer ence, rather than because of his fear of the Pharisees. II. T h e I n st r u c t io n of N icod em u s (vs. 3-11) He was told that every man must be “born from above” before he could see or enter the kingdom of God. Hence, every man is void of spiritual life, no matter what his existence here may be; he is void of spiritual truth, whatever his culture; and void of spiritual power, whatever his ability. There is universal need for the new birth because all men are in the same condition, differing only in the de gree of practicing sin. The intellectual nature is ruined: they need light (Gal. 5:19-23); the affectional nature is ruined: they need love; and the vo litional nature is ruined: they need life (Rom. 8:7). Men are not children of God by nat ural, but by supernatural, birth. Such birth cannot be secured by the flesh, but only by faith in Christ (John 1:11-13; 1 Pet. 1:23; James 1:18). III. T h e P ossibility for N icod emus (vs. 16,17) The love of God made it possible for Nicodemus, and for every man, to experience the new birth, by which is found rest of soul, peace of mind, and satisfaction of spirit. It is possi ble because of God’s great gift (v. 16). It is free, it cannot be bought; it is complete, nothing may be added; and it is forever, once possessed, it can not be lost. Of all the knowledge in the uni verse, the greatest fact is that God loved the world; the greatest gift is God’s Son; the greatest promise is that “whosoever will” may have life; and the greatest danger is the loss of one’s salvation, to perish, by re fusing the Saviour. “God sent not his Son . . . to con demn [judge]” but to save. The world is already condemned and needs sal vation from that. God meets this need by His great gift of His only begot ten Son.
Two Great Devotional Commentaries Highly Recommended by the Entire Christian Press, by REV. J. C. MACAULAY, Pastor Wheaton Bible Church Devotional Commentary on the GOSPEL OF JOHN Form erly published in two volumes u n d er “ The Word Made F lesh” an d “ Obedient U nto D eath .” “ Three th in g s th a t add to th e a u th o r’s cre d it: A simple ou tlin e, a n abund an ce of illu strativ e m aterial and though t-p rovok ing ideas, an d a u n iq u e scholarly sp irit.” —The Christian Advocate 9 2 . 5 0 Continues along th e line o f his form er book. A wealth o f application to m odern chu rch problem s. This ex ceedingly practical and inspiring work will give all ear n est readers a fresh grasp on C h ristian experience, grow th an d service. 9 2 . 5 0 A t Y o u r Boo ks ell er Devotional Commentary on the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
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