NICODEMUS AND THE NEW BIRTH–JOHN 3:1-21–LESSON 6

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
NICODEMUS AND THE NEW BIRTH–JOHN 3:1-21–LESSON 6
Introduction:
Here we see a religious Jew that comes to the Lord at night. Nicodemus feared the religious leaders and did not want to be put out of the synagogue by being seen with Jesus. Let us consider what Jesus had to say to this religious leader of the Jews.
I. NICODEMUS, A RELIGIOUS MAN
A. Nicodemus was a moral, religious man, one of the chief teachers (rulers) of the Jews.
1. He was a Pharisee. They were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride, Matthew 9:11 ”And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” Luke 7:39, “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”
2. They were frequently rebuked by our Lord, Matthew 12:39, “But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:”
3. From the very beginning of his ministry the Pharisees showed themselves bitter and persistent enemies of our Lord. They could not bear his doctrines, and they sought by every means to destroy his influence among the people.
B. Being religious and moral does not make a man fit for heaven.
1. Jesus declares that a man is condemned already, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
2. Jesus further declares that “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” v. 3.
II. NICODEMUS’ NEED OF A SPIRITUAL BIRTH
A. In material things Nicodemus seemed to be well off, but not rich.
1. He was a ruler of the Jews, a member of the Sanhedrin, the body that governed the people, v. 1.
2. He was a teacher of the Law of Moses, v. 10, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?”
B. In relation to spiritual things, Nicodemus was in great need.
1. Jesus told him of his need, v. 3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2. Nicodemus did not understand, v. 4.
3. Jesus explains in vs. 5-8
a. This birth in not a natural birth.
b. It is a spiritual birth, v. 6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
c. It is the Spirit of God that works the new birth, vs. 5-6.
1) The preaching of the Word of God, v. 5, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
a) Water is a symbol of the Word of God in the Bible.
b) We are washed by the Word, Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”
2) The Spirit of God accomplishes the work of Salvation.
a) The Spirit of God convicts of Sin through the preaching of the Word of God, John 16:8, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”
b) The hearing of the Word brings faith, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
CONCLUSION:
Nicodemus evidently trusted the Lord as his Savior because we find him helping prepare the Lord’s body for burial, John 19:39-40, “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40-Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

LESSON 7 TO FOLLOW:

THE MANIFESTATION OF JESUS’ POWER–JOHN 2:1–11; 4:46–LESSON 5

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
THE MANIFESTATION OF JESUS’ POWER–JOHN 2–LESSON 5
Introduction:
Cana is a town of Galilee, near Capernaum. Here our Lord wrought his first miracle, the turning of water into wine (JOHN 2:1–11; 4:46). It is also mentioned as the birthplace of Nathanael (21:2). It is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It has been identified as a place 8 or 9 miles north of Nazareth. It is called “Cana of Galilee,” to distinguish it from Cana of Asher (Joshua 19:28).
The turning of water into wine at a humble wedding, is the first of two manifestations of the Lord’s power in this second chapter of the gospel of John.
The second manifestation of His power was in the court of the Temple before the religious leaders of the Jews. It involved His vindication of the sacredness of His Father’s house from the profane indifference of the priests and leaders.
I. THE FIRST MANIFESTATION OF HIS POWER
A. Jesus fulfills His promise to Nathanael, vs. 1-2; John 1:50, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.”
1. “The third day” may refer to the third day after meeting Nathanael.
a. Cana is mention as being Nathanael’s home, John 21:2, “Here were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.”
b. This town is in Galilee near Nazareth where Jesus was reared.
2. The opportunity for Jesus to manifest His power was at a wedding in Cana, vs. 1-2.
a. Jesus’ mother was there. Perhaps she was a relative judging by her involvement in the wedding.
b. Jesus was invited along with His disciples. It is not known just how many of His disciples were present; perhaps only those mentioned in chapter one of John.
B. Jesus manifests His power to His disciples principally, vs. 3-11.
1. Many calls Jesus’ attention to the lack of wine, v. 3.
2. Jesus reacts to His mother’s words, v. 4, “Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”
a. “Woman,” Jesus was not disrespectful to His mother, but rather point out that His subjection to her as a child had passed, Luke 2:51, And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”
b. He did not use the title of “mother,” but rather that of a respected woman in the tradition of oriental people.
c. Here He speaks as the Son of God.
3. Mary gives instruction to the servants, v. 5.
4. Jesus realizes His first miracle, vs. 6-11.
a. Servant told to fill water pots, vs. 6-7. A “Firkin” is just less than 9 gallons. These were large containers of about 18 to 27 gallons each.
b. “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.” v. 8.
c. The governor’s reaction, “thou hast kept the good wine until now.” Jesus always produces perfection in everything.
d. Note John 1:17—“The law came through Moses”; in the Old Testament water was changed to blood (Exodus 7:19), which indicates judgment. But Christ turned water into wine, which speaks of grace and joy. Wine symbolizes the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
5. His disciples believed on Him, vs. 11-12.
a. Jesus realizes His purpose in the miracle, v. 11. That purpose was to confirm the faith of His disciples.
1) They had John the Baptist’s testimony, John 1:29, 36.
2) Now they had God’s testimony.
b. Now His disciples were more than mere followers; they were believers, v. 12.
II. THE SECOND MANIFESTATION OF HIS POWER
A. The zeal of the Lord, vs. 13-17.
1. Jesus goes to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, v. 13.
a. The name given to the chief of the three great historical annual festivals of the Jews. It was kept in remembrance of the Lord’s passing over the houses of the Israelites (Ex. 12:13) when the first born of all the Egyptians were destroyed.
b. It is called also the “feast of unleavened bread” (Ex. 23:15; Mark 14:1; Acts 12:3), because during its celebration no leavened bread was to be eaten or even kept in the household (Ex. 12:15). The word afterwards came to denote the lamb that was slain at the feast (Mark 14:12–14; 1 Cor. 5:7).
2. Jesus cleanses the Temple, vs. 14-15.
a. Changers of money = pilgrims to Jerusalem carried all sorts of currencies, but they brought no animals for sacrifice. Exchanges and purchases could be made at the Temple.
b. Jesus drives them out with a “scourge” (a whip) made of the material found around the sheep probably. This was the first of two cleansings of the Temple. The second is found in Luke 19:46.
c. The disciples remembered Psalms 69:9, “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;” v. 17.
d. The Jews demanded proof of His authority for His right to challenge the existing order, vs. 18-19.
1) What sign? 1 Corinthians 1:22, “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;”
2) Jesus gave them a veiled sign. v. 18, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
3) The Jews pondered this statement until His trial, Matthew 26:60-61, “But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61-And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.”
B. The Temple Itself.
1. Herod the Great replaced the temple of Zerubbabel because it was not of the same glory as that of Solomon’s (Hag. 2:3).
2. It took 46 years to build Herod’s Temple.
C. What Jesus meant by His statement, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
1. The Jews took Jesus literally.
2. Jesus spoke of the temple of His body, v. 21: “But he spake of the temple of his body.”
D. Jesus at the Passover, vs. 23-25.
1. Jesus preached and did miracles, v. 23. “The time was holy time, the feast-day, time appointed for the service of God; at the Passover the Levites taught the good knowledge of the Lord (2 Chr. 30:22), and Christ took that opportunity of preaching, when the concourse of people was great, and thus he would own and honour the divine institution of the Passover.” (Matthew Henry).
2. Jesus did not have confidence in His hearers, v. 24.
3. He knew all men. “His knowledge was not by information from others, but by his own infallible intuition” (Matthew Henry). Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13-Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
LESSON 6 TO FOLLOW:

THE LORD MEETS HIS FIRST DISCIPLES–JOHN 1:35-51–LESSON 4

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
THE LORD MEETS HIS FIRST DISCIPLES–JOHN 1:35-51–LESSON 4
Introduction:
In the previous lesson John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Christ to the religious crowd that had come to investigate who John was. John declared that he was not the Christ, but was sent ahead of the Him in order to prepare a people ready to meet the Lord.
Now in this lesson John the Baptist introduces Jesus as the Christ to his disciples, the people that he had prepare for the Lord.
I. THE NEXT DAY.
A. John was there (gr. “stood” there) while Jesus passed by, vs. 35-36.
1. John introduces two of his disciples to Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God!” v. 36b.
2. John’s ministry was being fulfilled as he introduced the disciples to Jesus as the Christ, John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
B. The two disciples follow Jesus, vs. 37-38.
1. Jesus’ first words heard by the disciples were “What seek ye?” What do you want? v. 38.
2. Jesus seems to imply more with His question. Perhaps Jesus was also asking, “What are you seeking in life?”
C. The titles by which Jesus was called.
1. Messiah (Gr. Messias). The term appears on twice in Scripture, both times in the book of Daniel, chapter 9:25-26. It means, “anointed.” “The idea of “the anointed One” comes from the Old Testament practice of anointing priests and kings with oil. This was symbolic of the Spirit and pointed to the future One who would come (cf. Isa. 61:1). The title “Messiah” came to be used of the future Davidic King (cf. Matt. 1:1; John 6:15). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary).
2. Christ. This is the Greek translation of the word “Messiah or Anointed One.”
3. “Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,).” The title is that of a teacher.
a. By calling Jesus “Rabbi” they imply that they are coming to Him to be taught by Him.
b. The title means “a great man,” that is, one who has much in him. “Never was there such a rabbi as our Lord Jesus, such a great one, in whom were hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. These came to Christ to be his scholars, so must all those that apply themselves to him.” (Matthew Henry)
D. The disciples question: “Where dwellest thou?” v. 38
1. Jesus invites them to “Come and see.” Literally, Come and you will see.
a. One must come to Jesus by faith first.
b. Then God opens his eyes to see more of the truth of His Word.
2. The disciples stayed the whole day with the Lord beginning at the tenth hour. The Jews counted the day from midnight and from noon. It seems logical that they were with Jesus from 10:00 AM on through the day.
II. THE FIRST DISCIPLES OF JESUS.
A. Andrew was first to follow Jesus, vs. 40-41.
1. Andrew finds his brother, Simon Peter, v. 40.
2. Andrew declares that Jesus is the “Messias,” v. 41.
3. Andrew appeared two more times in John 6:4-9; 12:20-22. Both times he was bringing someone to Jesus.
B. Jesus and Simon Peter, v. 47.
1. Jesus called him “Cephas” which is Aramaic. Peter is the Greek translation meaning, “rock.”
2. He would be a rock-like man in the church at Jerusalem during its early years (cf. Matt. 16:18; Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-19; Acts 2-5; 10-12).
C. Jesus meets Philip, vs. 43-46.
1. Philip, “Follow me.” v. 43.
2. Philip finds Nathanael, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” v. 45.
3. Nathanael’s statement: “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” v. 46.
4. Philips reply: “Come and see.”
D. Jesus meets Nathanael, vs. 47-49.
1. The Lord’s statement about Nathanael: “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (no deceit – he was a modest man).
2. Nathanael was puzzled that the Lord knew him, v. 48.
a. Jesus explains: “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. v. 48. This expression often meant to have safety and leisure (cf. 1 Kings 4:25; Micah 4:4; Zech. 3:10). Perhaps here the fig tree was a place for meditation. See Psalm 139.
b. Jesus supernatural knowledge of Nathanael moves Nathanael to declare:
1. That Jesus is the Son of God, v. 49.
2. That Jesus is the King of Israel, v. 49.
E. Jesus’ final statement, vs. 50-51.
1. First statement: “Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.” Jesus promised Nathanael a greater basis for belief, probably referring to the miracles in chapters 2-13.
2. Second statement: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” From 1:48, 51 it can be inferred that Nathanael was meditating on Jacob’s life, particularly on the incident recorded in Genesis 28:12. Jacob saw the angels going up and down a ladder. But Nathanael would see . . . the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
LESSON 5 TO FOLLOW:

JOHN IDENTIFIES THE CHRIST—JOHN 1:15-34–LESSON 3

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
JOHN IDENTIFIES THE CHRIST—JOHN 1:15-34–LESSON 3
Introduction:
In this lesson John identifies the Messiah to the religious Jews and to his own disciples as well. John says who he really is and who Jesus really is as well. He makes it very plain that he (John) is not the Christ using a double negative in the Greek text.
He identifies Jesus as the Christ. He is the One who has the power, not to baptize with mere water, but with the Holy Spirit of God. Thus, he points his disciple to their Messiah.
I. JOHN THE BAPTIST IDENTIFIES HIMSELF
A. “I am not the Christ,” John 1:20, “And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.”
B. “Who art thou?” “I am a voice,” v. 23, “He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.”
C. Why do you baptize? v. 25, “And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?”
1. I baptize with water, v. 26, “John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;”
2. They were told that the Messiah was among them at that time.
a. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit, Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
b. The Jews, v. 24, “And they which were sent were of the Pharisees,” did not know the Messiah (they were not believers). John said as much, “whom ye know not.”
II. JOHN IDENTIFIES THE CHRIST
A. “Behold the Lamb of God,” John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
1. The religious crowd standing around John as he identified the Christ.
a. They understood John’s expression.
1) The lamb referred to the Passover lamb.
2) That lamb spoke of redemption.
b. They looked to see who it was of whom he spoke.
2. Jesus was coming toward the crowd, v. 30, “This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.”
a. I did not know Him, v. 31,
b. The Lord revealed who He was, vs. 32-34
B. “That taketh away the sin of the world.”
1. “Taketh away” – Greek, = to bear away what has been raised, carry off; to remove, Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
2. “The sin of the world,” Greek = to miss the mark; to err; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong. Romans 3:10-12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11-There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12-They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
III. JOHN POINTS HIS DISCIPLES TO JESUS
John 1:35-36, “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36-And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”
A. John identifies Jesus as the Christ this time to his disciples.
1. The Lamb of God. That expression identified the Messiah to the disciples. Where is the lamb for the burnt offering, Genesis 22:7, “And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
a. The Passover lamb, Exodus 12:3, “Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:”
b. The sacrificial lamb points to Christ, Isaiah 53:3-5, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4-Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5-But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
2. John’s ministry was to preach the coming of the Messiah, Luke 1:17, “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
a. In the spirit and power of Elias (Elijah). Elijah was a very colorful prophet in the Old Testament who spoke with all the authority that God gave him.
b. John was to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. He preached and won those folks to faith in Jesus Christ as we do today.
B. Now he has introduced the disciples to Jesus their Messiah.
CONCLUSION:
John identifies Jesus as the Messiah to the unbelieving religious Jews and to his own disciples as well. He points his disciples and instructs them to follow Jesus Christ as John’s ministry began to terminate.
LESSON 4 TO FOLLOW:

JOHN THE BAPTIST–JOHN 1:6-8, 15-34–LESSON 2

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
JOHN THE BAPTIST–JOHN 1:6-8, 15-34–LESSON 2
Introduction:
John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus and was Jesus’ cousin. John was a man sent by God on a very special mission. His father was a Jewish priest.
His birth and mission were a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
I. WHO WAS JOHN THE BAPTIST?
A. THE MAN, v. 6, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”
1. John was born of godly parents
a. His father, Zacharias, was priest of Aaron’s lineage, Luke 1:5, “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.”
b. His mother was a cousin to Mary, the mother of Jesus, Luke 1:36, “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.”
2. John’s birth was announced by an angel, Luke 1:11-13.
a. John’s parents were old.
b. The angel told Zacharias to call his son “John.”
B. THE MISSION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.
1. The title “Baptist” means “baptizer.”
2. John’s youth was spent in the dessert between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, Luke 1:80, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.”
a. There he was educated.
b. He was full of the Holy Spirit from his birth, Luke 1:15, “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.”
3. His purpose, Luke 1:16-17.
a. To turn the people to God, v. 16, “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.”
b. To go before the Christ, v. 17, “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
c. To identify Jesus as the Christ, John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
C. THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
1. The material prepared.

a. The men who were chosen to be Apostles, Luke 6:12-16.

b. Many of the members of the Church in Jerusalem were disciples of John the Baptist, Acts 1:21-22, “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

2. John’s ministry terminated with his death.

a. From the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, John’s ministry began to diminish John 3:26-36.

1) John pointed his disciples to Jesus, vs. 28-30, “Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29-He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30-He must increase, but I must decrease.”

2) The Father has put all things into the hands of the Son, vs. 35-36, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36-He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

b. John died at the hands of King Herod, Luke 3:19-20, “But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20-Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.” Matthew 14:3-12.

CONCLUSION:

John the Baptist was a great man who came in the spirit of Elias (Elijah), Matthew 11:14, “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.”

He was not the Christ, but was sent before Him. He said of himself, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” (John 3:23).

LESSON 3 TO FOLLOW: