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Roof Contribution Announcement
Matthew 16:18 ESV
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
New Bethel AME Church is asking for your assistance, as we continue to maintain our local assembly for a place of fellowship and worship. We have a goal to obtain funding to replace our roof by the end of this calendar year. We are asking you to partner with us in making a monthly or one-time donation. There are multiple ways to make your contribution. Please feel free to give online via New Bethel’s website (http://www.newbethelameredtop.com), via the donate icon, Givelify, or mail your contribution to the address listed below. Please add the comment ‘roof donation’. We appreciate your continued efforts
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Sunday School Lesson November 3
Lesson 10 (KJV)
2 Corinthians 13:1–11
Faith That Is Tested
Devotional Reading: James 1:12–18
Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1–11
2 Corinthians 13:1–11
- This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
- I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
- Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
- For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
- Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
- But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
- Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
- For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
- For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
- Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
- Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Key Verse
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?—2 Corinthians 13:5
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
- Summarize the history between Paul and the Corinthian church.
- Explain the seeming paradox of “strength in weakness.”
- Ask self-examining questions to gauge his or her level of being “in the faith.”
HOW TO SAY IT
Athens
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Ath-unz.
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Berea
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Buh-ree-uh.
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Corinth
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Kor-inth.
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Corinthians
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Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
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Ecclesiastes
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Ik-leez-ee-as-teez.
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Ephesus
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Ef-uh-sus.
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Hellenism
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Heh-leh-nih-zim.
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Mediterranean
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Med-uh-tuh-ray-nee-un.
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Philippi
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Fih-lip-pie or Fil-ih-pie.
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Thessalonica
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Thess-uh-lo-nye-kuh (th as in thin).
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Introduction
- Restoration Risks
Close personal relationships bring us great joy, but they bring pain also. The stronger the emotional connection, the more we care. The closer and more longstanding the relationship, the greater its capacity for causing sorrow or creating happiness.
Because of the high stakes, it takes great courage to confront a close friend who is causing pain. We want to think that time will erase any relationship rift, but this is often not the case. As with an infection, sometimes the wound must be reopened before it will heal. When restoration is achieved, the relationship may emerge even stronger than before, but we know this does not always happen. When we find ourselves at odds with a friend, confrontation presents a risk because it could end the relationship altogether.
- Lesson Context
Paul’s first visit to Corinth occurred on his second missionary journey (Acts 18). He arrived between AD 52 and 54 after visiting Philippi (16:11–40), Thessalonica (17:1), and Berea (17:10), as well as Athens (17:16–34).
Corinth was the second-largest city in Greece, about 50 miles west of Athens, but the two cities were very different. Athens represented learning, culture, and the grand traditions of the Greeks. Corinth, on the other hand, thrived as a Roman commercial and transportation hub. Scholars were made in Athens; fortunes were made in Corinth.
Paul spent about 18 months ministering in the city of Corinth (Acts 18:11). His initial stay resulted in a church that included Jewish and Gentile believers (18:1–8). Mixing those two groups was not easy, for each had a sense of cultural superiority over the other (compare 1 Corinthians 1:20–22). The Greeks remembered the glory of their philosophers and the military exploits of Alexander the Great and his successors, dating back to 334 BC. It was they who brought Greek culture (Hellenism) to much of the Mediterranean world.
The Jews, for their part, identified themselves as God’s chosen people, with an ancient law given to them by God himself (compare Romans 2:17–29). Yet Paul argued persuasively that they had a new, common identity as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13, 27), united under a common Lord and Savior (1:2).
After Paul’s departure in AD 54, outsiders arrived whom Paul sarcastically calls “super-apostles” for their claim of authority greater than his own or that of any other apostle (2 Corinthians 11:5; 12:11). These “apostles” tried to discredit Paul (11:5–15; 12:11, 12). Paul was deeply hurt by the Corinthians’ acceptance of false teaching, which signaled to be a betrayal of friendship. Before writing 2 Corinthians, he traveled to Corinth to correct this false teaching, to clear his name, and to restore his relationships. The book of Acts does not tell us of this visit, but Paul refers to it as a “painful visit” (2 Corinthians 2:1).
The setting for the writing of 2 Corinthians is quite different from the setting for his writing of 1 Corinthians. In the first letter, likely written about AD 56, Paul draws on his relationship with the Corinthians to give authoritative directions concerning many problematic issues in the congregation (see 1 Corinthians 1:10–17; 5:1–6:20; 7:1–14:40). He does this with confidence, believing their love and respect for him will allow his voice to be heard even when he is not there (see 5:3–5).
By the time Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in AD 57, the impact of the false apostles had poisoned Paul’s relationship with his friends. Because of this, Paul had some bold, harsh words for the Corinthians, words designed to put their relationship to rights. His response came in the form of a harsh, sorrowful letter (2 Corinthians 2:4). Paul saw more than a friendship at risk. He feared that a church he loved would turn to false teaching in ways that endangered their faith (11:1–15).
What Do You Think?
What steps can we take to ensure that a painful confrontation with friends or relatives is productive rather than destructive?
Digging Deeper What biblical texts offer wisdom or cautionary tales for handling confrontation?
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- Examination
(2 Corinthians 13:1–6)
- Paul’s Warning (vv. 1, 2)
- This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Paul uses this letter to prepare the way for his third visit (see 2 Corinthians 12:14). He emphasizes the decisive nature of this visit by citing an ancient Jewish tradition: two or three witnesses are required to uphold an accusation of wrongdoing (Deuteronomy 19:15). One theory is that Paul includes this quotation because he expects to be vindicated during this visit. He believes that not even two or three people will be willing to testify against him. The Corinthians know him and respect him too much to give false witness about his ministry.
Another theory is that the witnesses do not refer to people at all. For Paul, it is a matter of his refuting three times the accusations against him. These witnesses can be taken as his three visits during which the Corinthians have seen what they need to know in order to establish Paul’s integrity in his ministry. This underlines the seriousness of this situation for Paul. He is devoting much time and effort to come to a good resolution of the frayed situation.
What Do You Think?
What forms might the principle of “multiple witnesses” take when someone must be confronted?
Digging Deeper Considering Matthew 18:15, 16, in what kinds of circumstances might it be best not to bring others into a disagreement?
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No Potemkin Church
As the story goes, Grigory Potemkin was just a Russian nobleman trying to win the favor of Catherine the Great. In 1783, Potemkin wanted to impress Catherine with the quality of her new Crimean possessions. Before her tour of the region, he ordered pleasant village façades to be built to impress her during her tour of the area. Peasants were dressed to look much wealthier than they were to give a false impression of prosperity. Today the phrase “Potemkin village” refers to a façade that is intended to deceive.
Paul warned the Corinthians that he was planning a visit. Previous visits had not solved the problem of the false teachers’ influence. It would not suffice for the Corinthians to “make things pretty” for this visit. They had to face the underlying issues that were threatening the church’s well-being. On a personal level, what do you need to do to be prepared for the Lord’s next visit?
—C. R. B.
- I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare.
Paul plans to put an end to the influence of the “very chiefest apostles” and their followers on once and for all and will not spare them (2 Corinthians 11:5; 12:11). Sufficient warnings have been issued; if Paul sees that the Corinthians need discipline on his next visit, he will not hesitate to use the authority he has to administer it.
His warning specifically targets those who heretofore have sinned. He is already worried that he will find this group involved in unholy activities (2 Corinthians 12:20, 21). This may suggest that the false teachers have either turned a blind eye to these outrageous behaviors or even encouraged them, perhaps through their own participation.
What Do You Think?
How can we determine whether a confrontation calls for the approach in Matthew 10:34–36 or for the one in Romans 12:18 and 14:19?
Digging Deeper How do passages such as Psalm 120:7; Ecclesiastes 3:8; and/or Micah 3:5 help frame your answer, if at all?
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- God’s Power (vv. 3, 4)
- Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.
This verse seems to challenge the false apostles directly. Their presentation and demeanor are brash and confident. This contrasts starkly with Paul’s usual gentleness and patience (see 2 Corinthians 10:1). They apparently claim that they speak with the very voice and authority of Christ. In so doing, they dismiss Paul’s claim to speak for the Lord because he is unassuming in his presentation. The strategy of the other “apostles” is not so much to justify their own teachings through logical presentation as it is to undermine Paul’s authority and thereby discredit him altogether.
Paul uses irony to make his counterpoint, seemingly agreeing that Christ speaks through him in a lesser way in comparison to how Christ speaks through the opponents. The real irony is that while they think highly of the power and authority of the false apostles, those fall short of Paul’s power and authority. This points to his paradoxical argument that what appears to be weakness is sometimes a display of great strength (see 2 Corinthians 4:7–12; 13:4). Thus Paul is able to insist that his message to the Corinthians is not weak.
4a. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God.
Paul’s immediate example of strength despite seeming weakness is Christ himself. Jesus’ crucifixion showed Him in weakness, not resisting His accusers or executors. Although He could have called angels to deliver Him (Psalm 91:11, 12; Matthew 26:53), Jesus submitted to an unjust death sentence. This self-imposed weakness (Philippians 2:6–8) was shown to be temporary and even illusory by His resurrection, a display of God’s power unlike anything ever witnessed (2:9–11). The shame of the cross was replaced by Jesus’ triumph over death to life by the power of God.
4b. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
Paul’s litany of the physical trials and perils he has suffered in his missionary endeavors demonstrates his own experience (see 2 Corinthians 11:23–28). His many troubles help him identify with Christ’s own weakness in the cross. Rather than identifying with Christ’s glorification, Paul points to persecutions as the mark of a true apostle.
Paul is confident, though, that his personal weaknesses will not determine the outcome of his dealings with his opponents. Instead, just as Christ lives by the resurrection power of God, so Paul shall live in fellowship with Christ and in Jesus’ power in confronting the issues at Corinth.
- Know Yourself (v. 5)
5a. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
Paul now shifts the focus from himself and the false accusations that have been made against him. He exhorts the Corinthians to examine and prove themselves, to look at their own lives.
5b. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
The Corinthian believers have questioned the Spirit-inspired nature of Paul’s authority (2 Corinthians 13:3); now he questions them. Do they really know that Jesus Christ lives in them? If not, Paul concludes, they are reprobates. By this, Paul means that they fail a test of spiritual self-examination, thus disqualifying themselves from judging true spirituality and relationship to Christ.
Though the question is framed as being primarily about the spiritual condition of the Corinthians, it also serves as a test of Paul’s apostleship. If they find that they are truly in the faith, then must not Paul also be in the faith? After all, Paul “planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Contrary to his detractors’ accusations, Paul indicates that the root cause of their problematic relationship is not the apostle sitting in Ephesus writing the letter. Instead he suggests that the false apostles rampaging in Corinth are the problems as they besmirch his reputation and gain a following. It is not so much that Paul is saying the Corinthians must be on his side, but that they should be sure they are on the Lord’s side.
- Know Us (v. 6)
- But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
Paul’s underlying confidence in his Corinthian brothers and sisters shines through here. Paul knows that he and his associates are not reprobates. He is also confident that, upon reflection, the Corinthians will agree.
- Exhortations
(2 Corinthians 13:7–11)
- Be True (vv. 7–9)
- Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
This is the focal point of the great decision the Corinthians must make. They must do no evil but make the honest choice by rejecting the false claims of Paul’s critics who have painted him and his associates as reprobates lacking true spiritual qualifications. Given Paul’s assertion that Christ does truly live in them, this momentous decision in Paul’s favor should be obvious.
Furthermore, the Corinthians should do what is right even if it seems that Paul and his companions are in the wrong. He wants them to choose correctly not for his sake but because it is right. The fact that what is right will vindicate Paul is a side benefit to the apostle.
- For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Paul now expands his we to include the Corinthians. Truth must be the guide. The Corinthians must not be driven by self-interest or the charisma of a false teacher, but by a higher standard: truth detached from personal considerations. Rejecting truth will be met with the consequences of God’s wrath (Romans 2:8). Paul would rather be shown false than to impede the journey of the gospel.
What Do You Think?
In conflict situations, what techniques can we use to ensure that our motive is to seek the truth above all else?
Digging Deeper Does the outcome of Rahab’s untruthfulness establish that truth is secondary in some situations (Joshua 2:4–7; James 2:25)? Why, or why not?
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- For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
Despite the frustrations he has expressed, Paul’s great love for the Corinthians comes out at the end of this section. Paul is weak in many ways, not the least of which is his position of weakness due to his absence from Corinth. In this verse, he refers to his humble and unassuming demeanor he exhibits when he’s with the Corinthians.
Paul’s admission of weakness is not his primary interest. He wants the Corinthians to be strong. If they are strong in the faith in the ways they believe they are, then Paul has no reason to be strong in his own authority to reprimand them. He can be “weak” as he desires. Paul wishes for their perfection, a goal that cannot be achieved following Paul. They must be guided and controlled by Christ, the Savior whom Paul has preached to them faithfully (1 Corinthians 15:1–8).
Where Is Our Strength?
Kraft durch Freude (KdF) was a movement in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Translated into English, it means “strength through joy.” KdF’s stated intent was to provide leisure activities to the German working class in the belief that happy people create a strong nation.
However, the real purpose of KdF was to control every moment of the German worker’s time and thus prevent anti-government sentiments and movements from developing. Nazi spies took part in KdF-sponsored cruises, day trips, athletic competitions, library visits, and theater events to make sure no dissent from Nazi ideology was expressed by participants.
Paul wanted the Corinthians’ spiritual strength to be based on their bond with Christ, nothing else. Strength through Christ is available to everyone, regardless of status in this world. How does Jesus’ strength shine through your weakness?
—C. R. B.
- Be Perfectly Restored (v. 10)
- Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
The picture we have of the apostle Paul from the New Testament is of a man who cherishes his relationships. Because of this, Paul recognizes the personal advantages of not being in Corinth at this time. His frustration and desire for corrective action could result in sharpness—the unpleasant exercise of the valid power which the Lord hath given to him.
What Do You Think?
Under what circumstances, if any, would it be a good idea to give advance warning of a pending confrontation?
Digging Deeper In what ways do texts such as 2 Samuel 12:1–7 (no advance warning) and Revelation 2:4, 5 (advance warning) inform your response?
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Paul does not take his God-given authority lightly. He wants to use it for edification, not destruction (see 2 Corinthians 13:9). His great hope is that this letter will prepare the way for his next visit. He wants to engage in church building, not church discipline. He does not want to take them back to the most basic elements of following Christ. Instead, Paul wants them to ready their hearts to move forward in their quest for spiritual maturity (compare 1 Corinthians 3:2).
- Be with God (v. 11)
11a. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace.
Paul ends the letter with five short commands that summarize his desired outcomes for this corrective letter. First, they should accept his farewell, which is translated elsewhere as “rejoice” (examples: Matthew 5:12; Philippians 2:18; 3:1; 4:4). Despite the strained relationship, they have much in common about which to be joyful (compare 2 Corinthians 1:24).
Second, the Corinthians should be perfect. They should be guided by truth, living and making choices that reflect this “guide star.” In this way they can attain “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
Third, they should be of good comfort, meaning they should be encouraged. Paul is confident that this current rough spot in their relationship is nearing its conclusion and that good days are ahead.
Fourth, the Corinthians should be unified. This is very important for a congregation with a history of factionalism (see 1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul’s goal in writing this letter will not have been accomplished if some people side with the false apostles and some side with him.
Finally, they should live in peace, never letting disagreements fester to the point of divisiveness and church-splitting passions. This is not a matter of sacrificing the truth (see 2 Corinthians 13:8 above). It is about laying down bombastic and disrespectful treatment of those with whom one disagrees. Paul will not be satisfied with winning back the confidence and affections of a majority of the Corinthians. He wants them all to respect him and each other.
11b. And the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Two understandings of this phrase are possible. One possibility is that the presence of God with His love and peace is how the Corinthians will accomplish the tasks commanded above. The other is that God’s love and peace will be a felt result of obedience in those tasks. It’s not clear which Paul means. The ambiguity may suggest that Paul wants the Corinthians to assume both: God will help them in their quest for maturity, and they will experience His presence all the more as they strive toward that goal.
Conclusion
- Strength in Weakness
The Old Testament offers many accounts in which followers of God found victory despite being in positions of weakness (see Exodus 14:26–28; Judges 7; 1 Samuel 17; 2 Chronicles 32:9, 16–21; Isaiah 37:36, 37). All have one thing in common: the God who wins the victory. Even in weakness, God’s people are strong because of Him.
We have this dynamic working for us too. We often think that success in the Christian life is a matter of trying harder. Our efforts are important, but we will never be fully mature in our Christian walk through our own efforts. In fact, self-focused striving may block the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Think of your own life. Are you satisfied with your progress as a Christian believer? Are you weak like Christ or strong in your own wisdom? Maybe it is time to “let go and let God,” giving Him the glory along with your obedience.
- Prayer
Father, we are weak in many ways and need Your power in our lives. Strengthen us in obedience and love for You and for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Thought to Remember
We gain strength by trusting in God.
KID’S CORNER
How to Enter the Kingdom of God
Sunday, November 3, 2019
John 3:1-10
John 3:1-10
(John 3:1) Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
The Pharisees were committed to following the law and traditions of their elders. They focused on learning all the biblical interpretations of their teachers (rabbis) past and present and how to apply them in people’s daily lives. They debated the teachings of their rabbis, what was true or false in their interpretations, and how they should best be applied. The Jewish ruling council was the Sanhedrin, which was composed of seventy rabbis or elders; thus, Nicodemus was one of the most influential people in Israel. The Pharisees would not have been too concerned about Jesus’ cleansing the temple, because they knew from the scriptures and their traditions that the temple needed cleansing. On the other hand, the Sadducees controlled the Sanhedrin, and they would have been the most concerned. Nicodemus represents the Old Covenant and the idea that one could be right with God if he obeyed the ceremonial laws and the traditions of the elders as these had been revised continually by the Pharisees. Later, Nicodemus is mentioned twice in John’s Gospel: in John 7:50-51, we read, “Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, ‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’” and in John 19:39, we read, “Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.” Therefore, we know Nicodemus tried to defend Jesus before the Sanhedrin; he became a quiet follower of Jesus.
(John 3:2) this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Nicodemus may have come to Jesus by night because he was timid or because he wanted time for a quiet lengthy discussion with Jesus away from the crowds. He addressed Jesus with respect as “Rabbi” or “Teacher,” even though he knew Jesus had no officially recognized formal rabbinical education. We do not know how many religious leaders Nicodemus represented when he said “we.” He did say that the signs Jesus performed were good and sufficient reasons to believe that Jesus had come from God: the signs left no doubt that God was with Jesus. Perhaps Nicodemus admired Jesus for cleansing the temple; so, he wanted to learn more from someone he knew had come from God and who had zeal for God. Later, when they sought Jesus’ death, most of the religious leaders suppressed the truths they had learned about Jesus and their having seen the power of God working through Him. In Romans 1:18, we learn that wicked and godless people suppress the truth, and these religious leaders were both wicked and godless: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”
(John 3:3) Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John tells us the most important points in their discussion. The Greek “Amen, amen” can be translated “verily, verily” or “very truly” or “truly, truly” or “factually, factually” or “with absolute certainty.” Jesus (and Paul) insisted that focusing on religious laws, studying religious laws and traditions, and doing good works based on these laws would not lead to recognizing or seeing or entering the kingdom of God. More than what we can think and do ourselves is needed; we need what only God can do for us to see the kingdom of God. We must be born again, born anew, or born from above. We must be transformed spiritually and morally. Only Jesus can make that change in us: just as only Jesus could instantaneously change water into wine. God must remake us and enable us to see and enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus was a noted religious teacher, but he too must be born again to see and enter the kingdom of God. In John 1:12, we read, “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Apostle Paul described the new birth in these words: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” When we are born again, we become children of God.
In Romans 14:17, the Apostle Paul described the kingdom of God: “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” As Nicodemus eventually learned, only through receiving and believing in Jesus Christ can anyone live right with God, have their conscience cleansed, receive confirmation that they are right with God, and know they will live right with God forever. Only through receiving and believing in Jesus Christ can anyone have peace with God, acquire peace within themselves, and live at peace with others (as far as possible in this world). Only through receiving and believing in Jesus Christ can anyone experience the joy of living that only the Holy Spirit can give, for only Jesus Christ baptizes people in the Holy Spirit (see John 1:33). No other faith or religion can give what only Jesus Christ can give; that is, entrance into the kingdom of God as the Bible describes what living in the kingdom of God means to believers.
(John 3:4) Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
Nicodemus might have been pursuing the ways or traditions of the Pharisees by asking questions as part of a religious debate, or he may have been seriously asking this question from puzzlement. He might have thought Jesus literally meant a person needed to go back into his mother’s womb, which he knew was impossible. Jesus was speaking about spiritual matters, not physical, about a kingdom that was not of “this world.” Since Jesus knew what was in everyone and what everyone was thinking, Jesus went right to the heart of the issue without debating. Jesus also answered Nicodemus in a way that would influence him to keep thinking about what Jesus taught and how it applied to his life.
(John 3:5) Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Jesus did not answer Nicodemus as a rabbi would have done by quoting the Old Testament or former rabbis. Jesus spoke with authority and told him spiritual facts that were beyond his complete understanding, especially at that point in their discussion. Consistent with the preaching of the good news by Jesus and John the Baptist, “born of water” includes or means repentance and baptism. Just as water cleanses the body physically, by repenting and being baptized a person shows they have turned from their sins and want to be cleansed morally and spiritually by God. By “the Spirit” includes or means that through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Jesus will baptize the believer in the Spirit. As we learned from John the Baptist’s preaching in John 1:33, John said, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” In Acts 2:38, when Peter answered a similar question, he replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
(John 3:6) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
A man and woman’s flesh can lead to the birth of a child of flesh, a physical human being born in the image of God. On the one hand, “water” in John 3:5 may be thought of in this context, since babies are carried first in water before they are physically born, and they will need to be born of the Spirit. But in Romans 3:23, we learn that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And John wrote in 1 John 3:4, “Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Even with all his learning and devout religious practices, Nicodemus had sinned and was guilty of lawlessness. He knew this in his heart. He needed to be born of the Spirit, and practicing the laws of Moses would not enable him to be born of the Spirit. Only Jesus could give him this new birth. When the Holy Spirit enters believers by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, they are spiritually born again or brought to spiritual life. John does not record how much Jesus explained to Nicodemus: we need the rest of the New Testament to learn more about the Holy Spirit and His work.
(John 3:7) “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
Based on Nicodemus’ vast knowledge of the Old Testament and rabbinic discussions, Jesus told him that he should not be surprised that a person’s life must be totally changed or transformed, that he must be born again in order to see and enter the kingdom of God. One must change; one must turn from selfishness; one must turn from a totally self-centered concern; one must turn from trying to obey the laws of the Jews to be right with God. One must change to living by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, which involves nothing less than a total life transformation as the result of being born again. One must be born again to turn from loving one’s own self supremely to loving God supremely with all one’s heart, mind, soul, and strength. In the process of a believer making these changes, the Holy Spirit works in him from the very beginning. As they are born from above, believers turn from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness.
(John 3:8) “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Only God can understand all the fine details of how and why the wind blows in different ways over various cities and countries around the world at different times. In Jesus’ day, people did not have the technology to predict tornadoes or measure the windspeed of a hurricane, and even today predicting the weather is far from perfect. Likewise, no human being can understand the details of how and why different people around the world come by God’s grace to saving faith in Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Spirit to indwell and work within them in the kingdom of God. Though many people try to explain “the psychology of conversion,” they cannot adequately explain the work of the Holy Spirit—they can only truly say that the Holy Spirit is involved and working whenever anyone comes to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and is born of the Spirit.
(John 3:9) Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?”
Nicodemus asked the question almost all believers and many unbelievers who have heard the gospel have asked. Nicodemus still wanted to know how someone can be born again. Perhaps thousands of books have been written to explain what Jesus said and what the Bible teaches about the new birth, but exactly how and when the new birth through the Holy Spirit happens within us cannot be known by us with our limited human understanding and finite minds, even after we are born again. Thankfully, no one needs to know how the wind blows to know by experience that the wind blows, and no one needs to know how the Holy Spirit works to know by experience that the Holy Spirit has worked and works within them; therefore, believers give glory, praise, and thanks to Jesus Christ for their becoming children of God and seeing and entering the kingdom of God.
(John 3:10) Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?”
Jesus’ question should have led Nicodemus to a humbler opinion of himself. Nicodemus was recognized in Jerusalem and perhaps in all of Israel as “THE teacher” (in the Greek text). He was “the teacher” above all others. Jesus indicated that no religious leader can fully understand these truths. No human being has the capacity to understand fully these truths. Jesus is the one and only begotten Son of God; those who believe in Him are adopted children of God. As adopted children of God, we will never understand the Father as fully as Jesus does. We must humble ourselves and come to trust in Jesus and His teachings without completely understanding everything or having all our questions answered. It is enough to know that Jesus came from God and God was with Him as Nicodemus knew from observing the signs Jesus performed. In John 20:30, we read, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Nicodemus had seen enough signs and had learned enough truths from hearing Jesus teach the crowds to believe that “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,” and eventually Nicodemus did what Jesus told him to do. Nicodemus came to obey Jesus’ commands because he had been born again and knew “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God” without understanding “how” he had been born again. Without believing Jesus and obeying Jesus, Nicodemus would have never come to “understand these things” in even a limited way.
How to Enter the Kingdom of God
Sunday, November 3, 2019
John 3:1-10
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 (John 3:3—KJV). Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3—NASB). Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” (John 3:3— NRSV).
When Nicodemus talked with Jesus at night, Jesus told him that he needed to be born again or born from above to see and enter the kingdom of God. In John 18:36, Jesus described the kingdom of God when He talked to Pilate and said that His kingdom was not of this world or from this world. That being the case, many might not have any interest in seeing or entering the kingdom of God. But think further. In Romans 14:17, the Apostle Paul explained the kingdom of God in these words, “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” The kingdom of God is not material, having to do with food and drink, but spiritual. Those who are born again receive confirmation from the Holy Spirit and the Bible that they are right with God, and they know that with the help of the Holy Spirit they can live right with God forever. Those who are born from above have peace with God, live at peace within themselves, and live at peace with others (as far as possible in this world). Those who are born again become children of God, and they live in Jesus’ kingdom, the kingdom of God, with the true joy that only the Holy Spirit can give. In John 1:12, we learn how to be born again: we must receive Jesus Christ and believe in His name, the Son of God. In John 12:26, Jesus promised, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.”
Thinking Further
How to Enter the Kingdom of God
Sunday, November 3, 2019
John 3:1-10
Name _______________________________
- How did John describe Nicodemus?
- What did Nicodemus believe about Jesus?
- What must happen before someone can see the kingdom of God?
- What do you think it means to be born of water and Spirit?
- How much must someone know about how a person is born again before they can be born again?
Discussion and Thinking Further
- How did John describe Nicodemus? A Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, and THE teacher of Israel. He came to Jesus by night.
- What did Nicodemus believe about Jesus? He believed Jesus was a teacher who had come from God, because no one could do what Jesus did apart from the presence of God.
- What must happen before someone can see the kingdom of God? The must be born again, born anew, or born from above.
- What do you think it means to be born of water and Spirit? To be born of water means to repent of your sins and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. To be born of the Spirit means to believe in and receive Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God, and your Lord and Savior. The truth of and about Jesus and the Holy Spirit work together in bringing about this new birth.
- How much must someone know about how a person is born again before they can be born again? They do not need to know how the Holy Spirit works. They only need to know that the Holy Spirit will be involved when they are born again and that Jesus expects them to believe in Him and receive Him as the Bible teaches, and thus become a child of God—a person who is born again.
Word Search
How to Enter the Kingdom of God
Sunday, November 3, 2019
John 3:1-10
Name _______________________________
Y H X F I M A R E D A E L D K
N G Q N Q W T C Y F W U W R S
C O H M A Z K M O D G N I K D
Y Q V T S B F D C R A B B I G
N L E X O X G E N D Y F L R J
I R D R E W M H E O S N E T W
C S N C H I S H V K C U M P Z
O P X B T E S Y Z J Z E S H D
D I M R L I X R S L H S S E S
E R B F N Y E G P E I D M C J
M I D O I H L A M G Q F P D K
U T T B C E Z U N E X W O L U
S S V A U M T S R F V Z M C P
A E E S I R A H P T S C N T L
Y T L O X M F K B N J O S I S
Pharisee
Nicodemus
Leader
Rabbi
Teacher
Signs
Truly
Kingdom
Born
Second
Time
Water
Spirit
Flesh
Astonished
True and False Test
How to Enter the Kingdom of God
Sunday, November 3, 2019
John 3:1-10
Name _________________________________
Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.
- Nicodemus was a Sadducee and a leader in the Sanhedrin. True or False
- Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night because he was afraid of the
crowds and he did not think God was with Him. True or False
- When Nicodemus saw the signs Jesus performed, he thought Jesus was more than the average rabbi. True or False
- Jesus did not debate with Nicodemus; instead, Jesus answered his
questions truthfully. True or False
- Jesus said that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born from above (or born again). True or False
- Nicodemus told Jesus that he could see the kingdom of God and he
wanted to enter the kingdom of God. True or False
- Jesus said that to enter the kingdom of God a person must be born of water and Spirit. True or False
- To be born of water may mean to repent of your sins and be baptized. True or False
- A person must know how the Holy Spirit works before they can believe in Jesus and be born again. True or False
- Those who receive Jesus and believe in His name are born of the Spirit and become children of God. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
10.True
Prayer
Father, we are weak in many ways and need Your power in our lives. Strengthen us in obedience and love for You and for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.