The Glenwood post., 1924-12-18
Lesson for December 21
CHRISTMAS LEssoN-eoD's GIFT
TO THE WORLD

the world, that He gave His only be-
gotten Son. that whatsoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have
eternal life."-John 3:16.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Birth Of
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPIc-The Gift OF Gods
Love.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-Why Christ Came to Earth.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Worlds Need IF Christ.
The lesson committee has suggest
ed alternative lessons for today, name
": ''rhe Conversion of Zacchaeus"
or Goods Gift to the World" Since
we so rarely get a Christmas lesson
from the Gospel of John, it Is most
fitting that we avail ourselves Of this
opportunity.
!. The Declaration Of God (John
:14-1S).
1. BY Whom ". 1S? The Word.
The historic person Jesus Christ is
called the Word of God because He is
the expression of God to men. The
eternal God has declared himself in
Jesus Christ. Observe:
a. That Jesus Christ is a person.
separate and distinct from the Father,
yet there exists an inseparable union
between them ". ~.
(2) He is eternal ". p. He was
with God in the beginning. He did
not begin to exist when the heavens
and the earth were created. He was
before all things (Col. 40.
(3) He is God ". ~. He Is not
only being equal with God but one
in essence with Him.
az He Is the omnipotent Creator
". 81 by whom were all things made,
the world and all things therein.
(5) He is the Source of all life
". ~. He Is the eternal fountain
from which all life has been derived.
All living beings have derived their
life from Him-are dependent upon
Him for the maintenance of life.
(8) He is the Light of men ". ~.
The light of reason came from Him.
2. How Made ". 14l. Through
sin, man who was made in the like
ness and image of God, lost knowl-
edge and touch with God. The su-
preme need, therefore, was tangible
revelation, one he could touch and
handle, that is, verify with the senses.
This was done through the incarnation
of the Word. Jesus Christ IL not
merely representative of God, but
He is absolutely and essentially God.
1t was the eternal Word who became
flesh. In the virgin birth of Christ
God became Incorporated with hu-
manity He did not merely become a
Jew. He was the "Son of Man." His
relation is racial.
3. The Witnesses wv. 1910.
QD The Baptist ". 15). John the
Baptist was the herald of the eternal
Word who was the revealer Of God.
(2) John the Evangelist and His
Fellow Disciples ". 16). Their expe-
rience of Gods grace of salvation was
the proof of the coming of Gods rep
resentative.
A. The Need ". 1s). Sinful man
was blind, therefore could not per-
ceive God. If man was ever to know
God, God must adapt Himself to mans
need.
II. The Supreme Reason Why God
Revealed Himself (John 3:162D.
l. His Great Love ". 16). PHI
! marily Gods boundless affection
moved Him to reveal Himself as the
Savior of men. Concerning this sal
walton note:
"a Its origin. "God SO loved the
world" 1t proceeded out of the low
ing heart of God.
To
begotten son." Mans salvation rests
upon the death of Christ.
(3) Its recipients. "Whosoever be-
lieveth." That means whosoever in
any age, race or cline receives Jesus
| Christ is saved.
(1 How appropriated. "Believeth
on Him. This great salvation. which
proceeded from the loving heart Of
| God is orsered to whosoeyor will take
1t on the simple condition of receiving
| 1t.
% Its effects.
II. II issues in eternal life. Christ
| is the source of life. Those who re
| ceive Him are made pariakers in that
| life. Therefore all who are In Christ
have eternal life.
b. II SAVES from perishing. Those
who accept Jesus Christ nre eternally
snVod
9. The Worlds Great Need (vv.
| 17-2D. The world was under cond em-
nation. 1t was without help to save
itself Christ, the great Savior and
Deliverer. did not come to condemn
| the world. Its unbelief and rebellion
| placed II under condemnation.