Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-12-18
Lesson for December Fl
CHRISTMAS LESSoN-GoD'S GIFT
TO THE WORLD

| the world, that He gave His only be-
gotten Son. that whosoever belieyeth
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 of Christ
The lesson committee has suggest
ed alternative lessons for today, name
ly 1.-THE Conversion of Zacchaeus"
or Gods Gift to the World" Since
We so rarely get Christmas lesson
from the Gospel Of John, 1t Is most
fitting that we avail ourselves of this
opportunity.
| |. The Declaration of God John
1:14-18).
/. BY Whom ". 14)? 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:
+ VI 1Hdl Jesus SHIlSl Is peISpH,
separate and distinct from the Father,
yet there exists an inseparabIe union
between them (v. -.
(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. I'D.
| 90 He is God ". u. He is not
only being equal with God but one
| in essence with Him.
| az He is the omnipotent Creator
I (v. 81 by whom were all things made,
| the world and all things therein.
| (5) He is the Source of all life
| ". A.. He is the eternal fountain
from which all life has been derived
| All living beings have derived their
| life from Hinl-are dependent upon
Him for the maintenance of life.
(6) He Is the Light of men ". a.
| The light Of reason came from Him.
2. How Made ". 1D. Through
| sin, man who was made in the like
ness and image Of God, lost knowl-
| edge and touch with God. The SUI
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 is not
merely a representative of God, but
He is absolutely and essentially God.
| It was the eternal Word who became
flesh. In the virgin birth of Christ
| God became incorporated with hui
manity. He did not merely become
Jew. He was the "Son Of Man" His
{ relation is racial.
8. The Witnesses wv. 15-17).
! ~ 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 w. 1877. Their expe-
rience of Gods grace Of salvation was
the proof of the coming Of Gods rep
resentative.
4. 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 3:16-2D.
/ 1. His Great Love ". 49,. Pri-
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.
(2) It's ground HE gave His only
begotten SON." Mans salvation rests
upon the death of Christ
60 Its recipients. whatsoever be-
lieveth" That means whatsoever in
any age. race or cline receives Jesus
Christ Is saved.
ca How appropriated. "Believeth
| on Him" This great salvation, which
proceeded from the loving heart OF
/ God, is offered to whatsoever will take
ii on the simple condition of receiving
/ It.
go It's effects.
a. IT issues in eternal life. Christ
is the source Of life. Those who re
ceive Him are made partakers in that
| life. Therefore all who are in Christ
] have eternal life.
b. It saves from pershing. Those
who accept Jesus Christ are eternally
/ saved.
9. The Worlds Great Need wv.
1 17-21). The world was under condem-
| 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 1t under condemnation.