fbpx
×

Log into your account

We have changed software providers for our subscription database. Old login credentials will no longer work. Please click the "Register" link below to create a new account. If you do not know your new account number you can contact [email protected]
Bible Studies for Life Lesson for Dec. 4: Recognize God’s Gift
Wayne Proctor, pastor, Eure Baptist Church
November 21, 2011
2 MIN READ TIME

Bible Studies for Life Lesson for Dec. 4: Recognize God’s Gift

Bible Studies for Life Lesson for Dec. 4: Recognize God’s Gift
Wayne Proctor, pastor, Eure Baptist Church
November 21, 2011
Focal Passage: John 1:1-4, 10-18
A few years ago I stopped at a local gas station to refuel my car. While paying for my purchase inside the little service mart, I was struck by what the attendant said. It was approaching Christmas time and she remarked, “I’d rather skip Christmas. I don’t like getting presents for people I don’t even like.” Quite a shocking statement! Yet, it describes our misplaced values and belief system as a culture. Fortunately God did not have such an attitude about “gift giving.”
God’s gift is more than presents under a tree, and more than a baby born in Bethlehem. It’s all about perspective, and the writer, John, has given the world a perspective that far exceeds one moment in time.
John’s point is that Jesus Christ is more than a baby. He is the Word, the logos, God. In Greek thought the logos was the discourse, the reason, the communication of God’s proof. It was the theological argument for God’s purpose in both creation and re-creation, and that purpose was centered in Jesus Christ, His only Son. The corresponding evidence is found both in Genesis 1 and Colossians 1. As the Word, Christ is pre-existent. He existed before time as we know it. He is the “agent” of creation as well, the One who keeps the cosmos (our world) from being chaos. According to John’s gospel, He is “Light,” meaning he is the self-revelation of God, and He is “Life” (salvation). A great verse for us to commit to memory is v. 12; to as many as believe in Jesus Christ, God gives the “power” (meaning authority and privilege) to be the children of God.

Proper perspective is recognizing God’s gift for all that He is. We who are Christians need to make the connection between the baby Jesus (the story found in Matthew and Luke) with the Jesus who is the center of the universe. Because we have opportunity to receive that gift, maybe our perspective on Christmas this year will be such that we will “want” to give gifts even to those whom we don’t like as much.