God’s Love

TEXT: Matthew 1:21; 2:1-15; John 16:27

God gave His best when He sent His only Son Jesus to this earth so that we might have eternal life. His love lies at the very heart of Christianity and is the essential key to the relationship between God and man. God not only loves but He is love. All human love, whether Godward or manward, has its source in God. However, if it is not manifested toward both God and one’s fellowman it is dead and worthless. A Christian must love God supremely and his neighbor as himself; he must love his enemy as well as his brother. Love is the bond uniting all Christians as well as all Christian virtues.

QUESTIONS

1. Paul the Apostle in 2 Corinthians 9:15 referred to Jesus Christ as God’s unspeakable gift. Give a definition of the word gift. Using your definition, compare the attributes of a gift in our secular society to Jesus—the great Gift that God gave.
2. There are certain aspects of any gift which affect our regard for it: its usefulness, uniqueness, value, source, and durability. Using these five words, write a brief comment describing how each relates to Jesus—God’s Gift to us.
   Usefulness
   Uniqueness
   Value
   Source
   Durability
3. The Wise Men who came to Jerusalem probably had little light on the birth of Christ, the manifestation of God’s love. Undoubtedly, they encountered many hardships and problems as they sought to find the newborn King. However, God in His love provided a means of leading the Wise Men to their hearts’ desire. What means does God’s love provide in our day to bring men to Him?
4. The gifts the Wise Men brought to Jesus had a special significance, perhaps even beyond the comprehension of those who brought them. Gold was representative of deity; frankincense of worship or the priesthood of Christ; and myrrh of suffering. Match the following Scriptures with the appropriate gift:
   Isaiah 53:4-5
   Luke 1:35
   Hebrews 5:6
5. What reason did the angel give to Joseph that the Child’s name should be Jesus?
6. The name Jesus was not chosen by Joseph and Mary, but was given to them by the angel Gabriel. The name Jesus is a transliteration of the Hebrew name Joshua meaning, “Jehovah is salvation.” Using Philippians 2:9-11 as a reference, what place does the name Jesus hold in the plan of God? What is the meaning of your name?
7. If we consider God’s love in sending Jesus to this world, we can see that it encompasses the whole of man’s needs. Colossians 2:10 says, “Ye are complete in him” (Jesus Christ). How many titles given to Jesus can you think of which lend credence to this statement? Examples: Wonderful, Counsellor, Good Shepherd, Bread of Life