The Greatest Christmas Gift

 

Intro: In a few weeks we will celebrate Christmas. This is one of the most important holidays for mankind with Easter being the other important holiday. Christmas is a time of giving.

I. God was the first to give. Mankind was lost without God’s gift. The hymn “O, Holy Night” says “long lay the world in sin and error pining till He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.

a. The greatest gift ever given on that first Christmas night was the gift of God’s one and only begotten Son that through Him we might be forgiven of sin and have eternal life. Luke 2:8-11 (NKJV) ⁸  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.⁹  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

¹⁰  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.¹¹  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. b. The gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus was the Christ or “Anointed One.” His Hebrew name is “Messiah” meaning Jehovah is salvation or He is the Savior. The name means deliverance, of being saved from sin that leads to perishing. John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He (gave) His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

II. Jesus gave the gift of His life on the cross for us. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

a. He suffered for our sins, not His own, because He had no sin. Our Lord Jesus suffered all five kinds of wounds known to medical science: contusions—blows by a rod; lacerations—scourging; penetrating wounds—crown of thorns; perforating wounds—nails; puncture wounds, spear for us. He paid the price required by the Father, that we might be healed. What a precious gift that Jesus gave!

III. God has given us the gift of His Spirit. a. We were baptized into the body of Christ by the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

b. The Father has given the guarantee of eternal life that we have in Him by His Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise

c. The Holy Spirit has given us the gift of His power to live righteously and be witnesses for Jesus Christ. We received that power the moment we were born again. Acts 1:8 (NKJV) ⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Notice we start locally and go to the end of the earth.

IV. The greatest gift we can give to Jesus Christ is helping to spread His message of salvation to the world. Nothing would please Him more. Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) ¹⁸  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

¹⁹  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. No greater gift can be given than that of Christ and His salvation to lost souls. Jesus said in (Matt. 10:8b) Freely you have received, freely give. When we give Christ to a lost and dying world it is truly the gift that keeps on giving throughout eternity. The purpose of missions is to take the gift of the message of Jesus Christ to every person in the world. Jesus said “He came to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) This offering goes to help reach every person world wide with the gift of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings.

Conclusion: Any mission outreach will only be as successful as we make it through our prayers and our giving. Let’s all be a part of giving the greatest Christmas gift ever to as many as is possible through the mission opportunities before us. May we each resolve to honor Christ by praying and giving in His name!

Invitation: Have you been the recipient of the greatest gift God has ever given to mankind? If not now is the time according to God’s word. Simply confess your sins against God and ask Jesus to forgive and save you for the kingdom of God. Invite Jesus to take charge of your life till He calls you home. And be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!