Intro: December 25th 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 and rejoicing in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I. God was the first to give. 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. Mankind was eternally lost without God’s gift, in sin and error wasting away with no hope until Jesus appeared and the soul felt its worth. Luke tells us in; Luke 2:11 (NKJV) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ts worth. No greater gift has ever been given to mankind than the one given on the first Holy night when God gave us His only begotten Son that through Him we might be forgiven of sin and have eternal life.
II. Jesus gave the ultimate gift of His life on the cross for us. Isaiah 53:5 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. He suffered these things for our sins, not His own, because He had no sin. Our Lord Jesus suffered all five kinds of wounds known to medical science for us: contusions—blows by a rod; lacerations—scourging; penetrating wounds—crown of thorns; perforating wounds—nails; puncture wounds, spear. He paid the price required by the Father, that we might be healed. What a precious gift Jesus gave to mankind!
III. God has given us the gift of His Spirit. When Jesus ascended, God sent the Spirit. We were baptized into the body of Christ by the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 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. The Father has given the guarantee of eternal life by His Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 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. 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 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." Our part is to surrender to the Spirit's power in our lives.
IV. We can give Jesus a gift. The greatest gift we can give to Jesus Christ in return for all He has done for us is helping to spread His message of salvation to the world. 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. Our lives should be a continual testimony of Jesus Christ!
Jesus said “He came to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Invitation: Have you been the recipient of the greatest gift God has ever given to mankind, which is salvation through Jesus Christ. If not, now is the time according to God’s word. Simply confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him 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! It will be your greatest Christmas yet!
No comments:
Post a Comment