What Do We Do With God’s Gift? Series

Who was that baby born to Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem?

We read from the Gospel of Luke 2:10-12, “But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

What can we say about the baby from these 2 wonderful verses from God?

The baby was:

- good news

- great joy

- for all people

- Savior

- Christ

- The Lord

We call that morning, Christmas morn. Christmas is short for Christ’s Mass and Mass refers to the Lord’s Supper which we call Communion. The birthday of Jesus Christ is called Christmas because God became a human being, destined to die for man’s sin: Jesus Christ is Lord, who saves people and brings them great joy!

Are you looking for joy in life?

Now, on Christmas you might get all sorts of presents and you will have joy; but that joy only lasts as long as you enjoy the presents. Have you ever had those moments when you were so excited to open a present and you were anticipating much joy? But then you open the present and it was not what you were expecting, and joy came and went, just like that!

Jesus Christ is God’s gift to every person who has ever lived!

If you are looking for true everlasting joy, it is the gift of God who is Jesus Christ you are to receive, open, and experience!

We noted from the angels of God that Jesus is the good news of great joy for all people. Jesus is a gift of joy!

Now, how can we know that He is true and everlasting?

Jesus Himself said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!” And after that Jesus said, “No one comes to God the Father except through Me!”

Please find a Bible and open it to the Letter to the Hebrews.

We read in Hebrews Chapter 1:1-12…….

If we are to receive Jesus Christ, and have the gift of true and everlasting joy, we must accept all the truths about Him, not just a baby in a manger.

What does Hebrews 1 tell us about Christ?

v1-2: God the Father speaks through Christ

v2: heir of all things

v2: the universe was made through Him

v3: Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being

v3: sustains all things by his powerful word

v3: Jesus provided purification for sins

v3: now seated at the right hand of God in heaven

v4-6: all God’s angels worship Christ

And look again at v8………

True everlasting joy is available to each one of us, it is the gift of God who is Jesus Christ; and what are we to do with a gift? A gift is to be received, opened, and experienced to give any meaning to the gift, the Giver, and the recipient!

And so, a gift first of all has to be received!

We receive Jesus Christ by believing all the truths about Him.

If you have never done so, will you believe in Him today; believe that Jesus Christ is God who created all things including yourself, that He became a man to die for your sins, that He was buried but rose from the dead, that He is now in heaven waiting for God’s command for Him to return to earth to judge the living and the dead, and that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ will be forever and those who believes in Him will be with Him forever!

We are to believe in Jesus Christ because He is a gift to be received, but we are also to open and experience Jesus Christ in our lives. How do we this? The answer is simple: Jesus said, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” If we desire true everlasting joy in life, we must believe in Jesus Christ and open His Book, the Bible, and live out what He says.

Let me close with the truths stated in the front of your bulletins. The manger is empty…. The Cross is empty….. The Tomb is empty…. so that our hearts may be filled with love, peace, and joy!

Please take a moment to quietly pray to God about these truths of Jesus Christ.

Open your hearts to receive Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, Savior, Teacher, the only way to heaven!

Let the “light” of Christ shine through you and help others to receive Him as Savior and Lord!

Right where you are, quietly pray to Jesus Christ…….