Story Of God's Gift Series

Christmas Stories:

All of these people played a part in the larger story...

I want to play a part in what God is doing

These stories were given to us for an example...

Take a look at some of the stories that surround the birth of our Savior...

Text:

Luke 2:11 For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Not just born unto the Shepherds, but this you is an all inclusive you... Jesus did not come just for the Shepherds, or just for the Jews, but to all men!

Whosoever, let him come...

As Peter said, this promise is to you, your children....

1 John 4:9-11

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

The reason that God was born of a woman, entering into this world is b’c He loved us

He did not intend to leave us in our sins, without hope

Because He loved us! He would leave the 99 to seek the 1 lost

For so loved the world that He gave...

And, so the 4th Story is the Gift of God

Make no mistake, we have been given a gift!

Luke 2:11 For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

It was the gift of salvation and grace

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”

Introduction:

How do you measure the value of a present?

As children, this was easy.

I remember at Christmas time,

The gifts would begin to gather up around the tree,

You would shake them,

You would turn them upside down,

You would try to think about the size and shape of the box

But the most valuable present was always judged by the outer appearance!

The biggest box with the shiniest wrapping paper!

How do you measure the value of a present?

How do you judge its worth?

By its size?

By its weight?

No, of course not...

The best gifts are gifts are judged by much more than outer appearance

We cant judge the gift that God has given to us, just b’c he was born to lowly parents, in a lowly town, and laid in a manger

1. God’s Gift is Useful

A gift that is useful, that you needed...

Opening the box of picture frames

As a 10 year old child, I had no use for them

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”

This gift that God gave us is useful b’c we couldn’t do it on our own and we needed it!

What is the usefulness of gift to us?

Notice in verse nine the usefulness of the gift.

9 ...that we might live through him.

Jesus said it this way:

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

What a promise that is!

Not just life, not just existence,

but life which means something, life that has worth

Abundant life!

Life with a purpose. A life which has value. Life with meaning.

A life that will have eternal consequences and benefits

God has made you a new creature for a purpose! So that you might have life, and have it more abundantly!

Not only has He created you, and breathed breath into you,

But now He has given you life & purpose in God’s Kingdom!

His gift is useful, b’c its made me useful

Its given me a new purpose,

Its given me new meaning

And New Life!

My purpose is to live a life that brings glory to God!

to encourage and support fellow Christians,

to become more like Christ,

to use my gifts and talents in helping others,

to tell those who don’t know Jesus that there is Good News.

My purpose to bring glory to God in all I do and say.

And when all is said and done I long to hear the words:

"Well done, good and faithful servant”

I’ve just been musing on the idea that David wanted to build God a house to give God glory...

It came from a right and a sincere desire to bring glory

But He dwells in a tent? He’s still be Glorious

But He is laid in a dirty ol’ manger? He’s still be Glorious