What Can You Give Jesus Series

Series: Jesus Is Better- The Practice Of Faith [#4]

WHAT CAN YOU GIVE JESUS?

Hebrews 13:1-25

Introduction:

My mom called me yesterday and asked what Karen and I wanted for Christmas. I had no idea. The older I get and the older my family members get, the harder it is to get the right Christmas gifts. With that in mind, what is it that you can give Jesus this year?

[Children’s Play- Matthew 2]

The Wise Men gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold is the gift for a King- Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Frankincense was a gift for a priest. Jesus is our High Priest. Myrrh is used for someone who has died. Jesus died for the sins of the world.

So, what can you give Jesus? Give Him your love.

Hebrews 13:1 (NIV)

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.”

Give Jesus your love by…

1. Loving your Christian brothers and sisters.

Christians, we should pray for one another, help one another, listen to one another, and put up with one another- We are family.

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Give Jesus your love by…

2. Helping those that are in need, (even if you don’t know them).

Have you ever considered the fact that when you are helping strangers that you could be helping an angel? That’s an interesting thought. We should minister to those who God puts in front of us.

Hebrews 13:3 (NIV)

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”

Give Jesus your love by…

3. Remembering those who are mistreated and are suffering.

You are not only supposed to remember these that are being mistreated; but you are to handle it as if it were you going through this suffering.

Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

Give Jesus your love by…

4. Being faithful to your spouse.

Wives you are to submit your lives to your husbands and husbands you are to love your wives as Jesus loves the Church.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Give Jesus your love by…

5. Not loving money.

The love of money is the root of all evil. Be content with what you have. God is who will take care of you.

Hebrews 13:7-14 (NIV)

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”

Give Jesus your love by…

6. Staying focused on the truth of the Word.

You should honor your spiritual leaders and imitate their faith. I have to tell you, that as a pastor, this puts great pressure on me. Jesus doesn’t change, therefore, His Word never changes. Jesus was disgraced for us so that we could spend eternity with Him.

Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

Give Jesus your love by…

7. Praising His name.

Jesus is the only name worthy of our praise.

Hebrews 13:16-25 (NIV)

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter. I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. Greet all your leaders and all God's people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. Grace be with you all.”

Conclusion:

Don’t forget to do good and share with one another. Let’s remember who God has called each of us to be. This Christmas, give Jesus your love.