Sermon Central
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Open The Gift Series
Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 28, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This passage of Scripture offers the greatest gift anyone could receive.
Open the Gift
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This passage of Scripture offers the greatest gift anyone could receive.
God sent His Son to invade the dominion of sin upon this earth and the Holy Spirit to liberate Christians from the grip of the flesh, the world and the devil.
Christ coming in the flesh was for man to see what God is like and to show Christians how to live the abundant life in the midst of a sin-torn world. Because of the incarnation, through Jesus Christ we see what real love is and how to show it to others. We see how to communicate to God through prayer and how to live a life of obedience to God’s commands and decrees. Knowing about the life of Christ gives us the knowledge of how to truly trust in God.
Because of Christmas, Christians can know God, be intimate with Christ, learn His character and determine His will for them in this life and service unto Him. Before anyone can enjoy all that the first Christmas birth forth for mankind, man must take time to open their hearts to the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Rick Warren told about a very embarrassing time in his life when he found an unopened Christmas gift in one of his drawers of his desk. The gift was given to him a year before at Christmas time. He opened it and it said, “A gift for Rick Warren.” It was a wonderful gift, however, the gift could not be enjoyed until the Christmas certificate was cashed in. It had been a year, Rick was concerned that the certificate may have expired. What God needs you to grasp is, an unopened gift is a worthless gift. Until you receive the Christ of Christmas, Gods greatest gift has no value to you!
Have you opened the gift God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit has for you? You can choose this day to enjoy the gift of getting victory in your life through having Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. Thus, the flesh, the world, and the Devil will no longer have their hold on you. Have you opened your heart to Christ?
