Introduction

Good morning, dear church family. It is always a joy to gather together, to lift our voices in praise, to offer our hearts in worship, and to open our minds to the wisdom of God's Word. Today, we find ourselves on the precipice of the Christmas season, a time of joy and celebration, a time of reflection and anticipation. It's a season where we reflect on the perfect gift God has given us - His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

Our Scripture today is 1 John 5:11-12, which says, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." What profound and powerful words these are. They speak to the heart of the Christmas message, the message of God's perfect gift to us, and the purpose of that gift.

Our sermon today will focus on three main points: Proclaiming the Perfect Gift, Perceiving the Purpose of Christmas, and Promoting the Promise in 1 John 5:11-12. Each of these points will help us to better understand and appreciate the true meaning of Christmas, and the significance of the gift that was given to us in the form of a baby in a manger.

The respected theologian, J.I. Packer, once said, "The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity–hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory–because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross." These words serve as a poignant reminder of the magnitude of the gift we celebrate at Christmas.

As we begin our time together, let us bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for the hope and life we have in Him. As we study your Word today, we ask that you would open our hearts and minds to fully understand and appreciate the depth of your love for us. Help us to not only understand the message of Christmas but to live it out in our daily lives. We ask this in the name of your precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Proclaiming the Perfect Gift

When we think about Christmas, we often think about the gifts we give and receive. We spend hours, sometimes days, searching for the perfect gift for our loved ones. We want to find something that will bring a smile to their faces, something that will show them how much we love and appreciate them. But have we ever stopped to think about the perfect gift that we have already received?

This gift is not wrapped in shiny paper or tied with a beautiful bow. It doesn't come from a store or online shopping cart. This gift, the perfect gift, comes from God Himself. It is the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the gift that we proclaim, the gift that we celebrate at Christmas.

God's gift to us is perfect in every way. It is a gift of love, a gift of grace, a gift of salvation. It is a gift that brings hope and peace, a gift that brings life. This is the gift that God has given us, the gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Scripture tells us, "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." This is the gift that we proclaim, the gift that we celebrate at Christmas.

But what does it mean to proclaim this gift? To proclaim something means to announce it publicly, to declare it openly. We are called to proclaim the gift of God's Son, to share the good news of His love and salvation with the world.

We proclaim this gift through our words and our actions. We proclaim it when we share the Gospel with others, when we tell them about the love of God and the salvation that is found in Jesus Christ. We proclaim it when we live out our faith, when we show the love of Christ in our daily lives.

But proclaiming the gift of God's Son is not always easy. It requires courage and conviction. It requires a deep and abiding faith. It requires a willingness to stand up and speak out, even when it is difficult or unpopular.

Yet, despite the challenges, we are called to proclaim the gift of God's Son. We are called to share the good news of His love and salvation with the world. We are called to be a light in the darkness, a beacon of hope in a world that is often filled with despair.

So, as we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the perfect gift that we have received. Let us remember the love and grace that God has shown us through His Son, Jesus Christ. And let us proclaim this gift with boldness and joy, sharing the good news of God's love and salvation with all who will listen.

In the midst of our celebrations, let us also remember the purpose of this gift. The purpose of God's perfect gift is not just to bring us joy and happiness, but to bring us life. Eternal life. This is the life that is found in Jesus Christ, the life that we receive when we accept God's perfect gift.

This life is not just about the here and now, but about eternity. It is about a relationship with God that begins now and lasts forever. It is about a life that is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is about a life that is lived in the light of God's love and grace.

So, as we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the purpose of God's perfect gift. Let us remember the life that we have been given through His Son, Jesus Christ. And let us live this life to the fullest, sharing the love and grace of God with all who will listen.

Perceiving the Purpose of Christmas

As we continue to reflect on the words of 1 John 5:11-12, we are drawn to the heart of the Christmas message ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO