The Gift Of God; 2 Corinthians 9:15
Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. “In honor of this holy season,” Saint Peter said, “You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven.” The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. “It represents a candle,” he said. “You may pass through the pearly gates,” Saint Peter said.
The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, “They’re bells.” Saint Peter said, “You may pass through the pearly gates.” The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women’s glasses. St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, “And just what do those symbolize?” The man replied, “They’re Carol’s.”
As a little girl climbed onto Santa’s lap, Santa asked the usual, “And what would you like for Christmas?” The child stared at him open mouthed and horrified for a minute, then gasped: “Didn’t you get my E-mail?”
Christmas is a time of giving. Ever since the wise men from the east showed up at the stable bearing gold, frankincense, and myrrh, people have been exchanging gifts at Christmas. Of course, it’s much more complicated today than it was for the wise men.
For one thing, they didn’t have to contend with shopping malls packed full of parents going from store to store to store desperately searching for the toy their kids want more than anything else, even though it’s going to be destroyed or forgotten about in a couple of weeks.
The wise men didn’t have to worry about sizes, or colors, or return policies. They didn’t have to worry about rude customers or inconsiderate clerks or whether they are going to over-charge their account. But they did walk far and long to find the child of promise, so they could give Him gifts.
Well, this year, just like every year, millions of people, both children and adults, will open gifts. Some won’t fit. Some will be the wrong color. Some just won’t make any sense at all. Many will be returned or exchanged. But there’s one gift that meets everyone’s need, one gift that will never wear out, never break or need repairing. A gift that is appropriate for a small child, or a teenager, or an adult. A gift that’s appropriate for boys and girls, men and women, it makes no difference.
The gift we all need, the most valuable gift of all, is the gift of God… 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” VIDEO… This morning, I’d like to make three points about this gift.
1. The Gift is Jesus Christ Himself
Little Russian girl… John 3:16... God gave us the gift of His own Son, Jesus Christ, so that through Him we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.
I believe many miss the mark at Christmas. In our schools and public arenas we can celebrate Christmas as long as it includes Santa Claus and excludes Jesus. At the school Christmas program this week they sang about Santa, reindeer, cookies, and about dogs and cows, but not a word was spoken about Christ.
So they are telling us that it’s OK to sing about something we know without question is a lie, but we can’t sing about the Savior of the world. People worship a fairy tale story about Santa Claus, who comes to bring toys to all the children and that makes them happy – at least until the toys break or the children find something else that interests them more
But God gave His Son and all who accept Christ as Savior and Lord have eternal life. It doesn’t break, or fad, or rust, and it cannot be stolen, and it cannot be misplaced. God gives us life… John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Santa brings toys that bring temporary pleasure. (((Christmas at Grandmas – Atari))). Have you ever noticed that Santa is just Satan with the N moved over??? In the fairy tale story of Santa, he brings toys that will eventually break…
That’s what Satan does, he makes promises of happiness and fulfillment and pleasure – but they never last… they’re only temporary. Satan is a liar. John 8:44, “…There is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
But the gift that God gave is eternal. The everlasting God gave Himself. That’s something many parents could learn from… they gives things, but not themselves… There’s nothing wrong with giving things, but those things should never be a substitute for your relationship with your family.
Video
2. The Gift Has Great Value
There are a lot of people who look into the manger, but they don’t see the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
They don’t see anything special at all, because they don’t have the eyes of faith. All they can see is a little baby. And they pass by the child in the manger and seek after the gold, and the frankincense, and the myrrh sitting at the side, they don’t want the Son of God, they want the gifts.
For some that’s all Christmas is about. They want the toys, clothes, money, and the stocking stuffers. But they want nothing to do with Christ. Which do you value more, the toys and trinkets of this life that will all eventually fade away, or a relationship with Jesus Christ that will last forever?
Matthew 13:44-46, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Knowing Christ is worth more than anything else in this world; in fact, knowing Christ is worth more than everything else in this world. Jesus Christ is that treasure; He’s that pearl of great value. God’s gift to us, His only begotten Son, is worth more than anything else we could ever possess.
And we would be wise to sell everything we have to obtain Christ. Philippians 3:8, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
We don’t have to sell all we have because it’s a gift. Now there are some things we ought to get rid of… 1 Peter 2:1, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,”
We don’t get rid of these things to obtain a relationship with Christ but we ought to get rid of these things because we have a relationship with Christ. Remember Christ is that treasure, He is that pearl of great value and nothing should have greater value to us.
Is there something that you cling to that hinders your walk with God? Lay it aside, because it is keeping you from the greatest gift ever given.
3. The Gift Must Be Received
Revelation 22:17, “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” It’s available to everyone, but God doesn’t force it on anyone. We have to receive it…
John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”
Not all who hear about him become the children of God. Not all who agreed with his teachings become the children of God. Not all who attended church become the children of God. Not all who tried to follow the golden rule become the children of God. But all who receive him.
GIVE A GIFT…
Some people imagine that God’s love has to be earned; that we have to do something to deserve His forgiveness; that we have to somehow be good enough to merit His acceptance. But a gift you have to pay for is not a gift at all.
Imagine trying to make your wife or children pay for their gifts, or telling your friends to pay up before they leave… a gift is given, it’s not earned, not paid for, it’s free to you and me.
Don’t misunderstand, there was a price paid but not by us. Jesus Christ paid the price and He extends His arms to us and He says this is for you. What will you do with the gift of God???
Conclusion: James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
Now, maybe you opened that gift years ago, but lately it’s been sitting on the shelf. You’ve been too busy, or too distracted to give Christ the time and attention you know He deserves. Or maybe for you that gift is still under the tree, wrapped and ready to be opened.
My appeal to you this morning is this: Don’t leave Christ on the shelf; don’t leave Him under the tree. Take him into your heart and into your life. That gift from God has a tag with your name on it. What better time than Christmas to renew your commitment to Christ; or what better time than Christmas to begin a new life of fellowship with Jesus Christ, a new life of joy and p
