GOOD GIFT/PERFECT GIFT
INTRO: CHRISTMAS TIME
1: DO YOU HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS OR HAPPY HOLIDAYS?
A) CHRISTMAS HAS BEEN UNDER ATTACK
B) SECULAR SOCIETY SAYS IT IS WRONG TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS.
C) SOTRES DON’T HAVE CHRISTMAS SALES ANYMORE, THEY HAVE HOLIDAY SALES
POINT: THERE ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT CHRISTMAS THAT I DON’T LIKE, THE BIG COMMERCIAL EVENT OF THE BIGGEST BEST GIFT, AND THE RUSH AND BUSTLE OF SEEKING OUT THE BEST DEAL. IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL WE LOSE THE TRUE REASON FOR THE SEASON. CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2: FIRST CHRISTMAS
A) LONELY MANGER
B) A MAN AND HIS WIFE
C) COLD DAMP DARK SETTING
D) A SHEPERD OF SHEEP AND THREE STRANGERS FROM A FAR LAND
POINT: WE NEED A PERSPECTIVE CHECK AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR LEFT ALL THE SPLENDER OF HEAVEN TO START HIS EARTHLY JOURNEY IN A MANGER WHERE THE LIVESTOCK SLEPT. THE SON OF GOD HIS IDEA OF CHRISTMAS AND OURS CAN BE VERY DIFFERENT. GIFTS FOOD CELEBRATION IS GREAT AND SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED, BUT WHILE WE ENJOY OUR GIFTS AND LOVED ONES STOP AND THINK WHO IT WAS THAT GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
BODY: JAMES 1:17
1: EVER GET A BAD GIFT?
A) ONE YOU JUST LOOK AT AND SAY WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
B) SOMETHING SO USELESS TO YOU
C) IT HAPPENS TO EVERYONE
POINT: IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS, BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE, YOU’VE HEARD IT SINCE CHILDHOOD. BAD GIFTS, USELESS WHATEVER HAVE FUN WITH IT AND REMEMBER WHAT IT COST JESUS FOR YOU TO EVEN HAVE THAT GIFT.
2: THE PERFECT GIFT
A) GOD SENT IT OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO
B) WRAP IN SWADDLING CLOTHES
C) IN A MANGER IN BETHELHEM
D) THE SIMPLICITY IS WHAT SPEAKS VOLUME
POINT: NO BIG PALACE NO GATHERING OF IMPORTANT POWERFUL PEOPLE. JUST A FAMILY AND GOD, THE PERFECT GIFT TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM HERSELF.
CLOSING: THIS CHRISTMAS
1: YOUR FAMILY
A) THEIR YOURS FOR A REASON
B) YOU CAN CHOSE A LOT OF THINGS IN LIFE
C) YOU CAN’T CHOOSE WHO YOUR FAMILY IS
D) ENJOY THEM
2: INVITE GOD TO CHRISTMAS
A) IT IS HIS SON’S BIRTHDAY
B) SEE HIS LOVE IN YOUR FAMILIES EYES
C) ALLOW YOURSELF TO RECEIVE THE PERFECT GIFT THIS YEAR
CLOSING THOUGHT: THINK OF ALL THOSE BAD GIFTS, THAT UGLY SWEATER YOU NEVER WORE, THAT REINDEER TURTLENECK THAT IS STILL IN YOUR CLOSET, THE THINGS YOU RECEIVED AND LONG FORGOTTEN AWAY IN THE ATTIC OR GARAGE. THEN THINK OF CHRIST AND HIS SINLESS BODY BEING HANDED OVER TO BE CRUCIFIED FOR OUR SINS. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS!!!!!!!
