2 Corinthians 9:15KJV
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
America’s Funniest Home Videos, a young boy was shown on Christmas morning. He came down to see a large present beside the tree and ran over to tear it open to see what was inside. The paper went flying and suddenly he broke into a dance and jumped around the room saying, “Wow Just what I wanted I really love it. Wow ” After awhile he went over to look at it again and said with a puzzled look on his face, “What is it?”
- Not what is it but who is he?
- Jesus is God Most High and God Most Nigh
- God put skin on. He became touchable and approachable.
Dr. James Allan Francis, he was pastor of the First Baptist Church, Los Angeles CA in a sermon "Arise, Sir Knight." delivered on July 11, 1926. He published it in his book book, "The Real Jesus,"1926
One Solitary Life
Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until he was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.
This Man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor traveled even 200 miles from His birthplace. And though he never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself.
While He was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His followers ran away. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth--the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend.
But three days later this Man arose from the dead--living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Savior whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history in two eras. One day of every week is set aside in remembrance of Him. And our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and resurrection. On church steeples around the world His cross has become the symbol of victory over sin and death.
This one Man’s life has furnished the theme for more songs, books, poems and paintings than any other person or event in history. Thousands of colleges, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions have been founded in honor of this One who gave His life for us.
All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the governments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned have not changed the course of history as much as this One Solitary Life.
Encyclopedia Britannica has more on Jesus than any other religious figure or political leader, over 20,000 words.
2 Corinthians 9:15KJV
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
❶. INDISCERNIBLE IN ITS TREASURE
A. It was a Gift of Love.
1. Undeserved love Romans 5:8KJV
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. Unending love Jeremiah 31:3KJV
3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
3. It was a Gift of Life John 10:28KJV
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
❷. INDISCERNIBLE IN ITS MEASURE
1. It is incredible.
"For God so loved the world."
2. It is indisputable.
" He gave his only begotten Son."
❸. INDISCERNIBLE IN ITS PLEASURE
1. Abundant Life - Jn 10:10 -
John 10:10KJV
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
2. Companionship Jn 15:15
John 15:15KJV
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
3. Everlasting Life Jn 3:16
John 3:16KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
4. Freedom - Jn. 8:32, 36
John 8:32KJV
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:36KJV
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
5. Hope - Jn 16:33
John 16:33KJV
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 6. Joy - Jn 15:11
John 15:11KJV
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
7. Love - Jn 14:21
John 14:21KJV
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
8. Peace - Jn 14:27
John 14:27KJV
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
9. Rest - Jn 14:1
John 14:1KJV
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Matthew 11:28KJV
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
11. Spirit, Holy - Jn 14:16
John 14:16KJV
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
12. Wealth - Jn 20:29
John 20:29KJV
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
- Jesus makes us a deal we can’t refuse. He says,
- Give me all of your sin.
- I’ll give you all of my righteousness.
- And we’ll call it even.
Cracking the Faith Barrier
- WWII fighter pilots flying high performance planes
- Many in dives approached the sound barrier
- Planes began to shake and shutter hard to control
- Experts said aircraft would bread up
- The air in front wold become like a wall
- Chuck Yeager 24
- 2 nights before broke 2 ribs riding a horse
- Afraid he would be disqualified
- Veterinarian in next town bound him up
- Oct 14/47 — Bell X-1 Mach 1= 680mph 1.06 (700mph) Edwards Air Force Base
- Air lifted by B-29 and dropped @ 43,000 ft
- 4 liquid oxygen rockets kicked in
- Sure enough the X-1 vibrated so bad that one of the gauges broke
- Continuing on the X-1 went through the sound barrier and smoothed out
- All now was quiet & peaceful
- Turbulence was still there but now had shifted to the rear of the plane
- Living by the human viewpoint there is turbulence
- We only have our abilities
- Looking at life with it’s difficulties & limitations life can be impossible
- Looking at Christ in faith we break through the faith barrier
- It is His power His ability
- Approaching the faith barrier there is shaking & shuttering
- Pushing on in faith leaning on Him the shacking of fear and the shuttering of unbelief is put behind us and there is now calmness and peace of the soul
