Christmas Stories:
All of these people played a part in the larger story...
I want to play a part in what God is doing
These stories were given to us for an example...
Take a look at some of the stories that surround the birth of our Savior...
Text:
Luke 2:11 For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Not just born unto the Shepherds, but this you is an all inclusive you... Jesus did not come just for the Shepherds, or just for the Jews, but to all men!
Whosoever, let him come...
As Peter said, this promise is to you, your children....
1 John 4:9-11
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
The reason that God was born of a woman, entering into this world is b’c He loved us
He did not intend to leave us in our sins, without hope
Because He loved us! He would leave the 99 to seek the 1 lost
For so loved the world that He gave...
And, so the 4th Story is the Gift of God
Make no mistake, we have been given a gift!
Luke 2:11 For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
It was the gift of salvation and grace
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”
Introduction:
How do you measure the value of a present?
As children, this was easy.
I remember at Christmas time,
The gifts would begin to gather up around the tree,
You would shake them,
You would turn them upside down,
You would try to think about the size and shape of the box
But the most valuable present was always judged by the outer appearance!
The biggest box with the shiniest wrapping paper!
How do you measure the value of a present?
How do you judge its worth?
By its size?
By its weight?
No, of course not...
The best gifts are gifts are judged by much more than outer appearance
We cant judge the gift that God has given to us, just b’c he was born to lowly parents, in a lowly town, and laid in a manger
1. God’s Gift is Useful
A gift that is useful, that you needed...
Opening the box of picture frames
As a 10 year old child, I had no use for them
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”
This gift that God gave us is useful b’c we couldn’t do it on our own and we needed it!
What is the usefulness of gift to us?
Notice in verse nine the usefulness of the gift.
9 ...that we might live through him.
Jesus said it this way:
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
What a promise that is!
Not just life, not just existence,
but life which means something, life that has worth
Abundant life!
Life with a purpose. A life which has value. Life with meaning.
A life that will have eternal consequences and benefits
God has made you a new creature for a purpose! So that you might have life, and have it more abundantly!
Not only has He created you, and breathed breath into you,
But now He has given you life & purpose in God’s Kingdom!
His gift is useful, b’c its made me useful
Its given me a new purpose,
Its given me new meaning
And New Life!
My purpose is to live a life that brings glory to God!
to encourage and support fellow Christians,
to become more like Christ,
to use my gifts and talents in helping others,
to tell those who don’t know Jesus that there is Good News.
My purpose to bring glory to God in all I do and say.
And when all is said and done I long to hear the words:
"Well done, good and faithful servant”
I’ve just been musing on the idea that David wanted to build God a house to give God glory...
It came from a right and a sincere desire to bring glory
But He dwells in a tent? He’s still be Glorious
But He is laid in a dirty ol’ manger? He’s still be Glorious
My purpose is to praise Him!
B’c is I don’t praise Him
Jesus said, if my people don’t praise me,
The rocks are going to cry out!
I need to praise Him! I need Him!
His gift was the greatest gift b’c I needed it!
God’s gift of salvation to us is useful.
It gives us meaning and value in God’s Kingdom right here
and right now!
And promises us an eternal life to come!
2. God’s Gift Is Expensive
One of a kind gifts, are always a great gift...
A child who makes a craft, an art project...
You say, well that didn’t cost anything...
It may not have cost any money
But it cost something... Time and energy to create
Dig down deep in their heart, and tapped into love that they have..
You know it was love is where that project came from
God wants our best
He doesn’t want our leftovers.
He doesn’t want cheap stuff.
He wants the best you and I can give Him.
Remember David said,
“I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
David said if he was going to give a sacrifice to the Lord he was going to give his best – something of value – something of worth.
Why would David say that?
Because thats what God has done for us.
He has given us the most precious gift He could possibly give something of worth
something of value
something that is one in a kind
He gave of Himself!
He did it! He didn’t delegate it.
Didn’t farm it out, He came to this Earth!
It cost Him something!
He gave his life, no man could take it from Him!
He knew what had to be done
He knew what price had to be paid
He knew what it was going to cost Him
God’s gift to me is VALUABLE!
This is the most precious gift that you could ever possess!
This is the gift of forgiveness, of salvation, of eternal life! You ought to hold on to this valuable gift!
You ought to cherish your relationship w/God
3. God’s Gift Is Effective
If I get a toaster I expect it to make toast
If I get a coffee machine I expect it to make coffee
Sometimes, these gifts promise to do everything
Change your life...
Lose weight, change the oil, etc. etc.
But the question that needs to be asked is:
Is it effective?
Does it do what it was intended to do?
What is this gift of God intended to do? CHANGE YOU.
-Once the Wise Men were aware of the Christ Child, they left everything to come and worship Him
-Once Mary overcame her fear, she offered her life as a willing vessel
“It is finished”
Its effective,
Its life changing
Its good for eternity
You can bank on it
Conclusion:
I hope that this year, we can and will reflect on what the Lord
has done for us, and what He has given to us...
