11/27/2014
Pastor Tim J Strickland
Friendly Center Baptist Church
The Perfect Gift
It is that time of year again. Most people are in rush mode trying to find the perfect gift to give their love ones for Christmas.
There will be a sense of panic in the air, as request are made and Black Friday enticements are dangled out for us to run and fight for the imitation joy of cheap gotten goods.
And then, there is the promise of a fat red suited Santa, who will be performing magic by sliding down a Chimney to bring presents to all the good boys and girls, while leaving a chunk of coal for the naughty.
It really becomes a miracle for those living in more modern homes or apartments that have no chimneys.
It is all so seemingly harmless.
It is no wonder, why so many people have a hard time believing what the Bible says when even Christians today are following a pattern of telling little white lies.
For those children whose parents are poor, I wonder what it is the parents will tell the good child, will it be that somehow Santa forgot their address.
Are will they say, that they should have been better children than they are, perhaps leaving the child to wonder if they are even loved.
I cannot help but have sadness in my heart as I ponder, when did Christians decide, to go the ways of the world and turn to the commercial machine that takes over during the Holidays.
The Worldly machine is busy fabricating our every little dream, if you can afford the price.
The Chevy Chase Christmas movies, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley belting out blue, blue Christmas, how we all love the images and sounds portrayed.
But there was a departure from the truth at some point in time. We boarded the wrong plane.
Because for a lot of families, it is all a mirage that can be seen from a distance, but as soon as we get close it disappears.
Where is the love, the happiness, where is Christ. Is he buried under the Christmas tree, somewhere under all the presents?
Most people’s Christmas never quite measures up to the one projected. Does it? Why is that?
It is because there is a better way.
The perfect Christmas gift cannot be bought, it has already been given.
It is all but hidden in the word Christmas.
It is Christ.
Isa 9:6
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
KJv
For unto us, Christians a child was indeed born. He is wonderful, and this earth and the heavens are filled with the majesty of his creation.
The world puts together story’s to entice the Christian for monetary gain. Make no mistake it is about money.
The Bible puts together truth that by understanding, one by one, each individual may come to salvation by faith in the son that was born, lived and preached salvation through the shedding of his blood.
He made a final sacrifice upon a blood soaked hill known as Golgotha for you and for me.
You may be saying to yourself, preacher where is the sleigh bells and the egg nog and the presents. Is not Christmas to be joyful?
Yes it is. But the real truth is as
Heb 9:22,28 says
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
KJV
So that perfect gift has been presented to the world.
Is it wrong to buy each other presents? No but let’s not pretend that we do it because Jesus was given gifts. How does a king being bestowed royal gifts translate unto earthly treasures for us?
The Bible says that
Matt 6:20-21
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
KJV
Have you been to a black Friday event?
Where is the heart of the people I ask, as they shove little ole ladies and foul language is exchanged, as they tear and struggle and run over each other to save a few dollars.
I would imagine the Devil and his companions are sitting on the side lines watching the game that he has arranged.
The Lord knows that we are more than capable of buying gifts and bestowing them on our children.
The Bible says in
Matt 7:11
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
KJV
The question is have you asked and received the best gift ever given, and if so have you revealed the best gift ever bestowed to your children, to your family?
Have you shouted it from your roof tops? Have you swallowed up the words of truth in your soul?
The Bible says in
Deut 11:18-20
18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 And ye shall teach them your children , speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
KJV
What have you declared in your hearts this season? Write it over the Door Post of your house.
Saying
Josh 24:15
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD , choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD .
KJV
I think of the place where my savior was laid
A garden tomb, and by his death I am saved
He lived a life that was pure as gold
He purchased my life and purified my soul
What am I to do?
What am I to say?
He gave me a gift that I can never repay?
Thank you Lord for something I could not do
The perfect gift I know, is you.
Written and composed by Tim J Strickland
What does your heart desire this Christmas?
I hope that is more than a few things that are packaged up in pretty wrapping paper.
For I tell you all the wrapping paper in this world could not hold the love of God that is in his son Jesus.
He is waiting for you to unwrap the best present ever given.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal savior the Bible says
2 Cor 6:2
2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation .)
KJV
The Best Christmas gift ever given, is waiting for you to receive.
Alter call
