+ 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (NIV)
1. GOD’S STORY. “And this is the testimony.”
What is a testimony? Our children did a super job in “The Not So Silent Night”showing us the testimony of the shepherds, the wise men, and even some would be “expert witnesses.” Put simply a testimony is a story. When called to testify a witness is asked to clearly tell their story about what happened.
Believe it or not God has a story to tell, or as in the court of law God has given His testimony. If you were a juror in a courtroom would you believe God’s story or not?
+ 1 John 5:9-10 9We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. (NIV)
All those who have received God’s gift know that His testimony is true; no one could ever convince them otherwise because the truth has been engraved upon their heart. The truth has set them free!
On the other hand those who don’t believe God’s story have called Him a liar. The bible says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4 NIV).
If you’re here today and don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal savior, then my prayer for you today is that your eyes will be opened to the truth and your life will be forever changed.
God has told his story. Only two options are available. You either believe God’s testimony and know it is true, or think God is a liar.
2. GOD’S ETERNAL GIFT “God has given us eternal life.”
God’s story tells us about His eternal gift–that is eternal life. What is this gift of eternal life that God has extended to you and me?
Eternal life does not prevent our bodies from dying; it’s much more than “Tuck Everlasting” or life without end. Likewise, eternal life is not something you must wait to receive after you die. Eternal life is a present reality that you and I can have now if we have received God’s gift.
+ John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (NIV)
Eternal life is to enter into an intimate and loving relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. It is not just a mere head knowledge about the identity or person of Jesus; it is not an intellectual acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of God. Eternal life is to be one with Christ.
Those who have not accepted God’s eternal gift don’t know God, or His Son Jesus Christ. That’s why they call God a liar, because they have not become acquainted with the truth.
3. THE GIFT IS JESUS! “And this life is in his Son.”
God does not merely give us a tangible expression of His love for us to hold; He gives us Himself. The bible describes God’s gift as an overflow of His incredible love for you and me.
+ John 3:16 For God so loved the world that HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)
God gave us His Son, Jesus! That’s the wonder of the Christmas story–God was born of a woman, Immanuel–God with us. Jesus lived among us in order that He might willingly lay down His life upon the cross. Jesus died for us to prove God’s love for you and me.
Conclusion:
What will you do with God’s eternal gift?
· The story is told about the young man from a wealthy family who was graduating from high school. An only child and accustomed to getting everything he wanted, he let his father know that all he wanted for his graduation gift was a new sports car.
On the day of his graduation the young man received a small rectangular gift from his dad weighing two or three pounds; the boy thought to himself that his dad had wrapped up the owners manual for his new car. He quickly unwrapped the gift to discover a leather bound book; on the binding it said in gold letters “Holy Bible.” Disappointed he dropped the bible at his father’s feet and walked away vowing to never talk to him again.
Years later after his father’s death the son was going through the things his father had left behind and found the bible he had been given as a graduation gift so long ago. By chance he thumbed through the bible and discovered an envelope inside with his name on it. Opening the envelope, he found a hand written note from his father which read:
“Son, I’m so proud of you! Your dreams can take you anywhere you want to go. My prayer is that you will use this bible as your road map to keep you on the right path. Love, Dad. P.S. Use the enclosed cashiers check to purchase your dream car. It’s only the beginning of a lifetime of dreams to come true!”
His father had given him just what he wanted, but instead of experiencing the joy of his father’s love he had lived his life filled with bitterness and resentment all because THE GIFT HAD REMAINED UNOPENED AND UNUSED.
What have you done with God’s eternal gift? Have you experienced the joy of knowing your heavenly Father’s love and receive His gift of eternal life? Or have you left the gift at His feet unopened and unused?
You can receive His gift today. It’s not enough to just unwrap the gift; you have to open it up and put it to use. It’s not enough to know or believe the right things about Jesus. The son could have known about the check that his father had given to him, but he still would have needed to go to the car dealer to buy the car. What you believe about Jesus has to be followed up with action.
+ Romans 10:9-10 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (NIV)
Won’t you enter into a loving relationship with your Father God today through His Son Jesus Christ?
