THE MANY GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS
There has been a lot of re-focus this year on Christmas, and its true meaning. I guess in one sense all of the attacks on Christmas by the Remove-God crowd has accomplished that one thing (even if unintentionally) – it has caused a lot of people to re-think and perhaps even to re-align themselves as to the true meaning of the “Reason for the Season.”
As believers, we realize the real meaning of Christmas is about the celebration of the birth and purpose of the Christ – God’s gift to mankind for because of our need for salvation. When we really think about it, that old expression “heaven help us” is much more than a cliché – it is a confession. Oh God, please help us, because we cannot help ourselves. We cannot save ourselves. There is not one of here today that (if we were totally honest) would not have to admit that we are less than perfect – and many of us know that there is no use even trying to pretend that we are anything other than sinners in need of God’s marvelous grace.
In any discussions about Christmas, we would all have to acknowledge that there is one word that comes up more often than any other. That is the idea of gifts. Christmas is about gifts, and I don’t know that we should try and change that. I do think the emphasis has been moved from the main GIFT of Christmas (the gift of Jesus) to the materialistic side of Christmas – what we get (as well as what we give). But the idea of Christmas is that in the giving of gifts, we have the opportunity to express our LOVE for one another. And in the true spirit of Christmas, we know that we find a degree of joy in giving to those we love gifts that somehow try and express our love towards those recipients. Yes, whether we agree or not, Christmas is about gifts.
Illus: The story is told that some soldiers leaving an island at the end of World War 2 tried to convey Christmas to the native islanders with gifts and Christmas songs. They had won the battle for the land from the grasp of the Japanese, now they needed to win the hearts of the locals. So they gave out of their own meager possessions. (Fighting soldiers can’t carry, much less preserve much on the battle field, so they gave things like hand made crosses, candy bars, and personal Bibles they had carried in battle). Years later one of these men visited that island and was shocked to find a particularly strong church there. He was invited to attend the service, which consisted of gift giving and Christmas songs. The oddity was, it wasn’t Christmas time… yet when the islanders had accepted Christ, they had declared Christmas Day to be celebrated each Lord’s day.
All over this world, Christmas has become about the giving and receiving of gifts. I am not here today to try and change that, but rather to try and put some perspective on the BEST GIFTS of Christmas.
Today being Christmas Sunday (and especially Christmas Day this year) … you have already enjoyed your gifts. I hope you received what you were wanting (or expecting) – and if not, I hope you were surprised by the gifts you did receive. I pray you know the love that was behind those gifts. (I think it a good thing, this idea of Christmas, by the way). Every year I am amazed at the new gadgets and gizmos that we see. And it is joyful to see someone’s face light up when they get “that perfect gift” that they know was just for them. WE could spend the rest of the morning telling about our gifts, as they are all fresh on our minds.
Often, we speak about the gifts that we should give God, too. And I think that is a wonderful thing to remember. After all, it is HIS birthday! Shouldn’t HE be the one that is receiving the very best gifts. Perhaps you have made a gift list for Christmas this year. And on your list I’m sure you have listed things like: faithful contributions – time – projects – expressing more love for others – patience and kindness towards those around us …. . And I think Christ is honored by those gifts when they are generous and genuine. And with His help I pray you will truly give those gifts throughout this year. It would be great if every day became like Christmas day in ALL our hearts.
But I want you to think today with me about the greatest gift of all time – Jesus, the Christ. Not just the baby in a manger (though we most often think of the Christ-child when we think of Christmas. But may the Lord also help us to understand that Christmas is so much more than remembering that it is Jesus’ birthday. It is about remembering that the baby in the manger also became the life-giving sacrifice on a cruel Roman cross some 33 years later. It is about remembering the sweet joy of a young couple with their first born son – and the agonizing sorrow of a small group of disciples and family who were seeing their whole world shattered as Jesus hung there on a public hillside – yet still stretching His arms out to say I – LOVE – Y O U!
God gave US many gifts in Jesus. For when He gave us Jesus He gave us far more than just a good man – far more than just a good example – He gave us all wonderful gifts. Gifts that if we should begin to re-examine and appreciate them will change our the very way we live our lives.
In the time remaining this morning, I want us to think on three of His most wonderful gifts: Gifts that the father offered when He gave us Jesus! Gifts that He GAVE us – and at the same time gifts that HE IS STILL GIVING US TODAY! For truly, “Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving”. (God’s Word speaks in terms of Christ being our “gift.” )….
Text:
Romans 5:15 - 19 (NKJV) 15But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
Ø There are some “big words” there in that passage … and I want to encourage you to go home even this day and think on the words of this great passage … about all that God has given us in Christ Jesus.
Ø But I want us to think on three gifts that are especially important to every one of us today.
I. In Christ, we have been given “Right Standing with God”.
1. Paul uses words here to describe this position with God – words like justification, and righteousness. In Christian theology each of those words has specific and deep meanings. But the most important thing we need to know is that the gift of Jesus brings with it the ability of man to “stand rightly before God.”
2. Sin caused a “large chasm” between God and man. That chasm separates us from God… it keeps us from relating to God in the right and proper way. We are sinful – and He is Holy!
3. The gift of Jesus – God coming in the flesh – and taking our place (the righteous exchanging his sinless life for our sinful life) – allows us the great and awesome privilege of Standing in the presence of a Holy God.
II. God also gives us Forgiveness –
1. Paul doesn’t use the word “forgiveness”, but it is the English word that represents what he was speaking about.
2. However, elsewhere he does explain that along with justification (this right standing before God) … comes forgiveness:
Acts 13:37 - 39 (NKJV) 37but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
3. Now, when one stops and thinks about it, there can be no justification without forgiveness.
1) Think of it in human terms … We have to truly forgive someone before we can “stand with them.” (There is no “right standing” when there is still a rift …
2) We all have experienced that feeling when we have been offended by someone – (wounds may heal, but the scars still remind us to keep our guard up). But Forgiveness heals even the scar!!!
4. We have OFFENDED God – sin is an offense to God.
5. My friend – God forgives you! (it doesn’t matter the sin, or the darkness of your secret) … God forgives you!
III. God gives us His eternal Presence –in contrast to – all these Temporary Presents!
1. All these gifts you gave and received this year – they are at the best temporary.
2. God’s best gift means His eternal Presence … “I will never leave you or forsake you…” … never, no never …
Conclusion: So what could I give God this year that would truly please Him. What lasting gift does He desire from me … with all He has given me is there anything I can give Him that He really desires …
There is one gift that God wants more than anything else – your heart!
Romans 12:1 (NKJV) 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
3. By accepting God’s gift, you have been declared holy, acceptable to God – Now Live Your Life That Way!!!
4. That’s all He is asking of us … and it would be the very best Christmas present you could ever give Jesus! – Give Him your heart!
1) Christian –
2) Seeker – (?)
3) Unbeliever – Jesus came on YOUR behalf … you could receive the greatest Gift God ever offered –
