GOD’S INDESCRIBABLE GIFT – A Gift Worth Giving
Matthew 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 9:15
INTRODUCTION:
It’s the Christmas season once again and our thoughts turn to presents! Kids are making their wish lists; visiting Santa at the mall. Meanwhile parents are running their credit cards up to the limit to get the things to put under their Christmas tree. Let’s face it when we think about Christmas one of the first things we think about is CHRISTMAS GIFTS!
Why are gifts such a big part of the Christmas holiday season? Of the many reasons we could offer, I think one of the most important reasons gifts are so important at Christmas is because of GOD’S GREATEST GIFT—the gift Mary wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger; the gift the angels announced to shepherds; the gift wise men found by following a star; it’s God’s gift of His one and only Son, Immanuel—God with us; the gift is Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
How are we to describe the indescribable? God’s gift is beyond our ability to fully express in words. How can we ever fully describe or put into words the incarnation, that Jesus, the eternal Son of God put on human flesh and was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem’s stable?
Over the next few weeks we are going to attempt to describe the indescribable! As we look at God’s indescribable gift found within the familiar verses of the Bible in the Christmas story, we are going to see what lessons we can learn for our own lives, lessons we can even apply to the many gifts we give and receive each Christmas.
This morning our thoughts will turn to “A Gift Worth Giving.” Next Sunday we will think about “A Gift Worth Waiting For;” then we will consider “A Gift Worth Receiving.” Finally on Christmas Sunday we will finish this series on God’s Indescribable Gift with “A Gift Worth Understanding.”
ILLUSTRATION: Susie and I did something Friday that I don’t think either of us have ever done. Normally my goal is to stay as far away from shopping on the day after Thanksgiving as humanly possible, but not this year; Susie and I were up at 6:30 and off to the store by 7 to catch some of those incredible bargains available only to the truly committed gift buyers. Fortunately for us the gifts we were after hadn’t already sold out (although we did get the last of one item); I was amazed to hear that some of the supper specials advertised to get people out to the store early had actually sold out by 5:30 in the morning! I’m sorry but I’m not that committed to gift buying; I enjoy sleeping too much for that! So having already started my gift buying for the 2005 Christmas season I’ve thought a little bit about the gifts we give and receive.
As I see it there are basically six kinds of gifts we give at Christmas time.
1. THE OBLIGATION GIFT. Do you know what an obligation gift is? It’s the “gift for gift” gift, or what some of us might call the GIFT EXCHANGE. We all buy gifts for certain people simply because it’s expected; they are buying a gift for you (or your children) so you need to return the favor and buy gifts for them. These are the gifts with “strings attached” or rules and guidelines for gift buying so that everyone is treated fairly. To be honest, the obligation gift or “gift for gift” gift exchange is my least favorite gift to give and receive.
2. THE “KEEP UP WITH THE JONES” GIFT. These are the gifts you buy for yourself or your kids that everyone just has to have. These are your WANTS. I understand from out talk around the thanksgiving table that one of these gifts this year is the new “X BOX 3” with a price tag of only $400; don’t worry if you can’t find it at the store you can buy it on e-bay for $2,000! The “Keep up with the Jones” gift has nothing to do with what you or your family needs it’s all about what you want. While these gifts may be fun to get, they are also the gifts that will keep you in debt because your wants are always greater than what you can honestly afford.
3. THE APPRECIATION GIFT. These are the gifts you give to say, “Thank you.” Your boss may have given you a ham or a turkey as a small way of saying “Thanks for doing a good job,” or your employer may give you a “Christmas Bonus” if you have worked hard and the company has realized earned a profit. You may give your kids an appreciation gift for getting good grades on their report card or for doing their chores around the house. Appreciation gifts are an unexpected way of showing tangible yet heart felt gratitude for what others have done for you.
4. THE PRACTICAL GIFT. What’s a practical gift? These are the gifts that meet needs. If you have kids then you know what a practical gift is. The kids have outgrown last year’s winter coat or boots so they find new ones under the tree for this year. Perhaps your cloths aren’t fitting the way they used to or they are getting a little worn from use so you find some new things for yourself to wrap up for your self. Guys a word of caution! Before you give your wife a new crock pot or other gadget for the kitchen that will really benefit the whole family be sure she will be okay with it; be sure of what she sees as a need before you try to meet it for her.
5. THE LOVE GIFT. The love gift is the expression of the heart. The love gift is the gift that brings you the most joy in giving. Some gifts are given just to say, “I love you.” The value of a love gift goes far beyond the price tag; the sentimental value adds to the significance and worth of the gift exponentially. For instance at our harvest party bags of candy were prepared for all of the kids, but somehow some of that candy found its way into my top desk drawer (and it just happened to be my favorite kinds). The value of that candy was far greater than just the couple of dollars it cost to buy it from the store; it was an expression of love from those working behind the scenes to make it a great party for the kids—they even included this big kid!
Love gifts don’t always have to be material things; you don’t have to run down to the local store to buy something to give an expression of your love. Some of the best love gifts are not things!
Sometimes a love gift is simply a gift of your time; it may be time as a “togetherness gift.” Over the last few days I’ve taken extra time off from being in my office to spend time with Chrysta; it’s a love gift. And if you think I went to the store Friday because I wanted to find a bargain you have missed the gift I gave to Susie; being with her was my gift to her (and breakfast was her gift to me).
We can also give our time through acts of kindness or service to others. John Maxwell tells the story about a man named Brent who said, “Pastor, I think you need me . . . would it be alright if I came to your office about once a week and the secretary could just give me a list of errands that I could do for you? And I’d like to give you an afternoon once a week of my life.” For the next seven years Brent washed cars, ran to the dry cleaners and did all kinds of simple acts of service to help his pastor. Rich gave me such a gift. One Saturday evening he took his time to go to the store to get some recordable CD’s so I wouldn’t have to—it was a love gift. Tiffani is also giving the gift of her time and talents to serve the church by doing our bulletin and bookkeeping, but it is really serving me because if she didn’t do it then I would have to do it. Likewise others are giving gifts of love; gift worth far more than anything money can buy. These are love gifts.
6. THE GRACE GIFT. The grace gift is the greatest expression of the love gift. The giving of a grace gift is always non-tangible. Grace gifts are not things; grace gifts are the extension of God’s love in and through our lives. Grace gifts are the giving of forgiveness, compassion and mercy. The cost of a grace gift is impossible to measure, because the grace gift can only be given by laying down one’s life, by setting aside your rights.
The grace gift is best understood through God’s gift of grace to us through his son Jesus. God’s grace gift is His “indescribable gift” of His abundant love given to us as Jesus humbled himself and became a man, and then willingly laid down His life for us on the cross so that our sins might be forgiven.
In love God gave the gift of His only begotten Son. When Christ was born in Bethlehem, wise men traveled from the east with gifts for the new born King. When we look at how the wise men gave their gifts we see a picture of how God has given His grace to each of us, and in turn we also discover how we should give our gifts to each other following the example of the wise men.
1. Give gifts PERSONALLY.
• Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)
[1] After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem [2] and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
The wise men didn’t send someone else to search out the Christ child; they went personally to take their gifts. Others could have delivered the gold frankincense and myrrh, but only the wise men could bring their worship to Jesus. This was a personal gift.
God likewise gave personally. God didn’t just send a prophet to announce salvation. God did not have an angel make the way of salvation. God sent His one and only Son. Our salvation is a personal gift of love from God.
• 1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)
[9] This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
God is personally involved in our lives bringing about His salvation. In the same way God brought deliverance and salvation to the people of Israel, He will likewise work the gift of His salvation in your life.
• Deuteronomy 4:37-38 (NLT)
[37] Because he loved your ancestors, he chose to bless their descendants and personally brought you out of Egypt with a great display of power. [38] He drove out nations far greater than you, so he could bring you in and give you their land as a special possession, as it is today.
Gifts should be given personally. A real gift is not simply a token or thing given from one person to another; A REAL GIFT IS THE SHARING OF ONESELF WITH ANOTHER. GIVE PERSONALLY.
2. Give gifts UNEXPECTEDLY.
• Matthew 2:1-3 (NIV)
[1] . . . Magi from the east came to Jerusalem [2] and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." [3] When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
No one expected the wise men to show up for Jesus’ birthday party! King Herod and all of Jerusalem were wondering what the arrival of these travelers from the east meant; why had they come looking for a new born king. No one in Jerusalem was anticipating the sudden coming of their Messiah. No one else prepared gifts for this special birth, only the wise men left Jerusalem to seek out the Christ child and His family in Bethlehem.
And if you think Herod was surprised by the arrival of the wise men can you begin to imagine how their gift caught Mary and Joseph by surprise? Some of the best gifts are those given when no gift is expected.
• Galatians 4:4 (NLT)
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.
God had set a time to send His son. The prophets had announced that the Messiah, a Savior would come to save His people. But Jesus’ birth came suddenly and without the fan-fair and grandeur we would expect. God gave the gift of His Son in an unexpected way.
Jesus’ birth was both extraordinary and yet surprisingly ordinary all at the same time. Jesus was born of a woman. He was not born in a palace, but in a stable. At his birth Jesus was not attended by servants, but was surrounded by animals. His bed was not covered with fine linen; Jesus was placed in a manger-a feeding trough for animals. Jesus’ birth was unexpected.
While unexpected gifts may surprise those who receive them, IN GOD’S ECONOMY THE UNEXPECTED IS TIMELY; the unexpected comes at the moment it is needed.
ILLUSTRATION: Susie and I received an unexpected yet timely gift from a friend several years ago. We had prepared our taxes and needed $3,000 to pay the IRS; we didn’t have it so I was just going to send in our 1040 and arrange to make installment payments. However someone told me to wait and not send it in until April 15th. I didn’t think too much of it, but agreed to wait. On the morning of April 15th I was given a plain envelope with $3,000 cash inside it; an individual in the church had sold a piece of jewelry and wanted Pastor Dave and I to have the proceeds for our families. It was an unexpected yet timely gift.
The wise men gave an unexpected gift to Jesus as the new born King. This was a timely gift for Jesus and his family. King Herod soon gave the order for all the boys 2 years of age and younger living in Bethlehem to be killed. Joseph was warned in a dream and directed by God to escape with Mary and the child into Egypt. The gifts given by the wise men provided what was needed for them to make the trip to Egypt and survive while living there.
God can use the unexpected gifts we give to be a blessing in the lives of others. Let God direct you in your giving; you may be amazed how God can take what you give to be a blessing in the life of someone else.
• 2 Corinthians 8:14 (NLT)
Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone’s needs will be met.
Give a personal gift. Give an unexpected gift.
3. Give gifts with JOY.
• Matthew 2:9-10 (NIV)
[9] After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
The wise men were overjoyed when they saw the star. They had been given direction to look for the child in Bethlehem. The star confirmed that they were on the right path for it directed them to the very house where Jesus and his family were living. The anticipation and the excitement of the wise men could not be contained. At long last they would be able to give the gifts they had prepared so long ago to the new born King.
Likewise God has given His Son with joy.
• Luke 2:10 (NIV)
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
God was so excited and filled with an inexpressible joy that He just couldn’t keep it to Himself. God’s joy in bringing His plan of salvation into being at the birth of His Son was announced by angels to shepherds outside Bethlehem. Can any father keep from announcing his joy at the birth of a son or daughter? Likewise God couldn’t hold the joy in, so He made His joy known.
Jesus knew that same joy as He lived His life to lay it down as a sacrifice for our sins.
• Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus looked beyond the suffering and shame of the cross. Beyond the cross Jesus could see God’s gift of salvation being received by you and me. Seeing this made paying the price to make it all possible worth it. GOD GAVE HIS GIFT WITH JOY! Likewise we are to give with JOY!
• Acts 20:35 (GW)
We should remember the words that the Lord Jesus said, “Giving gifts is more satisfying than receiving them.”
Give a personal gift. Give an unexpected gift. Give gifts with joy.
4. Give gifts that will ENDURE.
• Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Before the wise men opened gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh they gave Jesus the gift of worship. Their gift continues to give even today as we pause to reflect upon the gifts they gave so long ago. The wise men gave a gift that would endure.
• Psalm 100:5 (NIV)
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
God’s love and His faithfulness, God’s gifts endure forever.
• Romans 6:23 (NIV)
. . . The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God gives gifts that last; God’s gift will not fade away or be lost or forgotten. God’s gift endures.
Similarly we should also learn to give gifts that will endure; gifts that last. Now we need to learn that most gifts that will really endure cannot be purchased at the store. Enduring gifts are not things.
ILLUSTRATION: For instance they may say, “Diamonds are forever,” but what happens to that forever diamond if it is lost or stolen? It’s gone and can never be replaced; yes you could get another diamond, but it isn’t the same diamond.
This Christmas you can give two gifts that will endure and last a lifetime, and possibly even beyond your lifetime.
1. Give the gift of good memories.
Do something that will create memories. These gifts of love require that you give them personally; you must be willing to give of your time, to invest your life into the lives of those you love. However, these memories will be gifts that endure.
ILLUSTRATION: My Grandma Burt found a way to give the gift of memories in a tangible way. As the oldest grandchild, Susie and I were the first to receive a hand made gift, a quilt made personally by my Grandma. She had spent hours putting it together. Through the years she has continued to make these quilts for each of her grandchildren, and has nearly completed making them for all the great-grandchildren too. I think she has now made around 35 of these quilts. This year the last of these quilts will be given away. But it is more than a quilt. With each patch and with every stitch there are memories of the good times we have spent together with Great-grandma and Grandpa Burt. Without the memories these would be just another blanket, but because of the time spent, not making a quilt, but the time spent with family each quilt is filled with memories of good times together.
Christmas is a time for family traditions. Traditions reinforce the memories of years gone by. Each year our family decorates our home for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. It was important for Chrysta to keep that tradition this year because as she is away at college such memories keep her connected to her family at home.
2. Give the gift of a Godly heritage.
• Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
God has blessed us with our children; they are a gift from Him. How we raise our kids is both our gift to God as well as a gift to our children. Give your children a Godly heritage.
A Godly heritage is to take the gift God has given you and pass it on to your children. Teaching your children to pray, to learn of God’s great love for them and to be able to give their love to God through a life of obedience to His Word, this is a gift that will endure forever in the life of your children.
Give a personal gift. Give an unexpected gift. Give gifts with joy. Give a gift that will endure.
5. Give gifts NOW.
• Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
The wise men didn’t hold back, they presented their gifts to Jesus. They seized the opportunity to give.
• 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV)
For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
God wants to give you the gift of salvation TODAY. God is not waiting to give it to you, He offers it to you NOW!
We too should learn to give our gifts now, to not put off giving until tomorrow what we have in our grasp to give today. Listen carefully to this:
Are you one of the “they” who will put off doing things for others until tomorrow? Give the gift now- tomorrow may be too late.
(Some of the ideas for this sermon series were drawn from “A Gift Worth Giving” John Maxwell, www.sermoncentral.com.)
• Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)
[1] After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem [2] and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
[3] When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. [5] "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
[6] " ’But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’"
[7] Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. [8] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
[9] After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. [11] On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. [12] And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
