THE GIFT EXCHANGE
SCRIPTURE: (NKJV) When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
TEXT: And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH.
INTRODUCTION: The wise men gave Jesus four gifts that day: GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, MYRRH, AND WORSHIP.
Because of Jesus’ birth, these wisemen received far more in exchange for their gifts than they had ever dreamed.
I. GOD HAS GIVEN US JESUS
John 3:16-17 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
II. GOD HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE
1 John 5:11,12 (NKJV) And this is the testimony: that GOD HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE, and this life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
III. GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS HOLY SPIRIT
2 Corinthians 5:5 (NKJV) Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is GOD, WHO ALSO HAS GIVEN US THE SPIRIT AS A GUARANTEE.
IV. GOD HAS GIVEN US UNDERSTANDING OF SPIRITUAL THINGS
1 John 5:20 (NKJV) And we know THAT THE SON OF GOD HAS COME AND HAS GIVEN US AN UNDERSTANDING, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
V. GOD HAS GIVEN US A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR LIVING
Hebrews 6:18 (NLT) So GOD HAS GIVEN US BOTH HIS PROMISE AND HIS OATH. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.
VI. GOD HAS GIVEN EACH ONE OF US A MINISTRY
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NLT) For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. THIS IS THE WONDERFUL MESSAGE HE HAS GIVEN US TO TELL OTHERS.
VII. GOD HAS GIVEN US A REASON TO LOOK FORWARD INSTEAD OF BEHIND
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 (NKJV) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, WHO HAS LOVED US AND GIVEN US EVERLASTING CONSOLATION AND GOOD HOPE BY GRACE, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
VIII. GOD HAS GIVEN US THE STRENGTH WE NEED TO LIVE SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVES
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND.
IX. GOD HAS GIVEN US THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN HEAVEN
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NLT) All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that GOD HAS GIVEN US THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING BORN AGAIN. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. IT IS KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, PURE AND UNDEFILED, BEYOND THE REACH OF CHANGE AND DECAY. AND GOD, IN HIS MIGHTY POWER, WILL PROTECT YOU UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THIS SALVATION, BECAUSE YOU ARE TRUSTING HIM. IT WILL BE REVEALED ON THE LAST DAY FOR ALL TO SEE.
CONCLUSION: These are just of few of the gifts God has given us. I challenge you to go on a Biblical treasure hunt to discover more gifts - and then to embrace the gifts you find.
