Introduction

Good morning, beloved of the Lord. What a joy it is to gather together in this house of worship, united by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Each one of us, bound by the shared belief in the Gospel, the Good News of salvation. Today, we stand on the precipice of a profound revelation, a divine truth that is as timeless as it is transformative. We will be turning our hearts and minds towards the book of Galatians, specifically Galatians 4:4-7.

In the words of the esteemed theologian, J.I. Packer, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him." It is this knowing, this intimate understanding of our Heavenly Father, that we seek today.

Let us then, listen to the words of the Apostle Paul as he writes to the Galatians: "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."

What a resounding affirmation of our status as God's children! How does this truth impact our lives? How does it shape our identities? How does it define our relationship with our Heavenly Father? These are the questions we will be reflecting on as we delve into the profound depths of this passage.

We will be focusing on three main points: The Manifestation of God's Gift, the Magnificence of Jesus' Birth, and our Membership in God's Family through Jesus. Each point will guide us towards a deeper understanding of our faith and our relationship with God.

Let us now bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for this gathering of believers, united in our shared faith. We thank You for Your Word that guides us, for Your love that sustains us, and for Your grace that redeems us. As we delve into Your Word today, open our hearts and minds to receive Your truth. May Your Holy Spirit illuminate our understanding and deepen our faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Manifestation of God's Gift

In the fullness of time, God sent His Son. This phrase, steeped in divine mystery, speaks volumes about the nature of God's gift to us. The birth of Jesus was a divine appointment, meticulously planned and perfectly executed. God, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, chose the perfect moment in human history to send His Son. This was the manifestation of God's gift, the unfolding of His divine plan of salvation.

Born of a woman, born under the law, Jesus entered our world not as a distant deity, but as a human being. He experienced our joys, our sorrows, our temptations, and our struggles. He was fully human, yet without sin. This is the mystery of the Incarnation, the Word becoming flesh. Jesus, the Son of God, became the Son of Man so that we, the sons and daughters of men, might become the sons and daughters of God.

God's gift to us was also Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Jesus lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, and rose victorious from the grave. In doing so, He fulfilled the law, paid the penalty for our sins, and conquered death. This is the Gospel, the Good News of salvation. Through Jesus, we have been redeemed, justified, and adopted into God's family.

The manifestation of God's gift is also seen in the sending of the Spirit. God not only sent His Son, but also His Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of His Son, has been sent into our hearts. The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. He convicts us of sin, guides us into all truth, and empowers us to live a life pleasing to God. The Spirit also enables us to cry out, "Abba, Father," expressing our intimate relationship with God. The manifestation of God's gift has profound implications for our lives.

As recipients of this gift, we are no longer slaves, but God’s children. We have been set free from the bondage of sin and adopted into God's family. We are no longer outsiders, but insiders. We are no longer orphans, but heirs. We are no longer condemned, but redeemed. We are no longer lost, but found. We are no longer enemies, but friends. We are no longer strangers, but sons and daughters.

The manifestation of God's gift also shapes our identity. We are not defined by our past, our failures, our successes, or our circumstances. We are defined by our relationship with God. We are His children, loved, accepted, and cherished. We are His heirs, co-heirs with Christ, destined for glory. We are His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works. We are His ambassadors, commissioned to share the Good News of salvation.

God's gift also determines our destiny. As God's children, we have a glorious future. We will share in Christ's glory, reign with Him in His kingdom, and enjoy His presence forever. We will see Him as He is, be like Him, and praise Him for all eternity.

Transition. The gift of Christ is a present reality. God is still giving, still loving, still saving. His gift is not just for a select few, but for all who believe. His gift is not just for this life, but for the life to come. His gift is not just a ticket to heaven, but a relationship with Him. His gift is not just a doctrine to believe, but a person to know, a life to live, and a love to share.

Magnificence of Jesus' Birth

Having considered the divine orchestration of God's gift, we now turn our attention to the magnificence of Jesus' birth ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO