Three Gifts We Desperately Need Christ To Bring Us This Christmas

"Three Gifts We Desperately Need Christ To

Bring Us This Christmas"

By: Danny Moss

Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Introduction-

You and I are familiar with the Christmas

story of the Wise men. They travelled far, and

brought Christ three gifts: gold, frankincense,

and myrrh. It is His birthday that we are supposed

to be celebrating at this season. We might ask

"What gifts are we bringing to Christ this Christ-

mas?"

But, that is not the direction that I want

to take in this sermon today. I got the idea for

this message from Howard Parnell, and Rodney Fry,

on Sermon Central. Thanks, guys! My message will

be similar to theirs, but different in some ways

also. I want to talk about three gifts that I

believe we, the American people, desparately stand

in need of today. These gifts can only be given

to us by Christ-the Savior.

Will we get what we want, or what we really

need for Christmas this year? If you look at our

society, and the turmoil and confusion in our

homes today, it would appear that we need much

more than gadgets, and diamonds, and hunting

supplies, and fancy new shiny cars.

These three things came to my mind as I

thought about three candles that we sometimes

see during this season, or, we might see these

three things on a Christmas card that is sent

to us. No more hesitation! These three things

are Peace, Joy, & Love. Can you think of any-

thing that you and I more desparately need in

our lives today? I can’t. And, these things

can only be given to us by the Christ. What

a Christmas it would be, if all of us could only

receive these three things, things that money

can’t buy, and you won’t see wrapped in Christmas

paper, but that are so needed by so many today.

Why do I say this? Because of the mounting number

of divorces in our nation, because of the demise

of the American family, because of the unhappiness

of many people, who have material things, but seem

to have no peace, joy, or love, only emptiness, in

their lives. Unfulfilled desires, broken hearts,

surface relationships. Oh God, how we need the

peace, joy, and love that only Christ can give!

Let’s examine the Scriptures this morning, and see

what they tell us about these three wonderful,

priceless gifts.

I. THE GIFT OF PEACE

Romans 5:1-"Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace wtih God through our Lord Jesus

Christ."

Here is the key to the greatest needs of our

society. We have religion, but do we have God?

We have material things, but do we have those

things which cannot be purchased with cash, or

a credit card?

Peace with God-a priceless gift! Do you have

it-peace deep within your heart and soul,

peace that doesn’t vanish like the morning

fog when you are all alone, and without your

materialistic toys?

America need to return to God-really return to

Him! Seek Him! Worship Him! Obey Him! Then,

and only then, will we find peace.

Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27-

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto

you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither

let it be afraid."

The angels said at Messiah’s birth-

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,

good will toward men(or peace to men of good will

will)as some translate it."

II.THE GIFT OF JOY

With all that American people have, can we truly

say that we are happy? Can we say that we have

a deep-seated joy within our hearts that circum-

stances, and problems cannot take away?

Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth

receive her King.

Nehemiah 8:10 says-"...the joy of the Lord is

your strength." That is why we have much, but

not enough.

The Psalmist said(16:11)-"In Thy presence is

fulness of joy; at Thy right hand are pleasures

forevermore."

Watch the crowds in malls as you shop this year.

How many people do you see that seem to have

fulness of joy, or are most of them hurrying

here and there, spending themselves deeper and

deeper into financial disaster.

Galatians 5:22 reveals that a life filled with

God’s Holy Spirit has the fruits of love, joy,

and peace.

Christ can make us truly happy, full of joy-

joy unspeakable, and full of glory!

III. THE GIFT OF LOVE

True and lasting love can only be found in

Christ. He lavishes believers with His love,

and His love is greater than any other expression

of love known to man.

Romans 8:35 says that nothing can seperate us

from the love of Christ. It is a bond that

cannot be broken.

God is love.(1st John 4:8)

It is His great love that caused Him to give