Whoever Takes The Son Receives Everything

The story is told ... Years ago, ... there was a very wealthy man who, ... with his devoted young son, ... shared a passion ... for collecting fine art.

Together ... they traveled around the world, ... adding only the finest art treasures ... to their collection.

Priceless works ... by Picasso, ... Van Gogh, ... Monet and many others adorned ... the walls of the family estate.

The widowed father looked on with satisfaction ...as his only child ... also became ... an experienced ... collector of the arts.

But the day came ... when war engulfed the nation, ... and the young man left ... to serve his country.

After only a few short weeks, ... his father received a telegram from the army ...informing him ... that his beloved son ... had been killed ... while carrying a fellow soldier ... to a medic.

On Christmas morning ... a knock came at the door of the old man's home, ... and as he opened the door, ... he was greeted by a soldier ... with a large package ... in his hand.

He introduced himself to the man ... by saying, "I was a friend ... of your son.

I was the one ... he was rescuing ... when he died.

May I come in for a few moments? ...... I have something ... to show you." (Pause)

"I'm an artist," ... said the soldier, ... "and I want to give you ... this."

As the old man unwrapped the package, ... the paper gave way ... to reveal a portrait ... of his son.

Though the art critics ... would never consider the work ... a piece of genius.

The painting did feature the young man's face ... in striking detail, ... and seemed to capture his personality.

The following spring, ... the old man became ill ...and passed away.

The art world ... was ... in anticipation!

According to the will of the old man, ... all of the art works ... were to be auctioned.

The day soon arrived, ... and art collectors from around the world ... gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular ... paintings.

The auction began with a painting ... that was not on any ... of the museum's list.

It was the painting ... of the man's son.

The auctioneer asked for an opening bid.

The room was silent.

"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked."

Minutes passed with not a sound from those ... who came to buy.

From the back of the room someone callously called out, ... "Who cares about that painting?

It's just a picture of his son.

Forget it ... and go on ... to the important art works."

There were other voices ... which echoed in agreement.

But the auctioneer replied, ... "No, ... No ... we must sell this one first.

Now ...Who will take the son?

Finally, ... a friend of the old man spoke.

"I knew the boy, ... so I'd like to have it.

I will bid the $100."

"I have a bid for $100," called the auctioneer.

"Will anyone go higher?"

After a long silence, ... the auctioneer said, "Going once. Going twice.

Gone." ... And The gavel fell.

Cheers filled the room, ... and someone was heard to say, ... "Now we can get on with it!"

But the auctioneer looked at the audience and announced ... the auction is over.

Stunned ... disbelief quieted the room.

Someone spoke up and asked, ... "What do you mean it's over?

We didn't come here ... for a picture ... of some old guy's son.

What about all of these paintings?

There is millions of dollars' worth of art here!

We demand that you explain ... what's going on!"

The auctioneer replied, ... "It's very simple.

According to the will of the father, ...whoever takes the son ... receives everything."

Whoever takes the Sob revives ... Everything! (Pause)

And Beloved ... That is the essence ... of the story of Christmas Season and of the Gospel: ... Whoever takes the Son ... receives everything.

And the Scriptures proclaim it Hear God's Word: BIBLE "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son ... has life; ... he who does not have the Son of God ... (Slow) does not have life" END (1 John 5:11-12).

The one who has the Son ... receives everything ... the one who has the Son ... receives it all.

But what exactly is included ... in the ... "All"?

O' Beloved ... I would suggest ... that the season of Advent ... points ... Points us to a new life in Christ.

(1 Finger) Advent ... gives us a picture of ... what God is like.