God’s Gift Exchange

I. God’s Gift

Matthew 1:18-25 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:25-32 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Galatians 4:3-6 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

A. A Free Gift

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

In my hand no price I bring, simply Thy cross I cling

B. Not Dependent Upon Man’s Gift

Ephesians 2:8, 9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

II. Man’s Gift

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

He doesn’t ask for your mind, for your hands, for your feet, your eyes, your legs, your head, your heart, or any other PART of you. He says “YOUR ‘BODY’”!!!!! He doesn’t want a part of you, He isn’t looking for the majority of you, HE SAYS I WANT YOU!!!!!!!

He says 2 things about how He want’s our gift to be when it is presented to Him

1. The gift is to be holy (free from sin and sinful affections)

When the Spirit has His way with the believer’s body..... all defilement is displaced by the perfect and unblemished purity..... of Christ. John Phillips

2. The gift is to Acceptable (Agreeable or pleasing in person)

Ephesians 1:3-7 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

....When the Holy Spirit has way in the believer’s body all the value of Christ’s sacrifice is experienced by the believer. .....his life becomes a living, holy sacrifice, pleasing and acceptable to God. Nothing less will do. John Phillips

He died for you live for him

Now notice three truths about this gift.

A. It Is Not His Own

I Corinthians 6:19, 20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

B. It Rightfully Belongs To The Receiver

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

God takes it for granted that we are reasonable people, that the reasonableness of this demand will be evident, and that there will be an immediate and prompt response.

When I survey the wondrous cross,

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were an offering far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Shall have my heart, my life, my all.

C. It Is Totally Dependent Upon God’s Gift

We cannot under any circumstance hope to present a gift such as this to God without His gift being applied to our lives. He demands a gift that is totally, utterly, completely spotless and we CANNOT offer it. SO, GOD GIVES TO US A GIFT THAT MAKES OUR GIFT TO HIM ACCEPTABLE!

Our gift is dirty, He says, “I, the Reasoning Lord will make it as white as snow!” Isaiah 1:18

Our gift is broken, He says, “I, the Potter will make it new again!” Jeremiah 18:1-6

Our gift is sin sick, He says, “I, the Great Physician of the soul will make it well!” John 5:1-9, Matthew 8:1-17 and other passages

Our gift is crippled, He says, “I, the Interceding One will make it as one of the Kings sons” II Samuel 9

Our gift is naked, He says, “I, the Merciful One will cover it” Genesis 3

Our gift is unacceptable, He says, I, the Gracious One will make it acceptable in the beloved” Ephesians 1:6

Our gift is dirty, He says, “I, the Reasoning Lord will make it as white as snow!” Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah 1:18 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Our gift is broken, He says, “I, the Potter will make it new again!” Jeremiah 18:1-6

Jeremiah 18:1–6 1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Our gift is sin sick, He says, “I, the Great Physician of the soul will make it well!” John 5:1-9, Matthew 8:1-17 and other passages

John 5:1–9 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

Matthew 8:1–17 1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. 14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Our gift is crippled, He says, “I, the Interceding One will make it as one of the Kings sons” II Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9 1:11 - 13 11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.

Our gift is naked, He says, “I, the Merciful One will cover it” Genesis 3

Genesis 3:21 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Our gift is unacceptable, He says, I, the Gracious One will make it acceptable in the beloved” Ephesians 1:6

Ephesians 1:6 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.