Grace in the Gift of Life - Week 4

Lead Off Question

What is your favorite gift/present you have ever received?

Illustration

[Jeff Gordon Bicycle]

Transition

In Santa’s world there are two lists: the naughty and the nice. In God’s world, without Christ, there is one 'list’, sinner. Yet even though we were sinners God gave us a gift. The gift that changes our eternity.

Bottom Line

God’s grace is evident through his gift to us.

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Context

We come into tonight with the past three weeks of study on our minds. We have studied how God was gracious in the garden, in the exodus from Egypt, and in the birth of Jesus. Tonight, as we look at God’s gift, we must first recognize it as that; a gift.

We didn’t deserve, or earn this gift. The gift was God’s choice to give us, and without it, we would have no chance at life with God again.

Bible Verse

Genesis 3:15 NLT

And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

God’s gift to us is victory!

Breakdown

Jesus was not a partial victory. If you look back at the wording your see a difference is the two words used in v. 15. “He (Jesus) will strike your head” but then if you look down one more, “and you (Satan) will strike his heel.”

Anytime there is a significant or traumatic injury the first question is always, “Did you hit your head on anything?” Why might that be? It’s because the head contains the brain, the head is a critical body part. A nurse or an EMT aren’t showing up to a car accident checking people’s heels.

This shows the importance of Jesus’ strike. Jesus’ strike would not just injure Satan, rather, it was going to claim victory of Satan and his club.

Bottom Line

God’s grace is evident through his gift to us.

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Bible Verse

Romans 6:23 NLT

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s gift to us is free!

Breakdown

We have earned something, but that is not what we have received, if we have a relationship with Jesus. We we have earned is eternal separation from God, but what we find in this gift is an invitation to an eternal relationship with God.

Bottom Line

God’s grace is evident through his gift to us.

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Bible Verse

John 4:4–14 NLT

He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

God’s gift to us is eternal!

Breakdown

God’s gift doesn’t have an expiration date like milk. It doesn’t fade. It is eternal and it is life giving. We don’t need more ‘water’ we are never going to thirst again because of his gift.

Bottom Line

God’s grace is evident through his gift to us.

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Application

Have you accepted your free gift?

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