The Many Gifts of Christmas

Introduction:

Today being Christmas Day you likely have already enjoyed your gifts or will throughout the day. I hope you received what you were wanting (or expecting) – and if not, I hope you were surprised by the gifts you did receive.

Today I want you to spend sometime with me thinking about the greatest gift of all time – the Lord, Jesus, the Christ.

Christmas after all, is about remembering that the baby in the manger also became the life-giving sacrifice on a cruel Roman cross 33 1/2 years later.

God has given US so many gifts in Jesus. Gifts that if we should begin to re-examine and appreciate them will change our the very way we live our lives.

In the few minutes we have together today, I want us to think on three of His most wonderful gifts:

Gifts that the father offered when He gave us Jesus!

Gifts that He GAVE us – and at the same time gifts that HE IS STILL GIVING US TODAY!

For truly, “Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving”.

Romans 5:15–19 NKJV

15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

There are three gifts mentioned in this passage, given to us by Jesus, that I want us to focus on this morning.

I. In Christ, we have been given “Right Standing with God”.

Paul uses words here to describe this position with God – words like justification, and righteousness.

Each of those words have specific and deep meanings. But the most important thing we need to know is that the gift of Jesus brings with it the ability of man to “stand rightly before God.”

Sin caused a “large chasm” between God and man. That chasm separates us from God… it keeps us from relating to God in the right and proper way.

We are sinful – and He is Holy!

The gift of Jesus – God coming in the flesh – and taking our place (the righteous exchanging his sinless life for our sinful life) – allows us the great and awesome privilege of Standing in the presence of a Holy God.

II. God also gives us Forgiveness.

Paul doesn’t use the word “forgiveness”, but it is the English word that represents what he was speaking about.

However, elsewhere he does explain that along with justification (this right standing before God) … comes forgiveness:

Acts 13:37–39 NKJV

37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Now, when one stops and thinks about it, there can be no justification without forgiveness.

Think of it in human terms … We have to truly forgive someone before we can “stand with them.” (There is no “right standing” when there is still a rift …

We all have experienced that feeling when we have been offended by someone – (wounds may heal, but the scars still remind us to keep our guard up). But Forgiveness heals even the scar!!!

We have OFFENDED God – sin is an offense to God.

My friend – God forgives you! (it doesn’t matter the sin, or the darkness of your secret) … God forgives you!

III. God gives us His eternal Presence –in contrast to – all these Temporary Presents!

All these gifts you gave and received this year – they are at the best temporary.

God’s best gift means His eternal Presence …

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

...For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Never there is an ongoing action. He will never, never, never.......leave or forsake.

Conclusion:

So what could you give God this year that would truly please Him.

So what could I give God this year that would truly please Him. What lasting gift does He desire from me … with all He has given me is there anything I can give Him that He really desi

What lasting gift does He desire from me … with all He has given me is there anything I can give Him that He really desires …

There is one gift that God wants more than anything else – your heart!

Romans 12:1 NKJV

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

By accepting God’s gift, you have been declared holy, acceptable to God – Now Live Your Life That Way!!!

That’s all He is asking of us … and it would be the very best Christmas present you could ever give Jesus! – Give Him your heart!

1) Christian –

2) Seeker – (?)

3) Unbeliever – Jesus came on YOUR behalf … you could receive the greatest Gift God ever offered –