What Makes A Great Gift?

1 John 5:1–5 (NASB 2020)

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and follow His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

A Thoughtful Gift

Has you in mind

Has your best interest

Its specific to what need over your wants

It has an emotional significance

Psalm 8:4 (NASB 2020)

4 What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him?

Romans 5:8 (NASB 2020)

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:19 (NASB 2020)

19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

A Unique Gift

Its not ordinary

Its one of a kind / 1 of 1

Its hard to find

Its value to the recipient is priceless

Its emotional benefit are indescribable

Isaiah 9:6 (NASB 2020)

6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

John 1:1 (NASB 2020)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (NASB 2020)

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Ephesians 1:4–5 (NASB 2020)

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Colossians 2:9 (NASB 2020)

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

A Useful Gift

Has a specific purpose

Has a specific use

Improves the quality of life of the recipient

Improves the persons well being

Meets the need of a personal void/s in their life

Isaiah 53:10 (NASB 2020)

10 But the Lord desired To crush Him, causing Him grief; If He renders Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.

John 3:16–17 (NASB 2020)

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

A Personal Gift

Its just for you and now one else even if someone else receives the same or similar gift

No one can have your personal experience with this gift. Its unique to you.

Your value of the gift is expressed because of its thoughtfulness, uniqueness, and usefulness

It takes a priority over all other gifts received

Isaiah 53:5 (NASB 2020)

5 But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 (NASB 2020)

24 and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed.

The Expense of The Gift

A gift doesn’t cost me anything…its free

A gift its a gift if I could get it myself, it becomes a personal investment

A gift that demands any type of compensation disqualifies the idea, purpose, and meaning behind the gift

A gifts cost is only important to the one giving the gift.

A gift cannot be boasted upon as something you’ve earn.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NASB 2020)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Timothy 1:9 (NASB 2020)

9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

The Experience of The Gift

It increases the relationship with the giver

It changes the way you feel about the giver

It strengthens the bond

It assess the giver as a valued resource

Romans 5:1 (NASB 2020)

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Isaiah 32:17 (NASB 2020)

17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

Ephesians 1:13–14 (NASB 2020)

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

The Response to The Gift

It Changes our Belief in the giver

It reflects our perspective relationship differently (Surpasses modern day POV)

It shows are love for our heavenly father and what he offered us in His SON

It increases our love for the family and our willingness to live in obedience

We are called into obedience because of God’s love for us.

The gift we have allows us to be an overcomer because of what the gift does for us.

“It’s not about the gift tucked under the tree; but about the Gift that hung on a tree”