The Greatest Gift: The Gospel & the Promise of Forever

Main Texts: John 3:16–17, Romans 6:23, John 14:1–3, 1 Peter 1:3–9

Big Idea: Every gift God gives us today points to the ultimate gift

—Jesus, the cross, the resurrection, and the promise of eternal life.

OUR MISSION TODAY IS TO ENSURE WE KNOW OUR COMMISSION

You MUST know your MISSION

You have received a GIFT and GOD will supply more for you to GIVE OUT.

This gift secures our future and transforms our present.

What is the ULTIMATE GIFT?

THE GOSPEL !!

We Have ALL SINNED

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Imagine standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon and trying to jump across.

Some might jump farther than others, but no one makes it to the other side.

That’s sin.

No matter how “good” we are, we all fall short of God’s perfect standard

Sin has a Cost

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death...

Wages are what you earn. If you work a job, you get a paycheck. Sin also pays a wage — death, meaning separation from God.

But the verse doesn’t end there…

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 ...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A gift is not earned — it’s received. God sees our inability to cross the canyon and builds a bridge. That bridge is Jesus

Jesus Died for US

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up.

He stepped into our brokenness, took our place, and paid our debt.

The cross is God shouting, “I love you — enough to rescue you.”

The GOOD NEWS

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13 ESV

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

A gift sitting on a table isn’t yours until you open it.

The Gospel is offered to everyone, but each person must receive it —

by trusting Jesus, surrendering to Him, and calling on His name.

Simple Chart for you to Memorize

We all sinned → Sin earns death → God offers life → Jesus paid the price → We must receive Him.

or just remember your ABCs

A - Admit you are a Sinner

B - Believe in Christ

C - Commit to Christ

It’s a road anyone can walk.

It’s a road God built.

If you wrote down the Scriptures we just covered you have a ROAD TO THE GOSPEL

This ROAD IS LIFE SAVINGS

And it leads straight to life.

no longer do you have to stare:

lonely and empty, feeling the weight of SIN or DISCONNECTION in your LIFE

You THIS Christmas

can get the GREATEST GIFTS OF ALL

_______________________________________________

Opening Illustration:

The final gift on Christmas

the biggest box, the one everyone waits to open.

Everything else points to it. ALL PEOPLE are wondering what is IN there

HINT:

IT’S —-The gospel—— IT is God’s biggest gift.

God created us → Sin separated us → Jesus rescues us → We must respond → God restores us

The Gift of Jesus (John 3:16–17):

God gave His Son—the greatest act of love.

Not to condemn, but to save.

The Gift of Eternal Life (Rom. 6:23):

Wages = what we earn.

Gift = what God gives.

Eternal life is wrapped in Christ alone.

The Gift of a Promised Future (John 14:1–3):

Jesus prepares a place for us—eternity is personal.

Heaven is not an abstract concept; it is a prepared home.

The Gift of a Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3–9):

Resurrection power secures our hope.

Our eternal inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, unfading.

Joy, grace, forgiveness, blessing—these are presents for your present,

but Jesus is the Present for your Future—the forever gift.

Christmas Call to the Gospel:

IF YOU HAVE NOT FULLY ACCEPTED THE GIFTS THEN I ASK YOU NOW

>> RIGHT NOW TO RECEIVE JESUS

IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THIS>> BOW YOUR HEAD

WALK THE ABCS —-

Invite people to receive the greatest gift God has ever offered.

“The Greatest Gift: The Gospel & the Promise of Forever”

Texts: John 3:16–17, Romans 6:23, John 14:1–3, 1 Peter 1:3–9

Introduction

Every family has a “last present” on Christmas morning.

The big box. The one everyone’s been waiting for.

The gospel is God’s big box. The greatest gift of all.

1. GOD GAVE HIS SON

John 3:16–17 Love gives. Love sacrifices. Love doesn’t hold back.

Jesus is heaven’s most expensive gift.

THE GREATEST GIFT GOD HAS GIVEN: THE GOSPEL OF JESUS”

🎁 The Nature of a Gift

People love gifts because they communicate value, love, and intentionality.

But every earthly gift fades—breaks, loses value, or gets forgotten.

God has given a gift unlike any other: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This gift is eternal, priceless, and available to all.

Key Scripture: John 3:16 — God gave His Son.

I. THE GREATEST GIFT BEGINS WITH THE GIVER (GOD’S HEART)

❤️ A. God’s Motivation: Love —— LIKE the RIVERS that FLOW from GOD’s SOURCE

The Gospel starts not with human need but with divine love.

God didn’t give out of obligation but out of overflowing compassion.

🌍 B. God’s Audience: The World

No exclusions. No prerequisites.

The Gospel is the most inclusive invitation ever extended.

John 3:16 doesn’t start with a command —— it starts with LOVE

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD.......

Then He OFFERS RESCUE GOD takes ACTION

He sent His ONLY SON

Then He waits on a Response —- HE DESIRES A RESPONSE

and it patience and Loving in the TIMING of that RESPONSE

SO THAT

WHOMEVER BELIEVES

Then HE clarifies what is in the BOX

ETERNAL LIFE!!!

Friends—- this is not eternally in this LIFE

BUT PERFECT< PICTURESQUE< no tears, no sorry

PERFECT LIFE !!1

✨ C. God’s Initiative: He Gave

Salvation is not earned; it is received.

The Gospel is God stepping toward us when we could not step toward Him.

It is GOD building the BRIDGE so that we can COME TO HIM

Supporting Scriptures: Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9–10

SHOW THE SLIDE AND WALK THROUGH IT

SHOW the more detailed Slide and Walk Through it

HERE lies an important POINT

it was taught to you prior

You RECEIVE in order to GIVE

You are a PRACTIONER of CHRIST

and this is the most BASIC TOOL

in your TOOL BOX..

To share the GOSPEL

THE GOSPEL STARTS WITH GO

The great commission is to GO!!!

Matthew 28:19–20 “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

2. GOD GAVE ETERNAL LIFE

Romans 6:23 The wages of sin = death. The gift of God = eternal life.

Not temporary life. Not partial life. Eternal life.

THE GREATEST GIFT IS THE PERSON OF JESUS

👑 A. Jesus Is God’s Perfect Gift

Not a messenger—.the message

Not a symbol—.the Savior

✝️ B. His Life Reveals God

Compassion, truth, holiness, humility.

Jesus shows us what God is like.

🩸 C. His Death Redeems Us

The cross is the ultimate expression of love.

He paid what we could never pay.

🌅 D. His Resurrection Secures Our Hope

The Gospel is not just forgiveness—it’s new life.

The empty tomb is the receipt that the gift is paid in full.

Supporting Scriptures: John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:25

3. GOD GAVE A FUTURE HOME

John 14:1–3 Jesus is building a place for you. Heaven is not abstract—it is prepared, personal, and permanent.

THE GREATEST GIFT TRANSFORMS THOSE WHO RECEIVE IT

🔄 A. It Changes Our Identity

From sinner to forgiven.

From orphan to child of God.

🕊️ B. It Changes Our Destiny

Eternal life begins now, not later.

Heaven becomes our home.

💡 C. It Changes Our Purpose

We become ambassadors of the same gift we received.

The Gospel doesn’t just save us—it sends us.

Supporting Scriptures: Ephesians 2:1–10; 2 Corinthians 5:17–20

4. GOD GAVE A LIVING HOPE

1 Peter 1:3–9 Our future is secure. Our inheritance is untouchable. Our hope is alive because Jesus is alive.

THE GREATEST GIFT MUST BE RECEIVED AND SHARED

🤲 A. A Gift Must Be Accepted

God offers salvation, but each person must respond.

Faith is the open hand that receives the gift.

📣 B. A Gift This Good Must Be Shared

We don’t hoard the Gospel—we proclaim it.

The world is desperate for the hope we carry.

🔥 C. The Church Is God’s Delivery System

We are entrusted with the message of reconciliation.

Our lives should reflect the beauty of the gift.

Supporting Scriptures: Romans 10:13–15; Matthew 28:18–20

Conclusion

This is the greatest gift: Jesus—His cross, His resurrection, His salvation, His eternal promise.

Open that gift. Receive it. Build your life on it.

Every other gift loses value; the Gospel gains value as we grow in it.

God has given us His very best—His Son.

The question for every listener:

“What will you do with the greatest gift God has ever given?”

Prayer

“Thank You, Father, for giving Jesus. We receive Your gift and give our lives to You.”

1. REASON-We Were Created for Relationship

God made humanity to know Him, love Him, and reflect His character.

His design is good, purposeful, and rooted in love.

Life only works when it aligns with His design.

2.PROBLEM-Sin Broke Everything

Sin is not just bad behavior; it’s rebellion and separation from God.

Every person has sinned, and the consequences are real: brokenness, guilt, and spiritual death.

We cannot fix ourselves or earn our way back to God.

Key ideas: Separation, brokenness, inability to save ourselves.

3. SOLUTION — Jesus Is the Way Back

Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t live.

He died the death we deserved.

He rose again to give us new life.

The Gospel is not advice—it’s about what Jesus has already done.news

Key ideas: Substitution, sacrifice, resurrection, grace.

4. Receive the Gift

The Gospel requires a personal response.

We turn from sin (repentance) and trust in Jesus alone (faith).

Salvation is not achieved; it is received.

God promises forgiveness, new identity, and eternal life to all who believe.

Key ideas: Repentance, faith, surrender, trust.

5. THE RESULT — A New Life and a New Purpose

We become children of God.

The Holy Spirit begins transforming us from the inside out.

We join God’s mission to share the same hope with others.

Eternal life starts now—not just after death.

Key ideas: Identity, transformation, mission, hope.

A SIMPLE SUMMARY

God created us → Sin separated us → Jesus rescues us → We must respond → God restores us.