The Greatest Gift

Text: John 3:16

Thesis: To note the gift that God gave each person and that each person should thus daily

demonstrate his/her thankfulness by giving his/her life in service to God.

Introduction:

(1) Christmas day is just around the corner and many of us will enjoy opening gifts and giving gifts to others.

(2) Let us note the greatest gift that has been given to each of us:

Discussion:

I. God gave us His Son.

A. He did so because of His great love (John 3.16).

B. This love was unmerited because it was demonstrated to us “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5.6-8).

C. Truly, this was a “gift.”

1. Paul calls it a “free gift […] the gift by grace […]” (Rom. 5.15).

2. It is the “free gift […] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6.23).

3. No wonder it is described as “His indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9.15).

II. Jesus gave us His life.

A. He said that there is no greater love than for one to lay down his life for his friends (John 15.13).

B. He said that He was the Good Shepherd and the He would lay down His life for His sheep (John 10.14-15).

C. Indeed, He “laid down His life for us” (1 John 3.16).

D. He chose willingly to do so because of our condition (Phil. 2.5-11; Luke 22.42).

Conclusion:

(1) Since we have been given this blessed gift, then we should respond properly by demonstrating our thankfulness daily by giving our lives in service to God.

(2) Are we living a life that says that we are thankful for the greatest gift given us?