Untitled Sermon

The Christmas Spirit

I. Giving

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…”

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

1. God’s Gift is Unspeakable

God’s gift to man is described by the word “unspeakable!”

· Nothing can compare to it, for it is indescribable.

· Words fail to express its greatness, and no language can convey its value.

2. God’s Gift is Unmerited

A sinner’s wages is death.

This is what all men deserve or merit.

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die”

Compare this to God’s gift which “is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

(, ). For by Grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.

3. God’s Gift can go Unclaimed ,

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#2 Receive God’s gift!

· Mary - “My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

· Angels - , “There was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

· Shepherds - “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.”

I. Giving

Gladness – Emotion!

II. Gladness

· Wisemen - “They rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

1. The Provision of our Joy

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life:

· In thy presence is fulness of joy;

· At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The word “path” means the way to travel, the route to take,

Jesus described two distinct paths:

· Broad path or way – “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat.”

· Narrow path or way – “Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

· It is eternal life (It is a gift from God)

· It is new life (Old things pass away & all things become new)

· It is a fruitful life

“These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full.”

· It is abundant life (This is the life Jesus wants us to experience)

2. The Person behind our Joy

3. The Permanence of our Joy

I. Giving

II. Gladness – Emotion!

I. Giving

II. Gladness

III. Grace

1. God’s Forgiveness

Jesus was the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” .

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

The ransom price is “the precious blood of Christ” () when Jesus took “our sins in his own body on the tree” ().

2. God’s Favor