Christ: One Superior Gift

We as Christians dedicate ourselves to the celebration, worship and service of Christ Jesus.

Those who do not know who Christ is, may wonder at how the Church understands who Christ is. At Christmas to the outsider, it would seem we celebrate a baby who was born into poverty. At what is commonly called Easter, Christ is a man celebrated for being crucified and coming back to life. One of the reasons many of us call Easter “Resurrection Day”, is to combat against the hijacking of one of the Churches most sacred celebrations, by a cotton tailed bunny, colored eggs, pastel candy and a complete loss of the historical planetary impact of the Life, Death and Resurrection of CHRIST. Because the world, the frailty of human flesh, and Satan do not want the truth about who Christ is to be understood.

We live in the age of information technology. Think about that. I remember may years ago flipping through the 100+ Cable channels as asking myself, where is the one channel which broadcasts the truth about Christ the one who upholds all things by the word of HIS POWER 24/7? In the 21st century your choices are limited to a channel which might at best occasionally have a pastor or minister proclaiming God’s word, and more often than not, exposure to a form of religion devoid of Christ altogether, proclaimed by Men and Women who in the name of Christ, truth and personal happiness, change the truth of God into a lie.

Today, if you are seeking truth and trying to learn who Christ is, you might turn on a CNN special and learn about the highly implausible skeptically reported story of a man who, healed the sick, raised the dead, and walked on water. Your other options are asking your smart device or Google “who is Jesus Christ” and surfing through the more than 400 Million hits for the and answer hoping to find the right answer. Maybe Wikipedia has it right…RIGHT!?!

Beloved our text this morning is about the nature of Christ. The Truth, Life, Celebration, Exaltation, and Superiority of who Christ is. They are words designed to introduce us to the privilege of being called a child of God. “The Eternal Promise of the Christ” is not found ONLY at his birth, or ONLY at his Crucifixion, or ONLY at his Resurrection, but is expressed in the everlasting promise of our living eternal Prophet, Priest and King Christ Jesus. This morning we gather to celebrate the LIVING CHRIST, the HOLY TRINITY, the declaration of the FATHER, the power of the Holy Spirit, the LIVING WORD OF GOD. We do this with the proclamation of God Word, through supplication and prayer, through fellowship, songs which glorify the LORD, praise which honors the KING, festive meals, and the giving of gifts.

The title of our message “CHRIST: One Superior Gift” is designed to provoke you. I want you to look at the Holiday season as it approaches as a season where the true meaning of thankfulness is reflected in the understanding, and dedicating yourself as the servant of the King, living, possessing, using, sharing, speaking of and remembering each and every day, that everything you are, everything you will ever become, all your possessions, every penny you will ever earn, save, spend or give, are yours because of God. Because of him, and through him and to him are all things (Rom 20:3). Christ is One in authority, uniqueness, and superiority. And he is the greatest gift given to humanity for the glory of God.

The followers of Christ in the New Testament () gave of what they had to ensure everyone had what they needed. The Magi brought gifts to Christ as a child and worshiped him (), and it is noted in and , that parents give good gifts to their children in caring for them. We learn from the gift of Christ how to give sacrificially.

In the Old Testament there are a several places where the offerings, sacrifices and service commanded by God are referred to as gifts or holy gifts. They presented commanded, but they are considered gifts to the Lord (; ; , ; ). These holy gifts, offerings and sacrifices are echoed in the New Testament in the epistle to the Hebrews where Christ’s is pictured as the One Superior Gift, the perfect sacrifice come to replace temporary and imperfect gifts commanded in the Old Testament, and to restore to His people the fullness of Worship through Christ’s perfect sacrificial gift of himself to the benefit of all who repent of their sins, seek Him with all their being and live a life of sacrificial giving as taught throughout the Epistles 13 chapters.

In this message we reflect upon “The Eternal Promise of the Christ” as the “One Superior Gift” echoed in the Law and the Prophets, and fulfilled in the gift of Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection. Everything the Lord has presented to us in his Word, through the Law and the Prophets, is given as a gift to testify of Christ, to lead us to him as our only propitiation, that is the “One Superior Sacrificial Gift”, which could take away the sins of the world, Christ the Lamb of God (; ; ).

says the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable, that is God does not repent or change his mind, having presented them to his people, on the contrary it was for the joy that was set before him () Christ willingly offered himself on behalf of those who are his beloved people, if you know him as your Lord, God and King, then you are a recipient of the greatest gift in the history of Creation. If you do not understand what you are hearing, if you sense a lack of relationship with Christ in your life, either because you are unsure, or because of some hidden sin in your life, then please take the time to speak to one of the Elders this morning, or come speak to me after the service, but whatever you do, DO NOT forsake that call which you are hearing in your heart.

Knowing CHRIST as the Lord is essential, he was born lived and died to bless you with the greatest gift of all, the forgiveness of sins making you holy, thereby granting you the ability to enter into the presence of God Almighty as one of his precious children forever more. No longer are you condemned for the sin which you commit from day to day but embrace the Love of Christ as the One and only constant in your life, the author and finisher of your faith.

(, ; ; )

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power,

Christ who is the focus of Chapter 1 in Hebrews, also forms an outline for the whole letter. The book of Hebrews is written to a group of BELIEVERS, most likely they, as the title of the book suggests, we made up of Jewish descendants (the Hebrews), but the epistle also speaks to all classes of men women and children as the Living Word of God (). The epistle presents Christ from its opening words as superior:

Christ who is the focus of Chapter 1 in Hebrews, also forms an outline for the whole letter. The book of Hebrews is written to a group of BELIEVERS, most likely they, as the title of the book suggests, and presents Christ from its opening words as the one messiah who is SUPERIOR:

SUPERIOR To the prophets, who spoke and taught of him (vv.1-3)

(NKJV) 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

To the prophets, who spoke and taught of him (vv.1-3).

Christ who is the focus of Chapter 1 in Hebrews, also forms an outline for the whole letter. The book of Hebrews is written to a group of Jewish believers, and presents Christ from its opening words as the one messiah who is superior:

(NKJV) 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

· SUPERIOR To the Angels who are his ministering spirit to those who inherit salvation (v.14) For angels refuse worship (, ), command the worship of God and Christ alone, and are ministers of the Lord, for the service of those who are heirs of salvation.

· SUPERIOR To Moses considered the great prophets in the Old Testament ()

SUPERIOR To the Angels who are his ministering spirit to those who inherit salvation (v.14) For angels refuse worship (, ), command the worship of God and Christ alone, and are ministers of the Lord, for the service of those who are heirs of salvation.

To the prophets, who spoke and taught of him (vv.1-3)

SUPERIOR To Moses considered the great prophets in the Old Testament ()

(NKJV) 3 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

SUPERIOR To the Priests under the old covenant (4:14 – 10:13)

(NKJV) 3 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

SUPERIOR To the Priests under the old covenant (4:14 – 8:13)

· Christ knows your sorrows, your joys, your tiredness, and hunger.

Christ knows your sorrows, your joys, your tiredness, and hunger.

· Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey and follow him.

(NKJV) 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Christ is the author of true salvation to all who obey and follow him.

· Christ is a Priest after the order of Melchizedek, who worships the God of Heaven and earth. (See also )

CHRIST CAME LIVED AND DIED TO BRING THESE GIFTS TO HIS PEOPLE. HE IS THE ONE SUPERIOR GIFT THROUGH WHOM AND FOR WHOM ALL THING WERE MADE. THAT INCLUDES YOU BELOVED.

Christ is the one true Priest-King after the order of Melchisedec, who worships the God of Heaven and earth.

(See also )

CHRIST CAME LIVED AND DIED TO BRING THESE GIFTS TO HIS PEOPLE. HE IS THE ONE SUPERIOR GIFT THROUGH WHOM AND FOR WHOM ALL THING WERE MADE. THAT INCLUDES YOU BELOVED. FOR IN THE FORM OF EVERY HUMAN LIFE THE IMAGE OF GOD IS PRESENT. IN THE LIFE OF THE ELDERS, DEACONS, PASTORS, THIEVES, MURDERERS, PROSTITUTES, DRUG ADDICTS, THE UNBORN, THE ABORTED.

Our text leads us to our second point.

Christ came to

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

()

3b when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Christ is superior To: The Sanctuary and all the sacrifices and gifts ever offered (9:1-10:18)

Christ is superior:

He offered himself without spot, as the prefect sacrifice. So those who would come to him being born again, through Grace and Faith begin to live in obedience and dependence upon Christ. Christ become the center of your world. You become focused on the promise of redemption through Christ, we look to HIN and your, light, your strength, your hearts song the One and only Perfect offering to God in your place for your sins. Your status as the redeemed in CHRIST frees you from the condemnation of sin in your life. ()

Ø To the Angels who are his ministering spirit to those who inherit salvation (v.14) For angels refuse worship (, ), command the worship of God and Christ alone, and are ministers of the Lord, for the service of those who are heirs of salvation.

Ø To all the sacrifices and gifts ever offered (9:1-10:18)

The Father’s gift to the world announced by the Prophets of old and declaring and worshiping Christ at this birth, was to present the means of purging his people from all sin, to claim you as his own, and to fulfill every requirement of righteousness.

He offered himself without spot, as the prefect sacrifice. So those who would come to him in faith and live in obedience and dependence upon him would receive the promise of Christ himself as their inheritance. ()

God gave us the promise of hope through the law in the Old Testament, but Christ brought and delivers a BETTER Hope () When God said he had made a covenant with his people, Christ came with a BETTER covenant () wherein he not only accomplishes all he requires for redemption but delivers it faithfully to his children. The law asked for a spotless lamb: Christ came as a BETTER sacrifice (). He was established upon BETTER promises () than those delivered to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, through the fullness of the Eternal Promise of the Christ accomplished once for all (; , , ), this is the message of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

The Father’s gift to the world announced by the Prophets of old and declaring and worshiping Christ at this birth, was to present the means of purging his people from all sin, to claim you as his own, and to fulfill every requirement of righteousness.

Because Christ was born perfect, he is the BETTER and final sacrifice for sin, the epistle to the Hebrews not only summarizes the magnificent sufficiency of Christ as one who is BETTER, but used two distinct words which complement one another while also accentuating the sovereign nature of his providence in terms of might or power over the covenant, promises, application of his sacrifice, our inheritance, our resurrection and our relationship as his children.

God gave us the promise of hope through the law, but Christ brought and delivers a BETTER Hope () When God said he had made a covenant with his people, Christ came with a BETTER covenant () where in he not only accomplishes all he requires for redemption but delivers it faithfully to his children. The law asked for a spotless lamb: Christ came as a BETTER sacrifice (). He was established upon BETTER promises () than those delivered to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but the fullness of the Eternal Promise of the Christ.

Ø To Moses considered the great prophets in the Old Testament ()

These are BETTER in regard to his POWER, MIGHT and MAJISTY. But also, the greatness of Christ as the God/Man, whose worth is so far above all others that it literally cannot be fully comprehended, either in its extent or its continuing relationship in eternity. Is there sin in your life? Christ has all authority over that sin. Christ has delivered to all who repent and follow him freedom from death, freedom from besetting sins, freedom from self condemnation, for none has the POWER to undo what CHRIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN POWER< MIGHT AND MAJISTY.

Because Christ was born perfect, he is the BETTER and final sacrifice for sin, the epistle to the Hebrews not only summarizes the magnificent sufficiency of Christ as one who is BETTER, but used two distinct words which complement one another while also accentuating the sovereign nature of his providence in terms of might or power over the covenant, promises, application of his sacrifice, our inheritance, our resurrection and our relationship as his children. These are BETTER in regards to his POWER, MIGHT and MAJISTY. But also, the greatness of Christ as the God/Man, whose worth is so far above all others that it literally cannot be fully comprehended, either in its extent or its continuing relationship in eternity. He is BETTER than the angels, in every way, better than every man who has ever lived, and the testament of who Christ is, and his propose, his life, the extent of its eternal character is so far greater than all things, we could not comprehend is apart from his relating it to us. Christ sat down at the right hand of God indicating he accomplished and delivered the gift of salvation, restoration and blessings. This is the One and Only Superior Gift, which Christmas represents.

He is BETTER than the angels, in every way, better than every man who has ever lived, and the testament of who Christ is, and his propose, his life, the extent of its eternal character is so far greater than all things, we could not comprehend is apart from his relating it to us. Christ sat down at the right hand of God indicating he accomplished and delivered the gift of salvation, restoration and blessings. This is the One and Only Superior Gift requires constant remembrance, constant emulation, constant celebration.

Perhaps, once we arrive in Heaven, our comprehension of God as eternal and the fullness of the Greatness and Power of Christ will be clearer, but we will never know what it is to be eternal. We will receive the eternal promise of Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King. He will be our brother, but he is also the only man who can proclaim the knowledge of being eternal.

Perhaps, once we arrive in Heaven, our comprehension of God as eternal and the fullness of the Greatness and Power of Christ will be clearer, but we will never know what it is to be eternal. Though you receive the eternal promise of Christ as your Prophet, Priest and King; though He is your brother, He is also the One and Only man who can proclaim the knowledge of being eternal.

That brings us to our final point.

(NKJV) 3 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

(; ; , , , 9:41 , 10:12, 12:2; )

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” 7 And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” 10 And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.” 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

“You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You”?

And again:

“I will be to Him a Father,

And He shall be to Me a Son”?

6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:

“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

7 And of the angels He says:

“Who makes His angels spirits

And His ministers a flame of fire.”

8 But to the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;

A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;

Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

10 And:

“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,

And the heavens are the work of Your hands.

11 They will perish, but You remain;

And they will all grow old like a garment;

12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,

And they will be changed.

But You are the same,

And Your years will not fail.”

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:

“Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

In some sense, these words (all the verses we read this morning) echo all the promises since the beginning of time. The exalted position of Christ is unique for all time. No other man was also God, no other human was, is and will always be the Eternal King, whom we call God. Here Hebrews presents the greatness of Christ as the One and Only rightful ruler.

As we looked at the passage in so we need to look at its counterpart:

1. To the Priests under the old covenant (4:14 – 8:13)

(NKJV) 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ rules from the Right hand of God the Father, for he accomplished his propose of all time and so we see as and the author or Hebrew tells us in v3, or this chapter. And the Throne and Scepter here relate to us the nature of Christ as our King. Even the angles are commanded to worship him (and they all will, even those presently in rebellion against him), but the language and message are clearly chosen to convey the sense of kinship to our King.

He was born just as you and I were born. He suffered just as we have, yet without sin. But unlike us he rules eternally, and desires us to rule with him ().

· Christ knows your sorrows, your joys, your tiredness, and hunger.

(NKJV) 1The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

(NKJV) 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

(NKJV) 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

· Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey and follow him.

(NKJV)

8 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

(NKJV) 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

(NKJV) 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

· Christ is a Priest after the order of Melchisedec, who worships the God of Heaven and earth. (See also )

(NKJV) 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In this series we have pointed to the fullness of the gospel which Christmas ought to represent. Why did wisemen come seeking the Eternal King of Glory? Because he sent his prophets to testify of him, and so men knew a great gift was coming.

Why was Christ born in a stable, wrapped in rags and made to sleep in a manager, because he presence alone was sufficient to make holy the place time and circumstance of his birth, so that the inferior nature of the law might be replaces with a superior gift of Christ and the better, prophet, priest, sacrifice and king.

CHRIST CAME LIVED AND DIED TO BRING THESE GIFTS TO HIS PEOPLE. HE IS THE ONE SUPERIOR GIFT THROUGH WHOM AND FOR WHOM ALL THING WERE MADE. THAT INCLUDES YOU BELOVED.

Christmas is a season of hope, built upon the INFINATELY SUPERIOR AND SINGULAR GIFT OF CHRIST. ONE SUPERIOR GIFT.

The gift of Christ is Eternal, has eternal impact and blessings. The other side of that gift and blessings is the justice, mercy and wrath of God against all who refuse to come.

It is my hope that in years to come you might reflect at Christmas upon not only Christ the child, who is worthy of all our adoration, but also the shadow of the cross which the law testified to as the means by which the perfect and sinless Lamb of God, would willingly go, so you might receive the best gift, not only the freedom from sin, but the abundance which being named as the child of the King affords you. That the blessed gift of Christ is one which transforms you from a dead corpse, into a living child of God a joint heir with Christ.

As we looked at the passage in so we need to look at its counterpart:

(NKJV) 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ rules from the Right hand of God the Father, for he accomplished his propose of all time and so we see as and the author or Hebrew tells us in v3, or this chapter. And the Throne and Scepter here relate to us the nature of Christ as our King. Even the angles are commanded to worship him (and they all will, even those presently in rebellion against him), but the language and message are clearly chosen to convey the sense of kinship to our King.

He was born just as you and I were born. He suffered just as you and I have, yet without sin. But unlike you and I he rules eternally and desires you to be with him forevermore ().

(NKJV) 1The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

(NKJV) 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

(NKJV) 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

(NKJV)

8 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

(NKJV) 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

(NKJV) 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

(NKJV) 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In this series we have pointed to the fullness of the gospel which Christmas ought to represent. Why did wisemen come seeking the Eternal King of Glory? Because he sent his prophets to testify of him, and so men knew a great gift was coming.

Why was Christ born in a stable, wrapped in rags and made to sleep in a manager, because he presence alone was sufficient to make holy the place time and circumstance of his birth, so that the inferior nature of the law might be replaced with a superior gift of Christ as the BETTER or SUPERIOR, prophet, priest, sacrifice and king.

Beloved your faith is a gift of infinite value if it comes from the LORD through Grace. Through Grace you have been given Faith, so that you might not live in despair when you fail, when you are confronted by your personal sins, the sins of those closest to you, or in the world of which we are all a part. Your HOPE is built upon the INFINATELY SUPERIOR AND SINGULAR GIFT OF CHRIST. ONE SUPERIOR GIFT.

The gift of Christ is Eternal, has eternal impact and blessings. The other side of that gift and blessings is the justice, mercy and wrath of God against all who refuse to come.

It is my hope that in years to come you might reflect upon not only Christ the child as Christmas approaches, snuggly and warm, worthy of all our adoration, but also the shadow of the cross which the law testified to as the means by which the perfect and sinless Lamb of God, would willingly go, so you might receive the best gift, not only the freedom from sin, but the abundance which being named as the child of the King affords you. That the blessed gift of Christ is one which transforms you from a dead corpse, into a living child of God as joint heir with Christ with access to the throne of grace every moment of every day, from this day until that Day of Day or until he calls you home.

Pray with me.

Christ: One Superior Gift

Opening

1. The Superiority of Christ

2. The Prefect Sacrificial Gift

3. Christ the Eternally Reigning Priest and King