“The Gift That Keeps on Giving”

Intro: Finding the right gift is hard for certain people because you don’t know what they need.

What do you get for the person who has everything?

Even harder: what do you get for somebody who needs everything?

THESIS: Jesus is the best possible gift for people in need.

Why? Because He is the gift that keeps on giving!

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

New Living Translation Chapter 9

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9 starts with a context of oppression.

Assyrians had invaded northern areas of Israel

The leaders had sold out to the Assyrians & then got embarrassed by their duplicity.

It was a time of gloom & darkness (9:1); the people were constricted, restricted, & defeated.

But it was in this context that the prophet Isaiah prophesied & predicted that the Lord was going to send a Deliverer.

God has been against oppression & injustice for a long time!

While the Assyrians were taking their children, their Ahmaud’s, Breonna’s, George’s, and Casey Goodson, Jr’s, God was gonna give them HIS Child

With the multiple needs that the people of God had because of the environment they lived in, the Father promised them Jesus, as the gift that could keep on giving

“government will rest on His shoulders” - authority & responsibility to protect

That is useful for when life’s circumstances are beyond our control!

Psalm 61:2-3

Psalm 61:2–3 NKJV

2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.

“Wonderful Counselor” - provides guidance

This is useful for when we are faced with tough, or even similar, decisions that will have unforeseen consequences

Luke 1:79

Luke 1:79 NKJV

79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

“Mighty God” - handles heavy burdens

This is helpful when life burdens us with heavy emotional burdens that are hard to lift or carry

1Pe5:7 - throw all of our worries and cares on Him

“Prince of Peace” - oversees and rules over conflicts

This can put our minds at ease when we find ourselves in the midst of conflict and attack

Ps35:17b-c

New Living Translation Psalm 35

Rescue me from their fierce attacks.

Protect my life from these lions!

With His titles, Jesus covers every base & is built for giving us what we need in any and every situation that we will face!

He is the Gift that keeps on giving!