The Gift of God's Grace
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Intro
Intro
Merry Christmas
season of giving … gifts
the gift of praise and worship
gifts they are looking forward to also… mine do!!
Gruss family tree
gifts wrapped underneath it
gifts the kids give us and each other
Who among us does not like a touching gift?
Some may have had a gift that they were so fixated on that they could think of nothing else...
A Christmas Story - “official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock”
a childish infatuation
Some may have had a gift that was not receive for a long time and so it was meaningful when we finally did…
The Santa Clause - “A ‘Mystery Date’ board game and an Oscar Meyer ‘Weenie Whistle’”
a precious memory / nostalgic reminder
Some may have wanted something that could not fit in boxes or bags or be stuffed under the tree…
Home Alone - “'Would you please tell him that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back? No toys, nothing by Peter, Kate, Buzz, Megan, Linnie and Jeff. My aunt and my cousins, and if he has time my uncle Frank”
Lastly we have those things we desire so deeply that words cannot adequately express and no human can actually give
It’s A Wonderful Life - a second chance at life, fulfillment, happiness…
something not even the richest man on earth can buy!!
The Gift Of God’s Grace!
The reason for Christmas
definition of grace
Message
Message
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
By Grace
Through Faith
A Gift… (not your own doing)
From God… !!
what gift?… what could / what would God give to save you?
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Gift of Love
He was not forced to do this… He wanted to
Gift of His Son
Gift to Save… from perishing to life...
who is this son of God?
30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Jesus
babies are born every day what is so special about this baby?
How is this baby a gift of grace to all who would believe?
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
This Jesus is the incarnate gift of God’s grace because He will save His people from their sin...
How does he do that?
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
He traded places with us!
this is the gift of Christmas… This is the Gift of God’s Grace
fullness in Matt 28… victory / resurrection!!
This Christmas the best gift you have been offered is the gift of salvation secured for you in Jesus.
How do we receive this gift?
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Gifts are meant to be enjoyed and used!!
How do we cherish this gift?
How do we live in light of this gift?
PRAY
God in Heaven we thank you for this day. We thank you for these children that led our worship today. We thank you that we can gather together to bring you that worship. We thank you that by your love for us have offered us this gift of grace in Christ Jesus. We know that this gift is ours to possess because the purchase was made by the blood of your son. We know that the purchase Jesus made was successful because He was raised from the dead. His resurrection is our receipt of this Gift of grace.
Father, help us as we look at your text to receive it if we have not, cherish it afresh if we have and change us to live in light of it both now and every day here after we pray.
5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
Do not be afraid, seek Jesus!
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.”
The angels speaks to the woman… not guards
I know you seek Jesus…
do not fear rejection
from family / friends
government / employers / society
church / christians / Jesus
do not fear tomorrow
mandates / elections / disaster / famine /
retirement / children / marriage / old age
do not fear death
He has won victory over it
Rom 8.15 “15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””
Matt 17.7 “7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.””
SEEK JESUS!!
Do not be afraid if you seek Jesus!! … WHY?
He is faithful in what He says.
He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”
Matt 16.21 “21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Argument from GREAT to Less
Eze 24.14 “14 I am the Lord. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord God.””
Jhn 6.39 “39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.”
Jhn 14.2-3 “2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
He goes before you and will meet you.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.””
Matt 26.31-32 “31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.””
He has done what you cannot
He has been where you will go
He will never leave nor forsake you
first birth / death / second birth…
Isa 45.2 “2 “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,”
Jhn 14.2-3 “2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
You have been told!
told by preacher
told by Matthew
told by angels
told by God Himself… who cannot lie !
Isa 43.25 “25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
This is the good news of Christmas !!
It’s A Wonderful Life - a second chance at life, fulfillment, happiness…
something not even the richest man on earth can buy!!
VIDEO
VIDEO
The Gift of God’s Grace !!
The Gift of God’s Grace !!
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
It is not fantasy, It is no dream
It is an true angel that brings this news… not Clarence !!
It is on the name of Jesus we must call
“Jesus! Jesus! Help me, Jesus. Bring me back. Bring me back. I don't care what happens to me! ...Help me, Jesus, please. Please! I want to live again. I want to live again. I want to live again.....Please, God, let me live again.”
This is the glorious news of the gift of God’s grace!!
Have you recieved it?
Will you cherish is?
Will you live in light of it?
Group Questions
Group Questions
What is your favorite Christmas movie and why is it special to you?
What piece of biblical truth comes out in that movie?
What is a memorable Christmas gift you recieved as a child and why?
What is a painful memory you have of the holiday season how should the gospel inform your response to it now?
What is something that stood out to you as most encouraging from this message?
Historically, women were not regarded as trustworthy witnesses. Why is it unlikely that these two Marys would have been included in Matthews resurrection account if it were a fabrication? How should this bolster it’s trustworthiness?
As you look at the birth narrative and the resurrection narrative what parallels do you see? Why did these stand out to you? What might they mean?
The resurrection of Jesus is paramount to our salvation (biblical christianity). Is it enough to say that Jesus rose spiritually, but not bodily/physically? Why not?
Explain the connection between Jesus resurrection and your own personal salvation.
Does affirmation of Jesus’ resurrection necessarily imply that one is a follower of Christ? Explain your answer.
What is an area where you need to put off fear and put on trust? Where can you choose to seek Jesus more this week?
This week how will you choose to live out the joy of the gift of Gods grace?