The Gift
The following E-sermon was taken from the message entitled, "The Gift" presented on Sunday, December 10, 2006 by Pastor Bryan Pugner.
Have you ever received a gift from someone and did not know how to respond? Maybe you did not know what the gift was or it was not something you could ever have expected? This does not occur when we receive gifts from God! The gifts of God are never disappointing!
Goodness of Life
James 1:17 reminds us that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights". Everything good that has ever occurred in our life has come as a direct blessings of God!
Jesus / Salvation
We are reminded that Jesus and His salvation is the greatest gift we could ever receive. Jesus states to the Samaritan women at the well, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." Jesus' gift through His life, death, and resurrection is the best thing that ever happened to us. Therefore Romans states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord".
The Holy Spirit
Acts 1:3-5 states that after Jesus suffered on the cross, He then gave convincing proofs to His Disciples that He was alive. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
With these gifts in mind, what should our appropriate response be to these gifts given by God?
Receive the Gift
Although we don't deserve this gift, we are still welcome to them!
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.
Desire All His Gifts
We must continue to long for, desire, & anticipation ALL that God has for us! His gifts are not a one time blessing but a gift that keeps on giving!
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
When was the last time you prayed and longed for God? Simeon saw the baby Jesus and said, "Now I can die in peace! He in a real sense states, "This is what I have lived for!" What things are out there that God wants to accomplish and give to you before your time here on earth is through? We all need to seek all that God has for us!
Celebrate the Gift
We should never allow the things of God to become a burden to us. Going to church, giving generously, helping others, and performing acts of service should be our natural celebrated response!
2 Corinthians states that we should thank God for His indescribable gift! This attitude of thanksgiving should be in our hearts, our words, and our actions!
Live the Gift
When we receive God's Gift, our lives should be different. It should effect every part of our lives. If you won $1,000,000 - would this effect every aspect of your life? Of course it would!!! Let God's Gift into every aspect of your life!
Share the Gift
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
Christmas is about a gift given and a gift received! However, it has to move beyond our hands!
I was once told a story about a Church that had a railroad track running behind it during World War II Germany. Every day a train would pass loaded with crying Jewish men, women, and children on its way to concentration camps. Each Sunday, the members of that little congregation would see the tracks, the train, and the desperate people yet they continued with their lives and the church services never once attempting anything to help those innocent people on their way to die. They would sing, pray for God's blessings, and carry on with people perishing all around them! How sad!
Sometimes, we are like this people. Today, we find ourselves in their same position. We meet weekly in a nice, comfortable, safe church service as lost people surround our area, our jobs, and our schools.
Yes, Christmas is about a gift given.
It is about a gift received.
God has given us the greatest gift.
We have received it!
Now we must give that others may receive!
Sincerely,
Pastor Bryan Pugner