The Gift: Part 1

2009-12-06 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Today we begin a 3-week series as we lead up to the celebration of one of the greatest days in all of human history.  The day that Christ was born in Bethlehem.  What an amazing gift God gave to us that day!  And, what amazing gifts He continues to give to us each and every day.

II Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 

What has God given to us?

 He Gave Us A Miracle

Luke 1:26   Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,  27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 

Luke 1:29   But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.  30 Then 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 bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.  32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 

Luke 1:34   Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 

Luke 1:35   And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 

 He Gave Us Hope

Luke 1:67-79   Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 

 68“ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,  69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us. In the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.  76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;  For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 

He Gave Us Protection

Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?”

He Gave Us An Example

John 13:15-17  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

 He Gave Us Forgiveness

Psalm 103:12  As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

 He Gave His Life

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Now, the important question for us to ponder....

What Will You Give Back To Him?

II Corinthians 9:6-8, 10-15  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

 10 …Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Will you allow Him to do a miracle in your life?

Will you allow Him to bring hope into your life and to provide hope in someone else’s life?

Will you allow Him to use you to be the protection that someone in need is looking for?

Will you be the example of Christ’s love to others?

Will you be a forgiving person?

Will you give your life for Him?