The Gift

-Introduction

-Of course, with today being Christmas Eve, many minds (especially the kids’) are upon gifts.

            -Just think about how much time, effort and money have gone into those gifts under

              the tree.  (and the driving, shopping, wrapping, etc.)

            -Then, seemingly in a flash, it's over.

                        -I always thought a sad and even somewhat depressing sight was the

                          Christmas tree after Christmas morning - once again empty.

                        -All the anticipation and excitement.  It had come and now had gone.

                        -Opening gifts would have to wait for another year.

-However, I'm not here this morning to talk to you about these types of gifts.  Instead, I'm

  here to talk to you about The Gift.

-O. T. Prophecies

-The Gift had been spoken of for centuries:

            -Deut 18:18; Isa 53; Psalms, etc.

-Much preparation had gone into this Gift:

            -Eph 1:4 - God formulated His plan "before the foundations of the world."

            -When sin entered into the world in the Garden of Eden, God's plan was ready.

                        -Sin was the problem.  God was providing a solution.

-So, within His plan, God made precious promises to Abraham.

            -God chose the seed of Abraham as His specified people.

            -He made a covenant with them - the Law of Moses - and dealt with them through

              that Law and through the prophets.

            -God would utilize them in delivering The Gift to all mankind.

            -And, through God's dealing with them, we would learn more about our God and

              His expectations and requirements for mankind.    

                        -Heb 3:7-11, 4:1,11; 1 Cor 10:10-12

-We find within the O.T., an arrow pointing forward to things to come - within these things

  would be The Gift.

            -The prophets knew The Gift was coming but they themselves did not know the

              details regarding it.  (Peter writes of this in 1 Peter 1. More on this in a moment.)

-Then a wonderful announcement was made - Luke 1:8-17.  The forerunner (John) wascoming

  in fulfillment of O.T. prophecies - Isaiah 40, Malachi 3.

            -With the forerunner coming, the Messiah would follow.

            -Sure enough, that announcement was made - Luke 1:26-33.

-The Birth of Jesus

-Gal 4:4-5; Luke 2:1-7 - So, in a very humble fashion, Jesus was born.

-Luke 2:8-18

            -Later:  Matt 2:1-2, 11  (plaque - "Wise men still seek Him.")

-These are the events that so many minds are turned to this time of year.  But then what?

            -Is this The Gift?- No.  These are marvelous, important events.  But this is not where

              we find The Gift.

            -Stopping here would be like getting a wrapped gift but never unwrapping it.

-Don't Leave a Present Unwrapped &/or Unopened

-At this point in the N.T., this informaton would take us to Matt 2.  What about the other 26

  chapters?  What about the entire book of Mark? (16 chpts)  These events also involve the first

  2 chapters of Luke.  What about the other 22 chapters?  What about the book of John? - 21

  chapters

            -These events involve 4 of the 89 chapters contained with the accounts of the Gospel.

-Let's briefly consider some of the O.T. passages we referenced earlier:

            -Deut 18:18 - commands

                        -John 12:48-50

                        -Stopping at the birth of Jesus ignores His commands - Matt 7:21, Luke 6:46.

                        -We find Jesus giving these commands throughout His life.

                        -In His life, we find our perfect example - 1 Pet 2:21.

            -Isaiah 53 - The emphasis is not on the birth of Jesus but on His sufferings.

-What did the prophets desire to understand?

            -1 Pet 1:9-11 - Context:  salvation

            -In those regards, what was testified beforehand to the prophets? - the sufferings of Christ"

-The Death of Jesus

-The gift that God has provided for us involves the forgiveness of sins - Col 1:14.  That was

  made available by Jesus upon the cross of Calvary.

            -Approx. 40% of the material contained in the Gospel accounts covers one particular

              week in the life of Jesus - the week containing His crucifixion.

-Jesus' death upon the cross - the shedding of His blood for our sins - that's The Gift.

-Summary and Invitation

-When Jesus died upon the cross, His followers were distraught and confused.

            -They didn't realize the value and importance of The Gift. 

            -To them, it didn't work.  It didn't fit.  It wasn't right.  They needed something else.

-Then, the third day, Jesus came forth from the tomb in victory over sin and death.

            -His resurrection validated His claims and teachings.

-The Gift had been delivered.  That gift remains available to you and me.  Your name is on

  the name tag - From God, To you.

            -Don't leave that gift unwrapped.  Don't just tear away some of the paper and leave the

              box unopened.  Open that box.  Accept that gift - the soul-cleansing blood of Jesus, the

              avenue to God's grace - the hope and assurance of everlasting life.

-How do you open the gift? - obedience to the Gospel

            -Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent (Luke 13:3,5;

              Acts 17:30), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)

-If you've previously accepted this gift but have since turned away, confess your shortcomings,

  repent of them and pray for God's forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).