## God's Christmas Gift

## John 3:16

Christmas is a time when nearly every person's thoughts turn to gifts and giving. Some of us may open our gifts on Christmas morning while others may open them on Christmas Eve. There may be a few that will wait to a later date to open them, but every gift is given with one purpose, and that is that it will be opened by the one who receives it!

It seems that even with all the talk about the economy, gift buying and giving will be as strong as ever. Last year the 4th quarter (Oct. - Dec.) consumer sales were $284 Billion. This year consumer sales are expected to reach nearly $300 Billion. That is a lot of gifts!

Giving one another gifts has been a part of the Christmas celebration for many years. It symbolizes the love we have for each other, and it is a reminder that God loved us so much that He gave a wonderful gift for each one of us. This morning I want us to consider the greatest gift of all … God's Christmas gift to all of us.

JOH 3:16 FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

RO 6:23 FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. [2]

2CO 9:15 THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT.

God's gift to us is salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Consider this morning some things about this wonderful gift.

I. It is an Unsolicited Gift.

CUTE COMMERCIAL WITH THE LITTLE GIRL ON SANTA'S LAP ASKING FOR A 7 ¼ INCH CIRCULAR SAW. MOST ASKED QUESTION OF THIS SEASON, "WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE FOR CHRISTMAS?"

A. No one requested this Gift.

1. Often the gifts we receive is a direct result of someone's specific request.

2. But that wasn't the case with God's gift.

B. Man never saw his own need.

1. Man never went to God to seek His help. (in fact history reveals that our tendency is to look everywhere but to God for help)

2. It was God who came seeking Adam after he had sinned.

3. It was God who shed the blood of animals to provide a covering for their nakedness.

C. But God loves us.

1. Could any of us as parents see our children in need and do nothing?

2. Because we love them, we are willing to do whatever we can to meet their needs.

3. We will not wait to be asked, and neither did God.

4. He loves us!

RO 5:8 BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.

II. An Unlimited Gift

A. It is for anyone and for everyone.

1. Some department stores cater only to the very wealthy.

2. The gifts they offer are priced beyond what the average person could ever afford.

3. Then there are the many who cannot afford even an averaged price gift.

B. But God's gift is unlimited.

1. "For God so loved the world…"

2. "…That whosoever believeth in Him should have everlasting life."

3. Jesus Christ is God's gift to the entire world with no limits.

4. No one is excluded… whosoever!

C. God invites all to receive this wonderful Gift.

1. Although a gift is given, it cannot be enjoyed unless it is received.

2. The invitation is open to all people everywhere.

RE 22:17B … AND WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.

3. Whosoever means you and me.

III. An Undeserved Gift

A. The nature of the Gift.

1. Our salvation is neither earned nor deserved.

2. A gift has no strings attached.

3. There is no fine print to be considered, no special clause that would deceive us.

4. God, in His amazing grace, offers to all the gift of salvation.

5. We cannot do anything to earn it or merit it.

B. Grace = unmerited favour.

EPH 2:8-9 FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.

1. Could that verse be any clearer?

2. It is not of works…it is the gift of God.

3. We don't deserve it, we cannot earn it, but still God makes it available to us if we will simply receive it by faith!

4. Everything we have today; we have by one of three ways:

a. We have earned it…

b. We have stolen it…

c. We have received it as a gift.

IV. An Unclaimed Gift

A. This is the saddest of all descriptions of God's Gift to man.

1. In a few days this scene will be played out across the world.

2. Parents who have worked hard and sacrificed to have a special gift for their children and loved ones will wait with anticipation as their gifts are opened.

3. They long to hear, "Oh, this is just what I wanted!"

4. Then children will hug mom and dad in appreciation for the gifts given.

5. Imagine the sorrow one would feel if the gift that they had sacrificed to give lay under the tree unclaimed…unwanted!

B. That is exactly what happens to our Heavenly Father.

1. He gave His Son, and yet many have never received Him.

2. Jesus Christ gave His life on Calvary to atone for the sins of man, and yet some will turn aside and reject His wonderful gift.

3. The greatest Gift of all…salvation through Christ…remains unclaimed by multitudes.

4. Perhaps by some who are here today…

5. How sad to give and receive gifts at Christmas and never to receive Christ, the greatest Gift of all.

- An Unsolicited Gift
- An Unlimited Gift
- An Undeserved Gift
- An Unclaimed Gift

JOH 1:12 BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME: