## God's Christmas Tree

## I Peter 2:24

At this time of the year in homes all across America you will find a Christmas tree with at least a few presents underneath. Some would say that believers should have nothing to do with them, because of their pagan origination. The Christmas tree has become a part of our season, and any pagan connections it originally may have had were lost long ago-- just as were the names of the days of our week which also had their origin in pagan beliefs. I believe that we can use this season in a positive way to remember the birth of the Savior, who He is and why He came into the world.

Every year you read of a Christmas tree that catches fire and the tragic result is devastating. Sometimes the entire home is lost as a result, but most certainly the tree and all the gifts are destroyed. Today, I want us to focus on God's Christmas tree--the Cross. His tree also is surrounded by gifts. But these gifts can never be destroyed. The gifts under God's tree are of infinite value, they were purchased by the death of God's Son on God's tree, the Cross.

(1 Pet 1:18-19) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

(1 Pet 1:3-4) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,"

I. The Gift of Salvation.

A. Salvation is Free.

(Eph 2:8-9) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast."

1. It is a work of God's grace.

2. Grace = "unmerited favor".

a. That means we do not deserve it, but it is available to us anyway.

b. Salvation in Christ is free, but it's not cheap.

c. It cost God the death of His very own Son, the Lord Jesus.

d. Grace is not grace and free is not free if I must pay some price.

B. The question is how do we receive this gift of all gifts without cost?

(John 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:"

1. God's gift of salvation is acquired by faith.

2. What is faith?

3. Simple trust in the Word of God.

4. Believing what Gad has said, without reservation!

5. This faith results in a change in our relationship with God.

6. Where once we were at enmity with God, we are 'born again' into His family!

II. The Gift of Justification.

A. Justification is a legal term.

1. It speaks of God's pronouncement that we are acquitted from sin's penalty, and made acceptable before God.

2. Even though we are sinners, we have been declared righteous.

B. The basis for this declaration is not what we have done, but what Christ has done.

(Rom 3:24) "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

(Rom 5:9) "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

(1 Cor 6:11) "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

C. The result will be evidenced in our lives.

1. We are justified by faith, by His blood, and by the Holy Spirit.

2. The result will be evidenced in a changed life.

3. That is what James was talking about, not how to receive the gift, but the result of having justification.

(James 2:26) "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

III. The Gift of Peace With God

A. "Peace with God" means reconciled to God.

1. It means the barriers have all been removed by the person and work of Christ.

2. "Peace with God" means the peace of salvation which forms the basis for the other aspects of peace.

B. The message of the angel of the Lord was a declaration of Peace.

(Luke 2:14) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

C. There will never be peace on earth without the Lord.

D. It is only as we are at peace with God that we can be at peace with ourselves and with others!

IV. The Gift of Access to God

(Rom 5:2) "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

A. Access = means that we can approach, or come near unto a Holy and righteous God.

B. We had no way to approach Him, but He made a way through His Son, Jesus Christ.

1. When Jesus died the veil was rent.

2. The barrier was removed once and for all with the death of Christ on God's Christmas tree…the Cross!

(Heb 4:16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

(1 Tim 2:5) "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

C. Through Christ we now have access into the very presence of Almighty God!

D. What a wonderful gift!

(John 14:6) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

We could go on and on. God has given us so much in Christ. So many gifts, and these gifts never break and never wear out. They last for eternity and they do all that is promised and more.

(Eph 1:3) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

(1 Pet 2:24) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Nothing sadder than a Christmas tree with gifts left unclaimed. Will you claim the gifts that God has given to you this morning? He loves us, and wants us to enjoy all that He has for us today. Will you come this morning? All of this and more is available at the cross…God's Christmas tree.