Sermon Tone Analysis

*Immanuel**-A Gift That Keeps On Giving!*

*Isaiah 7*14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

*I.

Introduction*

*A.  *2000 years ago, God gave a gift that is still being offered today.

It is Immanuel, which means God with us, or even God In Us!  Just the presence of this awesome gift can change lives and impact events, whether we realize it or not!

*A.    **Illust:*

*1.  *Many of you may not know that I have been a law enforcement officer for over 22 years.

I am also a law enforcement Chaplain.

During my time in law enforcement, the Christmas season never ceases to amaze me!

I have seen the hardest criminal hearts show pity on their victims, by such acts as leaving the wallet or purse behind, with identification and charge cards intact, rather than running off with the whole booty.

I have seen the criminal get drunk on beer and spread his artificial cheer, rather than go out to perform his nightly ritual.

I have also seen the toughest cop, pause and show sympathy to one who was victimized and robbed of their dignity.

The words “Merry Christmas” almost seem to create their own reality.

\\ *2.  *Francis C. Farley, a news reporter once wrote: “Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self conscious and, perhaps, foolish.

Christmas in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.”

While these words may sound good, I would argue that for those who have not experienced the touch of the Master, their temporary change in temperament is due to the outside presence of the Spirit of God, which is displayed by those who can truly say, “God calls me His own”!  

*B.

**What does it mean to be called a “child of God”?*

*1.  *Sadly, not all are called the children of God, but only those who are born of His Spirit!

New life, which comes through Jesus Christ, is a gift to all men and women, but not all will accept this gift.

There was a gift left under the tree for each and every one of us 2000 years ago, by the very same Immanuel, who’s birthday we are soon to celebrate.

This gift was given freely to all, regardless of our relationship to the giver.

There is one with your name on it, have you claimed it?

Tonight, we will explore this Christmas gift, the giver, and finally the person God desires to receive the gift, you!

*II.

The Gift*

*A.    *What is that gift, you may be asking.

Well scripture is clear I believe on the very nature of the gift.

*1.

John 3:16*"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

*B.

**Can you get this gift of God through any other means.

Is it something you can find, after a                 diligent search on your own?*

* *

*1.      ** *Ephesians 2:8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves,            

it is the gift of God-- 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

*2.

*It is something that God set up that can only be received as a gift, so that no one can brag or boast.

Not  only does scripture remove our right to claim any part of earning the gift, but it also tells us                         

      that it is the ultimate gift, that will always be in style and work as if brand new!  Eternal life means forever!

 

*3.

*That gift of course is the ability to believe in the One, God sent, Jesus Christ.

Try as you will, you cannot will your self to believe in Jesus.

Many have tried and many have failed.

Why there was even a magician in Peter’s time who tried to buy the gift.

This foreign thought so appalled Peter that he cursed the man’s money, because he thought he could buy the gift of faith.

Perhaps it is this mentality that is preventing you from excepting God’s free gift of eternal life.

Maybe you think you can work for your Christmas gift?

Maybe you think you already have!

Maybe you think its owed to you! 

*a.

Illust:  *Well, I can think back to my own childhood, and perhaps you can recall this in yours, a time when I thought I deserved getting a certain gift for Christmas!

What was it?

It was a ten speed huffy bike.

They were new then, and not many people had one.

I was tired of my old stingray, with the butter-fly handle bars and the banana seat.

In my mind, I not only deserve that 10 speed, I was owed it!

Much to my disappointment and anger, it was not under the tree!

I think that mentality carries through from childhood into our adult spiritual lives.

If God has a heaven, then he has to be fair and give it to everyone.

He can’t show favoritism!

But God’s word answers this error in our thinking quite clearly:  Who are you oh man, oh created being to talk back to the creator?!

*C.    **Every thing has a price tag!

What will the gift cost me?

*

*1.  *Well just this: You see, God does want to give you that gift of belief we call faith, *but you must ask him for it!

* Yes you must swallow your pride and humbly bow to Him, and ask him to give you you’re gift.

Remember the father who humbly approached Jesus to ask him to save the life of his child.

Jesus asked him, “Do you believe I can do this?”

This was a very simple question, but at the same time, it was difficult to answer truthfully.

Think about it for a moment.

Our minds are so fickle; we believe something for a moment, when it is convenient, only to discard our belief later for something more advantageous to us.

How did this father answer Jesus?

He said, “I believe Lord, but help me with my unbelief.”

In other words, he was saying right now I would believe you if it will help my child, but latter, my heart may grow cold with worry, pride, or the concerns for the moment, if it happens like that Lord, then please help me to believe even then.

This is where the gift of faith comes in!  Don’t worry, God is not asking you for anything else, he just wants you to offer Him your empty hand of faith!

*D.    **What if I don’t want to accept that gift?*

*1.

*Well friend, scripture is clear about that as well.

You see we are all sinners.

Correct me if I am wrong, but there is no one here tonight who is perfect.

\\ *2.*  Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I am afraid that this gift is the only way that God has provide for you to not only live a good and abundant life, but to have an eternal life as well!

*E.     **What if I accepted the gift before, but now I realize that I’ve lost it?*

*1.*  Well friend cheer up; you see God’s gift is always with you, in fact it is within you.

It is a gift, which never fades or flees!

It is eternal.

\\ *2.*  Romans 11:29 should rest your mind, listen what it says: “for God's gifts and his call are      irrevocable.”

You see, that means even you cant mess it up!

*F.

What if I’m not happy with my gift?

You know, I look over at Brother So and So and Sister                 What’s Her Name, and they seem to be having a better time with their gift than I am!  Can I get a better version?

\\      1.

*Now I know these excuses by heart.

Why?

Because I have worn them out my self.

But lets listen                                                                                                 \\      to how God answers these questions.

\\      *2.

*Romans 12:6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

If a man's gift is prophesying, let                       \\      him use it in proportion to his faith.

7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is           \\      encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is \\      leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

*3.

*1 Corinthians 12: 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5There are different kinds of          service, but the same Lord.

6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

*III.

The Nature Of The Giver*

*A.  *Tonight, during the time of the Advent season, we celebrate in anticipation, the anniversary of our Lord’s coming to deliver our gift personally.