GIFTS UNDER THE TREE
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Gifts Under the Tree
Gifts Under the Tree
Luke 2:1-8
Luke 2:1-8
Introduction: We are exactly 12 days away from Christmas, and many of us are making sure that we have just the right gifts for our loved ones.
Illustration – An American Express survey about Christmas gifts found that the fruitcake was chosen most often (31%) from a list of “worst” holiday gifts. It even finished ahead of “no gift at all.” When asked how to dispose of a bad gift, 30% would hide it in the closet, 21% would return it, and 19% would give it away.
Illustration – 76% of all people said they purchase something for themselves while they are looking for gifts for others.
In the opening chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we see the promise given to Mary that she would bring forth a Son whose name was Jesus.
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Note – Here we see the significance of the Babe in the manger. This was the Son of God!
_ And without an understanding of the virgin birth we can never appreciate the atoning work of Jesus on the Cross.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
When Mary wrapped Jesus in Swaddling Clothes and laid him in the Manger she was presenting God’s gift to the world.
Note – I read this week that about 33 million American homes will purchase a fresh cut Christmas tree this year.
This morning I want you to know that the most significant tree of the Christmas season is not the one in your family room, it is the tree that was formed into a cross on a lonely hill just outside Jerusalem.
Let’s notice the Gifts provided under the tree…
I. The Presence of God-vs. 13, 14, 20
I. The Presence of God-vs. 13, 14, 20
Note – The reason the angels and the Shepherds rejoiced was because they had been in the very presence of God.
A. He was the Son of God
A. He was the Son of God
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
B. He is the Living God
B. He is the Living God
1. He was Manifest in Bodily Form
1. He was Manifest in Bodily Form
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
2. He is God with Us
2. He is God with Us
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Note – The name Immanuel means “God with US.’
God gives the Gift of His Presence
II. The Peace of Forgiveness – verses 9-11
II. The Peace of Forgiveness – verses 9-11
Note – We see in the verses that Jesus Christ came to be a Saviour. (To save us from the penalty of sin)
Note – The word Saviour indicates that Jesus will be our deliverer or the forgiving one.
A. Forgiveness is the Gift of God
A. Forgiveness is the Gift of God
Illustration – There is obviously a great emphasis on gifts at this time of year.
Illustration – A little boy named Brian who had asked his parents
repeatedly for a watch. He had asked for a watch so many times that his parents forbade him to ask again. That night at dinner, he was asked to pray for the meal. He said, “Before I pray, I’d like to quote a verse –
Mark 13:37
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Note – Jesus is God’s gift
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
8 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.
24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Note – Jesus was Born to die.
Illustration – Swaddling Clothes were burial clothes.
B. Forgiveness is the Key to Peace
B. Forgiveness is the Key to Peace
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
C. Forgiveness is Available for All People
C. Forgiveness is Available for All People
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Quote – If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent an economist. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent a Saviour.
God gives us the Gift of His Presence
God Gives us the Gift of the Peace of Forgiveness
III. The Promise of Eternal Life-vs. 32-33
III. The Promise of Eternal Life-vs. 32-33
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
For as long as God lives, I will live!!!
Eternal-Without beginning or end of existence, Without end of existence of duration, perpetual.
A. Eternal Life is Available through Jesus Christ.
A. Eternal Life is Available through Jesus Christ.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
B. Eternal Life is the Gift of God
B. Eternal Life is the Gift of God
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Conclusion
Conclusion
Only Jesus can give you the best gift of life!
Only Jesus can give you the best gift of life!
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Illustration – I came across a collection of letters that children wrote to Santa Clause. One said, “Dear Santa, you did not bring me anything good last year. You did not bring me anything good the year before that. This is your last chance. Signed, Alfred.”
Note – God gives only good gifts and His greatest is Salvation through His Son Jesus!