What’s In A Gift

Text:

John 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.

 

James 1:17:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

Theme:

What’s In A Gift

 

Introduction:

• The Gospel According to John is the fourth gospel written by the Apostle John. Some believed that it was to fill the gaps left by the first three gospels, but no concrete evidence makes this universally true.  However, it does in a unique and genuine way divulge the depth of the relationship between God and the Son AND the relationship between the believer and the Godhead.
  • The Gospel of John, which houses our text, serves as a special closing to the set of Gospels that tell the good news of Jesus Christ.
    • Matthew gives a detailed depiction of the history of Jesus’ life
    • Mark gives Jesus’ life as depicted by Peter’s accounts
    • Luke gives the perspective of Jesus’ life as God’s Son who was a man – the humanity of Jesus
    • However, John gives the perspective of Jesus’ life as the man who was God’s Son – the Divinity of Jesus
      • John sums up his intent in writing the Gospel in John 20:31 when he says, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
• The Epistle of James was written by James the Less, the brother of Jesus, who was one of the three pillars of the first century church…Peter, James, and John.
  • James wrote it from his home in Jerusalem to “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” after the time of the first imprisonment of Paul, around 62 A.D.
  • The object of the writer was to enforce the practical duties of the Christian life…how to live
    • The importance of Christian Living is tantamount to the fruitful life of a child of God.
• The scripture in James refers to a commonly known and desired element of life…GIFTS
  • The Gift “Just Because”
    • Given for whatever reason, the gift “just because” is primarily a result of the intention of the giver
    • Can be for a certain celebration, to show appreciation, or to simply reward the receiver for an unrelated and/or unexpected action or accomplishment. Examples: A husband gives flowers; a boss takes the team out to lunch; a friend gives a gift of love; etc.
    • No expectation of giving or receiving…always a surprise:)
  • The Birthday Gift
    • Given to celebrate the birthday of the receiver
    • A popular day often met with the expectation of a gift being given to the receiver
      • On your birthday you receive gifts but do not give gifts!
    • The Christmas Gift
      • Given to celebrate the holiday, Christmas
      • The expectation is to give and receive gifts
• We as believers know that the BEST Gift was and is JESUS, THE CHRIST
  • John 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.”
    • Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
  • James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
  • 2Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
  • Ephesians 4:7, “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”
• Now that we understand GIFTS (e.g. birthday, Christmas, and JESUS). Now, let’s see WHAT’S IN A GIFT?

Body:

• When we want to understand WHAT’S IN A GIFT,
  • The GIVER must assess…
    • Is it something NEEDED?
      • It is easy to give a gift when you know that the receiver NEEDS what you are giving
    • Is it something WANTED?
      • It makes a person feel good when you give them something that you know that they want.
  • The RECEIVER will then consider…
    • How is it PRESENTED?
      • Bill Cosby episode story à Best steak served on a garbage can lidJ
      • Bad presentation can ruin the best gift
      • Should be wrapped nicely!
    • Is it FREE?
      • A gift is not a gift unless it is FREE!
• Even so with Jesus, The Christ, as the Best gift, we find…
  • That God knew…
    • What we NEEDED
      • Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
      • As the hymn says, “He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs”
    • What we WANTED
      • Matthew 6:33 (Luke 12:31), “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
  • That we receive Jesus because…
    • Of how He was PRESENTED
      • In our condition à Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
      • In LOVE à John 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.”
        • John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
    • He was FREE
      • Romans 5:18, “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
      • Psalms 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free”

Conclusion:

• So, if you want to give a gift, GIVE JESUS!
  • How do you GIVE JESUS è through showing/giving…
    • Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
      • A good attitude
      • A smile
      • A helping hand
      • A Word from God
      • A “Hello”
    • We should give a “gift” to everyone that we meet!
      • It does not matter what they give us or how they act è Give ANYHOW
      • Matthew 5:44 , “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
    • Make sure that what you give them is “wrapped” in LOVE!!!
• If you want to RECEIVE a gift, RECEIVE JESUS!
  • He’s waiting on us to come to Him è Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
  • He’s presented in Love è John 4:10, “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.”
  • We can depend on God and His Gift! è James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
    • The old hymn says it best…

God has smiled on me.

He has set me free!

God has smiled on me.

He’s been Good to me!

 

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