2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Often during His incarnation, Jesus spoke of His coming to this world to offer Himself a sacrifice and offering for the world. Christmas is a wonderful time to remember God’s unselfish giving.
We are looking at the love of God that causes Him and us to give great gifts.
God’s love caused Him to give an indescribable gift, the gift of His Son. Our heavenly Father is still giving, because He loves so much.
Each of us have some memories of Christmas and presents under the tree.
This certain boy did what many children do, he snuck into the living room to see if there were any presents for him under the tree. He was happy that Mom, Dad and his brother and sister had presents, but he was looking for something with his name on it. He wanted to know what was under the tree. Finally, he spotted a wonderfully large gift that had his name on it. It was wrapped in red and had a red bow. Everything seemed perfect. The ribbon, the size, the paper, everything was perfect. No one was looking, so he got it out from under the tree and gave it a soft shake. He read his name again and gave it another soft shake. It was his. It was a gift just for him. He shook it once again, and put it back under the tree.
- Are you interested in the things that God has given you?
- Do you like to look at all of God’s blessings?
- Do you anticipate the next great thing that God is going to do in your life?
- Do you find yourself anxious and excited about all that He has in store for you?
Malachi 3:10 talks about God’s storehouse of blessings. God talks about opening the windows of heaven and pouring out blessings until it overflows. (Malachi 3:10) God really does have unclaimed blessings waiting for you. I have often wondered where all of those blessings are stored. Someone said there are boxes of blessing with red ribbons around them that are laid up in store for you. We are not wanting to be greedy, but God has prepared His fullest blessing for you. As impossible as it may sound, your desire for God’s best and favor is God’s will for your life.
Ephesians 2:4-7 NKJV But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
- Are you interested in all that He has prepared for us in Christ?
- Do you know that God has prepared exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us?
- Do you find yourself under the tree, looking for the gift that God has prepared for you?
You have been longing for something more from God. You want a deeper walk with God. You want to be used of God in a greater way. When was the last time God worked through you in such a way that you knew it was God. Do you hunger for God to do something miraculous in your life? You need healing, encouragement, or blessing. God really has unclaimed blessings and benefits waiting for you.
Everything in you has been prepared for what God has to give you.
Your whole emotional and mental being is involved. You are so excited that God has loved you. You feel like you will starve to death if you do not get something from God. You have been thinking and praying about this. You have been hoping and looking for this.
It is wonderful that so many others have been blessed. You have seen the change in their lives. Their faces are aglow and their lives are untangled. Their joy has overflowed. The chains of previous defeats have been broken. Everything has been wonderfully received in their lives. Those blessings were just what they needed.
David was so blessed that he said: Psalm 68:19 NKJV Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits!
Some of you know what that is like. God has loaded you down with blessings. You have talked about all of the blessing and favor God has loaded you with. You have been blessed with life and health. You have great children and grandchildren. You have a lovely wife or a handsome husband. You have food on your table and a warm place to sleep. You have been loaded down with blessings.
These are not just the “Christmas present” kind of blessings. Every day of your life God has been loading you with benefits. He has blessed you with grace and mercy. He has loaded you down with forgiveness and acceptance. He has given healings and has supplied your needs. He has showered you with His Spirit.
Once again the little boy snuck under the Christmas tree. He knew where his present was this time. When no one was looking, he gave his present a firm shake. He had no idea what was in the package, but he was more anxious than ever.
It sounded like… like nothing he had ever had before. He knew it had to be important. It was the most impressive gift under the tree. He had no doubt that he was loved. He couldn’t wait… He was about to explode.
John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Say that first part again: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”
I want to show you the Gift that God has given.
Finally, the day arrived. It was time to open the present. He was too excited to wait. He ran and got his present from under the tree. Quickly, he tore off the wrappings. He didn’t care how it looked. He knew something special was inside. He ripped open the box, and began to cry.
It’s broken…
It seems sometimes that that is the way life is. The more you want something…the more excited you are.
It’s broken…
It was good for nothing… How can you enjoy something that is broken?
Look at the gift from God.
In the middle of Luke 22:19 it says: “This is My body which is given for you.”
This is God’s gift for you.
He could have given you many other things, but God gave you His Son. He could have given you riches beyond measure, but God gave you His Son. By faith you need to unwrap God’s gift and see what He has given you. God has given you the most wonderful Gift.
God has given you His Son.
Take a closer look at this. God’s Gift has been broken. His Son has been broken for you. Instead of losing value, the breaking has raised the value of the gift.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, the Apostle Paul said: “I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you…”
Jesus said: this is “My body which is broken for you.”
Why is God’s gift broken?
No one says it better than Isaiah.
Isaiah 53:4-6 NKJV Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Why was He broken?
- He was broken for our sorrows.
- He was wounded and injured for our transgressions.
- He was bruised for our iniquities.
- He was chastised for our peace.
- He received stripes so we could be healed.
- He bore all of our iniquity in His body.
Luke repeated the words of the Lord: “This is my body which is given for you.”
This is how it happened.
One night outside of Bethlehem a multitude of angels appeared to shepherds who were watching over their sheep. The Angel of the Lord said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The multitude of the heavenly host praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
Jesus grew up and began His public ministry. He declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18 NKJV) For three years, He ministered to people with the single purpose to show the love, mercy and grace of the Father.
He was taken from the Garden of Gethsemane and was led away to be tried and crucified on a cross. As Isiah said, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
The Gift of God’s Son was broken so that you may have life.
