Sermon Notes
December 21, 2014
Pastor Bob Bryant
“The Greatest Gift Ever Given”
John 4:10 (NLT)
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
Why did God give this gift to me?
Romans 6:23 (NLT)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16 (KJV)
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.
How do I receive this gift? It’s a promised gift.
Luke 1:34-38 (NLT)
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Mary Visits Elizabeth.
Luke 1:45 (NLT)
You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)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.
The Christmas Story-
First: The greatest gift ever given, was given from God, as a baby in a manger.
Luke 2:6-7 (NLT)
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Second: The greatest gift ever given grew up to be a sacrifice for sin.
Luke 2:39-40 (NLT)
39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
John 12:27 (NLT)
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!
Acts 2:24 (NLT)
24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.
Today, the greatest gift ever given, is our great high priest.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Soon, this baby, this man who became our sacrifice for sin, this great high priest, will be our King for all eternity.
1 Timothy 6:15 (NLT)
15 For, At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
What do I owe God for this gift?
2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)
15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
Romans 11:36 (NLT)
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.