God's Greatest Gift
Introduction
We are truly blessed people. I read an interesting article the other day that points out that truth.
If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. One-third of the world does not have access to even one.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people around the world.
If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest or torture of death, you are more blessed than almost billion people in the world.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world!
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.
If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, even in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch.
If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you can offer God’s healing touch.
If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you believe in God’s willingness to hear and answer prayer.
If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God, you are part of a very small minority in the world!
God’s greatest gift to people is often overlooked at Christmastime. Today we must concentrate our attention on that gift foretold by the prophets, God’s only begotten Son.
Turn to Isaiah 9:6.
It is the tragedy of tragedies that so few have properly submitted themselves to the Christ who was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. The wise men came requesting, “Where is he that is born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2).We should be asking, “Who is He?” and “What do we personally think of Christ?”
Is Jesus Christ merely a mythical or legendary figure? Is He simply the most notable figure on the pages of history? His birthday gave the world a new era, dividing the past from the future at a focal point. His majesty has given the world its most immortal paintings. His love has inspired the world’s masterpieces of art, sculpture, and music. His influence has inspired earth’s greatest philanthropies. More books have been written about Him than have been written about all of the kings who have ruled from earthly thrones.
Who is this Son whom God has given?
I. God Has Given Unto Us A Supernatural Son
Jesus was supernaturally conceived and born of the Virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:4). Christianity is built and based on a supernatural Christ. Christianity is more than a creed or code. It is a fellowship with a risen and living Christ.
Those who reject the Virgin Birth and explain away Christ’s miracles and deny His resurrection have only a pale, powerless, poor anemic human Christ who has no power with which to save a sinful race. He is supernatural, above the laws of nature He created.
II. God Has Given Unto Us A Sinless Son
Christ was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15b). Christ refrained from all willful transgression. Christ was the very essence of personal purity. The verdict of Pilate, the Roman governor, was “I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him” (Luke 23:14b).
At the time of Jesus’ baptism there was a voice of testimony from heaven expressing the divine approval of Christ (Matthew 3:17). There was a second expression of divine approval at the time of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). The resurrection of Christ was a public demonstration of the divine acceptance of His substitutionary death on the cross.
III. God Has Given Us A Son Who Suffered As Our Substitute
The prophet Isaiah foretold the substitutionary death of the Suffering Servant of God (Isaiah 53:5-6).
The angel told Joseph that the unborn child of Mary was divine and that He would be the Savior of His people (Matthew 1:21). When John the Baptist introduced Jesus to his disciples, he called Him the one who would bear the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus defined His objective for coming into the world in terms of giving His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life voluntarily for His sheep (John 10:11).
I would describe that as a great gift, wouldn’t you? The suffering servant, the Savior of the world, the One who bore the sin of the world, the ransom for many, and the Good Shepherd laid down His life for you and me. Can you imagine a greater gift? Of course not! He was a supernatural Son of God, a sinless Son, but also our substitute. His incredible substitutionary life and death occurred because of His great love for you and me.
That is God’s gift to you and me. There are times in every life of difficulty and trials. Sometimes, even those in the ministry are discouraged and would like to give up. During those times of difficulty and discouragement it is important to remember the presence of the Lord. In fact, a phrase that is often used in the Bible that encourages one to remember God’s presence is the phrase, “In the midst.”
Turn now to John 20:19-22. In this passage, we will see how God’s gift of a supernatural Son, a sinless Son, and a suffering substitute impacts our lives dramatically and directly. In the NIV it says in v. 19, “Jesus came and stood among them.” The KJV says He came and stood “in the midst.” That phrase is used in the scripture 280 times. While it is used in many settings, in this setting it reminds us of the presence of the Lord in the middle of our lives.
A. It Is The Key To Peace (v. 19)
The fact that Christ is in the midst gives us peace in our daily lives. Romans 5:1 shows us how this is the key to peace and salvation. It says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We also see that it brings us a peace through satisfaction. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Wouldn’t you agree with me that the only way to have true peace in our lives is by experiencing the daily presence of the Lord? He is in the midst, isn’t He? In a hectic world that seeks to drag us down and sometimes pull us apart, we need the stabilizing presence of the Lord Jesus.
B. It Is The Key To Joy (v. 20)
Having Jesus “in the midst” is the way to experience joy. The scripture shows how the frightened disciples turned to wonderful joy when they saw that He was alive. The time of Jesus’ last days, His arrest, His trials, His crucifixion were no doubt some of the most stressful, emotionally draining, and difficult times in the lives of these disciples. No doubt many of them doubted the words He had spoken earlier. They began to wonder if they have followed the wrong man. To see Him alive was such a wonderful assurance and validation that it made them extremely “overjoyed.”
Jesus being “in the midst” of our lives is the key to joy. Even when we are going through difficult times, we can have joy in the Lord.
C. It Is The Key To Effective Service (v. 21)
Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” Jesus’ presence is not just for us to enjoy, but to learn from Him and to receive our marching orders from Him. However, remember that He is not a God who sends us marching orders from afar. He is our Lord who speaks to us from His presence. He is “in the midst.”
D. It Is The Key To Power (v. 22)
The Greek word for “receive” means “to seize.” In other words, Jesus is telling us to seize the Holy Spirit which He has given us. He is telling us that we will never be left alone and that the Holy Spirit will continue to be our ongoing helper, encourager, and friend. He is God’s gift. He is Jesus’ way of continuing to be “in the midst.”
God has given us a wonderful gift at Christmastime! He has shown us the gift of a supernatural son, sinless son, a suffering substitute, and one who is in the midst!