The Greatest Gift Luke 1:26-38; Romans6:23; Ephesians2:8; John4:10; John3:16-21

Most westerners say that Christmas should be more about time together with family and friends than about gifts. However, in 2007 spending on Christmas presents was in the neighborhood of $474.5 billion; each American spending an average of $923.36. With credit card rates often as high as 24 percent, that $923 cost the average consumer closer to $6458.87 when interest and finance charges are included.

This year, Americans and Canadians say they intend to spend 50% less, but it is still expected that Canadians will spend $28.7 billion this Christmas and US shoppers will spend $470.4 billion.

PNC Christmas Price Index 2008: the cost of the gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” have increased 8.1%. The greatest increase this year was in swans a-swimming with a whopping 33.3% increase due to scarcity. True Loves will spend $5,600 this year for Swans compared to $4,200 in 2007. However, gold rings have dropped in price by 11.4% to $349.95 from $395...

For the next few moments let us consider what is the greatest gift that could ever be given. What makes a gift a great gift?

A GREAT GIFT NEEDS TO BE A GIFT GIVEN OUT OF LOVE

• For God so loved

• infinite -- from before the foundation of the world – Psalm 103:17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, Psa 5:7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.

• unchanging – same yesterday today forever Heb.13:8 Jas1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

• Holy --- be ye holy ... I am holy 1Pe 1:16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy.

• just and righteous Hos 2:19 And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.

• great – God so loved the whole world = Cosmos (186 times in Greek New Testament) = world full of sinful people – like us. ref. Romans3:23.

A GREAT GIFT NEEDS TO BE PERSONAL

• A couple in counseling; The man said,“I have given you everything” ...”Yes, but not yourself” Whereas God gave Himself and gave Himself to you.

  • Luke 2:11 “Unto you is born...a Savior who is Christ the Lord

• Unique (“one and only” NIV) No one like Him – No one His equal

  • uniquely begotten (virgin born),

  • become flesh,

  • eternal God in temporal flesh

• Best – not cast-offs (like we give to charities) We may give away some good stuff, but not our best.

A GREAT GIFT NEEDS TO ADD TO THE RECEIVER

• Not like - noisy gifts for nephews; pets that need up keep; cameras and gifts that need supplies to be enjoyed

• Does God's love for the whole world save the whole world?

  • No. God's love is sufficient for the whole world but

  • Only effectient for those who believe and receive eternal life by faith (the gift of God)

  • What about those who do not believe Jesus? V.17-18 – condemnation

Illustration: A fellow was given a private tour of the British Museum .... Masterpieces, sculptures, beautiful artifacts. … At end of tour the man said, “Well, I don't think much of your old pictures.”

The guide said quietly, “Sir, I would remind you that these pictures are no longer on trial, but those who look at them are.”

The fellow who thought the priceless treasures were worthless passed judgment on himself. What should have brought joy, wonder, and awe revealed his ignorance, lack of understanding, and his lack of appreciation. (William Barclay)

If one looks at Jesus and does not see the love and the blessing to his life and the deliverance from his lostness and just the beauty of the holiness of Jesus, that one's reaction confirms their condemnation.

NOTE The scripture does not say if you do not believe in Jesus you will be condemned or you will be lost. It says you will stay lost and condemned.

But Unto You God Gave His Only Begotten So that You Can Have Eternal Life in Place of Eternal Death

Responsive Reading

God The greatest Lover

so loved The greatest degree

the world The greatest company

that he gave The greatest act

His one and only The greatest gift

that whosoever The greatest opportunity

believes The greatest simplicity

in him The greatest attraction

shall not perish The greatest promise

but The greatest difference

have The greatest certainty

eternal life The greatest possession

And all God's people said, “Amen!”

(from Pastor David Jeremiah)

The Foundation of Reform - a Sure Word
2Peter 1:16-21

Peter points his audience to a standard by which to measure teacher, missions, and experiences. That standard is the Word of God. Peter had experiences to share, but the authentication of his ministry and his words was God's Spirit breathed holy scripture.

Many church folks are hoping for and praying for revival. But many times the our definition of revival is connected to feelings or experiences. Here, Peter does not express a desire to have another Mount of Transfiguration experience, instead he makes reference to that as a way of reminding listeners of the glory of Jesus, He then goes on to point to the fact that our present hope in Jesus and the hope of His coming again will be as real to us as is our confidence in Scripture as the sure revelation of God. Our lives will be as lively and our church will be as living and our evangelism will be as effective as is our faithfulness to holy scripture. Revival accompanies reform.

Let us consider what Peter would be preaching if he based his message on his experience.

HOPELESS in SIN Luke 5:2-8

• The presence of Jesus results in big catches of fish but such conviction of sin that there is no hope of fellowship or relationship.

RECEIVER OF HEALING MINISTRY Luke 4:38

• Invite Jesus into your home and your mother-in-law will not only recover from her ailments but will love your buddies and take care of them.

WALKING ON WATER Matthew 14:28

• The way to test for the presence of Jesus is to attempt to ski without skis or a boat.

CONFESSION OF CHRIST BY REVELATION OF GOD

Matthew 16:16

• Whatever you say is God inspired.

PROTECTOR OF CHRIST/ TOOL OF SATAN Matthew16:22

• You can be a bold protector of the faith … or can you?

TRANSFIGURATION Matthew 17:1-8

• God wants us to see visions of Old Testament saints

• and real Christians hear the audible voice of God

FISHING FOR TAXES Matthew 17:27

• Jesus commands us to figure our taxes and fish until we get enough to pay our taxes and our friend's taxes

DENYING JESUS Matthew 26:33-35; 74

• Jesus knows you are going to deny him so learn some worldly language and just roll with flow to protect your own tail.

However, Peter did not point to or preach his experiences. Instead he pointed people to the whole Bible, which points to Jesus as God in the flesh, virgin- born, sinless, loving sinners even in their sin but not willing to leave them there, substitutionary sacrifice, crucified Redeemer, risen Savior, resurrected Lord, seated in Glory, interceding for the saved, returning soon in victory... as told in the Old Covenant and in the New by men as they were moved (inspired to write) by God the Holy Spirit.

If your experience, your doctrine, your tradition does not line up with the “more sure word” of God then set your things aside in favor of God's Word.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2Pe 1:20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.

2Pe 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Review for the Test 2Peter 1:12-18

How precious is the Word of God to you...to us as a church? Is it a delight to us? Do we hunger for it? Does it shape you? Is the Word of God something that is critical or essential to your daily life? Do you see it as important as the latest medical news or diet fad or answer to your nations economic woes?

Is the Word of God your standard by which you evaluate life and health and success and science and politics? Or do you use all those things to evaluate the Word of God?

The apostle Simon Peter expresses his belief that the greatest use of his last days on earth would be to remind people he loves and people for whom he is responsible of the Word of God, its content and its intent.

This morning let us consider Peter's approach to his urgent task and then consider our approach in view of some hyperbolic examples of Bible characters' attitudes toward God's Word.

PETER'S APPROACH Therefore(v.12) refers back to V.4: since you have been given...since you are partakers...since you have escaped...I will be:

1. Urgent in Reminding You v.12

• “not negligent” (NKJV) “intend always” (ESV)

• “shortly” v.14

2. Kind in Evaluating You

• “though you know” v.12

• “reminding you” v.13

3. Faithful in Carrying Out the Task

• “it is right” v.13 “the putting off of my body will be soon” v.14 (ESV)

4. Creative (or at least persistent) in the Presentation

• “that you always have a reminder” v.15

• God believes in repetition – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 H. Richard Niebhur's classic Christ and Culture. “Great Christian revolutions come not by the discovery of something that was not known before. They happen when somebody takes radically something that was always there.”

YOUR APPROACH

Most here would probably say, “I believe the Word of God. I believe it is inspired, inerrant, perfect, a guide for life.” ... But does your living match your profession?

A Couple of Hyperboles

1. King Josiah 2Kings 22:1-2, 8-11

• Josiah = grandson of Manasseh (2Kings 21:2, 16)

  • son of Amon (2Kings 21:18-23)

• The Word of God had been lost v.22:8

  • lost in the inside the House of God

• Josiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord because he had a heart for God

  • despite his background

• Josiah was broken and penitent (vv.11, 19)

  • No excuses about his environment

  • No accusations – He tore his own robes, not someone else's.

• Josiah was a godly king who was moved by God's Word – though he was out of bad stock. This means that our background does not hinder God. The background of those we meet, those we pray for does not hinder God.

2. King Jehoiakim (Eliakim) 2Kings 23:34-37; Jeremiah 36

• Son of godly king, Josiah

  • Godly environment 2Kings 23:1-25

• Disregarded the Word of God Jeremiah 36:21-24

REGARD FOR GOD'S WORD

• Broken By The Word

  • Remembering and Reminding

• Burning The Word

  • In whole

  • In part – You don't have to buy an album any more. CDs are on the way out because of downloading...just choose what you really like and ignore the rest. Do we do that with God's Word – choose what we like and reject the rest?

• There is Hope for The One Who Remembers God's Word

  • Personal repentance – tearing your own robes – not someone else's.

  • Diligent obedience – v.1:5

• There is Hope for the Nation Who Remembers God's Word. May presidents and prime ministers discover the lost Word of God and at least forestall God's wrath on their nation.

Not to gain salvation (2Peter1:12), but to show the sufficiency of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Death is not the test. At death, the test has been taken. The first part of the test is – Do you trust Jesus for your salvation or do you trust yourself? The next part of the test is – do you live out the life of grace? Do you bear the true image of God? Is His Word, interpreted by His Spirit, the guide for your actions and attitudes and aspirations?