The Gift of Christmas 2017
The Right Gift for All People
December 24, 2017 • Collin Monger
Finding the right gift for people can be difficult because everyone is unique. Fortunately, Jesus is the right gift for every person. • The gift is from God: Every perfect gift comes from God; Jesus came to bring us into relationship with the Father. • The gift is addressed to the shepherds: God chose to tell the lowly shepherds first. He wants everyone to hear about Jesus, the affluent and impoverished alike. • The gift is for everyone: We may not know everything about God but we have a heavenly calling to share what God has done, and is doing, in our lives. (Verses cited: John 3:16; Acts 10:34-35; Revelation 14:6-9; James 1:17; Job 33:13-16; 1 Kings 19:11-13; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; John 1:12; 2 Peter 3:9; Psalm 145:18; 1 Peter 3:15; Mark 16:15)
The Right Gift Given the Right Way
December 17, 2017 • Collin Monger
The presentation of a gift says volumes about the giver; Jesus’ arrival demonstrated God’s compassionate nature with practical implications for every believer. • The gift was wrapped simply: When God selected Mary to give birth to Jesus he demonstrated His desire to use simple, willing, people to display His glory. • The gift was meaningful personally: Jesus’ incarnation establishes a unique and personal relationship with every individual. • The gift has an affect practically: Receiving Jesus involves a transformation, believers should not look like unbelievers. • The gift is a blessing eternally: Jesus’ birth established an eternal kingdom. We now have hope in an eternal, secure future.
The Right Gift at the Right Time
December 10, 2017 • Collin Monger
Jesus Christ was the perfect Christmas gift and He came at a perfect time. • The Right Time Nationally: The Israelites faced 900 years of oppression before Jesus came. They were eager for deliverance. • The Right Time Spiritually: The Israelites were beaten down spiritually. Living under the law left them exhausted and ready for spiritual relief. • The Right Time Culturally: At Jesus’ birth, most of the world spoke Greek as either a primary or secondary language leading to a massive spread of the Gospel. • The Right Time Internationally: The Romans built 250,000 miles of roads making it easier to share the Gospel throughout the Roman empire. • The Right Time Divinely: We know Jesus came at the perfect time because He came according to God’s divine plan and will. (Verses cited: Galatians 4:4-5; Exodus 16:3-4; James 1:17; Romans 5:6; Mark 1:15; Romans 3:23; Luke 18:10-11; Genesis 11:1,8-9; Acts 21:37; Matthew 2:13; Exodus 3:5)