Sunday Morning Podcast December 22, 2019. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: LUKE 2:8-18
8 An there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Unwrapping The Best Gift! Sometimes there’s an expectation, or you’re so excited when you have a package, that you’re not quite sure, but that it might contain what you have hoped for! Remember as a child, when you might have gotten a special gift wrapped up? What joy! The Gift of Jesus, also, …we receive with great joy! A gift received from God Himself! One given throughout time. Given until time stops! Jesus entered at a “certain time,” and yet still keeps giving the gift of Himself today! A gift of joy…to the receiver! What joy that Great Gift, God gives us! Not something that falls apart, but is for everlasting! You potentially have a memory of a wonderful and perhaps beautiful gift you received, but as time went on, likely it faded, and fell apart. The gift you loved and treasured the most. Jesus is a gift that will never fade away and fall apart! But He must be loved above all, and first. If you love your child, or children more than anything else, then your Savior cannot take second place. Any replacement to Jesus, cannot help us, or we cannot give our children what they really need from our love, if God is not first! Only through loving our Savior first, keeping Him first, can help us love our child with all that is possible within us. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. When you really have the greatest gift (Jesus Christ) in your heart, you want to share it’s goodness, with all around you! This is what happens in Salvation! It is the design of God that we will want to share it with others! To share our redeemed self, the greatest gift, with others! Powerful!! Savior to the nations! Saved from all your enemies!
The gift of Salvation. He won’t force it on you. He won’t force you to change to receive it. He will save your heart, when you are willing. God becomes our personal Savior when you realize you are bound by Satan, so then you can realize the gift of Salvation can free you. So you no longer are imprisoned by the devil! This is that time, when Christ becomes your personal Savior! Before Christ, you used to be difficult to get along with. Until Jesus became your personal Savior. When God answered the cry of your heart for Salvation. Christ then became your Savior, the Messiah, the King of Kings! It will take humility to acknowledge your condition and need. Jesus set the example, as the King of Kings, choosing to become also a man of flesh, to be born in a humble manger. Today people are still looking for something else. A mystery to many. God doesn’t speak loudly, but instead in a still small voice. “I am God!” Your Savior! Many were and are expecting a more fleshly exaltation and not an everlasting spiritual gift. If you are expecting Christ, and you receive Him, you won’t be able to contain the joy! He’s a problem solver, our hope, our Savior from sin, our Lord, and Messiah!
Unwrapping The Best Gift! Merry Christmas!