The Gift of Christmas A Special Christmas Message John 3:16 December 22, 2013 Pastor Paul K. Kim

COMMON PITFALLS OF MISSING THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS DISTRACTION by Trivial Gifts: “Ooh, I want ‘this’ and ‘that’ for Christmas!” INDIFFERENCE to the Gift: “I don’t need a savior if the gift means that.” MISUNDERSTANDING about the Gift: “I will do my best on being good first to get the gift.” NEGLECT of the Gift: “I received the gift a while ago, but I have been too busy to enjoy the gift lately.”

WHY IS THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS SO VALUABLE TO ALL OF US? 1)The Gift of Christmas is given by God freely. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9  It is GOD who gave us the Gift of Christmas—his only Son— and he gives us the gift freely by grace.  “By Grace” means that no one deserves or has a merit or can earn the gift; God offers us the gift freely on his own will.  Hence, we must NOT ignore God’s gift nor try to earn the gift—only receive it with empty hands of childlike faith.

WHY IS THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS SO VALUABLE TO ALL OF US? 2)The Gift of Christmas is given out of God’s sacrificial love for sinners. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8  God gave his only Son so that he would die for our sins—that the way of salvation would be available in Jesus his only Son.  Why? It is all because God so LOVED us sacrificially by giving his only Son as ransom for many.  Hence, we must respond to God’s sacrificial love with utter humility, eternal gratitude, and unending praise.

WHY IS THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS SO VALUABLE TO ALL OF US? 3)The Gift of Christmas has the power to forgive sins and give us for eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24  The ultimate benefit of God’s gift is eternal life in his Son through redemption by his perfect life, suffering and death.  “Eternal life” means not existing forever but living eternally with God in adoration and enjoyment of his glory.  Hence, we must to see and value God’s gift now and forever.

WHY IS THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS SO VALUABLE TO ALL OF US? 4)The Gift of Christmas is given to the whole world—“whoever” believes in Jesus. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15  God’s offer of this amazing gift has no boundary; it is for ALL people—sinners from bad to worst—who need a Savior.  God’s gift is freely available for all, but we must receive the gift of eternal life by believing in/receiving Jesus his only Son.  Hence, each of us must look to Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Look to Jesus! I saw at once the way of salvation... Like as when the brazen serpent was lifted up, the people only looked and were healed, so it was with me. I had been waiting to do fifty things, but when I heard that word, ''Look!'' what a charming word it seemed to me! Oh! I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away. There and then the cloud was gone, the darkness had rolled away, and that moment I saw the sun... If I understand the gospel, it is this: I deserve to be lost for ever; the only reason why I should not be damned is that Christ was punished in my stead, and there is no need to execute a sentence twice for sin... By looking to Him, I received all the faith which inspired me with confidence in His grace; and the word that first drew my soul—''Look unto Me”-—still rings its clarion note in my ears. There I once found conversion, and there I shall ever find refreshing and renewal. ― Charles H. Spurgeon

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways do you realize now that the True Gift of Christmas is God’s only Son, Jesus Christ? 2.How will you respond to God’s love and grace for you in giving his only Son as you celebrate Christmas this week? 3.What would it mean for you to look to Jesus by committing or recommitting yourself to Christ through faith? What is your first step?