2. The story of a gift (that doesn’t involve my family!)

3. The Christmas Gift The Best Time for the Gift The Giver The Receiver The Gift

4. Matthew 2:1-15

5. 1. The people were terrified for two reasons: They feared the chain of events that Herod would set in motion when the gift of Christ arrived. They feared the unknown future and the changes that the gift of Christ would bring. – Some gifts required assembly. – The gift of Christ requires “re-assembly”.

6. The gift of Christ requires “reassembly”. The Jewish people realized that The Messiah (Jesus Christ) would require them to “reassemble” their personal lives. Many of those who had the most to lose wanted things to stay the same.

7. 1. The people were terrified for two reasons: They feared the chain of events that Herod would set in motion when the gift of Christ arrived. They feared the unknown future and changes that the gift of Christ would bring. – Some gifts required assembly. – The gift of Christ requires “reassembly”. – Many people of the day simply feared change.

8. Many people of the day simply feared change.

9. Many people of the day simply feared change. The same is true today! Reverend Dale Galloway The seven words of a dying church… Reverend Maxie Dunnam Some people would rather live in a predictable hell, than face the joys and blessings of the unpredictable.

10. 1. The people were terrified for two reasons. 2. Receiving the gift of Christ always requires a (future) cost.

11. Salvation is a free gift, but discipleship is a costly pursuit.

12. 1. The people were terrified for two reasons. 2. Receiving the gift of Christ always requires a (future) cost. 3. But if we are willing to pay the cost...

13. Salvation is a free gift, but discipleship is a costly pursuit. (But oh is it worth it!)

14. The Cost Equation Obedience + Sacrifice

15. The Cost Equation Obedience + Sacrifice = Blessings And even more gifts!

16. 1. The people were terrified for two reasons. 2. Receiving the gift of Christ always requires a (future) cost. 3. But if we are willing to pay the cost...

17. 1. The people were terrified for two reasons: 2. Receiving the gift of Christ always requires a (future) cost. 3. But if we are willing to pay the cost, then blessings abound!

18. I Corinthians 2:9 "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

19. You deserve the gift of Christ. You deserve the gifts of Christ.

20. For something to be a gift 3 things are needed: A giver A gift A receiver

21. For something to be a gift 3 things are needed: A giver(God) A gift (Jesus Christ) A receiver (Us)

22. What you are is God's gift to you, what you become is your gift to God. Hans Urs von Balthasar

23. For something to be a gift 3 things are needed: A giver(God) Us A gift (Jesus Christ) What we do for God A receiver (Us) God

24. 1. The people were terrified for two reasons. 2. Receiving the gift of Christ always requires a (future) cost. 3. But if we are willing to pay the cost, then blessings abound! 4. And we are given the opportunity, the honor, and the privilege to give back to God!

25. Our First Fruits Offering