We looked this morning at the four greatest gifts we can give. Tonight, we want to look at God’s Christmas Present. Our best Christmas gift is the one we got from God.
History is God’s love story in four acts:
1. The first act: He created us to love us. God created us in His image so that we could relate to him and love him.
2. The second act was a tragedy--We walked away from his love. Sin entered the picture and separated us from God. Indeed, it is easy to try to fill the void of His love with sin and power.
3. The third act: God sent Jesus to woo us back. Consider the angelic proclamation: Tidings—news!!!. Joy—It’s good news. Universal—and everyone needs to hear it. What is that good news?
Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” God sent his son to earth, so that he could show us the way back home.
4. The fourth act is still being written by us: We have the choice to accept or reject Him. Have you opened God’s present yet? Like an unopened present under the tree, God’s gift will do us no good unless follow through. It is so simple. The Bible tells us that if we confess with our mouth that we need Christ to save us, and if we believe in our heart in the salvation he offers, we will be saved. If you are here tonight and you’ve never opened that present, I am going to give you that opportunity in a minute or two.
a. There are some here this evening who have opened that gift, but have wandered way from God’s love again. And you wonder tonight if God’s mad at you, and if you’re still welcome at his home. I’m here to tell you tonight that God is waiting for you to come home. He is so in love with you. All you need to do is ask him to, and he’ll wash away all of the sin and garbage that is holding you back.
Tonight, as we close this portion of the service, I want to open this alter. If you need to accept Christ, you can come and pray. Someone will come and pray with you. If you’ve walked away from Him, you can come home and let him wrap his arms of love around you. And there are some here tonight that have such a burden on their heart for a lost loved one. As we close tonight, I’d invite you to come and lift that person in prayer, and ask God to help them find His present for them. As we sing this song, won’t you come?
