Jesus – Our Greatest Gift

Through this advent season, we were blessed to hear

• A message of grace from Auntie Carol

• A message of the Holy Spirit from Jodi

• And a message of our identity in Christ - in God’s eyes - which is closely tied to and anchored in the Holy Spirit

This week, Harrison Briner brought us a message about Salvation, and Salvation comes from our faith in the greatest gift – Jesus Christ.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ~ Mark 16:16

Faith in Christ = 1

Our Own Deeds = 0

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. ~ John 3:16-17

Faith in Christ = 2

Our Own Deeds = 0

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

Faith in Christ = 3

Our Own Deeds = 0

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” ~ John 11:25-26

Faith in Christ = 4

Our Own Deeds = 0

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ~ Acts 16:31

Faith in Christ = 5

Our Own Deeds = 0

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9-13

Faith in Christ = 6

Our Own Deeds = 0

None of this is possible without the scriptures being fulfilled through the miraculous virgin birth on that first Christmas day.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ~ Luke 2:7

And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. ~ Luke 2:21

The Word becomes flesh.

Our hope, Salvation, and power came in the form of a child.

Jesus was not raised as the King that He really is, rather as the servant that He wants us to be – ministering to the least of society – being a servant to all.

He came, lived among us, and taught us how to love, honor, and serve the least.

As an adult, He became the ultimate atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15:13

We don’t need to be martyred to be effective in sharing Christ to grow the Kingdom of Heaven – just willing to step out of our comfort zone… Like Peter in the boat, but we can often feel undeserving and under-qualified.

There were two people who ever walked on water – and one of these two denied the other three times. Not every moment will be a win. We are not immune to the human condition of sin and failure.

• Peter denied Jesus.

• David was an adulterer and murderer.

• Noah got drunk.

• Thomas doubted.

• Before Saul was Paul, he mass-murdered Christians.

If He could used them – He can use you too.

You don’t need to be eloquent or have gone through seminary to make Heaven crowded. Most of the apostles were seen as uneducated, common men.

• Gideon was insecure.

• Moses had a stutter.

We are all saved by grace alone – not of our successes, but of His shed blood.

It is said, this time of year, it is better to give than receive. Jesus is the greatest gift. Let’s wrap this gift up; step out of our comfort zones; put a big, bold bow on it; and deliver this awesome gift to every person that we meet.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Let us be bold and tell the world the good news of Jesus. Let us be bold the way our brother Paul says…

And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. ~ Ephesians 6:19-20

Let’s take this gift and boldly be ready to let everyone know there is only 1 way to Heaven.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ~ John 14:6

Wrap this gift up with your best nervous smile and deliver Jesus into someone’s life today.