"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (Jn.3:16)
As we enter the Christmas season, everyone s mind is turned toward giving and receiving gifts. What is the greatest gift you have ever received? The Bible tells how the Queen of Sheba gave King Solomon over six million dollars worth of gold, plus many precious stones, sheep, and catUe (see 1 Kings 10). That was indeed a great gift. But, there is another gift that we are told about in the Bible that is much greater than all this. It is the giving of an only son to be abused and eventually crucified on a cross in order that the world might be saved. The name of this gift is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
1. THE CAUSE OF THE GIFT
"For God so loved." It was the love of God that moved Him to sacrifice His only Son for sinful mankind. It is inexplalnable how that a holy God could so love sinful creatures that He would sacrifice His only Son to pay for our sins in order that we might be saved, but He did! He did this for you: He did this for me. Jesus Is your gift from God. Have you received your gift? If not, do it now.
2. THE CONSEQUENCES OF REFUSING THE GIFT
Verse 18 tells us, "He that believeth not is condemned already." It is humiliating to offer someone a gift and have them reject the gift. This Is what happens when people neglect, ignore, or reject Jesus Christ for their salvation. What a tragedy that anyone would reject the greatest gift ever given. If you have never received God s gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, do so now. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, rejoice in Him and tell someone else about God s great gift.
3. THE CONQUEST OF BELIEVERS
Sin entered the human bloodstream through Adam and Eve. Death entered through sin, and "so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12). The only way that sin and death can be conquered is by the sinless blood of Jesus, God s Son. He Is God sin offerIng for you and me. Sin cannot reign over those who are in Jesus.
SERMON BY BILLY BRYANT
MARION, NC- USA
Somente use Bíblias traduzidas do Texto Tradicional (aquele perfeitamente preservado por Deus em ininterrupto uso por fieis): BKJ-1611 ou LTT (Bíblia Literal do Texto Tradicional, com notas para estudo) na bvloja.com.br. Ou ACF, da SBTB.