The Perfect Gift

Christmas  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Service Notes
Personal expression of thanks. Video from Church Staff / Personal Thank You
Recognition: Acknowledge guests. Refer to last week’s reflection: "There is nothing that reflects the meaning of Christmas more than a person going to a foreign land to offer hope."
Invitation: Invite to the Christmas Eve Service.
Bible Reading: John 3:16
Pastoral Prayer
For those experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one – praying for comfort.
For those who don’t yet understand the true meaning of Christmas – praying for patience.
For families changed by the Gospel – praying for courage.
For the congregation gathered around God's Word – praying for understanding.
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Sermon Introduction

Personal Story: Share about the Christmas before marriage with Stephanie; wanting to give a good gift but struggling with limited resources.
Key Point: While I could offer little of myself, I am blessed to describe the perfect gift that is available to all today.
Text Introduction:
Emphasize the simplicity yet profound significance of John 3:16.
Many quote it, but few understand its context and depth.
Focus: Examine the perfect gift – Jesus Christ.

Context of John 3

Give a summary of the Nicodemus story. The original Nick at Nite. Represents so many people you will meet in life.
Jesus now expanded His presentation to Nicodemus about the nature of the gospel.
Verse 16 Nicodemus is told of this incredible gift offered by God by the gift Himself, the Son of God.
Verse 17 shows God’s purpose in doing this. John 3:17 “17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Today’s Outline
Our Heavenly Father is the only perfect gift giver.
This is the perfect gift for imperfect people.
Jesus Christ is the only gift that will address our desperate need.
We also have precedent to speak about what God is giving as a gift. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:14–15 “14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
So do not think me novel, creative, or forcing an analogy when I speak of Jesus Christ as the perfect gift for mankind.
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I. Our Heavenly Father is the only perfect gift giver.

John 3:16 “16 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.”

A. Perfect in His motive and willingness.

What the Bible tells us is that God is the perfect giver. None of us could ever be described in that way.
God’s love is uncaused and originates within Himself unlike human giving, which often involves reciprocation or obligation.
But when God gives, his giving originates within himself. It can only be explained in terms of the nature and character of God. 1 John 4:10 “10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious.

"What you think about God is the most important thing about you," AW Tozer
Though I agree, “What does God think about us” is far more important for humanity than what I think about God. Romans 11:33–34 “33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?”

We look at God’s response to our sinfulness in the garden as we consider God’s thoughts about imperfect man?

Genesis 3:8 “8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”
Fear is understandable.
Greatest suspense in all of history.
The curse upon the serpent. v.14
God turns to Adam and Eve but first He says this. Genesis 3:15 “15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
A redeemer of this sinful situation is coming, God shows grace!

God’s thoughts of compassion and grace echo throughout the Bible.

Hear the words of Exodus 34. God is introducing Himself there, as you remember, in the mountain to Moses, and He wants Moses to know His character, and He describes Himself as compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and truth; forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.
God described in Nehemiah as we see a rebellious people. Nehemiah 9:17 “17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”
God’s gracious nature is Jonah’s whale of a problem.
What does God do with those who repent of their sins. Psalm 103:10–12 “10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
East to west.
Behind His back. Isaiah 38:17
Blot out trangression. Isaiah 43:25
Listen in on God’s thoughts toward the children of Israel while they were in captivity of their on making. Jeremiah 29:11 “11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
It leads us to ask this question. Micah 7:18 “18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”
The NT certainly continues to give testimony of how gracious of God is. . Ephesians 1:7 “7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
God loves us! God wants to to communicate this love to us. How do you know? Look at this gift He has given us!

B. Perfect in His knowledge of the needs of the recipient.

Man is not aware of his need but God certainly is.
We have ideas that are antithetical to the Christian message, which asserts humanity's inability to save itself.
If I was able to dispense grace I would not rightfully know the great need, nor would I be able to comprehend the great supply that God is offering to us all. Nor can I supply grace. SELF-CHECKOUT “Ill pay you , you pay me.”
Only God truly knows the heart of man. 1 Kings 8:39 “..for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)”

C. Perfect in His preparation and ability.

The preparation made for this gift has no rival.

I would like to name them for you, but let’s go with 13 for today.
The Messiah would be born of a woman“Seed of Woman”. Gen 3:15
He would come from the family of Abraham. Genesis 18:18
He would be heir to the throne of David. Isaiah 9:7
He would be born in Bethlehem.Micah 5:2
He would be born in a time of unusual trouble and government pressure. Daniel 9:25
He would be born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14
His ministry would take place first and primarily in Galilee. Isaiah 9:1, 2
 He would enter Jerusalem triumphantly. Zechariah 9:9
He would be betrayed by a friend. Psalm 41:9
He would be sold for thirty pieces of silver. Zechariah11:12
He would be silent when accused. Isaiah 53:9
He would be buried with the rich. Isaiah 53:9
He would be raised from the dead. Psalm 16:10

He alone is able to accomplish the mission needed for us to be saved.

We may know what someone needs. We may even desire to give someone what they need. But we may not have the resources to provide what they need, but the perfect Giver knows the need and is able to provide.
Perishing is our default status in life. John 3:18 “18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
It is good to hear this fearful news. T'was grace that taught my heart to fear
This is our only way to escape eternal seperation from God. 1 John 4:9 “9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

Review of the Perfect Gift Giver

Perfect in His Motive and Willingness: God's love is uncaused, originating from His nature.
Perfect in His Knowledge: God knows the depths of human need and offers the perfect solution.
Perfect in His Preparation and Ability: Unlike us, God is fully able to meet the needs He sees.
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II. This is the perfect gift for imperfect people.

John 3:16 “16 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.”
There is the idea of the “perfect gift for the perfect person.”

A. We all have or had misconceptions of our worthiness.

We have even created a fictional character who rewards with gifts because why? We have been good and not naughty. / That is why my kids will hear. Yes, I bought these. No not because you are good but because I am gracious.
We even try to read it into this verse. We love the idea that God “sooooo” love the world, because we are so loveable.
It wasn’t our worth that brought Jesus down; rather his coming down brought us our worth.
Understanding oneself as an “imperfect recipient” is key to grasping the depth of God’s gift.
Paul’s words in Romans 5:6 “6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

B. The message of Christmas is the world, human life is a dark place.

In the Bible the world is depicted as a place of deep darkness and hopelessness.
We are those who walk in darkness. Isaiah 9:2 “2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
We are not just in the darkness but we are part of the darkness.
Humanity is described as unworthy and undeserving. Philippians 3:18–19 “18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
Recipients are those who “should perish” but are instead offered eternal life.
Darkness is why the most pressing questions for mankind are not..
Will we ever travel to Mars.
Will we ever solve the problems of world hunger
Will we ever have world peace.
Problems we all know and feel are even more basic and fundamental.
1. What the purpose of life is?
2. How human beings got into the mess that they're in?
3. How we can get out of it?
The more you look for solutions, and the more you think about it, the darker it gets
People run off to the mystics, they run off to the politicians, they run off to the therapists, they run off to all these people trying to get meaning in life, but there is no light.
Examples include cultural messages like "we are the world" or sentiments of creating peace and harmony through human effort.
In the 1985 Live Aid concert when you had all those famous musical personalities up there singing, we are the world, we are the children, we are the ones to bring a better world, so let's start giving, Bob Dylan looked very uncomfortable. He was up there. And afterwards, afterwards there was a press conference and he explained why he felt so uncomfortable and he said “flatly I felt uncomfortable singing that song because humankind cannot save itself.”
The message of Christmas is this, that unless God has sent his son into the world, unless God has revealed himself through the son that he sent into the world, there is no hope for the world.

C. Celebrating Christmas without a relationship without Jesus is unreasonable.

The Importance of Knowing God Personally
Without a personal relationship with God, Christmas loses its true meaning.
Confidence in the reality of Christmas is essential: knowing that God truly sent His Son to live and die for us.
The Consequence of Doubt
If you don't believe Christmas actually happened, it's difficult to understand its significance.
Without belief in the reality of Jesus' birth, life, and sacrifice, Christmas becomes a hollow celebration.
The Problem with Shallow Interpretations
Simply holding hands and hoping things will be okay doesn’t address the true message of Christmas.
You can't do that. And here's why. Christmas won't let you do that.
It says the world is dark. Human life is a dark place. That's where the comfort is if God has actually done what Christmas has always said he'd done.
Apart from that, everyone must admit like Bob Dylan that there is “no hope to save ourselves.” There is no light. Don't you see?
Unless Christmas is true, there is no light at all and there's no comfort.
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III. Jesus Christ is the perfect gift because He will save us from our sins.

John 3:16 “16 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.”

A. We think we know what we need.

We have all received gifts that we did not want or need.
Have you ever had a gift you thought you just desperately needed?
Greg gave me a gift of a sink vacuum for when I shave. Not sure if I want it or need it.
Paul observed that Greeks sought wisdom, while Jews sought leadership.
The Greek Perspective: Focused on intellect and education. Believed salvation would come through a great mind presenting a revolutionary idea. Sought enlightenment to solve philosophical and societal problems. 1 Corinthians 1:22“22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:”
The Jewish Perspective: Focused on politics and leadership. Believed a strong leader was needed to rally people and overthrow oppression.
Today people continue to search outside of themselves for answers.

B. This perfect gift addresses our need and because of this some of you will not receive it.

The word “for” gives the reason for God giving eternal life referenced in verse 15. John 3:15 “15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Having made a statement about death, Jesus picked up this idea in this verse to show how God executed His saving plan around the death of Christ.
John 3:16 answers the question “How is it that that God offers us eternal life?”
This gift is so wonderfully beautiful some of you will not be able to handle it, but to receive it you must acknowledge you are not the main character in the story of the universe, that your beauty pails in comparison to what is being offered.

C. Jesus is not part of the your Christmas story, Christmas is part of the Jesus story!

Pulpit says “Sir, we would see Jesus.” — meaning we want to see Jesus.
Since the beginning of time this world awaited redemption
We need light to dispel darkness.
We need a Hero to rescue us.
We need a Redeemer to save us.
Isaiah 9:4–5“4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.”
We should rejoice as those who were ready to receive a harvest! 9:3
A complete and joyous triumph, as seen in Gideon’s victory over Midian (Judges 7).
Jesus breaks the yoke of burdens and brings ultimate victory over enemies.
This gift of redemption came wrapped in a manger
The Gift of a Savior Isaiah 9:6 “6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
The Gift’s Purpose Matthew 1:21 “21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

The perfect Gift made all the difference in the world.

People tell those who are expecting. A baby will change everything.
He descended that we might ascend.
He became poor that we might become rich.
He was born that we might be born again.
He became a servant that we might become sons.
He had no home that we might have a home in heaven.
He was hungry that we might be fed.
He was thirsty that we might be satisfied.
He was stripped that we might be clothed.
He was forsaken that we might not be forsaken.
He was sad that we might become glad.
He was bound that we might go free.
He was made sin that we might be made righteous.
He died that we might live.
He came down that we might be caught up.

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Conclusion

Believer
Christmas is a message of hope. And that means if you believe in Christmas, you will find that people around you get hope when they're around you. And I want to know if that's happening.
Little children as they learn the joy of giving like to be the one to give the gift or tell the story. My that be heart today. We have received the perfect gift. Shouldn’t we ask, “Can I tell them?” “Who doesn’t yet know, let me tell them.”

Unbelievers

Faith goes beyond intellectual acknowledgment to personal trust and acceptance.
The image of a gift held out: It must be received, not merely observed.God offers salvation; it’s up to individuals to accept.
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