From Heaven Above - Living Waters

From Heaven Above

Ask any child what they like about Christmas and they’ll say; “The presents!” We might be tempted to shake our head at this response, but if you think about it, Christmas is all about giving–as we read in John’s Gospel; “For God so loved the world, He gave his only Son…” Christmas is all about God’s great love for us shown most fully in the gift of Jesus. In fact, the best gift we’ve ever received was found not under a tree, but in a feeding trough; not wrapped in expensive paper, ribbons and bows, but in bands of cloth–as the angel announces in Luke 2:12; “You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger.”

The gift of Jesus is a gift we don’t buy, nor earn–it’s a gift of God’s love and grace freely given to anyone who would receive it. It’s a gift that keeps on giving! It’s a gift for our past, present, and future because through it we receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

James 1:17 reads; “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of the heavenly lights…” The child of Bethlehem, who is Himself a gift, comes to us bearing gifts in His hand–good and perfect gifts–and through faith in Jesus’ name, we receive the gifts of hope, love, peace, life, joy, and glory. The cradle and the cross go together–and these gifts are guaranteed to us through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They are gifts we need! They are gifts the world needs!

Over the next few weeks we are going to be unwrapping each of these gifts from heaven above, to help us focus on the real gift of Christmas and everything that God has given us in Jesus. In do so, may we all echo the words of the Apostle Paul this Christmas morning; “Thanks be to God, for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

SERMONS

Sermon: The Gift of Hope

Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering

Date Preached: Sunday, November 27, 2016 ~ Advent Sunday

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Handout: hope