GOD'S GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS
Sermon No. 4.25
William Henry Cash Jr (1927 - 2012)
My husband William Henry Cash first preached this under the title "Results of Justification" at the First Baptist Church in Crescent, OR November 18, 1956. I have copies of 4 of his sermons that he preached on this same subject. One of them was titled "God's Christmas Tree".
PROPOSITION: THE GREATEST GIFT IS JESUS.
God's Greatest Gift is ours because He came to save us.
TEXT: ROMANS 5. 1 - 11.
5. 1 Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2. By whom also we have access
by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of
the glory of God.
[ Note: the therefore refers back to chapter 4 in which Abraham
believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. Paul here
tells us, "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed
to him, but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe in him
that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our
offences, and was raised again for our justification" (v. 22 - 25)
Chapter 5. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also,
knowing that tribulation worketh patience, v.4 and patience,
experience, and experience, hope: v.5 and hope maketh not
ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. v. 6. For when
we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly. v.7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:
yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
v.8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. v.9 Much more then,
being now justified through his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him. v.10 For if, when we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more,
being reconciled, we shall be saved by his Son. v.11 And not
only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom we have now received the atonement.
We will be celebrating Christmas tonight
and tomorrow, as it is December 24th today. The privilege of
giving and receiving gifts is all because God first loved us, and
gave to us.
The Greatest Gift is told us by Jesus Himself
when he told Nicodemus, "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." John 3.16
When God did this, He gave us FIVE GIFTS
FOR OUR CHRISTMAS -
1. THE GIFT OF PEACE. Romans 5.1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 2.13 -14 And suddenly there was with the
angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace; good will toward men.
II. THE SECOND GIFT GOD GAVE US IS HOPE.
Romans 5. 2 - 4
Read the Verses again - HOPE here is a certain
expectation of and trust in that which has been
received that we hope is in Christ Himself.
Titus 2.3 Looking for that blessed hope and
glorious appearing of the great God and
Saviour Jesus Christ.
III. The Gift of God's Love is here given.
Romans 5.5 Hope maketh not ashamed,
because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
John 3.16 is quoted at the beginning of this
message. Here we use it as the CERTAIN
PROMISE Jesus gave us all.
John 3.3 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except
a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God.
IV. The Promise of the Holy Ghost - The "one who
comes along side with us" The Holy Spirit of
God dwells within the Believer to give us the
New Life.
John 14. 16 - 18 Jesus speaking to the disciples
said "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give
you another Comforter, that he may abide with
for ever; Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world
cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither
knoweth him: but ye know him, for he dwelleth
with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you
comfortless, I will come to you."
V. Romans 5.11 The JOY that God gives us is
full and complete.
John 15. 11 "These things have I spoken unto you,
that your J O Y might remain in you, and that your
joy might be full.
"And not only so, but we also JOY in God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now
received the atonement.
