What is one thing Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, and Tom Brady all have in common? They all had a coach. Think about that. The GOATs (greatest of all time) all needed someone else to help them. Who has and is God putting in your life to help coach you so that your gifts can grow?
Joy to the World! The Lord is Come! The story of Jesus' Birth from Luke 2:1-20
Most of the times when we GO, it means saying goodbye and acknowledging, "I won't see you again until..." Once our Christmas celebrations are over, we of our separate ways, and return to our normal routine. For many, it means returning to a life of isolation and loneliness. In the journey of life, Jesus does not promise, "I'll see you soon." Instead, He promises a real present, His real presence, "to the end of the age."
Since God has given us as a gift and wrapped our gifts in the needs of others, the natural conclusion is that we are to use our gifts together. Not to strut our stuff but to expand the Kingdom of God.
What is your favorite food to have around Christmas? What scent reminds you of Christmas? What if you could experience the Christmas feels more than just a few days of the year? The Lord Jesus does not intend for you to know His presence only during certain times of the year. He intends for you to know His presence and receive His forgiveness, "as often as you eat of this bread and drink of this cup."
What are your Myers-Briggs letters? What number enneagram are you? Are you a lion, otter, golden retriever, or beaver? With so many personality assessments out there, why are we so unsure of our gifts? Perhaps our problem is found in where we are looking. All personality assessments look internally. God invites us to discover our gifts not by looking at ourselves but by looking to the needs of others. That is, our gifts are often wrapped in the needs of others.
Jesus Christ gives in ways the world does not. The world offers peace for a moment, but Jesus gives the gift of peace that lasts for eternity. His peace is greater than your circumstances. His peace meets you in the here and now. His peace promises to never leave you nor forsake you.
Every gift has a back story. The gift giver has a relationship with you and understands your likes and dislikes. They spend time searching for the perfect gift that perfectly fits you. In many ways, the gift you receive says a lot about the relationship the gift giver has with you. As we begin this sermon series, let us begin by first considering the gift giver. The one who knows you deeply. The one who knows what you really need – new life in Him. The gift of new life is given to you by grace, and in another act of pure grace, the Lord turns and gives YOU as a gift to others.
There is an elephant in the room. That elephant, as some have said, is god being described from a blind person’s perspective. That is, many argue that all religions are describing god (the elephant) from their perspective. While this has become a popular way to explain religious differences, there’s only one problem – the real elephant in the room who declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Isn’t the Church just full of hypocrites? Yes, and there’s always room for one more. This saying is true, “The Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners.”