GOD’S GREATEST GIFT TO YOU
SERMON BY PASTOR MARK TAYLOR
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given."—Isaiah 9:6.
As Jesus Christ was a child in his human nature, he was born, begotten of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary. He was as truly-born, as a child, as any other man that ever lived upon the face of the earth. He is thus in his humanity a child born. But as Jesus Christ is God's Son, he is not born; but given, begotten of His Father from before all worlds, begotten—not made, being of the same substance with the Father. The doctrine of this eternal relationship of Christ is to be received as an undoubted truth of our holy faith.
If unto me a child is born then I have been born again; and, moreover, I am now in consequence of that new birth, a child of God. If, again, a Son has been given to me, then I am a son; and again I am given to that Son who is given to me.
Now, if this Son is given to you, you are a son/daughter yourself. "For unto as many as received him to them gave he power to become the children of God." (John 1:12). "Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17). The Son of God is not mine to enjoy, to love, to delight in, unless I am a son of God too. Does the Holy Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are born of God?
If Christ is not my Christ, He is of little worth to me. If I cannot say He loved me and gave Himself for me, of what value is His birth, death and resurrection to me? Bread in the store is well enough, but if I am hungry and cannot get it, I will starve though the stores are full. Water in the river is well enough but if I am in a desert and cannot reach the stream or if I can hear it in the distance and cannot find it, I will die of thirst.
There may be some to whom it is a matter of uncertainty as to whether Christ is theirs or not. Do not go through this Christmas season without knowing assuredly that Christ is yours, and that you are Christ's.
If the Son is given to me, why should not I be sure of it? If the child is born to me, why should I not know it for a certainty, that I may even now live in the enjoyment of my privilege—a privilege, the value of which I shall never know to the full, till I arrive in glory? “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6.
Let us examine what it means to be become a son/daughter of God and to receive this great gift of God’s Son to us.
Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18: 3-4).
Many of us have heard the invitation to come to Christ and have given our hearts to the Savior. We have read and heard the verse Jesus said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). We know that before a child is born into the world he has eyes, but cannot see, he has ears but cannot hear. Before he/she is born they cannot breathe. It is only after their birth that they now are capable of hearing and seeing. When we are “born again” we receive our spiritual eyes and ears. “The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:14).
When we are “born again” God breathes into our soul a spiritual life. It is that great change which God works in the soul when he brings it into life. When we are “born again”, our spiritual life begins. There are similarities between our natural birth and growth and our spiritual birth and growth.
When we have received this “Son” which was “Born unto us”, and “given unto us”, we have become a child of God. This is our “spiritual birth”. God has made this a simple process. It is something He does in us and not something we can do.
Today, you can receive this wonderful gift of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have not already received Him as your personal Savior, this will be the best and most lasting Christmas present you will ever receive. If you have received God’s Son, share this message of love with someone else you want to see in Heaven with you.
This gift is free to anyone who will ask God for forgiveness of their sins and ask the Lord Jesus to come into their hearts and save them.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
You say, “Surely, it cannot be that simple.” Yes, that simple! It is scriptural. It is God’s plan. My friend, believe on Jesus and receive Him as Savior today.
In Luke 18:13, the sinner prayed: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Just pray: “Oh God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross. I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection were for me. I now receive Him as my Savior. I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life, because of Your merciful grace. Amen.”
