Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Dec. 16, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
A GIFT FOR JESUS
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-11
Text: Matthew 2:11
Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Introduction: The Bible does not say that these men were kings, nor that there were three of them, but it is possible that they were. The Bible does say, though, that they 1. PURSUED the Lord Jesus Christ
2. PROSTRATED themselves before Him (not Mary) and
3. PRESENTED Him gifts
These gifts were valuable. Gold is familiar to everyone. Frankincense and myrrh were two substances from trees, used as perfume.
Song of Solomon 3:6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
At this season of gift-giving, I want us to think about what we can do for our Lord and Savior. What can we possibly give HIM? All the silver and gold is His. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.
Now don’t be mistaken. You are NOT SAVED by giving things to the Lord. Sometimes people hear an evangelist plead with people to give their lives to the Lord or to give their hearts to the Lord. However, the Bible doesn’t teach that. You get saved by RECEIVING something FROM the Lord. You receive His SON. You receive ETERNAL LIFE. You don’t give Him anything in order to be saved.
However, for those of you who are already saved, think about this. If you do give presents at this time of the year, let me ask you: Is the Lord on your gift list? What do you plan to give to Him? Besides the fact that we can give to Him by giving to His church or by giving to His children, let me offer some simple suggestions:
I. WE CAN GIVE HIM OUR COMMITMENT
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
A. We can commit our souls to Him in salvation
B. We can commit our service to Him
II. WE CAN GIVE HIM OUR CONVERSATION
Titus 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
A. Talk TO Him
B. Talk ABOUT Him
C. Talk FOR Him
- To the saved – to edify
- To the lost – to evangelize
- To ALL – to EXALT HIM
III. WE CAN GIVE HIM OUR CLOTHES
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
A. They should be appropriate
B. They should be attractive for HIM
IV. WE CAN GIVE HIM OUR CLOSET
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
A. We need time to think about the Lord
- Bible reading
- Meditation
B. We need time to talk to the Lord
V. WE CAN GIVE HIM OUR CHILDREN
1 Samuel 1:27-28 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
Why did God so richly bless Abraham? Answer:
Genesis 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
A. Lead them to salvation in Christ
B. Lead them to service for Him
C. Lead them to satisfaction through Him
VI. WE CAN GIVE HIM OUR CARES
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
A. Take our cares to Him
B. Tell them to Him
C. Trust Him to take care of them
D. Thank Him
- For the answer to prayer
- In advance
- Afterward
VII. WE CAN GIVE HIM OUR CHOICES
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.