John Lloyd - Greatest Gift Ever Given
/Greatest Gift Ever Given
To God be the Glory Plan
Selected Scriptures
December 16, 2018
Gift giving and receiving is a fun experience. Gifts are valuable especially when there is great thought behind them, otherwise, they’re just gifts. Gifts must be received, opened and used to fulfill the purpose of the gift giver. This Christmas, it is our prayer that you would receive the greatest gift ever given and understand in a refreshed way, the great thought behind it.
Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human
form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Big Idea: Great gifts must be received, opened and applied.
I. Great gifts are generated by great ______________.
Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
· Gifts can be broken, unused and not _______________________.
Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Isaiah 53: 6b All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; (Isaiah 59:2)
You see our problem is not just that we live in a broken world and that its brokenness enters our doors; beneath that reality is a much deeper problem. We have a glory problem. We have preferred living for ourselves over living for something and someone bigger than ourselves. Paul Tripp
Isaiah 59:2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. (Luke 19:10)
A. Receive God’s great gift of His ______________ with your struggles.
Philippians 2:7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Matthew 10:30)
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs …
B. Receive the gift of ____________________ by turning to God from living independent of Him.
Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Acts 13:38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. (Acts 14:15)
II. Open the gift of ______________________ God and His purpose.
Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Acts 1:8,
Ephesians 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
John 17:4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
III. Use your gifts for the ____________ of God.
Philippians 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Perhaps in ways we are not conscious of, we have shrunk our lives down to the size of our own glory. Maybe it’s true, that somehow, someway sin makes us glory thieves. We put ourselves in God’s place. Perhaps life really is one big unending glory battle. It’s because we would never, ever win this battle on our own unless Jesus came. Paul Tripp
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (2 Timothy 2:10, I Peter 4:10 -11, Rev.5:12).
I Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
To God be the Glory Plan: 1. Receive the gift of Jesus in my soul. 2. Turn me from “me focus” to God focus. 3. Use God’s gifts for His glory. 4. Commit to a specific action this week to glorify God and share it with someone else.
Spiritual Growth Questions for December 16, 2018
Opener: What is the greatest gift you have ever received?
1. Read Philippians 2:5-11. Describe in your own words what is happening here. Why is this passage so significant as we celebrate the birth of our Savior?
2. Read Matthew 1:21-23. What gifts do you see given by God to the world through the birth, life and death of Jesus? Which one stands out to you this season?
3. What makes the Christmas season exciting or difficult for you? Invite a friend to be your prayer partner this Christmas.
4. Read Hebrews 4:15-16. What gifts do you see in this passage? How can they help you this Christmas season?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. What things are gifts in this passage that really do not look like gifts? How can this help you navigate through the Christmas season?
6. Describe a time when something valuable was taken from you? List some of the thoughts or feelings you experienced. Discuss the principle of how God must feel when we steal the glory from Him.
7. Read I Corinthians 10:31. What specific actions can you do to make sure this Christmas time brings glory to our Savior? Commit to another person your “to God be the glory” plan.
Spend time in prayer for yourself and another. Pray for God’s strength and favor to implement “to God be the glory plan.”
Memory Verse: I Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.