David [00:00:01]:
The last three weeks, we’ve been talking about five things to be grateful for during this season of giving, which always comes the last two months of each year. We are fully into celebrating our season of giving. Over the last three weeks, we’ve talked about being grateful for God’s love, being grateful for God’s provision, and being grateful for God’s faithfulness and his promises to us. Three days ago, we were celebrating Thanksgiving Day together with close friends. Kanye and I had the privilege and honor of doing that. And then we were able to go to our daughter and son in law’s home and spend time with our grandkids that weekend.
David [00:00:56]:
And we’re very, very grateful for this weekend that we’ve had with them. Now here we are the last Sunday of November and we’re fully focused on Christmas and all that means. And if you’re like my wife and my daughters, you started preparing over a month ago. The trees, the decorations, the lights inside, the lights outside, all the stuff. And last but not least, my favorite part, the gifts under the tree. The fourth way we show gratefulness and celebrate this season of giving is by the giving of gifts. The giving of gifts holds significant value in scripture and across the world. And here are some of the primary reasons why it’s considered meaningful.
David [00:01:52]:
Number one. A giving of a gift is an expression of love and appreciation. An expression of love and appreciation. Gifts are a way to show to someone else that they’re valued and appreciated in many relationships, whether it’s family, friendships or our community. Giving a gift is a tangible expression of gratitude that can often be hard to put into words. So we express it by giving something to someone. The second way we celebrate this season of giving through the giving of gifts is the second thing it does is it strengthens bonds between two people. Giving gifts reinforces connections between one another.
David [00:02:50]:
It is an action that builds trust and strengthens relationships. It’s an expression of thoughtfulness, care and the willingness to invest in the happiness of someone else. The third way is the benefit of the giving of gifts. And we celebrate this. This time of year is it’s celebrating traditions. Giving gifts is a part of many important celebrations and holidays. These include birthdays, weddings, baby showers, Christmas graduations, and other accomplishments people achieve throughout their life. These traditions bring people together, helping them bond and share in each other’s joy.
David [00:03:40]:
Now, the fourth expression that comes through with giving of gifts is it creates happiness and positive emotions. The act of giving a gift has been shown to trigger feelings of joy not only in the person receiving it, but also in the giver. Studies show that acts of generosity activate areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust, often enhancing the giver’s own well being. This speaks to why Paul said in Acts 20:35 to remember what Jesus said. It is more blessed to give than than receive. God has wired us to be blessed by giving and enjoy giving immensely. The fifth expression of giving of gifts and the thing that we draw from it is its symbolic gesture. Gifts often carry symbolic meanings representing something beyond the physical object itself.
David [00:04:52]:
For example, a book may signify shared interest, or a handmade item may signify effort and thoughtfulness. The symbolism behind gifts can make them more meaningful and memorable. My great grandparents Bibles are a great example of this. They were given to me as a gift and I’m so grateful to have them to, to go back and to hold those Bibles, to look through them and see the notes my grandparents made. Wow. It is so sweet, so impactful and so meaningful to me. Another thing that comes forth as we give gifts is giving of gifts is an act of generosity. And throughout Scripture we see giving is seen as a virtue.
David [00:05:43]:
So acts of generosity help foster empathy, humility and gratitude, teaching us the value of sharing and considering others needs it’s loving one another. Ultimately, the significance of giving gifts lies in its ability to create connection, foster kindness and celebrate life’s special moments through the simple gesture. People across time and cultures have found a powerful way to communicate love, gratitude and community. Today we will be grateful for God’s greatest gift ever given to us. And that’s what this season is all about. God is a giver. He loves giving gifts. He loves blessing us beyond measure.
David [00:06:38]:
He loves bringing us things we can’t imagine. As it says in Ephesians 3:20 superabundantly far over and above anything you can ask or think. Hallelujah. There is a gift that was given to all mankind by our Father God. That gift was His Son, Jesus Christ. Christmas is the celebration of God’s gift to the world in the form of Jesus. The book of John gives us insight into God’s heart for the world through this gift. So let’s go there right now.
David [00:07:20]:
Let’s go to John, chapter three, verse 16. And I’m going to read this from the King James Version. John 3:16 says, 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. Wow. As you read that verse and think about each Part of it there. It’s powerful. For God so loved. God so loved that he gave.
David [00:08:01]:
His love inspires giving. His giving proceeds from his immense love for us, for us all. Hallelujah. God just doesn’t love me or Pastor Kania. He also loves you just as much. You’re important to Him. I want us to look at this word love for a moment so we truly understand what its meaning is. In the ancient Greek culture, they had eight different words to define the different kinds of love.
David [00:08:43]:
And each word gave a clear meaning to the type of love being expressed. Now, in our culture, we use one word, love, to express our likes, our affections, our desires. When we say we love something, it can be related to our favorite foods, chocolate, or clothes, or music, cars, or a myriad of different other things. When we say we love someone, it can mean we love them as an actor, an author, an athlete, an artist, a speaker, or as someone we are close to. Because of this, I feel we have lost the essence of what that true, deep, felt love really is. Love here in this verse in John 3:16 in the Greek is the Greek word agapeo, and it comes from the root word agape, the God kind of love. Its foundational meaning is to love by choice. It’s beyond feelings and emotion.
David [00:10:01]:
It is an active, intentional choice that God has made. Everything I’m sharing with you about this word is based on the fact that God chose His choice. He chose us. When it says here that God so loved the world, it’s talking about you. This verse could read, could be translated, God so loved you that he gave his only begotten Son. So keep that in mind as we move forward. What we’re talking about here today and the giving of this greatest gift ever that God gave us is about God loving you. Love Here in John 3:16 means to be full of goodwill towards someone, to exhibit that goodwill to them.
David [00:11:05]:
Now, again, let me say this. This is an active word. This isn’t just a feeling or emotion that God has toward us. It’s something he actively does for us. God is so full of goodwill toward us that he gave Jesus for us. His Son, His Son, his unique son. It says he gave him to us and for us. Why? So he could be with us for eternity and we with Him.
David [00:11:45]:
The second thing, this word, love, here in John 3:16 means, is to have a preference for and regard the welfare of someone. By God’s love He so prefers and regards our welfare that he gave the gift of Jesus to redeem us and save us from doom and Destruction. He loves you. He prefers you. He’s concerned about you and your welfare every day. Every day. The third thing this word means here in the Greek, the word love. It means the benevolence which God, in providing salvation for men, has exhibited by sending his son to us and giving him up to death so we could have the gift of life eternal.
David [00:12:44]:
God loves us so much. He loves you so much. He is always benevolent toward us. He is our benefactor. Daily. Daily. Daily. Daily.
David [00:13:01]:
The next thing this means is to take pleasure in the person, prize him above other things, and be unwilling to abandon them or do without them. To steadfastly cleave to think about this. God takes pleasure in you. God prizes you above all. He is unwilling to abandon you or do without you. He steadfastly cleaves to you. And then it means this. To welcome with desire.
David [00:13:41]:
To long for. God welcomes you into his presence. He longs for you and desires for you. He invites you to come and be a part of his family, to fellowship with him every day. Every day. Wow. Wow. Are you beginning to see how God loves you? Let me summarize this for you.
David [00:14:11]:
God is full of goodwill toward you. He prefers you and cares about you. He is benevolent toward you. He takes pleasure in you. He prizes you. He never leaves you or forsakes you. He wants to be in a relationship with you. He will not do without you.
David [00:14:32]:
He steadfastly cleaves to you. He desires you. He longs for you. He welcomes you. And that’s why Jesus came. And that’s why the Father and the Son came together and said, let’s do this. Let’s make this happen. If you believe that and receive that, that God loves you, you can go into this Christmas season knowing and celebrating all God has done for you through the gift of Jesus Christ to you.
David [00:15:11]:
And you can be grateful for that gift, the gift of life that he has given you. Hallelujah. God so loved that he gave the word gave. Here in the Greek is a word, dai domi, and it means to give something to someone of their own accord. God chose. Again, we’re talking about God choosing here. God chose to give you the gift of His Son of His own free will. Not out of obligation or pity, but from a heart of love.
David [00:15:58]:
He chose you. Another thing this word means is to give one something to their advantage. By believing in and receiving Jesus, you will not perish. That definitely is to your advantage. Simply being in a loving relationship with him is to your advantage. It also means to bestow A gift upon because the Father God gave Jesus as a gift to you. He also bestowed on you the gift of eternal life. Eternal life you will be forever.
David [00:16:43]:
It’s a life that is unending, infinite. Wow. Think about that. You were infinite. That is quite a gift. Hallelujah. It also means to supply and furnish the necessary things. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your redemption.
David [00:17:07]:
He did not leave anything undone. You were saved, redeemed, restored, and in right standing with God right now for eternity. If you’ve accepted him as your Lord and Savior. Savior. Hallelujah. It’s all yours to give forth from one Son is the other meaning Our Father God gave His only Son, and so he gave from within Himself. He loves you so much, he said, I will pay the price. And Jesus loves you so much that he said, I will make the sacrifice so we can all be one forever.
David [00:17:59]:
Hallelujah. This word gave in the Greek also means to give diligence to something. God had a plan which he was diligent with and followed through on. This was enough. Hey, let’s try and see what happens here. This. You know, maybe something good will come out of this. No.
David [00:18:20]:
God was very purposeful in giving you the gift of life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ so you could be with him forever. God redeemed you of his own accord, his own choice. He. He chose you. He did this for your advantage. He bestowed a gift on you that keeps on giving for eternity. God supplied and furnished everything needed for you to be in right standing with him forever. This gift came from within him.
David [00:18:58]:
And he was diligent in the process of giving it. Nothing missing, nothing broken. It was perfect. Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. Let’s read this verse, John 3:16 again from a couple of other translations. And I’m going to start with the Amplified classic. Love the way it says it here, John 3:16 in the Amplified Classic.
David [00:19:26]:
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that he even gave up his own begotten unique Son. So that whoever believes in trust in clings to relies on him shall not perish. They shall come. They shall not perish, or come to destruction, or be lost, but have eternal everlasting life. Let me read that again. For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that he even gave up his only begotten unique Son. So that whoever believes in trusts in clings to relies on him shall not perish, come to destruction, be lost, but have eternal everlasting life. That’s God’s promise to you.
David [00:20:21]:
When you received Jesus Christ. John 3:16 in the passion translation says this, for here is the way God loved the world. Here is the way God loved the world. He gave his only unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish, but experience everlasting life. Praise God. John 3:16 in the CEV version, God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never, never really die. Now the apostle Paul expressed this again in Romans 6.
David [00:21:20]:
In Romans 6, verse 23 in the Amplified classic, it says this. For the wages of sin pays death. But the bountiful free gift of God is eternal life through in union with Jesus Christ our Lord. This verse boils down to two basic things. Sin cost you, it pays death. God’s gift is free, it gives you eternal life. Hallelujah. That’s to your advantage.
David [00:21:56]:
Don’t you think? That’s much better. Sin costs you, it pays death. Now let’s define what that word death means here. Death means a separation of the soul and the body by which life on earth is ended. So in death you do not cease to exist. You are still a spirit being possessing your soul, which is the flow of thought, feeling and choice. But you are simply no longer in a body here on the earth. That’s death.
David [00:22:35]:
But death is also this. It is the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth, that lasts and increases in hell for eternity after the death of the body here on earth. For those who don’t do not receive Jesus Christ. The penalty for sin lasts for eternity and it increases. Wow. It just gets worse and worse and worse and worse. There’s more torment throughout eternity. Eternity.
David [00:23:13]:
But God’s gift is free and God gives us eternal life. So let’s see what this word gift means here. Favor, which one receives without any merit of their own, also known as Divine grace. Wow. Again, I say wow a lot when I can’t find other words to express it, but wow. Favor. Favor is a gift from God also. God gives us his favor because he loves us so much.
David [00:23:53]:
And we don’t have to earn it. We don’t have to be worthy of it. Is Divine grace. Divine favor. That’s what God’s gift is to us. That’s a part of all this. This is a huge gift. It also means the economy of divine grace by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed to sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith.
David [00:24:34]:
So we didn’t have to pay for it, earn it, or deserve it. Life, this gift of life is a free gift laid hold of by faith. By simply believing and receiving, believing in Jesus Christ and receiving him as your Lord and Savior. He gives life eternal. And the word life there means the absolute fullness of life which belongs to God. It’s yours. This is the life Jesus said in John 10:10. He came to give us the absolute fullness of life.
David [00:25:19]:
Let’s read John 10:10. In the Amplified classic. It says, the thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance to the full, till it overflows. Hallelujah. God wants to overflow your cup every day. Praise God. He came to give us life.
David [00:25:47]:
Real, genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God. A blessed life. This is what God has given us. He wants you to experience his life here and now. The question is, are you walking in the fullness of the life God has for you? All you have to do is get up every day and receive his gift of life fully. I’m going to walk in the fullness of your life today. Father God, thank you for giving it to me, Jesus. Thank you for coming and making the way.
David [00:26:27]:
And I received that full and overflowing life right now. And guess what? He gave us this life eternally. It’s ours forevermore, forever more. We have it. What a gift. And that word eternal there in the Greek means without beginning and end. That which always has been and always will be. God’s life always has been and God’s life always will be.
David [00:26:57]:
And he gave his life from within himself as a gift to you. As it says in Genesis, he breathed from within himself. He breathed life into us. Life never ceases. It is everlasting. It is immeasurable. God’s life never ends. If you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior, you have received eternal life, a life that can’t be measured, an infinite life.
David [00:27:34]:
You are experiencing eternal life right now, today, instead of the miseries of hell. You have the blessing of God’s real and genuine life within you right now. Romans 6:23 in the passion translation says it this way. For sin’s meager wages is death. But God’s lavish gift is life eternal, found in your union with our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. And that word lavish there means to expend or bestow with profusion.
David [00:28:17]:
Unrestrained, is profusely flowing from God. God is not holding anything back. He is freely giving Us life to the full till it overflows. You can get up every day and say that. Thank you for your overflowing life, Lord. It’s mine. You gave it to me, so I receive it. The greatest gift to mankind is God’s life without end.
David [00:28:49]:
It’s a gift that keeps on giving day in and day out, forever. It’s not just a one time gift. Let’s go back to John 3:16 in the Amplified classic. For God so greatly loved and clearly and dearly prized the world that he even gave up his only begotten unique son. So that whoever believes in, trust in, clings to and relies on him shall not perish or come to destruction or be lost, but have eternal everlasting life. Let me ask you a question. How would you like to begin celebrating this Christmas season? By receiving a gift today before Christmas Day, you get to have the greatest gift ever given to man. If you haven’t given your heart to God, to Jesus, and ask him to become your Savior and to receive this gift that he’s given all of us, how cool would it be to receive that gift right now, today.
David [00:30:20]:
Because you know what? He’s not holding back. His arms are out saying, come to me. Receive from me this gift of life I have for you. I love you. If you’d like that, to receive that gift, we’re going to pray a short prayer right now and I ask you to repeat it after me because God wants to hear your words and simply pray this. Father God, I come to you in Jesus name and declare. I believe Jesus died to save me and cleanse me from all my sins. And so I receive him now as my Lord and Savior.
David [00:31:17]:
Thank you Jesus for the sacrifice you made in my behalf. And I commit to you today to love you and follow you all the days of my life. Amen. If you just prayed that prayer, you’re part of the family of God now. God has received you and you’ve received the gift of life. Everything I just talked about is yours right now. Praise God. What a great way to start this season.
David [00:31:59]:
Praise God. And if you’re already a believer, just start rejoicing. Rejoice in the life that God has given all of us. This eternal life, this gift of life he’s made ours. We are a part of the family of God and we get to represent the kingdom of God here in the earth, representing our Father and our Savior. The Holy Spirit now lives in us. Praise God. The Holy Spirit’s in you today.
David [00:32:35]:
And he works through us and with us and for us. He works in us to accomplish God’s plan and purpose through us. Praise God. Praise God. Hallelujah. What a great way to start this Christmas season. So I want to close by saying this. Merry Christmas.
David [00:32:58]:
You’ve been given the greatest gift ever. Be grateful and share that gratefulness with everyone around you. Hallelujah. Pastor Kanye is coming now with a closing word and a prayer. God bless you. Have an amazing week.
