What Kind of Gift (Luke 24:19-25)
Gary McManus, 12/01/2019Part of the Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
December 1, 2019 The First Sunday in Advent
Luke 24:19-25 (p. 1047)
Jesus will refer to the Old Testament scriptures
concerning the Messiah—mentioned three plus times in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 16:16, (16:29 & 31),
18:31, 24:27 & 44).
Christmas and Christmas gifts;
do children have any stronger connections?
Most baby boomers Christmas’ were pretty special
and in large part because of the gifts/toys.
Did you have a list for Santa Clause?
Was there usually one particular gift that you hoped
that you would receive on Christmas Day?
Or were the gifts a surprise?
See Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love
Languages; gifts are a love language.
Gifts do not have to be expensive or special.
Why bring up Christmas gifts at church?
Because of John 3:16. . .”God so loved the world
that God gave his only begotten son that who
so ever believes in him shall have eternal life.
Jesus was killed for many reasons. . .according
to the Gospels.It can be said that one common
reason that Jesus was killed is this:
--we didn’t know that Jesus was a gift. . .
Jesus’ people either did not know that Jesus WAS
the Messiah OR Jesus was not the Messiah that
Jesus’ people wanted or expected.
In our Bible verse for the day, Jesus states pointedly
and clearly. . . “How foolish you are, and how slow
to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
See Luke 22:33 and Mark 14:29 & 31 with Mark 14:50.
Luke 24:27: And beginning with Moses and all the
Prophets, he explained to them what was said
in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Jesus people were expecting a gift from God
—a Messiah.
What would it be like?
What would Messiah be like?
Many scriptures could be referenced:
Haggai 2:6-7; Malachi 3:1, 3:2.
Or see even John’s question, Luke 7:20.
Or was John the Messiah (Acts 13:25)?
What would Messiah do (See Acts 5:35-39)?
Is the Messiah Jesus of Nazareth the gift you had
been hoping for ?
Is the Messiah Jesus of Nazareth the gift you had
been wanting?
See Ezekiel 37:23 and Matthew 1:21.
Is that what you want?
Many people don’t want that at all.
Compare the Book of Jonah.
What gift or gifts do YOU want from the Heavenly Father? Do you need any of what Messiah brings?
that? Look for those gifts with your name on them.
Amen.
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