"Three Gifts We Desperately Need Christ To
Bring Us This Christmas"
By: Danny Moss
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Introduction-
You and I are familiar with the Christmas
story of the Wise men. They travelled far, and
brought Christ three gifts: gold, frankincense,
and myrrh. It is His birthday that we are supposed
to be celebrating at this season. We might ask
"What gifts are we bringing to Christ this Christ-
mas?"
But, that is not the direction that I want
to take in this sermon today. I got the idea for
this message from Howard Parnell, and Rodney Fry,
on Sermon Central. Thanks, guys! My message will
be similar to theirs, but different in some ways
also. I want to talk about three gifts that I
believe we, the American people, desparately stand
in need of today. These gifts can only be given
to us by Christ-the Savior.
Will we get what we want, or what we really
need for Christmas this year? If you look at our
society, and the turmoil and confusion in our
homes today, it would appear that we need much
more than gadgets, and diamonds, and hunting
supplies, and fancy new shiny cars.
These three things came to my mind as I
thought about three candles that we sometimes
see during this season, or, we might see these
three things on a Christmas card that is sent
to us. No more hesitation! These three things
are Peace, Joy, & Love. Can you think of any-
thing that you and I more desparately need in
our lives today? I can’t. And, these things
can only be given to us by the Christ. What
a Christmas it would be, if all of us could only
receive these three things, things that money
can’t buy, and you won’t see wrapped in Christmas
paper, but that are so needed by so many today.
Why do I say this? Because of the mounting number
of divorces in our nation, because of the demise
of the American family, because of the unhappiness
of many people, who have material things, but seem
to have no peace, joy, or love, only emptiness, in
their lives. Unfulfilled desires, broken hearts,
surface relationships. Oh God, how we need the
peace, joy, and love that only Christ can give!
Let’s examine the Scriptures this morning, and see
what they tell us about these three wonderful,
priceless gifts.
I. THE GIFT OF PEACE
Romans 5:1-"Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace wtih God through our Lord Jesus
Christ."
Here is the key to the greatest needs of our
society. We have religion, but do we have God?
We have material things, but do we have those
things which cannot be purchased with cash, or
a credit card?
Peace with God-a priceless gift! Do you have
it-peace deep within your heart and soul,
peace that doesn’t vanish like the morning
fog when you are all alone, and without your
materialistic toys?
America need to return to God-really return to
Him! Seek Him! Worship Him! Obey Him! Then,
and only then, will we find peace.
Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27-
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto
you, Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid."
The angels said at Messiah’s birth-
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men(or peace to men of good will
will)as some translate it."
II.THE GIFT OF JOY
With all that American people have, can we truly
say that we are happy? Can we say that we have
a deep-seated joy within our hearts that circum-
stances, and problems cannot take away?
Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth
receive her King.
Nehemiah 8:10 says-"...the joy of the Lord is
your strength." That is why we have much, but
not enough.
The Psalmist said(16:11)-"In Thy presence is
fulness of joy; at Thy right hand are pleasures
forevermore."
Watch the crowds in malls as you shop this year.
How many people do you see that seem to have
fulness of joy, or are most of them hurrying
here and there, spending themselves deeper and
deeper into financial disaster.
Galatians 5:22 reveals that a life filled with
God’s Holy Spirit has the fruits of love, joy,
and peace.
Christ can make us truly happy, full of joy-
joy unspeakable, and full of glory!
III. THE GIFT OF LOVE
True and lasting love can only be found in
Christ. He lavishes believers with His love,
and His love is greater than any other expression
of love known to man.
Romans 8:35 says that nothing can seperate us
from the love of Christ. It is a bond that
cannot be broken.
God is love.(1st John 4:8)
It is His great love that caused Him to give
His only Son on the cross for our sins. God
loved us "while we were yet sinners," and
spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up
for us all.
There is a lenght, breath, depth, and height
to the love of God that is immeasurable.
He loves you, even now, and wants you to
receive these three greatest gifts from His
Son, Jesus Peace, Joy, and Love.
Receive Christ today, and you will find these
treasures. As George Beverly Shea sings-
"Acres of diamonds, mountains of gold,
Rivers of silver, jewels untold-
All these together, couldn’t buy you
or me-peace when we’re sleeping, or
a conscience that’s free-
A heart that’s contentented, a satis-
fied mind-these are the treasures money
can’t buy
But if you have Jesus, there’s more
wealth in your soul, than acres of
diamonds, and mountains of gold."
