Embracing the Eternal Gift of Jesus

 

Summary

Welcome to Village Bible Church, where we gather to celebrate the profound gift of Jesus Christ, especially on this Christmas Eve. As we reflect on the nature of gifts, we recognize that some are fleeting while others endure. This brings us to the eternal gift of Jesus, who was sent to heal our brokenness and offer us everlasting life. Today, we explore three pivotal questions that hold eternal significance.

First, have earthly relationships failed you? Many of us have experienced the pain of broken relationships, whether through betrayal, loss, or unmet expectations. This is not a new phenomenon; even Adam and Eve, the first humans, failed each other. Yet, God promised a Savior to mend what was broken. Jesus is that Savior, sent to heal our wounds and offer us wholeness. In Him, we find the answer to our deepest pains and the promise of restoration.

Second, do you realize that Jesus, our everlasting Father, will never fail you? Unlike earthly relationships that can falter, Jesus is the one constant we can rely on. He is described as the "Father of Eternity," the author of creation who holds all things together. Jesus is the light in our darkness, offering hope and salvation from sin. His rule is characterized by fairness and justice, and He invites us to trust in His eternal reign.

Finally, are you ready for eternity with the everlasting Father? Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross to secure our place in eternity. The invitation is open to all who believe in Him. By placing our faith in Jesus, we are assured of eternal life and a relationship with God that transcends time. This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us also prepare our hearts for eternity by embracing the gift of salvation He offers.

Key Takeaways:

- Earthly relationships often fail us, leaving us with pain and disappointment. However, Jesus was sent to heal our brokenness and offer us wholeness. In Him, we find the promise of restoration and the answer to our deepest pains. [07:13]

- Jesus, our everlasting Father, is the one relationship that will never fail. He is the "Father of Eternity," the author of creation who offers hope and salvation from sin. His rule is characterized by fairness and justice, inviting us to trust in His eternal reign. [11:31]

- Being ready for eternity with Jesus is the most important preparation we can make. By placing our faith in Him, we secure our place in eternity and embrace a relationship with God that transcends time. [15:57]

- The gift of Jesus is an invitation to eternal life. By believing in Him, we are assured of salvation and a purpose-filled life. This Christmas, let us celebrate the birth of Christ and prepare our hearts for eternity. [18:42]

- Worship and gratitude are our responses to the gift of Jesus. As we celebrate Christmas, let us reconnect with Him, reflect on His love, and share His story with others. [20:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:53] - The Nature of Gifts
- [03:32] - Eternal Questions
- [05:04] - Earthly Relationships
- [07:13] - Jesus, the Healer
- [11:31] - Everlasting Father
- [15:57] - Ready for Eternity
- [16:51] - The Gift of Salvation
- [17:51] - John 3:16
- [18:42] - Invitation to Believe
- [20:32] - Worship and Gratitude
- [27:59] - Testimony of Brandon

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 3:15
- Isaiah 9:6-7
- John 3:16

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Genesis 3:15, what promise did God make regarding the offspring of the woman and the serpent? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about Jesus being sent to heal our brokenness? [07:13]

2. In Isaiah 9:6-7, what titles are given to Jesus, and how do they reflect His role as our everlasting Father? [11:31]

3. How does John 3:16 summarize the purpose of Jesus' coming to earth, as discussed in the sermon? [17:51]

4. What examples of earthly relationships failing were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they illustrate the need for a Savior? [05:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the promise in Genesis 3:15 of a Savior who will crush the serpent's head provide hope for those who have experienced broken relationships? [07:13]

2. What does it mean for Jesus to be called the "Father of Eternity" in Isaiah 9:6, and how does this title assure us of His reliability compared to earthly relationships? [11:31]

3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' eternal reign as described in Isaiah 9:7, and what implications does this have for believers today? [15:57]

4. In what ways does John 3:16 challenge individuals to respond to the gift of Jesus, and how does this align with the sermon’s call to be ready for eternity? [18:42]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when an earthly relationship failed you. How did you cope with the pain, and how might turning to Jesus for healing change your perspective? [05:04]

2. Consider the title "Father of Eternity" given to Jesus. How can this understanding of Jesus influence the way you trust Him in your daily life? [11:31]

3. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust Jesus as your everlasting Father? What steps can you take to deepen your reliance on Him? [11:31]

4. How can the assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus, as stated in John 3:16, impact your priorities and decisions this Christmas season? [17:51]

5. The sermon encourages us to prepare our hearts for eternity. What practical actions can you take this week to focus on your relationship with Jesus and share His story with others? [18:42]

6. Worship and gratitude were highlighted as responses to Jesus' gift. How can you incorporate these attitudes into your Christmas celebrations this year? [20:32]

7. Think of someone in your life who might be struggling with broken relationships. How can you share the message of Jesus as a healer and everlasting Father with them? [07:13]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined:

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Day 1: Jesus Heals Our Brokenness
In a world where relationships often leave us wounded, Jesus offers a profound promise of healing and restoration. Many have experienced the pain of betrayal, loss, or unmet expectations in their earthly relationships. This is not a new phenomenon; even from the beginning, Adam and Eve faced relational failure. Yet, God promised a Savior to mend what was broken. Jesus is that Savior, sent to heal our wounds and offer us wholeness. In Him, we find the answer to our deepest pains and the promise of restoration. As we reflect on this truth, we are invited to bring our brokenness to Jesus, trusting in His power to restore and renew. [07:13]

Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn."

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that has caused you pain. How can you invite Jesus into that situation to begin the process of healing and restoration today?


Day 2: The Unfailing Relationship with Jesus
Unlike earthly relationships that can falter, Jesus is the one constant we can rely on. He is described as the "Father of Eternity," the author of creation who holds all things together. Jesus is the light in our darkness, offering hope and salvation from sin. His rule is characterized by fairness and justice, and He invites us to trust in His eternal reign. In a world where trust is often broken, Jesus stands as the everlasting Father who will never fail us. This assurance invites us to deepen our relationship with Him, knowing that He is always faithful. [11:31]

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV): "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt let down by someone you trusted. How can you shift your focus to rely more on Jesus, who is unchanging and always faithful?


Day 3: Preparing for Eternity
Being ready for eternity with Jesus is the most important preparation we can make. Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross to secure our place in eternity. The invitation is open to all who believe in Him. By placing our faith in Jesus, we are assured of eternal life and a relationship with God that transcends time. This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us also prepare our hearts for eternity by embracing the gift of salvation He offers. [15:57]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to prepare your heart for eternity? How can you live with an eternal perspective in your daily life?


Day 4: Embracing the Gift of Salvation
The gift of Jesus is an invitation to eternal life. By believing in Him, we are assured of salvation and a purpose-filled life. This Christmas, let us celebrate the birth of Christ and prepare our hearts for eternity. The invitation to believe in Jesus is open to all, and it is through this belief that we find true life and purpose. As we reflect on this gift, we are encouraged to embrace it fully, allowing it to transform our lives and guide our actions. [18:42]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: How can you more fully embrace the gift of salvation in your life? What changes might you need to make to live out this gift daily?


Day 5: Responding with Worship and Gratitude
Worship and gratitude are our responses to the gift of Jesus. As we celebrate Christmas, let us reconnect with Him, reflect on His love, and share His story with others. The birth of Christ is a reminder of God's incredible love for us, and our response should be one of worship and gratitude. By focusing on His love and sharing His story, we can spread the joy and hope that Jesus brings to the world. [20:32]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: In what ways can you express your gratitude to Jesus today? How can you share His love and story with someone in your life this week?

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Quotes

"Father, You are so good to us, and we thank You for the blessing of the new year. You are the newborn King that we've been able to worship already this evening. Lord, I thank You for the gift of tradition that we can come together each December to remember, to celebrate, to worship Your Son, Jesus. God, I pray that in a room this size with all the different challenges, all the different anxieties, tears, heartache, and brokenness. God, I ask that for whatever's going on in the hearts of these beloved people that we've been able to sing with, I pray that You would be at work bringing the good news to them." [00:03:48] (50 seconds)


"I need You to forgive me of my sins because I can never do enough good things. There are never enough good works that I could try to do. God, I'm going to need You to forgive me. And Jesus extends that forgiveness because Jesus purchased just that on the cross. You know, I'm going to be honest with you. You may not be the type of person who's ready on time when it's time to get to the appointment. Anyone have a little bit of a difficulty getting there like right on time? Anybody? Okay. Okay." [00:16:35] (30 seconds)


"If you want to become ready for eternity, if you want to turn your life over to the Lord and say, yes, today is the day I want to become a follower of Jesus, then you can just turn to Jesus. You can simply pray these words, Jesus, I'm a great sinner and You are a great Savior. I can't do this on my own, Lord. I need Your Son, Jesus. to save me. God, I want to serve You and live for You for the rest of my life. Please be my Lord that I can worship for all eternity. Thank You for saving me." [00:19:50] (42 seconds)


"And if you're here today and you pray that genuinely from your heart, it's not the words that matter, but it's the posture of belief in Jesus. If you pray that and trusted Jesus for the first time tonight, then you have passed from darkness into light because Jesus is the light. He's got hope. He's got truth for you. What an incredible thing that is. Hey, if you trusted Jesus for the first time, we've got a gift for you. We've got a Bible and a little sheet with some next steps that you can take. A couple of people from our prayer team, Craig and Kathy are going to be here. They'd be happy to pray with you, pray for you. Whether you'd like to give your life to the Lord, whether you need prayer for any area of your life, they are going to be here. But I want to encourage you. Be ready for eternity." [00:20:32] (50 seconds)


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Transcript
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