Until Heaven is Full: The Greatest Gift of All (Worship 11/2/25)

Devotional

Day 1: The Gift of Eternal Life in Christ

God offers us the greatest gift imaginable—not something we can earn, but a free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. While the reality of sin brings death, God’s love provides a way out, a hope that is not based on our own merit but on His grace. This gift is available to all who will receive it, and it stands as the foundation of our faith and the message we are called to share with the world. As you reflect on your life, consider the magnitude of this gift and the love that motivated it. [25:26]

Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: What tangible step can you take today to remind yourself that eternal life is a gift, not something you have to earn or deserve?

Day 2: Christ’s Sacrifice Demonstrates God’s Love

Even while we were still sinners, God’s love was so great that He sent Jesus to die for us. This sacrificial love is not just a distant theological concept but a personal reality—Jesus took on the worst death, reserved for the worst of sinners, so that no one would be beyond the reach of His grace. No matter your past, Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient, and His love is for you. Let this truth sink in: you are loved, forgiven, and made whole by the wounds of Christ. [33:12]

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Reflection: Is there a part of your past that you struggle to believe God has truly forgiven? How can you bring that to Him today and rest in His love?

Day 3: Confess and Believe—The Way to Salvation

Salvation is not just about saying the right words; it is about confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and truly believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. This is a call to genuine faith—a faith that transforms, that surrenders control, and that follows Jesus in daily life. It is not enough to have head knowledge or empty words; God desires a heart that trusts, loves, and follows Him. [35:36]

Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to move from simply knowing about Jesus to truly trusting and following Him as Lord?

Day 4: Receive and Respond to the Gift

Receiving God’s gift of salvation is just the beginning; we are called to respond by living out our faith daily and sharing the good news with others. Like a gift that is meant to be used and shared, our salvation is not for us alone but for the blessing of those around us. Each day is an opportunity to pick up your cross, follow Jesus, and let your life reflect His love and grace to the world. [44:25]

Luke 9:23 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can “pick up your cross” and follow Jesus today, especially in your interactions with others?

Day 5: Share the Gift—Your Story Matters

The good news of Jesus is too great to keep to ourselves. Just as others have shared the gospel with us, we are called to share our story and the hope we have in Christ with those around us. You don’t need perfect words or a dramatic story—what matters is your willingness to let God use you. Your story, no matter how simple, can be the spark that leads someone else to faith and new life in Jesus. [51:22]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can share your story or the hope of Jesus with this week? What step will you take to do so?

Sermon Summary

God’s love is the greatest gift the world has ever known, and it is freely offered to each of us through Jesus Christ. As we gather around the communion table, we are reminded of the depth of God’s love—a love that did not wait for us to be perfect, but met us in our brokenness. The story of salvation is not just a theological concept, but a personal invitation: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This is the heart of the gospel, the solution to the universal problem of sin that separates us from God.

Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. This gift is not something we can earn or deserve; it is given out of God’s sheer grace. Like receiving an unexpected, undeserved gift, we are called to accept this grace with humility and gratitude. The story of the car given to me serves as a tangible reminder that God’s gifts often exceed our expectations and come at just the right time—not because of our merit, but because of His generosity.

Receiving this gift requires more than just intellectual agreement. Romans 10:9 calls us to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and to believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. True faith is not just words, but a transformation of the heart that leads to a changed life. It means surrendering control, allowing Jesus to be Lord over every part of our lives, and following Him daily. This is not a one-time event, but a continual journey of picking up our cross and living out the kingdom in our words, actions, and relationships.

The good news is not meant to be hoarded. Just as the car was meant to be shared, so too is the gift of salvation. We are called to share our story, to witness to God’s love in our families, workplaces, and communities. Even if we feel inadequate or unprepared, God can use our simple, honest testimony—just as He used Edward Kimball’s “weakest gospel” to reach Dwight Moody. The world is desperate for hope, and we have the privilege of pointing others to the One who can make them whole.

As we come to the table, may we receive God’s gift afresh, and may it compel us to share that gift with others, until heaven is full.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Gift Is Freely Given, Not Earned The gift of eternal life in Christ is not a reward for good behavior or religious effort. It is a gift that comes solely from God’s grace, offered to us while we were still sinners. This challenges us to let go of striving and to receive with humility, recognizing that our salvation is rooted in God’s generosity, not our own merit. [25:05]
2. The Solution to Sin Is Found in Christ Alone Every person faces the universal problem of sin, but God’s solution is clear: Jesus paid the price for our sins through His death and resurrection. No matter our past or the weight of our failures, Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient to cover all. This truth invites us to trust in the completeness of His work and to rest in the assurance that nothing can separate us from His love. [32:15]
3. Confession and Heartfelt Belief Lead to Transformation Salvation is not just about saying the right words; it is about a genuine confession that Jesus is Lord and a deep belief in His resurrection. This kind of faith transforms us from the inside out, leading us to surrender control and follow Jesus daily. It is a call to authentic discipleship, where our actions and attitudes reflect the reality of Christ’s lordship in our lives. [35:36]
4. Our Stories Matter—Share the Gift Each of us has a unique story of encountering God’s grace, and sharing that story is a vital part of our calling. Even if our words feel inadequate, God can use our honest testimony to impact others. The example of Edward Kimball and Dwight Moody reminds us that simple obedience in sharing the gospel can bear fruit for generations. [49:35]
5. Receiving the Gift Compels Us to Give It Away The gift of salvation is not meant to be kept to ourselves. As we receive God’s love, we are called to extend it to others—family, friends, neighbors, even those we find difficult to love. This outward focus is the heartbeat of God’s mission: that all might come to know Him and experience the fullness of life He offers.

** [46:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:33] - Sharing Our Faith: The Call
[24:44] - Romans 6:23: The Greatest Gift
[26:36] - Reflecting on Gifts Received
[28:01] - An Unexpected Car: A Story of Grace
[31:16] - The Greatest Gift for All
[32:01] - Jesus Paid for Our Sin
[33:25] - The Depth of Christ’s Sacrifice
[35:17] - Confessing and Believing
[36:39] - Living Out Jesus’ Lordship
[38:21] - From Head Knowledge to Heart Change
[41:15] - Sharing the Story with Others
[43:47] - Receiving and Responding to the Gift
[46:08] - Sharing the Gift with the World
[48:40] - Edward Kimball and Dwight Moody
[51:00] - The Power of Simple Testimony
[55:10] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[58:40] - Invitation to the Table

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 6:23 (ESV) — > For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 (ESV) — > But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9 (ESV) — > Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 6:23, what is the result of sin, and what does God offer instead?
In Romans 5:8, when did Christ die for us—before or after we got our lives together?
What two things does Romans 10:9 say are needed for salvation?
In the sermon, what story did the pastor share to illustrate receiving an unexpected gift? ([28:01])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes that God’s gift is given “while we were still sinners” and not after we cleaned up our lives? How does this challenge the way people often think about earning God’s love? ([32:15])
The pastor said that receiving God’s gift is not just about saying the right words, but about a real change in the heart. What does it look like for someone to “confess with their mouth and believe in their heart” in everyday life? ([35:36])
The sermon mentioned that the gift of salvation is not meant to be kept to ourselves. Why do you think sharing our story is so important, even if we feel unqualified? ([49:35])
How does the story of Edward Kimball and Dwight Moody show the impact of sharing even a “simple” or “weak” testimony? ([49:35])

Application Questions

The pastor shared about receiving a car he didn’t expect or deserve. Can you think of a time when you received something you didn’t earn? How did that make you feel, and how does it help you understand God’s grace? ([28:01])
Romans 6:23 says eternal life is a gift, not a reward. Are there ways you still try to “earn” God’s love or approval? What would it look like to let go of striving and simply receive? ([25:05])
The sermon talked about confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in your heart. Is there an area of your life where you find it hard to let Jesus be in charge? What would it mean to surrender that area to Him? ([36:05])
The pastor said following Jesus is a daily journey, not a one-time event. What is one practical way you can “pick up your cross” and follow Jesus this week? ([44:25])
Sharing your story can feel intimidating. Who is one person in your life you could share your faith story with, even if it’s just a small part? What holds you back, and how can you take a step of courage? ([49:35])
The sermon reminded us that God can use even our “weakest” attempts to share the gospel. How does this encourage you to be more open about your faith, even if you don’t have all the answers? ([49:35])
As you come to the communion table or remember Christ’s sacrifice, what is one way you can let God’s love “compel” you to love or serve someone else this week? ([58:40])

Sermon Clips

But God so loved us that he took on the worst death. Why? Because it doesn't matter our sin in the past. I've talked with so many people who said, would God really love me with all of the stuff? I did this and this and this. Would God love me? Well, he died the worst death, reserved for the worst sinner. Because he was dying for all sinners. And he was dying for any sin. Right? Jesus paid it all. We sang about it earlier, right? Jesus paid for our sins. Praise be to our God. [00:34:16] (45 seconds) #JesusPaidItAll

When we confess that Jesus is Lord, we're confessing that he is in charge and we're not. So if we're going to follow him, we need to put our money where our mouth is. And that's the onus on the second part of the verse. And believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. [00:36:48] (22 seconds) #ConfessAndBelieve

That through the resurrection, through his death, we die to our sin. And through the faith and the belief in him, confessing, following him, we are revived, given new life through the resurrection. Right? We turn from the old life and live the new life. What a blessing. That is the solution. That is the good news. [00:37:56] (26 seconds) #NewLifeInChrist

It's not a burden. It's not a heavy yoke. Why? Because it has saved a wretch like me. And we want our family, our loved ones, at least I hope we do, to get in the kingdom. Jesus tells us He wants all those who are lost to come. He wants us to reach all nations. To go and be a witness in Jerusalem, which is here. Judea, which is the region around us. Samaria, the places we don't want to go. And to all the ends of the earth. [00:41:51] (32 seconds) #GoAndBeWitness

So what's our response as we prepare to come to the table? We've heard the solution that God so loved the world He gave His only Son. That if we will confess that He is Lord. And we'll believe in our heart that He was raised from the dead. Truly believe it. Then we will be saved. The first thing to do is receive the gift. Receive the gift. And if we receive the gift then we're responding to our story by sharing our story. [00:43:37] (36 seconds) #ReceiveTheGift

I could have said to the dealer. Oh no, no, no. Tell whoever who got this car. That's way too much. Way too much. The stickers on it. Wow. No. That's way too much. Here take it back. I'll go and be a slave to the bank. And purchase this used car over here. Right? I could have said that. But I didn't. Because it was good news. Right? It was great news. And I claimed it. And we've heard the best news ever. We know the best news ever. And the world is hurting for that type of news. [00:45:11] (39 seconds) #ClaimTheGoodNews

Dwight Moody would write, would talk about it later. And say with Edward Kimball said, I knew that he believed in what he was talking about. Because as he was talking to me, tears streamed down his face. And what ended up happening was in the back of that shoe store. A teenage boy got down on his knees. And he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. And then he worked to follow him the rest of his life. And that fruit is fruit that keeps on producing even to this day. [00:50:02] (43 seconds) #EnoughToChange

Friends, may we never shy away from responding to God's love for us. It's the good news of the kingdom. To respond to the gospel. To respond to the resurrection. And the redemptive power of Jesus being raised from the dead. May we not fail to respond. By sharing with others what Jesus has done for us. What Jesus has done for us. [00:51:39] (29 seconds)

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