The Unspeakable Gift: Christ's Infinite Love for Humanity
Summary
In reflecting on the profound nature of God's gift to humanity, we are drawn to the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. This gift, as described by Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:15, is beyond human comprehension and expression. The essence of this gift is not merely a display of divine benevolence or a declaration against sin, but a profound act of love that encompasses the entirety of God's redemptive plan for humanity. The gift of Christ is unspeakable because it is infinite in its depth, breadth, and impact. It is a gift that theologians and scholars have attempted to understand and articulate, yet it remains a mystery that surpasses human understanding.
The unspeakable nature of this gift is evident in the manner of its giving. God, in giving His only begotten Son, essentially gave Himself to humanity. This act of divine self-giving is a mystery that cannot be fully explained or understood. The sacrifice of Christ, His suffering, and His death on the cross are aspects of this gift that are beyond human comprehension. The cost to the Father, the pain of seeing His beloved Son suffer and die, is something that we can only begin to imagine.
Moreover, the benefits that flow from this gift are immeasurable. Through Christ, we receive forgiveness, adoption into God's family, and the promise of eternal life. These blessings are so vast and profound that they defy human expression. The love of Christ fills and satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart, offering a peace and joy that surpasses all understanding.
In response to this unspeakable gift, our lives should be marked by gratitude and praise. We are called to give ourselves wholly to God, to live lives of sacrificial love and service, and to share the good news of this gift with others. Our gratitude should be expressed not only in words but in deeds, as we seek to reflect the love and generosity of God in our interactions with others.
Key Takeaways:
- The gift of Jesus Christ is unspeakable because it is infinite and beyond human comprehension. It is a profound act of divine love that encompasses God's entire redemptive plan for humanity. [04:42]
- God's giving of His Son is a mystery that cannot be fully explained. It is an act of divine self-giving, where God essentially gave Himself to humanity, demonstrating a love that is beyond measure. [13:44]
- The benefits of this gift, including forgiveness, adoption, and eternal life, are immeasurable and defy human expression. They fill and satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. [23:11]
- Our response to this unspeakable gift should be one of gratitude and praise, expressed not only in words but in deeds. We are called to live lives of sacrificial love and service, reflecting God's generosity. [38:56]
- Sharing the good news of this gift with others is a vital part of our response. By leading others to Christ, we increase the praise and glory given to God, spreading the joy of His unspeakable gift. [47:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Unspeakable Gift
- [01:01] - The Motivation for Christian Giving
- [02:28] - God's Glory in Giving
- [03:23] - The Cycle of Thanksgiving
- [05:29] - Christ as the Unspeakable Gift
- [07:43] - Misunderstandings of Christ's Gift
- [09:51] - The Special Relationship with Believers
- [12:28] - The Mystery of God's Giving
- [14:13] - The Father's Sacrifice
- [18:27] - The Sufferings of Christ
- [21:23] - The Boons of Christ's Gift
- [25:55] - The Emotional Impact of the Gift
- [33:43] - Gratitude and Praise
- [38:56] - Actions of Gratitude
- [42:55] - A Thankful Creed
- [46:33] - The Infinite Nature of Christ's Gift
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 9:15
- John 3:16
- Romans 8:32
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by referring to Jesus Christ as the "unspeakable gift" in 2 Corinthians 9:15? [00:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the manner in which God gave His Son to humanity? [13:44]
3. What are some of the benefits mentioned in the sermon that flow from the gift of Christ? [23:11]
4. According to the sermon, how should believers respond to the unspeakable gift of Christ? [38:56]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God's "unspeakable gift" challenge our understanding of divine love and sacrifice? [04:42]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the giving of Christ is a mystery beyond human comprehension? [13:44]
3. How does the sermon connect the unspeakable gift of Christ to the believer's call to live a life of sacrificial love and service? [38:56]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between gratitude and the sharing of the gospel? [47:46]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the love of Christ. How did that experience impact your faith and actions? [25:55]
2. The sermon emphasizes living a life of gratitude. What are some practical ways you can express gratitude for Christ's gift in your daily life? [38:56]
3. Consider the idea of sacrificial love. How can you demonstrate this kind of love in your relationships this week? [39:23]
4. The sermon calls us to share the good news of Christ's gift. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear this message. How can you share it with them this week? [47:46]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of thanksgiving into your prayer life, especially in response to the gift of Christ? [33:57]
6. Think about the concept of divine self-giving. How does this influence your understanding of what it means to give of yourself to others? [13:44]
7. The sermon mentions the immeasurable benefits of Christ's gift. How can you remind yourself of these benefits during challenging times? [23:11]
Devotional
Day 1: The Infinite Gift of Christ
The gift of Jesus Christ is described as unspeakable because it transcends human understanding and expression. This gift is not just a demonstration of divine kindness or a statement against sin; it is a profound act of love that encompasses the entirety of God's redemptive plan for humanity. The depth, breadth, and impact of this gift are infinite, making it a mystery that theologians and scholars have tried to comprehend and articulate, yet it remains beyond human grasp. The unspeakable nature of this gift is evident in the manner of its giving, as God gave His only begotten Son, essentially giving Himself to humanity. This act of divine self-giving is a mystery that cannot be fully explained or understood. [04:42]
"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge the infinite nature of Christ's gift in your daily life, and how does this understanding change your perspective on God's love for you?
Day 2: The Mystery of Divine Self-Giving
God's giving of His Son is a mystery that cannot be fully explained. It is an act of divine self-giving, where God essentially gave Himself to humanity, demonstrating a love that is beyond measure. The sacrifice of Christ, His suffering, and His death on the cross are aspects of this gift that are beyond human comprehension. The cost to the Father, the pain of seeing His beloved Son suffer and die, is something that we can only begin to imagine. This mystery invites us to ponder the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to for our redemption. [13:44]
"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you embrace the mystery of God's self-giving love in your life, and what steps can you take to reflect this love to others today?
Day 3: Immeasurable Benefits of Christ's Gift
The benefits that flow from the gift of Christ are immeasurable. Through Him, we receive forgiveness, adoption into God's family, and the promise of eternal life. These blessings are so vast and profound that they defy human expression. The love of Christ fills and satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart, offering a peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. This gift is not just about what we receive but also about the transformation it brings to our lives, leading us to live in the fullness of God's grace. [23:11]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: What specific blessing from Christ's gift do you feel most grateful for today, and how can you express this gratitude in your actions?
Day 4: Living a Life of Gratitude and Praise
In response to the unspeakable gift of Christ, our lives should be marked by gratitude and praise. This gratitude should be expressed not only in words but in deeds, as we seek to reflect the love and generosity of God in our interactions with others. We are called to give ourselves wholly to God, to live lives of sacrificial love and service, and to share the good news of this gift with others. By doing so, we increase the praise and glory given to God, spreading the joy of His unspeakable gift. [38:56]
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate acts of gratitude and praise into your daily routine, and who can you share the good news of Christ's gift with today?
Day 5: Sharing the Unspeakable Gift
Sharing the good news of Christ's unspeakable gift with others is a vital part of our response to God's love. By leading others to Christ, we increase the praise and glory given to God, spreading the joy of His unspeakable gift. This act of sharing is not just about words but also about living a life that reflects the transformative power of Christ's love. As we share this gift, we participate in God's redemptive plan, inviting others to experience the immeasurable benefits of His grace. [47:46]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the unspeakable gift of Christ, and what practical steps can you take to share this gift with them today?
Quotes
Paul had been boasting of the liberality of the Corinthians, and he somewhat feared that by their delay he might be made ashamed. He seemed almost alarmed that he had said too much about their gifts. He could speak upon that subject and say all that should be said, but he felt that he could not describe the liberality of God. The gifts of the Corinthians were such as he could speak of, but when he thought of what God had given he could only cry thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. [00:03:39]
The love which is seen in Jesus is inconceivable, infinite, unspeakable. During this meditation I desire to aid you as the Holy Spirit aid me, for in my case the power to speak of this unspeakable gift must itself be a gift. I trust it shall be given me in the selfsame hour what I shall speak. We will first consider that Christ Jesus is the gift unspeakable, but we are not going to be silent because of this for our second head is Christ Jesus is a gift to be very much spoken of. [00:04:40]
The church has produced thoughtful scholars, whom it is called divines and described as eminent theologians. From these teachers we have no doubt received much help in the exposition of the word, and yet if we put them all together they have never been able to unfold to us the entire meaning of the gift of the Son of God to men. The devout and studious have themselves cried out oh the depths but they have not pretended to fathom this abyss of mystery. [00:06:44]
The cross is not only a school but a hospital. The crucifixion not only reveals man's evil but provides a remedy for it. Christ is not merely a lesson but a gift, a gift unspeakable. Some of our brethren dwell very much, perhaps none too much, upon the general aspect of Christ's death towards all mankind. It is a grand fact that the human race is spared because Jesus died, and that it is not only reprieved but uplifted from degradation and put in a position to hear messages of mercy which, if believed, will bring salvation. [00:08:33]
Think of the glory of Christ throughout all ages at the right hand of God, and remember that all this was laid aside. What a descent from heaven's majesty to Bethlehem's manger, from the throne of Jehovah to the breast of Mary. Think of the perfect nature of Christ's humanity and its consequent rest in God, and yet he stooped out of his spirit's peace to endure the contradiction of sinners against himself. Think of his infinite perfections and boundless deservings, and of the shameful contempt that was poured upon him. [00:18:29]
Think a while of what you were by nature and what you would have continued to have been had not grace interposed, and what you would have become if Jesus had not been given to save the lost. Ah my brothers and sisters, we are fallen already, but the full results of the fall are not seen on earth. The right result of sin is gathered from the dark region where castaways dwell forever, finally banished from hope, where ring of sabbath bell is never heard, for they rest not day nor night. [00:21:26]
There is first of all the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. We are washed, washed in the blood, clothed in the righteousness of the Son of God, adopted into the family of the eternal, and if children then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. There comes to us by way of adoption all the provision, nurture, education and paternal love which the heavenly Father gives to all the children of his family. [00:23:11]
I would not give much for the man who can at all times fluently talk about the love of God in Christ Jesus. When he feels most his obligations, his heart will check his lips. Utterance belongs not to the deepest emotion. Only believe thou in thy heart that God has given Christ to thee and all that comes with him, and thou will rise from thy bended knees weeping for joy. A sense of sin forgiven through the atoning sacrifice will master thee. [00:25:55]
He is a gift unspeakable. Heaven cannot match him. How can earth describe him? When this gift is best expressed even when the Spirit of God helps men to speak upon it, they yet feel it to be unspeakable. When men sing like poets or write like apostles, they own that the wing of their thought cannot soar to the full height of this grand mystery. They have not even expressed what they have felt, and they have not felt what they inwardly know they ought to have felt in connection with so divine a theme. [00:28:34]
Let us praise God till sleep steeps our senses in a sweet forgetfulness. It is even pleasant to go on singing unto the Lord in the visions of our bed, as if the cords of grateful emotion vibrated after the hand of thought had ceased to play on them. It is good when even this wayward fancy of our dreams wanders towards the well beloved, never rambling outside of holy ground. Let even the fairies of our night dream sing hymns to Jesus, and the cow slipped bells of dreamland harbor imaginings of the fair plant of renown. [00:36:55]
Let us try to lead our families to praise the Lord, bless the Lord till you set the fashion and others bless him with you. Seek out those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and tell them the old old story of Jesus and his love. Thus if you cannot sing more yourself nor praise God more yourself you will have increased his praise by bringing in others to sing with you. See you to this, and let this be henceforth the motto of your lives. [00:47:46]
Oh holy spirit, write this line of gratitude upon the tablets of our hearts. Amen. [00:48:57]
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