Three Gifts Given by God (Ephesians 2:4–10) 12/22/2024
Eternal Answer of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC:
When Christmas comes, the first thing that comes to mind is gifts. People give gifts to their loved ones and to those they are thankful for. You may think that you are not receiving any gifts. But there are gifts incomparable to anything given by the world or people. These are gifts given by God. I hope this Christmas will be the best one by meditating on the gifts given by God.
- God gave us His Son (the Only Begotten) as the first gift.
Why did He come? For what purpose? He didn’t come by coincidence (Romans 16:25: “He was revealed after being hidden for long ages”), and He didn’t come because He had no place to go (Luke 2:14: “The One who was Glorified in the Highest came”).
1) Why did He come? What did the angels proclaim on the day Christ came?
He came as the Christ, our Savior, and as the Atoning Sacrifice (Luke 2:10; Matthew 20:28; Hebrews 9:12).
2) Through this Blessing of Salvation, what should we hold onto and enjoy?
① God’s Eternal, Perfect, and Absolute Love in it, summarized as “Only.”
The God, Rich in Mercy, confirmed His Great Love for us through Christ’s death and resurrection (Ephesians 2:4–6). Meditate deeply on this Love of God and hold onto it. Then, you can truly love others (Agape Love). Through that love, we save people and the world (Ephesians 2:7).
② God’s Eternal, Perfect, and Absolute Righteousness in it, summarized as “Uniqueness.” God has the most Perfect, Eternal, and Absolute Righteousness. He saw humans become too corrupt and evil (since Genesis 3, continually; Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10). He desired to give His Righteousness to humanity. This didn’t come from us or ourselves or our works (Ephesians 2:8–9). That’s why it’s called the Gift of Grace (Ephesians 2:8).
If we don’t realize and enjoy this Blessing, all that remains is judgment. It’s not because of we have so many sins, but because those sins are unresolved. Christ bore that judgment and curse, making us righteous. When we stumble and fail, He takes compassion on us, forgives us, covers us, waits, and heals us (Ephesians 4:32). Until the day we enter heaven, hold onto God’s Righteousness, find courage again, rise again, and fight spiritual battles again (John 8:1–11).
③ God’s Eternal, Perfect, and Absolute Power, which brings about “Re-creation” (Romans 1:16). Through the power of the Gospel of the Cross, God Recreates everyone. Moses the failure, Peter the betrayer, and Paul the persecutor all experienced the power of the Gospel of the cross and were recreated as those who saved the world. That same power can recreate me, who is inadequate, powerless, and full of shame, and it can make anyone a recreated witness. He Chose, Called, and Saved us to establish us as witnesses of this blessing. There is no reason to struggle or wander. During such times, we grow stronger, deepen our relationship with God, and find the mission we must carry out.
- God says that we, who will be used this way, are His Joy and Gift (Isaiah 62:4).
1) He chose us before creation, saved us unconditionally by Grace, and that shows how precious we are (Isaiah 43:4). Having someone precious with us is the most valuable gift that brings us happiness. God saved us and made us His children, proving how precious we are as His Blessings and Gifts (Spiritual Self-Esteem). This is different from the pride and self-boasting over insignificant things.
2) This meaning is also found in the Covenant of the “Remnant.” God has remained us as “Precious Remnants”. Though they may seem abandoned by others, within them is God’s Holy Seed (Isaiah 6:13). That seed will grow to become Spiritual Summits and Evangelism Disciples who save the age. God says that in every age, there are Remnants chosen by Grace (Romans 11:5). Among them are Us and our Remnants.
3) Those who have restored themselves as God’s People respond differently to problems, conflicts, and crises.
① Most Believers strive to solve problems and pray to receive answers. This is important.
But there is something more important. It doesn’t matter if problems remain unresolved or if answers don’t come. Why is that?
② Because the act of prayer itself brings happiness. Through prayer, we grow deeper in God and experience the Anointing of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 23:5). Even if problems persist, there’s no reason to struggle or wander. There’s no reason to be discouraged or be in despair. Focusing only on Him brings happiness, and problems no longer feel like problems. One day, those problems disappear, and in their place come Blessings and Answers (Jeremiah 33:3) beyond what we could imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
- What follows is True Evangelism and Missions. This is God’s final gift to us.
1) That’s why it’s said, “Evangelism is not something you do; it is something that takes place” (Matthew 4:19, Matthew 16:18). God promises to turn everything into evidence to make us witnesses, for evangelism to take place (Acts 1:8).
2) This is the Blessing that Christ promised last. Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). He will use us to heal and save all nations (Mark 16:17–20). This is the Eternal Essence and Conclusion we must experience and enjoy with the Gospel.
3) Transform everything around you to be centered around Evangelism and Missions. Individuals, families, and churches must focus on this(Vs.10). The reason we study, the reason we need to be healthy, and the reason God must bless all our businesses all tie back to this.
① The people we save become the Eternal Gifts and Crowns God gives us in our lives. God promises to restore everything so we can be used to save others (Isaiah 60:1–7). He sends us those we need to save. No matter the difficulties, it doesn’t matter; even there, we find people to save.
② Joseph was sold as a slave but enjoyed the blessing of saving everyone around him. That was his greatest gift and happiness. He saved his master Potiphar, the people in prison, Pharaoh, and even his brothers and their descendants.
③ When the Israelites sinned against God and were taken as captives, God had set aside His hidden plan. He called them to shine as light (Isaiah 49:6) and raise banners for the Gentiles (Isaiah 62:10). For that work, God promised to make the remained ones (Remnants) the witnesses to all nations, leaders, and commanders (Isaiah 55:4–5).
Conclusion- Hold onto the Three Greatest Gifts given by God, and may we enjoy and share the best Christmas.
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12_22_2024 Three Gifts Given By God