Paul's Christmas Gift

We are not here to worship a baby in a manger this morning. For Jesus is no longer a baby in a manger. Nativity scenes are nice. They remind us of the day that God sent his only begotten son incarnate into this world. But it is not only his birth but his death on our behalf for our sins on the cross of Calvary.

His his sinless life and in ministry, the the message of his words, his resurrection from the grave. His ascension to heaven. Where he intercedes in behalf of his children. And the promises that one day he will return. Christmas is about all of those things.

Not just about a baby in a manger. This morning, I want to this maybe not your normal Christmas sermon. We'll we'll have a more normal Christmas sermon next Sunday morning. But we'll talk today about Paul's Christmas gift. Say, well, I don't know if Paul celebrated Christmas.

Well, I don't know if Paul celebrated Christmas as in the holiday but I know he did celebrate the birth of his savior whenever Christ was born. We don't know it was on December. By the way, more likely, it was another time of the year but this works for me and it gives us an opportunity to to focus in on this wonderful occasion, this wonderful event in scripture that has such a profound effect on the world and on the lives of each man and woman, boy, and girl this morning. Paul's Christmas gift. We're going to be in first Thessalonians one here in just a second.

If you want to find that, first Thessalonians chapter one. We will have some verses up on the screen but not these. So, if you can find that. What what kind of gift do you think Paul, apostle Paul, would want would want for Christmas. What kind of gift do you think pastors want for for Christmas?

I have here survey says, game show there. Here are some options. A new Bible. Yes, pastors what they want for Christmas. Somebody might say a new Bible.

Well, you know, something I I always like a new Bible but in reality, I really don't need a new Bible. You can talk to my wife. She she says, why do you need another Bible? You already have 20 some Bibles, alright? So, it probably not the most necessary thing and and I I preach all my sermons from this Bible.

So, anyway, if you want to get me a new Bible, I'll accept it but not not really the thing that most pastors need that badly. A new suit. Well, good luck on finding one that fits because I have a hard enough time especially when my weight is yo yoing like it is right now. Praise the Lord. I lost a good bit of weight here over the past six months.

Thanksgiving and Christmas is kind of stalled me in that respect and anyway, but but good luck on on finding one that fits. I have a hard time. Money. Money definitely comes in handy. It is greatly appreciated.

But it is fleeting in the long run and it doesn't bring lasting joy in the ministry. The purpose of the ministry is not the amassing of money. I need it just like you need it. I appreciate those that give so that we can pay our bills. Send my son to college and we are very well taken care of by the people we have here and it's greatly appreciated.

But money, money is fleeting and I don't think Paul, if you asked him, would say, what he wanted for Christmas was money. A pat on the back. You know, that's that's nice too. It's nice to feel appreciated from time to time. Nice to come.

Some may come and say, hey, I I enjoyed that particular message or sermon. It is it is encouraging. And but but that's not not really what pastor looks for most because when it comes down to it, God didn't put me here to please people. He put me here to please him. It's it's his pat on the back that that means the most.

A fruitcake, a fruitcake. People give fruitcakes during Christmas. Sometimes as pastor, somewhere along the line, I end up with a fruitcake. Fruitcakes are sometimes nice. It depends on the fruitcake.

It does tend to stick around though on my belly. So, probably not the best Christmas present and the list goes on but what does a proper pastor really desire? What does what what did Paul you think really desire from from those that he knew and from those to whom he ministered. I think he tells us here that which he truly desires and that for which he was truly thankful. In first Thessalonians chapter one.

As he writes a letter to a church that to whom that he had planted and to whom he had ministered earlier in his ministry. We're going to look at three different passages. So, just follow along with me. First Thessalonians one verses two and three. Paul writes, we give thanks to God always for you all.

Making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our father. There Paul says, I thank God for you and for what he is doing essentially in your life. If you'll turn to chapter two and look at verses nineteen and twenty, chapter two verses nineteen and twenty. Paul writes, for what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing, reason for rejoicing. Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.

For you are our glory and joy. You know, you you see little kids when they when they open up that present on Christmas morning, they look it up and it's it's something that they really wanted and maybe wasn't expecting and you see that smile and that look of joy. That that's that's just imagine that kid hears the apostle Paul and the apostle Paul says, here is here is my joy. Is it one day when I stand before God in heaven, you are standing there with me. That is my glory and joy.

That is my Christmas morning, Paul says. Look if you would in chapter three verses six through 10. Chapter three verses six through 10. But now then, Timotheus came from you unto us and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity or love and that you have good remembrance of us always desiring greatly to see us as we also to see you. Therefore, brethren, we are comforted over you in all your affliction and distress by your faith.

For now, we live if you stand fast in the Lord for what thanks can we render to God again for you? For all the joy wherewith, we joy for your sakes before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Before I forget, I'm going to turn the ringer off on my phone so it is not the pastor's phone that rings in the middle of the message. Alright. Look again at verse six.

He says, but now when Timotheus came from you unto us and brought us what? Good tidings. Old tidings of comfort and and joy. It's talking about the tidings of Jesus Christ, his birth in the song but Paul says, you brought me good tidings, tidings of of comfort and joy. Timothy brought them to me of your faith and your love and that you have good remembrance of all us always desiring greatly to see us as we also to see you.

Paul says, this is my Christmas gift to hear that you are standing fast as he mentions here later in the faith. Let's go to the Lord in prayer before we continue. Once again, thank you Lord for your word. Thank you Lord for the words of the holy spirit and of Paul that we have the opportunity to read here today. Good tidings of great joy.

Jesus Christ, our savior and not only that, but of the lives that have been changed forever by you, by your grace. Upon all those who put their faith and trust in you. We thank you Lord for that, for the the knowledge that one day we will stand together in heaven before you and for the opportunity that we now have been given to bring joy to the heart most of all of our savior by growing day by day in the things of the Lord that you might be glorified in our life and that our fellowship with you may gross reader each day to the day that we stand with you in heaven. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Amen. In these passages, it is abundantly clear that what Paul desired most of all in the ministry was growth and steadfastness in the lives of those who had come to know Christ as savior through his ministry. This is what brought him joy every time he sent Timothy or every time he sent Titus or every time he sent somebody else Epaphroditus out to a church to check on it. He he waited for their return and to hear what he hoped was the message that they were standing fast in the faith and that they were growing in the Lord and that God was being magnified in their lives and in their church. What joy that brought to the apostle Paul, a missionary with the heart of a pastor.

It is what made him him happy. It's what gave him fulfillment in his ministry. Not popularity, not power, not praise, not even money or material possessions. It wasn't even success in numbers and notoriety. It was that each individual born again believer in Christ.

Was growing in the Lord, was staying the course, Was demonstra that they indeed were The redeemed in Jesus Christ to the praise of his glory. In the honor of our savior This is what Paul how Paul measure his ministry was that God was being glorified in the lives to whom he had ministered. What he longed for more than anything else besides seeing his savior was seen marked growth and endurance in the converts to Christ to whom he was privileged to have ministered. In Luke two fifty two, it depicts the growth and maturity of Jesus as a young man. In wisdom, stature, favor with God, and men.

In first Thessalonians one, two, and three, we see the spiritual growth of God's children. Marked by these three here. In verse three, remembering without ceasing your work of faith. Paul was encouraged by that. For it demonstrated growth and genuine salvation in the lives of these people.

Remember without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love. That your love is real. And that your love labors on behalf of your savior and for others and patience of hope. Patience of hope. That you are enduring patiently the trials of this life.

Growing in your faith in Christ as you look forward to the day. When you'll stand with me at his side in heaven. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, patience of hope, and our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our father. In first Corinthians thirteen three, Paul Paul also unites these these three terms together and now abideth faith, hope, charity, or love but the greatest of these is charity. So, there again, Paul brings back those three together in the same passage.

Faith, hope, love. Faith, hope, love. Let's take a few minutes to look at each one together and as we do and we praise God for what he was doing in the lives of these people as Paul did. Think about also what God is doing in your life. That you might give him thanks.

And also, how we are doing in our growth towards him. Because not only did Paul deserve a gift so to speak in this manner but more so does the savior who gave his life for you. It is but our reasonable service. Romans twelve one, that we should give our lives a living sacrifice to him. So, consider how we're doing, how you're doing as we look through these passages this morning.

First of all, growth in the faith. Look if you would back at first Thessalonians chapter three and verse six and now, when Timothy or Timotheus came from you unto us and brought us good tidings of your what? Of your faith. Paul said, Timothy brought good tidings of your faith. Look if you would in verse 10, Paul writes here concerning his desire to come to them.

Night and day praying exceeding that we might see your face and might prefer perfect or complete that which is lacking in your what? In your faith. We are saved by faith. We live by faith and we need to grow in our faith as Christians. It is vitally important.

It's not only important for us but it's important that we grow closer in the knowledge and the trust of the Lord and Savior who has given us life. He has given us a wondrous gift in Jesus Christ, his son. He calls it an unspeakable gift in in Corinthians as Paul wrote. Unbelievable gift that God has given to us. We can give him a gift this Christmas.

That gift is our faith, our increasing faith in him. Our increasing faith in the knowledge of the Lord. Philippians chapter one verse nine, this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement. God wants us to grow in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. Now when it talks about knowledge it's not talking about just the facts that you can learn in a book.

Sad to say there are people that go to seminary that spend years of their life studying the facts about God but sadly, they do not know. Yeah. You know, I can know a lot about George Washington. There are a myriad of books out there that you can buy and read about George Washington. But I cannot know George Washington Unless per chance I meet him someday in heaven which I I hope is the case.

I hope he's there But I don't know him personally. And I can't. Now, but I can know you because I can talk with you. I can work with you. I can pray with you.

I can laugh with you. I can cry with you. I can get to know you. We talk about faith and knowledge in Jesus Christ. We're not just talking about the facts Anybody can learn the facts but only a child of God can actually get to know him better and how do we do that?

Well, we spend we spend time with him. You spend time with him. What gift can you give to God? This year, would you please consider spending more time? You say, well, how do I do that?

Well, he's given you the Holy Spirit. If you know him as savior, if you've been redeemed and saved through faith in him, the Holy Spirit lives inside your heart. Maybe you can listen. In your heart. A little more.

For God's direction. Maybe you can spend a little more time reading the love letter that he sent you. It's called the word of God. And don't just read it as a a cold book of facts. It is a powerful book that expresses the love and the heart of the God who made you Maybe you can spend a little more time in prayer talking to him You see, I I I can read about George Washington but I can't talk to him but I can talk to who I can talk to Jesus and Jesus through his word and his spirit can talk to me.

I can walk with Jesus. I can be directed by Jesus. I can get to know him. That's what Paul is talking about here. That's what we need to do.

This coming year. To grow in our faith that is in our knowledge of the Lord. Also, in our steadfast and increasing trust in the Lord. Faith is not just about believing the facts but faith is about trusting someone. God wants us to learn to trust him, not just know him but also learn to follow his directions, to walk in his steps, and to trust him.

Our lives. When we use the word faith, the word faith is identifies this ability to trust in someone that you can't see. Now, you can know but you cannot what? You cannot see. You can't sense with your five senses.

Yeah, you can't touch him. You can't see him, smell him, hear him audibly. I left one out. Taste you. But you can know him and you can know him by what?

By faith. Faith gives a substance of things for hope for the evidence of things what? Not seen. So, we can grow in our faith. We must grow in our faith and what does that mean?

Our trust. That means that when we read in God's word and God says, you need to do it this way and our our heart and our mind says, I need to do it this way. We need to learn to do it whose way? God's way and to trust him. To trust him.

When the Holy Spirit convicts our heart of something in our life and the world says, you need to hold on to this. It's fun. You need it and God's God says, you need to let it go. You don't need it. We need to learn to trust him more and to what?

And to, to let it go. We need to grow in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ this year. That's what we can do as a gift to our savior and by the way, it's also very encouraging to your pastor. In Philippians four one, Paul says, therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved, and long for my joy and crown. So, stand fast.

My dearly beloved, stand fast in the faith. Particularly in the face of temptation and tribulation or persecution which will come. Look if you would in chapter three. We're still in first Thessalonians. Look if you would in verse two.

Paul says, and sent Timotheus or Timothy, our brother. First Thessalonians three two, and minister of God and our fellow labor in the gospel of Jesus Christ to us to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith. So, why do you send Timothy to encourage them, to help them, to grow in their, to stand fast in their faith? That no man should be moved by these afflictions, troubled by these afflictions. For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

He says, because you know we as Christians, including me, Paul says, are appointed to suffer persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ. This this shouldn't come as a shock. This couldn't shouldn't come as a shock. Verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation even as it came to pass and you know. Now, I'm not sure whether Paul is talking about them or him or maybe both.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, yes, by some means, the temper, tempter have tempted you and your labor and our labor be in vain. So Paul sent Timothy to him to check up on them. He knew that they were struggling as as he was struggling. He was being persecuted. They were under persecution and suffering tribulation as well for their faith in this world and so he sent Timothy to check up on him to see how they were doing, to see if they were enduring as the saints of Jesus Christ should and growing in their faith.

In second Timothy three twelve, it says this, yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall what? Shall suffer persecution. It will happen. We will suffer persecution especially if we take a stand for Jesus. We will face affliction of all kinds just like other people in this world.

One day, the troubles of this world will all vanish away. When we step into the presence of Jesus Christ. But for now, we will face afflictions and trials and tribulations. In James one, Paul writes, or James writes, my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations or trials knowing this that the trying of your faith work with patience. But let patience have her perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, wanting or lacking nothing.

James Wright as Paul echoes here, the trials of life, particularly those for the calls of Jesus Christ, only serve to strengthen those in their what? In their faith. Who trust in him. So, what did Paul rejoice in? He rejoice that when Timothy came back, guess what he heard?

They were enduring in the faith. Their faith was real. Their relationship with God was genuine. And it was growing day by day. Even more so in the midst of trials.

Work of faith. Second of all, labor of love. Paul rejoice in their labor of love. As Christians, our love for God as we get to know him better should what? Should grow and it should become stronger day by day by day that we spend walking in his presence.

And with his spirit. Our love for Christ should grow. First John four nineteen, we love him because he what? First loved us and as we get to appreciate more and more his love for us, it is only going to strengthen our love for him. Paul wrote in second Corinthians five fourteen and fifteen.

He writes here, for the love of Christ constraineth me. Constrains means it it drives me. It motivates me. It it controls me. For the love of Christ constrains me, us.

Because we thus judge that if one died for all, then we're all dead. And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again. Jesus Christ died in our place so that we might by his death die into sin, die in respect to sin's penalty and the curse of the law that we might have the opportunity to live to his glory and his honor who loved us so. So, Paul says in light of the love of Jesus Christ I am constrained to serve him to live for him, who died. For me, and for those to whom I minister.

The love that God has given us is a love for him and that needs to grow but not only a love for him but also a love for those others for whom he died. For each, for each other, we should have a growing love. We shouldn't allow. We shouldn't allow petty differences and and irritations and frustrations and failings with one another to get in the way. Paul rejoice and that he heard that they were growing in their love, in their work of love for Christ and for whom?

And for one another, for one another. In first Thessalonians chapter three, Lord make you to increase and to abound in love one toward another and toward all all men even as we do towards you. He said, I'm burdened for you. I'm excited to see your love. I want it to keep what?

Oh, I wanted to keep growing. Don't let anything. Don't let anything get in the way. Chapter four verse nine and ten of first Thessalonians but as touching brotherly love, you need not that I write unto you, for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another and indeed you do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia but we beseech you brethren that you increase more and more. Paul says, I see your love.

He said, I pray, keep it going. Keep it going. That's what you can do for me, church at Thessalonica. Grow, continue to grow in your love. For each other.

First John four seven and eight says, beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God, he that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. If you love God, love one another If you know God, then you know love. For he is love. Now, share it.

Don't hold it back. John thirteen thirty five, I think I have that one up here. Jesus said, by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have what? Love. One another.

Of all the things Jesus could have said, he said this, this is by, this is how others will identify you as Christians. Not just by the things that you don't do that the world does. Though there are things you shouldn't do that the world does. But that's not how they're going particularly to identify you because there are others out there that don't do those things. Not going to other people are not going to identify you by the things, the actions, the works that you do, the adherence to the law, that's that's not primarily how people are going to identify you.

Here's the thing that should shine from your face and should be expressed in everything you do. Love for God And love for each other. How sad it is when we let things come between us as Christians. When we allow the hang ups of the world and of the flesh to keep us from going out and showing the love of Christ to others. How do we know that we are in?

Good relationship and fellowship with our Lord. Because we're growing in our faith and because we're growing in our what? And if you're not, find out what's keeping that from happening because for the child of God, growing in love is natural. If it's not happening, then there's something that's hindering it. And the third thing Paul was thankful for was their was was their hope.

Their patience of hope. In the face of this persecution, in the face of the trials and struggles of life, they hadn't given up. They hadn't faltered because they keeping their their eyes, they were keeping their eyes fixed on the prize. On Jesus Christ, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith, who had endured the cross, and is seated at the right hand of the father, who has promised one day to come and take us home and to deliver us from this world. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

Hoped for are things that we know will happen but haven't happened what? Haven't happened yet. It's not like we often use the word hope. Well, I hope it rains Which means that well, it doesn't look like it's going to rain. I don't know if it's going to rain but man, my plants, they're dying.

I sure does. I sure do hope it rains. No, not that hope. No, it's that there's the cloud and the rain is falling out of it and it's coming this way and you see it coming down the road and you say, I hope it rains. Okay?

Jesus Christ hasn't come to take us home yet but it's coming I know it is because he made a promise Jesus never never fails. He says, I am thankful for the hope that you express. First Thessalonians five eight. I think I have that one on the screen. No.

Yeah, I do. That one right Here. He says, but let us let us who are of the day be sober putting on the breastplate of faith and love and for an helmet, the what? The hope of salvation. I spent last Sunday night speaking on this particular subject from Ephesians chapter six, the helmet of salvation.

Our hope, our certain our assurance of our standing before God in heaven. Through faith in Christ, we can know that we are saved. John three sixteen, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoso believeth in him should not perish but have what? Everlasting life and you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. If you've come to him with a repentant heart, received his gift by faith of salvation from sin then you can know that you're saved.

First John five eleven through 13 and this is the record that God has given to us eternal life. Not that he will give. No, notice that. Doesn't say that he will give. It says that he what?

Notice that he what? God hath what? Hath given. Is that past, present, or future? That's past.

That's what he already did. If you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, as many as receive him to them gave you power to become the sons of God. You have become a child of God. He has given you the gift of eternal life. It's done.

This is the record that God had given to us eternal life. This life is in his son. He that hath the son hath life. He that hath not the son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God that you may what?

Know. That ye may know that ye have eternal life. What is it that stirred Paul? What is it that that gave him joy? Was that these people knew.

They knew that they had eternal life and their lives demonstrated that because they weren't just living for the things of this world, they were living for the things of the next. With confident assurance in their savior and in his promises. That their home in heaven was sure. Reserved and prepared for them and so they was they were living for that and not just for this. I I I saw a preacher one time.

He came up on the platform. He had had this super long rope that went out the door on the other end and he picked it up while he was preaching and on this end of the rope was a little piece about that that long that was painted red. Everybody could see it and then the rest of the rope was white and it went out the door and he said, here's the sad fact. Most people, even a lot of so called Christians are living for this and ignoring this. You see, our life is like a vapor.

Our life here that that is here and then it's gone. Eternity goes on forever. What are you living for? If you have that hope in you, that there is an eternity and yet you have eternal life in Jesus Christ and that there is a place reserved in heaven for you. Then, you need to quit living just for what?

For this inch of the rope. You need to start living. For the rest of it. Paul saw that and these Christians and it gave him, it gave him great joy. Philippians one six, being confident this very thing that he which beth begun a good and work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Watch the day of Jesus Christ, the day that you stand before him. The day that he comes to take you home. John fourteen one through three. Jesus said, let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.

In my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I cut and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will, what? I will come again. I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also.

What can you do to bring joy to the heart of your savior? To your pastor grow this year in Jesus Christ. Grow in your faith. Grow in your love. Grow in your hope.

Be steadfast. Be loving. Be looking. For the day that you stand before him. That's the greatest Christmas gift.

That you can give to me. But more importantly, the greatest Christmas gift you can give to Jesus. And he is deserving of it. For he, on Christmas, gave us the greatest gift of all. His son His life, his death, and his resurrection.

For you. If you're here today and you don't know Christ as savior, greatest gift you can give this morning is to come as we sing this hymn of invitation and allow me or someone to show you from God's word how you can be saved and know it. I plead with you to do that today. But if you already know him, as we consider our New Year's resolutions and our Christmas gift, don't forget about Jesus. And what he wants from us this year.

Let's pray. Dear heavenly father, thank you Lord for your word. Thank you for the words of Paul. Holy Spirit here today. I pray Lord that they would impact our heart.

We'd be impacted by the love of Christ and what you did for us and Lord that we might return that love, that we might desire to spend time with you, that we might grow in our faith and our trust in the Lord and our hope of eternity. Knowing, being assured of our salvation in Jesus Christ. And then, laying up treasures in heaven. By trusting you loving and serving you here. I pray Lord if there's one here today that's never trusted in you as Lord and savior of their life.

I pray they might do that today before they leave this place. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.