A Gift Beyond Description Dr.James Richmon Shady Hill Baptist Church Roxboro,NC . A Gift Beyond Description (2 Corinthians 9:15; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:1:14). The text is only 8 words long. Paul says, "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift or His indescribable gift. It is the time of year when we are trying to choose the right Christmas gifts for special people in our lives. What kind of gift does it need to be in order to be called "indescribable?" Is it a gift that will - evoke emotion - cause commitment - engender friendship - promote relationship - create making up - last forever - instill treasured memories?
On "Good Morning America", some ideas of gifts that might be called indescribable were presented. One was a Jaguar 220 automobile that cost $587,000 and they only make 250 of them a year. Now the wax to keep the paint job looking good cost $3,400 for 8 ounces. I guess if the giver can afford the automobile, the receiver ought to be able to buy the wax. If you decide to give your pastor a Jag 220, just throw in the wax to make it truly an "indescribable" gift.
Good Morning America also mentioned a $300,000 gold and silver toilet seat inlaid with precious stones. I guess someone can sit pretty on a seat like that, even if there is no number one or two to do. Of course there were cheaper gifts - an $18,000 frisbee - a $10,000 yoyo - a $12,000 mousetrap - a $27,000 pair of sunglasses - and for the proud grandparent, a $28,000 pacifier! Such gifts are mind boggling, but they are not indescribable. The manufacturers can and do spend lots of money describing them on TV, and in newspaper and magazine ads. Every human gift is describable by someone (a diamond by itself™ carat, clarity, and cut or facets; gold by itself™ purity, pressure, and polish; a gem by itself™ rarity, richness of color, rendering or supply; clothes by the brand name, even if it made in China, Bangladesh, Mexico or Hong Kong; a person by oneself™ family lineage - father and mother - grandfather and grandmother - in-laws and out-laws - and possessions).
In today's text, Paul begins writing about human gifts. The church at Corinth is taking up offerings to give to the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Paul commends them for the eagerness to help, and reminds them that those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly, but those who sow generously will reap generously. Then, the text shifts from human gifts to God's gift of sending Jesus to earth for us! At this point, words cannot be found to describe the gift of Jesus. The statement simply says, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
" At this time of year, we do our best to depict and portray God's gift of Jesus to us. Musicians have composed some of their greatest music on the this theme: Handel's "Messiah"; Bach's "Christmas Oratorio"; and the beautiful hymns of "Joy to the World", "Silent Night"," O Little Town of Bethlehem", and the more popular songs of White Christmas, the Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire), Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and Fevliz Navidad (I want wish you a Merry Christmas).
Poets, painters, and sculptors have used the tools of their trade to pay tribute to Jesus, God's indescribable gift of love! There are at least four reasons why the Gift of Jesus is Beyond Description. It is because of His: 1st . Nature (How do you describe - a baby born of a virgin - God with us in flesh - one who is completely and eternally Holy - one who is sinless - one without an earthly father - the Son of God - one who is perfect in the Godhead and humanity - the gift of Jesus to a commercially minded and sinful people?
There is something about His - makeup - measure - mind-set - manger---- that's beyond human and verbal description! 2nd . Purpose (When God looked at us, He knew that our greatest need was not more - wealth - knowledge - government - power - churches - servants - Christians. Our greatest need was the gift of a Savior. So, He sent Jesus to earth that we might be redeemed for sins.
There is something about His - plan - position - presence - power ------ that's beyond human and verbal description! 3rd. Grace (Not from - sales - wrappings - requests - works - seeking - wisdom - hoping - service - preaching - singing - praising - righteousness. It's free! It's a gift beyond description. It's God's gift through Jesus Christ! There something about His - fulfilling - feeling - future - fortifying or added strength (like bread with added vitamins, minerals and fiber, Jesus was fortified with love, healing power, patience , compassion and sinlessness or purity) ---- that's beyond human and verbal description 4th. Effect ( This indescribable gift is "the gift of gifts."
This gift changes - sinners - hearts - criminals - thoughts - minds - outlooks - directions - lives - traditions - doubters - possibilities (all things are possible, if you only believe) - past - present - people here, there and everywhere! The effect of the gift offers - forgiveness - protection - salvation - eternal life - peace - heaven (a mansion/kingdom).
There's a Christmas card with these words: If our greatest need had been information, then God would have sent an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, then God would have sent a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, then God would have sent an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasures; then God would have sent an entertainer. But, our greatest need was for forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
The gift of Jesus was sent out from Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. His - Nature - Purpose - Grace - and Effect made Him an unspeakable and an indescribable gift. Truly, a gift beyond description. You may spend a lot of money selecting the best gift for those you love. God spent a lot of time and planning on the first Christmas gift for us.
So, if you want to give the PERFECT GIFT, give the gifts that you'll never - return - exchange - lose - alter - regret - hate - deny - polish. And "His size fits all, His presence is good for all, His way is good for all" His style looks good on all, His policy accepts all, His credit is extended to all, His love embraces all, and His mercy and grace endures forever for all!
That's why we can sing: Joy To The World, because it was Away In Manger in that O Little Town Of Bethlehem when He Came Upon A Midnight Clear, As Shepherds Watched Their Flock By Night, that the invitation read Comes All Ye Faithful on this Silent Night, Holy Night; as We Three Kings of Orient came bearing gifts to see laying in a crib in the stable, a baby A Gift Beyond Description, ’Luke 2:1-14.
Isaiah prophesied that unto us child is born, unto us a Son is given, and His name shall be called - Wonderful - Counselor - The Might God - The Everlasting Father - The Prince of Peace - Immanuel (God with us!) . Song: So, Go Tell On The Mountain, Over The Hill And Everywhere, that Jesus Christ is born. Amen. http://www.shadyhillbaptist.org/ Disclaimer
This sermon was delivered during morning service on December 23, 2007 at Shady Hill Baptist Church, Roxboro, NC 27573 by Dr. James A. Richmond, Pastor. Parts of the sermon are adapted from selected readings and messages from various sources on the Christmas narrative without intent to comprise the work of an original author. Contact me with any concerns deemed worthy. Feel free to use this sermon in your ministry to bless and benefit humanity and the church. 336-599-7454 (Redaction 12-10-15)