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God is with Us
GWEA Monthly Message for December 2019
REVEREND GORDON WILLIAMS
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 Christmas is on its way! “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is translated, God with us” (Matt. 1:23). What a wonderful time to explain what it means to other people – Christmas is about Jesus Christ! It’s about our God putting into place His “Plan of Redemption” to save people from the consequences of their sin. It is all summed up in one verse in the Bible, the Gospel in a nutshell: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (Jn. 3:16). It was an expensive proposition for Him, He who was born in a stable, “wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Lk. 2:7). He was “Emmanuel” which means “God is with us,” and He was named “Jesus” which means “Yahweh is Salvation”. Jesus was “God in the flesh” (Jn. 1:14). In other words, God, Himself, came to pay for our sin by dying on the Cross of Calvary (Heb. 10:12, 26). He was welcomed by shepherds, angels (Lk. 2:8-20) and wise men (Matt. 2:1-12); and when He shouted, “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30), He was really saying that the sin-debt of the whole world had been “paid in full”. After taking charge of captivity, meaning death (Eph. 4:8; 1 Pet. 3:19; 4:6), He was raised from the dead so our sins could be forgiven (1 Jn. 1:9). Jesus ascended into heaven to be glorified (Jn. 7:39) and to send the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4) to be our “Guide and Counsellor”. Because of this, we can be His witnesses (Acts 1:8) and do the ministry He has planned for each one of us (Mk. 16:17-18; Jn. 14:12). It was a costly work as Jesus explained in “The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant” (Matt. 18:24). It cost Him 10,000 talents of gold, where a talent is a measurement of gold, which at today’s gold price each person’s “sin debt” is an astronomical amount of $19,521,000.00! This makes the Gift of Salvation the greatest and most expensive gift of all! What a Christmas present we can offer to other people! Jesus also desires us to have the “Gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10:45) so the “Counsellor” can speak to us every day. He will guide us according to our Heavenly Father and Jesus’ plan (Jn. 16:7-16). Afterwards, the amazing introductory package of the “signs following” comes (Mk. 16:17-18) to equip us to start doing the “works of Jesus” (Jn. 14:12). After the “signs following,” the Holy Spirit distributes (1 Cor. 12:11) the more expensive ministry “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:8-10). These “talents” are valued at a whopping $1,952,100.00 each! The Holy Spirit wants to give us a Christmas make-over by developing in us the character of Jesus - the “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23). He wants us to be complete (perfect), and “equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17). As you shop for the perfect gifts for those whom you love this Christmas, remember to share the most important gifts that are meant for everyone to receive. These are available at no cost because Jesus paid for it all on the Cross of Calvary! And when you hear the all familiar Christmas carol, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the New Born King”, let it be a reminder to thank our loving Saviour, Jesus for His “Gift of Eternal life” and for the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit”. Christmas is the time to give to people you love an introduction to Jesus as their Saviour and Lord, Healer and Deliverer. And if you haven’t yet received Jesus’ Gifts, our ministry distributes His “Christmas Gifts” all year round! We invite you to come to our House meetings and receive! May the love of our Saviour, Jesus Christ surround you this Christmas as you celebrate with your family and friends! Merry Christmas!
Copyright © 2019. The Gordon Williams Evangelistic Association. All rights reserved.
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