The Unspeakable Gift - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
- Pastor Shiflett
- Dec 24, 2023
- 3 min read
The Unspeakable Gift
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Intro: It’s Christmas time – my favorite time of year. I love the atmosphere, the lights, the decorations, the songs, the music, the food, and the gifts.
I love sitting on the couch and watching Fed Ex deliver my Christmas shopping to my front door.
But the Reason for the Season is Christ – the time when we celebrate His birth.
The context of our text this morning is on the subject of giving.
The Apostle Paul is writing an epistle to the church of Corinth.
He dealt with the:
1. Preparation of Giving – 1-5
2. Principles of Giving – 6 and 7
3. Promises of Giving – 8-10
4. Praise of Giving – 11-15
But after all he had to say about God’s people giving, his final verse was about what God has given us.
· 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
The Apostle John said in 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Paul is essentially saying the same thing. We give, because He first gave to us.
The greatest gift ever given was when Jesus was given to us.
· John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This Gift from God was unspeakable.
The word UNSPEAKABLE literally means indescribable.
I. It was Unspeakable in its Presentation
A. The Harmony
All the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in every detail.
B. The Humility – swaddling clothes
· Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
C. The Humanity
· John 1:14 The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us…
· Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
II. It was Unspeakable in its Personalization
· Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
He was a Wonderful Gift because…
A. A Personal Gift
· Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
I’m glad this Gift was a “one size fits all”.
This gift was for me.
When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.
B. He was Perfect Gift - no blemish; no sin; no guile; perfect in every way
· Luke 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
C. He was Priceless Gift – undeserved
That was why God made it free; it is impossible to put a price tag on it.
· Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
III. It was Unspeakable in its Provision
When God gave me Jesus, He also gave me:
Grace - Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Forgiveness - Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Peace - John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Eternal Life- Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
