What Money Cannot Buy!
Christmas is coming!
Every year, we say these words, excitedly anticipating or anxiety-filled dreading. Nevertheless, the statement reigns true—Christmas—is—coming! As such, we begin to shop for the ‘perfect’ gift for those we love, and that alone is what brings us such joy—the giving of the gift, seeing the eyes of those we love lighting up as they unwrap the gift we have so carefully chosen—just for them.
In the Bible, we have possibly read (or heard) about the persecution of the church by a man who spoke with authority because the fact remained—Saul was a Jewish, educated man who knew Scripture & had the backing from the government to persecute the church, to drag them into the court, and to place these individuals on trial for one single reason—their faith.
Saul was present when the men—the elders and the scribes and the High Priest—ordered the disciple Stephen stoned to death for his proclamation of the Gospel.
After that event, after Stephen was buried—
“And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they
[all the Christians] were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria,
[just as Jesus had said to them]
except the apostles.
[the chosen disciples of Jesus Christ].
Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.
But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”
(The Acts of the Apostles 8: 1B-4 NASB)
- Have we ever wondered just how strong is our faith when it’s put to the test?
- Have we ever thought: Could I really withstand if I were persecuted for my faith in Jesus?
- Have we ever heard someone ask: If you were on trial, would there be enough evidence against you to convict you BECAUSE of your FAITH?
Christmas is coming—&—There is ONE GIFT Money Cannot Buy!
- Christmas is coming—BUT—Have you prepared room for Him, for CHRIST?
- Christmas is coming—BUT—Have you sought after JESUS with all your heart, mind, soul, & strength?
- Christmas is coming—BUT—Have you received CHRIST JESUS as your SAVIOR?
- Christmas is coming—BUT—Is it merely a holiday to you rather than a HOLY-DAY of GOD?
- Christmas is coming—BUT—Is God’s Word like a fire in your bones, burning so hot that you cannot help but share the Gospel with the lost?!!!
Christmas is coming! &
- Christ is coming—&—Are our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers—READY TO MEET JESUS?
- Christ is coming—&—HAVE WE SHARED THE ULTIMATE ‘GIFT’ OF JESUS WITH THOSE WE LOVE?
- Christ is coming—&—There is ‘ONE PERFECT GIFT’ Money Just Cannot Buy!
God’s prophet Jeremiah spoke so eloquently about how we (the Christians alive today) should approach our responsibility of sharing our testimony, of sharing the Good News of Jesus, or sharing our witness with those who are lost & not prepared for CHRIST’S COMING!
“But if I say, ‘I will not remember Him
(Jeremiah 20: 9 NASB)
Or speak anymore in His name,’
Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
And I am weary of holding it in,
And I cannot endure it.”
THE LOVE OF GOD, the SHED BLOOD OF JESUS, the TRUTH—HOW CHRIST JESUS SAVED US—
- IT BURNS SO HOT WITHIN US THAT WE CANNOT HOLD IT WITHIN US! &
- WE CANNOT HELP BUT SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH THE LOST!
WHY?
Because CHRIST JESUS IS COMING & THERE IS ONE ‘GIFT’ MONEY JUST CANNOT BUY!
WHY?
JESUS ALREADY PAID THE COST ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY WITH HIS LIFE!
In God’s Word, we find those find how those early Christians who were scattered to Jerusalem heard—
- About the lives of those living in Samaria were being changed by God,
- About how many people were coming to receive Christ Jesus as their Savior, &
- So they sent two apostles: Peter & John, to preach the Word & lay on their hands.
In that place we encounter within the Scripture a man named Simon who hoped to ‘buy the most precious gift of all’.
“But [apostle] Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you,
(The Acts of the Apostles 8: 20-22 NASB)
because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours,
and pray the Lord that, if possible,
the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.’ ”