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The true meaning of Christmas
1. Notice that the gift, Jesus Christ, is from our heavenly Father—the Creator and Sustainer of all things. (John 3:16; Revelation 17:14; Ps. 95:3–6; John 10:27-29)
(John 3:16; Revelation 17:14; Ps. 95:3–6; John 10:27-29)
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John 3:[16] "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,* that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Revelation 17 [14] They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
Ps. 95 [3] For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. [4] In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. [5] The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. [6] Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
John 10 [27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all*; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
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16 神爱世人,甚至将他的独生子赐给他们,叫一切信他的,不至灭亡,反得永生。
14 他们与羔羊争战,羔羊必胜过他们,因为羔羊是万主之主,万王之王。同着羔羊的,就是蒙召被选有忠心的,也必得胜
3 因耶和华为大 神、为大王、超乎万神之上。4 地的深处在他手中.山的高峰也属他。5 海洋属他。是他造的.旱地也是他手造成的。6 来阿、我们要屈身敬拜、在造我们的耶和华面前跪下。
27我的羊听我的声音,我也认识他们,他们也跟着我。28我又赐给他们永生;他们永不灭亡,谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去。29我父把羊赐给我,他比万有都大,谁也不能从我父手里把他们夺去。
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2. Focus on God’s gift that it is motivated by His awesome, unconditional love for us. (Isa.59:2; John 15:11; Rom.8:31–32 )
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Isa. 59:[2] But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
John 15:[11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Rom.8:[31] What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
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2 但你们的罪孽使你们与神隔绝;你们的罪恶使他掩面不听你们。
11这些事我已经对你们说了,是要叫我的喜乐,存在你们心里,并叫你们的喜乐可以满足。
31既是这样, 还有什么说的呢。 神若帮助我们, 谁能抵挡我们呢。32神既不爱惜自己的儿子为我们众人舍了, 岂不也把万物和他一同白白的赐给我们么。
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3. The Holy Spirit accompanies the great gift of salvation, which would take eternity to understand and
appreciate it all. (Eph.1:13-14; Heb.13:5–6; Jer.29:11–13; John 14:1–3)
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Eph.1:[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.
Heb.13:[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."* [6] So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"*
Jer.29:[11] For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [12] Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
John 14:[1] "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God*; trust also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
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13 你们既听见真理的道,就是那叫你们得救的福音,也信了基督,既然信他,就受了所应许的圣灵为印记。14 这圣灵,是我们得基业的凭据,(原文作质)直等到神之民(民原文作产业)被赎,使他的荣耀得着称赞。
5你们存心不可贪爱钱财.要以自己所有的为足.因为主曾说,“我总不撇下你、也不丢弃你。”6所以我们可以放胆说,“主是帮助我的、我必不惧怕.
11 耶和华说,我知道我向你们所怀的意念是赐平安的意念,不是降灾祸的意念,要叫你们末后有指望。12 你们要呼求我,祷告我,我就应允你们。13 你们寻求我,若专心寻求我,就必寻见。
1 你们心里不要忧愁。你们信神,也当信我。2 在我父的家里,有许多住处。若是没有,我就早已告诉你们了。我去原是为你们预备地方去。3 我若去为你们预备了地方,就必再来接你们到我那里去,我在哪里,叫你们也在哪里。
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4. Will you spend this Christmas enjoying the fullness of His gift to you?
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