Sunday, November 22, 2009

The Gospel in a Box of Love


It was my joy today to lead in praying, dedicating to God's purposes the Christmas Boxes so lovingly prepared by my brothers and sisters in Christ and delivered to our church today soon to be sent off for parts around the world. Praying for our great savior to receive all the glory, for his gospel to enter into the ears and sink down into the hearts of the little boys and girls receiving these boxes. It's exciting to to think what blessing the recipients may enjoy. Some knowing Christ, comforted a little, finding some joy that though we do not know them yet we are loving them for Christ's sake. Others, hearing for the first time the name of Jesus and discovering the glorious gospel revealing just who is Jesus and what great things he has done. With this blessing in mind, my three little girls enclosed brief notes of encouragement to be read by whomever receives their particular box.

So today I want to present to you as a guest blogger, an excerpt from the words which my 13 yr old daughter penned and enclosed in her box hoping to bring eternal joy and present comfort in the 10-14 year old girl soon to be opening the Christmas box.

In the beginning God created us, and we loved Him and served Him. God made a rule, too not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Adam ate it and disobeyed God. When Adam sinned, we sinned. His sin was counted as ours. We are cursed to sin, we are in bondage of sin, slaves of sin. We have to pay for our sins, by dying and going to hell forever.

But there is a second Adam. His name is Jesus. He is our Savior. He can set us free from sin. We don’t have to be in bondage of sin. John 3:16 says, “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

Our God is so wonderful, sending his son to die for us sinners. Ones who mocked God, disobeyed God, wanted to do evil against God.

And Jesus came to earth willingly. He became flesh, human. He lived a perfect life, without sin. He bore the cup of God’s wrath, for us. He died on the cross and paid for our sins. He was counted sinful even though he never sinned.

That is the Gospel.

I am so thankful that Jesus died for those who believe in Him and will believe in Him. I am so thankful that he can come in us and work in us to want to believe, and to want to be a child of God, and call him, Abba, Father.

Related Posts:
Gospel Thinking - Jim gives a summation of the gospel. click here
Summarizing the Gospel - Gospel in a paragraph. click here

For more on Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child, including videos and pictures click here.

5 comments:

Josh said...

Excellent, Gospel and gift combined. The great command meets the great commission and ships out.

I really appreciate the gospel message included.

This might just be one of my favorite posts.

KAN said...

That is a great gospel message.

I pray that through the good news that is going with the gift, the gift-opener and many more would "confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" Philippians 2:11

Unknown said...

Scott and Elisabeth
Wonderful message, hope it will reach lots

Cousin Barb said...

Awesome message Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing this with us Scott.

Anna said...

I think the girl who received that note will be happy.