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Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of GOD! (Sermon Audio)

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This is the audio from the January 4, 2026 sermon, “Unwrapped Gifts: The Gift of God!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Ephesians 2

 

“Do not be deceived.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  
James 1:16-17 (NIV)

When we experience the gift of Jesus, it is imperative that we unwrap the various gifts He gives to us.  As we embark on a journey to unwrap the gifts which have been given, we begin with the gift of . . .

  • Grace:  Ephesians 2:1-10

    • The Bible makes it clear that every person has sinned and the result of sin is that we became objects of God’s wrath as sin ruled our thoughts, desires and actions.  But.  But . . . God loved the people of the world so much that He chose the gift of grace to give of Himself to us.  The grace of God is an undeserved gift in every way imaginable.  Our forgiveness, our cleansing, our salvation is all wrapped up in the grace extended by God through the work He did.  It is not that salvation was free and required no work . . . it is only that price was paid and the work was done by Him!  When we receive the gift of God, we receive the gift of grace that calls us to do our good works to fulfill an appropriate response to God’s love and grace. 

  • Opportunity:  Ephesians 2:11-18

    • While we have been saved by God’s grace to do the works created in advance for us to accomplish, we have that privilege because of the gift of opportunity.  While the promises of God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to call a nation to Himself through their descendants was the foundation of the nation of Israel, the promise also included God blessing the nations through His people.  It is in Jesus that the opportunity to draw near to God became readily available to all people regardless of ancestry or nationality.  The gift of God to all mankind through Jesus threw open the door, and literally tore the temple veil in two, so that all who would call upon the name of the Lord might be saved.  When we receive the gift of God, we receive the gift of opportunity to be included in God’s family and to invite all others to say yes to God.

  • Design:  Ephesians 2:19-22

    • There is something special about a thing functioning according to its design.  In fact, when something fails to work as it is supposed to, we often call a repairman or replace it as defective.  God makes it clear that nothing in creation is by accident and that you are part of His design for a functioning and healthy body of Christ.  God designed you, the Bible says He knit you together in your mother’s womb.  You are not an accident.  You have great value as one designed by the Master Himself.  When we receive the gift of God, we receive the gift of design that makes us useful to the Master for the specific purposes He created in advance for us.

 

Today, how will you live with, and share, the gift of GOD?