JOHN 3:5-17; JOHN 11: 22-26

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we are in the midst of celebrating the greatest gift given to the world, let us look into some of the many gifts that are within the GIFT. God gave us Jesus to show how much He loves us. This love is so inclusive and applies in every area of the life of the believer and even those who have not been born again. (Psalm 36:5-7) Jesus Christ came to give us life and to destroy the one who had the power of death. (Hebrew 2:14.) When the believer receives Jesus Christ and is saved, sanctified, Holy Spirit filled and fire baptized, the gifting becomes more and more as the receiver (you and me) allow Jesus to be manifested in our lives. Administration as well as spiritual gifting abound in the life of the willingly and committed one who belongs to Jesus. (1 Corinthians 12:28.) Beloved children of God, Jesus was so concerned that life be seen as a gift. Mary and Martha experienced this to the utmost. Their brother – Lazarus was in the grave for four days. Even though they were sure they would see him at resurrection, they met up with Jesus and He showed His love. Lazarus was brought back to life in the presence of unbelievers and this made them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus is the “resurrection and life” . (John 11:25) He is life and death has no ultimate power over Him. Jesus confers this spiritual life on those who believe in Him and thus share His triumph over death. ( 1 John 5: 11-12) Christians will experience resurrection because having the life Jesus gives, it is impossible for death to defeat them. ( 1 Cor. 15: 53-57) Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ declared to us that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” in John 14:6 and that He is “the true vine” in John 15: 1,5. That means He is the ONLY path to salvation and as the incarnate “Word of God” is the source of all truth. Jesus is our exclusive and only connection to God who give life and produces a fruitful life of righteousness and service. We can only live rightly and serve Him effectively if we are connected to Him in a love/faith relationship. Brethren, Jesus said in John 8:12 that He is ” the bread of life” and is essential for eternal life and He will satisfy our hunger and thirst to be made righteous in the sight of God. He is the “light of the world” (John 8:12) and a “good Shepherd”. (John 10:11) . He is our only source of spiritual truth and light and is the only one by His righteousness and goodness guides, protects and nurtures we His flock. The Gift just keeps on giving. PRAISE THE LORD!