Precious Gifts - 12/1/2024 Sunday Sermon w/ Pastor Eddie McDonald

The Tabernacle Today

Precious Gifts - Philippians 1:29-30

James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Never in a million years would we consider suffering to be a gift, yet this, among other things, is exactly what Paul states.

PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30

What has the Father of heavenly lights given us?

 Gifts (v.29) “been granted”

o The same root word from which we get “Grace”

Why did He give them?

 (v.29) “for the sake of Christ”

o By definition, He alone receives glory.

Remember: In the giving, God gets the glory; in our receiving, God gets the glory.

Three Precious Gifts that Bring God Glory

1. Gift of Salvation Brings God Glory (v.29)

o We did nothing to earn salvation

 Isaiah 64:6

 Romans 3; Ephesians 2:3

 Ephesians 2:8-9

o Salvation is to God’s glory and results in our joy!

 Romans 14:17

Don’t be distracted this Christmas by that which is here today and gone tomorrow!

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Savior

Was born upon this day,

To save us all from Satan’s power

When we were gone astray:

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy;

O tidings of comfort and joy.

2. Gift of Suffering Brings God Glory (v.29)

o 2 Corinthians 11; Hebrews 11

o Matthew 5:10-12

o Suffering does several things:

 Confirms our salvation

• John 16:33

• 2 Timothy 3:12

 Purifies us

• Romans 5; James 1; Job 13:15

3. Gift of Company Brings God Glory (v.30)

o Suffering Bonds the Saints Together

 Hebrews 13:3

Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas

All others doth deface:

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy;

O tidings of comfort and joy.

o Suffering Permits Us to Share in the Suffering of Christ

 Philippians 3:10

• “know” = experientially

“If we were suffering for ourselves, it would be no privilege, but because we are suffering for and with Christ, it is a high and holy honor. After all, He suffered for us, and a willingness to suffer for Him is the very least we can do to show our love and gratitude.”

~Warren Wiersbe

 Application

o Romans 12:14

 Bless

• Luke 6:27-36

 Do not Curse

o Job 13:15

o Hebrews 11:1