The Perfect Gift :: Titus 3:4-7

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      Would you look at this: a nicely wrapped present. The box says, Open at Christmas. What do you think it is? A special gift for me? Maybe it’s money to pay for the school. ... What do you think? 

Well, we’ll never know what’s in this beautifully wrapped box unless we open it. So ... let’s open it! 

There ... Hmmm. Look at that. “A gift to the congregation ... the gift of My grace in Jesus Christ.” Signed, God the Father. 

Amidst all the gifts that you’ve received, I trust you will treasure this one above all others: the gift of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ. 

LET US ALWAYS OPEN THE GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE

As we do, we shall find.

I. The Savior of the world is now always with us (v 4).

  • He has been presented to us out of love. God incarnate is with us today. 
  • We are undeserving of such love (v 5). Remember original sin (Gen 3)
  • There’s nothing we can do to make ourselves right. But God can. Listen to this reading from Titus 3[:4-7]

II. This describes God’s act of baptism (v 5).

  • In Baptism God gives us one of the best presents: salvation by grace. The Holy Spirit is poured into our lives, giving us faith that Jesus has saved us.
  • Through baptism, you now believe that our Lord Jesus is with us always. He has united himself with us in baptism ... Romans 6 ... 

III. And this gives us ... The assurance of an eternal inheritance (v 7).

  • In faith we make the blessings of grace our own.
  • In faith we lay hold of eternal life as God's heirs.


Every year we may receive gifts we treasure for a lifetime because of the sentiment behind the gift. But the greatest gift-giver is God. Today we are reminded he has come to us in the flesh ... and saved us. 

Shall we treasure this gift or despise and cast it aside as we do the wrappings from a gift we have received? Not only would God have you open His gift, but He would have you receive it in faith and treasure it forever.


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