Romans 6:12-23

It is common for Heads of State, when visiting another Head of State, to bring a gift as a gesture of friendship. If you visit the Roosevelt Library at Hyde Park, you will see many items on display that were presented to the family while they were in office. Perhaps the most celebrated gift between Heads of State was the gift the government of China gave President Nixon: a pair of Panda bears, which can be seen at the Zoo in D.C. Mr. Brezhnev of the Soviet Union is well known for his collection of automobiles he acquired as gifts from visiting dignitaries. (Sermon originally preached 06/1975)

I want you to know there is a gift for you! It does not come from a Head of State, but from the Ruler of the universe. The gift is far superior to that of bears, automobiles, or jewels. The King’s gift to you is life.

Jesus said He came into this world to give life and make that life abundant. (John 10:10) For these reasons, everyone should accept and possess this gift from the King.

Romans 6:23 sets forth the alternatives of life and death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This very moment, you are either acquiring life or death. The key to this question is what you do with Jesus Christ. He came and died to make it possible for us to pass from spiritual and physical death to eternal life. There are several reasons why we should be certain that we possess the gift of eternal life.

• This gift is graciously given
  • God offers this gift freely
    • Not from duty but from desire
  • God offers this gift openly
    • Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelations 3:20
• This gift is priceless
  • What it took to give it
    • The life of God’s Son
  • What it takes to receive it
    • For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
      • It takes faith in Jesus Christ
      • The acknowledgment that you can do nothing to deserve it
      • A step to reach out and accept freely what God wants to give you

Faith is a beggar’s hand reaching out to receive the King’s gift.

• This gift is rewarding
  • Presently
    • You belong
    • You have peace
    • You have pardon
    • You have purpose
  • In the future
    • For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. II Corinthians 5:10

Having the gift of eternal life enables us to look toward that day without fear and with confidence. On that day, if we receive eternal life now, we can stand before our Lord and say, because I have trusted you for eternal life and given you lordship over my life, I expect to be granted a portion in your Kingdom.

Therefore, for these reasons:

• Eternal life is graciously given
• It is a priceless gift
• Hold such great rewards

Everyone should accept the gift God freely offers.