My First Published Sermon Was A Christmas Message In 1960

Common Sense Commentary: Fifty three years ago, this week, my first published sermon was in the Arlington, Texas Journal Newspaper as the "Sermon Of The Week". It was nearly Christmas, and I was pastoring the first of only two churches I ever served as pastor. The church was Westside Missionary Baptist Church. The editor of the Arlington Journal had called and asked if I would write a Christmas sermon for the "Religion Page" of his newspaper. That was back when America was a Christian Nation and newspapers had a full page of churches and Christian content. I accepted, of course,  and wrote the message, entitled "Jesus, God's Free Gift".  I ran across that old, now brown, newspaper clipping the other day and will pass on to you this 53 year old sermon which is the timeless message of God's wonderful gift to the human race ... Jesus Christ my Lord. RB

Jesus, God's Free Gift by Pastor Rayburn Blair

The words FREE and GIFT are noticed by almost every eye. Because of this fact, advertisers have used these two words together, probably, millions of times even though they actually mean about the same thing. Anything free is a gift, and a gift is always free to the recipient. You wouldn't say, "I will give you a gift if you will give me $10.00. That would be a sale and not a gift. A gift is something which is freely given by one person to another simply because they love or care for them. A true gift always comes from a heart of love or appreciation, and is without cost to the receiver of the gift.  The price is paid by the giver.

Did you know that the greatest, most valuable possession in the universe is being offered to you, right now, but will be yours only if you accept it? This priceless gift is an absolute necessity to every soul who seeks peace, happiness and eternal life.  The Holy Bible centers upon, and directs our thoughts to this greatest of all gifts, in Romans 5:18, "Therefore as by the offense of one (Adam) judgement came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."

God has promised you in Romans 6:23 that, "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". He repeats this wonderful truth in Ephesians 2:8-9 where we read, "For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast." How many times have you and I been reminded of this gift from John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Do you believe what God says in the Scriptures, or do you think you have to work for that gift, pay for it, or deserve it before He will give salvation to you? If you believe God meant what He said, and if you want to receive His promised gift for your very own, then bow your head, right now, and call upon Him in prayer, as He tells us to do in Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Put your faith in Jesus Christ as your own Savior right now, this minute, and give "Thanks .... unto God for His unspeakable gift." 1 Cor.9:15.  Pastor Rayburn Blair

 

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