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THE GREATEST GIFT
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.
We learn this verse and teach it to the children, telling them that it is the golden text of the Bible, or the little Bible, or if all the Bible should be destroyed except this one verse, there is enough gospel in it if accepted to save the entire world and this is true. But, have we ever analyzed the verse to see just how many of the greatest things are mentioned in it?
1. First we have God. It is hard for the finite mind to comprehend the Infinite, Omnipotent, All-wise, Ever-Just yet always abounding in mercy God.
He who made the heavens and earth and sea and all in them is. He who said "Let there be light" and there was light.
2. God loved thereby becoming the greatest lover.
3. He so loved, expressing the greatest degree of love, as we shall see when we consider His gift.
4. Then we have the greatest object of love. The world, not one person or nation, but the entire world.
5. Then He gave. Here He becomes the greatest giver.
6. For he gave His only begotten Son. The greatest gift that could be given.
I don't know whether there is any difference in the love of the Father and that of the Son but from a human point of view and I say this reverently. The Father's would seem the greater.
No parent would willingly give up their child to die. Rather many have sacrificed their lives for their children. In Romans 5:8 says, "God commended His love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." This expresses the love of both Father and Son. When Jesus gave up His home in Heaven and came to earth, while we were out of harmony with and in open rebellion to Him, to suffer and die that we might live seems to be the greatest love possible; but humanly speaking the Father's was the greatest sacrifice. We know that when Absalom was killed, David cried "Would God, I had died for thee, O my son Absalom, my son, my son!" The poet beautifully expresses the mother's love when a woman seeing her boy snatched from her side to die or suffer a fate worse than death, fell on her knees and cried "Take all, take these and her white arms and hands." She stripped of rings and diamond bands, "Take me and drag me to Siberia wild to perish if 'twill save my child."
7. Next we have the greatest beneficiary of love, "Whosoever believeth" not just a few chosen ones but every lost being in the world from the greatest King on the most exalted throne to the tiniest hottentot in darkest Africa.
8. And last there is the greatest reward ever offered. "Everlasting life." To live throughout the endless ages with our Father and Savior. For: - When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise, Than when we first begun.
Delivered by Minnie Hale
Baptist Convention
First Baptist Church
Dallas, Texas
approximately 65-70 years ago
©Copyright
All Rights Reserved
A TRIBUTE TO A VERY SPECIAL LADY
Mrs. T. K. (Minnie) Hale
Just a little history of the lady who delivered the message on John 3:16
at the Baptist convention in Dallas, Texas some 65-70 years ago.
Mrs. T. K. (Minnie) Hale was a Christian and a charter member of East Tyler Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas and taught a Sunday School Class (The Sunshine Class) for the little fellows. Whenever we (Mother and I) would go see her, so many times she would tell Mother that one of her preacher boys came to see her. She could tell you how many had become preachers who had been in her Sunday School Class. She was not bragging because they had been in her class but rather she was so proud of them for serving our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
At her funeral, her pastor, Bro. Brooks told the congregation he felt he should be sitting with the family instead of preaching her funeral. He was one in a million as well.
She would be honored to think her message as delivered so many years ago is in print as a tool to continue to witness for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So Cousin Minnie, some day you will know you continued to reach others for Christ even while you were resting in peace. Praise the Lord you jotted your message on a piece of paper for Mother who shared it with me when I was but a child. It is now time to share your message with others.
On Easter Sunday, 1955, I accepted Christ as my personal Saviour. Your teachings played an important part in my salvation through my pastor. Little did I know until just two weeks ago, my pastor, Bro. Linnon Barron was one of your preacher boys.
How Great Thou Art
1886
Oh Lord my God!
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds
Thy hands have made;
I see the stars,
I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy Pow'r throughout
the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God to Thee:
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God to Thee:
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.
And when I think that God,
His son not sparing
Sent Him to die,
I scarce can take it in
That on the cross
My burden gladly bearing
He bled and died
To take away my sin
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God to Thee:
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God to Thee:
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.
When Christ shall come
With shout of acclamation
And take me home,
what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim
My God how great thou art.
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God to Thee:
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God to Thee:
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.
Arthur Unknown
~~~SPECIAL PAGE~~~
For A Very Dear Friend
A Favorite Of Mine
Wonderful testimony plus more.
The Prodigal Son
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