Turn on your cookies for the best browsing experience.

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

These cookies are essential to make our site work. We use cookies for a variety of reasons, including giving and content preferences.

Instructions to turn on your browser cookies:

https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/how-to-enable-cookies/auto

Sign In

Sign in for a personalized experience.

Connect
Grow
Serve
Care
Watch
Give
    I'm New Care Grow Serve Watch Give
  • Locations

    • USA
    • Anaheim, CA
    • Brea, CA
    • Eastvale, CA
    • En Español, CA
    • Irvine North, CA
    • Irvine South, CA
    • Laguna Woods, CA
    • Lake Forest, CA
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • Newport Mesa, CA
    • Rancho Capistrano, CA
    • San Clemente, CA
    • San Diego, CA
    • South Bay, CA
    • Extensions
    •  
    • International
    • Berlin, Germany
    • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Hong Kong, China
    • Santa Rosa, Philippines
    • Extensions
    •  
    • Venues
    • Lake Forest Chinese Community
    •  
    • Online
    • Community
    • Adult Service
    • Students Service
    • Kids Service
    • Get Directions
    Get Directions
  • About

    • Connect
    • New Start with God
    • About Jesus
    • Our Leadership
    • Beliefs and Values
    • Discover Your Purpose
    • Home@Saddleback
    • Career Opportunities
    • Internships
    • Contact
  • Care

    • Explore
    • Counseling
    • Support Groups
    • Celebrate Recovery
    • PEACE Center
    • Hospital Visitation
    • Career Coaching
    • Mental Health
    • Personal Finances
    • Prayer
  • Events

    • All Events
    • Baptism
    • Discover 1-4
    • Celebrate Recovery
    • Adult Trainings
    • Care & Support
    • Kids & Parents
    • National & Global
    • Local Community
    • Sports & Physical Health
    • Special Events
  • Watch

    • All Media
    • Adult Service
    • Students Service
    • Kids Service
    • Current Series
    • Small Group Studies
    • DriveTime Devotionals
    • Campus Photos
    • Apps
    • Podcasts
  • Small Groups

    • Explore
    • Find a Group
    • Start a Group
    • Study Materials
    • Manage My Groups
  • Grow

    • Explore
    • Discover Your Purpose
    • Foundations
    • Message Resources
    • Retreat Ministry
    • Recommended Books
    • Podcasts
  • Serve

    • All Opportunities
    • Serve in the Church
    • Serve at an Event
    • Serve the Community
  • Ministries

    • All Ministries
    • Ministry Quiz
    • Men
    • Women
    • Singles
    • Marriages
    • Parents
    • College
    • High School
    • Jr. High
    • Children
    • Workplace
  • Mission

    • Explore
    • Get Inspired
    • Get Involved
    • Get Equipped
    • PEACE Center
    • Relief
    • Grocery Distribution
    • Food Pantry
  • Give

    • Tithe
    • Beyond the Tithe
    • 2021 Annual Review

My home campus

Select a Campus
View All Locations×
      • Home
      • >
      • Connect
      • >
      • Articles
      • >
      • Message Resources
      • >
      • God’s Greatest Gift

      Resource Details

      God's Greatest Gift

      Tom Holladay | December 17, 2017

      Did you know that the tradition of gift-giving started at the very first Christmas? After the birth of Jesus, the wise men came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While these gifts were significant, they pale in comparison to what God has given us. In fact, the best gift-exchange program in the world comes from him. In this message, Pastor Tom Holladay shares five gifts that God gives us when we come to him with worry, hurt, grief, fear, and sin. You’ll learn how Christ transforms our brokenness into peace, healing, joy, love, and forgiveness. Discover how the greatest gift this Christmas outshines everything else under the tree.

      Message Action Plan

      Message Action Plan

      On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.            Matthew 2:11(NIV)

      Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!   2 Corinthians 9:15(NIV)

      1. WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR WORRY
        GOD GIVES US HIS PEACE

      Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.   1 Peter 5:7(NLT)

      “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”       John 14:27(TLB)

      “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33(NLT)

      Action Plan- What is worrying you this week? Try journaling about why you are worried. Then, write out these three verses underneath your worries.

      1. WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR HURTS
        GOD GIVES US HIS HEALING

      He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3(NIV)

      He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. 2 Corinthians 1:4(MSG)

      Action Plan- If you know somebody who is hurting right now, be sure to invite them to a Christmas service. For dates and times for all Saddleback campuses,click here.  

      1. WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR GRIEF
        GOD GIVES US HIS JOY

      You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. John 16:20b(NIV)

      But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11(NIV)

      Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15(NASB) 

      Action Plan- Do a short word study on the word “joy.” Go toblueletterbible.comand type in the word “joy” in the search box. See what God has to say about having joy, even in times of grief.

      1. WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR FEARS
         GOD GIVES US HIS LOVE

      With His love, He will calm all your fears. Zephaniah 3:17(NLT)

      There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.   1 John 4:18(NIV)

      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.  John 3:16(KJV)

      1. WHEN WE GIVE GOD OUR SIN
         GOD GIVES US HIS FORGIVENESS

      When people sin, they earn what sin pays – death. But God gives us a free gift – life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23(NCV)

      God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.  2 Corinthians 5:19(CEV)

      As you share your faith with others, I pray that they may come to know all the blessings Christ has given us. Philemon 1:6(CEV)

      Doable Discipleship: This week’s episode of Doable Discipleship concludes a series looking at some of your favorite Christmas carols, with special performances by Saddleback Worship. Our last one is O, Holy Night, with special guest Socrates Perez. To watch or listen, click here.

      Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week’s Talk It Over, click here.

       

      More from this series

      More from this series

      Christmas at Saddleback (2017)
      December 3 - December 17, 2017
      • God's Greatest Gift
        December 17, 2017
      • Who God Chooses & Uses
        December 10, 2017
      • The Most Important Word Of All
        December 3, 2017
      Back To Top

      *Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply STOP to stop, HELP for help.Terms | Privacy Policy

      • sign in
      • contact us
      • privacy policy
      • career opportunities
      • internships
      • mobile app

      *Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply STOP to stop, HELP for help.Terms | Privacy Policy

      © 2023 Saddleback Valley Community Church