The Greatest Gift - Pastor Stuart Price

• 14/12/2017
• SLC Stuart Price

 

Download Message(2017/_Greatest_Gift_mp3)

The Greatest Gift

 

If I donate all my goods to feed the poor... But do not have love, I gain nothing.           1 Corinthians 13:3

The Love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, tells us that nothing we do is commendable in God’s eyes if our motives are wrong. We used to sing a song, ‘love is the key to everything we do, Jesus is the source of it all’. I have been thinking about 2017 and how fast it has gone. For years I have kept a diary, and I have looked back over the years to see the things I have recorded etc. In fact, I still have them from the 1980’s, 1990’s and from year 2000. I can go back to any year, month or day and read my notes. It must be in the blood. My father Jack Price, my brother Sidney Price did the same. I have some of their diaries and can read the thing they recorded back in the 1950’, 60’s & 70’s. Dad was a farmer in New Zealand, and I read about the things we did together on the farm.

Nothing is more important than family and friends and a love for each other. Building memories and taking time and not allowing wedges to come and drive us apart. The father gave us His Greatest Gift, His son Jesus, who came to earth to show us a way to live and love one another.

Paul records in  1 Thessalonians 5:25 ‘Brethren, pray for us’ v26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. Paul was a great man of prayer it did not mean that he regarded himself as above the needs of other peoples prayers. We need to pray for one another and pray often. Paul's last task in his letter is to point his converts to the source of power by which they can overcome all their problems, and that all things are possible.

I started this with this thought ‘If I donate all my goods to feed the poor but do not have ‘love’ I gain nothing.’ I read a story about a Swedish Royal family, Princess Eugenie, she longed to build a hospital for incurable sick people. She was already supporting many charities, and it seems impossible to raise more funds, but recognizing the pressing need for such a hospital and after much prayer, she sold all her diamonds and proceeded to build the hospital. After the hospital opened, Eugenie visited often, going from patient to patient. She was particularly concerned about an older woman who had suffered greatly from disease. The princess spent time with the woman, seeking to lead her to faith in Christ, but the woman resisted. One day however, as the princess approached the woman’s bed, the woman cried out. ‘I thank God that the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses me from all my sin.’ In tears, the princess stood alongside the woman and said as if to herself, ‘I have seen my diamonds again.’

Paul goes on to say 1 Corinthians 13 4-5 Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil... Then in  1 Corinthians 14:1 ‘Pursue love’. You may not have much to give this Christmas!! But we all have love that can be shown and kind words that can be spoken. Love is an excellent way to live your life. Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

Start today The Greatest gift you can give ‘LOVE’

Much Love and Blessings

Pastor Stuart & Colleen.