An Indescribable Gift!
2 Corinthians 9:10-15 Now [a]may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [b]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
In the previous verses Paul had stated the promises, and shown that we have a right to expect even more as a consequence of our generous giving. He has an earnest desire that the church experience this themselves. Paul speaks directly to the act of sowing seed, that when a man scatters seed in his field God provides him with the means of sowing again. God not only gives him a harvest to supply his needs, but he blesses him also in giving him the ability to sow again. Paul desired not only that God would supply their returning needs, but he desired also that he would give them the ability to do good again; that God would furnish them the means of future giving. He acknowledges God as the source of all increase, and wishes that they may experience the results of such increase. God who furnishes by His providence the seed to the sower.
In like manner He will furnish you the means of doing good.
Your riches are conferred on you for this purpose- to sow into His kingdom. The apostle states to them the true reason why wealth was bestowed. It was not for the purposes of luxury and self-gratification; not to be spent in sensual enjoyment, not for parade and display; it was that it might be distributed to others in such a way as to cause thanksgiving to God.
Where there is a real and sincere submission to the gospel of Christ, it would be manifested by their giving liberally to supply the needs of others. The evidence that our profession and faith in Him are sincere and genuine, is a willingness to contribute to relieve the needs of the saints.
James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (talk about this)
But that is not what I am preaching tonight.
Paul ends this section with a phrase, “Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift!”
But, Paul is not referencing giving. The reference is rather to the unspeakable gift which God had granted to us in bestowing his Son to die for us. This is one of the most striking instances which occur in the New Testament, showing us the mind of Paul was always fixed on Jesus and His work.
In layman’s terms Paul is saying, “Your generosity is indeed valuable; and for all the good which you are able to accomplish, we are bound to give thanks to God. Your generosity gives a heart of gratitude to those who are benefitted by it. But how small is all this compared with the great gift which God has given us in sending His Son to die for us? That is unspeakable. No words can express it, no language convey an adequate description of the value of the gift, and of the benefits which result from it.”
How do we know this is what Paul meant?
An indescribable gift – The word used here means, “unspeakable, what cannot be related, unutterable.” It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means that no words can properly express the greatness of this gift. It is higher than the mind can conceive; higher than language can express. It is definitely not referring to a church’s generosity.
The Savior is a gift to mankind. Man had no claim on God. We did not compel him to provide a plan of salvation. It was His idea, His plan to redeem mankind to Himself for His glory. God chose to leave all His glory and wrap Himself in flesh and come into a hostile world. Jesus took on Him the wrath of God and we get all the benefits resulting from His work. He came freely and gave Himself freely and we are all undeserving.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the [a]mystery of godliness: God[b] was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
Galatians 1:3-4 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
This is a gift unspeakably great, whose value no language can express, no heart can fully conceive. I will try tonight- how can you describe a sunset and the colors of the rainbow to a blind man? How can you describe the suffering and pain of childbirth and the immediate joy that comes when that child is born? How can you describe the taste of chocolate to someone who has never eaten anything so rich and sweet? And how do you describe the awesomeness of Jesus in mere words?
Think of the Word “awesome”- there are many things we attribute to this word, but none are fitting. A surfer might exclaim, “Dude, that wave was awesome!” Really? It made you stand in awe that something miraculous and mighty was done? Full of awe and wonder? Red Sea
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Wonderful – פלא pele’. This word is derived from the verb: to separate, to distinguish, or to make great. It is applied to anything that is great or wonderful, as a miracle.
In Isaiah, it is used to denote the unusual and remarkable qualities that distinguished the Messiah. The idea of the word is miraculous. It means that the Messiah, in His being and in His works, will be exalted above the ordinary course of nature, and that his whole manifestation will be a miracle. Wonderful is that which is separated from the ordinary course of events, and which is meant to produce amazement, wonder, awe, and admiration.
This word is rendered in other places in Scripture as: marvelous, wonderful, hidden, things too high to understand, miracles, wonders, and hard to understand.
It is a word which expresses with accuracy everything in relation to the Redeemer. For the Messiah was wonderful in all things. It was wonderful love by which God gave him, and by which he came; the manner of his birth was wonderful; his humility, his self-denial, his sorrows and his sufferings were wonderful; his mighty works were wonderful; his dying agonies were wonderful; and his resurrection, his ascension, were all suited to produce in the heavens and the earth admiration, awe and wonder.
There are three things I find indescribable, I can barely put into words about His gift of salvation.
His mercy is indescribable.
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [a]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
It was God’s mercy that sent Jesus. The King of kings left all His glory to become a lowly man to redeem me from the pit of hell.
I did nothing to earn this. I can take no part in His plan to redeem me. It was because of His mercy. I was not worthy. I cannot take any ownership over His mercy. Maybe you do not understand mercy?
I don’t understand sour faced Christians. I don’t understand those who claim to be in christ and have no joy. What is wrong with you? You are only redeemed because of His wonderful mercy. I can barely fathom that I am even loved by Him.
In Hebrew, the word for “mercy” is “rachamim” (רַחֲמִים),
“Rachamim” (רַחֲמִים): meaning “mercy” or “compassion,” is the plural form of “womb” This connection emphasizes the idea of mercy as a nurturing and protective force, similar to the womb’s role in safeguarding a developing child.
This is the word for mercy in the following:
Exodus 34:6-7 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
Another word for mercy is “Hessed” (חֶסֶד): The Hebrew word “hesed” (חֶסֶד) encompasses a multifaceted concept, often translated as “loving-kindness,” “mercy,” “grace,” or “steadfast love,” signifying God’s covenant faithfulness and enduring love for humanity.
“Hesed” is a Hebrew word that doesn’t have a perfect equivalent in English, but it’s often translated as “loving-kindness,” “mercy,” “grace,” “steadfast love,” “faithful love,” or “covenant, loyal love”. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, “hesed” refers to God’s covenant love and faithfulness towards humanity, and His desire to be in covenant with men.
Hesed denotes a deep, enduring love that is rooted in covenantal faithfulness and mercy. Hesed is not merely an emotional response but involves action and commitment, often in the context of a relationship, particularly between God and His people. It encompasses loyalty, kindness, and mercy, reflecting God’s unwavering love and faithfulness.
In ancient Hebraic culture, covenants were binding agreements that established relationships between parties, often involving mutual obligations. Hesed is a key concept in the context of these covenants, especially in the relationship between God and Israel. It reflects the covenantal loyalty and faithfulness expected from both parties. God’s hesed is a central theme in the Bible, highlighting His gracious and compassionate nature, His commitment to His promises, and His desire for a reciprocal relationship with His people.
Psalm 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy (hesed).
Psalms 107:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His [a]mercy endures forever.
This is the same idea in the NT agape love that Christ died for us, the God of covenant wanted to establish a covenant love and commitment with a people.
1 John 4:19 We love [a]Him because He first loved us. (covenant love-marriage, Christ loved and died for His Bride, the church)
Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
I am in awe of His great mercy! Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift.
His suffering is indescribable.
Jesus’ suffering is a core tenet of Christianity. His suffering represents the ultimate act of love and sacrifice for humanity’s sins. The suffering of the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament in Isaiah 53, which describes the “suffering servant”.
Isaiah 53 (read whole chapter)
His suffering and death on the cross are the means by which you are redeemed from sin and reconciled with God. You cannot have the Savior without the cross! There is no salvation without suffering! We must embrace this very fact. His suffering brought my salvation. There was no other way. He suffered and paid for my sin. Christianity is a bloody and suffering religion.
Jesus endured physical torment, emotional trauma, and spiritual agony. Scourging was an incredibly painful torture inflicted by a whip with multiple leather cords that would commonly have bits of sheep bone and sharp pieces of metal embedded throughout. This instrument was designed to inflict maximum pain and blood loss, as each lash would have ripped out large pieces of flesh, essentially exposing the skeletal muscles completely. With his hands tied to a post, Jesus endured this horrific pain at the hands of Roman soldiers as a crowd of onlookers watched.
After the flogging, Jesus has lost a massive amount of blood. His back has been literally ripped to shreds, and he would have been incredibly weak. At this point, Roman soldiers drag him away to the governor’s palace, where they commence a new level of mockery and humiliation. Twisting together a crown of thorns, they ram it down on to His head. With fresh blood now running down Jesus’ face, the soldiers begin to beat him over the head with a mock scepter, driving the thorns even deeper into his temples and forehead. When the horrific ordeal was complete, they rip off the mock royal robe and lead him outside the city walls to Golgotha, the Place of the Skull.
And now, weakened and bloodied to a state barely recognizable, Jesus is to be crucified. Again and again, Jesus is fulfilling Scripture. In Isaiah 52, written hundreds of years before this moment, the prophet had written: “many were astonished at you, his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind…” Jesus has truly been marred beyond resemblance.
When we hear the word crucifixion, we instantly think of Jesus. But back then, this was a method of torture, humiliation, and execution that ancient Rome had used liberally on non-citizens, criminals who would threaten Roman rule. It was a death reserved for the absolute dregs and criminals of humanity.
The apostles would not have had to explain crucifixion to their audience. But we don’t live in a time where this is a commonplace event. After being forced to carry the horizontal cross-beam through the streets, Jesus collapses, requiring a random stranger from the crowd named Simon to carry it the rest of the way. At the top of the hill, Jesus is thrown down on his back, exacerbating his already open wounds. They grab his hands, place iron stakes over his wrist joint, and drive these giant nails into them. He is lifted up and affixed to the vertical beam, now forming the familiar “T” of the cross, where his feet are now nailed as well.
The cause of death in a crucifixion was typically suffocation. With the entire weight of your body hanging by your wrists, you cannot properly exhale. For the next six hours, every single breath Jesus takes is literally excruciating. The cumulative physical suffering and pain Jesus endures throughout this execution is some of the worst imaginable in human existence. He endured the wrath of God, being separated from the Father at the point of His death.
HE was rejected by His own people that HE came to redeem. It was for His enemies that HE suffered. We were guilty and He was innocent. It is unfathomable that anyone would go through this type of suffering for people who rejected Him. His suffering brought me life
Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!
His benefits are indescribable.
Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
HE took upon Himself the wrath of God so that I could have all the goodness of God.
He became poor so that I could become rich.
He forgives all my sin and has cast it as far as the east is from the west and by His stripes I am healed. He took all my guilt and all my shame and gave me beauty for ashes.
He makes me a new creation. He calls me His own. I am His child, no longer an orphan. He heals my broken heart and binds up all my wounds. He gives me wholeness. He makes a barren woman a mother and turns a harlot into a house wife. He heals, He redeems, He restores. He delivered me from the pit. He cleansed me. He gives me good gifts!
He rose from the grave, conquering sin and death so I could have abundance of life! Sin and shame no longer control me and the grave has no hold on me.
He has given me the Holy Spirit to live inside me, lead me, guide me, teach me, counsel me. The Creator of the universe lives in me! How wonderful is that!
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
His glory which shall be revealed in us! He overcame the grave and I shall put on immortality. He has went to prepare a place for me that I cannot describe because I cannot even fathom it. And He will return to redeem me
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
I am going to place where I can be in His presence and I will have no more pain, no more tears, no more suffering. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!!
Lastly, thanks should be rendered to God for all this. We owe him our highest praises.
All our peace and hope; all our comfort and joy in this life; all our prospect of pardon from sin and salvation; all the offers of eternal glory are to be directly traced to Him.
When we think of our past sins, which have been freely pardoned; or when we think of a troubled mind, which can now be at peace; or when we think of our soul, which will one day be eternally glorified; or when we think of the hell from which we have been delivered, and of heaven that we will one day be raised up by the gift of our Savior, who loved us and died for us….
Our heart should overflow with gratitude, and the language should be continually on our lips and in our heart, “thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift.”
Every other mercy and every other gift should seem small compared with this.
“Goodness of God” CeCe Winans. Take some altar time to thank Him for this indescribable gift. If you need salvation, come to the altar and repent, turn towards Him for His goodness.
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