God's Astonishing Gift - Benedict Allmand-Smith

Date: Sunday 13th April 2025

Location: Trinity Baptist Church Charlesworth

Title: God's Astonishing Gift

Text: 2 Kings 4:8-17

Please listen to the audio of Benedict's sermon below:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/414251850453927

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God’s Astonishing Gift: 2 Kings 4:8-17

Gifts bring joy. Whether it’s a surprise package or a thoughtful note, we cherish what is freely and lovingly given. But earthly gifts are fleeting – they fade, break, or lose value. In contrast, God offers a gift of astonishing worth, a gift that should cause us to stagger in wonder: His Son.

In 2 Kings 4, we meet a wealthy woman from Shunem who extended generous hospitality to the prophet Elisha. Unlike the widow earlier in the chapter, she wasn’t in need. She gave freely – food, shelter, kindness – without asking for anything in return. Her contentment was striking. Even when Elisha offered to speak to the king on her behalf, she declined. She didn’t chase after worldly status or power. Her heart wasn’t ruled by a desire for more.

This kind of contentment is rare today. We’re often tempted to enthrone success, wealth, or comfort in our hearts. We must ask ourselves: what do we truly desire most? What sits on the throne of our hearts? Jesus said in Luke 14:33 that we must give up everything to follow Him. That doesn’t always mean material loss, but it does mean placing Him above all else. Like the Shunammite woman, we must be willing to say, “I have enough.”

And yet, God still surprises her with a gift she hadn’t asked for: a son. She had long accepted her childlessness, but in God’s perfect timing, she receives this blessing. Her reaction to being told this is to doubt. She struggles to believe it could be so. Isn’t that like us, Christians? We profess faith in God’s promises but wrestle with fear and control. We say we trust Him, yet often live as though outcomes depend solely on us. Still, God’s grace breaks through. He gives to his children not because we deserve it, but because He is good.

The birth of this child points us to a greater miracle—the birth of Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, the ultimate gift. As Isaiah 9:6 says, “To us a son is given.” Jesus came not just to live among us but to die for us, to save us, and to give us eternal life. This is the gift that never fades, never breaks, and never loses its value. He is ours if we have faith in him for salvation.

For those who belong to Christ, this means we are united with Him. We can say with confidence: “I am His, and He is mine.” And in light of such a gift, how can we not live generously? As the Shunammite woman gave freely, we too are called to give – our time, resources, and love to others, especially to God's people.

If you don’t yet have this gift – Christ Himself, the Son of God – know that it’s not earned. It’s received by faith. Like the woman embraced her son, we must embrace Jesus. Repent, believe, and honour Him. As Psalm 2:12 says, “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”

There is no greater gift. Will you receive Him today?