Jesus––The Greatest Gift
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 12/14/2025
The Heart of God • The Mission of the Church
Foundation Scripture:
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. Why We Are Here Today.
a. Today is a day of generosity.
b. Today is a day of blessing.
c. Today is a day where people will receive freely.
d. But we must understand why.
e. Because Christmas is not about generosity that starts with man.
f. It is about generosity that started with God.
g. And everything you see happening today flows from that one truth.
2. God Is a Giver by Nature.
a. God did not give because the world was good.
b. God gave because HE is good.
c. James 1:17 KJV –– Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
d. God is good.
e. He is good; at all times and in every way.
f. And He never changes.
g. The River at Tampa Bay exists for this reason:
h. To reflect the heart of the Father to a lost and broken world.
i. We are not here to build an institution.
j. We are here to reveal Jesus.
k. What you see today is not a program.
l. It is not a campaign.
m. It is a culture of giving, birthed by the Gospel.
3. Jesus Is the Center.
a. Jesus is the center, not the add-on.
b. Jesus is not an accessory to Christmas.
c. Jesus is not a tradition.
d. Jesus is the reason God stepped into time.
e. Isaiah 9:6 KJV –– For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
f. At The River, everything flows from this truth:
• Our preaching
• Our outreaches
• Our giving
• Our vision
g. If Jesus is not lifted up, nothing else matters.
4. The Mission.
a. The mission: reach the world, one soul at a time.
b. God did not send Jesus to decorate humanity.
c. To merely fix us up or make us look better.
d. God sent Jesus to redeem us.
e. Matthew 1:21 KJV –– And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
f. The River at Tampa Bay exists because people still need saving.
g. Families still need hope.
h. Cities still need revival.
i. This church was never called to sit still.
j. It was called to flow outward.
k. That is why we go after souls locally and globally.
l. That is why we preach salvation without compromise.
m. That is why we refuse to reduce the Gospel to entertainment.
5. The Giveaway Reflects the Vision.
a. Today, gifts are given freely.
b. No strings; no qualifications; no repayment.
c. And that is intentional.
d. Because grace is free and salvation is free.
e. But it cost Heaven everything.
f. Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV –– For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
g. This is why The River gives.
h. Not to impress.
i. Not to be seen.
j. But to open hearts to the greatest Gift ever given.
6. From the Manger to the Harvest.
a. Jesus did not stay in a manger.
b. He went to the Cross.
c. He rose from the grave.
d. And He sent His Church into the world.
e. John 20:21b NKJV –– As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.
f. The River at Tampa Bay is a sending church.
g. A harvesting church.
h. A revival church.
i. What started with one Gift from Heaven is now flowing through a people, on fire for God.
7. The Call: Receive and Respond.
a. Today, many will walk away blessed.
b. But blessing alone is not the goal.
c. Salvation is the goal.
d. Transformation is the goal.
e. Eternity is the goal.
f. John 1:12 KJV –– But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
g. He gives you the power—the ability; the choice—to become a child of God.
h. If you believe.
i. You are not here by accident.
j. This moment is not random.
k. God is offering you His Son.
8. We Give Because He Gave.
a. This church exists because Jesus gave Himself.
b. This giveaway exists because God gave first.
c. This season exists because Heaven intervened.
d. Jesus is the greatest Gift.
e. And The River will keep giving Him to the world.
f. 2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV –– Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
g. Thanks be to God for His precious Gift that is too wonderful for words.
h. His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift!