Phone: 740-474-8856    E:Mail: info@cccuhq.org

Rev. Mike Holbrook is the General Superintendent of The Churches of Christ in Christian Union.

Mike brings a wealth of experience to the leadership of the CCCU. He has served as the South Central District Superintendent, Assistant District Superintendent, and Senior Pastor of Circleville First Church of Christ in Christian Union for sixteen years.  

He has a great passion for leading churches to fulfill God's mission for them.

He and his wife, Charla, make their home in the Circleville, Ohio.

Thanks Be Unto God

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas are already upon us. This is the time of year that we are reminded to be thankful for the blessings of God and the Gift God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. I absolutely love this time of year.

This is the time of year we are concerned about choosing just the right Christmas gifts to give to the special people in our lives. But let me ask you, “Have you ever received a gift that was so special and indescribable you were speechless?” A gift that was beyond description?

I have received some wonderful gifts over my lifetime and a few that touched me at the moment beyond words. Most of us have received such gifts. A gift where you would say, “This is just beautiful,” or “This is something I have always wanted.” A gift that fills you with strong emotional feelings. One that was given by someone very special.

Thinking on this I found that a few years back on “Good Morning America,” some featured gifts were given that were thought to be extraordinary that could be added to your Christmas list. Just to mention a few:

1. The Jaguar220 automobile for $587,000.00
2. A special 8 oz. can of car wax for $3,400.00
3. A gold and silver toilet seat with precious stones for $300,000.00
4. A frisbee for $18,000.00
5. A yoyo for $10,000.00
6. A mousetrap for $12,000.00
7. A pair of sunglasses for $27,000.00

These were some expensive and extraordinary gifts to say the least. These are gifts I can’t even wrap my mind around. But even though these gifts were extraordinary they were still able to describe them and sell them.

2 Corinthians gives an account where Paul is thanking the people for their gifts to him. These were gifts that fulfilled the needs he had and he wanted to thank them. He then turns from these monetary and physical gifts to God’s gift of sending Jesus Christ into the world for each of us. In 2 Corinthians 9:15 Paul writes, “Thanks Be Unto God For His Unspeakable Gift.” This time of year is a time we strive to celebrate the Gift of Jesus Christ. Our churches have special services and musical presentations to help us share the love of God and the powerful life-changing message of the Birth of Christ. This time of year we tell others about the coming of Jesus into the world. We should share with as many people as possible the true message that God sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might not perish but that we can have eternal life. Jesus came not to condemn the world but that through Him the world might be saved.

We tell the story and sing His praises but, I believe as Paul, the Gift of Jesus Christ is unspeakable and indescribable. The Scriptures give us several reasons why the Gift of Jesus Christ is personally indescribable and unspeakable.

1. God gives us the Gift of Eternal Life – Romans 6:23 reads, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus tells us what eternal life is in His high priestly prayer. Found in John 17:3 Jesus prays, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” This is a personal relationship with the person of Jesus Christ God’s Son.
2. God gives us the Gift of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38 reads, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” People advise to get things in writing so you are guaranteed to receive what was promised. I am grateful we actually do have this promise in writing and the Word of God guarantees to those who know Him the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3. God gives us a Gift to Serve – 2 Timothy 1:6 reads, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the Gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” May we stir up the gift God has given us to share the message of salvation and holiness.

I say with Paul, “Thanks Be Unto God For His Unspeakable Gift.”

With the spirit of Paul, I want to thank you for your service to the Lord and to the building of the Kingdom of God. You are important and we need each other in these days to make a difference and serve others for the purpose of transformed lives and to bring glory to God. I look forward to serving with you as we close out this year and move into a New Year. With all my heart I want to say Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.