Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf. Ephesians 2:4-10(NKJV) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy,...

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Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf

Ephesians 2:4-10(NKJV) 4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We all know that gifts are a good thing in life

Gifts at the beginning of life (Baby shower)

Gifts to remember our day of life (birthdays)

Gifts when we start a new life (marriage)

Gifts when we accomplish in life

There is a gift we do not deserve in life - 8

From God

Not worthy in any way- 9

From God

Not worthy in any way- 9

Gift we should keep, cherish and use - 10

1 Timothy 4:12-16(NKJV) 12Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

16Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

God give each of us a gift to use (for others) - 12

We are an example for others

Use the gift God gives us – 14

1 Peter 4:7-11(NKJV) 7But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

To share our gift is pleasing to the Gift Giver

Be praying for one another – 7

Be loving towards one another – 8

Be caring towards one another - 9

Be sharing (our gifts) with one another – 10

Be speaking (of God) to one another - 11

2 Corinthians 1:7-11(KJV) 7And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Gifting is even better when done together

There are some we can only give our prayers – 7

There are some we cannot prevent (all) their troubles – 8-9

There are some we can give our gift as we call out together in prayer – 11

Re-gifting God’s gift is the plan – 11

Romans 5:6-21(NKJV) 6For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

13(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

18Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The special gift of God

We were unable to accomplish salvation – 6

We were all unworthy sinners, yet God sent His Son to die for us – 8

God GAVE us an escape from wrath –9

This gift can bring us great joy – 11

God’s great, free gift can be had by all – 15

God’s gift is sufficient IF we accept the gift – 18-21

Acts 20:28-35(NKJV) 28Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

30Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 32“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

We are given a place, an opportunity to care for those around us – 28-35

We are meant to protect one another – 28-31

We are each other’s “gift” to cherish – 32

It is not about getting/receiving – 33-34

It is about giving – 34-35

Some questions to consider:

How can we give to others?

Continue in the Lord in front of others – 1 Tim. 4:12-16

Through our love – 1 Peter 4:7

With our prayers – 1 Peter 4:8

By our hospitality – 1 Peter 4:9

By using our God-given gifts – 1 Peter 4:9

How should we give to others?

With a desire to help

Selflessly - Acts 20:31

Greatly - Acts 20:31

Gladly – Acts 20:35

If you fail to accept a gift

is it yours?

What good is a gift left unopened

on a shelf?

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf. Ephesians 2:4-10(NKJV) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy,...

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