The Greatest Gift Giver The Greatest Gift Receiver

The Greatest Gift

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Giver The Greatest Gift Receiver 3

Could it be that there are “conditions” on that gift? – Must be accepted – If wrapped, it must be unwrapped – Receipt of a gift is not always where it ends! 1. 2. 3. The Greatest Gift Must take care of it Put gas in it Maintain it 4

The Bible uses the word “gift” many times and in many ways. “gift” = “a thing that is given, either tangible or intangible” Sometimes deserved or expected Other times not deserved and not expected The Greatest Gift 5

“Gifts” in the Bible: – Shechem and the sons of Jacob, a “dowry” (Gen 34) – A “bribe” (Exo 23: 8) – Used in a general sense (Mat 7: 11) – Used as an expression of honor (Mat 2: 11) – Gifts as sacrifices or oblations (Lev) – Good and perfect gifts (Jas 1: 17) – Gifts from God (Ecc 3: 12 -13; 5: 19) – Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12; 13; 14) The Greatest Gift 6

The Greatest Gift. . . Everlasting Life! – Acts 2: 37 -38 • Joel 2: 28, 32 • Gal 3: 14 • Romans 10 – Eph 2: 8 – John 4: 10 – Rom 6: 23 The Greatest Gift 7

There will come a day when every soul that has ever lived will stand before God in judgment. Rev 20: 11 ff 1. Books will be opened. . . by which we will be judged 2. The Book of Life When we stand before God at the Judgment, what will be the only thing that matters? The Greatest Gift 8

Religious confusion? If we don’t get this part right, then. . . NOTHING. ELSE. MATTERS! The Greatest Gift 9

The Book of Life. . . who writes our name there? Jesus (Acts 2: 47) What are the “other books” by which we will be judged? The scriptures (John 12: 48) – Acts 11 – 2 Pet 1: 3 The Greatest Gift 10

If my name is written there. . . can it be removed? – Many today say, “No, absolutely not!” – Jesus said, “Yes” (Rev 3: 5) The Greatest Gift 11

Giver Receiver God’s Part Our Part There is a HUGE difference between earning our salvation and obedience. . . the first one we CANNOT DO. . . the second one we MUST DO The Greatest Gift 12

Giver Receiver God’s Part Our Part by grace through faith The Greatest Gift 13

“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. ” (Eph 2: 8 -9) Many understand it this way: “By grace we have been saved through faith, but works have nothing to do with salvation. Otherwise, we would boast about it. ” The Greatest Gift 14

Giver Receiver God’s Part Our Part “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. ” (Eph 2: 8 -9) – “not of yourselves” – “it is the gift of God” – “not of works, lest anyone should boast” The Greatest Gift 15

Giver Receiver God’s Part Our Part “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. ” (Eph 2: 8 -9) – “not of yourselves” – “it is the gift of God” – “not of works, lest anyone should boast” The Greatest Gift 16

Giver Receiver God’s Part Our Part “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. ” (Eph 2: 8 -9) – “not of yourselves” – “it is the gift of God” – “not of works, lest anyone should boast” The Greatest Gift 17

Giver Receiver God’s Part Our Part “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. ” (Eph 2: 8 -9) – “not of yourselves” – “it is the gift of God” – “not of works, lest anyone should boast” The Greatest Gift 18

How else do I know that “not of works” does not apply to our faith? – – Mat 16: 27 Acts 26: 20 Tit 3: 8 Jas 2: 17, 20, 22, 24, 26 The Greatest Gift 19

Giver Receiver God’s Part Our Part by grace through faith (obedience) Mat 7: 21 2 Thess 1: 8 The Greatest Gift 20

How do we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ? Very simply. . . we do what He says! – Luke 6: 46 The Greatest Gift 21

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