Your Best Gift This Year? 2 Corinthians 9:10-15

2 Corinthians 9:10-15 10  Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,  11  while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.  12  For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,  13  while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,  14  and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.  15  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 

Introduction We are at that time of the year where many gifts are given Some are not wanted/needed/used appreciated These gifts are physical and all that is physical is temporary There are those spiritual gifts that matter much more Gifts are expression of love; spiritual gifts show greatest love Our God is the source of all gifts that matter Look at the text The churches in Macedonia/Achaia were sending gifts love to Judea Paul reminds them of their gifts—the source; the “proof” & the greatest gift

2 Corinthians 9:10-15 10  Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,  11  while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.  12  For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,  13  while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,  14  and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.  15  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 

Gifts From Jesus Obviously He gave His life for us He also has given us the word of God—John 17:14

John 17:14 14  I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. . .

Gifts From Jesus Obviously He gave His life for us He also has given us the word of God—John 17:14 Imagine the treasure given to us—the fulness of the mystery of God Totality of God’s will found in that word—need nothing else—2 Tim. 3:16-17 He gave it with a charge to never change it in any way It is the word of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:20-21), if we do not change it! He sends us to deliver our gifts to others (v. 18) and it is glorious work (v. 22)

John 17:14, 18-22 14  I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. . . . 18  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  19  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.  20  "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  21  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  22  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one . . .

Gifts From Jesus Obviously He gave His life for us He also has given us the word of God—John 17:14 He also has given us the work of reconciliation—2 Cor. 5:18f

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 18  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,  19  that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  20  Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 

Gifts From Jesus Obviously He gave His life for us He also has given us the word of God—John 17:14 He also has given us the work of reconciliation—2 Cor. 5:18f Our work is to minister reconciliation to everyone we know We stand in the place of Jesus, telling about reconciliation The importance of this work—He has no other plan

Gifts From Jesus Obviously He gave His life for us He also has given us the word of God—John 17:14 He also has given us the work of reconciliation—2 Cor. 5:18f He also has given us the kingdom—Luke 22:29-30

Luke 22:29-30 29  And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30  that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Gifts From Jesus Obviously He gave His life for us He also has given us the word of God—John 17:14 He also has given us the work of reconciliation—2 Cor. 5:18f He also has given us the kingdom—Luke 22:29-30 The treasure of having the kingdom! Totality of glory given to God found in that kingdom/church—Eph. 3:20-21 The charge to never change it in any way—Gal. 1:6-9 It is the kingdom, the eternal kingdom, if we do not change it

Gifts From Jesus Obviously He gave His life for us He also has given us the word of God—John 17:14 He also has given us the work of reconciliation—2 Cor. 5:18f He also has given us the kingdom—Luke 22:29-30 He has “given” us His hands, feet & tongue Matthew 25:31-46 He has no hands & feet except ours

Conclusion--what are we giving back to Him! Gifts From Jesus Obviously He gave His life for us He also has given us the word of God—John 17:14 He also has given us the work of reconciliation—2 Cor. 5:18f He also has given us the kingdom—Luke 22:29-30 He has “given” us His hands, feet & tongue Conclusion--what are we giving back to Him!

Giving Yourself to Jesus Believe John 3:16 Repent Acts 17:30 Confess Faith in Him Rom. 10:10 Be Baptized Into Him Gal. 3:27 Added to His Church, His Body, His Kingdom Be Faithful Rev. 2:10