Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf

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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We all know that gifts are a good thing in life

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We all know that gifts are a good thing in life Gifts at the beginning of life (Baby shower)

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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 Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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 Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We all know that gifts are a good thing in life There is a gift we do not deserve in life - 8

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We all know that gifts are a good thing in life There is a gift we do not deserve in life - 8 From God

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We all know that gifts are a good thing in life There is a gift we do not deserve in life - 8 From God Not worthy in any way- 9

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We all know that gifts are a good thing in life There is a gift we do not deserve in life - 8 From God Not worthy in any way- 9 Gift we should keep, cherish and use - 10

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 1 Timothy 4:12-16(NKJV) 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do 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. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf God give each of us a gift to use (for others) - 12

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf God give each of us a gift to use (for others) - 12 We are an example for others

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 1 Peter 4:7-11(NKJV) 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If 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.

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf To share our gift is pleasing to the Gift Giver

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf To share our gift is pleasing to the Gift Giver Be praying for one another – 7

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf To share our gift is pleasing to the Gift Giver Be praying for one another – 7 Be loving towards one another – 8

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 2 Corinthians 1:7-11(KJV) 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8 For 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: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye 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.

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf Gifting is even better when done together

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf Gifting is even better when done together There are some we can only give our prayers – 7

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless 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. 15 But 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. 16 And 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. 17 For 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.)

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 18 Therefore, 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. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf The special gift of God

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf The special gift of God We were unable to accomplish salvation – 6

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf Acts 20:28-35(NKJV) 28 Therefore 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. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore 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.

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I 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.’”

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We are given a place, an opportunity to care for those around us – 28-35

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We are given a place, an opportunity to care for those around us – We are meant to protect one another – 28-31

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We are given a place, an opportunity to care for those around us – We are meant to protect one another – We are each other’s “gift” to cherish – 32

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We are given a place, an opportunity to care for those around us – We are meant to protect one another – We are each other’s “gift” to cherish – 32 It is not about getting/receiving – 33-34

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf We are given a place, an opportunity to care for those around us – We are meant to protect one another – We are each other’s “gift” to cherish – 32 It is not about getting/receiving – It is about giving – 34-35

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf Some questions to consider:

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf How can we give to others?

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf How can we give to others? Continue in the Lord in front of others – 1 Tim. 4:12-16

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf 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

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf How should we give to others?

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf How should we give to others? With a desire to help

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf How should we give to others? With a desire to help Selflessly - Acts 20:31

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf How should we give to others? With a desire to help Selflessly - Acts 20:31 Greatly - Acts 20:31

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf How should we give to others? With a desire to help Selflessly - Acts 20:31 Greatly - Acts 20:31 Gladly – Acts 20:35

Gifts Are Made To Use, Not Set Upon A Shelf If you fail to accept a gift is it yours? What good is a gift left unopened on a shelf?