1. The Greatest Gift

2. Giver
Receiver
The Greatest Gift

3. Giver
Receiver
The Greatest Gift

4. 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!
Must take care of it
Put gas in it
Maintain it
The Greatest Gift

5. The Bible uses the word “gift” many times and in many ways
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

6. “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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. “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

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. 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

19. 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

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

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

22. Giver
Receiver
The Greatest Gift