1. Welcome to the Hebron church of Christ February 14, 2010 Don’t Forget: Pew Packers @ 5:45 Elders/Deacons meeting

2. A Time for Gifts: A word study of gift in the New Testament I.Old Testament sacrifices II. Monetary Gifts III. Miraculous Gifts IV.Salvation

3. Old Testament Sacrifices Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee Matthew 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me Matthew 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

4. Old Testament Sacrifices Sacrifices in the Old Testament were not optional –It was about the quality of the gift Malachi 1:13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord.

5. Old Testament Sacrifices –It was about the attitude behind the gift I Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

6. Old Testament Sacrifices Today, it is about the quality of our offering –Our worship (John 4:24) –Our money, time, etc. (I Corinthians 16:1-2) Today, it is about the attitude behind our offering –Our worship (John 4:24) –Our money, time, etc. (II Corinthians 9:7)

7. Miraculous Gifts Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished… because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

8. Miraculous Gifts Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established I Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing

9. Miraculous Gifts These gifts were given by God –I Corinthians 12:8-10 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues

10. Miraculous Gifts These gifts were to be utilized properly –I Corinthians 14:33, 40 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints…Let all things be done decently and in order –I Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (II Timothy 1:6)

11. Miraculous Gifts Today, our abilities are given by God –Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey Today, our abilities must be utilized properly –Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury (Hebrews 11:4)

12. Salvation “Gift”--to grant as a favor, that is, gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink… Romans 5:15-18 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

13. Salvation Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. II Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

14. Salvation Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost…If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame The gift of salvation, then, is: –A gift offered graciously –A gift that can do what none other can –A gift to be held on to

15. Our God is a giving God James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Will we accept His gift? Will we bring our gifts in return?

16. Consider During the Lord’s Supper: Matthew 26:26-29 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.