Shall We Give?
2 Tim. 1:6

INTRO: It is Christmas time. We all just about do gifts. Today I am going to speak about gifts (NOT MONETARY TYPE GIFTS). Gifts that we offer to God due to our love and adoration for Him.

2 Tim. 1: 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
  1. We have to understand that gifts do help.

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    Pro. 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

    Naturally speaking…

    1. When we give gifts it is noticed
    2. When we give people react

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    Spiritually...
    1. When we give gifts God notices
    2. When we give people react because of God

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  2. We need to know that a gift should not be a bribe or gain


    3. Pro. 25: 14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
     

    1. Often our gift is not really given - it is a payment or at times only a promise to appease someone.

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    2. When we give to God to the pain of others, it is not right.
    (Share my "joke" about giving God HER Christmas money)

    Mark 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

    12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

    13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
     

  3. Our gift must be clean


    4. Matt. 5: 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

    24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
     

    1. We cannot really give to God if we have unresolved problems in our lives.
    2. We need to follow scriptural guidelines in our lives to be better servants for the Lord!

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  4. Our gift should be credited to God


    5. 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.

    1 Pet. 4: 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

    11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
     

    1. God wants us to serve Him
    2. God helps us to serve Him
    3. God deserves credit for the gifts we are able to give Him.
      1. Not necessarily giving Him verbal or out loud credit in front of others.
      2. Acknowledge God's part in our gift!

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  5. Our gifts to God will help others through us


    6. 2 Tim. 1: 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
     

    1. God wants us to give Him gifts
    2. We need you to give Him gifts here at East 38th Street Free Will Baptist Church


12/19/99am - Gary Marcum -East 38th Street Free Will Baptist Church