The Perfect Gift
James 1:17
Intro. Think for a minute.
What do you think would be the perfect gift?
Not just for a particular individual, but a gift that would be perfect for every individual.
Here are come characteristics of what I think would be the perfect gift.
1. It would have to be given with the right motivation.
A. To glorify God.
B. To bless or benefit the receiver. (not self)
C. A genuine Love
2. It would have to meet a real need.
A. Not just a selfish desire.
B. It would have to transcend fads.
3. It would have to have lasting value.
A. It could not wear out after a few uses.
B. It would have to last forever.
4. It would have to be a gift that could be given again.
A. “Regifted”
B. Without losing it’s value.
C. Given and yet kept.
Only God could design such a gift.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
1. God’s gift was given with the right motivation.
A. He loved us!
B. Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
C. 1Jo 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
D. The motivation For God’s gift was Love.
2. God’s gift met our need for salvation.
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ro 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
A. Because of sin we needed a Saviour.
Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God;
Ro 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into
the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
B. 1Jo 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world
3. God’s gift will last forever.
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
A. God’s gift does not grow old.
B. God’s gift does not wear out.
C. God’s gift does not go out of fashion
D. God’s gift is ETERNAL life.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
4. God’s gift can be given over and over again.
A. Without losing anything.
B. You can give away God’s gift and still keep it.
1Pe 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
C. In fact you are commanded to give it way.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Conclusion:
Only God could give the perfect gift.
2 Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift
Have you received it?
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Have you given it away?
