Sermons on the gift exchange:

Gifted For Ministry

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 10, 2007

We are a gifted church, with diversely gifted members, and we need to turn that into creative expressions of love for our community.

I don’t get to watch the Miss America pageant any more. Used to be, every September I would hunker down in front of a TV set and prepare to ogle. Gorgeous gals, we called them, in those Neanderthal days, before our language had to become politically correct. Beauty contest, we called it, before ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Righteousness

Contributed by William Nieporte on Nov 17, 2007

Righteousness is God’s gift to us, not our gift to God.

Two men go to church to pray First – one of the few, the proud, the chosen – one of the Pharisees Rules—obeyed; Rituals—observed; Regulations—followed. Religion = Performance He performed well. He was self-centered, self-serving, and self-righteous. Sabbath – prayer time. Song of Ascent ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Emmanuel - The Gift

Contributed by Colin Coombs on Nov 24, 2007

A pre Christmas preparation, and encouragement to see ’The Gift’ rather than the gifts!

EMMANUEL - The Gift Christmas will soon be with us, and that thought can fill you with dread; or with excitement! The thought of all the wrappings that are now added on to the real Christmas is enough to make anyone feel a little dejected! The original idea of giving gifts to celebrate is still a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Gift Of Time Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

Part 2 in stewardship series

THE GIFT OF TIME Giving with a Purpose-Part 2 Sunday, January 14, 2007 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction The paradox of our time in history is that.... We have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Greatest Gift Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 6, 2007

The first Christmas gave us the greatest gift we could ever hope for, Jesus

The Greatest Gift Galatians 4:4-5 December 9, 2007 Morning Worship Introduction Pastor Clifford S. Stewart of Louisville, Kentucky, sent his parents a microwave oven one Christmas. Here’s how he recalls the experience: "They were excited that now they, too, could be a part of the instant ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5

Denomination: Church Of God

The Gift Of Music

Contributed by Stan Simonik on Dec 8, 2007

Music is one of God’s greatest gifts to His people. It has the power to touch our hearts, lift our spirit, bring us closer together and closer to God’s glorious presence. A Christmas sermon.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, can you imagine what life would be like without music? Think about it for a moment: No song humming through your head after hearing it at church. No M-TV. No CDs. No bands, no concerts. Radio? Limited only to stations airing the news, weather and road conditions ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7, Psalm 95:1-95

Denomination: Lutheran

The Deceptive Gift Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Dec 12, 2007

This is a seeker friendly Christmas sermon which looks at the gifts of the Wise men which unwrap the Christ child.

The gift can look deceptive… As a farewell present to thank you for your company with us this evening, I have a gift here for you to share, at first glance the gift won’t look much, as its wrapped up in news paper But as you take the trouble to unwrap it find a beautiful box of Terry’s all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Relationships Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Dec 14, 2007

We are given the gift of relationships. What steps need to be taken to restore fractured, broken relationships, restoring them to where God intends them to be?

- Sibling rivalries as children! Somewhat funny looking back - Healthy rivalries – hockey! (Toronto and Montreal) - Tragic when sibling rivalries end up with broken homes and families. They can live within miles of each other but behave as if there is a continent between them. - Deeper lesson of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-26

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Differing Gifts Series

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 17, 2007

This series takes an in-depth look at Spiritual Gifts and whether they have been overlooked in our churches or even abused.

Gifts of the Spirit – Part 1 (Note: All scripture used has been taken from the King James Version Bible. Much of this material is from Bill Gothard’s notes on Gifts http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/gifts.html) The Differing Gifts 1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ministerial Gifts Series

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 17, 2007

Continuing to look at the Ministerial Gifts within the local church and their true purpose and whether or not these gifts are still vital today.

Eph. 4:11-12 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Everything God does, he does well. Not only in the creation, but also ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Manifestation Gifts Series

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 17, 2007

We begin to look at the first three of the nine Gifts...Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits.

1 Cor. 12:8-10 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gift Of Discernment Series

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 28, 2007

A closer look at the Gift of Discerning of Spirits and the importance of it’s use in our Churches today.

(this is a continuation from Gifts of the Spirit Part 3) Let’s look more closely at the Gift of the Discernment of the spirits. Definition: a spiritual gift that supernaturally enables a Christian believer to distinguish between holy and unholy spirits through the power of the Holy Spirit. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gift Of Faith Series

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 28, 2007

Has this Spiritual Gift been so abused in the Christian arena that we shy away from it? I hope not.

(Continuation from Gifts of the Spirit Part 4) Gifts are broken down in 3 categories: A. Power to Know: (to reveal, or information) Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits B. Power to Act: (to do, action) Faith, Healings, Miracles C. Power ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gifts Of Healing Series

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 28, 2007

This is probably one of the highest abused gifts in Chritianity. However, we need this gift moreso than ever before. Jesus Christ is still our healer!

(A continuation from Gifts of Spirit Part 5) 1. The Gifts of Healings NOT FOR SHOW BUT FOR SERVICE!!! Dr. John R. W. Stott quoted: "Our motive must be concern for the glory of God, not the glory of the church or our own glory. Our message must be the gospel of God as given by Christ and his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gift Of Miracles Series

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 28, 2007

"Receive your miracle today" is highly proclaimed across the airwaves. We’ll take an in-depth look at this Gift in our study here.

(A continuation from Gifts of the Spirit Part 6) The Gift of Miracles Definition: These are works or deeds brought by supernatural power which alter the normal course of nature. They include divine acts in which God’s kingdom is manifested against Satan and evil spirits. It’s a miracle . . ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

Denomination: Pentecostal