"Welcome The Gift Of Gifts” Series

Title: “The Gift of gifts”

Text: Luke11:13; John14:13-17

28thSunday2018

Introduction:

From an inspiration I just read in:

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown BibleCommentary

Luke11:13. the Holy Spirit—...the Gift of gifts descending on the Church through Christ

And so, the title of this sermon.

Luke11:13 “If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”(Amplified)

The Gift of gifts was given by the Father through the asking of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gift of gifts can only be receive if we believe and accept Jesus. Therefore, all of us who received Jesus in our life had this promise in us...

John14:13And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do,

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

15¶If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

1- UNOPENED vv.13-15

Illustration:

A newly graduated young man from the University was expecting to get a car as a graduation gift from his wealthy father. He had hinted the car to His friends and relatives and even to His Dad. Because the father love His son, on the appointed day, the father handed the teenager a box.

The boy tore open the box excitedly only to find a leather Bible inside.

His father asked, “Do you like it?”

The boy answered that he did, but one could see the disappointment on his face. The father told him to be sure to read John14:13-17 when he got a chance. The lad said that he would.

Actually, however, he went home that day discouraged and tossed the Bible inside a drawer and never opened it.

A few months went by and the father died.

At the funeral, a friend of the family asked the young man if he had gotten his new car. The lad replied that he had not received a car; he told the man that all he got from his Dad was a Bible.

The friend said, “My dear boy, go home and open your Bible and see what you find there.”

Later that day, when the boy was at home, he opened the drawer, pulled out the Bible and turned to John14:13-17.

There he found a letter from his Dad, tucked in the pages of that verse.

He opened the letter and discovered a key to a brand new automobile.

Also, however, he read these words:

“The car I have purchased for you is being held by the dealer for 90 days. You must pick it up by that time or you will lose the car.” The boy quickly looked at a calendar. He threw his hands over his face because he had missed the opportunity for the car by just 3 days. He had lost a great gift.

Many people have done the same thing with the Holy Spirit.

Yes, they believed in God.

Yes, they received Jesus in their life.

But, they focus more on the cares of the world...

They have no peace.

No Joy.

Having the form of godliness but denying it’s power.

They live like the world lives, compromises.

Some have decided to wait for a more convenient time to settle things with God.

Sure, they have Jesus, but intends to look into the Gift of gifts one day in the future. But, then, life slips away and the gift is left unopened....

You see, there is no guarantee in life of another day - even another hour. I wonder how many have unopened life’s Gift of gifts by putting off their hearts to the Holy Spirit.

Don’t wait too long, my friend.

The Gift of The Father through the asking of Jesus is only available while you are living.

Let us open it!

Losing a car is one thing -

losing your Joy,

your peace,

the power working within you,

your fellowship is another!

The “Real” meaning of the Christian life.

The John10:10 in everybody of us...

not just living a life but to give them a rich and satisfying life.(NLT)

Do we want 2Timothy3:5’s? “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof...”

OR....

Do we want 2Timothy1:6”.....I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee...

7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;