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 GIFTS YOU CAN GIVE DURING THE ENTIRE YEAR

INTRODUCTION:

  1. Christmas is a time of giving.

  2. The spirit of kindness, thoughtfulness and cheerfulness are certain welcomed during the season of the year.

  3. It would be wonderful if such expressions were to be found among people the rest of the year.

  4. There are some gifts that are free that can be and should be given at all times of the year.

They are:

  1. THE GIFT OF PRAISE.

    1. Mark Twain said he could live for two months on one compliment. Critics destroy. Encouragers build up. Make it a point to express sincere compliments when you can. They are free!

    2. I Corinthians 11:2 – “Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.”

    3. II Chronicles 35:2 – “…He (Josiah) encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord.”

  1. THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING.

    1. Down deep, this is really what most of us wish – to be understood.  To be accepted with unconditional love. Give a compassionate response to one who is hurting.

    2. I Kings 3:9, 12 Solomon requested understanding from God and was given a “wise and understanding heart.”

  1. THE GIFT OF KINDNESS.

    1. Ephesians 4:32.And be kind to one another…” Remove the‘d’ from kind and you will know why we should be kind one to another…we are ‘kin’.  Galatians 3:26.

    1. Romans 12:10 – “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

    2. II Peter 1:7 – “to godliness brotherly kindness…”

  1. THE GIFT OF PERSONAL PRESENCE.

    1. A visit to someone who is a shut-in, sick, in the nursing home, hospital.  It is not so much as what you say but it is your presence that really matters.

    2. James 1:27 – “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble…”

    3. Matthew 25:34-40 The faithful were those who gave and visited.

  1. THE GIFT OF GRATITUDE.

    1. Gratitude is the mother virtue of all virtues.”

    2. Ephesians 5:20 – “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

    3. Luke 17:17 – “So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”

      1. Percentage still about the same: About 1 in 10 would be thankful for the blessings of life.

      2. Romans 1:21 - The depraved Gentiles “did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful.”

  1. THE GIFT OF YOUR PRAYERS.

    1. Song:  “For You I Am Praying”

    2. James 5:16

    3. I Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12.

  1. THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS.

    1. Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

    2. The only comments that Jesus made on the prayer he gave his disciples – Matthew 6:14, 15.

    3. How many times to forgive a brother?  Matthew 18:21, 22.

    4. The example of parents forgiving a man who was drunk and killed their son in car wreck.  They visited with him in prison and taught him of Jesus.  They forgave him and later he was baptized.

    5. Of course the example of the Lord while on the cross.

    6. And of Stephen.

  1. THE GIFT OF A CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE.

    1. I Corinthians 11:1

    2. We are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

    3. I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one any day…”

  1. THE GIFT OF LOVE.

    1. I Corinthians 13:13

    2. John 13:34, 35; I Peter 1:22 – “…in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.”

    3. Family relationships.

CONCLUSION:

A.      Our giving should not be limited to special occasions but the true gifts we can give are free and should be given every day of the year.

B.     It is better to give than to receive. Acts 20:35. 

C.     Of course the greatest gift ever given was the gift that God gave and that was His own begotten Son Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. John 3:16. 

D.     Would you not give your life to Him who loved you enough that He gave His life for you?

 

- Raymond Elliott, Prattville, Alabama




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