Best Christmas sermons

GIFTS WE ALL NEED

TEXT:  I Peter 4:7-10

INTRODUCTION:

          It is the season of giving.  Many hours and a lot of money is spent on gifts for those we love and appreciate.  Some of those gifts will fill a need.  Some will be just for the fun or pleasure of giving a gift.  Some will feel compelled to give even if they don't really want to.

          Today we will look at gift giving in a different way.  I Peter 4:7-10 outlines three gifts we all need.  1.  The gift of love.  2.  The gift of hospitality.  3.  The gift of ministry.

I.  THE GIFT OF LOVE:  I Peter 4:8

          A.  It is what God gives us.  And we all need it.

                     Romans 5:8

                     Ephesians 2:4-5

                     God did not wait for us to show love toward Him before He loved us.

                     He made the first move.  Even while we were in sin.

          B.  It is what we need from each other.

                     I Corinthians 13:4-8a  Love never fails.

                     Love wins.  Jesus proved that.

                     Love will bring the lost to Jesus.

II.  THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY:  I Peter 4:9

          A.  It is what Jesus did.

                     He went to the home of Zacchaeus.  Luke 19:1-10

                     He befriended the Samaritan woman.  John 4

          B.  It is what we need from each other.

                     Many live behind closed doors and shuttered windows.

                     Many don't even know their neighbors.

                     One woman invited her neighbor to church 50 times.  He came after invitation number 51.

          C.  The gift of hospitality is really a gift of time.

                     It is challenging and difficult to be everywhere you are needed.  And it is impossible to be in two places at once.  Priorities must be set in the use of our time.

                     Nothing speaks louder than being there.  A hug,  a handshake, a smile, or a simple visit is often enough.  This is especially true in the winter when many only see the walls of their own home.

Someone has said that 80% of success is just showing up.  Non-presence sends a message of non-interest, and non-concern.

    Hospitality is a combination of welcoming others into your presence and taking yourself into theirs.  That may be at the hospital, the funeral home, the nursing home, or a private home in time of sickness, death, or other difficulty.  Or even your own home for a time of fellowship and visitation.

III.  THE GIFT OF MINISTRY:  I Peter 4:10

          A.  Recognizing our gifts.  Romans 12:6-8

                     These are gifts from God.  Not miraculous gifts.  Ordinary talents and abilities we all have been blessed with.

                    A gift has a giver, a receiver and a purpose. 

          B.  God is the giver, we are the receiver and the purpose, as Paul stated in Romans 12:6  Let us use them.

      Peter wrote in I Peter 4:10  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another.

     Paul wrote in Philippians 2:4  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

          C.  How can we do it?

                     By using the gifts of preaching, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading and showing mercy.

                    One thing that is clear from the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 is that there is no such thing as a "no talent" follower of the Lord.  We all have something to give in the way of ministry.

CONCLUSION:

          We live in a selfish world.  Many will be more concerned with what they will get than with what they will give.  As we share in the fellowship of giving and receiving this season, may we remember that there are gifts we all need that money cannot buy.  The gift of love, the gift of hospitality, and the gift of ministry.  These are the gifts we both need to give and to receive.  And these are the gifts that will never get old, worn out, or thrown away.

Jim Davis, minister

Ruston, LA