INTRODUCTION - MANKIND HAS BECOME TOO SELF SUFFICIENT TODAY, HE NEEDS TO REALIZE GOD'S GREAT GIFT

• Our eyes are blinded to everything outside our reach until we grow up- become saved
• Once we realize the greatness of God, and His great love for us, we can see His gifts
• It is only in the study of the Word of God that we can find His great gifts! - Plural

Will you study with me God's great gift, and what we are to do with it?

I. GOD'S GREAT GIFTS FOR US - II Pet 1:3

It is according to His Divine Power- the Dunamis- great power!

A.  WHAT HAS GOD GIVEN TO US  - "ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN UNTO LIFE AND GODLINESS" - v.38

1. We need to read Col 1:16-17- to see that He created all things- and by Him they consist
2. All things pertaining to Life- Physical sustenance- breath, health, grand mountains - small germ
3. All things pertaining to Godliness- Spiritual excellence- Moral discernment-purity

B.  HOW HAS HE GIVEN US THESE THINGS? "THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM THAT CALLED US" - v.3b

1. The deaf, dumb, blind-has little to enjoy in life- until someone opens their consciousness
2. Just so our knowledge of Him- opens our minds to appreciate All -he has given us!
3. Will you draw close enough to be amazed at His great gifts- our enjoyments!

C.  GOD HAS GIVEN US CERTAIN GIFTS TO BE ENJOYED AND SHARED BY THOSE AROUND US-

1. We never realize our gifts until we commit them completely to the Lord-
2. But look at the different gifts- Romans 12:3-8 Which of these are YOUR gifts?
3. Our gifts are for a reason- develop them & God gives you to the Church- Eph 4:7-11

But if we do not use our gifts for the Glory of God, we might well lose them!

II.  HOW CAN WE ENJOY THESE GIFTS ? II Pet 1:4,5

We have many great and precious promises- but we also have some wonderful choices

A.  WE ARE TO ASSERT OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY, BEING DILIGENT TO DEVELOP EACH GIFT

1. The picture is that of progressive development of our godliness- to enjoy life!
2. FAITH IS Presupposed- first things first- faith is to trust in God- to receive (Salvation).
3. Do you have faith in God? - Heb 11:6- Believe that God is- & He is rewarder of those who diligently seek Him
4. Have you accepted the gift of Faith from God? Eph 2:8- even faith is given -so ask

B.  TO FAITH VIRTUE -

1. This means moral valor, courage, stability, courage to obey- (Baptism)
2. There are some who believe that Knowledge produces virtue- but this shows false!
3. Make up your mind that you are going to OBEY GOD, and refuse to be weakened - VIRTUE

C.  TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE - this means Moral discernment- after decision to obey- now see what!

1. When God asks- will you obey Me? To say Yes-is Virtue, to say What- is for knowledge
2. We must be in Church, studying, reading, learning- so we can have moral discernment!
3. This involves not just academic facts- it also involves what to do with facts- (Membership)

D.  TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE - 

1. Knowledge is power- given by God, we need to control it right!
2. Temperance means to be self governing- yielding to God the control of power!
3. The best way to learn temperance is to Tithe-, to say NO to worldly desires- NO

E.  TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE

1. This involves waiting upon the Lord, enduring, bearing humbly-
2. Sometimes it looks like the Godly way is not best after all- have patience- see all
3. We need patience to continue forward while waiting upon God- (no losing temper)

F.  TO PATIENCE, GODLINESS

1. This means god-like-ness, I Tim 6:5-Godliness with contentment
2. God gives to us the ability, and the gift- it is up to us to develop this gift-
3. Some have ability in music- but without long hours of practice they will not enjoy it

G  TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS

1. Kindness, especially to the house of God- & to all men
2. They used to say of Christians- behold, how they love each other! What now?
3. The only way to develop this gift is to exercise it- what is kindness? How shown?

H.  TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS, CHARITY

1. This means love! the deeper spiritual affection-To all the World
2. God gives you the ability to love for He first loved you? Now You must love Him!

I.  THE RESULTS OF THE EXERCISE OF THESE SPIRITUAL GIFTS IS THE ENJOYMENT OF GOD'S POWER-

1. v.8,9 Fruitfulness- if these gifts are in you, and abound- you cannot be unfruitful!
2. 10 Assurance- Word diligence again!- the proof of the pie is in the eating-so Salvation
3. Rewards- the abundant entrance into the kingdom! ushered in by the Lord-Glory

CONCLUSION - WILL YOU CLAIM THE GIFTS OF GOD? DO SO TONIGHT! THEN START EXERCISING THEM!

1. Only you can claim the birthday gift of salvation!-Eternal Christmas
2. Only you can unwrap your presents and share them, as they are used by all