The Gifts of God
General: Ephesisan 4:1-8
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
- And, as they also used to give donatives to the people, at their return from victory, so he gave gifts to men
gift a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty:--(free) gift.
- (an endowment) A free gift; a present; a donation; that which is given without a compensation
- (unmerited favor) a position, a relationship of PEACE with God
- (divine influence) being AFFECTED and moved by GOD
- We have so much to thank HIM for!
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
II. What We Have Been Given
A. Eternal Life, (Romans 6:23; John 3:16 -- ...that He gave ...)
Romans 6:23 — For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Some Highligts:
- v.14 For sin shall not have dominion over you
- v.17 ye were the servants of sin
- v.18 ye became the servants of righteousness.
- v.22 ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
- v.23 the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This is a HOPE WITHOUT END. An ETERNAL light that outlasts temporal darkness.
Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
B. Liberty
What value would ETERNAL LIFE hold unless its QUALITY was that of FREEDOM?
- he led captivity captive ( captive in war)
As great conquerors, when they rode in their triumphal chariots, used to be attended with the most illustrious of their captives led in chains, and scattered their bounty among the soldiers and other spectators of their triumphs — all our spiritual enemies, who brought us into captivity before.
- "All those things that had me bound? Don't hold me anymore" "I'm free to Worship"
C. Grace
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
"charis" "the divine influence on the heart"
Ephesians 4:11 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:
1Co 6:9 ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
- We have been and are being CHANGED!
II. What are we Doing with it?
Engaging the Gift: Dad and mom giving my first car and having no plans or particular place to go or any specific plans, but I sat in it. I clean it. I checked its fluids. I sat in it. I backed out of the drive way and pulled back in. I drove around the block a few times. EXCERCISE THE GIFT.s
- LIFE (precious, short) We spend our life as a TALE that is told.
- LIBERTY (free to move and staying home)
- THE DIVINE INFLUENCE (is his influence wasted on me? Great meetings and visitations fo the Spirit of God.)
Conclusion
Lu 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
- Fully embrace te gift, FOR YOU
- the responsibility, WORTHY