Romans 12:3-8
July 28, 2024
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
I. Introduction
A. We continue in Romans chapter 12 in the New Testament
B. We are learning about God’s Gifts that enable all of us to meet the needs of others in the church
C. They are called Spiritual Gifts – gifts given by the Holy Spirit in the believer.
D. We will look at each Gift and explore what are the signs that a person has a specific gift, and how to use it.
E. It is important to know your gift because most Christians are miserable, simply because they are either fighting the will of God, or the gifting of God to do the will of God!
II. Background
A. God gives Gifts to every believer out of His Grace, not Our Ability (Romans 12:3-8)
1. Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
2. So, Don’t Think Too Highly of Yourself
a. You are what you are by the grace and the gifts of God to you
b. Not by your own abilities and talents
3. We believers are individual parts of one body of believers – we are a church!
a. We have many different members, each gifted with many abilities
b. This HAND is gifted with abilities my foot does not have, but serves this body
c. My eyes are gifted differently than my nose, but it serves this same body
d. My ears are gifted with abilities different than my fingers
e. All are parts of one complete body, the human body
f. So are a group of Christians in a church – all gifted, and all needing each other
g. Romans 12:4,5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
4. ALL of Us Have Been Gifted / specially enabled – with spiritual gifts
a. Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
b. Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
c. When we were born physically, we received certain natural abilities from our parents, like the ability to speak, walk, work, sing, play the piano – it is in our genes
d. The same is true when we were born again
e. Every believer has been given a spiritual gift – just like the gift of eternal life
f. But your gift is only active when you use it by faith “according to the proportion of faith” – the size of your faith. You cannot rell me God hasn’t gifted you. What you are saying is that you don’t know how to use His gifts by faith.
g. I aim to help you with these!
B. What Gifts are Available? (Romans 12:6-8)
1. Seven simple gifts that seem unremarkable, but are what God uses to save families, build up believers, and turn nations upside down!
2. Seven abilities, empowerments that you were given by the Holy Spirit of God when HE moved into your life!
3. Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
a. Prophecy (Preaching) – Proclaiming truths of the Bible
b. Ministry / Helps – Supporting and serving all the brethren
c. Teaching – Instructing People in God’s words, history, promises, prophecy, etc
d. Exhorting – Urging and Encouraging people
e. Giving – giving away your money to help reach people with the Gospel
f. Governments / Ruling – Governing and Managing people and Gospel projects
g. Mercy – Showing Compassion on people who others have given up on
4. These seven gifts are the gifts that Christians need to grow and thrive, and they are forever!
C. The Blessing of Having Spiritual Gifts
1. They help you glorify God, not yourself (1 Peter 4:10-11)
a. 1Peter 4:10,11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
b. Talent is always honoured. Servants are not! The person being served is the one who gets the honour!
2. They Help you UNDERSTAND God’s WILL for your life. What God calls you to do, He has gifted you to do and what He has gifted you to do He has called you to do (1Thessalonians 5:24, Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.)
a. Just knowing that we have a special gift from God beyond our salvation helps us in the following ways:
b. It helps us know we have a high purpose in THIS life
c. And it helps us know that God thinks we can do something great for His glory (with His help only)
d. EXAMPLE OF AN EMPTY WORK GLOVE – empty, does nothing. FILLED, does great things!
3. Spiritual Gifts enable believers to edify one other in the church (Ephesians 4:11-12)
a. Ephesians 4:11,12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
b. Using the fruit of the Holy Spirit to minister to one another
c. Building unity among Christians. Understanding spiritual gifts will help Christians understand the burdens and desires in other believers, so that we help each other instead of criticizing and crushing one another.
4. They bring joy! As we use our gifts and see them grow, we will experience personal fulfilment and joy
5. And that is it!
a. They do NOT enable you to become rich, or famous, or powerful, or popular
b. They help you be a servant!
III. Message – The Gifts of Preaching and Teaching
A. The Gift of Prophecy (Romans 12:6-8)
1. Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. Definition (Description) of the Gift of Prophecy.
a. The gift of prophecy is a supernatural urging to speak up for God
1) It is speaking for God – being used as a mouthpiece by God – saying what He would say if He were in your shoes
2) It used to mean speaking things prophetically – warning people of their sins, and of coming judgments (i.e., Jonah knew what was coming and warned “Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be destroyed!”)
3) Now, today, it means speaking practically – still warning people of their sins and of coming judgments, but knowing that you don’t know people’s hearts like the Old Testament prophets did, and you don’t know exactly what will happen in the near future. You just know that judgment is going to fall!
b. This is absolutely THE best gift of all the gifts given to the Christian (1Corinthians 14:1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
3. Examples of the Gift of Prophecy…
a. The Apostle Paul had the Gift of Prophecy – publicly preaching the Gospel to everyone he met. Preaching in churches, markets, houses, on Mar’s Hill everywhere!
b. There are thousands of examples of great preachers you should know: Charles Spurgeon in London (1850’s), Billy Sunday in 1920’s (brought about Prohibition of alcohol in the USA through his preaching), you have heard of Billy Graham (very good preacher in his early years). George Whitfield (1740’s), John Wesley (also 1750’s), John Huss (mid 1300’s), I could go on and on!
c. There are countless millions more in every nation throughout history who are unknown to us, but not to God!
4. Important Truths About the Gift of Prophecy
a. Until the Bible was finished in 95 AD, someone with the Gift of Prophecy could foretell the future. But not anymore.
b. There are NO more new prophecies at all (Revelation 22:18,19). Preachers today preach what has already been written, and that is all.
1) Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
2) Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
c. The Gift of Prophecy today does NOT tell the future, but WARNS about the future.
1) Colossians 1:27,28 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
2) I have read all about the future, in this Book I hold in my hand! And it motivates me to PREACH it loud and clear!
5. What are People with this gift like?
a. Are usually Discerning, Authoritative, Convicting in the way they speak, Confronting, Critical, Determined, Courageous, Uncompromising
b. Need to be aware that listeners usually reject the message if not spoken with love and compassion (Ephesians 4:15, But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ)
c. Need to avoid pride which can create a demanding or discouraging spirit that hinders the gift
d. So, Always test what you think you know! Speak few words!
1) Because you will tend to jump to conclusions – so be very slow to judge
2) Because you will tend to react harshly towards sin and sinners
3) Because you will tend to be impatient with others
4) Because you will tend to cut off people who fail
6. People with this gift are needed in the church for:
a. Preaching and Preachers – oh how we need men gifted to preach! Who will speak “Thus saith the Lord” from this pulpit when called upon!
b. Children’s Church Teaching – To declare what God says about life to children, to teens, singles, college and career men and women
c. Counselling. The job of a preacher is to counsel people through their problems with the authority of the trusths of Scripture.
d. Writing books and articles about the Christian Life, and the truths of the Bible
e. We need Preachers who will be Bible Study Leaders
f. And we need preachers who go Soul-winning and evangelise with authority!
7. Honour preaching!
a. STOP honouring all the Gospel singers and entertainers! Don’t get excited when you get entertained, or get happy, or get enjoyment in a church...
b. Come to church for the preaching!
c. Thank God someone has answered God’s call and gifting and is standing up and speaking “Thus saith the Lord”, no matter how hard it may hurt hearing it!
d. Because Preaching is priority, no matter how foolish it may seem to the hearer (1Corinthians 1:17,18, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.)
e. Preachers do NOT need applause – they just need your attention!
f. They are supposed to be faithfully preaching what you don’t want to hear, and forcing you to examine areas of YOUR life you think are just fine!
g. So that you and your family can be right with God, and walk with God, and be lights in this dark world!
8. Not everyone has this gift – a church needs a good balance of all the gifts – not everyone in a church is the mouth. Some are hands, some are feet, etc.
9. Test Yourself – don’t be afraid of it!
a. Do you have a strong opinion about right and wrong that you feel like have to verbalise to people?
b. Do you make quick judgments about people especially from first impressions? It is not good to do that, but that is what people with the gift of prophesy do.
c. Can you sense when people are lying to you, and you are usually right?
d. Do you desire justice more than compassion?
e. Are you loyal to the truth more than to people?
f. Are you willing to suffer for standing up for right and against wrong?
g. Do you love God’s Word and fight anyone who would try and change it or water it down, or twist it to their own designs?
h. Do you have a sense that the Lord is constantly directing your life to get you to say and do what He would say and do if He were in your shoes?
i. If you answered YES to most if not all of the above questions, you probably have the gift of prophecy
j. If you answered YES to only a few of the above questions, that is fine! You probably have another Service Gift from God. And will see yourself having that gift instead of this one
k. If you don’t understand these thoughts and questions, then that ALSO is fine! There are other Spiritual Gifts. And you will relate to another gift much easier – trust me!
B. The Gift of Teaching – Instructing People (Romans 12:6-8)
1. Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. I am skipping the gift of ministering on purpose. We will come back to that gift next week.
3. Paul now speaks to those that have the gift of teaching
a. And he is simply saying…
b. If you have been given the gift of teaching, then you need to wait on your teaching
c. Like a waiters, waiting for the next opportunity to teach
d. Not hesitant, or reluctant, but yearning to show someone the truth; to open people’s minds and eyes to the truths of the Bible
e. Acts 26:17,18 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
4. Best Definition of the Gift of Teaching (2Corinthians 3:12, Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech)
a. It is the God-given ability to clearly and plainly explain the kingdom of God.
b. It is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ (MEN and WOMEN) to communicate truths important to the health and ministry of the church body and its members.
c. Teaching involves thoroughly explaining, showing, leading, demonstrating, repeating, describing, questioning, probing, and correcting people’s understanding, all so that the student understands just what God’s will is and how to fulfil it
d. As Christians, we collectively are supposed to teach our world around us – our children, our co-workers, our family members, our parents, our bosses, our neighbours, our friends, our enemies… teach them what God says
1) Matthew 28:19,20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2) It is part of soul-winning – there is no automatic salvation of someone who does not know the truths of the Gospel – it is knowing and believing the TRUTH that makes a person free
3) That is why I take time with people – answer questions, even disciple them
e. But the Spiritual Gift of Teaching goes further:
1) The person who has this gift can’t help but show someone truth from the Bible – it is a drive, a passion, almost an obsession!
2) Act 5:17-25 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
3) They love to not only tell what Jesus did for them at Calvary, but they love trying to explain it, and answer people’s questions, and to help people understand ALL the Bible’s truths, no matter the risk!
f. Biblical Christianity seeks to teach and disciple and educate and grow people’s knowledge of not only of the world around them, but of the God who made them!
5. Examples of the Gift of Teaching in Action
a. The Apostle Paul had this gift along with preaching (Acts 20:19-21) Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
b. In Acts 18, we find Aquila and Priscilla. (Acts 18:24-27)
1) Acts 18:24,25 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
2) Apollos had been instructed in the teachings of John the Baptist
3) He was busy proclaiming those truths
4) Apollos had the gift of teaching
5) But his understanding was incomplete – had not heard of Jesus yet
6) So, Aquila and Priscilla took him and taught him about Jesus
7) Acts 18:26-28 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he [APOLLOS] mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
8) Aquila and his wife Priscilla also had the gift of teaching
9) Thankfully, Apollos had the desire to keep learning – didn’t think he knew it all
10) And so Apollos matured and later became the pastor of the church at Corinth!
c. An Amazing Example of Teaching - Helen Keller’s Teacher – Ann Sullivan.
1) Helen Adams Keller was born on 27 June 1880 in Tuscumbia, a small rural town in Northwest Alabama, USA.
2) Less than 2 years later, in February 1882, when Helen was nineteen months old, she fell ill. Modern day doctors think it may have been scarlet fever or meningitis.
3) Helen was, for many days, expected to die. When, eventually, the fever subsided, Helen’s family rejoiced believing their daughter to be well again.
4) However, Helen’s mother soon noticed how her daughter was failing to respond when the dinner bell was rang or when she passed her hand in front of her daughter’s eyes.
5) It became apparent that Helen’s illness had left her both blind and deaf.
6) The following few years proved very hard for Helen Keller and her family.
7) Helen became a very difficult child, smashing dishes and lamps and terrorising the whole household with her screaming and temper tantrums. Relatives regarded her as a monster and thought she should be put into an institution.
8) Then came Anne Sullivan, the daughter of Irish immigrant farmers.
a) Anne Sullivan had lost the majority of her sight at the age of five.
b) By the age of ten, her mother had died and her father deserted her. She and her brother Jimmie were sent to the poorhouse in February 1876.
c) Anne’s brother died in that poorhouse.
d) It was October 1880 before Anne finally began her education at the Perkins Institution. One summer during her time at the institute, Anne had two operations on her eyes, which led to her regaining enough sight to be able to read normal print for short periods of time.
e) Anne graduated from Perkins in 1886 and began to search for work. Finding work was nearly impossible due to her poor eyesight, but when she received the offer to work as the teacher of Helen Keller, a deaf-blind mute, she accepted it willingly.
f) On 3 March 1887 Anne arrived at the house in Tuscumbia and for the first time met young Helen Keller.
g) Anne immediately started teaching Helen to finger spell. Spelling out the word “Doll” to signify a present she had brought with her for Helen. The next word she taught Helen was “Cake”. Although Helen could repeat these finger movements she could not understand what they meant. And while Anne was struggling trying to help her understand, she was also struggling to try and control Helen’s continuing bad behaviour.
h) Anne and Helen moved into a small cottage on the land of the main house to try and get Helen to improve her behaviour. Of particular concern were Helen’s table manners. She had taken to eating with her hands and from the plates of everyone at the table like an animal.
i) Anne’s attempts to improve Helen’s table manners and make her brush her own hair and button her shoes led to more and more temper tantrums.
j) Over the coming weeks, however, Helen’s behaviour did begin to improve as a bond grew between the two. Then, after a month of Anne’s patient teaching, what the people of the time called a “miracle” occurred.
k) Helen had not yet fully understood the meaning of words. When Anne led her to the water pump on 5 April 1887, all that was about to change.
l) As Anne pumped the water over Helen’s hand , Anne spelled out the word WATER in the girl’s free hand. Something about this explained the meaning of words within Helen, and Anne could immediately see in her face that she finally understood.
m) Helen herself later described the incident: “We walked down the path to the well-house, attracted by the fragrance of the honey-suckle with which it was covered. Someone was drawing water and my teacher placed my hand under the spout. As the cool stream gushed over one hand she spelled into the other the word WATER, first slowly, then rapidly. I stood still, my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her fingers. Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten, a thrill of returning thought, and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me.”
n) Helen immediately asked Anne for the name of the pump to be spelt on her hand and then the name of the trellis that was next to it. All the way back to the house Helen learned the name of everything she touched, and also asked for Anne’s name. Anne spelled the name “Teacher” on Helen’s hand. Within the next few hours Helen learnt the spelling of thirty new words.
o) Remember, Helen was both deaf and blind – living in a silent, dark world!
p) Helen’s progress from then on was astonishing. Her ability to learn was far in advance of anything anybody had seen before in someone without sight or hearing.
q) It wasn’t long before Anne was teaching Helen to read, firstly with raised letters and later with braille, and Anne taught Helen to write her own stories with both ordinary and braille typewriters.
r) Oh that Christians would take their ministry of teaching so far!
d. The greatest example of the Gift of Teaching was found in Jesus (Matthew 5:1,2)
1) Matthew 5:1,2 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…
2) He taught out of love and compassion (Mark 6:34)
3) He taught with authority (Matthew 7:29) – not guessing, but having rock-solid truths from the Bible
4) He taught using every means and help available: parables, object lesions, allegories and simple stories full of infinite truths (Mark 4:2)
5) He taught through His life (Luke 11:1) – showed how to pray, how to forgivem how to love, how to serve, all by His own example!
6) Jesus was a Master Teacher
6. Distinctives - People with this gift are:
a. Teachers are Organized. They will seek to communicate information clearly / plainly so the listener can understand it.
b. They are Thorough. They want others to understand not simply the conclusion, but the steps leading up to it. They desire to help people think things through. Teacherrs USED to do this. Not anymore!
c. They are Accurate. They seek to absolutely know the truth, so they test themselves, and ask the questions that others will ask, and make sure they are right before they teach something! They give attention to details and accuracy – not feelings and fears. This is what gives them their authority when teaching!
d. They are Studious. They prepare themselves through extended times of study and reflection in God’s word, and on any subject tyhey may have to teach. They derive great delight from studying and researching, and are strongly motivated to share what they learn. Truth is presented not simply to share knowledge but with the goal that God will transform the hearer’s life.
e. They are Bible-oriented. With this gift comes a strong desire to know what God has said about subjects.
f. They are Burdened. They focus on changing lives by helping others understand the Bible better. Not just accumulate facts like Wikipedia
g. They are Needed! People with this gift are needed in the church for:
1) Children’s Church teaching – explaining the wonderful things of God to children
2) Youth Leaders need good teachers
3) For those who should be Church elders – every mature believer needs to be able to teach others (2Timothy 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.)
4) Leaders of home Bible studies and Discipleships
5) Ladies Ministry Leaders
6) Soul-winning and evangelism – to make sure we are all well-equipped to go and present the Gospel
7) Parenting Parents – parents need help in training up their children
7. How to Tell if you have the Gift of Teaching.
a. You Verify facts. You don’t believe things until you have verified them as actual truth
b. Love to Study. You love to study and learn new things from the Bible – you may have loads of commentaries and Bible handbooks, and helpful study tools to help you understand what the Scriptures is saying. That is a sign you love leatning and love to teach what you learn.
c. Thorough. You are thorough in your study of Scripture (2Tim 2:15) – truths don’t just come naturally to you. You work through truths, step by step.
d. You love your audience. You yearn to see people converted to God’s way of thinking and living – not become just moral, but Biblical in their living.
e. You are very detailed in your explanations – sometimes too detailed for people!
f. Truth is truth. You are not impressed with personal experiences – to you, truth is truth
g. You tend to argue over minor points – you easily see minor flaws in other people’s arguments
h. You love preaching best of all – you realise that teaching is second place to preaching. Most youtubers are teachers. Holy Spirit called teachers know the priority of preaching and love to be convicted by preaching themselves!
i. 2Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
IV.Conclusion
A. If you are born again – then you have received a special gift to serve the Lord with
1. Maybe it is the gift of speaking for God – being used as a mouthpiece by God – saying what He would say if He were in your shoes, warning people of their sins and of coming judgments.
2. Maybe it is Teaching, explaining, discipling
3. Or, Maybe your gift is neither.
4. But if you are born again, it will be one of the other gifts in you waiting to be used
B. Discover YOUR gift and start developing it and using it! Instead of WASTING it!
C. none of this matters if you do not have THE gift of God (eternal life) in you (Romans 6:23)!
1. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth to save you from the GUILT and POWER of your sins and to RECONCILE you unto God Almighty.
2. Through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ you will escape the wrath to come and joyfully look forward to heaven - and you'll live an overcoming life. God will be your Father instead of your enemy - but only because of something God calls a gift
3. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
4. And, that gift, feely given for the whole world was because of the blood of Jesus “...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
5. THAT is the greatest gift of all time! AND the most neglected! Most people are trying to get forgiveness by their best efforts (Ephesians 2:8,9). Some are trying to live good and clean lives (Isa 64:6). But none are without sin, and all are commanded to be born again (John 3:3). You need that gift!
D. If you have NOT been born again, today is the day
1. Because THAT is when you will start enjoying the life more abundant that Jesus promised His followers!
2. The life of a SERVANT