Good Gifts of God

THE GOOD GIFTS OF GOD        JAMES 1:12-18  

INTRO:-IT IS HARD TO FIND THE PERFECT GIFT.

-WE HAVE LIMITATIONS OF TIME, $, TASTE, STYLE

-TRUE DIAMONDS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND BUT AFTER A CERTAIN POINTS   DIAMONDS MUST EVEN GET BORING....

(ILL): EVERY GIFT, THOUGH IT BE SMALL, IS IN REALITY GREAT IF GIVEN        WITH LOVE.

EXPL:-JAMES, OLDER HALF-BRO. OF JESUS; CONVERTED FOLLOWING       RESURRECTION

-CHRIST APPEARED TO HIM: PASTOR OF JERUSALEM CHURCH: 1STEPSTL.45AD.  -JAMES "THE JUST": "CAMEL KNEES": SUFFERING CAUSES MATURITY:      -SUFFERING PRODUCES EARTHLY ENDURANCE AND HEAVENLY REWARDS.

PROP:             GOD GIVES GOOD GIFTS THAT COST

TS:      DUE TO ... OF JAMES 1:12-18, WE CAN SEE THAT GOD                                  GIVES GOOD AND PERFECT GIFTS.

PURPOSE: GIFTS COME AT A PRICE (SUFFERING:TRIALS/TEMPTATIONS);                         CHOOSING WHAT IS RIGHT GOD WILL GIVE TO HONOR & REWARD                      FOR HIS GLORY.

MP:

I.          GOD GAVE HIS SON -

            1. SON IS GIVEN (GIFT-GAVE DIVINE TO FALLEN/EMPTIED OUT                   HEAVEN/FULLNESS OF TIME/SON OF GOD/MAN/ FATHER.)

            2. SON SUFFERED TO BRING SALVATION (GRACE/FOREORDAINED/PREDESTINED/SIN/DEATH/PERFECT SAC./FAITH.

(ILL:). THE GREATEST GIFT:(JN.3:16),[GOD-LOVER;SO LOVED-DEGREE;THE WORLD-COMPANY;THAT HE GAVE-ACT; ONLY SON-GIFT; WHOSOEVER-OPPORTUNITY; BELIEVETH-SIMPLICITY; IN HIM-ATTRACTION; NOT PERISH-PROMISE; BUT-DIFFERENCE;HAVE-CERTAINTY;EVERLASTING LIFE-POSSESSION. (IIL:). THE CROSS IS GOD'S COMPASS POINTING THE WAY TO HEAVEN.

            3. SON IS OUR SAVIOR.(Past, present & future)

(ILL:). SALVATION IS FREE BECAUSE CHRIST PAID THE ENORMOUS PRICE.

II.  GOD GIVES HIS SPIRIT -

            1. SPIRIT SUSTAINS (THRU GIFTS/CHURCH/)CHRIST WENT SO                        COMFORTED COULD COME.

            2. SPIRIT SANCTIFIES (THRU SUFFERING)

(ILL:). SUFFERING IS LIKE KNOWING MANY LANGUAGES: IT GIVES THE                     SUFFERER ACCESS TO MANY MORE PEOPLE.

            3. SPIRIT SOURCE OF WISDOM.

III. GOD WILL GIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE - EXTRA PERSONAL

(ILL:). 3 ANCHORS OF LIFE- I BELIEVE GOD, BELONG TO GOD & SERVE                    GOD.

            1. END OF TIME/HEAVEN/BOOKS OPENED?/ROLL READ/ACT ACCOUNTED/

                        REWARDS...FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH/OBEDIENT/LOVE.

            2. CROWN GIVEN TO HONOR (GIFT) - LOVED NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO                         DEATH.

            3. CROWN GIVEN TO REWARD (SUFFERING/LOVE)

(ILL:) WE ARE REWARDED NOT FOR RUNNING BUT FINISHING THE RACE.

CONCL: GOD GIVES GIFTS/ GIFTS ARE COSTLY/ GIFTS ARE ETERNAL.

       THE GIFT OF THE CROSS MAKES WAY FOR THE GIFT OF A CROWN.