GIFTS and

TALENTs,are they

the same?Part 2

Today as we conclude our discussion on GIFTS and TALENTS, are they the same, I hope that we found the talents God has blessed us to acquire and put them to proper use for his honor and glory. We are discussing gifts and its impacting influence on our lives and the lives of others, let’s see what we can grasp, learn and apply.

“Paul urged his brethren to ask themselves what influence their words and deeds would have upon others and to do nothing, however innocent in itself, that would seem to sanction idolatry or offend the scruples of those who might be weak in the faith. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense,neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.”

Acts of the Apostles, Pg. 316.2

“The apostle’s words of warning to the Corinthian church are applicable to all time and are especially adapted to our day. By idolatry he meant not only the worship of idols, but self-serving, love of ease, the gratification of appetite and passion. A mere profession of faith in Christ, a boastful knowledge of the truth, does not make a man a Christian. A religion that seeks only to gratify the eye, the ear, and the taste, or that sanctions self-indulgence, is not the religion of Christ.

Acts of the Apostles, Pg. 317.1

Gifts mean: (a) A thing given willingly to someone without payment.(b) A natural ability or talent.

JESUS compares gifts from humanityand gifts from God,therefore there are physical gifts and spiritual gifts:

Mt. 7:7-11 [7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:[8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.[9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?[10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?[11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good giftsunto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Mt. 5:23,24 [23] Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;[24] Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Heb.11:4[4] By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Jn.4:10[10] Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

“You must respect your own faith in order successfully to introduce it to others. By example as well as precept, you must show that you reverence your faith, speaking reverently of sacred things. Never allow one expression of lightness and trifling to escape your lips when quoting scripture. As you take the Bible in your hands, remember that you are on holy ground. Angels are around you, and could your eyes be opened, you would behold them. Let your conduct be such that you will leave the impression upon every soul with whom you associate that a pure and holy atmosphere surrounds you.One vain word, one trifling laugh, may balance a soul in the wrong direction.Terrible are the consequences of not having a constant connection with God…..

…..Our actions have a twofold influence; for they affect others as well as ourselves. This influence will either be a blessing or a curse to those with whom we associate. How little we appreciate this fact. Actions make habits,and habits, character, and if we do not guard our habits, we shall not be qualified to unite with heavenly agencies in the work of salvation, nor be prepared to enter the heavenly mansions that Jesus has gone to prepare; for no one will be there except those who have surrendered their will and way to God’s will and way. He whose character is proved, who has stood the test of trial, who is a partaker of the divine nature, will be among those whom Christ pronounces blessed.”

Christian Education, Pg. 92.2,1

Yhwh gives spiritual gifts. Humanity can only give physical gifts;

Acts. 8:18-22 [18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,[19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.[20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee,because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.[21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.[22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God,if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Rom.11:29[29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Lk.11:11-13 [11] If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father,will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?[12] Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?[13] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Heb.2:3, 4 [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;[4] God also bearing them witness, both with signsand wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

1Cor.12:1-11[1] Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.[2] Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.[3] Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.[5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.[6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.[8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;[9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;[10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:[11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1Cor.12: 28-31 [28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles,then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.[29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?[30] Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues?do all interpret?[31] But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

“By a comparison of the church with the human body, the apostle aptly illustrated the close and harmonious relationship that should exist among all members of the church of Christ. “By one Spirit,” he wrote, “are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye,where were the hearing?...

…If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.... God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

Acts of the Apostles, Pg. 317.2

“The vine has many branches, but though all the branches are different,they do not quarrel. In diversity there is unity. All the branches obtain their nourishment from one source. This is an illustration of the unity that is to exist among Christ’s followers. In their different lines of work they all have but one Head. The same Spirit, in different ways, works through them. There is harmonious action, though the gifts differ. Study this chapter. You will see from it that the man who is truly united with Christ will never act as though he were a complete whole in himself.”

Bible Commentary, Bk.6, Pg. 1090.11

“The 12th and 13th chapters of 1st Corinthians should be committed to memory, written in the mind and heart. Through His servant Paul, the Lord has placed before us these subjects for our consideration, and those who have the privilege of being brought together in church capacity will be united, understandingly and intelligently. The figure of the members which compose the body represents the church of God and the relation its members should sustain to one another.”

Bible Commentary, Bk.6, Pg. 1090.13

Ps.48:14[14] For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Brethren

Let Us Pray!

END OF PT.2