GIFTS WE ALL NEED

1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (8) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will

cover a multitude of sins." (9) Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. (10) As

each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (11) If anyone speaks, let him

speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability

which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion

forever and ever. Amen.

GIVING GIFTSA. It is the season of giving.

1. Many hours and a lot of money is spent on gifts for those we love and appreciate.

2. Some of those gifts will fill a need. 3. Some will be just for the fun or pleasure of giving a gift. 4. Some will feel compelled to give even if they don't really

want to.B. Today we will look at gift giving in a different way. I Peter

4:7-11 outlines five gifts we all need. 5. The gift of love. 6. The gift of hospitality. 7. The gift of ministry.8. The gift of God’s word9. The gift of Glory to God

I. THE GIFT OF

I Peter 4:8 - above all things have fervent love for one another

Love

I. THE GIFT OF LOVEA.It is what God gives us. And we all need it.

1. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2. Ephesians 2:4-8  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5

 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6

 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

I. THE GIFT OF LOVEA.It is what God gives us. And we all need it.

3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8  Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

4. God did not wait for us to show love toward Him before He loved us.

5. He made the first move. Even while we were in sin.

I. THE GIFT OF LOVEB. It is what we need from each other.

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

2. Love wins. Jesus proved that.3. Love will bring the lost to Jesus - John 13:35 By this all

will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

II. THE GIFT OFI Peter 4:9 - Be hospitable to one another

Hospi-tality

II. THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITYA.Rom 12:13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to

hospitality. B.Heb 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for

with such sacrifices God is well pleased.C.It is what Jesus did. He made people feel welcome and

accepted.1. Zacchaeus. Luke 19:1-102. The Samaritan woman. John 4

D.It is what we need from each other.1. Many live behind closed doors and shuttered windows.2. Many don't even know their neighbors.3. One woman invited her neighbor to church 50 times.

He came after the next invitation.

II. THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITYE. The gift of hospitality is really a gift of time.

1. It is challenging and difficult to be everywhere you are needed. And it is impossible to be in two places at once. Priorities must be set in the use of our time.

2. Nothing speaks louder than being there. A hug, a handshake, a smile, or a simple visit is often enough. This is especially true in the winter when many only see the walls of their own home.

3. Someone has said that 80% of success is just showing up. Non-presence sends a message of non-interest, and non-concern.

4. Hospitality is a combination of welcoming others into your presence and taking yourself into theirs. That may be at the hospital, the funeral home, the nursing home, or a private home in time of sickness, death, or other difficulty. Or even your own home for a time of fellowship and visitation.

III. THE GIFT OFI Peter 4:10 - minister to one another

Ministry

III. THE GIFT OF MINISTRYA. Recognizing our gifts. Romans 12:6-8 Having

then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; (7) or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; (8) he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. These are gifts from God. Not miraculous gifts. Ordinary talents and abilities we all have been blessed with.

III. THE GIFT OF MINISTRYB. A gift has a giver, a receiver and a purpose.

1.God is the giver, 2.We are the receiver 3.The purpose, as Paul stated in Romans 12:6 is so that we can use

them.a. I Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one

another.b. Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own

interests, but also for the interests of others.c. How can we do it?

i. By using the gifts of preaching, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading and showing mercy.

ii. One thing that is clear from the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 is that there is no such thing as a "no talent" follower of the Lord. We all have something to give in the way of ministry.

IV. THE GIFT OF1 Peter 4:11a - speak as the oracles of God

God’sWord

IV. THE GIFT OF GOD’S WORD

A.We have an invaluable gift available in the Word of God.

B.Our speech need to be consistent with His Word.

C.We should pass God’s oracles on to others - Acts 7:38 This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,

IV. THE GIFT OF GOD’S WORDD. After time, we all should speak as the oracles of

God - Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

E. Our speaking as the oracles of God can change people - Jeremiah 23:22 But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings.

F. What a wondrous opportunity we have to give speak as the oracles of God.

V. THE GIFT TO GOD1 Peter 4:11b - that in all things God may be glorified

Glory

V. THE GIFT TO GOD – GLORY

A. Our works should glorify God - Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

B. We should live to glorify God - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

V. THE GIFT TO GOD – GLORY

C. Bearing fruit glorifies God - John 15:8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

D. If we glorify God here on earth, one day God will glorify us in heaven - Romans 2:6-8 who "will render to each one according to his deeds": (7) eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; (8) but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath,

GIFTS EVERYONE NEEDSA. We live in a selfish world. B. Many will be more concerned with what they will get than with

what they will give. C. As we share in the fellowship of giving and receiving this

season, may we remember that there are gifts we all need that money cannot buy. 1. The gift of love, 2. The gift of hospitality 3. The gift of ministry4. The gift of God’s Word5. The gift of Glory to God

D. These are the gifts we both need to give and to receive. E. And these are the gifts that will never get old, worn out, or

thrown away.

HAVE A GIVING WEEK