January 20, 2013 - The Perfect Gift

This week’s scriptures are: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalms 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11

Please pray with me:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that the words of this sermon are YOUR words, and not mine.  I pray that the message here touches those that need to be touched.  I pray that those receiving this sermon remember that all Honor and Glory are yours, Lord, both now and forever.  Amen and Amen.

Grace and Peace to you, from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Christmas just past.  How many of us gave meaningful gifts?  Did we take the time to think about what we’re giving or did we just rush out at the last minute and buy a gift, just to be able to give a gift?  What value is in that?

Maybe, you spent all year thinking and planning on the gifts you’d give.  Maybe you took the time to make the gifts.  A gift that was from the heart.  A gift that would be used and cherished.

If you have more than one child, did you give them the same gift?  Did you give your mother the same gift as your father?  Did you give everyone the same gift?

Neither did God.  That doesn’t make one gift better than the other.  It just makes them different.  It’s not important what gift you received from God, it’s important how you USE that gift.  Maybe, you were lucky enough to receive more than one gift from God.

Some people have what I’ve heard called “The Gift of Gab”.  They can talk to anyone, about anything.  Most of the people I’ve met with this gift, have never met a stranger.  These people can sometimes brighten the lives of others, just because they’re willing to say, “Hello”. 

The stranger walking down the street, feeling lonely, walks past such a person and they see that smile, they hear that greeting and it might just change their mood.  It may change their life forever. 

But what if no one had that gift?  What then?

Some people have the gift of knowledge.  They seem to know EVERYTHING.  I’m not talking about the pain in the neck that never shuts up and always THINKS they know more than anyone else.  I’m talking about the person who when times get tough, others turn to them. 

I’m talking about the person who you can turn to and ask what about this?  The person who can always find the answer no matter what the problem or situation.  The ones I’ve met who have this gift are often the quiet ones.  They’re willing to help, but don’t just jump in.

You walk in and your phone is ringing.  When you answer it, your whole world falls apart.  You don’t know what to do about the situation.  So without hesitation, you call that ONE person.  After hearing what’s going on, they calmly explain how to proceed.

What if no one had that gift?  What then?

Do you know what gift or gifts you have?  Do you know how to USE that gift?  ARE YOU using that gift?

God knew what He was doing when He gave out gifts.  You and I may have the same gifts, but we use them differently.  That doesn’t mean that one of us is wrong and the other is right.  It just means that we’re different.

I remember one day, years ago, we were discussing “GIFTS” in Sunday school.  A lady who seemed to be involved in EVERYTHING said that she wasn’t given a gift from God.

As it turns out that she was involved in everything, because she couldn’t FOCUS on anything.  She would go and do a lot of things in search of some “PASSION” for something.  ANYTHING.

Over the years, I’ve found myself involved in many different things.  For a long time I sang in choir.  Then I was involved in the Church Politics (never again, thank you very much).  I’ve been involved in Promotional Advertising, Photography, animal rescue and on and on.

But what’s MY gift?  What is it that I can do for God?  What is it that I can do that will be PLEASING to God?  I guess what I’m trying to say is, “What’s my gift TO God”?

No matter what my lot in life, the best things I can do is accept my place, my circumstances.  I can go out and be the best ME that I can.  I can go out and give glory to God for everything that I have.  I can live a life where God’s love flows through me to others.  I can let others see God through my life.  Through my actions.

My gift could seem so insignificant to me, but it could be the world to someone else.  I may not even realize my gift at the time that I’m using it, but it could be the difference between Heaven and Hell for someone else.

No matter what gift God gave you, cherish it.  Use it to His glory.  Do not envy someone else for the gift that they were given.  You may not be able to handle the pressure of that gift.  You may not be able to handle the circumstances required for that gift to be used.

No, God gave you the PERFECT gift.  He gave you the exact gift you’ll need for the situations you will encounter.  And the one gift He gave to all of us, is love. 

So use all of your gifts and share the love of God with others, in whatever way you can.

May God’s love flow through us all this week.  May that love just EXPLODE from us.  May others feel God’s love every time they are in our presence. 

Amen.

May the reading of this sermon bless you.  May God be with you and you with Him, until we meet again.

Amen.