Embracing God's Gifts: Love, Victory, and the Kingdom

 

Summary

In our exploration of the series titled "The Gift," we have delved into the multifaceted nature of the gifts bestowed upon us through salvation. Over the past weeks, we have identified 17 distinct gifts, each representing a unique aspect of our salvation. Today, we focus on three more gifts: love, victory over death, and the kingdom of God.

The gift of love is foundational to our faith. Romans 5:5 tells us that God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This love is not given sparingly but is lavishly bestowed upon us, continuing to produce results in our lives. God's love is the motivation and initiation of our salvation. Without it, there would be no salvation, only judgment. God's love is a choice, not based on our worthiness but on His divine goodness.

Next, we consider the gift of victory over death. As we age, the reality of death becomes more apparent, yet through Christ, death is swallowed up in victory. The sting of death, which is sin, has been borne by Christ, allowing us to live in victory. This victory is not just a future hope but a present reality, as we are promised imperishable, glorified bodies.

Finally, we explore the gift of the kingdom of God. This kingdom is not something we can earn; it is a divine gift, freely given by God's grace. Entrance into this kingdom requires humility, like that of a child. It is an inheritance, not based on our merits but on God's choice and love. Our faith in Jesus Christ, granted by God, is the means by which we receive this gift.

These gifts remind us of the depth of God's love and the assurance of our salvation. They call us to live in obedience, keeping ourselves in the sphere of His love, and to share the gospel, trusting God to work in the hearts of those He has chosen.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Lavish Love of God: God's love is not given sparingly but is poured out abundantly in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This love is foundational to our salvation, initiated by God, and continues to produce results in our lives. It is a love that knows us fully and chooses us despite our unworthiness. [03:31]

2. Victory Over Death: Through Christ, we have victory over death. The sting of death, which is sin, has been borne by Christ, allowing us to live in victory. This victory is not just a future hope but a present reality, as we are promised imperishable, glorified bodies. [20:05]

3. The Gift of the Kingdom: The kingdom of God is a divine gift, not something we can earn. It requires humility, like that of a child, to enter. This kingdom is an inheritance, freely given by God's grace, emphasizing our dependence on His initiative and love. [33:48]

4. The Role of Faith and Repentance: Our faith in Jesus Christ, granted by God, is the means by which we receive the gift of salvation. This faith is not alone; it is accompanied by works that demonstrate its authenticity. Repentance is also a gift, enabled by God's grace. [40:49]

5. The Assurance of Salvation: God's love secures and guarantees our salvation for all eternity. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This assurance calls us to live in obedience, keeping ourselves in the sphere of His love, and to share the gospel with others. [17:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Series
- [00:46] - Aspects of Salvation
- [01:52] - The Gift of Love
- [03:31] - God's Love Poured Out
- [06:12] - Love as the Motivation for Salvation
- [09:01] - Separation and Atonement
- [12:02] - God's Initiative in Salvation
- [15:28] - Demonstration of Love Through Sacrifice
- [18:01] - Assurance in God's Love
- [20:05] - Victory Over Death
- [24:02] - The Transformation of Our Bodies
- [27:06] - The Power of Sin and the Law
- [31:52] - Thanks Be to God for Victory
- [33:48] - The Gift of the Kingdom
- [37:42] - Receiving the Kingdom as a Child
- [41:10] - Faith and Repentance as Gifts
- [44:57] - The Role of the Gospel in Salvation
- [47:15] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Gift"

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:5 - "And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
2. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - "But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
3. Luke 12:32 - "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 5:5, how is God's love described in terms of its abundance and effect on believers? [03:09]

2. In 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, what is the significance of the transformation from perishable to imperishable bodies? How does this relate to the concept of victory over death? [19:33]

3. What does Luke 12:32 reveal about the nature of the kingdom of God and how it is given to believers? [33:48]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the outpouring of God's love? [03:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's love and the assurance of salvation? Why is this assurance important for believers? [17:46]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the present reality of victory over death for believers, and how should this influence their daily lives? [20:05]

3. How does the concept of receiving the kingdom of God as a child challenge common perceptions of earning or deserving God's gifts? [33:48]

4. In what ways does the sermon highlight the importance of humility in receiving the gifts of God, particularly the kingdom? [38:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How can the understanding that God's love is a choice, not based on your worthiness, change your perspective? [05:34]

2. The sermon mentions that victory over death is a present reality. How can this truth impact the way you face fears or uncertainties in your life? [20:05]

3. Consider the idea of receiving the kingdom of God with the humility of a child. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a childlike faith in your spiritual journey? [38:06]

4. How can you actively keep yourself in the "sphere of God's love" through obedience and living out His word? Identify one specific area in your life where you can apply this. [18:50]

5. The sermon emphasizes sharing the gospel and trusting God to work in the hearts of others. Who is one person you can share the gospel with this week, and how will you approach this conversation? [44:57]

6. Reflect on the assurance of salvation as described in the sermon. How does this assurance motivate you to live differently, and what changes can you make to align your life with this truth? [17:46]

7. The sermon discusses the role of faith and repentance as gifts from God. How can you nurture these gifts in your daily walk with Christ? [40:49]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Love Poured Abundantly
God's love is not a mere trickle but a lavish outpouring into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This love is foundational to our salvation, initiated by God, and continues to produce results in our lives. It is a love that knows us fully and chooses us despite our unworthiness. This divine love is the motivation and initiation of our salvation, without which there would be no salvation, only judgment. God's love is a choice, not based on our worthiness but on His divine goodness. [03:31]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt unworthy of love. How can you embrace the truth of God's abundant love for you today, despite your feelings of unworthiness?


Day 2: Living in Victory Over Death
Through Christ, we have victory over death. The sting of death, which is sin, has been borne by Christ, allowing us to live in victory. This victory is not just a future hope but a present reality, as we are promised imperishable, glorified bodies. As we age, the reality of death becomes more apparent, yet through Christ, death is swallowed up in victory. This assurance allows us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [20:05]

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (ESV): "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'"

Reflection: How does the promise of victory over death change the way you approach your daily life and the challenges you face?


Day 3: Entering the Kingdom with Childlike Humility
The kingdom of God is a divine gift, not something we can earn. It requires humility, like that of a child, to enter. This kingdom is an inheritance, freely given by God's grace, emphasizing our dependence on His initiative and love. Our faith in Jesus Christ, granted by God, is the means by which we receive this gift. It is a reminder that our entrance into the kingdom is not based on our merits but on God's choice and love. [33:48]

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV): "And said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride or self-sufficiency? How can you practice childlike humility in your relationship with God today?


Day 4: Faith and Repentance as Divine Gifts
Our faith in Jesus Christ, granted by God, is the means by which we receive the gift of salvation. This faith is not alone; it is accompanied by works that demonstrate its authenticity. Repentance is also a gift, enabled by God's grace. These gifts remind us of the depth of God's love and the assurance of our salvation. They call us to live in obedience, keeping ourselves in the sphere of His love, and to share the gospel, trusting God to work in the hearts of those He has chosen. [40:49]

2 Timothy 2:25-26 (ESV): "Correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt the need for repentance. How can you embrace this gift and allow it to transform your actions and attitudes today?


Day 5: Assurance in God's Unfailing Love
God's love secures and guarantees our salvation for all eternity. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This assurance calls us to live in obedience, keeping ourselves in the sphere of His love, and to share the gospel with others. It is a profound reminder that our salvation is not dependent on our efforts but on God's unwavering love and faithfulness. [17:46]

Jude 1:24-25 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."

Reflection: How does the assurance of God's unfailing love impact your willingness to share the gospel with others? What steps can you take today to live more boldly in this assurance?

Quotes

"God's love has been lavishly given to us and what's even interesting about the tense of the verb that used there is the perfect tense and the perfect tense indicates that this is an action that was completed in the past but it still is having present results it's still going on." [00:03:34]

"God did not find any worthiness or Merit in us but loved us out of his own Divine goodness we were not only weak but dead in sins how can a dead person bring themselves to life it is God's love alone that awakens and saves it was by his love that he saved us." [00:13:37]

"God's love secures and guarantees our salvation for all eternity and when you're struggling to think how could God love you when he knows how sinful and wicked your heart is but yet he still loves you think about Romans 8: 38 and 39 for I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor things present nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus." [00:17:39]

"Victory over death you know the older that we get we think more about death don't we maybe didn't think much about it when we were younger we thought we were Invincible we're not going to die right now we're going to it's going to be much later when we're older but we know that death is not partial to anyone it affects everyone." [00:20:15]

"Death is not merely destroyed so that it cannot do further harm while all of the harm which it has wrought on God's children remain Remains the tornado is not merely checked so that no additional homes are wrecked while those that were wrecked still lie in ruin the destruction of death is far more intense death and all of its apparent victories are undone for God's children." [00:23:17]

"The kingdom is a Divine gift freely given by God out of his love out of his grace it's a central theme throughout all of scripture underscoring God's desire to invite us into his eternal Reign and presence again just like all of these gifts they're given they're not earned you can't do anything to earn any of these gifts that we're talking about." [00:33:41]

"The clearest demonstration that the kingdom of God is a gift is that it's not something that we can achieve through our own efforts it's granted to us by God's initiative and God's grace here in this verse Jesus is emphasizing that the kingdom of God is not something that we take or work for but it's something God graciously gives to us." [00:34:38]

"Entrance into this Kingdom it requires humility and Jesus tells us like in Mark 10:15 how it is to be received he says truly I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all boy when my kids were much smaller much younger I used to tell them some Tales." [00:37:52]

"Charles Spurgeon said we believe that men are saved by faith alone but not by a faith which is alone they are saved by faith without works but not by a faith which is without works he's he's echoing James James says faith without works is dead it's dead Faith people say that you can have dead or demonic faith in coming to Christ that's not Faith that's not saving faith that kind of Faith won't save you." [00:39:36]

"Our faith has to be in Jesus Christ again going back to John 3:16 for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever continues to believe in him remember the present tense verb I pointed out you continue to believe in him so where did that Faith come from came from God for by Grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift from God." [00:40:11]

"God has to make you alive he has to wake you up from Death he has to Grant you spiritual life and I praise God he does that and it's like a whole package deal he wakes you up he gives you Faith he gives you repentance he makes your will willing to come people that talk about free will listen if it wasn't for God and acting on our will we would never come because again we're dead." [00:41:10]

"Go out and freely share the gospel and don't worry about the results because you can't save anybody anyway and that's not your mission that's not your task though you want to see people get saved but God is the one that has to save them and here's how God calls those he's chosen before the foundation of the world he does it through the preaching of the Gospel." [00:44:57]

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Transcript
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