The Good and Perfect Gift

James 1:16-18 – 16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 What-ever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. (New Living Translation)

Our giving may be good, but lacking

• Our giving may not be _____________________________

God’s giving is perfect

▸ God’s _____________________________ is perfect

Deuteronomy 32:4 – He is the Rock; his work is perfect. . . . (New King James Version)

Isaiah 53:11 – When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. . . . (New Living Translation)

▸ God’s _____________________________ is perfect

Psalm 18:30 – As for God, his way is perfect; . . . (New King James Version)

Romans 12:2 – . . . let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (New Living Translation)

▸ God’s _____________________________ is perfect

Psalm 19:7 – The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. . . . (New Living Translation)

God is describe as the Father of Light

✳ God is the source of _____________________________ light

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (New Century Version)

1 John 1:5 – This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. (New Living Translation)

Ephesians 5:8 – For though once your heart were full of darkness, now it is full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! (The Living Bible)

God is choosing you and me as His own

❏ Your eternal salvation does not necessarily depend upon your ________________ of God, but God’s choice of __________

Ephesians 1:4 – Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (New Living Translation)

❏ Do you know why you can’t be snatched from God’s hand?

(1) It was the Father who _________________________ you there

(2) It was the Father who _____________________ you

Romans 9:16 – So receiving God’s promise is not up to us. We can’t get it by choosing it or working hard for it. God will show mercy to anyone he chooses. (New Living Translation, 1st ed.)

God chose to give you His ‘true word’

1. The true word is the ___________________ of ____________

Proverbs 30:5 – Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. (New Living Translation)

2. The true word is the _____________________________

3. You can become His ‘choice possession.