TITLE:  Bah Humbug – Scrooge Was Right
TEXT:  Acts 20:33-35
PROPOSITION:  Sometimes it is better to receive.
QUESTION:  What?
KEY WORD:  Gifts
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

 INTRODUCTION:

1.        Christmas is often the time of year for giving, sharing, compassion

2.        Then there is Scrooge.

3.        Janet sometimes thinks I am a “Scrooge”

4.        Occasionally Scrooge is right.

5.        Sometimes it is better to receive than to give.

 Grace

1. Grace is God’s gift to us
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 – saved by grace
3. Titus 2:11 – brings salvation, appeared to all men
4. God’s amazing grace is not earned or deserved – a GIFT
5. We must ACCEPT it

 Blessings

1. Ephesians 1:3 – all blessings are in Christ
2. Malachi 3:10 – God will pour out a blessing
3. 1 Peter 3:9 – we inherit a blessing

 Peace

1. Three types of “Peace” in the New Testament
   1. Peace with God
   2. Peace with others
   3. Peace with self
2. Jesus came as the Prince of Peace
3. He came to give us peace – John 14:27

 Power

1. Power of Faith
2. Power of Prayer
3. Power of Hope
4. Power of Love
5. Power of Forgiveness

 Pardon

1. We can’t earn it or deserve it
2. We can ONLY receive it
   1. Gift from God
   2. It must be received, accepted