Gifts Received

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph, Happy reading!)

Hebrews 6:4-5

... for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come...

The writer of Hebrews primarily addresses the Jews who had believed in Jesus the Messiah, and now were being drawn away, and going back again towards ‘religious learning’. Throughout the book, the author of Hebrews compares the Old covenant with the New and the better covenant, and reminds them of what they have received in Jesus Christ.

Even today, believers are to be mindful of the gifts they have received from God; and sometimes they have to be reminded of these gifts. And today, that is what is in my heart today, to remind you of the five benefits {gifts} that are mentioned in these verses.

Many times, I find people focussing on what they do not have, and then strive and stress themselves to have those-material things. But I would like us to focus, today, on what we have as Christians. We are indeed privileged people to have received these gifts mentioned in Hebrews. And even if this world cannot distinguish the ‘Haves’ and ‘Have-nots’ here (which is really not in terms of material wealth, but a really wonderful spiritual wealth entrusted to those believers in Jesus Christ), we should remember these gifts poured out into our lives and be thankful.

(i)                 Enlightened

Yes, you and I are enlightened...that is what the Bible says about believers! If we look around and find some physically blind people, we feel sad for them; we think that their blindness is a serious handicap. And we tend to think that they really miss something if they cannot see the flowers, trees, birds and nature. But imagine the greater tragedy of those who cannot ‘see’ spiritually! Jesus said that unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

If you are born-again, your spiritual eyes have been opened to ‘see’ the kingdom of God. That is enlightenment! What a great gift of God... for the veil over our eyes have been removed; the scales have fallen away from our eyes! And suddenly we see... spiritually.

Many a times, when we speak to the unbelievers about this wonderful gift of God-of enlightenment, they simply cannot grasp it. How can we explain that far more majestic sight awaits them, than what they can see with natural eyes? For the god of this world has blinded their eyes (2 Cor. 4:4). It is a gift from God Himself. Natural sight is such a good gift from God; but being able to see the kingdom of God is a gift much more wonderful!

I have had the opportunity to meet a minister, who was progressively becoming blind in both his eyes; and there came a time when he lost his natural eyesight completely. He began to minister among the blind people, and these came to the Lord. As I heard them praising and singing for joy, I knew that their spiritual eyes had been opened; and that is what really matters!

(ii)               Tasted the gift of God

Eph. 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Have you received gifts anytime? I can imagine the happiness flooding your soul, as you open up the gifts given to you. Or think of the inheritance and wealth left by your grand-parents, for example. We are indeed happy to receive gifts. But think of the gift you have received from God-have you ‘tasted’ it? It is faith, forgiveness, and forever-life! Yes, the gift of faith (not because of your works), the gift of forgiveness (Jesus died for your sins, while you were still a sinner, and is offering you that gift), and the gift of everlasting life to those who believe.

(iii)             Partakers of the Holy Spirit

Luke 11:13

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Have you asked your heavenly Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit? A blessed gift, indeed, to each one as a believer! And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

In the Old covenant, there were only a chosen few who were given the gift of the Holy Spirit; they were far between. But when Jesus rose from the dead, and sat down at the right hand of the Father, He poured out His Spirit according to what what He had promised. And now in the New Covenant, we have all received His Spirit as a seal and guarantee of our salvation.

If you knew of this gift-the Holy Spirit, you will know Him as the Comforter; and you never need to cry alone! You will find a Guide, and you never need to walk alone. You will find a partner in prayer, and you will never pray alone. You will find a Counsellor, to help you discern the right from the wrong. He helps us in our weaknesses. He will guide us into all truth. Thanks be to God. Amen.

(iv)             Tasted the good word of God

2 Peter 1:4

By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

His word is truth; His words are spirit and they are life to us who believe. We have exceedingly great and magnificent promises in His word. You and I may be from different backgrounds; maybe we speak different native languages; are from different places and cultures; maybe we are in different age-group as well. But there is a promise of God for you as well as for me! Taste and see that His words are pure, and sweet.

And so if I am troubled, His words ring in my ear 'Let not your heart be troubled'; or if I am doubtful, His words to me are ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away’. And so, you and I learn to bank on His promises; for His promises are ‘yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ Jesus. “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” (Ps. 138:2)

By faith, we take hold of God’s promises. Last week, we saw about the degrees of faith; and before that, the types of faith. On the road, as you walk, you do not worry that you may fall, trusting that the road you walk on will not suddenly cave-in; and it may. But the word of God will not cave-in nor fail. Therefore trust His word; stand on His promises.

(v)               Powers of the age to come

1 Peter 1:4 talks about a living hope in us believers:

‘to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you...’

To every believer, God has given a foretaste of this wonderful inheritance kept for us; a glimpse, a preview, a trailer- call it what you like. And we have in the Bible, the book of Revelation -a prophetic book, which talks exclusively of things that are to come; of things that are wonderful, kept in store for the believers. I know many may find the book of Revelation a little difficult to relate to or understand... and maybe it is because our focus is only on this present age. But Rev. 1:3 says: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

The book of Revelation is a unique book in the Bible that talks of things that are yet to happen. Many books of the Bible talks about the things that have already happened... for eg. the gospels, letters to the churches,... Therefore if you want a taste of heaven, a taste of the powers to come, go ahead and read the last book of the Bible.

Remember these five things-that have been given to us as wonderful gifts from God (Heb.6:4-5). 

Let me remind you that we have a wonderful gift in the future; for Eph. 2:7 says: ‘that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.’ The coming of Jesus, the rapture, the millennium reign of believers with Jesus... these are wonderful things to know from the word of God. Let me close with this verse: While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:18).