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  GIFTS AND GRACES
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes that our true beauty and adornment come
from the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, which will be revealed
when we meet our coming Lord and King.

Topics: "Gifts of the Holy Spirit", "Preparation for Christ"
Scripture References: Genesis 24:1

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer illustrates the concept of 'Gifts and Graces' by referencing
Genesis 24, where Abraham sends his servant to find a bride for Isaac,
symbolizing God's preparation of the Church as the bride of Christ. The
jewels and raiment given to Rebekah represent the gifts of the Holy
Spirit that adorn believers, enhancing their beauty in God's sight.
Tozer emphasizes that just as Rebekah received gifts from the unseen
bridegroom, Christians are endowed with divine graces that prepare them
for their encounter with Christ. The servant, representing the Holy
Spirit, plays a crucial role in bestowing these gifts upon the faithful.
Ultimately, believers are being prepared for their meeting with the
Lord, adorned with the beauty of God's grace.

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CONTENT
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I go back often to Genesis 24 for the illustration and the figure in the
Old Testament reminding us of the adornments of grace and beauty that
will mark the believing Body of Christ. Abraham sent his trusted servant
to his former homeland to select a bride for Isaac. The adornment of
Rebekah's beauty consisted of jewels and the raiment that came as gifts
of love from the bridegroom whom she had not yet seen. It is a reminder
of what God is doing in our midst right now. Abraham typifies God the
Father; Isaac, our Lord Jesus Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom.

The servant who went with the gifts into the far country to claim a
bride for Isaac speaks well of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher and
Comforter.

He gives us, one by one, the gifts and the graces of the Holy Spirit
that will be our real beauty in His sight. Thus we are being prepared,
and when we meet our coming Lord and King, our adornment will be our
God-given graces!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/gifts-and-graces/
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