Preached Live on DCAGTV | February 18, 2024, 🎞️Watch Live Here using hyperlink👈

Shades & Colors of Love—Receiving Gifts

By Rev. Nicholas Sybrowsky 

Heb. (נּט רּקהץ מּןביםךשד דּטנרם'דלט)

Gk. (Βψ Ρεω. Νιξηολασ Σψβροωσκψ)

This manuscript is a companion reflection—while its core message was delivered live, deeper biblical citations and source notes will be added in a future update as part of our commitment to theological depth and spiritual growth.

Opening Reflection:

There’s a sacred mystery in the way love expresses itself through the giving—and especially the receiving—of gifts. Not all gifts come wrapped with bows or boxed in glitter. Some arrive quietly, like grace in the middle of grief. Others show up boldly, like revelation breaking through routine.

We begin today in Acts 6:4, with the apostles' simple devotion: “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” This kind of love—this gift—is not always felt in what’s held, but in what’s surrendered. It’s a receiving that starts with empty hands and a willing heart.

Opening Word & Reading for Worship:

His conditional promises to those who love him are:

I will live in them and walk in them.  I will be their God and they shall be my people.  When they depart immorality or grossly unfair behavior, I will receive them (He will sustain them too).  I will be a Father to them and they shall be my children (2 Cor 6:16-18), cf. Isa 52:11(The Lord's Coming Salvation.  Context of 2nd exodus from captivity 900 yrs. following the exit from Egypt Called to live holy; sanctified), Eze 20:34 (I WILL BRING YOU OUT you are my people.  Promised rescue Israel (God's Chosen People) from Babylonian captivity; purification, sanctification & consecration), 41(received & restored for his holy purposes); 2 Sam 7:14 (God's Covenant with David is a life agreement with us too. In context a special sanctification of God's reputation within the people for greater public recognition; praising God as Father & we His children).  

"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."  (2 Cor. 7)

In His hallowed name alone, we can see 5 results of having His promises:  Sin (Victory over sin!  The death of sin!).  Spirit (The Presence of His Spirit!).  Soundness (Soundness of mind, body & spirit.).  Success! Security!  

The 5 results (benefits) of promise are gained in the covenant that Paul shares with the church in Corinth.

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Video By Bennett Coast

Receiving Gifts

Thesis:  If we want to secure the promises of God & reap the benefits of His grace we must submit to His way.  The excellent way of love.  The law of love.

Could it be that gift giving is a fundamental expression of love that transcends cultural barriers?  Dr. Chapman examines this idea expounding on this very common action within various cultures around the globe.  Anthropology is the study of the origin and development of human societies and cultures.  Culture is the learned behavior of people, including their languages, belief systems, social structures, institutions, and material goods. "Anthrop" is a Greek root word for "human" and a number of other English vocabulary words, like Anthropology & Anthropomorphic.  

 Gifts are symbols of love that glorify God. Most ceremonies include the giving and receiving of gifts.  Visual symbols are more important to some people than others.  

Video by Jooj Natu ENG

Gift Types & Origins:

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just distribute gifts randomly—He offers them with precision and purpose. In Genesis, we see the very beginnings of gift-giving in creation itself. Adam received breath, a garden, and companionship—not because he earned them, but because grace precedes action.

God’s gifts are always timely. Like the acts of reconciliation that make broken things whole, His gifts often arrive in moments of surrender. They’re relational, not transactional. And each one is tailored to its receiver—wrapped not in paper, but in purpose.

Receiving Gifts: Grace in Motion

We each receive gifts differently—and sometimes, what we call “personality” is just the way grace has been wrapped for us.

Some of us are hesitant receivers, unsure we deserve anything at all. Some are joyful receivers, quick to praise the Giver without counting the cost. Then there are the strategic receivers, ones who’ve learned to steward and multiply what’s been placed in their hands.

But no matter how we receive, the gift is never about the receiver—it’s about the character of the Giver.

The Holy Spirit teaches us not just to open our hands, but to open our hearts—to be transformed by what’s given. This kind of receiving is an act of worship. It’s not passive acceptance; it’s active surrender.

1. We tighten our grip on God's promises when we know our own love language.  Knowing your own love language can help you learn how to love others more accurately.

As some of you know by now and perhaps, I'm reminding you that I have a history of being critical of gifts given to me and nearly nothing given to me has been acceptable.  If you can relate to me then it's very unlikely that your primary or secondary love language is receiving gifts.  This doesn't mean I don't like to receive gifts or that I don't feel a sense of love from the giver.   I do know what it feel like for my gift I give to someone is rejected.  By now I've learned to cope with gifts that aren't measuring up to my ideals.  I've also learned how to cope with rejection whenever someone doesn't like or accept my gift to them.  Well, mostly! 

Have you met anyone who enthusiastically gives gifts?  Our son-in-law seems to really like giving gifts!  He's frequently working hard to make it possible to give to his children and our daughter Bailey.  I appreciate & admire his effort to love like this.  Sometimes we best communicate love to others with the lingo we most get a sense of love from.  If I frequently give words of affirmation, it's reasonable to deduct that words of encouragement are one of my personal primary love lingos.  Yet I emphasize, SOMETIMES.  I'm not suggesting that this is one of Daniel's primary’s, but I am suggesting that if you're wondering what your lingo is then simply look in the mirror.

What do you typically do to express love to others?  Remember the way we speak, and express love is a matter of exchange bidirectionally.  How I express love could be an indication of how I tend to get my "love tank" full.  On the other hand, if I want others to hear & understand that I love them then the best way to go about it is to study them and when necessary get direct.  Ask them "what's your primary love language?"  Once you know this you can love them better!

I had a shipmate years ago that shared a strategy in giving gifts I’m usually reminded well of around Christmas.  If you struggle to select a gift to give someone, I think this is good advice for any occasion:

1.   Give them something they need.

2.   Give them something they want.

3.   Give them something to eat.

For God's sake GIVE.

 2.   Loving others sincerely takes hard work.  We affirm God's promises when we labor to give love to others earnestly.

"If you're to become an effective gift giver, you may have to change your attitude about money." ~Dr. Gary Chapman

I'd like to add that imagination helps too!  When you lack capital to purchase, but you want to give to the person that feels love receiving gifts, then get creative and create!  Like the JAM Kids fundraising to donate toward Boy's and Girl's Missions Challenge (BGMC).  We've set the bar really high this year at $300 from the kids only.   I have many fond memories from childhood where I had to dig deep and become resourceful to produce a gift for family & friend.  I also have a not so fond memory too.  In fact, I once stole a pack of bubble gum from the convenient store to share with others.  Don't steal!  Be creative and resource through honest means.  What I did was dishonest and fortunately the Lord convicted me of my wrongdoing, and I didn't continue down a path of theft. 

If you're stealing, remember that as you are, I once was, and God can deliver you of this sinful action too.

Let's briefly survey the word "Gift".

The word GIFT occurs 59 times in 52 verses of the King James Version translation of the Bible.

It appears exactly as such in Gen. 34:12 When & where Jacob the son of Isaac had settled near the pagan city of Shechem instead of where God had commanded him to go (31:13 & 35:1 Isaac's Homeland).  A tragic incident happened to his daughter Dinah.  She was defiled by Shechem the son of Hamor.  "Smitten" by Dinah he asked his father to "Get me this girl for my wife."

This tragic event stimulated an offer to purchase Dinah like a prostitute.  It led to negotiations of dwelling in the land of Shechem inviting marriage between each other’s offspring and circumcision of all the males of Shechem.  Making peace amongst one another that only lasted 3 days before the sons of Jacob killed all of the men in town and rescued their sister from Hamor's & Shechem's possession.

Dowry & Purchase of a gift.  A wife.  Tragic time in the life of Jacob when he made many mistakes (See Pg. 73 of MEV 34:2 Note).

These are not such loving examples of how a person might be treated.  Shechem stole from Jacob's household.  Jacob had them surrounded in an environment of evil people (bad company corrupts good character).  Dinah seemed to be seeking companionship among ungodly women.  It's a parent's responsibility to protect their children and help them avoid bad relational influences putting them at risk of moral compromise & potential disaster.  

This first example expounds well on what "receiving gifts" is NOT.  We see what can happen when we don't concern ourselves with quality time and environmental influence.  Jacob exercised disobedience and poor judgement.  Now it's obvious to me that not all "gifts" are good gifts.  Just because someone offers you something doesn't mean you should receive it.  Like Jacob’s accepting of a gift, without proper judgement we could lead ourselves and others to regrets.  The money he received in exchange for his daughter did not resolve the injustice that had occurred. 

Strong's 4976. mat-tawn' means a present...gift, to give, reward.

Strong's 5414. n^athan naw-than Gen. 1:17(Lumens in the sky) Gen. 3:6(tangible property) Gen. 9:13 (God's bow in the clouds.) 

Hebrew word naw-than means to give.

  The word gift is a verb.  A verb meaning to give, to place.  It's used with great latitude of application.  It's used approximately 2,000 times in the OT; therefore, it's understandable that it should have a broad semantic range.

Three general categories of semantic variation are: 

1.   To give, whether it be the exchange of tangible property...

2.   This Hebrew word also means to put, to place, or something literally placed...

3.   The word can also mean to make or to constitute, such as...

5416 nethan neth-an' (Chaldee); corresponding to 5414; give----bestow, five, pay.

Nathanial or Nethanel. means given of God. 

["who love him" BLB ESV:  7 Exact matches.]

Deu. 7:9 "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he [is] God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" ~KJV

Neh. 1:5 "And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:"  ~KJV

Psa. 145:20 "The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy."  ~KJV

Dan. 9:4 "And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;"  ~KJV (cf. Deu. 7:9)

1Co. 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."  ~KJV

Jas. 1:12 "Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."  ~ KJV (Cf. Sounds similar to Paul to Corinth regarding the reward of an imperishable wreath, the crown of eternal life and eternal reward).

Jas. 2:5 "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"  ~KJV (Cf. Deu. 7:9). 

["those who love me" BLB ESV:  4 Exact matches.]

Exo. 20:6 "And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."  ~KJV (Context 1/10 Commandments.  The number one commandment (Exo 20:3) "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  ~KJV  Number one priority) (Cf. Deu 5:10 Parallel).

Pro. 8:17 "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."  ~KJV

Pro. 8:21 "That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures."  ~KJV

Conclusion: 

We secure God's promises when we accept the greatest gift anyone could receive which is the gift of forgiveness that comes from the Savior.  This gift motivates us to love sacrificially too.  We love because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19).When we have the love of the Father that comes by way of Jesus' crucifixion, we share in the death and sacrifice of him.  When we accept his love for us, we are empowered to love Him and honor God as we have been designed to do so.  God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16).  

Receiving as Worship: The Spirit’s Invitation

When we receive with humility, we declare that God is both the Giver and the Sustainer. Receiving becomes a form of worship—not a passive act, but a sacred exchange where surrender meets supply.

The widow who gave two small coins, the leper who returned to thank Jesus, the disciples who waited in the upper room—they all received something deeper than provision. They received presence.

In our spiritual walk, receiving is not weakness. It’s trust. It’s the moment we say, “Lord, I believe You know what I need more than I do.” And from that posture, the gifts we receive—be it wisdom, healing, companionship, or calling—become acts of grace flowing through us into the world

Exhortation:  

We tighten our grip on the promises of God by the way of love.  How are we blessed if we love God?  Truly love God, earnestly.

His conditional promises to those who love him are:

I will live in them and walk in them.  I will be their God and they shall be my people.  When they depart immorality or grossly unfair behavior, I will receive them (He will sustain them too).  I will be a Father to them and they shall be my children (2 Cor 6:16-18).

Do you love God?  If you love God, you will keep His commandments.  If we love God he will preserve us.

Closing Blessing: A Heart Open to Receive

And now, beloved—may we be found with open hands, not just on Sundays but in every ordinary moment. May we become like the widow, the grateful leper, the waiting disciple—ready to receive, ready to return thanks.

Let us not despise small gifts, nor delay opening what God places before us. Whether it's a word of encouragement, a hidden talent, a sacred call—or simply breath for today—may we receive with grace, and give with joy.

Because love, in its most radiant form, isn’t earned—it’s exchanged.

🕊️ Amen and amen.

🪶 Postlude & Ongoing Reflections

This message is one hue in the broader palette of Shades & Colors of Love. As we continue exploring how divine grace shows up in our relationships, recovery, and sacred rhythms, more reflections, stories, and resources will unfold here and through DCAGTV.

Feel free to share, respond, or simply sit with the Spirit’s whisper. More is on the way.

Citations, Notes & Credits:

These are being expanded in future edits.