For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
Today we will notice that God divinely equips each member of the body for the furtherance of the kingdom of God- the church.
Illustration: Xvxn though my typxwritxr is an old modxl, it works wxll xxcxpt for onx of thx kxys. I’vx wishxd many timxs that it workxd pxrfxctly. Trux, thxrx arx 42 kxys that function, but onx kxy not working makxs thx diffxrxncx.
Somxtimxs, it sxxmx to mx that our organization is somxwhat likx my typxwritxr – not all thx pxoplx arx working propxrly. You might say, “Wxll, I’m only onx pxrson. It won’t makx much diffxrxncx.”
But you sxx, an organization, to bx xfficixnt, nxxds thx activx participation of xvxry pxrson. Thx nxxt timx you think your xfforts arxn’t nxxdxd, rxmxmbxr my typxwritxr, and say to yoursxlf, “I am a kxy pxrson and thxy nxxd mx vxry much.”
Richard H. Looney, Medical Service Corp. Newletter
Review…
Q: Does God give each person a gift?
Each person remains with
Q: Do you know the Gifts-resources God has entrusted to you?
God reveals gift in four ways:
1. The Word
2. Prayer
3. Your Affinities
4. Other People
Q: What is the reason for practicing the gifts?
God divinely equips each member of the body for the furtherance of the kingdom of God-
Q: What are the gifts?
A supernatural ability to do supernatural things. 1 Cor. 12:8-10; 28-30
Today, we continue with Spiritual Gifts…
Helps- The gift of helps is the (the taking by the hand) sanctified ability and satisfaction of offering usefulness and assistance to the people of God. Seeing a need and filling it. Rom. 16:1
Administration- administration and organizational skills, ability to govern and guide the proper flow of skills. 2 Cor. 9:12
• Rom. 12:6-8
Ministry- service is the special ability to see needs and to quietly respond to them, for the benefit of others. Rom. 12:7; Eph. 4: 12; Acts 6:1-7
Teaching is instruction. It involves relating with clarity the bible and Christian life, making the doctrines understandable with practical application. 1 Cor. 12:28; Acts 18:24-28; 1 Tim. 3:2
Exhortation- taking by the hand and leading in the proper path. The ability to encourage and urge others to put into action the things one should be doing. Rom. 12:8; Titus 1:9; 1 Thess. 2:3-7
Giving- ability to give beyond even their own resources with liberality and cheerfulness. Acts 27:3; Rom. 12:8
Leadership- leading and coaching is helping people to make the most of their lives in the Lord; helping them to achieve the fullness of the Lord’s calling on their lives—left alone they would not have accomplished. Luke 9:51; Rom. 12:8; Heb. 13:17
Mercy is an uncanny compassion for people- especially God’s people to love on them in times of need. Mark 9:41; Luke 10:37; Rom. 12:8; Heb. 4:16
Six reasons why people do not use their
1. Ignorance
2. Neglect
3. Fear
4. Comparison
5. Inflexibility
6. Sin
Five ways
1. Be available
2. Be humble
3. Be faithful
4. Be focused
5. Be filled
You are invited into a relationship with God—If you have not yet committed your life to Jesus—you need to do so today! For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. Romans 10:13
In closing…
God designed you and the members of the body of Christ to thrive through the pattern of gifting others as He has gifted you.
Digging Deeper:
• Are you being faithful to practice (make part of your life) the Divine ability God has given you?
• In what way(s)?
• How are you using the talents of musical, artistic, athletic, academic, business, and other persuasive talents?
• Not only those gifts but also spiritual gifts.