Something to Give
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· 7 viewsAll around us we are faced with impossible problems. But what is impossible with man is possible for God. In this message by Pastor Mason Phillips learn how God wants to impart to you His grace so that you have something to give that will make a difference.
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Something to Give
Something to Give
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
I want to talk to you about how God imparts gifts to you so that you have something to give to meet the needs of the world around you.
We all know that we are called by God in Christ to make disciples and make a difference (cf. Matthew 28:18-20, John 17:18).
Although we know that, I wonder how many of us have been like Mary when the angel spoke to her and she asked, “How can this be?” (cf. Luke 1:34).
The angel’s response to her directly speaks to us:
For with God nothing will be impossible.”
But that’s the challenge—the world needs God to move and do the impossible. And if we are going to be able to do what we are called to do and partner with God to do the impossible ourselves, we need an impartation of His supernatural grace and power.
This is the only way we have something substantial to give.
The good news is that God has made a way. He has given us His word and He offers to us gifts that impart grace and power so that we have something to give that will make a difference in people’s lives.
Supernatural Gifts are Needed
Supernatural Gifts are Needed
There is a limit to natural solutions. The problems that most people face can not be completely solved by a little more money, education, or medical treatment. These things need a supernatural solution.
What makes our being used by God additionally challenging is that it is so easy to be busy and caught up in our own business that we no longer think that souls or the needs of others.
In that state of mind, we tend to end up leaving it to someone else to bring the kingdom to others.
But that won’t do…Jesus called you. He called you and appointed you and wants to impart spiritual gifts into your life so that you can bring hope and change into the lives of others for their good and God’s glory.
Being Ready
Being Ready
Your calling has more to do than with just yourself. God wants to use you to bring transformation and blessing into the world around us.
Here are a couple of things that you can do to be ready in season and out.
Be Ready to Receive
Be Ready to Receive
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
It is a true statement to say that you can’t give what you don’t have. It is also true that God expects you to give what you do have.
We receive from the Lord in two main ways: through His presence and through those He puts into our lives to equip us for the work of ministry (2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:7-12).
If you want to have something to give and to be ready to respond to the needs around you, you need to receive what the Lord has for you.
Illustration: Flying on an airplane they tell parents that if the cabin pressure drops and the oxygen masks fall to put their masks on before they put they help their children. Why? Because the parents can’t help their children if they are unconscious.
Spend time in God’s presence in worship, prayer, and the word.
Engage with the spiritual leaders that God has placed in your life so that you can receive an impartation of grace so that you would be equipped to the works of service God has called you to.
Be Ready to Give Something Supernatural
Be Ready to Give Something Supernatural
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Sometimes, and probably more often than we know, the answer is not natural but spiritual. The lame beggar could have had his situation improved slightly by a gift of gold and silver. But his life would not have been totally changed.
What made this miracle possible was that Peter and John saw the opportunity. When he recognized the desire of the Lord to heal the man, he spoke to him. And when the man looked up with expectation, Peter released healing.
When you know that you have received the gift of God, you need to be ready to give that gift away. Our service is not limited to giving time or money. There are certain needs that can only be met with supernatural power in the Holy Spirit.
Consider that needs and problems in the lives of people around you might be divine opportunities for you to use the supernatural grace that God has given you.
Illustration: One day a creative business man was planning something he believed would be a game changer. He offered a friend to buy up the land that was near the site because he knew that the land would greatly increase in value. The friend said that he’d think about it but the business man needed a quick answer. Unfortunately the friend lost the opportunity and great wealth when Walt Disney had to move forward with out him.
Everyday there are opportunities for God to move through us and into the world. We just need to be ready for them. If we aren’t we could easily miss out our opportunity to store up riches in heaven and be used by God to make a difference in people’s lives.
Be ready to give others the supernatural gifts of grace that God has given you.
Be Ready to Speak Up
Be Ready to Speak Up
Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
Not only should we be ready to give something supernatural to others, we should also be ready to give them words of life.
The Bible speaks of our words being leveraged to impart grace to those who hear us (Ephesians 4:29).
We impart grace to others when we tell them the good news of Jesus, prophesy to them, encourage them and share with them the word and wisdom of God.
Illustration: Story of the Greek philosopher Anaximenes who went with Alexander the Great on his expedition against the Persians. Anaximenes was born in Lampsacus and desired to save his city from destruction. He sought an audience with the king. Alexander knew what he wanted so when he came in, Alexander swore to him that he would not grant his request. In response, Anaximenes said, “I only wanted to ask you to destroy Lampsacus.” His ready response saved his city. — Today in the Word, May 6, 1993.
Because God is with us there is a grace that can be imparted through our words. We need to be ready to speak up and declare to people the words of God. We need to preach, prophecy, and release wisdom and life to them.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Maybe now more than ever we need the hope of God to reach our world. The good news is that God invites us to partner with Him to bring the kingdom into it.
We need to be ready to receive the gifts and grace of God into our lives. We receive them through time in Jesus’ presence and through the spiritual leaders who release spiritual impartation in our lives (Romans 1:11).
We need to be ready to give to people the supernatural grace that God has given us.
And we need to be ready to give an answer and impart grace to those who need a good word from God.
When we do these things we will see God’s power show up in people’s lives. We will have supernatural answers to the world’s impossible problems.
And we will find that we really do have something to give.
Pray…altar call for people to receive a fresh impartation.