Gifted: DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT

… OVER The past few weeks we have been talking about the importance of DESIRING AND SEEKING AFTER spiritual gifts… … Last week we talked about God’s investment… The deposit of the Holy Spirit...

Our memory verse FOR this Series is about being Zealous for Spiritual gifts and seeking to excel in the gifts that are for building up the church…

1 Corinthians 14:12 CSB

12 So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.

Often when it comes to end results or successful outcomes we don’t see all the work that goes into something… All the things that happen behind the scenes...For example..

After NASA Apollo 11's incredible feat of three men landing on the moon in June of 1969, astronaut Michael Collins said, "All this is possible only through the blood, sweat, and tears of thousands of people… All you see are the three of us, but underneath the surface are thousands and thousands of others." There were about 400,000 others who helped with the Apollo 11 mission....

The building of a great church is not on the shoulder of a few… but it is about the combination of passion and gifting of many… Part of building the church is discovering How God has uniquely gifted or Shaped us as the church.

We first need to understand How God has Given us the advantage through the outpouring of the Spirit..

The apostle Paul tells us Ephesians 4:8 That Jesus ascended on high that he won a battle —He led captives in His train… and he gave gifts to men…

The first part of this verse is referring to what Paul said earlier in Ephesians.,... that Christ Ascent he ascended to the right hand of the father place of Authority and power.... Jesus position is now

Ephesians 1:21 CSB

21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Christ is now Ruling from Above...

It is from the place of Victory that Christ has now given gifts to the church..

So the invitation is for us — the church to participate in the victory that has already been attained by Christ , through his death, burial and resurrection… which resulted in many Sons and daughters coming to Glory...

…To share in the bounty of Christ being restored to this seat of power… by being above all principalities and rules… spiritual forces… Being Above speaks of the place of advantage… Every military strategist thinks about the advantage…

Every business owner/business leader thinks in terms of having the Advantage… How can they get the advantage over their competitors.... product or placement… strategy..

Paul tells us that the Advantage in the Kingdom of God… Comes from the Victory Christ has won and the distribution of spiritual gifts… The advantage of the gifts is that there are many different varieties of gifts and opporations.. and

These gifts (graces) were given for the benefit and edification (building up) of the local church…

The bottom line is this… The difference between a church that is growing and being strengthen and a church that is platoing or declining is the discovery and exercising of Gifts… That’s the advantage....

This morning we are talking about Discovering our Spiritual gifts… We are going to be looking at the book of 1 Peter..

First Peter is written to Christians scattered across the Roman Empire—these Christians were likely Jewish..

They were experiencing life-shattering trials from persecution —

Peter is writing to encourage and strengthen the church.. through some challenging times..Peter reminds them that they have been called to a living hope…

He has written on some important subjects, like prayer, hospitality, loving one another. Now, He turns his attention to another practical and important area — and that is ministries within the church. Peter THEN gives instructions.

HOW TO Build a Strong and lasting church… PETER tells us that the church doesn’t function well in terms of brick and mortar… but rather the church is an organic system ---He calls the church living stones… that are being built up into a spiritual house.. to be a holy priesthood that would offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God. (1 peter 2:5)

The church is one that has life.... the life motivated through the breathe and anointing of the Holy Spirit.. And the outpouring of Spirit and spiritual gifts....

1 Peter 4:10 CSB

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

There are Three Principles we are going to glean from 1 Peter 4:10-11… The first is this --- We should...

1. TAKE THE TIME TO DISCOVER YOUR GIFT

One of the results of the the Reformation under Luther and Calvin was the understanding of the Priesthood of the believer…This was Huge shift....in the church… because before the reformation… ministry was solely done by the clergy.... Luther saw the corruption of the priesthood at the time and the selling of indulgences… to build St. Peters Cathedral… corruption and sexual impurity...

Luther himself was a monk of monks… committed to works… but.. God revealed to Luther…that Abraham was not justified by works but by faith…

Reformation resulted in a movement back to the bible reflected in the… and the 5 solos (only) - Solo …Scirpture only grace, only Faith… only Christ… only for the Glory of God...

The Reformation brought about a paradim shift where ministry was now no longer limited to the clergy… but rather every member became a minister… What really happened in the reformation is a return to Biblical model of Church life…This is what...

- Peter tells us that each of us have Received a gift… .

The verb “received” is written in the past tense and it implies that a transaction as already taken place - something has been given and something has been recieved… In other words, we are not waiting for a spiritual gift...… they have been given and received - they are in our possession. Every Christian already had the deposit of the Holy Spirit...

What is needed is discovery of our Gifts…

Discovery is something wonderful…

Children are created with innate desire for discovery and everything is an adventure…

Have you ever watch a toddler pick up a lady Bird, a cricket or examine a frog. When they pick up these little critters you have to say be gentile because you don’t want a fun learning experience to get ugly..

When it comes to our gifts and talents… there should be this sense of discovery… We have done thing a number of times and it never gets old… because something new comes to light....

Each of us has at least one dominate gift and one subservient gift… it is a gift mix...

How do we discover our Spiritual Gifts?

We should approach gift with Prayer and honesty…

There are different approaches to gifting… One is through recognition… experience... Intuitive...Sometimes spiritual gifts can be obvious....

You may already have the sense that this is something that you have observed in your life… through practice.

So, we have given you a Spiritual gift list...

As you look at the list of gifts - there is going to be at least one if not more that you have already recognize that you have.

Some of us just love to entertain others and you look forward to that… Hospitality gift… On the other hand you may look through the list say come to: Mercy, administration, teaching .. and know that those may not be your strengths...

For me the gift of teaching a pastoring comes up … these things already… confirmed.. obvious to me

But sometimes the gift may not be as obvious…So there are tools....

various tools that are available to help discover our spirtual gifts…

Gary Smalley who is the author of Love Languages has a Spiritual Gift tool that helps determine - SHAPE..

Pam and I have both went through this together..

One of the gifts that came out pretty strong in the test was Evangelism.. I don’t often think about it… but I am often talking to other about faith… and make presenting the gospel…

Tools can be helpful… in bringing out other gifts you may not be aware……

The point of Discovery is that there may a gift that is not so obvious and you have either under estimated or under utilized the gift.

Your dominant gift can also overshadow some other of your gifts…

We are going to give you an opportunity to discover… or to reaffirm some gifts… After service...

We would like to make this available to those who able to do the test after service… if you have cell phone you will have all you need to participate…

After taking the test it will send the results to me and I would like to be able to help talk through a range of areas where God could be calling you too,..

You have a spiritual gift.... God does not take this back.

The second principle from 1 Peter… has to do how you move into your gift… It happen when you move in the direction of your gift..

2. MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR GIFT

When I was an intern as young twenty — starting out in ministry… I was nuder pastor Dave who was basically my mentor in ministry… He took me everywhere.. and I learned every aspect of ministry… From office procedures… to visitation.... funerals... teaching Adult Sunday School.... driving the church bus… counting money… Sunday School.... When you get exposed to everything you learn quickly that there area’s that your are not gifted in..

The only way to confirm your gift is through putting it into practice… we are to move towards your gift...

Peter tells us to Discover our gifts then we are instructed to Use your gift..

1 Peter 4:11 CSB

11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Peter tells us that the purpose of spiritual gifts—to be used in ministry to one another. They are not given to us so that we will have a spiritual superiority complex nor to draw attention to us. None of us can ever say that he is more spiritual than a Christian brother or sister simply because God has given us a gift which they do not posses

Peter says “Use it”. Put it into practice… You have to start doing it.. In other words move towards your gift… don’t pull away… actively pursue putting that gift to work…

What often happens in Church is we want someone else to figure out our gift…

We are just waiting for the right “opportunity.”

Paul says to timothy

1 Timothy 4:15–16 ESV

15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

“It is easier to discover your gift through ministry that to discover your ministry through your gift.”

I don’t mind someone trying a ministry and failing… Do it for a month an its not working out… Because that is part of the discovery

Here are three practical areas to use in the Church....

(Pray through these areas)

Through ONGOING MINISTRY.

What are ongoing ministries in the church...

Could be getting involved in release Hour

Music Ministry

Sound

Greeting

Youth ministry

Hospitality

Young at Heart

New Ministry Opportunity

Through SHORT-TERM projects

Excellent because it has a begining and an End…You are not stuck…

Community Outreach...

Action Team

Through SPONTANEOUS situations

Begin to express it.. in various settings..

Express it in your home…

Express it at your work.....

Express it at church....

If you have the gift of encouragement.. encourage...

The Key is to Move towards your gift… start using your gifts…to serve others...

USE YOUR GIFT FOR OTHERS the word is diakoneo Serve is the word that we get deacons.. to serve (minister) v. — to attend to the wants and needs of others.

To “serve”— it means to care for someone.... It means to manage something… It means to minister to someone .... It also means to wash someones feet.. Use your gift to help someone Practically or Spiritually...

Peter says:

1. Discover your gift.

2. Move in the Direction of your gift.

3. LEARN TO DEPEND ON GOD WITH YOUR GIFT

A father watched through the kitchen window as his small son attempted to lift a large stone out of his sandbox. The boy couldn’t get enough leverage to lift the rock over the side. Finally, he gave up and sat on the edge of the sandbox with his head in his hands.

“What’s wrong, Son? Can’t you lift that rock out?” the dad asked.

“No, sir,” the boy said, “I can’t do it.”“

Have you used all the strength that’s available to you?” the father asked.“Yes, sir,” the boy replied.“No, you haven’t,” the father said. “You haven’t asked me to help you.”

1 Peter 4:11 CSB

Peter tells us that is God who supplies the resources that fuel the gift - this is so important…The quickest way to get burned out in life is to depend on our own resources…

Over and over the Bible talks about our weakness and the strength of the Lord..

God says to Joshua.

Joshua 1:9 CSB

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Paul tells the Church in Ephesus

Ephesians 6:10 CSB

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.

The puritan Pastor and theologian John Owen said

“We can have no power from Christ unless we live in a persuasion that we have none of our own.” John Owen (Puritan)

Peter says whether in Speaking or Service… (all the gifts fall into these categories) Do so in with God’s supply

If you teach a lesson, preach a sermon, counsel a friend, mentor a disciple, lead a small group, facilitate a core group… Do these so in the strength of the Lord…

If you somewhere behind the scenes… you are serving snacks, doing AV, cooking a meal, feeding the homeless, you are giving gifts..… do it in His strength.. “the strength that God suppliers.”

This word ‘supplies’ means - to transfer… We are just conduits of God’s grace to others… God supplies…

Sometimes its worth to dig into a word in the scriptures.. the root word “Choregeo”… we get the word Choreograph or to dance… Here is a beautiful Picture.. Our gifts are to compliment each other..and it is God who “suppliers” (Choreographs) who puts the dance together...

— The questions with our gifts are often Who (who am I going to server), What - (what am I going to do - lots options out there) where (inside the church - outreach, men, youth) of ministry....

… God Choreographs where our ministries will best function… God doesn’t put round pegs into square holes… He has the perfect match between a need and your gift… If we willing God can direct our steps… but it maybe unexpected.

God suppliers to us and out of the overflow of supply we minister to others… Our lives get full of his presence… full of his wisdom… full of his word....

Do you realize how exciting it would be to be a part of a church which took this teaching seriously? Can you imagine what it would be like to have people spontaneously reach out with the loving attempt to minister to each other?

4. KNOWING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

The goal this morning is not to be GIVE an exhaustive teaching on spiritual gifts… (there in no time for that)

The gifts have been categorized in a number of ways… I am going to give us a simple acrostic as a basic framework.

The acrostic is the word Gifts… GUIDING GIFTS.. INFLUENCING GIFTS… FELLOWSHIp GIFTS... SUPPORTING..

G - Guiding Gifts - those who “Make things happen”

People with this gift are activators - they make things happen in the church.

Most of these gifts are listed in Ephesians 4:10 and they are given for the purpose of leadership.

Ephesians 4:10–12 CSB

10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things. 11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

This list of gifts are unique what makes them different from the list in 1 Cor 12, and Romans 12 - is they are connect to Offices within the church -

These gifts/offices are accompanied with the laying on of hands or the setting aside for ministry.

This being said… it is important to note is that these are both gifts and offices… If God has called you to be a pastor or an evangelist… it is assumed that you would also have this Gift. On the other hand — your can have the gift without having the office.. There those gifted as pastors… who have a way with leading and caring for groups of people… or you have the gift of evangelism. You don’t have to be in a position or the office to exercise this gift.

Pastor (shepherd)

—is the God given ability to care for a group of believers....

The metaphor of a Shepherd implies- leading, caring for and protecting. They know their sheep by name… and the shee recognize the shepherd voice..

Dr. Laniak (lived a whole year with the Bedowin shepherds in Israel) told of a shepherd who one day lost one of his sheep at a local watering hole… and it took off with the wrong heard… a year later at the same sheep recognized the shepherds and came back into his fold.

This gift might be leading a small group or being a facilitator for Core group … Simply the ability to nurture and care for the welfare of other believers.

Teacher

is the Ability Teach sound doctrine and spiritual truth in relative ways.... There is a huge difference between saying something and having something to say.. Teachers impact people with truth… teachers are not satisfied with bodies.. in a room.. If someone is drifting in the back of the room they are fighting to get their attention… because of the urgency of the lesson. Good teachers are those who make you engage with the material in memorable ways..

(pastor/teacher)

Leadership

What is leadership? Leadership is the ability to get a group of people who otherwise would not be able to surmount a particular obstacle to do so. It’s an infectious vision gift that enables you to get people to do things otherwise they couldn’t do

leadership gift is the ability to Cast a competing God vision, and also apply strategies in achieving success where God’s purposes are concerned.

Here is a sure way that you know you are leader… you move towards chaos … Like Nehemiah you see the broken walls and your are moved to strategies and find a way to mend them.

You are never satisfied with the status qou — You are a change agent… You are always thinking what ought to happen… what ought to be...

Apostolic

-Special ability to start and overseer and develop new Churches and ministries. The apostle Paul went from town to town starting new Churches.

Administration

Administration is the God given ability to serve and strengthen the body by effectively organizing resources and people in order to fulfill ministry goals.

T/S We have the GUIDING GIFTS.

I - INFLUENCING GIFTS “Communicating Gods word”

These are also leadership gifts that work hand in hand with communication.. Influence is the ability to effect others or events..

The Ability to communicate the Good news to unbelievers in a positive and non-threatening way.

Someone with this gift are always looking for ways to share Christ with someone… …

John 4:39 ESV

Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”

Teacher -we have coverd

Preaching (prophesying)

- This is the ability to give messages from God that comfort, encourage, guide, warn and reveal sin that leads to repentance. It’s both preaching (forthtelling) and (foretelling) which is revelation.. Prophecy is always rooted in the scriptures… no new revelation… Examples are Deborah and John — writing the book of Revelations.

F - Fellowship Gifts - “Caring for God’s people”

Mercy

These are those who have compassion for others… They are drawn towards needs - -Those with the Gift of mercy have incredible empathy for those who suffer physically, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. I know there are

Pastoring -

Hospitality

is the ability to make visitors feel warm and welcomed, accepted, and comfortable in the church family. It is the ability to coordinate factors that promotes fellowship.

If you have the gift of hospitality it energizers you entertain others… If you have been around these kinds of people… you feel like the most important person in the room… Ushers, Greeters, connectors… They are those they help connect the body....

Healing

God uses you in a miraculous ways to pray the sick and the hurting and God using you in healing.. years ago I visited an Anglican church for an evening service… I’ll never forget the testimonies of God healing people in the congregation… I just assumed it was the charismatic churches that God used in the miraculous.. God has gifted some with this special gift

Encouragement

The gift of encouragement - help others live God centered lives… through counseling and empowerment.. It might just through meeting with someone having coffee — reading through a book together…

T- Task Gifts - “Support God’s Work”

These are ministries that are not necessary in the lime light… but the church would not function without these gifts. A couple of months

Helps

- offering your assistance to reach goals that strengthen the body of Christ.

Craftsmanship

— Special ability to create, design, construct, maintain and repairs items. A couple of years ago some of us men tore down the garage outside the fellowship… It was quite a big job but it only took the men about two hours.. that is the demolition gift.. There are those of us who can put things together and they work… it could be electronically or mechanical… That is a very practical gift that blesses the church body.

Giving

The gift of giving is more than tithes and offerings… This is the ability to support and fund various Kingdom initiatives through material contributions. Let me give you an extreme example of this gift.

A number of years ago the Bible college I attended had a problem with the campus- It was a beautiful campus located in Barrington RI (nice are in New England) But the buildings were old and and were needing over a million dollars in repairs. … David Green CEO of Hobby Lobby is philanthropist gifted the North Point college with a brand New Campus in Haverhill MA. David Green is gifted and generous man - he pays his employees double the minimum wage…

Intercession -

This is the ability to consistency pray on the behalf of others… and frequently seeing specific answers in direct response to prayer. It is amazing how often prayer is behind someone making a commitment to the Lord.

S -Support gifts ‘These complement the other gifts”

Wisdom - ability to make wise decisions and council

knowledge - communicate truth promotes justice, Honesty, and understanding

Discernment- ability to recognize good and evil

Faith

- Ability to step out and trust God and to overcome obstacles along the way.

Conclusion

What would happen? If we Discovered and started using our gifts Peter tells us… When we use our gifts with his strength… What will happen… is that God will receive the Glory...

1 Peter 4:11b in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

How exciting that is! As we allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, and as we allow Him to minister through us and the spiritual gifts which God has given to us, we are fulfilled and God is glorified.

When we are living in the flow of the Spirit, and when we are using our spiritual gifts in the power of the Spirit, God is glorified through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the One worthy to receive glory and praise forever and ever!

How do I start using my gifts?

The goal of this sermon is simply to open up the door for the Holy Spirit to work and to to activate gifts… somewhere between the teaching and the working of the Holy Spirit…

Can you imagine what would happen here if we mobilizing our church and got people in their various gift areas?

Step 1 Dedicate my life to Christ

Step 2 Eliminate any Distractions

Step 3 Evaluate my areas of giftedness

Step 4 Activate your gifts by serving

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