Sermon Tone Analysis

Gifts of Service

We come to the Apostle Pau’s exhortation to put others first in service to their Lord

Faith should drive our actions not our actions driving our faith!

I don’t give to get!

I don’t serve to be served!

I give because my faith says this is what I should do!

Faith is like a muscle - the more you exercise it the stronger it becomes

It is clear here that the meaning is about giving.

Most dry goods when placed into a container have air space in between them.

When the vessel is shaken and tapped it compresses more allowing for more product.

If one shakes, taps, and compresses, then even more product can be added until there is no more room left so it overflows!

It is clear here that the context here is one of a financial transaction but the overall contextual flavor is the show of love to others through service or application of your gift or talents, physical, financial, and Spiritual

While we see a short list of services gifts above it is by no means a total one!

Verse 6 tells us that we al have varying gifts “having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us...”

Gifts - Karismata - the results of Grace

It is always stressed that the talent and abilities you have are simply a gift from God!

Not of your own making

The chapter focuses on service from a pure heart

We find it agin in

Paul was addressing the marks of a minister (servant) of God

The verse clearly implies that the demonstrated characteristics mentioned are wrought in the Christian’s life by the Holy Spirit and the power of God!

“These are weapons to keep us steadfast and active in the midst of all the pressures of the world.

It is saying with unadulterated clarity, unfeigned simplicity, and unreserved totality , that the love of God is expressed through the application of these gifts to each other.”

The opposite of deceit, dissembling, and division

“unfeigned love is true brotherly love”

Desire - “to learn in one’s own experience” - “to come to an inward awareness of”

Love is the fruit of pure belief!

So the Apostle encourages the use of the functional gifts of the believer to be employed in a demonstration of love for the furthering of the Kingdom of God

If we are consumed with unconditional practice of our gift then we will never be disappointed in the outcome or be sucked into vain and worthless arguments that lead to disruption and arguments!