The Stewardship of the Gifts
Spiritual Gifts and the Church series • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro
Intro
Series - Spiritual gifts and the Church
Title- The empowering gift in the church
Text - 1 Peter 4.9-11
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Review
Review
The various gift of the spirit
Equipping gifts
Ministering gifts
Empowering gifts
Each gift can be ministered in different measures of service
Each gift can operate on different levels of strength
This Part
This Part
How to discover your spiritual gifts
How to keep and maintain your spiritual gifts
What is in your hand?
What is in your hand?
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Gifts and calling are irrevocable
Gifts and calling are tied together
your call to the kingdom comes with a gift/gifts to do service with
you have gifts because your have been called by God
Steps to Discovering your Spiritual Gifts
Steps to Discovering your Spiritual Gifts
1./ Explore the possibilities
study the Bible - know what it says about spiritual gifts, in the O.T. and in the N. T.
read extensively - there are great books about spiritual gifts
get to know gifted people - ask them about how they discovered their gifts and how they maintain them
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
2./ Experiment with as many gifts as possible
Look for needs - identify needs and see what you can do to meet those needs
Test the water - it is just as important to know what you DONT have as what you DO have.
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
3./ Examine your feelings
how do you feel about a specific situation or need
how do you feel about works required to practice your gift
how do you feel about the people to whom you will administer a gift
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
the Spirit of God that gave us the gift -
gives us the strength to the put the gift into action
gives us the motivation towards other people - Love
gives us the “self-control” or “discipline” we need to be effective
4./ Evaluate your effectiveness
Are the people’s needs addressed properly and effectively?
are the saints equipped?
are the people empowered?
Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”
5./ Expect confirmation from the Body
steps 4 and 5 serve as the 2 witnesses that will confirm the gift in you
Example - Paul’s apostleship
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Administering your Spiritual Gift
Administering your Spiritual Gift
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
be a good steward by ministering your gift to the Bodsy of Christ
First, be mindful of your gift
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
neglect - to be careless, unmindful, uncaring
meditate - grk. meleta, to practice so as to learn
own the gift - it was given for you to own and use
learn more about the gift that you have
Second, stir up your gift
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
stir up - grk. anazopyreo, to rekindle, revitalize
be passionate about your gift
talk about it
pray for it
worship God with it
celebrate your gift
Third, use it often
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Ask God to use you in every opportunity
that you speak is tongue, or interpret, or prophesy, every Sunday
that God use you to impart words of knowledge or wisdom to people around you
that God open your mouth to encourage people who are depressed, lonely, suffering etc,
that God send you to people, or the people to you, so you can evangelize
that give you opportunities to earn more so you can give more (giving)
that God will give you people to take care (pastor)
Ask God to give you courage to do the work
Conclusion
Conclusion
Good stewardship is more than just doing the right thing -
Good stewardship of your spiritual gift is an acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life.
you recornize that you will give account before the judgment seat of Christ
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
The church Is like a hospital
- there are patients
- there are those who attend to patients
SONG
Lord I Offer My life