What do I do with my Gifts?

Good morning and thank you for attending Centerpointe Church. If we haven’t had the chance to meet yet, my name is Pastor Ashley and I’m the Associate Pastor here at Centerpointe. We’re honored that you would be with us today especially being Spring Forward today, I celebrate the fact that you still made gathering together a priority today even with 1 hour less of sleep. :)

Last week Pastor Keith started a new series of talks on Stewardship. How are we to steward our time, gifts, work, and resources? God has given each of us an opportunity to steward them, but how do we do that well?

I realized something this week talking to a friend. That time is the one thing in life that is fixed. Our gifts and skills grow and develop or lessen and weaken. Our jobs come and go. Our resources come and go. But we all only have 24 hours a day and we will all one day meet the Father in Heaven. Time will essentially end and then there will be eternity which will be void of time. That thought really challenged me this week. So then what am I doing with my time?

This week we’re talking about stewarding our gifts. How do we, or how do I, steward the gifts, the talents, skills, and the strengths that God has given each of us individually? The stewardship, what we do with them, is a significant part of our lives that we must recognize.

When you were growing up, what were some of your favorite childhood or even teenage tv shows?

I’m a millennial and we loved some Disney channel, Full House, Doug Funney, Rocket Power, Garfield, Nickelodeon, and so many more.

My sister and I liked most of those but she also loved some good ole’ Sci-Fi and Star Trek. But, of course, the favorite was Captian Janeway on Star Trek Voyager.

For me, I, like any little kid in the 90’s loved Barney. But after Barney and a couple of these shows, I fell in love with reality shows. Home Improvement Shows specifically. Trading Spaces anyone?! Just imagine, a 9 yr. Old sitting at home watching HGTV and Genevieve Gorder and Ty Pennington try to make over and update a room within a certain amount of time. I loved that show! Or any of them like it. Showcasing someone of talent, coming in to beautify a new space in a way that the owner would never even have that of.

This last week, I was watching a similar type of show on Netflix but it had to do with fashion. A group of up and coming designers compete to win a sum of money and have their name and designs represented with a global brand. And, as any normal person would do, I’m invested. Like—when they’re frustrated, I get frustrated. When they cry, I cry. I feel the feels with them. So the last challenge I watched, the designers who usually work independently, were paired together to collaborate on two pieces that were to be cohesive. The winner from the previous round hand selected who they wanted to work with and it seemed like a dream team. In my opinion, the best two designers on the show. Brilliant artists. During the process of the challenge, you see one designer, who not only has pristine skill but also a clear talent, was bearing most of the responsibilities. The other one, you could tell had not really perfected their craft yet and hadn’t put the same amount of work in through the years…and you couldn’t really tell this previously until they were working together and it was apparent. One person had developed and continued to perfect their craft while the other person just had a skill that they though they could turn into a passion….but didn’t prepare for growth.

And, surprisingly, they got cut at the end of the challenge. Everyone cried, I cried.

One of them had really been stewarding and taking ownership of their talent while the other one was indifferent.

It reminded me so much of Stewardship. Which really just means careful use. Control. Management of what’s been entrust to you. Responsibility.

The origin of the word steward, as derived from the Lexham Theological Workbook is this:

“The steward was a household servant who managed the household affairs for the head of the family. Managing the family involved delegation, discipline, encouragement, and, most important, accountability to the head of the household. They were in charge of managing the household affairs and keeping order in the family and were appointed by their master to this position.” - Lexham Theological Workbook

A steward is someone appointed by the master to manage, delegate, discipline, encourage, and keep accountable to what is in their possession. Their hands. Their influence.

Like Pastor Keith said last week, we cannot control the Earth’s rotation and the amount of time we have in a day. What we can control is what we’re doing within that timeframe with the gifts that are placed within our hands.

Ephesians 4:1-6 “I therefore, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Eph 4:1–16). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

He then continues….

Ephesians 5:15-17,

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is….. 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Eph 5:19–21). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Eph 5:15–17). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Paul is begging us, from Prison, to get up and steward what we’ve been given well! Doing everything for the glory of God.

When you look at the story of scripture, it’s not just a story. It’s a love letter to you and to me. From Genesis to Revelation telling us the most beautiful story there could ever be.

Of how the God of the universe, who made the Heavens and the Earth, and put the galaxy into motion, made you and me. Made sure we had hair on our head, finger nails, elbows, white and red blood cells, and even ears on our heads so we can hear. The God of the universe showed, through history, that there would not be a way for us to ever come into relationship with Him because of our sinful nature, so He sent His one and only son to come, live, die, and rise again for us.

The best gift we could have ever been given.

And He could have rightly stopped there. That was more than enough.

But God, in His kindness and love, didn’t stop there.

He followed it up with the gift of the Holy Spirit and additional free and individualized gifts.

Intentional gifts for each one of us.

That before we were even thought about or in our mothers womb (Jeremiah 1:5) He knew us, that He made a way for salvation, and then gave us each individual gifts. He could have just given us natural skills, which He did, but all of those skills came as a result of the personal gifts He placed within each of us.

Once we recognize this Truth, we have to go back to the original question. How am I stewarding my gifts or blessings (as the original language states it)?

As we know, each of us were given gifts, talents, skills, and strengths. There are many different differences.

Scripture says:

“But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Co 7:7). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Talents, as Strengths Finder defines it, is a natural of thinking, feeling, or behaving. It’s innate. There’s a natural aptitude. Talent can be shared with others, but it can also be used for just ourself.

For example: I can sing to make myself happy. I can also express myself to others while singing.

But a gift, the soul purpose of it, is not to glorify ourselves. It can be served through the channel of a talent, but, all in all, the purpose is not self-promotion.

Then there’s skill.

Skill is learned through training. We will end up learning a lot in our lifetimes. Most of which is filled with skills that are developed over time. And, even more of the time, we will end up spending a good majority of our life, trading that skill for compensation.

Skills are usually in high demand. You can tell them if you ever look on Linkedin or any other recruiting or hiring website. If you have a specialized skill, you will be the most qualified person to fill a felt need.

For example: Ronan works on HVAC units. He’s put in time over the years to develop this skill which has turned into a talent. It’s an acquired skill. Do you want me to work on your air conditioning when it goes out or Ronan? Ronan, of course! Because he is skilled at it. He has a long track record and history to back it up.

What we are now saying about Ronan is that his skill has turned into a talent, which in turn, is one of his strengths. The difference is time. Building his understanding. Consistently proving performance.

Which leads us to gifts.

An author wrote on his article called “The Difference Between” explains it like this:

“Everyone has a gift that is closely tied to their mission. It is something to be given away. Something to be served to others. They are non-physical and an expression of our uniqueness and our calling.”

Gifts are tied to our mission. To what drives us. And they are, most importantly, intertwined with our Spiritual Gifts. Not to be confused with the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5.

Song: The fruit of the Spirit’s not an apple…..

The fruit of the spirit deals with the attitude. The inner-self.

Spiritual gifts are a result of what God does and is doing on this inside and outflows into an action or act of service. Both are indicators of what the Holy Spirit is doing on the inside of a person. The fruit of the Spirit are a product of and a result of what Christ does in you. It’s a part of sanctification meaning the process of becoming more like Christ that starts when we choose to follow Jesus.

Spiritual gifts, as listed in Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12 were and are given to each believer to edify the body of Christ. Meaning to improve, equip, and build up the body of Christ. The global Church and the local Church

Ephesians 4: 12

“12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Eph 4:12). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Fruits of the Spirit and Spiritual Gifts have many things in common. They are both given by the Holy Spirit. They also don’t originate with a believer apart from the enabling of the Spirit. There’s a supernatural element to them both.

Encouraging & Empowering Gifts: Romans 12:6-8

(Result of salvation & empowerment of the Holy Spirit)

Prophecy

Serving/Helps

Teaching

Evangelism

Giving

Administration

Mercy

Tongues

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Faith

Gifts of Healing

Miracles

Prophecy

Discernment

Interpretation of Tongues

Ministry Gifts: Ephesians 4:8-14

(Gifts for growing disciples in the body of Christ)

Apostles

Prophets

Teachers

Evangelists

Pastors

Incredible right?! Also a bit daunting at times?! We need to remember that they’re not rewards and God does not show favortism. They are given by God’s grace, not by our faithfulness. Which also means we can’t just conjour up or think really hard or pretend to make them happen. It’s by the grace of God.

My favorite part about all of this is that when God formed you in the womb, He knew your talents, skills, strengths, and gifts. He knew. He made you specifically on purpose with every single one of them. He formed your personality and every part of you intentionally. So excel in that! Own how God has made you! Lean into it! Let God develop, sharpen, and mature the gifts in you. Those gifts are not for you but they are meant to be operated in the body and outside the church and shared with the community. For the cause of Christ.

I would encourage you to identify how you are managing and stewarding what you’ve been given? How are different parts of your life actually linked and working together and maybe you didn’t recognize it before?

How can I steward what’s been given to me?

Know who you are

“The relationship of primary importance for accurately comprehending who we are is our relationship with God. Misunderstanding of our true nature leads to misconception concerning our identity. Discovering our true identity is about far more than keeping our eyes–and options–open. It matters what we are looking at. It matter WHO we’re looking at.” - “The Truest Thing About You” by David Lomas

To steward the gifts God has given you, you have to have a healthy level of self awareness. If you’re struggling to figure out what your gifts or calling are, follow what you’re passionate about. Because God intentionally made you, the gifts that He has given you will come alive when you lean into them and begin to develop them.

Speaking of giftings and callings–1 Corinthians 12 clearly talks about pastors and shepherds and evangelists. But I also want to encourage you that each of you have a calling on your life. As a Global Church, we haven’t always done the best job at celebrating the call on someone’s life for those outside of full-time pastoral ministry. The truth is, you are called by God.

Whether you’re a painter, a writer, an HVAC technician, an electrician, a plumber, a general contract, a project manager, a government worker, a nanny, a stay at home mom, or a grocery attendant. You. Are. Called. Too.

We also have to recognize that using those gifts and walking in what God has given us takes a level of faith. Scripture clearly says that if you’re faithful with the small, you will be trusted then with more.

You also need to pay attention to whose around you. Scripture says that bad company corrupts good character. We need to be surrounded by people who encourage the gifts God has given us as well as igniting the flame when we can’t see it in us.

This reminds me of last fall in our Rooted group (**Plug Rooted**). There’s a session at the end of the 10 weeks that we talk about spiritual gifts. So we asked what their spiritual gifts were, after taking an assessment, and one person in the group identified that they didn’t really think that it was correct. Pli. One of her spiritual gifts that were listed was Evangelism. And she really didn’t think it was something that possessed. Until I piped up and reminded her that she’s the biggest includer I know. It’s a gift she has. If you’re with her, she’s going to make you feel seen, known, and invited to the table. She wants you to come with her for the Thursday night worship and prayer event that she found on facebook because that’s who she is. She has the gift of evangelism. And we all saw it. But it took us pointing it out for her to see it.

Don’t get sloppy

Growth and development of your gifts are a direct result of using them and sharpening them. I think of David in scripture when he was a boy. He learned to use his slingshot very well. He used it every day to protect the sheep. Until one day God would then use it to defeat a giant. He felt comfortable and confident in it because he sharpened it daily.

There’s studies out now that talk about the 10,000 hour rule. You’ve not really mastered something and figured out your groove until you’ve done it for 10,000 hours. It’s about a time investment.

For example, who learned to play the recorder in elementary school? Me too. I think went to play the Clarinet through Middle School and High School so it helped prep me for those next stages. But if someone were to ask me to play today? I’d be terrible! My muscle memory would be gone.

But if you asked a pianist who practices everyday? They’d feel comfortable and confident right away because they were developing it daily. Still practicing the fundamentals of scales as well as playing the more difficult music.

Or like an accountant or many other professions. Accountants are required to take a certain number of Continuing Education courses per year to keep up to date of IRS codes and regulations. To keep their skills sharp. Same with doctors. They’re honing their craft and making it a priority to not be sloppy and to pursue growth.

Give It Away

The gifts that God has given us are meant to be shared. They’re a part of you on purpose and for a purpose.

Our posture is Open-handed. We were not given gifts to hoard or for our pleasure, but our gifts were given to be given back to God and others.

But if it’s a gift that I’ve been given and I don’t use it? What does that say to the giver? Or maybe you don’t necessarily have the a gift of something but there’s a need. Do you not fill the need when there’s an opening?

Recognize It isn’t your Kingdom! It’s not about you! Yes, healthy boundaries are important but when those boundaries meet the dangerous line of apathy or self-preservation then we need a bit of a wakeup call. And believe me…I’ve been there many times and it’s always a rude awakening.

Now, this part is a hard pill to swallow and uncomfortable. Sometimes our principles can be out of alignment when it comes to sharing our gifts as well.

“A narrow view of gifts can hamper a church. We may deploy more people than we need into areas of ministry that appear fun, visible, and interesting—in other words, that match our preconceptions about what "gifted people" do—while the quiet, behind-the-scenes tasks fail to get done….. it’s also a prescription for spiritual stagnation for individuals. We too often encourage people to stay within their "comfort zones" when they minister—to serve in areas where they have confidence and well-developed skills, and never to venture beyond them. We limit our ability to learn and grow because we don’t explore new things. Serving in new ways can kindle interests we never knew we could have. And God can give us grace to minister in areas of need despite our limitations. In fact, He often places us into ministries where we are weak so that we rely on His strength rather than on our own.”

Gifted to Serve by by Jack B. Hoey, Jr. (1992). Discipleship Journal, Issue 72 (November/December 1992).

Don’t get me wrong; God absolutely used our abilities and skills. Think about musicians or preachers. Its hard to think of someone effectively doing that while lacking the ability and training to do so. But it’s not the only principle.

You may not have the gift of healing, but should you stop praying for others to be healed? No

We’ve all been given the responsibility to tithe and evangelize. But because some have the capacity to tithe more in dollar amount or have more influence to evangelize, does that mean we should stop tithing or telling people about Jesus? Also no.

Remember–it takes all the people of God to do all the things of God

Stewarding our gifts requires surrender. Recognizing that we have is God’s alone. We have no right to control.

Just because you have it, doesn’t mean you own it. Like your mortgage or debt. You may live in your house, but if you have a mortgage on it, technically the lender owns it.

Look at Moses in the book of Exodus 4. God was going to use him to lead the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt. But Moses was too insecure about how he spoke.

“10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”’

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ex 4:10–13). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Despite Moses’ insecurity, God used Aaron to help speak for Moses. But he really didn’t want to do it at all although God had called him. He literally had to surrender his own will and preference and release control.

Champion Others

Celebrate and point out the gifts in others.

When King Solomon, in 1 Kings 7, was about to dedicate the Temple after he had it rebuilt, he made sure to name every person who worked on some type of it. We don’t have time today, but go back and look and it was say who it was, their family lineage they belonged to, and what they did like “a worker in bronze or gold”. He made sure that those men were celebrated and remembered.

Maybe the gift of encouragement isn’t on your list but we can all affirm someone and encourage them. It’s like adding a fan to a flame. It helps to either reignite it or fan the flame that’s already inside of them. We already know we need each other. We also need to celebrate and champion each other.

Each one of you matters and has something to offer.

Keith Godwin

Chuck & Dawn

John Fraumeni

Narimaan

How do I steward the gifts that God has given me? In the end, we’re not talking about talents although that is a good thing. We’re talking about stewarding our lives on purpose. On mission.

I want to live in such a way that in every aspect of my life that God is not just living IN me. But UPON me.

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 4:18–19). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

To live UPON me. So that even when I walk into a room, favor and mercy walk with me. Discernment walks with me. As I put ON the armor of God, as I practice the fruits of the Spirit, that the atmosphere shifts. That there is evidence of Him on my life!

So when I do or say anything, there’s a intangible difference about how I live my life. And there’s a recognition that it wasn’t yours in the first place, you are just the stewarding what has been given to you.

Like Pastor Keith mentioned last week. You can either waste your gifts, spend them, or invest them. It’s your choice.

My friend, the gifts in your hands are not for misuse but for His use.

And if you think you’ve been wasting your life. Or your time? I have good news. Jesus is the greatest redeemer of all things. But I will ask you to take a look at your life. What God has given you. How God has gifted you.

What are you doing with it?

How are you stewarding your gifts? Not for the sake of self promotion or edification but for the cause of Christ. For the building up of the body of believers.

Are there gifts that God has given you that you aren’t using or don’t know how to use?

In a practical sense, here are some resources to help you discover your gifts and strengths. This QR code will lead you to a spiritual gifts test. There’s also a link to look into Strengths Finder as it will help you identify the natural giftings that you have and you can see how they partner together. Finally, here are some areas where you can practically edify and equip our local expression of the body of Christ right now. And remember, if you have a gifting in them, great! If not, if you’re open to a certain area, let’s try it out on a test run. We’re remodeling our new space and there will be plenty of areas, but also right now we have some immediate openings for help including an opportunity to help at our upcoming Easter Egg Hunt. But it takes all the body of Christ to do all the things for Christ.

Here in a moment we’ll go back into worship and I would encourage you to ask yoursel those questions. And then take a moment to be silent before God and let Him speak to you, Maybe He’s been trying to get you to take the training wheels off a certain spiritual gift or maybe He’s trying to show you there’s even something there that you didn’t recognizie before. Lean in and listen.

What now?

Source: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54aec1e4e4b0342c02be277e/t/54cac968e4b063bf2a92f67f/1422575976897/Spiritual+Gift+Assessment+2013.pdf

Slide QR Code w/ Strengths Finder, Spiritual Gifts, Areas of Church that need help, Easter kids event sign up

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