Gifts of the Spirit: Encouragement, Evangelism, and Faith

Big Idea:

God’s just getting started in Glastonbury, CT.

Intro:

[In Service: Good morning everyone, thanks for joining us for a very special day. Biblically, the number 7 seems to hold significance. Some say it symbolizes perfection or completion. I’m not sure if that’s applicable to us. However, what I will say is it is amazing to be standing here seven years in. And I can honestly say, it’s only by God’s grace and power that it’s happened.

For the mathematicians in the room, you know our church started back in 2016. By a raise of hands, how many were here back then?

2016?

2017?

2018?

2019?

2020?

2021?

2022?

This year?

If you’ve been looking around, you’ll notice most of the growth happened in the most recent years. And I think it points to the fact that God is on the move in Glastonbury. I’m going to speak more to that in a second. But before I do, I want to go back to the beginning… no, not 2015.

I want to go back to when I can first remember any thought of Connecticut…]

It was Christmas morning, 1992. I was in 7th grade, living in San Diego, California. The smell of fried papas (fried potatoes) was coming from the kitchen. My mom always cooked breakfast on Christmas morning.

We had opened presents. And I excitedly opened NCAA Basketball for Super Nintendo. As I navigated through the menu, I saw the UCONN Huskies. Something deep within my soul lit up. I’m choosing that team!

I had no idea why. I’d never been to Connecticut. I didn’t know anyone in Connecticut. And just in case you were wondering, I wasn’t a Christian at that time either… I didn’t grow up in a Christian home.

Fast-forward to 2000, and a new show was on - Gilmore Girls. And where did it take place? In Stars Hollow, CT! Ooo, Connecticut… I’ll watch this show! Btw, been here for 8 years. Still haven’t found Stars Hollow.

A few years later, the movie “Yours, Mine, and Ours” came out. Where did the movie take place in? New London, CT. I like this movie!

And around that time, I met a beautiful young lady. I had just started following Jesus and was introduced to her, specifically because she was also a Christian. On one of our first dates, I mentioned, “I’d love to live in Connecticut one day.” An excited and surprised look came upon her face. She said, “Me too!” Obviously, that young lady was my wife Janelle, who also - at the time - didn’t know anyone in CT, nor had she been there.

We got married a few years later, served in a small church, started a family, and I began attending Calvary Chapel Bible College at the age of 30. For those not familiar with Calvary Chapel, it’s the network of churches that was eventually started from the story told in the movie, Jesus Revolution.

And it was during that time that God began speaking to Janelle and I about planting a church. But where would we start this church? In answering that question, we asked each other, “What about Connecticut?”

We soon discovered that New England seemed like a place God would send people to start Bible teaching churches. Now, I don’t say that as an insult to our community. I love Glastonbury. I love New England. I was born in California, but I want to die in Connecticut. My heart is here. I feel like God created me for this place.

But the truth is, our community needs the gospel. Recent research suggests that 1-3% of New England are Bible-believing Christians. To put that in perspective, Egypt has a higher percentage! New England states and cities are typically found in the top 5 “least Bible-minded” areas. For being the place where America’s spiritual revivals happened, it is currently not a place (statistically) very interested in Jesus.

But that is changing! God is on the move in New England! And I believe it’s the reason God called Janelle and I to Glastonbury. He was inviting us to join Him in the work He was already doing. And so, by faith, we packed up our Mazda 5, with our 3 boys who were 6, 4, and 2 at the time. We had 4 duffle bags and an iMac computer to our name. And in 2015, we left everything to pursue God’s calling.

And in 2016, on those cold winter nights, during some of our first worship services, when sometimes there were only 7 of us gathered, I can’t say the thought, “What did we do?” didn’t cross my mind. But year upon year, God added to His church. And, again, 7 years later, we now see God’s promise found in 1 Thessalonians is true...

1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

But here’s another truth: God’s not done yet, amen?

But a further truth is, we NEED the Holy Spirit’s POWER to keep pushing the Kingdom of God forward in Glastonbury and beyond. And that’s one of the reasons we’re currently in a sermon series on “The Gifts of the Spirit.”

If you’re visiting us for the first time - and maybe new to church - what that means is… when a person turns from their sin and puts their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, God forgives them and makes them new. And the Holy Spirit now lives inside of them, empowering them to accomplish the purposes God created them for. And one way that is executed is by the distributing of spiritual gifts.

And we can define spiritual gifts as...

Any ability empowered by the Holy Spirit that’s used for any ministry of the church.

…and so far we’ve talked about the gift of apostles and prophets. Of miracles, healings, and tongues. And last week, about the gifts of hospitality: helping, serving, and generosity.

And today, I want to talk about the gifts of encouragement, evangelism, and faith. Let’s start with...

The gift of encouragement

Romans 12:8 says, “If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.”

I have a friend. She’s here today. I met her through the Glastonbury River Runners. She’s tough. She’s loud. And something special happens when those two characteristics merge together in her.

I began noticing the magic after my first few group runs with her. When you run with her, two magical things happen:

You never give up.

You accomplish more than you initially intended to do.

Why? Because this tough, loud, little woman comes alongside you and pushes you to do your best. Biblically, she ENCOURAGES you!

The Greek work for encouragement is “parakaleo,” which is a combination of the word “para” that means “alongside,” and “kaleo” which is to call. To encourage is to come alongside a person and call them to be all that God created them to be.

I’ve mentioned before that spiritual gifts sometimes supercharge your natural gifts, and sometimes they help you do something you would never do. When it comes to my friend, Shannon, I believe she has the spiritual gift of encouragement, which supercharges her natural gift to encourage. Shannon is a lot like a man we’re introduced to in the Book of Acts: Barnabas.

We first meet him in Acts 4. His actual name is Joseph. But he’s such an encourager that they nickname him Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” And Barnabas was gifted in many ways.

He was super generous. Selling his field and donating all the money to the church.

He was called both an apostle and prophet.

But I think his superpower was encouragement.

…and by looking at his life, I think we can learn what it means to have the gift of encouragement.

Consider the following things we read about in Acts...

In Acts 8, Saul (a Jewish religious leader) was out to destroy the church. Hunting Christians, throwing them in jail, and even killing some. But in chapter 9, he meets the risen Jesus and is radically transformed. And now, he followed Jesus.

He tried to hangout with Christians, but no one believed it was true; that is, until he met Barnabas...

Acts 9:26–27 NLT

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

In Acts 11, some believers traveled outside of Israel to a place called Antioch. And the people heard the gospel and decided they wanted to follow Jesus too! But no one believed it was true; that is, until the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas...

Acts 11:22–24 NLT

When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

Later on in the book of Acts, Paul (who used to be Saul) and Barnabas go on a mission to start new churches. They take Barnabas’s cousin John-Mark. But Mark quits.

God ends up doing amazing things through tag team of Paul and Barnabas. So much so, they want to go on a second trip! And Barnabas says, “Let’s bring my cousin Mark again!” And Paul is like, “No way. That quitter left us once, he’ll leave us again.” And Luke writes...

Acts 15:39 ESV

And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

Now, based on what the Scriptures say about Barnabas, here’s how I’d describe the gift of encouragement:

Encouragement is the ability to come alongside people and see what God sees in them. But not only see the potential, but call it out into action.

Because the church in Antioch didn’t just have potential, it became the headquarters for the church, largely because of Barnabas. It was the first place in history where people were called “Christians.”

Barnabas didn’t just see the potential in Saul. Saul became the apostle Paul, who many believe is the greatest Christian who ever lived.

And despite John-Mark’s epic failures, because of Barnabas, Mark would go onto be the author of the gospel of Mark. And even Paul ended up saying, “Mark is a blessing to me.”

But let me add one more thing about encouragement. It’s not limited to seeing potential and saying nice things. The same person who encourages also rebukes, corrects, and disciplines. Not to be mean, but again, to CHALLENGE people to become all that God has called them to be!

Nobody knows who wrote the Book of Hebrews. But some think it might’ve been Barnabas. One reason being, in Hebrew 13 it says...

Hebrews 13:22 ESV

I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.

The word “exhortation” is parakaleo - it’s encouragement. The book of Hebrews can be summarized as a “letter of encouragement.” Therefore, it’d make sense that Barnabas wrote it!

Regardless, even in this letter of encouragement, there are many rebukes, warnings, and challenges. For example...

Hebrews 10:36 ESV

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

In other words, Church, quit being such wimps and giving up when things get difficult...

Sounds like Shannon. Maybe she’s related to Barnabas? ...And David Goggins.

But having the gift of encouragement also involves speaking tough truths (in love) that call people out to fix wrong things, while also bringing out the best in them.

And let me just say, we need more Barnabas’s today. We need Shannons in our church. Especially if we are to keep pushing the Kingdom of God forward here in Glastonbury and the surrounding communities. Because there is a whole lot of potential here. It just needs to be activated for the glory of God! And encouragement is a gift that will help us do it.

So, do you have the gift of encouragement?

The next gift is...

The gift of evangelism

I think many of us think of this as a scary gift...

Yesterday, I ran the Hartford Half Marathon. In the tent area, where all the vendors and food are at, there were two guys with signs telling people to repent and turn to Jesus.

And when we think of the gift of evangelism, we think God’s gonna make us do that. And we pray, “God, please don’t give me that gift!”

To be clear, I’m not saying anything negative about the two guys. If that’s what God told them to do, who am I to say anything different?

I’m just saying, most of us think of evangelism as standing on a soap box and preaching to strangers… and in fear, we think, “Please God, no.”

Well, the gift of evangelism does involve preaching the gospel to strangers. And it does involve doing and speaking whatever God tells you to do and speak. But it’s so much more… it’s actually a BEAUTIFUL thing.

The apostle Paul, quoting the prophet Isaiah, writes...

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel!” (Rom 10:15)

But before I go on, let me more fully describe this gift. And like we did with Barnabas, I think the best way to do that is to follow the life of someone in the Bible. And in the Book of Acts, that person is Philip.

In fact, just as Joseph was called Barnabas (son of encouragement) because of the powerful manifestation of his spiritual gift, Philip in Acts 21 is called, “Philip the evangelist!”

We first see Philip using his gift in...

Acts 8:4–5 ESV

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

So again, evangelists preach the gospel to strangers. But look what it says next...

Acts 8:6 ESV

And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

I believe this verse gives us two other attributes of this gift:

Those with the gift of evangelism are captivating. People pay attention when they preach the gospel.

When they speak, they speak with power. People hear God’s word and miracles happen.

Verse 8 gives us more...

Acts 8:8 ESV

So there was much joy in that city.

Evangelists bring joy. People’s lives are changed by entering into God’s presence, where there is the fullness of joy.

And later on in chapter 8, we get a few more attributes. When Philip is finished preaching in Samaria, God tells him to go somewhere else.

Acts 8:26 ESV

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.

Notice that last phrase. I believe this tells us that evangelists are willing to go to the places no one else goes, but people NEED to be going because they are spiritually dry places -DESERT PLACES - places that need the gospel!

I’ve gotten weird look from Christians for what I’m about to say...

... I believe it’s okay to miss church on Sundays.

Now, to be clear, I’m not saying the weekly gathering of God’s people for worship and fellowship isn’t valuable and shouldn’t be prioritized. It should! I’m not giving us to skip church because we feel like it.

But what I am saying is church is more than meeting in one place, for one hour, to hear one person speak, on one day. And there are seasons, when God may call us to do the work of an evangelist. And that work may cause us to SOMETIMES miss church. I believe we have families here who are called to be evangelists.

Right or wrong, our culture schedules youth sports on Sunday morning. And some of our River Church families (including my own) play on those teams. So, what do we do? Skip the games? Maybe… if that’s what God is calling you to do.

But what if God is sending you to a desert place? Because you know where those families on the football fields Sunday morning aren’t - they aren’t at church. And they aren’t hearing the gospel. So, maybe God is sending us to bring church to them! To be a light in the darkness and a person inviting them to the Kingdom of God. And when that’s the case, I say, “Skip church and use your gift!”

… but, just be careful… because there’s also an opportunity for the devil to twist this gospel opportunity… and pretty soon you’re skipping church... not for Christ, but for comfort. That’s not the work of an evangelist. So, get your butt in church!

Finally, I love when it says...

Acts 8:29–30 ESV

And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

People with the gift of evangelism are EXCITED to share Jesus. They RUN to the opportunities. This reminds of my friend Art - he’s an evangelist. He loves to share Jesus! Honestly, I think my sons are evangelists too.

So, to recap, those with this gift will:

Preach the gospel to anyone.

They will obey God no matter the cost.

They grab people’s attention and preach with power.

They go to the desert places - where no one else is going.

And they are excited about Jesus.

Is this you? Has God given you the gift of evangelism? I hope many of you are saying yes, because if we are going to continue to reach Glastonbury and New England for Jesus, we need evangelists!

The final gift for today is...

The gift of faith

This is a difficult gift to describe because we are all called to have faith. Additionally, all the other spiritual gifts require faith. So, it’s almost like everyone has the gift of faith. But... when Paul writes to the Corinthians about spiritual gifts, he seems to distinguish the “gift of faith” from other gifts and also from general saving faith all believers live with.

So then, what is the “gift of faith?” Well, the Book of Hebrews defines it this way...

Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

In other words, faith is being assured of God’s promises, especially as they pertain to the future. And faith is real, even if it’s not seen. It’s just as real as evidence presented in a court room. Simply put faith is genuinely believing God in everything.

Additionally, I think James (the brother of Jesus) is helpful. He says...

James 2:18 NLT

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

So, faith involves action. Faith is believing God in such a way that it moves us to live differently. It’s like what we see in Abraham...

Genesis 12:1 NLT

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.

He believed God and changed his life. We have a new family in our church who did the same!

Back in March, I went on a missions trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil. I came back convinced God wanted us to learn from the faith of Brazilians.

The Sunday after my return, I met a new family that had just moved from… guess… Sao Paulo, Brazil! Like Abraham, God had called them to leave their native country and go to a new land. And so, they did - by faith! And I’m so glad they did because they have been a huge blessing to our church!

And another cool part of their story is… the morning they visited our church, Katia prayed, “Lord, please clearly show us this is the church for us.” They walk in that morning and all I talk about is Brazil, Brazil, Brazil!

But again, this is general faith. So, what’s the spiritual gift?

I believe it is simply a special measure of faith. Someone who is gifted in what all believers have. And while I’m sure there are multiple applications of this gift, I think one primary way we see it used is in PRAYER.

I mentioned last week that prayer doesn’t seem to be on any spiritual gifts list, but it’s obvious that some are gifted in prayer. When they pray, you sense the power of God, and you see the power of God through answered prayer! But… I’d like to suggest that maybe prayer isn’t listed because at the root of prayer is the spiritual gift of faith.

I think the following verses support this...

James 5:15 ESV

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

The arrangement of the words in the original language give the sense that the phrase “prayer of faith” speaks about prayer that is sourced from faith. And that special measure of faith, exercised through prayer, does miraculous things!

1 John 5:14–15 NLT

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

When we pray by faith (when we ask anything by faith - since the book of Hebrews tells us faith please God), we can confidently expect God to move on our behalf.

After Jesus supernaturally made a fig tree wither, He said...

Matthew 21:21–22 ESV

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Those with the gift of faith pray and mountains moves… the impossible happens.

And so, the gift of faith are those who have a greater ability to believe God for the impossible. They have extra confidence in God. And many times, they are the prayer warriors who help us experience a greater measure of the Kingdom of God.

And so I’m wondering… do you have the spiritual gift of faith?

Do you believe God when others don’t.

Are you a person compelled to pray?

When you pray, does the impossible happen?

If so, we need you!

Because remember, God’s not done yet in Glastonbury. There is more. There is a better day coming. Jesus Himself said, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” (Luke 10:2)

There are more people for us to reach in our community. There are more churches to be planted. More lives to be changed! The harvest is great! But… the workers are few. So, what’s the answer?

Jesus goes onto say, “…so pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.” We need people with the gift of faith to be praying, so revival can come to New England!

Response:

As we close today, [and the worship team comes up] I want to continue giving glory to God for all He has done over the past 7 years. He has truly done “far more abundantly than all that we could ask or think...” (Eph 3:20). And I want to thank all of you for being part of our church family. For partnering with us in the gospel to reach Glastonbury and beyond.

But as I’ve said multiple times… God’s not done yet. So, let’s keep going. Let’s keep discovering and developing our spiritual gifts, because...

We need people with gift of encouragement to call people to be all God has created us to be.

We need people with the gift of evangelism to RUN everywhere and preach the gospel, even in desert places.

And, we need people praying… those with gift of faith who believe God for the impossible, so Glastonbury and New England experience another revival! Amen?

So, if you have those gifts, use them. If you want those gifts, pray for them. But there may be some of us here who need the most important gift, the gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ. You can’t have any spiritual gift until you have that Gift!

If you’ve never turned from your sin and put your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, you can do that right now. In fact… pray with me...

Jesus, we want to be part of the revival you are bringing to our land. Therefore, please forgive us for our sins. We believe that when you came and sacrificed your life on the cross, it paid for our sins. And according to your great promise, when we put our faith in You as Lord and Savior, that payment is applied to our lives, and we are changed, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and given eternal life. Please do that today.

Also, Lord, please help us to know, use, and grow our gifts for your glory. Please give us encouragers, evangelists, and those with great faith, who by their active and faithful use of their spiritual gifts, change our land. May your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name, amen.