SERIES 4 OF 4

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

G.I.J.N. WELCOME TO EACH ONE - IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE AND WORSHIP WITH THE CHURCH FAMILY. I WANT SAY THANK YOU TO EACH ONE WHO CAME PRAYING FOR THE SERVICE AND MESSAGE HERE THIS MORNING. I APPRECIATE AND RECOGNIZE THE EFFORT AND THOUGHTFULNESS THAT IS EVIDENT BY YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT OF THE LORDS WORK HERE AT NEW HAVEN. GOD BLESS YOU FOR IT.

THIS PAST WEEK I WAS THINKING ONE OF THE TAKE A WAYS FROM THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON AS WELL AS THE WEEKEND MEETINGS AT SHARON AND I BELIEVE IT IS ONE OF THE CHALLENGES BRO BARRY WAS GIVING US AS WELL.

IT IS THE CHALLENGE AT THE END OF THE LAST SUNDAYS LESSON:

WE WILL SERVE OUR GOD - WHATEVER THAT GOD IS - OUR DAILY CHOICES REVEAL WHAT CLEARLY WHO OR WHAT OUR GOD IS. IF OUR DAILY CHOICES PLEASE ME, THEN THE GOD OF HEAVEN IS NOT MY GOD. WHERE WE PLACE OUR FOCUS WITH OUR TIME, ENERGY, AND MONEY WILL REVEAL WHO OUR GOD IS. AS WE KNOW - WHERE OUR TREASURE IS - SO WILL OUR HEART BE THERE ALSO.

THIS MORNING I PLAN TO WRAP UP THE STUDY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND AS BRO BARRY IS BEGINNING A SERIES OF “LIVING IN SIGHT OF THE GIVER” - I BELIEVE THIS TIES INTO WHAT HE LOOKED INTO LAST SUNDAY THAT EVERYTHING WE HAVE IS FROM GOD AND WE ARE CALLED TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF WHAT GO HAS GIVEN US.

AND IF YOU THINK BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF OUR STUDY WE SAID THAT OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FROM GOD. GOD GIVES US OUR GIFTS - WE CAN NOT PICK AND CHOOSE - JUST LIKE OUR EXISTENCE HERE ON EARTH IS ULTIMATELY CONTROLLED BY OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. WE SEE THIS IN:

1 CORINTHIANS 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

OUR GIFTS AND LIFE HERE IS NOT SOMETHING WE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER - IT IS NOT UNDER OUR CONTROL - BUT GOD HAS ALLOWED IT - BUT WE HAVE THE CHOICE WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH WHAT THE LORD GIVES OR AS THE VERSE SAYS : HAS DIVIDED TO US SEPARATELY AS HE WILLS.

OUR DEFINITION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. GOD - GIVEN ASSIGNMENT, CAPACITY, AND DESIRE TO PERFORM A FUNCTION WITHING THE BODY OF CHRIST WITH SUPERNATURAL JOY, ENERGY AND EFFECTIVENESS.

THIS MORNING THE LAST 4 GIFTS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ARE ALL UNDER THE CATEGORY OF “ SERVING GIFTS” OR GIFTS THAT A RELY HEAVILY ON HAVING A SERVANT MINDSET - IF WE HAVE A SELF SERVING AMBITION WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE BLESSINGS OF THESE GIFTS - WE WILL NEED CHRIST LOVE IN US TO GIVE THE DESIRE TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR WAYS TO HELP OTHERS - THESE COULD ALL BE LISTED AS GIFTS OF SACRIFICE - REQUIRES US TO SACRIFICE WHAT I WANT TO HELP OTHERS - COMPLETE SELF DENIAL WITH THE DESIRE TO HONOR GOD WITH EVERYTHING WE CAN DO FOR OTHERS.

THIS MORNING WE ARE READY FOR GIFT # 13 OF THE LIST OF 16 THAT WE ARE USING.

LIKE WE DID WHEN LOOKED AT THE THE OTHER GIFTS - I WILL READ THE DEFINITION AND THEN THE 5 ITEMS FROM THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE THAT HELP DEFINE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH THESE CHARACTERISTICS.

13. SERVICE/ HELP - THOSE WITH THIS GIFT OF SERVICE/HELPS RECOGNIZES PRACTICAL NEEDS IN THE BODY AND JOYFULLY GIVE ASSISTANCE TO MEETING THOSE NEEDS. CHRISTIANS WITH THIS GIFT DO NOT MIND WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES.

14. I TAKE ACTION TO MEET PHYSICAL AND PRACTICAL NEEDS RATHER THAN MERELY TALKING ABOUT OR PLANNING HOW TO HELP.

30. IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO DO THINGS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED.

46.I AM SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.

58. I HAVE AN ACUTE AWARENESS OF THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF OTHERS.

72. I ENJOY DOING LITTLE THINGS THAT HELP PEOPLE.

THE GIFT OF SERVICE IS THE ABILITY OF INDIVIDUALS WITH A STRONG DESIRE AND CAPACITY TO MEET PRACTICAL NEEDS AND ASSIST OTHERS WITH A SERVANTS HEART. CAUSING THEM TO JOYFULLY AND SELFLESSLY ENGAGE IN ACTS OF KINDNESS AND SUPPORT FOR THE WELL BEING OF OTHERS. ACTIVELY SEEKING TO SERVE AND ARE CONTENT BEHIND THE SCENES, FINDING FULFILLMENT IN MEETING THE PRACTICAL NEEDS OF THE CHURCH FAMILY.

1 PETER 4: 10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD MINISTER: to be an attendant, to wait upon (menially or as a host, friend,); to act as a Christian deacon:--(ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon.

JESUS WAS THE ULTIMATE SERVANT LEADER - DEMONSTRATING THE GIFT OF SERVICE BY EXAMPLE DURING HIS MINISTRY - WASHED THE DISCIPLES FEET, FED THE HUNGRY, HEALED THE SICK, CARED FOR THOSE WHOM OTHERS IGNORED OR PUSHED PAST OR ASIDE, GIVING US A ROLE MODEL FOR ALL BELIEVERS TO FOLLOW.

PRACTICAL WAYS TO IMPLEMENT AND DEVELOP ACTS OF SERVICE.

IDENTIFY AREAS OF NEED. OBSERVE AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE NEEDS OF OTHERS - BOTH WITHIN THE CHURCH AND IN THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

TAKE INITIATIVE. STEP FORWARD AND OFFER YOUR ASSISTANCE WITHOUT WAITING TO BE ASKED, LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE PROACTIVELY.

STAY HUMBLE. PERFORM ACTS OF SERVICE WITH A WILLING AND HUMBLE HEART, AVOIDING SEEKING RECOGNITION AND PRAISE.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE. CULTIVATE A THANKFUL HEART FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO HELP OTHERS.

DEVELOP NEW SKILLS. SEEK OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN NEW SKILLS SO YOU CAN ENHANCE YOUR ABILITY TO SERVE MORE EFFECTIVELY.

PARTNER WITH OTHERS. A GROUP EFFORT BRINGS DIFFERENT GIFTS TO COMPLEMENT AND ENHANCE THE IMPACT OF YOUR SERVICE POTENTIALLY HAVING FAR REACHING EFFECTS TO THE CHURCH BODY AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

SERVICE IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY AND COMMUNITY LIFE. BY JOYFULLY AND SELFLESSLY MEETING THE PRACTICAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS CAN DEMONSTRATE CHRIST’S LOVE AND SHOW THE TRUE HEART OF A SERVANT. THROUGH ACTS OF SERVICE THEY CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE UNITY, GROWTH, TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD.

HOW MANY WOULD LIKE THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF PRAYER TO BE YOUR CALLING - IN 2 CORINTHIANS 1: 11 WE SEE PAUL THANKING THE CORINTHIANS FOR THEIR PRAYER SUPPORT... Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

PRAYER IS PART OF THE HELP THAT PAUL GIVES RECOGNITION TO THE REASON IN PART FOR HIS DELIVERANCE FROM DEATH. PRAYER IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF CHRISTIAN LIFE - AND PRAYER IS THE COMMUNICATION WE HAVE TO THE FATHER WHO GIVES US THE GIFTS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE OUR GIFT OF SERVICE AND HELPING THOSE WE COME IN CONTACT WITH.. THE POWER OF PRAYER CAN BE SEEN IN EXAMPLES IN THE BIBLE - THINK OF HANNAH’S PRAYER FOR A SON - DAVID’S PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE IN PSALM 34. SOLOMON’S PRAYER FOR WISDOM, ELIJAH’S PRAYER FOR RAIN, HEZEKIAH’S PRAYER FOR HEALING, DANIELS PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING, PETERS RELEASE FROM PRISON AND THE ANGEL LED HIM OUT.

JESUS IS ALSO AN EXAMPLE OF PRAYER -WHEN TO DO IT - OFTEN HE WENT AWAY TO PRAY - HOW TO PRAY - GIVING US THE LORDS PRAYER - AND TEACHING AND INSTRUCTING US TO ASK GOD THE FATHER FOR WHAT WE NEED.

PRAYER IS ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL GIFTS WE HAVE AS CHRISTIANS TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING THE IDEA OF ALWAYS BEING READY CALL OUT TO GOD IN PRAISE - ADORATION - THANKFULNESS OR WITH A REQUEST OR PETITION - THIS SHOULD BE OUR FIRST RESPONSE TO ANY SITUATION WE MAY FACE.

BEING A PRAYER WARRIOR IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN BE OF SERVICE FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST - THE CHURCH. I KNOW YOU ARE DOING THIS - SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE ON IN THIS GIFT OF SERVICE.

14. MERCY - CHEERFUL ACTS OF COMPASSION CHARACTERIZE THOSE WITH THE GIFT OF MERCY. PERSONS WITH THIS GIFT AID THE CHURCH BODY BY EMPATHIZING WITH HURTING MEMBERS. THEY KEEP THE BODY HEALTHY AND UNIFIED BY KEEPING OTHERS AWARE OF THE NEEDS WITHIN THE CHURCH. ROMANS 12:8 he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

7. I AM SENSITIVE TO THE HURTS OF PEOPLE.

22. I HAVE AN ACUTE AWARENESS OF OTHER PEOPLES EMOTIONS, SUCH AS LONELINESS, PAIN, FEAR, AND ANGER.

37. I AM DRAWN TO PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING.

52. I POSSESS AN UNUSUAL CAPACITY TO UNDERSTAND THE FEELINGS OF THOSE IN DISTRESS.

66. I RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF STRESS AND DISTRESS IN OTHERS.

SHOWING MERCY REQUIRES A SPECIAL KIND OF GIVING - GOES BEYOND THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN COMMANDMENT OF CARING AND BEING MERCIFUL WE HAVE IN JESUS TEACHING ON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT IN MATTHEW 5: 7 WHERE IT SAYS Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.;

- THE GIFT OF MERCY INVOLVES DEEDS OF COMPASSION ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO WHO ARE IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS - EXAMPLES THAT SOME OF YOU ARE TRYING TO MENTOR MAY BE - PHYSICAL ILLNESS TO EMOTIONAL, AND RELATIONAL INCLUDING COMPLICATED MARITAL AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS -

PAUL EXPRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS IN Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” WE ARE TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS AND WE ARE TO DO IT CHEERFULLY - WHEN CHRISTIAN PEOPLE CHEERFULLY GIVE OF THEMSELVES TO HELP THOSE AROUND IT IS A POWERFUL TESTIMONY TO THE LOVE OF GOD. PAUL GIVES AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IN 2 Timothy 1:16–17“The Lord give mercy unto the house of (AHN- NEIGH- SIF- OR - US); for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.” PAUL IS INDICATING THAT ON-NE-SIF-OR-US WENT FAR BEYOND THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN IDEAL OF GIVING AND HELPING ONES NEIGHBOR - RATHER OFTEN REFRESHED PAUL WHILE HE WAS IN PRISON.

HOW QUICK ARE WE TO STOP EXTENDING MERCY WHEN IT BECOMES DIFFICULT OR WE FEEL WE ARE NOT GETTING THE RESULTS WE THINK SHOULD BE HAPPENING. HOW OFTEN DO WE DO WHAT IT WARNS US OF IN James 2:15–16 “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” DO WE CROSS OFF OUR RESPONSIBILITY BY A FEW WORDS THAT GOD IS GOOD AND HE WILL SUPPLY THEIR NEEDS - AND POSSIBLY SAY A PRAYER (WHICH IS GOOD) BUT THEN WE CHECK IT OFF OUR LIST OF RESPONSIBLY AND DO NOT MAKE CERTAIN THAT THEIR NEEDS HAVE BEEN MET - ESPECIALLY TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST -

WHAT ABOUT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH? WE LIKE THINGS TO BE SIMPLE -LET SAY FOR EXAMPLE WE STOP AND CHANGE A FLAT TIRE AND SEND THEM ON THEIR WAY TO NEVER HAVE TO CONSIDER THEIR ETERNAL DESTINY - OR PUT GAS IN THEIR TANK SO THEY CAN CONTINUE ON - AND WE CAN JUSTIFIABLY FEEL GOOD AND BLESSED FOR WHAT WE DID - BUT I CHALLENGE YOU - NEXT TIME YOU HELP SOMEONE AND WHEN YOU ARE REFUSING TO TAKE MONEY IS TELL THEM - I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I DID THIS TO SHOW THEM CHRIST LOVE WHO HAS SAVED ME FROM SIN AND GIVEN ME SALVATION - AND IF THEY WANT TO DO ANYTHING THEN PAY IT FORWARD AND HELP SOMEONE ELSE IN NEED - IT IS NOT EASY WHEN ITS A FELLOW IN A MUSCLE CAR OR A FOREIGNER BUT SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS FOR YOUR GOD.

Psalm 51:1 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” HOW OFTEN DO WE CLAIM THIS PROMISE BUT FAIL TO EXTEND IT TO OUR OWN BROTHERS AND SISTERS - WITH CHEERFULNESS. ARE WE REFLECTING THE CHARACTER OF OUR CREATOR BY OUR TESTIMONY OF MERCY.

15. GIVING - MEMBERS WITH THIS GIFT OF GIVING GIVE FREELY AND JOYFULLY TO THE WORK AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH BODY. CHEERFULNESS AND LIBERALITY ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS GIFT. 2 Corinthians 9:7“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

8. I EXPERIENCE JOY IN MEETING NEEDS THROUGH SHARING POSSESSIONS.

23. I AM A CHEERFUL GIVER.

38. I AM A GENEROUS GIVER.

53. I HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF STEWARDSHIP BASED ON THE RECOGNITION THAT GOD OWNS ALL THINGS.

67. I DESIRE TO GIVE GENEROUSLY AND UNPRETENTIOUSLY (WHICH MEANS NOT TRYING TO IMPRESS OTHER) TO WORTHWHILE PROJECTS AND MINISTRIES.

THIS IS A LARGE SUBJECT AS BRO BARRY TOLD US LAST SUNDAY AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS LOOK INTO THE SUBJECT OF GIVING - I BELIEVE ONE OF THE FOCUSES ON THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF GIVING IS WHEN ONE HAS A BURDEN FOR THE ADVANCE OF GOD’S KINGDOM BY SUPPORTING MINISTRIES, MISSIONS AND THE LESS FORTUNATE. THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GIVE BUT I WANT TO TOUCH ON THE GIVING AND FUNDING OF THE ADVANCE OF GODS KINGDOM THROUGH GROUPS AND MISSIONARY PROGRAMS.

A QUESTION ONE MAY ASK - DO YOU HAVE TO BE WEALTHY TO HAVE THE GIFT OF GIVING? AND THE ANSWER IS NO - GIFT OF GIVING IS NOT CONTINGENT ON WEALTH - IT IS ABOUT HAVING A HEART WILLING TO GIVE SACRIFICIALLY REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT.

JESUS MADE THIS VERY PLAIN IN MARK 12 WHEN HE CALLED TO ATTENTION TO THE WIDOW WHO GAVE TWO MITES - BROTHER BARRY EXPLAINED HOW THAT JESUS SAW THE HEART AND RECOGNIZED HER TESTIMONY OF HOW MUCH OF A GIVER SHE WAS ALTHOUGH THE AMOUNT WAS LESS THAN THOSE WHO THAT WERE RICH AND GAVE MUCH - BARRY EXPLAINED HOW THE POWER OF GOD IS REFLECTED THROUGH HOW WE GIVE.

WE MAY HAVE READ STORIES OR PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THAT WHEN WE GIVE AS MUCH AS WE CAN HOW THAT OUR NEEDS ARE MET AND THINGS SEEM TO WORK OUT FINE- BUT IF WE GIVE STINGILY OR MINIMALLY HOW OFTEN IT SEEMS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND. I HOPE THAT WE ARE LIKE THE: CERTAIN POOR WIDOW WHO GAVE ALL THAT SHE HAD, EVEN ALL HER LIVING AS IT SAYS IN MARK 12: 14

A WELL KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THIS GEORGE MUELLER WHO RELIED ON FAITH AND PRAYER TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF THOUSANDS OF ORPHANS WHEN HE HAD NOTHING TO GIVE OF HIS OWN. HE HAD NOTHING BUT GAVE SO MUCH TO OTHERS. ARE WE IN THE DEVILS TRAP SAYING WE ARE WAITING TO GIVE TILL WE HAVE ENOUGH OR IT IS SUBSTANTIAL?

HOW CAN I GROW IN THIS GIFT

CULTIVATE A HEART OF GRATITUDE - DEVELOP A DEEP SENSE OF GRATITUDE FOR GODS BLESSINGS WHICH WILL MANIFEST IN US A DESIRE TO GIVE BACK AND BLESS OTHERS FROM WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US.

SEEK GODS DIRECTION - PRAYING FOR GODS DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE IN HOW AND WHERE TO GIVE - ALLOWING HIM TO LEAD YOU GIVING WITH PURPOSE AND IMPACT.

PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY INITIATIVES : GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL OR GLOBAL OUTREACHES TO THOSE IN NEED - ALLOWING YOU TO SEE THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIVING FIRST HAND.

GIFT OF GIVING IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR ADVANCING GOD’S KINGDOM AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS. WE NEED TO EXERCISE THIS GIFT WITH A HEART OF GENEROSITY AND COMPASSION, SHOWING SUPPORT TO THE CHURCH AND WORLD AS A TESTIMONY HOW GOD’S LOVE IS LIVING IN YOUR HEART.

LUKE 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

THIS IS JESUS INSTRUCTION ON GIVING. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE TEACHING AND CHALLENGES FROM BRO BARRY AS HE LEADS OUT IN THE SERIES “LIVING IN SIGHT OF THE GIVER”

WE ALSO ARE GIVEN THIS COMMANDMENT IN Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”

16. HOSPITALITY- THOSE WITH THIS GIFT HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE VISITORS, GUEST, AND STRANGERS FEEL AT EASE. THEY OFTEN USE THEIR HOME TO ENTERTAIN GUEST. PERSONS WITH THIS GIFT INTEGRATE NEW MEMBERS INTO THE BODY.

15. I ENJOY ENTERTAINING GUEST IN MY HOME.

32. I AM ABLE TO MAKE STRANGERS FEEL AT EASE

45. I ENJOY REACHING OUT TO NEW PEOPLE IN MY CHURCH AND COMMUNITY.

60. I LIKE TO MEET VISITORS AT CHURCH AND MAKE THEM FEEL WELCOME.

78. I HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKER STRANGERS FEEL WELCOME IN MY HOME.

WE SEE THIS COMMANDMENT IN 1 PETER 4: 7-10

1 Peter 4:7–10 “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

ANOTHER DEFINITION STATES IT THIS WAY; WHEN THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY IS PRESENT IN THE CHURCH, IT CREATES A WARM AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY WHERE INDIVIDUALS FEEL LOVED AND ACCEPTED. THOSE WITH THIS GIFT OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND HOMES TO OTHERS PROMOTING FELLOWSHIP AND GENUINE CONNECTIONS AMONG BELIEVERS.

- DOES THIS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE IN A CHURCH? - WHAT ARE YOU CONTRIBUTING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN - ARE WE LIKE JESUS WHO WAS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS AND WOULD INTERACT WITH SINNERS AND OUTCAST AND WOULD SIT DOWN AND EAT WITH THOSE WHO OTHERS HAD JUDGED AS UNFIT INDIVIDUALS WHO SHOULD BE HELD AT ARMS LENGTH OR SHUNNED.

Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

I BELIEVE THIS IS REFERRING BACK TO GENESIS 18 WHEN THE THREE MEN APPEARED WHILE ABRAHAM WAS SITTING IN HIS TENT DOOR AND HE RAN TO MEET THEM AND INVITED THEM TO STAY A WHILE TO REST AND WASH THEIR FEET AND HE HAD A MEAL SERVED. WE KNOW THE ACCOUNT OF HOW THAT THEY PROMISED SARAH WOULD HAVE A SON AND THAT ABRAHAM WOULD BE A GREAT NATION. ABRAHAM IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF HOSPITALITY -

IF WE LOOK AT THE WORD HOSPITALITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IT IS TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL - NOT JUST THE ACT OF BEING HOSPITABLE BUT SPEAKS OF A FONDNESS OR LOVE FOR STRANGERS - SOMETHING WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT UNLESS WE FIRST HAVE THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN OUR HEARTS.

HOW DO I DEVELOP PRACTICAL HOSPITALITY

CREATE A WELCOMING SPACE - BE WARM AND INVITING.

LISTEN AND SHOW EMPATHY - PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING AND GENUINE INTEREST AND CARE OF OTHERS NEEDS AND EXPERIENCES.

EXTEND INVITATIONS - INITIATE INVITATIONS TO GATHERINGS, MEALS AND EVENTS TO MAKE OTHERS FEEL VALUED AND INCLUDED.

LEARN FROM OTHERS - OBSERVE HOW OTHER CREATE WELCOMING SPACES AND LEARN TO IMPLEMENT SIMILAR PRACTICES.

LEARN TO BE REALISTIC - NOT A FANCY SHOW OR FALSE IMPRESSIONS BUT RATHER THE GOAL TO EXTEND A WARM AND WELCOMING SPACE.

IS HOSPITALITY ONLY LIMITED TO HOSTING MEALS AND EVENTS?

NO - HOSPITALITY INVOLVES MORE THAN JUST PROVIDING FOOD AND ACCOMMODATIONS - ITS ABOUT CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE.

WE HAVE THE FAMILIAR PROMISE OF HOSPITALITY FROM JESUS IN John 14:1–3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

THE ULTIMATE INVITATION - THE FATHERS HOUSE - THE GLORY OF HEAVEN.

WE BEGAN OUR STUDY IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12 WHERE WE HAVE SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS LISTED AND HOW THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST ARE ALL PART OF THE WHOLE BODY AND EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT AND IF ONE SUFFERS WE ALL SUFFER AND IF ONE IS HONORED WE ALL REJOICE. AND THE LAST VERSE OF THAT CHAPTER VERSE 31 SAYS 1 CORINTHIANS 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

TURN TO EPHESIANS 4 . - AWHILE

I TRUST WE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY LOOKING INTO THIS GLIMPSE OF THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND I TRUST WE UNDERSTAND THE GIFTS THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE NOT BURDENS - NEITHER ARE THEY TOYS TO SHOW OR PLAY WITH - BUT THEY ARE TOOLS TO BUILD THE KINGDOM OF GOD. THEY ARE NOT TO CAUSE STRIFE OR ENVY OVER WHO HAS WHICH GIFT BUT RATHER AS WE RECOGNIZE GIFTS IN OTHERS WE CAN ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR CALLING - AND AS WE RECOGNIZE OUR OWN GIFTS WE CAN THEN BLESS OTHERS WITH WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN - I LIKE HOW EPHESIANS 4 VERSES 7-16 SUMMARIZE WHAT THE GOAL OF THE GIFTS IS TO THE CHURCH - WHICH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.

Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

IN CLOSING,

GOD HAS GIFTED EACH ONE OF US WITH AN EXPRESSION OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH - TO GO AND TEACH ALL PEOPLE OF THE REDEMPTIVE LOVE OF CHRIST. MY DESIRE IS THAT WE GO FORTH WITH JOY - SERVING HIM TILL WE ARE CALLED HOME TO LIVE WITH HIM FOREVER IN HEAVEN.

THANK EACH ONE FOR COMING OUT - THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THEIR PLACE TO MAKE THIS SERVICE POSSIBLE.

MAY GOD GIVE YOU A GOOD WEEK AS YOU SERVE HIM WITH INTENTIONAL CHRISTIAN LIVING WITH A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE AS CHRIST JESUS TEACHES US BY HIS WORD AND EXAMPLE TO LIVE FOR HIM ALL DAY - EVERYDAY.

BENEDICTION.

Ephesians 3:20–21

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”