Empowered to serve. Releasing Gods people in their Spiritual Gifts.
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
We are called to serve as believers, but sometimes we don’t know how. Or we don’t know what God has called us to do?
We are called to serve as believers, but sometimes we don’t know how. Or we don’t know what God has called us to do?
For each one of us it is a little different. Yet we are called to serve and glorify God together. What is your passion? What gives you the greatest joy? The greatest sense of fulfillment when God is using you?
We don’t want to be the kind of church that holds people back in their gifting. Suppressing them when they want to be used. But rather we should be stirring one another up for good works.
To be totally honest with you. We need to be better at doing that as a church. How do we do that as a church? We need to learn to function and flow together in the different giftings that we have.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Question 86
Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?
Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for his blessings,a and that he may be praised by us; also, that every one may be assured in himself of his faith,c by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation others may be gained to Christ.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
To be self controlled means we channel our anger in the correct way. Self Control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is mentioned last on the ninefold description.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
“Sober minded” Means to be rational,sensible and serious, having good judgment and sound thinking. Free from excessive emotions. Mental clarity. calmness. Emotional stability. This state of mind enables us to be aware, observant and prepared. Its a good filter for our minds.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Above all, meaning this should be our top priority. When we love one another we forgive, we show mercy to each other. We reconcile rather than holding grudges . It seeks restoration above dwelling on each others faults.
Notice, before he brings up the spiritual gifts he seeks the right atmosphere for the gifts to be used correctly.
God has equipped every believer with specific gifts for the purpose of serving others, thereby promoting spiritual health within the church. It shows us how we utilize these gifts directly impacts the collective mission and effectiveness of the body of Christ.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Your time is the Lords, your possessions are the Lords. A genuine welcome creates a lovely setting . A place where people are made to feel a part.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Phillips:
Be hospitable to each other without secretly wishing you hadn’t got to be!
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
phillips trans:
Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you, as faithful dispensers of the magnificently varied grace of God.
Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Urgent Imperatives for the Last Days (4:7–11)
They are not to be used for selfish gain but for His glory and for the good of others. We are not meant to be the terminals of God’s gifts to us; His grace reaches us but should not end with us. We are intended to be channels through whom the blessing can flow to others
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Urgent Imperatives for the Last Days (4:7–11)
It is not enough for a man simply to preach from the Bible. He should also have the assurance that he is presenting the particular message intended by God for that audience at that time.
To glorify God is our primary aim in whatever gift we have . We enjoy being used by God. We would like others to have this same enjoyment.
It is humbling to acknowledge we don’t have all the gifts. but this is why God placed us in a body. We need each other. As a church we need to do a better job at delegating and releasing others in their gifts. Imagine how much God will be glorified as we all seek to exercise our gifts for his glory.
Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Urgent Imperatives for the Last Days (4:7–11)
Anyone who performs any kind of service should do it with the humble recognition that it is God who empowers him. Then the glory will go to God—to whom it belongs.
A man should not become proud no matter how highly gifted he is in Christian service. The gift did not originate by his own effort, but was given to him from above. In fact, he has nothing which he did not receive. All service should be performed so that God gets the credit.
