Two Types of Gifts; One Grace

“Many hands make light work.”

I am sure that you have heard this statement in the past. 

This proverb was first recorded in English in the early 1300s in a knightly romance known as “Sir Bevis of Hampton.”

It appeared in practically all proverb collections from 1546 on.  It speaks of the need of cooperation among many to accomplish a task. “Many hands make light work.”

Needless to say, there is much work to do within the ministry of Central Schwenkfelder Church.  And ministry is not just for ministers. 

Rather, as you will see today, ministry is a shared task, for everyone who claims Christ as Lord. 

Studies have shown that in order for people to be consistent in worship attendance, there needs to be a feeling of connected-ness, a sense of ownership, the belief that you are not a spectator. 

When we speak of spiritual gifts in the church, we don’t mention them as just another form of involvement.

Spiritual gifts exist so that we may be used by God to bless others and bring glory to Him.

So a good question is: What is my purpose within this Christian community?  What is my role here?  How can I serve?  With those questions in mind, let us consider Peter’s instruction.

GOD HAS ENABLED YOU TO BLESS OTHERS, REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

To give you an idea of the setting and background of this letter, the Apostle Peter writes it to displaced Christians in the various parts of Asia Minor, modern day Turkey.  These had suffered for the faith in the mid to late 60’s.  Persecution toward Christians at this time took the form of general hostility in a pagan setting. 

Horrible organized persecution of Christians took place later under the reigns of Nero, Domitian and Trajan, but such was not the case at this point in history in Asia Minor.  It was more random and general. 

It is within this setting that Peter reminds these believers of the sufferings of Christ.  1 Peter 4:1 says:

1 Peter 4:1 ESV

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

Interesting that Peter places suffering alongside of service and commitment. They are related.  Christians of Peter’s day did not have the luxury of choosing which church to attend, as if there were several denominations and worship styles to pick from.  Christians had to stick together through thick and thin. 

You’ve heard the phrase, “misery loves company.”  Those being mistreated have a motivation to stick together.  These believers stuck together through

insults,

defamation,

beatings,

social exclusions

and sporadic violence. 

For many years, we found it hard to identify with this treatment of Christians in our country; that is until Charlie Kirk was assassinated in broad daylight.

On the other hand, there are many examples are found in Iran, the Sudan and China. 

Within this context of suffering, Peter states that now more than ever, the church ought to adopt an attitude of service among itself.  Notice the exhortations listed in 1 Peter 4:7-10

1 Peter 4:7–10 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

For our time, let us focus on verse ten.  It tells us that each Christian has received a special gift.  The Greek verb is λαμβάνω which means “to accept,” but can also mean “to experience.”  In other words, every Christian has been employed to benefit others, especially fellow believers. 

These gifts are used for the purpose of serving.  The Greek participle comes from the verb, διακονέω where we get the term “deacon” or “diaconate,” meaning, “...those who wait on; care for, see after, provide for others.”  We are to serve as a steward or a manager of these gifts.  God has gifted you but also entrusted you to bless your fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.  Church should be a community in which every Christian is empowered and employed in ministry. 

What we know as spiritual gifts can be summarized into one of two categories: those of speaking and those of serving.  Notice in 1 Peter 4:11 that there are those who speak and those who serve.

1 Peter 4:11 ESV

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Sometimes we think our abilities are only for secular employment.  But I want to challenge you who have trusted Christ to know that the gifts and abilities that God has blessed you with are not just for your means of employment in the workplace, but are means of employment in the kingdom of God.  Paul said in Romans 12:6,

Romans 12:6 ESV

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

To this end, Augustine said,

“God has granted to each of us the special graces needed for the upbuilding of His church, so that we will do what he has indicated should be done, not only without complaint but with joy.”  (On Christian Doctrine, 1.15)

Your commitment to Central Schwenkfelder Church is really a matter of being selfless. In church circles, leaders talk about the 80/20 rule.  In other words, it is quite common for 80% of the Church’s work to be done by 20% of the people. 

It is so easy to regard the church as a place where you come to hear the choir or a soloist, to listen to hopefully a decent sermon, and enjoy a children’s program. 

As valuable as these things are, they imply reception only. Our passage teaches that being a Christian implies giving back, putting into, and not just getting out of.  There is so much to do!

How has God gifted you to serve His church?  Many of you have incredible credentials.  You are used to working with others.  You have the ability to see projects through, analyze data, and manage people and resources. 

Others of you teach or assist those who teach. 

Still some have the gift of a willing heart.  You will do whatever needs to be done, from working a mixer board to painting a wall. 

I’m amazed at the gifts that some of you have.  A great example of your gifts in action occurred yesterday at our Country Fair. 

I greet and have the privilege of hearing comments from those who came to the event. One visitor said that it is something she looks forward to every fall. Another said they’ve been coming every year since it was held at the Variety Club.

Another said: “I came for the chicken corn chowder!” I said, “It just arrived!” And off she went.

To see you come together to pull that event off, rivals anything I’ve ever seen from a church.

The way in which God has gifted you ought to serve as an indicator of your need to be a part of His work.  You do not exist to serve yourself.  Rather you exist to serve God and others. Secondly...

THE PURPOSE OF OUR ABILITIES IS THAT JESUS MAY BE GLORIFIED.

Notice the source and the end of our gifts.  1 Peter 4:11:

1 Peter 4:11 ESV

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

But you may be thinking, “Between the kids’ soccer games, their homework, my retirement, bridge club, etc., I don’t have time to devote myself to anything else.” 

To that, I respond, you may need to cut something out to make room for something greater.

My challenge to you would be to set some priorities and ask yourself to what eternal significance is their attached to some of your other activities.  What’s more, we share our abilities with God’s strength and not our own.

It is not a matter of finding more energy to do one more thing, but finding the importance behind doing something for the kingdom of Christ.  Some of us need to downsize our schedules and obligations, keeping in mind what is really important. C.S. Lewis once said,

“Anything that is not done with eternity in mind is eternally out of date.” 

We all have schedule-fillers, but are they really that important compared to Christ and His church? Nothing is more important than your relationship with Christ and His church.  If Jesus died for His church, should we not serve it with our lives?

Notice that all is done for God’s glory.  The Greek verb means “...to praise, honor; glorify, exalt.”  It is the same word we get doxology from. It is placed in the subjunctive form denoting a possibility or a purpose. 

In other words, in the operation and the management of our spiritual gifts, God is the one who is praised, honored and exalted, not us.  The purpose of our giftings is the same as the purpose for our lives.  All is done,

1 Peter 4:11: “…so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

This small verse provides the answer to America’s number one question posed to God.  USA Today asked, “If you could get in contact with God directly, ask a question, and get an immediate reply, what would you ask?”  Around 34% responded, “What is my purpose here.” 

Although you probably want a very specific, narrowed answer, the truth is provided in verse 11.  You are here to glorify God.  The Westminster Shorter Catechism answered the same question with this:

“Man’s chief purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

This morning, we have learned two valuable teachings in reference to our existence.  The first is that God has equipped each of us in special ways, and… WHATEVER ABILITIES GOD HAS GIVEN US, WE ARE OBLIGED TO SHARE THEM WITH OTHERS, REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANES.  Next…THE PURPOSE OF OUR ABILITIES IS THAT JESUS MAY BE GLORIFIED.

Knowing this, I encourage you to be filling out your SHAPE document.

Never will we know just how far God uses our gifts.  The Evangelist Billy Graham once said,

“God has given us two hands- one to receive with and the other to give with.  We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.” 

Isaiah 6:8: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

D. L. Moody (d. 1899) was one of the greatest evangelists ever. God used him to bring many to trust in Christ.

He wrote the following words next to Isaiah 6:8 in his Bible:

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.”