All in with your Talents

INTRODUCTION

*talk about the guiness book of world records book when I was a little kid.

Here’s some strange talents I’ve found in the guiness book of world records.

Largest hairy family: A genetic condition led to the formation of the world's largest hairy family. 

Farthest arrow shot with feet: This record involves shooting an arrow using only the feet. 

Most toilet seats broken with head: A bizarre record for the most toilet seats smashed in a minute. 

If we had to boil down everything we’ve been discussing during our missions month it’d be this — God wants all you have and all you are to be used by Him and for Him.

We’ve done time, treasure, and today we’ll finish with our talents. Undergirding all of this is the foundational truth that… We should give to God our everything because everything belongs to Him.

But here’s the tension. We could use our time, talents, and treasure for ourselves right? But the point is this… lasting happiness, fulfillment, and joy comes when we fully give everything over to God and allow Him to use us for His purposes.

The seniors are reading a book entitled Don’t Waste Your Life that discusses this very point. It should be our deepest joy to give all that we are to God to be used for His purposes. So, here’s the question… As we’ve talked about our time, treasure, and today will be talents, what has been your attitude? (boredom, drudgery, selfishness, or joy?)

Being consecrated to God to be used by God is directly related to how you use your talents.

How we use what God has given us (time, talents, treasure) is a direct reflection of how we’re surrendered to God.

Turn with me to Romans 12.

Romans 12:1–8 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Today we’ll see three truths concerning our talents:

GOD GIVES EVERY TALENT

1 Peter 4:10 KJV 1900

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Romans 12:6 KJV 1900

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Every single one of you has been gifted by God. No one is left without a gift. All gifts come from God.

Specifically Romans 12 describes this idea of spiritual gifts (which we’ll discuss in a second). However, I’ll also be referring to gifts/talents that we have that aren’t inherently spiritual and that have been developed.

*illustration — gift of piano versus the hard work of piano. this “talent” was developed.

Let’s go around the room and name some talents.

God gives ability, personality, or skills to every individual as a gift.

Everyone has been gifted.

Now you may look at yourself and see no skills, no abilities, and no personality, but God has specifically gifted you in ways that you may not see and in ways that he has not gifted others.

GOD GIVES DIFFERENT TALENTS

Romans 12:6 KJV 1900

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Look around you… We are all different! So and so is not like so and so…

Romans 12:4–5 KJV 1900

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

We are different in looks, families, age, and talents. God made us different and has given us different talents.

Specifically, in Romans 12 Paul highlights seven different spiritual gifts.

Prophecy (preaching/heralding)

Serving

Encouraging

Teaching

Leadership

Giving

Mercy

I believe that God has specifically given to each of us a spiritual gift that we innately gravitate towards. What’s your spiritual gift? Take a spiritual gifts test.

Identify your talent.

GOD GIVES TALENTS FOR SERVING

1 Peter 4:10 KJV 1900

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

A consecrated life is a serving life.

If you can play an instrument, how are you using that to serve others?

If you love sports, how are you using that to serve others?

If you like to learn, how are you using that to serve others?

If you can drive, how are you using that to serve others?

We have been given gifts in order to give back in service to others. Are you serving somewhere at church? (*this is not only in church though)

Motive — Love

Object — Others

*look under the seat and find the “talent” and give an example of using that talent for others/God.

CONCLUSION

Surrendering Talents

Discussion: What is one talent, skill, or ability you know God has given you? Do you usually think of it as “yours” or as “God’s”?

Prayer Prompt: “Lord, thank You for the gifts and abilities You’ve given me. Help me to see my talents as Yours, not mine, and show me how I can fully surrender them to be used for Your purposes.”

Celebrating Differences

Discussion: How have you seen someone else’s talents make a difference in your life, or in our church/youth group?

Prayer Prompt: “God, thank You for making us all different. Help me not to compare myself to others, but to appreciate the unique gifts You’ve given them—and to use my own talents to strengthen the body of Christ.”

Serving with Love

Discussion: If you looked at your week ahead, where’s one spot you could realistically use your talent to serve someone else?

Prayer Prompt: “Father, open my eyes to ways I can use my talents to serve others this week. Give me a heart of love, not selfishness, so that what I do brings You glory and helps those around me.”