Gifts for Service and Outreach

Gionathan

Pneuma • Sermon • Submitted 2 months ago • Presented 2 months ago

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1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Holy Spirit, Ministry Of

On a particularly rough airplane flight, a lady became very airsick. Her shoulders drooped, and her head slumped forward—she was totally wiped out. The stewardess came by to help her. “Come, come now,” she said, “buck up and get control of yourself. Sit up and take courage.” She put her arm under the lady’s arm and helped her sit upright in her seat, gave her gum to chew, and then went to get her some water. With the help of the stewardess, the lady finished the trip in far better condition than she began it in.

This is like the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He comes alongside to help us when we are in hopeless defeat. He admonishes us, encourages us, and restores hope and faith in our lives.667

Sermon’s ouline:

Administration;

Helpful Deeds;

Ministry or Service;

Exhortation;

Giving;

Ruling, Caring;

Showing Mercy;

All Gifts Needed.

N.1 - Administration

1 Corinthians 12:28 NIV

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

Administration: managment and organization important to the achievement of established goals and objectives.

The plural seems to indicate a variaty of expressions of this gift to meet the needs of a position of administration.

The plural may also indicate that gift was available to other positions involving leadership or administration as well.

Acts 27:11 NIV

But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.

A closely related noun means a pilot of a ship.

It woud seem to imply managing the business affairs of a congregation as well as giving spiritual leadership.

Quiz: What officials in your local church or denomination will you pray for, that the Holy Spirit may exercise this gift through them?

a) Just Apostles

b) Angels, Pastors

c) Apostles and Prophets

d) Deacons, Elders and Pastors (yes)

N.2 - Helpful Deeds

1 Corinthians 12:28 NIV

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

The plural again indicates a variety of helpful deeds that may be inspired by this gift. The corresponding verb means to take someone’s part, or come to the aid of someone.

Acts 20:35 NIV

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

The word “help” was sometimes used in ancient times as a tacnical banking term for a chief accountant:

Acts 6:2–3 NIV

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them

The word “tables” means “money tables”, and refers to a cash fund. There is nothing “unspiritual” about money matters in the work of the church. The deacons also ministered the church’s help to the poor, the weak, and the sick.

The results of this gift is glorious:

Acts 6:7 NIV

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

N.3 - Ministry or Service

Romans 12:7 NIV

if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;

The same Greek word is used of both the ministry of the World and the ministry of the seven in Acts 6:2 “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”

It was often used for the preparation of a meal, and also of various types of spiritual service, such distribution of help to the poor.

Think of those who open their homes for gospel services, take care of the sanctuary, pray, lead the children and youth in special activities, provide food for fellowship meals, give hospitality to visiting believers and Christian workers, sing in the choir, play an instrument, do secretarial work, visit the sick, sew for the poor or for Christian workers, work in literature preparation and distribution or in broadcasting the gospel, invite people to services, are friendly to visitors, encourage other Christians. Think of the Christian schools, hospitals, clinics, relief work, rehabilitation centers, correspondence schools, publishing houses, and radio or television stations where people are involved in ministries.

N.4 - Exhortation

Romans 12:8 NIV

if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

This gift includes the ideas of urging, challenging, or making an appeal.

Specific encouragement to endure to the end and to keep the hope of Christ’s coming before us is another aspect of this gift.

Quiz: How is the gift of exhortation (encouragement) used?

a) To bless people

b) To reproach people

c) To urge people (yes)

d) To convince people

N.5 - Giving

Ephesians 4:28 NIV

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

This implies giving a part of what you have, sharing with others, especially of giving to the needy.

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 239: Giving

According to USA Today, on Wednesday, November 23, 1994, a couple named Sandy and Theresa boarded TWA flight 265 in New York to fly to Orlando and see Disney World. Theresa was almost seven months pregnant. Thirty minutes into the flight, Theresa doubled over in pain and began bleeding. Flight attendants announced that they needed a doctor, and a Long Island internist volunteered.

Theresa soon gave birth to a boy. But the baby was in trouble. The umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his neck, and he wasn’t breathing. His face was blue.

N.6 - Ruling, Caring

Once again, leadership is not a matter of dominating others or playing the tyrant, but of service.

This gift helps our leaders care for our souls and makes the whole church concerned about helping one another under the leadership God has given us.

N.7 - Showing Mercy

Romans 12:8 NIV

if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

This gift means helping other graciously and with compassion. It involves the personal care of te needy, te sick, the hungry, the naked (Dorcas in Acts 9:39 “Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.”) , and the prisoners.

This gift is to be ministered with cheerfulness, gladness and graciousness.

We might mention the importance of mercy in our attitudes toward the faults of others, love that looks for ways to help them rather than a harsh, critical attitude. This love—this attitude toward others all around us—comes from the Spirit of God.