Imagine If: Exercise Spiritual Gifts

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Can you imagine if we were all doing exactly what we were created and gifted to do? What would the world look like then? Imagine if your unique set of gifts were so powerful they could be used to literally change the world. Join us in January for a two-part mini-series, Imagine If, where we'll learn to leverage our lives and gifts to better serve God.

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Intro:

Me - What a great week! I’ve witnessed you take the spiritual gifts test and move closer to God knowing that He has gifted you. I’ve watched and heard about others affirming your gifts.

My gifts are - LEADERSHIP, ENCOURAGEMENT & TEACHING I’ve been reexamining them.

I’ve learned that when I love God and love people and examine my gift, and plug my SHAPE into the structure of the local church I’m in a more dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

I spoke to someone that was stuck. They actually attempted to take their life. They took the test and told me that they now see life and their relationship with God differently.

We - Last weekend you discovered that when we examine our gifts we are framed to God’s design, we will fulfill God’s desire and be more focused Christ followers.

I want to encourage you to open your gift. brevardcommunity.org/serve

Ill - One Christmas, children were bringing gifts to their teacher. The florist’s son brought the teacher a bouquet. The candy store owner's son brought the teacher a pretty box of candy. Then the liquor store owner's son brought a big, heavy box. The teacher lifted it up and noticed that it was leaking a bit. She touched a drop of liquid with her finger and tasted it. “Is it wine?’ she guessed. “No” said the boy. She tasted another drop, “Champagne?” “No,” said the little boy. “It’s a puppy!”

You are special! -

God - God wants you to take and taste His spiritual gift that He gives at salvation.

Psalm 34:8 NLT

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Ex: TASTE / TAKE REFUGE - a way to taste an un-tangible God is to examine your gift that He gave you. Paul wanted the church to not misunderstand their gift.

1 Corinthians 12:1 NLT

1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.

1 Cor 12:1

Ex: MISUNDERSTAND

Paul - don’t miss out of leveraging your life.

The main references concerning GIFTS can be found in other epistles or letters to the early churches.

, , &

(Show NT breakdown)

Spiritual Gift = A gift given by God at salvation that builds up the church while building up the believer.

Spiritual = things characterized or controlled by the Spirit.

Gifts are a spiritual thing.

Gifts = things not earned or deserved as a result of the grace of God.

Gifts are a God thing!

Ill - Lego

This means -

You are special!

Your role is vital!

You are connected!

Your spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit but for the benefit of others.

- Rick Warren

Trans: Imagine a leveraged life that exercises their S.H.A.P.E. in the context of biblical STRUCTURE.

Two Keys Exercising Your Gift

Exercise Your Gift In The Context Of S.H.A.P.E.

God has been molding and shaping you for ministry since you were born. In fact, God started uniquely shaping even before you were born!

Psalm 139:14–16 NLT

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:14–15 NLT

Psalms 139:

Ex: MAKING ME / WORKMANSHIP / FORMED / WOVEN /

Psalms

Psalm 139:14–16 NLT

Psalms 139:

Ex: MAKING ME / WORKMANSHIP / FORMED / WOVEN /

Job 10:8 NLT

8 “ ‘You formed me with your hands; you made me, yet now you completely destroy me.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ex: GOD’S MASTERPIECE / CREATED / HE PLANNED

To truly leverage our lives we have to go beyond just examining our gift we must exercise our S.H.A.P.E.

Your spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit but for the benefit of others.

- Rick Warren

What is my S.H.A.P.E.?

S Spiritual Gifts

What I’m I Gifted To Do?

1 Corinthians 7:7 NLT

7 But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.

H Heart

1 Cor 7:7

What Do I Love To Do?

A Abilities

What Natural Talents And Skills Do I Have?

P Personality

Where Does My Personality Best Suit Me To Serve?

E Experiences

How can my experience serve others?

What

(^^^ go through volunteer opportunities^^^)

What was Paul’s S.H.A.P.E.?

S Spiritual Gifts

“...I was appointed a preacher…” 2 Tim 1:11

H Heart

“My constant ambition has been to preach the Gospel where the name of Christ was preveously unknown,...” Romans 15:20

A Abilities

“…He debated in the synagogues every Sabbath, trying to convince both Jew and Gentiles.” Acts 18:2-4

P Personality

“… I persecuted the church with fanatical zeal… and had boundless enthusiasm...” Galatians 1:13-14

E Experiences

“… I was given a thorn in my flesh,”… Acts 22:3

Ill - Paula’s SHAPE | Teaching, Music, Organization, Introvert, Band

App - What is your SHAPE?

Imagine If you exercised your SPIRITUAL GIFTS and ABILITIES in the area of your HEART'S DESIRE in a way that best expresses your PERSONALITY and EXPERIENCE!

Your life would be leveraged and not average!

Trans: Imagine a leveraged life that exercises their S.H.A.P.E. in the context of biblical STRUCTURE.

Exercise Your S.H.A.P.E. In The Context Of Structure

Ill - Legos & Star Wars

Did you know that God is pro structure, organization and systems? God created the solar system, the circulatory system.

The NT does not present us with a comprehensive, exhaustive organizational structure. In the NT we discover what the early church DID. The NT does not lay out a comprehensive plan instructing church leaders what to DO. Always differentiate between what is PREscriptive and what is DEscriptive.

There is a great example of a unhealthy and a healthy structure in the OT. It is found in

Ex: Background/Context

Exodus 18:19 NLT

19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.

Exodus 18:17–18 NLT

17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.

Ex 18:17-

Ex:

We must acknowledge that a few people doing the majority of ministry IS NOT GOOD. Structure trumps statements.

We exist to move people into a more dynamic relationship with Jesus.

We must constantly align and realign our structure and systems to promote sustainability.

Moses has linear structure. It was Moses and then everyone else. Not HEALTHY

Exodus 18:

Exodus 18:19 NLT

19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.

At BCC we pray first! Great advice from Jethro!

Exodus 18:21 NLT

21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.

Ex 18:21

Based on their SHAPE a structure was built.

(Show black & white org chart)

Exodus 18:23 NLT

23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

Exodus 18:

People serving in a structure based on their SHAPE will be be sustainable! Healthy!

The children of Isreal continued to move and grow!

Arg: I see structural growth but what about spiritual growth?

You can’t divide or franchise a life of service and a spiritual life. That is a tenancy.

Ill: Servants v/s Saints

App: Imagine If we have a structure here at BCC that is based on your SHAPE that also produced spiritual growth? How?

Team Trees!!! Imagine joining a structured team, the STUFFER TEAM, there would be a CAPTAIN, 4 CAPTAIN and 4 Weekly Teams of 4. The STUFFER TEAM = 21 people. On the weekends you gather and serve. Then once a month the CAPTAIN would meet with the CO CAPTAINS, the CO CAPTAINS would meet with the TEAM MEMBERS. These would be one on one, heart to heart, face to face to build each other up MEETINGS.

(Do Org Chart - Weekly Stuffer Team (Captain Wk 1-4 Co-Captain / 4 Team Members)

Team Tree Meetings Agenda

Growth: Truths that set me free.

Equipping: Resources that help me improve.

Shepherding: Questions that reveal my soul.

Imagine if the majority of the people that attend on the weekend would serve an hour (Thurs 7pm, Sun 9 or 11) and celebrate an hour once or twice a month. Imagine the collaboration, relationshiops the sustainability and success. Imagine that during the week CAPTIANS and team members where getting together to talk through the Team Tree Agenda. What would that look like?

At BCC when you exercise your SHAPE in our structure (TEAM TREES) we desire for you to build up the church while building yourself up. To serve while you grow!

Our staff is commited to this growth strategy! We are leaving the ministry and becoming equipers!

Ephesians 4:11–12 NLT

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:

Conc:

God’s desire, my desire and your desire should be to examine and exercise your God given S.H.A.P.E. in the context of a biblical structure.

What an opportunity to leverage for the growth of BCC and your personal growth!

We have several ministry teams here at NewPointe

Dover. I want to point you to a next step of inquiring

about practicing your ministry with them.

 Family Life Team – This team is made up of

Rainforest, Velocity, Remix and Collective

Nights.

Imagine If – Your ministry as a Small Group

Leader and commitment of 1hr a week kept

a High School Senior from walking away

from the faith after they graduate. You’re not

OK with 60% of students leaving the church

when they graduate High School.

 Creative Arts Team – This teams is

comprised the Band & Production.

Imagine If – God used your SHAPE to

change someone’s view of God. They

walked in on a Thursday or Sunday and laid

their head on their pillow see God differently

because of the creative Truth you presented.

You’re not OK with people worshipping

everything else but God.

 Facilities Team – This team keeps us

running physically. They are made up of

Grass Mowing/Landscaping, Weekday,

Projects, and Chair Team.

Imagine If – Your ministry is to keep kids

safe while at the Dover Campus. That moms

have confidence to leave their kids in a

secure environment while they learn truth

that changes their lives. Your not OK with

parents not having confidence while here.

 Adult Life Team – This teams has Group

Leaders, Care Network Volunteers, Pastoral,

Marriage, Funeral, 1 st Impressions & Host

Teams.

Imagine If – God used your SHAPE to

mentor someone through depression and

anxiety. Through a miscarriage or a broken

marriage. You’re not OK with people

reaching their full potential in Christ because

of emotional issues. You’re not OK with

Christian marriages ended in divorce.

I want to image where we are going but I also want

to celebrate where we are. You have used what

God has given you to serve Him and help other.

Thanks you! If you are a volunteer I want to

celebrate you! Clap!!!

Before we bow and pray. I want you to look around

one more time. You’ve got an amazing opportunity

today. When I say Amen I want you to take your

card to a Team Table and turn it in.

If you’d like to do some more research you can go

to two places on our website.

NewPointe.org/volunteer & NewPointe.org/missions

If you don’t know what ministry opportunity to seize

you can meet in the conference room for a longer

conversation today.

The world at its worst deserves the church at its

best. You can make a huge difference in people’s

lives, not for a day, a week, or a month or a year,

but for all of eternity.

We are all ministers!

When I say Amen after this prayer just walk over to

a Team Table and introduce yourself. They will get

your name and we will be in contact with you this

week.

If you would like to inquire about starting

We have several ministry teams here at BCC. I want to point you to a next move of inquiring about practicing your ministry with them.

Family Ministry Team – This team is made up of SSP, Kid Zone and Switch.

Imagine If – Your ministry as a Small Group Leader and commitment of 1hr a week kept a High School Senior from walking away from the faith after they graduate. You’re not OK with 60% of students leaving the church when they graduate High School.

Adult Life Team – This teams has Group Leaders, Care Network Volunteers, Pastoral, Marriage, Funeral & Host Teams.

Imagine If – God used your SHAPE to change someone’s view of God. They walked in on a Thursday or Sunday and laid their head on their pillow see God differently because of the creative Truth you presented. You’re not OK with people worshipping everything else but God.

Adult Life Team – This teams has Group Leaders, Care Network Volunteers, Pastoral, Marriage, Funeral, 1st Impressions & Host Teams.

Imagine If – God used your SHAPE to mentor someone through depression and anxiety. Through a miscarriage or a broken marriage. You’re not OK with people reaching their full potential in Christ because of emotional issues. You’re not OK with Christian marriages ended in divorce.

Creative Arts/Production Team – This teams is comprised the Band & Production.

Operations Team – This team keeps us running physically. They are made up of Grass Mowing/Landscaping, Weekday Projects, Security and Chair Team.

Imagine If – Your ministry is to keep kids safe while at the Dover Campus. That moms have confidence to leave their kids in a secure environment while they learn truth that changes their lives. Your not OK with parents not having confidence while here.

Office & Administration Team - This team takes care of the details. They are behind the scenes inputting data, planning calendars and revering and recording.

Imagine If - You create a mailing list about a marriage conference and it’s sent out to a young couple about to spilt up. Imagine if they come to an event you helped administrate and their lives are changed. You’re not OK with details being dropped.

First Impressions Team - This team creates a welcoming, loving environment. It’s made up of Parking, Greeters, Coffee & Section Hosts.

Imagine If - that wife who comes to BCC whose husband is far from God. He has preconceived ideas about Christians being unfriendly, stuffy and mad. He finally decides to come and is greeted by non-judgmental people his impression of church is changed because of this teams intentional effort. You’re not OK with people not filling welcomed.

(Each One Of These Needs A Slide ie OFFICE & ADMINISTRATION TEAM budget, reception, scheduling, project management, data input, email)

I want to image where we are going but I also want to celebrate where we are. You have used what God has given you to serve Him and help other. Thanks you! If you are a volunteer I want to celebrate you! Clap!!!

Before we bow and pray. I want you to look around one more time. You’ve got an amazing opportunity today. When I say Amen I want you to take your card to a Team Table and turn it in.

If you’d like to do some more research you can go to our website.

brevardcommunity.org/serve GIFTS TEST / SHAPE FORM / VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The world at its worst deserves the church at its best. You can make a huge difference in people’s lives, not for a day, a week, or a month or a year, but for all of eternity.

We are all need to examine and exercise our SHAPE!

NEXT MOVE -

When I say Amen after this prayer just walk over to a Team Table and introduce yourself. They will get your name and we will be in contact with you this week.

If you would like to inquire about starting a relationship with Jesus Christ members of our prayer team will be down front to talk with you.