Part 2: You Are Unique
Unwrap Your Spiritual Gift • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsYou have a unique part in God's plan.
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Introduction: Gifts are unique
Introduction: Gifts are unique
Men’s, women’s, expensive, basic, luxury.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Romans 12:3-
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
1. You have a unique measure of faith .
1. You have a unique measure of faith .
We have abilities to serve that come from the faith God gives us. Our measure of faith is different, but the source is the same for all of us, the Father .
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
We are assigned a particular aspect of faith related to our gifts. μέτρον LN 37.100
μερίζωd: to assign a particular part or aspect of a function or responsibility—‘to assign a particular responsibility, to give a particular task to, to appoint a particular part to.’
Each gift requires faith. The faith to give to a need you are led to give to is different from the faith to share the gospel with someone and is different from the faith to help a weak person in need.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
2. You have a unique aspect of grace.
2. You have a unique aspect of grace.
2. Different aspects of grace or favor as part of our gifts.
2. Different aspects of grace or favor as part of our gifts.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Grace is favor from God. It is what enables us to be effective in our specific task. When a person is gifted in faith, she can boldly declare something when she believes God led her to declare it and it will come to pass. When a person with a teaching gift is led by the Spirit, He says things that give insight and bring life change.
These result are far beyond human possibilities. They are because of God’s favor!
God’s grace and favor attached to each gift that is unique to the way our gifts function is different for each gift.
: prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
if it is serving, then serve;
if it is teaching, then teach;
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
3. You have a unique gift.
3. You have a unique gift.
1. Different gifts but the same source, the Spirit. ,
1. Different gifts but the same source, the Spirit. ,
We have different gifts but the same source, the same one who gives to us all, the Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
Gifts are spiritual enablements. χάρισμα LN 57.103
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Gifts are spiritual enablements. χάρισμα LN 57.103
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 57.103 χάρις, ιτος; χάρισμα, τος
that which is given freely and generously—‘gift, gracious gift.’
Gifts:
Prophesying , , ,
Serving
Teaching
Exhortation - Encouraging
Giving
Leading
Mercy - Showing mercy
Sent ones - Apostles ,
Evangelism - Evangelists
2. Evangelism - Evangelists
Pastors and teachers ,
Message of wisdom
Message of knowledge
Faith
Healing ,
Miraculous powers ,
Discernment - Distinguishing of spirits
Tongues ,
Interpretation of tongues , ;
Helps
Administration
4. You have a unique role.
4. You have a unique role.
All of our roles are assigned to us by the same leader, the Lord Jesus. Each is different.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
All our roles are service.
Equipping as in apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-teachers, teaching
Serving as in service, helps, administration
Guiding as in wisdom, knowledge, discernment, leading, faith, exhortation
Supporting as in giving, mercy, healing, miraculous powers, tongues, interpretation of tongues
Service is our role. διακονία LN 35.21
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 35.21 διακονία, ας
(derivative of διακονέωa ‘to serve,’ 35.19) the role or position of serving—‘ministry, task.’
Yet there are different general roles where our gifts function. Possible roles are:
Equipping as in apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-teachers, teaching
Serving as in service, helps, administration
Guiding as in wisdom, knowledge, discernment, leading, faith, exhortation
Supporting as in giving, mercy, healing, miraculous powers, tongues, interpretation of tongues
5. You have a unique task.
5. You have a unique task.
But we have the same one who enables us all in our unique tasks, the Father.
6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
ἐνέργημα
Their essence or character is different.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
Working is what we actually do. This is determined by the Father. ἐνέργημα LN 42.11
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 42.11 ἔργον, ου; ἐνέργημα, τος
(derivatives of ἐνεργέωa ‘to function, to work,’ 42.3) that which is done, with possible focus on the energy or effort involved—‘act, deed.’
There are many places you can use your gift.
Gift of service: Service: making coffee, opening and locking up the church, preparing and copying the bulletin, decorating, cleaning
Gift of teaching: small group, discipleship, preaching
Gift of tongues: prayer ministry
Gift of wisdom: counseling, marriage, financial, general, leadership such as elder or deacon
Gift of evangelism: one on one evangelism, training others to share their faith, leading seeker small groups, preaching
6. You have a unique service.
6. You have a unique service.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
We are assigned a particular aspect of faith related to our gifts. μέτρον LN 37.100
μερίζωd: to assign a particular part or aspect of a function or responsibility—‘to assign a particular responsibility, to give a particular task to, to appoint a particular part to.’
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
The way our gifts function is different for each gift.
: prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
7 if it is serving, then serve;
if it is teaching, then teach;
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
A. Equipping gifts.
A. Equipping gifts.
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
These are gifts that focus on the public ministry of the Word. In a sense they support the church. These are the following gifts:
apostles
prophecy
evangelism
pastor-teacher
teaching
exhortation
We could call these foundational gifts () or equipping gifts. They are all speaking gifts.
There are some gifts that by nature are more service or ministry oriented.
B. Serving gifts.
B. Serving gifts.
These are given for the common good.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
wisdom
knowledge
faith
healing
All gifts are described as "services" in and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; So while there is a specific gift of service ("ministry," ), it is the purpose of all these gifts to minister to (i.e., serve) the church.
miraculous p;owers
prophecy
distinguishing spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues
All gifts are described as "services" in and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; So while there is a specific gift of service ("ministry," ), it is the purpose of all these gifts to minister to (i.e., serve) the church.
There are some gifts that by nature are more service or ministry oriented.
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 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.
Speaking gifts.
says 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies
A key passage talking about service is . It is also a passage that talks about spiritual gifts. The passage begins with talking about sacrifice in verses 1-2.
Non-speaking gifts.
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
It is significant that Paul begins demanding complete consecration of every one of us who has experienced "the mercies of God" (verse 1). We are to sacrifice ourselves for the work of the Lord (verse 1). Obviously, that sacrifice of ourselves in service is not worth much if we are dead, so he calls for a "living sacrifice." And if He doesn't have our bodies, He really doesn't have us at all, so he says that we are to present our "bodies a living sacrifice." God demands of every one of us to expend ourselves for God. To put our selves on the altar of sacrifice, as it were, giving over to Him all we are and have, placing ourselves totally in service for Him. That is verses 1 and 2.
What gift or gifts do you think you have?
It then continues with talking about how to sacrifice, by using our spiritual gifts!
Why do you think that?
But how? In what way are we to serve Him? Verse 3 answers that question as it begins the discussion of the exercise of our spiritual gifts. God says, in effect, "I want you to expend yourselves for Me -- serving others." You see, if you are not serving others (which is the purpose of your giftedness), you are not fulfilling the commands of . You are not consecrated fully, a living sacrifice, unless and until you are serving. Our culture works against this. We live independent lives and all have busy schedules. It’s difficult to even think much about others, let alone take time to serve them. Nonetheless, consecration demands that we serve others, that we exercise our gifts as God gives opportunity.
What are ways to use your gift at Longmeadow or elsewhere?
These are the following gifts:
These are the following gifts:
administration
leadership
faith
giving
helping
mercy
service
discerning of spirits or discernment.
These are all gifts that minister to others supplying different things that are lacking and needed in the body.
C. Sign gifts
These are all gifts that minister to others supplying different things that are lacking and needed in the body.
C. Sign gifts
Sign gifts identify or point out the significance of something.
A key passage in our understanding of this is
3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
We see this in , all were amazed and what was happening. v. 41 three thousand saved!
We see one of the sign gifts in . All who were there were amazed by the sign of people speaking in their languages and everything that happened. The result in is that three thousand were saved!
These are the following gifts:
knowledge
wisdom
miracles
healings
tongues
interpreting tongues
The challenge with these gifts is seeing what is normative today. Does God heal today? Does God do miracles today? Yes. And, there are verified stories of Biblical tongues in various parts of the world. We do not deny these things happen. The question is whether or not these acts of God are the spiritual gift? They don’t seem to work today like in the NT times!
Wait a minute? Where is my gift? I didn’t see it up there! I am only listing the gifts that the Bible calls gifts!