SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Where Do We Go From Here?

Memorial Drive 8/23/20 SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Where Do We Go From Here? Various Texts WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? ... ... OBEY * Because God's Word Always Demands Our Response James 1:22, 25 We are to prove ourselves not only HEARERS but DOERS that God can bless! I Corinthians 12:1 God doesn't want us to be UNAWARE of the spiritual gifts! I Corinthians 12:11 EVERY BELIEVER has one or more gifts! I Corinthians 12:7 Spiritual gifts are MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S SPIRIT! Your gifting is an expression of nothing less than God's own Spirit LIVING and WORKING and DOING through you! I Corinthians 12:7 Gifts are distributed FOR THE COMMON GOOD! I Peter 4:19 Use your gift to SERVE OTHERS and to display God's grace! * Because It's the Loving Thing to Do John 13:34 We are to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as Christ loves us! Differences and disagreements on non-essentials necessary in the fellowship and point out the measure and genuiness of our love for one another! John 13:35 Our love is what shows a watching world that we belong to Christ! The use of your spiritual gift/s is not optional! It is a mandatory part of loving one another and building the body of Christ! ... START and STICK WITH THE WORD OF GOD I Peter 1:22-25 We're to love one another because we've been born again through God's unchanging Word! Flesh will fail! And with it, our gifts are fallible! But God's Word never fails! Book of Acts ... Read it and let it stir your heart! I want to be THERE in boldness, in love, in appreciation of the privilege of assembling together, in seeing the Spirit work! ... PRAY Pray like mentioned on the bulletin back! Pray like Acts 4:29-31! Pray like the fella that wouldn't take "No!" for an answer! Prayer like Jesus tells us in Luke 11:5-13! ... EXPOSE YOURSELF TO THE WRITINGS OF GODLY AND SCHOLARLY MEN AND WOMEN WHO GOD IS USING TO BRING CLARITY ABOUT THE GIFTS IN HIS CHURCH Dreams and Visions: What Is God Doing In the Muslim World? Chasing the Dragon: The Jackie Pullinger Story The Gift of Prophecy - Wayne Grudem The Beginner's Guide To Prophecy - Jack Deere The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts - Sam Storms Practicing the Power - Sam Storms Website: Desiringgod.org - Read and listen to Jon Bloom and John Piper on gifts Website: bridgewaychurch.com - Watch the videos from the Convergence Conferences Also: D.A. Carson, Tope Koleoso, Terry Virgo, Frances Chan, Matt Chandler ... SEEK OUT, IDENTIFY, AND DEVELOP YOUR GIFTING * Consider Using a Spiritual Gift's Inventory * Let Your Spiritual Gift Find You "The spiritual gifts are not fireworks for our oohs and aahs. They are mainly given as means to extend love and the grace of God to others. Taking steps for the sake of Christ to love others whose needs extend beyond our capacities puts us (and them) squarely in the path of God's grace. When we've asked God to help us walk on water, we must then get out of the boat." (Jon Bloom, Desiring God) JUST DO IT! ... START OR SETTLE INTO A SMALL-GROUP Small groups are a wonderful place to be able to study the Word and discuss it's application, to pray for one another, and yes, to practice and develop your gift/s. Spiritual gifts ... Often abused or misused! Frequently neglected! But they are a Spirit-given, Spirit-empowered tool for both building the church and displaying God's grace! 2