Salt and Light #4

Salt and Light

Lesson 4: Gifted to Serve

Scriptures: Ephesians 2:10, 1Peter 4:10, 1Corinthians 12:4-6

Bottom Line: God gives every believer spiritual gifts to help him or her be salt and light.

Teach

This has been an amazing teaching on salt and light! In our final lesson today we will discuss the various spiritual gifts or “presents” that God has given His children so that we can be a blessing to the body of Christ. The spiritual gifts also help us be good examples in the earth.

Everyone loves gifts, don’t they? Gifts are not only fun to receive but they are fun to GIVE, as in the case with God, who delights in giving His children good gifts. He has given us many marvelous gifts that He not only wants us to enjoy but also share with others. Today we will talk about a few of those.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork [achievement, accomplishment, creation], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

There are thousands of cool scriptures in the Bible, but this one is splendid! Seriously. It says something very deep about God and His wonderful plan for you (and me).

Apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Ephesians, says that ‘we are God’s handiwork’, His creation, and His masterpiece! God took special care when He created you and me. We are his most breath-taking success.

Not only did our heavenly father take delight in crafting us, He also designed us with a unique purpose. Did you know that before you were born, God already had a plan or a blueprint designed for your life? He put together an awesome plan for you in advance. So that means, before your mom and dad ever met each other, you were already in the plan of God.

So if you ever thought you were an accident or that you were not supposed to be born, think again! You were definitely supposed to be born; you’re here, aren’t you? Which is super cool to know. You are a destiny baby, and it’s good to meet you!

But it gets better. Not only were you pre-planned for (in God’s mind), but He also equipped you with special gifts so that when you got here (to the earth) you would do some amazing things and help many people along the way.

You were designed like a well-made automobile. Take the Tesla Model S, for example.

For all of the impressive new vehicles released in 2014, none was able to eclipse the innovation, magnificence, and sheer technological arrogance of the Tesla. That’s why it’s our best overall pick for the second consecutive year. Through the course of their life cycles, cars become obsolete quickly as newer models appear with updated gizmos. But with Tesla’s over-the-air software updates, a Model S that came off the line in 2013 has many of the same new features as one built today. Despite the Tesla’s teething problems at launch, our subscriber reports showed average reliability. The Model S is a technological tour de force, a high-performance electric vehicle with usable real-world range, wrapped in a luxury package.

Consumer Reports.

Now check out some of the features that the Tesla Model S was designed with:

All ElectricAluminum BodyHuge Touch ScreenWeb BrowserGoogle MapsFull UI AccessWireless ConnectivityGreat RangeFlush Door HandlesAuto LockPanoramic Glass RoofInstant Heat/CoolDual USB portsRemote Control AppExtensive LightingGPS Ride HeightGPS Homelink

A few other cool perks about this car are that you can use you cell phone as a key to unlock the doors if you ever lose or forget your key. There’s also a free sim card included in this car that comes with a 3G data connection. This is truly the car of the future!

Cars are built with special features, gizmos, and perks, but so were YOU! When God built (or created) you, He crafted special gifts, talents, and abilities into your being. You have unique gifts that God wants you to use to be salt and light to the people around you.

1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Your gifts were given to you to serve others, help others, and bless others. They were not given to you to brag about or to make you think you’re better than anyone else.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

This scripture states that there are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit distributes them. You may have one gift and your friend may have a different one, but it’s the same Spirit that has given you both your gifts. That Spirit is God. All of our gifts come from God.

So what are these gifts, you may be wondering?

Here’s a list of the most common gifts God has given the body of Christ. These gifts will help your friends, your family, and even people you don’t know if you use them for God’s glory.

Healing words – speaking encouraging words to othersMotivation – having the ability to motivate or inspire othersKindness – showing kindness through your words and actionsLove – loving people the way God loves youFaith – believing in God and believing in othersService - helping others in actions and not just wordsWisdom – giving someone good, godly advice based on experience

Remember to use your gifts to help others. Use positive, healing words every chance you get. Motivate someone in your life to do something they have been wanting to do but were nervous about doing. Show kindness always. Love much, believe much, serve your family, friends, and neighbors and use wisdom when it comes to being salt and light.

Small Group Questions

What does ‘we are God’s handiwork’ mean?What are we supposed to do with the gifts that God has given us?There are different gifts but the same _______________ that distributes them.What gift do you have that helps you be salt and light?Do you have more than one gift?How can you use healing words to help someone?When was the last time you motivated or encouraged a friend?