Understanding and Using the Grace Given to You

Intro

Branchline Update: Where are we at?

John Ward

Baptisms - 13 people!!

Membership - more than 20

Summer Schedule - meeting outdoors every third week

BKidz - starting up July 4

Finances - tough. We are not here to make a profit. But we’re also not going to make it long if we spend more than we receive. Hence, the decisions of the board.

Search Team / Board Meeting

(survey, church profile, pastoral profile, etc.)

My People My Place

Romans 12:3–8 NIV

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; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 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.

Spiritual gifts are special abilities given to believers by the Holy Spirit, equipping them to serve and minister both within and outside of the Church, or Body of Christ.

Kevin Brennfleck; Kay Marie Brennfleck. Live Your Calling: A Practical Guide to Finding and Fulfilling Your Mission in Life

Biblical references for spiritual gifts are found in 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:7-16; and 1 Peter 4: 10-11.

The Body of Christ needs each of our gifts. If any of us are not active in using our gifts, the Church as a whole is weakened.

What is a Grace that is Given?

1. Your Grace is a Unique Call

A call tells us who we’ll be relating to.

Romans 12:3 NIV

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.

Galatians 2:9 NIV

9 James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

Ephesians 3:7–8 NIV

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,

When we view the grace as a call, it invites us into a relationship with specific people.

e.g. kids, greeters, setup, small group, missions,

Serving is more than a task to do. It is a people to belong to.

2. Your Grace is a Unique Gift

A gift tells us what we will do with the people we are relating to.

Romans 12:6 NIV

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 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:7 NIV

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

3. Discover Your Grace

Often the call comes before the gift.

Pray.

Philippians 4:6–7 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Know what the gifts are and how they operate.

1 Corinthians 12:1 NIV

1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

Look for the gifts to be displayed in others.

prophet - I keep seeing the mission’s team working in areas that you are interested in. Do you see the same thing?

encourager - I believe that you would do really well with the mission’s team.

teacher - I’ve been looking through the Scriptures about spiritual gifts and I believe that you have a gift of __________. How does that make you think?

server - I’d love for you to join our team. We’re a pretty connected group, but we’re always looking for more people to join in on the fun.

Desire to know your gifts by delighting in the Lord.

Psalm 37:4 NIV

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

1 Corinthians 12:31 NIV

31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

Get involved with a ministry team even if you have not confirmed your gifts.

Be available to serve.

Ask others to confirm your gifts.

Honestly evaluate your joy and effectiveness in ministry settings.

You are a part of the body of Christ and an active participant in the life of Branchline! God has called you here and given you gifts that he longs for you to use.