Whatcha Got?

I love growth & I love progressing towards a better place and outcome.

I found a secret to growth - not only my own, but how I can help those around me as well

Here it is:

Ephesians 4:16 NKJV

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:16 Wuest NT

but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ, from whom all the Body constantly being joined closely together and constantly being knit together through every joint of supply according to the operative energy put forth to the capacity of each part, makes for increased growth of the Body resulting in the building up of itself in the sphere of love.

Giving & sharing what we have causes us & others connected to us to grow!

It’s Okay to be a “One Hit Wonder”:

Joke about the Gorilla that played golf (Gorilla Golf Meme)

Like :

“Ring My Bell” - Anita Ward

“Wipeout” - Surfaris

“Ice Ice Baby” - Vanilla Ice

We can learn a lot about Ephesians 4:19 by referencing the human body

Shoulder: (Ball & Socket Joint) - Can do MANY things, but is unstable

The human shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. [1] This mobility provides the upper extremity with tremendous range of motion such as adduction, abduction, flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, and 360° circumduction in the sagittal plane. Furthermore, the shoulder allows for scapular protraction, retraction, elevation, and depression. This wide range of motion also makes the shoulder joint unstable.

Elbow: (Hinge Joint) Does ONE thing with great stability.

The elbow joint is functionally a hinge joint, allowing movement in only one plane (uniaxial).

For a builder, sometimes the stability of just one thing is more desirable than the “do everything” at the cost of stability.

So…Whatcha Got?

I’d like to look at 2 Biblical examples of people who drastically undervalued what they had in their possession.

Moses:

Exodus 4:1–3 NKJV

1 Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ” 2 So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” 3 And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

Moses viewed what he had available to him as a plain ol’ stick.

When put into God’s service, Moses’ ordinary stick became a competition destroying, fake exposing, plague unleashing instrument of freedom for God’s people.

Widow Woman in Debt:

2 Kings 4:2–4 NKJV

2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.”

This widow woman thought that all she had in her possession was an insignificant jar of oil.

When the widow woman put action to the word of the Lord, her small jar of oil turned into a bottomless jar of debt destroying, future creating, oily freedom who’s only need was a place to pour.

Celebrate what you DO have!

Ask God to help you to see what He can do with whatever you have to give

Matthew 25:25 NKJV

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

Don’t let fear stop you from investing what God has given you into others.

Be a doer!

James 1:23–25 NKJV

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

When we do & give, we will see God the greatness of God move through us with blessing.

If you don’t have any idea what you are good at, or have your doubts:

Ask others you trust: “What am I good at?”

Then: Believe them!

Some Quotes from Mother Teresa:

a true giver, that will bless and motivate you:

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”

“There is a thing you can do but I cannot and there is a thing I can but you cannot; so, let us make something beautiful for God.”

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

“He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your weakness.”

Just One Thing:

No matter what you’ve got, give it & let’s see this body grow as every joint supplies the need.

Discussion Questions:

What’s your secret talent?

What are some areas (or an area) you know that God has given you ability to be a blessing to those around you?

Please read the account in Matthew 25:14-30. Please share how this parable (a story with a meaning) speaks to you about the talents you have been entrusted with from God.

What has historically been your view regarding the skills talents and abilities that you have been given and invested in? Has that view at all changed through this sermon? If so, in what way(s)?