Embracing Our Gifts for Community Growth and Impact
Summary
Today, I began by addressing the congregation with a warm welcome and a mention of Cinco de Mayo, highlighting the importance of celebrating and acknowledging the rich Mexican culture. I also shared a personal anecdote about attending a men's retreat, emphasizing the transformative experiences that occurred there and encouraging participation in future events.
I transitioned into discussing the importance of spiritual growth and community involvement within our church. I highlighted how every member of our congregation has been gifted by God not for personal gain but for the benefit of the whole community. This point was underscored by referencing 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul talks about the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ, each intended to strengthen and edify the church.
The sermon delved into the practical aspects of these gifts, stressing that our church operates at full capacity only when everyone contributes. I used the metaphor of a sports team to explain how a variety of roles and functions are necessary for overall success, just as in our church community where diverse gifts lead to a well-rounded ministry.
I shared a powerful story about the impact of seemingly small acts of service, recounting how an usher's simple act of finding seats for two young men, including Billy Graham, led to a transformative moment in their lives and, subsequently, in the lives of millions. This story illustrated the profound impact of every role within the church, no matter how small it may seem.
I also addressed the younger members of our congregation, emphasizing their critical role in God's plan. I encouraged them to lean into their faith and use their youthful energy and perspective to make a significant impact for Christ, especially in a world that often challenges Christian values.
The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging every member of the congregation to identify and use their spiritual gifts. I emphasized that our church's strength and effectiveness in ministry depend on each member's active participation. We explored how the early church in Acts managed growth and the distribution of responsibilities among its members, which allowed the apostles to focus on prayer and ministry of the word.
Finally, I led the congregation in prayer, asking for God's guidance in helping each of us discover and fulfill our roles within His divine plan, thereby ensuring that our church continues to grow not only in numbers but also in spiritual depth and community impact.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Every Role in the Church
Every role within the church, no matter how seemingly minor, has the potential to make a significant impact. The story of the usher who found a seat for Billy Graham illustrates that every act of service contributes to the broader mission of the church. This encourages us to embrace and excel in our roles, understanding that God uses each of us to fulfill His purpose. [59:43]
2. Spiritual Gifts are for the Common Good
As discussed in 1 Corinthians 12, the diversity of spiritual gifts within the church is by divine design. Each gift is given not for personal glorification but for the edification of the church. This understanding should lead us to serve humbly and diligently, knowing that our contributions help the entire community grow stronger and more cohesive. [54:23]
3. Youth Involvement is Crucial
Young people hold a critical role in the vitality and future of the church. Their energy and perspective are invaluable, especially in reaching their peers. Encouraging young members to fully commit to their faith and take active roles in ministry can lead to significant growth and renewal within the church community. [01:24:14]
4. Growth Brings Challenges and Opportunities
As our church grows, we will face challenges similar to those encountered by the early church in Acts. These challenges require us to adapt and optimize the distribution of tasks. This process not only helps in managing growth effectively but also in ensuring that all members are engaged and contributing according to their gifts. [42:31]
5. Continuous Personal and Corporate Growth
Just as healthy beings grow, a healthy church must also grow. This growth is not just in numbers but also in spiritual maturity and community involvement. Each member's commitment to personal growth in faith and service significantly contributes to the overall health and impact of the church. [38:13]
### Youtube Chapters
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [28:55] - Introduction and Personal Sharing
- [30:11] - Promise Cards Explanation
- [32:41] - Diversity and Unity in the Church
- [34:03] - Reading from Acts and Church Growth
- [47:21] - The Role of Leadership and Equipping Members
- [55:04] - Importance of Spiritual Gifts
- [01:00:17] - Story of Impact through Service
- [01:10:03] - Prayer for Church Growth and Member Involvement
- [01:21:22] - Special Address to Young People
- [01:24:14] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)
> "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
2. Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)
> "Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.' And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith."
3. Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV)
> "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main issue that arose in the early church as described in Acts 6:1-7?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, who empowers the different spiritual gifts within the church?
3. In Ephesians 4:11-13, what is the purpose of the different roles (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers) given to the church?
4. How did the apostles in Acts 6 address the problem of the neglected widows? [34:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the apostles in Acts 6 prioritized prayer and the ministry of the word over serving tables? [34:03]
2. How does the diversity of spiritual gifts, as described in 1 Corinthians 12, contribute to the overall health and function of the church?
3. What does it mean for the church to grow in "unity of the faith" and "knowledge of the Son of God" as mentioned in Ephesians 4:13?
4. How can the story of the usher who found a seat for Billy Graham illustrate the importance of every role within the church? [59:43]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How are you currently using them to serve the church community? If you are not, what steps can you take to start using them? [55:04]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of youth involvement in the church. If you are a young person, how can you actively contribute to your church's mission? If you are older, how can you support and mentor the younger members? [01:21:22]
3. Think about a time when you experienced "growing pains" in your personal life or within the church. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? [39:35]
4. The sermon mentioned that healthy churches grow not just in numbers but also in spiritual maturity and community involvement. What specific actions can you take to contribute to both types of growth in your church? [36:57]
5. How can you identify and address any areas in your church where people might be "falling through the cracks" like the neglected widows in Acts 6? What practical steps can you take to ensure everyone feels valued and included? [42:31]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of every role, no matter how small. Can you think of a "small" role you or someone else has played that had a significant impact? How does this change your perspective on service? [59:43]
7. How can you encourage others in your church to discover and use their spiritual gifts? What can you do to foster a culture of active participation and mutual support? [01:00:17]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Small Acts
Every small act of service in the church can lead to monumental impacts. The story of the usher who found a seat for Billy Graham is a profound example of how seemingly minor roles are integral to God's plan. This usher's simple act not only changed the course of Billy Graham's life but also, through him, touched millions of lives around the world. This illustrates that no role within the church is too small or insignificant. Each task, no matter how minor it appears, holds the potential for incredible spiritual impact. This understanding should inspire every church member to embrace their roles with enthusiasm and faithfulness, knowing that their contributions are vital to the church's mission and to God's broader plan. [59:43]
Matthew 25:40 ESV: "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
Reflection: Consider a role you play in your community that seems small or insignificant. How can you approach this role with renewed importance and dedication, knowing it has the potential for great impact?
Day 2: Spiritual Gifts Strengthen the Community
Spiritual gifts are not for personal glory but for the edification of the church community. As highlighted in 1 Corinthians 12, each gift is uniquely bestowed by God to serve others and build up the church. This divine design ensures that when each member uses their gifts, the entire community grows stronger and more cohesive. Understanding this should lead every believer to serve humbly and diligently, recognizing their role in God's plan and the collective strength it brings to their church family. [54:23]
1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What spiritual gift have you been given, and how are you currently using it to serve your church community?
Day 3: The Vital Role of Youth in the Church
Young people are crucial to the vitality and future of the church. Their energy, creativity, and unique perspectives are invaluable, especially in reaching out to their peers and bringing fresh ideas into the church. Encouraging young members to fully commit to their faith and take active roles in ministry can lead to significant growth and renewal within the church community. This involvement not only nurtures their spiritual growth but also ensures the church remains dynamic and relevant across generations. [01:24:14]
1 Timothy 4:12 ESV: "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Reflection: If you are a young person, how can you step up in your church? If you are older, how can you encourage and mentor the youth in your congregation?
Day 4: Navigating Growth with Grace and Strategy
As the church grows, it faces both challenges and opportunities. The early church in Acts provides a model for managing growth through the effective distribution of responsibilities, which allows for both logistical and spiritual needs to be met efficiently. This strategic approach ensures that all members are engaged and contributing according to their gifts, which is essential for the health and expansion of the church. [42:31]
Acts 6:3-4 ESV: "Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Reflection: What are some challenges your church is currently facing due to growth? How can you contribute to solving these challenges?
Day 5: Commitment to Personal and Corporate Growth
A healthy church, like any living organism, must grow. This growth is not limited to numbers but includes deepening spiritual maturity and increasing community involvement. Each member's commitment to personal growth in faith and service significantly contributes to the overall health and impact of the church. This collective growth fosters a strong, vibrant community that can effectively fulfill its mission and extend its reach. [38:13]
Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV: "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: In what ways can you commit to personal growth in your faith this week? How does this personal growth contribute to your church's overall health and mission?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I like to people watch. I think it's fun to watch people and just see what people do. And especially if you're at a place like you're at an amusement park or you're at an airport or sometimes even just at a restaurant, you know, you just, just watch people. Remember we used to go, remember when they had malls? You could go to a mall. But anyway, when Kathy and I are together and we're people watching, we'll usually play like guess their story." [31:17]
2. "I am a bricklayer by trade. And on the date of injuries, I was working alone, laying brick around the top of a four-story building, when I realized I had about 500 pounds of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to put them into a barrel and lower them by a pulley, which was fastened to the top of the building." [01:05:28]
3. "Good morning. How you doing? All right. Well, let me, wish you a happy Cinco de Mayo, everybody. Yay, Cinco de Mayo. So become a little bit more of a American holiday than a Mexican holiday, but it's a good chance for us to celebrate and acknowledge the great Mexican culture. And we love, we love that." [28:55]
### Quotes for Members
1. "You've been given a gift for all of us. Each of you. If you're a follower of Jesus, you're a Christian, you've been given a spiritual gift and it's not for you. It's for the rest of us. And they're all there important. All the gifts are important. What you've been given is important. And we're only operating at full strength when everybody contributes to the ministry of our church." [55:04]
2. "The most important things that happen have nothing to do with what we do up here. Might have to do with the conversation you have out over coffee afterwards, or maybe in the prayer over here, or in a classroom, or just walking up at Guest Central. Sometimes those are the most important things that happen. That's because we're all doing that ministry." [58:02]
3. "God added to their number. Now everybody's doing it and he's multiplying. The church continues to grow. The word of God increased. It began to influence people all around them in the city. In fact, it even says that many priests began following Jesus and became obedient to the faith." [01:03:29]
4. "We want to see more and more people come to know Jesus. We want to see heaven just get populated with more and more people that right now are lost without you. But Lord, we want them to know you. We want them to know how much you love them. We want you to know that you've got a great plan for them." [01:10:03]
5. "Let me tell you something about me. I like to really enjoy and appreciate God's creativity. Because think about this. Think about it. So if you're at a place, especially if you're at a place where there's a lot of diversity, you look at what God has done with pretty much the same ingredients, right? We all have two eyes, two ears, a nose, a mouth, a chin, some eyebrows, and some of us have hair." [31:17]
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