Embracing Our Gifts: Serving God and Community
Summary
Pastor Becky's sermon begins with a prayer of praise and worship, acknowledging God's infinite wisdom, power, and love. She then leads the congregation in a prayer, asking God to help them discern their individual gifts and to use them to the best of their abilities. The pastor emphasizes the importance of each member of the church, highlighting that all parts are needed and have value. The sermon then shifts to a prayer for the world, specifically mentioning areas affected by war and victims of a recent mass murder in Maine. The pastor also acknowledges the prevalence of mental illness and prays for those struggling with it.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing the unique gifts and abilities that each individual possesses within the body of Christ. She uses the analogy of the big toe, emphasizing that even though it may be considered unattractive or overlooked, it plays a crucial role in maintaining balance. Similarly, every gift and every person within the body of Christ is significant and contributes to the overall functioning and progress of the church. The pastor encourages the congregation to take a test to discern their God-given gifts, which can then help them find their place and purpose within the church's ministries and activities.
The pastor acknowledges God's ability to heal and hold His people close, but also asks for the congregation to be enabled to be God's hands and feet, serving in His name and going where He needs them to go. She expresses gratitude to God for His promise to never leave them and always be with them. The pastor emphasizes the importance of putting their gifts into service and putting God's love into action. The sermon also includes an invitation to the upcoming trunk or treat event, emphasizing that rain or shine, the church is there for the community and encourages everyone to come and join in the festivities.
The pastor discusses the gift of healing and the power of God to perform miracles. She shares a conversation with an oncologist and a profusionist from their previous congregation who both witnessed miraculous healings. The pastor emphasizes that God is the great healer and that some individuals are gifted with the ability to heal. She also addresses the skepticism surrounding miracles, acknowledging that while we may not witness grand miracles like the parting of the Red Sea, miracles still occur in our lives. The pastor shares her personal experience of her daughter being a walking miracle and encourages the congregation to recognize the miraculous stories in their own lives.
The pastor concludes the sermon by discussing the different ways in which individuals can serve God and find their niche within the church community. She categorizes these gifts into nurturing, outreach, witnessing, and organizing gifts. The pastor acknowledges that these categories may overlap and encourages the congregation to reflect on their own gifts and where they may fit. The pastor then highlights the gift of prophecy, explaining that it is a gift that sparks visions in their mind. She also addresses common misconceptions about prophecy, such as associating it with fortune telling or palm reading.
Key Takeaways:
- Every member of the church is important and has a unique role to play. Each person has been given gifts by God that are meant to be used for the betterment of the church and the world. ([12:45])
- God is the great healer and some individuals are gifted with the ability to heal. Miracles still occur in our lives, even if they are not as grand as the parting of the Red Sea. ([38:20])
- The gift of prophecy is not about fortune telling or palm reading, but about bringing God's message into the world and pointing people towards God's preferred future. ([45:10])
- The pastor encourages the congregation to discern their gifts and find their place of service, reminding them that everyone, regardless of age or wisdom, has a purpose and a niche in God's plan. ([52:30])
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of putting their gifts into service and putting God's love into action. The church is there for the community, rain or shine, and everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities. ([59:15])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many..."
2. Romans 12:6-8: "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; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 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."
3. Esther 4:14: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 say about the importance of each part of the body of Christ?
2. In Romans 12:6-8, what are some of the different gifts mentioned and how are they to be used?
3. How does Esther 4:14 relate to the concept of using one's gifts and position for a specific purpose?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 apply to the functioning of a church community?
2. What does Romans 12:6-8 suggest about the diversity of gifts within a community and their purpose?
3. How might Esther 4:14 be interpreted as a call to action for individuals to use their gifts and positions for the benefit of others?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, what is one unique gift you possess that contributes to the body of Christ? How can you use it more effectively in your church community?
2. Considering Romans 12:6-8, identify one of your gifts and think of a specific way you can use it to serve others this week.
3. In light of Esther 4:14, can you think of a situation in your life where you might have been placed for a specific purpose? How can you act on this purpose in the coming days?
4. What is one way you can help others in your community recognize and utilize their unique gifts?
5. Can you think of someone in your life who might be struggling with recognizing their value in the body of Christ? How can you encourage them this week?
Devotional
Day 1: The Significance of Individual Roles in the Church
Each person in the church has a unique role to play, gifted by God, that contributes to the betterment of the church and the world. These gifts, no matter how small or unattractive they may seem, are crucial in maintaining the balance and progress of the church. [12:45]
Romans 12:4-6 - "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."
Reflection: Reflect on your unique gifts. How can you use them to serve the church and the world around you?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Miraculous Works
God is the great healer and miracles still occur in our lives, even if they are not as grand as the parting of the Red Sea. Some individuals are gifted with the ability to heal, and it's important to recognize these miracles in our lives. [38:20]
Acts 19:11-12 - "And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you witnessed or experienced a miracle, no matter how small? How did it impact your faith?
Day 3: Understanding the True Nature of Prophecy
Prophecy is not about fortune telling or palm reading, but about bringing God's message into the world and pointing people towards God's preferred future. It's a gift that sparks visions in the mind. [45:10]
1 Corinthians 14:3 - "But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort."
Reflection: How can you better understand and appreciate the gift of prophecy in the church? How can it help you in your spiritual journey?
Day 4: Discovering Your Place in God's Plan
Everyone, regardless of age or wisdom, has a purpose and a niche in God's plan. It's important to discern your gifts and find your place of service. [52:30]
1 Peter 4:10 - "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to discern your gifts and find your place of service in the church and in God's plan?
Day 5: Putting God's Love into Action
It's important to put your gifts into service and put God's love into action. The church is there for the community, rain or shine, and everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities. [59:15]
James 2:17 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: How can you put your faith into action today? What is one way you can serve your community in the name of God's love?
Quotes
"The gifts that I had when I served at a small membership church were different than the gifts being a senior pastor at a large membership church. They're very different. Different things in different times come out and surface rise to the top."
"What that says is every gift matters. Every part of the body, every person of the body makes a huge difference. And sometimes the difference in standing upright and moving forward are the difference in falling, right?"
"Maybe you have the gift of teaching. Maybe you have the gift of nurturing. Maybe you have the gift of helping. Maybe you have the gift of administration... Friends, that is a God given thing. It's not just a talent. It is a gift from God."
"We all have a place. You were created for a purpose. You were created for a purpose. God has given you that purpose down in your heart... For such a time as this, we all have those gifts."
"The gift of prophecy is bringing God's message into the world, right? Pointing people to God's preferred future and then urging them in that direction, sending them in that direction, encouraging them in that direction toward God's way, right? The prophet is a person who lives so close to God that he or she knows God's mind. They know God's heart. They know God's will."
"What about the gift of faith? It's more than an intellectual conviction. It's a faith that disregards self, and it's a faith where they jump into the rubble to find the survivors right in search of survivors. It's that that is that kind of faith. It's a disregard for self. To find the survivors. It really produces results and through faith, the word of God is revealed in prophetic ways."
"I've done all I could do. There's no reason why they should be alive other than it's a miracle. They were healed."
"But that doesn't change the fact that there are miracles everywhere. If you do not believe in miracles, come talk to me because I want to introduce you to my daughter. And you all know our story enough to know that she is a walking, living miracle."
"The gift of prophecy. And I chose that one because it's one that puts visions in my head."
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