Embracing Your God-Given Gifts for His Purpose
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of identifying and employing the gifts that God has given to each individual. He encourages the congregation to trust that God will use their contributions, no matter how small or meager they may seem, for His good. The pastor shares a personal anecdote about playing basketball in high school and accidentally scoring a goal for the wrong team. Despite this, he highlights that what truly makes him special is being a child of God. He emphasizes that God can use all of their experiences and creations for His purpose.
The pastor then reflects on a recent event where their church campus was invited to participate in a big outdoor festival in the community. He shares that they were the only group allowed to have a tent at the festival and expresses his belief that God was going to do something special through their involvement. He also shares a personal story of someone who claims to have the gift of making roads and pulling permits. These may not be traditional gifts, but they can still be used by God to further His mission in the world.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of using our gifts to serve others and demonstrate the compassion of Christ. He gives an example of someone using their gift of baking cookies and listening to invite people onto their front porch and hear their stories. He encourages the congregation to discover their own gifts and offers a workshop for those interested in learning how to employ their gifts effectively. He reminds them that no matter the context or opportunity, their service should be done unto the Lord Jesus Christ.
The pastor emphasizes the idea that believers have been called and invited into a unique Kingdom assignment by God. He refers to 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, which highlights the diversity of gifts, services, and workings within the body of Christ. He draws a parallel between the different roles and responsibilities on an aircraft carrier and the various gifts and abilities within the church. Just as the captain orchestrates the different roles on the carrier for a singular mission, God distributes spiritual gifts to each believer for the purpose of participating in Christ's mission to the world.
The sermon concludes with the pastor emphasizing the importance of recognizing and utilizing the gifts that God has given to each individual. He highlights the story of Jeremiah, who initially felt inadequate and unqualified for the task of being a prophet. However, God reassured Jeremiah that He had chosen him and appointed him for this purpose even before he was born. The pastor encourages the congregation to understand that God has a divine purpose for each person and has poured out His gifts in them to be a part of His orchestrated mission in the world.
Key Takeaways:
- God has given each individual unique gifts and talents, and He intends for us to use these gifts for His good. No matter how small or insignificant our contributions may seem, God can use them for His purpose. ([12:45])
- Our gifts are not just for our personal benefit, but they are meant to be used for God's work in the world. The pastor compares these gifts to an orchestra and choir, where each instrument and voice plays a unique role in creating a harmonious and impactful sound. ([24:30])
- Believers have been called and invited into a unique Kingdom assignment by God. Just as the captain orchestrates the different roles on an aircraft carrier for a singular mission, God distributes spiritual gifts to each believer for the purpose of participating in Christ's mission to the world. ([36:15])
- God has a divine purpose for each person and has poured out His gifts in them to be a part of His orchestrated mission in the world. The pastor highlights the story of Jeremiah, who initially felt inadequate and unqualified for the task of being a prophet. However, God reassured Jeremiah that He had chosen him and appointed him for this purpose even before he was born. ([48:20])
- Despite feeling inadequate or unqualified, Jesus invites ordinary men and women into relationship and partnership, just as He did with the disciples. God has summoned each person to be someone and to do something that they otherwise wouldn't be able to do if they didn't belong to Him. ([59:10])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
2. 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."
3. Jeremiah 1:4-7 - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.' 'Alas, Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am too young.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.'"
Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Peter 2:9 say about the identity and purpose of believers?
2. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, what does it mean that there are different kinds of gifts, services, and workings?
3. What does Jeremiah 1:4-7 reveal about God's foreknowledge and purpose for Jeremiah's life?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does 1 Peter 2:9 relate to the idea of being called out of darkness into God's wonderful light? What does this imply about our role as believers?
2. How does the diversity of gifts, services, and workings in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 reflect the unity and diversity within the body of Christ?
3. In Jeremiah 1:4-7, how does God's reassurance to Jeremiah about his divine appointment relate to our own feelings of inadequacy or unqualification?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on 1 Peter 2:9, how can you declare the praises of God in your daily life this week?
2. Considering 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, what is one unique gift, service, or working you believe God has given you? How can you use it this week to serve others and further God's mission?
3. In light of Jeremiah 1:4-7, is there a task or calling you feel inadequate or unqualified for? How can you trust in God's divine appointment and purpose for you in this situation?
4. Can you think of a person or a group of people you interact with regularly who could benefit from your unique gifts? How can you serve them this week?
5. What is one step you can take this week to discover or employ your gifts more effectively for God's purpose?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Unique Gifts
God has bestowed upon each of us unique gifts and talents, which may seem insignificant or small, but they are intended for His divine purpose. These gifts are not just for our personal benefit, but they are meant to be used for God's work in the world. No matter how small or insignificant our contributions may seem, God can use them for His purpose. [12:45]
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."
Reflection: What are some gifts or talents that you believe God has given you? How can you use these gifts to serve others and further God's mission in the world?
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Day 2: Harmonizing Our Gifts for God's Glory
Our gifts are like an orchestra and choir, where each instrument and voice plays a unique role in creating a harmonious and impactful sound. These gifts are not just for our personal benefit, but they are meant to be used for God's work in the world. [24:30]
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."
Reflection: How can you harmonize your gifts with others in your community to create a more impactful and harmonious sound for God's glory?
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Day 3: Answering God's Unique Kingdom Assignment
Believers have been called and invited into a unique Kingdom assignment by God. Just as the captain orchestrates the different roles on an aircraft carrier for a singular mission, God distributes spiritual gifts to each believer for the purpose of participating in Christ's mission to the world. [36:15]
Ephesians 4:11-12 - "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
Reflection: What do you believe is your unique Kingdom assignment from God? How can you use your gifts to fulfill this assignment?
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Day 4: Recognizing God's Divine Purpose
God has a divine purpose for each person and has poured out His gifts in them to be a part of His orchestrated mission in the world. The story of Jeremiah, who initially felt inadequate and unqualified for the task of being a prophet, is a reminder that God chooses and appoints us for His purpose even before we are born. [48:20]
Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Reflection: Have you ever felt inadequate or unqualified like Jeremiah? How can you trust in God's divine purpose for your life?
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Day 5: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Despite feeling inadequate or unqualified, Jesus invites ordinary men and women into relationship and partnership, just as He did with the disciples. God has summoned each person to be someone and to do something that they otherwise wouldn't be able to do if they didn't belong to Him. [59:10]
John 15:16 - "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."
Reflection: How can you embrace your identity in Christ and trust in His divine purpose for your life?
Quotes
"We are brothers and sisters, family and friends, old and young brought together for a purpose. We learn and we share, we serve one another, we give what we have, our Joys and our sorrows, our hopes and our dreams, and we all have a part to play. And while we are different, there is more that unites us than tears us apart. And when we come together, something beautiful happens. We are one."
"Imagine if you were use your gift of baking cookies and your gift of listening everyone knows you're a good listener imagine if you invite people one at a time up on your porch each day and offer them your cookies and say just tell me about your story and you use your gift of listening to demonstrate the compassion of Christ and how he listens and cares for the deepest part of every one of our stories imagine all the possibilities in that."
"Our service no matter what the context no matter what the opportunity it's all done as unto the Lord Jesus Christ that's right so what is your place you have a place in Christ orchestrated mission to the world to rescue and restore all things third thing we see in verse six is to trust his purposes that they'll be accomplished he'll use your contributions in accomplishing his purposes."
"You've actually received a far more significant and important call where you've been called and invited to participate in Christ orchestrated mission to the world... he's called you and I into relationship and partnership for that very thing right there."
"God has summoned each of us to be someone and to do something that we otherwise wouldn't if we didn't belong to him."
"Learn to trust that his purposes are going to be accomplished while you make what you may think is just your meager small contribution. God uses all of it for his good."
"Christ will take these gifts and he will have us employ them in opportunities that every single one of us have... He wants to be involved in all of it... He wants to have representation in all of that."
"He's orchestrating this unified effort to rescue and restore everything that's lost or stolen."
"The gifts you've been using this last week at work in your neighborhood, it's a part of what God wants to do in the world."
"Christ right now is conducting and orchestrating an Earthly Orchestra and choir made up of every single one of us in this room and those of you that are watching online, and the song he wants to sing, the song he wants to play through us is a part of his mission to rescue and restore everything that's been lost, stolen, or broken."
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