Empowered to Impact: Using Our Gifts with Love
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to One Church at Home! Today, we conclude our series, "The Summer of One," where we've been exploring how God wants us to impact the world around us. God desires for us to have an impact in every area of our lives—our families, workplaces, communities, and even within our church. We are kingdom workers, representing Jesus and bearing witness to His love and grace.
We began this series with Matthew 9:36-38, where Jesus speaks about the plentiful harvest but few workers. This scripture underscores the urgency and importance of our role as workers in God's kingdom. God is always working and invites us to partner with Him to restore His creation. He equips us with spiritual gifts to achieve this purpose.
Throughout the series, we've focused on three B's: Be aware, Be bold, and Be humble. We need to be aware of the gifts God has placed in us and the needs around us. We must be bold in exercising these gifts and humble enough to recognize that all gifts are from God for the purpose of strengthening, encouraging, and comforting the church.
We've delved into various spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, such as faith, wisdom, knowledge, healing, advocacy, apostleship, prophecy, discernment, and tongues. Each gift serves a unique purpose and is essential for the common good. However, the most crucial aspect of using these gifts is to do so from a posture of love. Without love, our gifts are meaningless in the kingdom of God.
Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 13, stating that even the most extraordinary gifts are nothing without love. Our gifts should be used to lovingly impact others, revealing Jesus through our actions. In a world filled with division and hatred, our love and grace can make a profound difference.
As we wrap up this series, I encourage you to reflect on the gifts God has placed in you and how He is calling you to use them. Be bold and courageous in exercising these gifts, always serving with humility and love. Let's pray for God's guidance and strength as we strive to make a kingdom impact.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Call to Impact: God desires for us to have an impact in every area of our lives—our families, workplaces, communities, and church. We are kingdom workers, representing Jesus and bearing witness to His love and grace. This calling is not just a task but a divine partnership with God to restore His creation. [08:41]
2. The Three B's: Be aware of the gifts God has placed in you and the needs around you. Be bold in exercising these gifts, and be humble enough to recognize that all gifts are from God for the purpose of strengthening, encouraging, and comforting the church. These principles guide us in effectively using our spiritual gifts. [12:18]
3. The Importance of Love: Without love, our gifts are meaningless in the kingdom of God. Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 13 that even the most extraordinary gifts are nothing without love. Our gifts should be used to lovingly impact others, revealing Jesus through our actions. [26:22]
4. Spiritual Gifts as Tools: Each spiritual gift serves a unique purpose and is essential for the common good. Gifts like faith, wisdom, knowledge, healing, advocacy, apostleship, prophecy, discernment, and tongues are tools God has given us to accomplish His purposes. Understanding and using these gifts can profoundly impact those around us. [14:49]
5. Reflect and Act: Reflect on the gifts God has placed in you and how He is calling you to use them. Be bold and courageous in exercising these gifts, always serving with humility and love. This reflection and action are crucial for making a kingdom impact and fulfilling God's purpose in our lives. [33:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[08:08] - Series Recap
[08:41] - God's Call to Impact
[09:14] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:36-38
[10:19] - The Plentiful Harvest
[11:19] - Partnering with God
[12:18] - The Three B's
[14:49] - Exploring Spiritual Gifts
[15:19] - The Bag of Gifts
[16:20] - The Gift of Faith
[17:20] - Wisdom and Knowledge
[18:49] - The Gift of Healing
[20:21] - The Gift of Advocacy
[21:22] - The Gift of Apostleship
[22:51] - The Gift of Prophecy
[23:21] - The Gift of Discernment
[24:21] - The Gift of Tongues
[25:21] - Using Gifts for the Common Good
[26:22] - The Importance of Love
[28:23] - Lovingly Impacting Others
[31:27] - Challenges and Rewards
[33:00] - Reflect and Act
[34:02] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 9:36-38: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
2. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: "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. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
3. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say about the harvest and the workers in Matthew 9:36-38? How does this relate to our role as kingdom workers? [09:14]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, what are some of the spiritual gifts mentioned, and what is their common purpose?
3. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, what does Paul say about the importance of love in relation to spiritual gifts? How does this affect the way we should use our gifts?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the harvest in Matthew 9:36-38 help us understand the urgency of our mission as Christians? [09:14]
2. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that all spiritual gifts are given for the common good in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11? How does this shape our understanding of community within the church?
3. What does Paul mean when he says that without love, our gifts are meaningless in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? How can this perspective change the way we approach our spiritual gifts? [26:22]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the gifts God has placed in you. How can you become more aware of these gifts and the needs around you? What steps can you take this week to be more observant? [12:18]
2. Think of a situation where you need to be bold in exercising your spiritual gifts. What is holding you back, and how can you overcome this fear or hesitation? [13:18]
3. In what ways can you practice humility while using your spiritual gifts? How can you remind yourself that these gifts are from God and meant for the common good? [14:20]
4. How can you ensure that love is the foundation of your actions when using your spiritual gifts? Can you think of a recent example where you used your gifts without love, and how can you change that in the future? [26:22]
5. Identify one person in your life who could benefit from your spiritual gifts. How can you intentionally use your gifts to impact their life this week? [33:00]
6. How can you cultivate a posture of love towards those who are different from you, especially in divisive times? What practical steps can you take to show love and grace to someone you disagree with? [28:23]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt God’s guidance in using your spiritual gifts. How did it impact you and those around you? How can you seek God’s guidance more intentionally in the future? [34:02]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Call to Impact
God desires for us to have an impact in every area of our lives—our families, workplaces, communities, and church. We are kingdom workers, representing Jesus and bearing witness to His love and grace. This calling is not just a task but a divine partnership with God to restore His creation. God is always working and invites us to partner with Him to restore His creation. He equips us with spiritual gifts to achieve this purpose.
In Matthew 9:36-38, Jesus speaks about the plentiful harvest but few workers. This scripture underscores the urgency and importance of our role as workers in God's kingdom. We are called to be active participants in God's mission, using the gifts He has given us to make a difference in the world around us. This divine partnership is not just about doing good deeds but about being a living testimony of Jesus' love and grace in every aspect of our lives. [08:41]
Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV): "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you feel God is calling you to make an impact today? How can you take a step towards fulfilling that call?
Day 2: The Three B's
The three B's—Be aware, Be bold, and Be humble—are essential principles for effectively using our spiritual gifts. Being aware means recognizing the gifts God has placed in us and the needs around us. Being bold involves courageously exercising these gifts, even when it feels challenging or uncomfortable. Being humble requires acknowledging that all gifts are from God and are meant for the purpose of strengthening, encouraging, and comforting the church.
These principles guide us in our journey as kingdom workers. Awareness helps us identify opportunities to serve, boldness empowers us to take action, and humility keeps us grounded, reminding us that our gifts are not for our glory but for God's. By embracing these three B's, we can more effectively use our spiritual gifts to make a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond. [12:18]
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. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Which of the three B's—awareness, boldness, or humility—do you find most challenging? How can you work on this area to better use your spiritual gifts?
Day 3: The Importance of Love
Without love, our gifts are meaningless in the kingdom of God. Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 13 that even the most extraordinary gifts are nothing without love. Our gifts should be used to lovingly impact others, revealing Jesus through our actions. In a world filled with division and hatred, our love and grace can make a profound difference.
Love is the foundation of our faith and the driving force behind our actions. When we use our spiritual gifts with love, we reflect the character of Jesus and draw others closer to Him. Love transforms our actions from mere tasks into powerful testimonies of God's grace. It is through love that we can truly make a lasting impact on those around us. [26:22]
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV): "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you used your spiritual gifts. How can you ensure that love is at the center of your actions in similar situations in the future?
Day 4: Spiritual Gifts as Tools
Each spiritual gift serves a unique purpose and is essential for the common good. Gifts like faith, wisdom, knowledge, healing, advocacy, apostleship, prophecy, discernment, and tongues are tools God has given us to accomplish His purposes. Understanding and using these gifts can profoundly impact those around us.
Spiritual gifts are not just for personal edification but for the benefit of the entire body of Christ. When we use our gifts, we contribute to the growth and health of the church. Each gift, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, plays a vital role in God's plan. By recognizing and utilizing our spiritual gifts, we can help build a stronger, more united community of believers. [14:49]
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."
Reflection: What spiritual gift do you believe God has given you? How can you use this gift to serve and strengthen your church community?
Day 5: Reflect and Act
Reflect on the gifts God has placed in you and how He is calling you to use them. Be bold and courageous in exercising these gifts, always serving with humility and love. This reflection and action are crucial for making a kingdom impact and fulfilling God's purpose in our lives.
Taking time to reflect on our spiritual gifts and how we are using them is essential for personal and spiritual growth. It allows us to align our actions with God's will and ensures that we are making the most of the opportunities He provides. By being intentional in our reflection and action, we can more effectively contribute to God's kingdom and make a lasting impact on those around us. [33:00]
Romans 12:6-8 (ESV): "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."
Reflection: Take a moment to pray and ask God to reveal how He wants you to use your spiritual gifts today. What specific action can you take to start using your gifts more effectively?
Quotes
1. "God wants us to have an impact in all areas of our lives. He wants to have an impact on our families, He wants to have an impact on our families, and our workplaces, with our coworkers, with our neighbors, with our communities, and our schools, right? Even here in our church, the way that we engage one another, interact with each other, God wants us to have an impact. Why? Because we are kingdom workers. You and I are workers in the kingdom of God, representing Jesus, bearing witness to who He is to the world around us." [08:41] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The thing is, God is always working. He's always working. One of the amazing realities that He chooses, God Almighty chooses to partner with you and me to accomplish His purposes, to achieve His purpose, to restore His creation. He wants you and I to be those workers. He wants you and I to be the workers in the field, to step into our calling, to represent Him as we have, and impact on all those in our circles, in our communities, right? He wants us to be His workers." [11:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We said that we need to be aware of what God is doing in us and through us. Like, what are those gifts that He's placed inside of you and me? What are those things, those talents and abilities that live and breathe inside of you that He wants to use, that He wants to unleash and use to impact the world around you? But also be aware of the actual needs that are around you, right? So be aware of what's in you, but also be aware of what's going on around you." [12:48] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you're going to have an impact, if we are going to have an impact on others using these gifts, it has to come from a posture of love toward them. This is the twist, right? Because it's easy to use our gifts for our own gain. It is not nearly as natural to do it for someone else. But Paul tells us in the very next chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, he says, If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." [26:22] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Guys, using our gifts without love, it is worth nothing in the kingdom of God. It doesn't matter what your gifts are, how many of the gifts that you have. It doesn't matter what you are doing with them for work, or for your families, or for anybody else. It doesn't matter. He says, You are nothing more than a resounding gong when you exercise your gifts without loving the people around us. Because it's loving others with a Jesus love that opens up the power of our gifting so that we can have a kingdom impact for God." [27:53] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If we become so blinded by our hatred of someone else, because they are simply different than us, if we demonize them to the point that we no longer see them as someone who is worthy of love, or somebody that we can be in relationship with, guys, if you get to that point, they're no longer seeing Jesus in you. Like, think about that. If you're so blind it's a political season, right? We are approaching the final stage of a political season, and probably the most divisive political year that I've ever personally witnessed." [28:53] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When people see our love expressed through our gifts and the way that we reveal the fruits of the Spirit, when they see that in us, they see Jesus alive and working and active in us. And that is what having an impact looks like. Church, is living out our faith easy? No, not always. Sometimes it's actually really difficult. Sometimes it's really uncomfortable. Is using our gifts for the Word of God, for the Church, for the sake of others, is that always easy? Is using our gifts for others always easy? No." [31:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we use our gifts in love for someone else, it is like God is breathing new life into us every single time that we do. Right? It's when we use our gifts to have an impact in the Kingdom of God, it is like God is breathing new life into us. And so as we wrap all of this up, as we wrap up this series, the Summer of One together, the question I want to leave you with is, the question that I want you to be praying over, thinking about, wondering about, is what is one gift that you have learned, that you have, and how is God calling you to use it?" [32:30] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "I want to encourage you to pray over all these that we talked about, all the gifts in the tool bag that God has given to us. I want to encourage you to pray over those. Invite God in. Invite God to reveal to you what He's placed inside of you and be bold and courageous, right? Become aware through prayer, but be bold in exercising these gifts. And as we do all of this, we humbly serve King Jesus in all that we do, in all the ways that He wants to partner with us for His kingdom purposes." [33:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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