United in Purpose: Discovering Our Divine Gifts
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that each of us is "Made for More" in God's kingdom. We began by reflecting on the story of Buddy, the blind horse, who needed to believe he wasn't pulling alone to find the strength to move. This story serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration in fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. We are not meant to pull alone; God has designed us to work together, supporting and uplifting one another in our faith journey.
We delved into the concept of being "Made for More," which means recognizing that God has uniquely crafted each of us with specific gifts, talents, and abilities for His glory. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. These scriptures underscore the idea that our lives have a divine purpose, and we are called to live abundantly for God's glory.
The "Serving by Grace" tool was introduced as a means to help us discover our unique gifts and how they align with God's will. This tool uses the acrostic GRACE, representing Gifts, Relational style, Abilities, Christian maturity, and Enthusiasm. Each component plays a vital role in understanding how God has wired us for His purpose. Spiritual gifts, in particular, are not about where we serve but how we serve, emphasizing the relational nature of our gifts in building up the body of Christ.
We also discussed the importance of Christian maturity and enthusiasm in our spiritual journey. As we grow in our faith, God opens doors for greater influence and responsibility. Our enthusiasm, or passion, fuels our desire to serve and fulfill God's calling in our lives. Ultimately, our greatest ability is our availability and reliability in serving God's kingdom.
In closing, we were reminded that we are all made for more, called to pull together in unity to accomplish God's Great Commission. By discovering and embracing our unique gifts, we can live out God's will and make a meaningful impact in the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Community and Collaboration: Just like Buddy the horse, we are not meant to pull alone. God designed us to work together, supporting and uplifting one another in our faith journey. Our spiritual growth and effectiveness in God's kingdom are amplified when we collaborate as a community of believers. [36:47]
2. Uniquely Crafted for God's Glory: Each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made, with unique gifts and talents for God's purpose. Recognizing and embracing these gifts allows us to live abundantly and fulfill the divine calling on our lives. [37:49]
3. Understanding Spiritual Gifts: Spiritual gifts are not about where we serve but how we serve. They are relational in nature, meant to build up the body of Christ and help us see from God's perspective. Our gifts are for edifying others and contributing to the Great Commission. [40:58]
4. The Role of Christian Maturity: As we grow in our faith, God entrusts us with greater influence and responsibility. Christian maturity involves intentional effort and spiritual growth, enabling us to have a more significant impact in God's kingdom. [54:32]
5. The Power of Enthusiasm: Our passion and enthusiasm drive us to serve and fulfill God's calling. When we couple our gifts and abilities with our zeal, we connect more deeply with God's purpose for our lives, making a meaningful impact in the world. [56:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [36:47] - The Story of Buddy
- [37:49] - Made for More
- [39:17] - Saved by Grace, Serve by Grace
- [40:58] - Understanding Spiritual Gifts
- [42:41] - Learning Mercy and Stewardship
- [43:17] - The Great Commission
- [45:17] - Spiritual Gifts vs. Fruit of the Spirit
- [46:09] - Relational Style and Personality
- [47:20] - The Uniqueness of DNA
- [48:08] - Understanding Abilities
- [49:12] - Developing and Using Abilities
- [50:23] - Talents for God's Glory
- [52:09] - The Parable of the Talents
- [54:32] - Christian Maturity and Growth
- [56:58] - The Role of Enthusiasm
- [58:23] - Discovering Your Grace Profile
- [59:40] - Call to Action and Participation
- [01:03:05] - Made for More: Pulling Together
- [01:06:49] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Made for More
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 139:13-14
2. Ephesians 2:8-10
3. Romans 12:11
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 139:13-14 reveal about how God views each of us? How does this relate to the idea of being "fearfully and wonderfully made"? [37:49]
2. According to Ephesians 2:10, what are we created in Christ Jesus to do? How does this align with the concept of being "Made for More"? [39:17]
3. In the sermon, what was the significance of the story of Buddy, the blind horse, and how does it illustrate the importance of community in our spiritual journey? [36:47]
4. How does Romans 12:11 connect to the role of enthusiasm in serving the Lord, as discussed in the sermon? [56:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" influence a believer's perception of their own worth and purpose in God's kingdom? [37:49]
2. What does it mean to be "created in Christ Jesus to do good works," and how can believers discern what these good works are in their own lives? [39:17]
3. How can the metaphor of Buddy, the blind horse, be applied to the way believers should approach their roles within the church community? [36:47]
4. In what ways does enthusiasm or passion impact a believer's ability to serve effectively in God's kingdom? How can this be cultivated? [56:58]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. How can you use them to contribute to your church community and support others in their faith journey? [40:58]
2. Consider the concept of being "Made for More." What steps can you take this week to explore and embrace the unique purpose God has for your life? [37:49]
3. How can you foster a sense of community and collaboration in your church or small group, ensuring that no one feels like they are "pulling alone"? [36:47]
4. Identify an area in your life where you can grow in Christian maturity. What practical steps can you take to pursue spiritual growth and greater responsibility? [54:32]
5. Think about a passion or enthusiasm you have. How can you channel this passion into serving God and others more effectively? [56:58]
6. What is one specific way you can make yourself more available to serve in your church or community this month? How can you ensure that your availability is coupled with reliability? [01:01:21]
7. Reflect on the parable of the talents. How can you develop and use your abilities to glorify God and make a meaningful impact in the world? [52:09]
Devotional
Day 1: The Strength of Community
In our spiritual journey, we are not meant to walk alone. Just as Buddy, the blind horse, found strength in believing he wasn't pulling alone, we too find strength in community. God has designed us to work together, supporting and uplifting one another in our faith journey. Our spiritual growth and effectiveness in God's kingdom are amplified when we collaborate as a community of believers. This unity is essential for fulfilling God's purpose for our lives, as we are called to pull together in unity to accomplish His Great Commission. [36:47]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to today to offer support or encouragement in their faith journey? How can you actively participate in your community of believers to strengthen your collective spiritual growth?
Day 2: Embracing Your Unique Design
Each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made, with unique gifts and talents for God's purpose. Recognizing and embracing these gifts allows us to live abundantly and fulfill the divine calling on our lives. God has uniquely crafted each of us with specific gifts, talents, and abilities for His glory. By understanding our unique design, we can align our lives with God's will and make a meaningful impact in the world. This understanding is crucial for living out our purpose and contributing to the body of Christ. [37:49]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What unique gifts or talents do you believe God has given you? How can you use these gifts to serve others and glorify God in your daily life?
Day 3: Serving with Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are not about where we serve but how we serve. They are relational in nature, meant to build up the body of Christ and help us see from God's perspective. Our gifts are for edifying others and contributing to the Great Commission. Understanding our spiritual gifts allows us to serve effectively and relationally, emphasizing the importance of how we serve in God's kingdom. This understanding helps us to align our service with God's purpose and make a meaningful impact in the world. [40:58]
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: How can you use your spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ today? What specific actions can you take to serve others in a way that reflects God's love and purpose?
Day 4: Growing in Christian Maturity
As we grow in our faith, God entrusts us with greater influence and responsibility. Christian maturity involves intentional effort and spiritual growth, enabling us to have a more significant impact in God's kingdom. This growth is essential for fulfilling God's purpose for our lives, as it allows us to take on greater roles and responsibilities in His kingdom. By pursuing Christian maturity, we can deepen our relationship with God and make a meaningful impact in the world. [54:32]
Hebrews 5:14 (ESV): "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to grow in your Christian maturity? How can you intentionally pursue spiritual growth and deepen your relationship with God?
Day 5: The Power of Enthusiasm
Our passion and enthusiasm drive us to serve and fulfill God's calling. When we couple our gifts and abilities with our zeal, we connect more deeply with God's purpose for our lives, making a meaningful impact in the world. Enthusiasm fuels our desire to serve and fulfill God's calling, allowing us to live out our purpose with joy and passion. By embracing our enthusiasm, we can make a significant impact in God's kingdom and inspire others to do the same. [56:58]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: What are you most passionate about in your service to God? How can you channel this enthusiasm into your daily actions to make a meaningful impact in God's kingdom?
Quotes
A couple weeks ago, I introduced to you this concept that we're saved by grace to serve by grace. It's based upon a passage in Ephesians chapter 2. It says, For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourself. It's the free gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast. That's the saved by grace part. [00:39:02] (22 seconds)
And so while a spiritual gift is for you, it's never about you. Rather, it's about how you can contribute to everyone else to help them to be better and become more like Jesus. What that means is that it's more relational in nature than positional in nature. Let me give you an example. [00:42:02] (21 seconds)
What's amazing to me is that just like there's no one that has your same fingerprint, and there's no one who has the same, iris that you have, there is no one in this world, there's no one that's ever been, who has your same personality. Nobody has the same concoction. You are unique. [00:46:49] (19 seconds)
And so what does that mean? It means when God knit your DNA together, he knit your personality together. In your mother's room, he broke the mold. You are one of a kind. And for some of you, thank God. All right? For some of us, I should say. [00:47:55] (15 seconds)
But here's what we learn. We learn how God has wired our personality, and it helps us to not only understand ourselves, it helps us to understand others, and it understands how we will work together for God's purposes. And so just like your spiritual gift, it's more relational in nature than it is positional, meaning that it's more about how you're going to serve God than necessarily where you serve God. [00:48:50] (28 seconds)
But to the others, he said, you're good and faithful servants. And the principle is very simple. Whatever talents, abilities that God has given you, whether it's wealth, whether it's some ability, whatever it is, whatever he's entrusted to you, he expects you to double it or more for his glory. Not for your glory, not for your comfort and convenience, for his glory. [00:52:56] (26 seconds)
Paul is speaking about the pursuit of spiritual growth, of spiritual maturity, that I am not to be saved and just live the rest of my life in infancy, but I am to grow up. And the more mature I become, the more responsible I become. So you kind of go through this. If you think about it as a child, you have the infant that can't take care of himself. [00:54:36] (23 seconds)
And so, God, here's my life. Take and use it. That's where it all begins. Here's the bottom line, though. We are all made for more. Say, made for more. Say, I am made for more. And what does that mean? It means that we were made for God's will to pull together with each other to see His Great Commission accomplished in and through our lives. [01:03:05] (29 seconds)
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