Unleashing Your Gifts for Purposeful Service
Summary
There is a gentle, nurturing presence among us today, a reminder that God knows exactly what we need and meets us with the right measure of grace. As we continue our “Gifted” series, we are invited to reflect on a simple but profound question: “What’s in your hand?” Just as God asked Moses this question, prompting him to recognize the ordinary staff he carried as the very tool God would use for extraordinary purposes, so too are we called to recognize and steward the gifts God has placed in our own hands.
Each of us has been given unique spiritual gifts—not for our own pride or comfort, but to serve others and make God’s mercy known in the world. Whether you are confident in your gifts, uncertain, or even fearful of using them, the call is the same: discover, develop, and deploy what God has entrusted to you. The journey begins with intentional discovery. Like water in a desert, our gifts are essential for a life of purpose and impact. We are challenged not to waste our lives by neglecting what God has given us, but to seek out and name our gifts, whether they are helps, mercy, wisdom, or something else.
But discovery is only the beginning. Our gifts, like small embers, require nurturing and practice to grow into a flame that brings light and warmth to a dark and cold world. This growth happens not in isolation, but in community. The church is meant to be a laboratory—a safe place to practice, make mistakes, and be met with love and hospitality rather than perfectionism or individualism. We are called to replace “I” with “we,” moving from illness to wellness as we serve together.
Fear and failure are real obstacles, but they are not the end of the story. Faith empowers us to act, even when we are afraid. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to trust God and step forward anyway. The gifts God has given are not for some distant, perfect future—they are needed now, in our church, our neighborhood, and our world. As we take practical steps—like taking a spiritual gifts assessment and participating in upcoming workshops—we move toward a church where every member is equipped, confident, and unleashed to bless others. This is not just about serving others; it is about our own liberation and transformation as we walk in the calling God has placed on our lives.
Key Takeaways
- Intentional Discovery and Development of Gifts
God calls each of us to intentionally discover and develop the spiritual gifts He has placed within us. Just as water is essential in a desert, so is the knowledge and use of our gifts essential for a life of purpose. Neglecting this discovery leads to a wasted life, but seeking it out brings clarity and direction to our calling. [01:00:57]
- Gifts Grow Through Practice and Community
Spiritual gifts are like embers that need to be fanned into flame through deliberate practice and nurturing. True growth happens in the context of community, where the church serves as a laboratory for learning, making mistakes, and receiving encouragement. Our gifts bloom when we practice them together, not in isolation. [01:08:15]
- Perfectionism and Individualism Are Enemies of Giftedness
Perfectionism tells us we must be flawless before we serve, and individualism tempts us to believe our gifts are only for ourselves. Both attitudes hinder the flourishing of the church and our own spiritual growth. Instead, we are called to embrace a “we” mentality, where love and hospitality create space for imperfect people to serve and grow together. [01:11:52]
- Faith Overcomes Fear and Failure
Fear is a natural response, and failure is inevitable, but neither should have the final word in our lives. Faith empowers us to act even when we are afraid, trusting that God is with us and will use our gifts for His purposes. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward in trust, doing what God has called us to do—even if we must do it afraid. [01:14:28]
- Our Gifts Are Needed Now, Not Later
The gifts God has given are not for some future, ideal circumstance—they are needed in the present moment, in the midst of our struggles and imperfections. Our church, our neighborhood, and our world need us to function in our gifts today. As we step out in faith, we not only bless others but experience our own transformation and liberation. [01:19:28]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[44:23] - The Gentle Presence of God
[45:25] - Honoring Our Worship Leaders
[47:50] - VBS and Community Announcements
[49:22] - Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4 & 2 Timothy 1
[50:26] - The Question: What’s in Your Hand?
[51:23] - Childhood Story: The Candy Lesson
[52:53] - Moses and the Staff: God’s Question
[54:31] - Wrestling with Our Own Gifts
[55:44] - Peter’s Challenge: Faithfulness in Hard Times
[57:06] - Paul’s Encouragement to Timothy
[59:38] - Discovering and Naming Your Gift
[01:04:17] - Fanning the Flame: Growing Your Gift
[01:08:15] - Gifts Grow in Practice and Community
[01:11:52] - Overcoming Perfectionism and Individualism
[01:13:02] - Fear, Failure, and Faith
[01:17:09] - Moses’ Staff: Using What You Have
[01:19:28] - Your Gift Is Needed Now
[01:20:37] - Spiritual Gifts Assessment and Next Steps
[01:23:20] - Prayer for Growth and Courage
[01:25:35] - The Church Needs Your Gift
[01:26:40] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “What’s In Your Hand?” (Gifted Series)
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### Bible Reading
- 1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
- 2 Timothy 1:6-7
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
- Exodus 4:1-5
Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 4:10, what is the purpose of the gifts we have received?
2. In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, what does Paul tell Timothy to do with his gift, and what kind of spirit does God give us?
3. In the story of Moses (Exodus 4), what was in Moses’ hand, and how did God use it for His purpose?
4. The sermon mentioned that spiritual gifts are like embers that need to be fanned into flame. What does this image suggest about how gifts grow? [[01:04:17]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter emphasizes using our gifts to serve others, rather than for our own benefit? How does this challenge the way we sometimes view our talents? [[49:22]]
2. The sermon talked about perfectionism and individualism as enemies of giftedness. In what ways can these attitudes keep someone from using their gifts in the church? [[01:11:52]]
3. Paul tells Timothy to “fan into flame” his gift. What might it look like for someone to intentionally develop their spiritual gifts, rather than just waiting for them to grow on their own? [[01:04:17]]
4. The sermon said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward in trust, doing what God has called us to do—even if we must do it afraid.” How does this perspective change the way we think about serving when we feel unqualified or scared? [[01:14:28]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon asked, “What’s in your hand?” Take a moment to reflect: What gifts, skills, or resources do you think God has placed in your hand right now? Are there any you’ve overlooked because they seem ordinary? [[53:35]]
2. Have you ever felt like you needed to be perfect before you could serve or use your gifts? What would it look like to step out and serve even if you feel unprepared or imperfect? [[01:09:19]]
3. The pastor described the church as a “laboratory” where we can practice and even make mistakes as we grow in our gifts. How comfortable are you with making mistakes in community? What would help you feel safer to try? [[01:11:11]]
4. Fear and failure are real obstacles. Can you share a time when fear or the possibility of failure kept you from using your gifts? What would it look like to “do it afraid” this week? [[01:14:28]]
5. The sermon encouraged everyone to take a spiritual gifts assessment and participate in workshops. Are you willing to take a next step to discover or develop your gifts? What’s one practical action you can take this month? [[01:20:37]]
6. The message said our gifts are needed now, not just in some perfect future. Where do you see a need in your church, neighborhood, or workplace that your gifts could help meet right now? [[01:19:28]]
7. Serving others with our gifts is not just about blessing them, but also about our own transformation and liberation. How have you experienced personal growth or freedom when you’ve used your gifts to serve others? [[01:21:37]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to discover, develop, and use their gifts, and for the church to be a place of love, hospitality, and growth for all.
Devotional
Day 1: Love and Hospitality as Evidence of Faith
The way we love and show hospitality to one another is a visible sign of our faith in Christ, especially in times when the world around us is hostile or indifferent. Even when society pushes us to the margins or when our beliefs are unpopular, we are called to urgently and intentionally love deeply, forgive freely, and welcome others without grumbling. This kind of love is not just a feeling but an action that covers over a multitude of sins and creates a community where grace is experienced and shared. When we practice hospitality and love, we reflect the heart of God and make His presence known in our midst. [49:22]
1 Peter 4:8-11 (ESV)
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 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: Who is someone in your church or neighborhood you can intentionally show hospitality or deep love to this week, even if it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable?
Day 2: Discover, Develop, and Deploy Your Spiritual Gifts
God has placed unique spiritual gifts in each of us, and He calls us to intentionally discover, nurture, and use these gifts for the good of others and the glory of His name. It is not enough to simply know that we are gifted; we must seek to understand what those gifts are and then commit to growing them through practice, perseverance, and faithfulness. Like water in the desert, our gifts are essential for a life of purpose and impact, and God desires that we do not waste what He has entrusted to us. As we discover and develop our gifts, we become more like Christ and are equipped to bless the world around us. [57:59]
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV)
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to intentionally discover or develop your spiritual gift—such as taking an assessment, asking a trusted friend, or trying a new area of service?
Day 3: Gifts Grow in Practice and Bloom in Community
Spiritual gifts are not meant to be perfected in isolation or hidden out of fear of imperfection; rather, they are meant to be practiced and refined within the loving, supportive environment of the church community. Perfectionism and individualism are barriers that keep us from using our gifts, but God has given us the church as a safe space to try, fail, learn, and grow together. When we replace “I” with “we,” the church becomes a place of wellness, encouragement, and mutual growth, where everyone’s gifts are valued and nurtured. In this kind of community, mistakes are met with grace, and each person is given the opportunity to flourish for the good of all. [01:11:52]
Romans 12:4-6 (ESV)
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: Where have you let perfectionism or individualism hold you back from using your gifts, and how can you take a risk to practice your gift in community this week?
Day 4: Faith Empowers Us to Overcome Fear in Using Our Gifts
Fear and the possibility of failure are natural responses when stepping out to use our spiritual gifts, but faith is what empowers us to move forward anyway. God does not call us to wait until we feel completely ready or fearless; instead, He invites us to “do it afraid,” trusting that His power, love, and self-discipline will sustain us. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to trust God and act in obedience despite our anxieties. As we lean on God in prayer and step out in faith, we discover that He is faithful to meet us and work through us, even in our weakness. [01:15:46]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Reflection: What is one area where fear has kept you from using your gift, and how can you take a small step of faith to serve or speak up this week—even if you feel afraid?
Day 5: Your Gift Is Needed Now—For the Church and the World
The gifts God has given you are not just for some future, perfect moment—they are needed right now, in the midst of your current circumstances, for the good of the church and the world. Every person’s gift is unique and valuable, and when each of us operates in our giftedness, the whole body of Christ is strengthened and the world is blessed. This is not just about serving others; it is also about your own freedom and fulfillment as you walk in your calling. God has not sent you out empty-handed—He has equipped you for such a time as this, and your obedience can make an eternal difference. [01:19:28]
Exodus 4:2 (ESV)
The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.”
Reflection: What is “in your hand” right now—what skill, resource, or opportunity has God already given you that you can use to serve others or glorify Him this week?
Quotes
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