Unleashing Your Spiritual Gifts for God's Glory
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the theme "Gifted and Untapped," focusing on the spiritual gifts bestowed upon believers by the Holy Spirit. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, we explored how these gifts are meant to edify the church and glorify God. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that these gifts are diverse but come from the same Spirit, and they are given for the common good. We reflected on the permanence of these gifts, as highlighted in Romans 11:29, which states that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable.
I shared my personal journey of discovering and initially misusing my spiritual gift of communication. This journey included a period of walking away from God and using my gift in secular settings, only to be convicted by the Holy Spirit to return and use my gift for God's glory. This narrative served as a reminder that no matter how far we stray, God's gifts remain with us, waiting to be used for His kingdom.
We also discussed the importance of recognizing and utilizing our spiritual gifts within the church. Many of us may have untapped potential due to fear, past hurts, or simply not being aware of our gifts. The church, as a living organism, needs each member to function fully, and our gifts play a crucial role in this. We examined the nine spiritual gifts mentioned by Paul, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
Furthermore, we touched on the conditions necessary for effectively using these gifts: fully surrendering our lives to God and operating in love. Without love, our gifts are meaningless, as stated in 1 Corinthians 13. We also acknowledged the enemy's attempts to prevent us from using our gifts within the church, emphasizing the need for unity and collective functioning to achieve our full potential as the body of Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Permanence of Spiritual Gifts: God's gifts and calling are irrevocable. No matter how far we stray, the gifts He has given us remain with us, waiting to be used for His glory. This truth should encourage us to return to God and use our gifts for His kingdom, knowing that He never takes them away. [10:26]
2. Recognizing and Utilizing Gifts: Many believers have untapped potential due to fear, past hurts, or lack of awareness. It's crucial to put ourselves in environments that allow us to discover and exercise our gifts, such as serving in the church or joining connect groups. These settings help us identify and develop our spiritual gifts. [12:02]
3. Conditions for Effective Use of Gifts: To effectively use our spiritual gifts, we must fully surrender our lives to God and operate in love. Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 13 highlight the importance of offering our lives as living sacrifices and ensuring our motives are rooted in love. Without love, our gifts are meaningless. [31:28]
4. The Enemy's Tactics: The devil aims to prevent us from using our gifts within the church by sowing division and discouragement. Recognizing this, we must strive for unity and collective functioning as the body of Christ. When we operate on all cylinders, we can profoundly impact our community and glorify God. [42:23]
5. The Importance of Serving: Serving in the church not only helps others but also brings healing and joy to our own lives. Scripture teaches that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. By stepping into community and serving, we allow God to stir up our gifts and passions, leading to personal and communal growth. [41:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:54] - Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
[03:11] - Opening Prayer
[04:13] - Personal Testimony: Discovering My Gift
[07:35] - Conviction and Return to God
[10:26] - The Permanence of Spiritual Gifts
[12:02] - Recognizing and Utilizing Gifts
[14:52] - Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
[17:55] - Explanation of the Nine Gifts
[29:04] - Order in the Early Church
[31:28] - Conditions for Effective Use of Gifts
[33:52] - The Importance of Motives
[35:12] - The Enemy's Tactics
[38:09] - The Church as a Body
[41:03] - The Importance of Serving
[43:13] - Unity and Anointing
[45:22] - Unwrapping Your Gift
[47:10] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Gifted and Untapped"
#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (NIV)
> Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 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.
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the different kinds of spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the permanence of spiritual gifts as highlighted in Romans 11:29? [[10:26]]
3. How did the pastor describe his personal journey of discovering and initially misusing his spiritual gift of communication? [[05:22]]
4. What are the conditions necessary for effectively using spiritual gifts, as discussed in the sermon? [[31:28]]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that spiritual gifts come from the same Spirit and are given for the common good? How does this understanding impact the way we view our own gifts?
2. The pastor mentioned that many believers have untapped potential due to fear, past hurts, or lack of awareness. How can the church help individuals recognize and utilize their spiritual gifts? [[12:02]]
3. What does it mean to fully surrender our lives to God and operate in love when using our spiritual gifts? How does this align with Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 13? [[31:28]]
4. How does the enemy attempt to prevent us from using our gifts within the church, and what can we do to strive for unity and collective functioning as the body of Christ? [[42:23]]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual gifts. Have you identified them, and are you currently using them for God's glory? If not, what steps can you take to discover and utilize your gifts? [[12:02]]
2. The pastor shared his experience of misusing his gift in secular settings before being convicted to return to God. Have you ever felt that you were not using your gifts in the way God intended? How did you or how can you realign your gifts with God's purpose? [[07:35]]
3. Fear and past hurts can prevent us from using our gifts. Is there a specific fear or past hurt that is holding you back? How can you seek healing and courage to move forward? [[12:02]]
4. Serving in the church can bring healing and joy to our lives. How can you get involved in serving within your church community? What specific area or ministry are you interested in? [[41:03]]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of operating in love. Think of a recent situation where you used your gift. Were your actions and motives rooted in love? How can you ensure that love remains at the core of your service? [[32:30]]
6. The enemy seeks to sow division and discouragement. Have you experienced this in your church community? How can you contribute to unity and collective functioning within your church? [[42:23]]
7. The pastor mentioned that sometimes the cure to our lack of joy or peace is in serving others. Is there an area in your life where you feel a lack of joy or peace? How can you step into serving others to find refreshment and fulfillment? [[41:03]]
Devotional
Day 1: The Irrevocable Nature of God's Gifts
God's gifts and calling are irrevocable, meaning they are permanent and unchanging. This truth is a source of great encouragement for believers, as it assures us that no matter how far we stray from God, the gifts He has given us remain with us. These gifts are not based on our merit but on God's grace and purpose for our lives. They are meant to be used for His glory and the edification of the church. Understanding this can motivate us to return to God and use our gifts for His kingdom, knowing that He never takes them away. [10:26]
Romans 11:29 (ESV): "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
Reflection: Think about a gift or talent you have that you may not be using for God's glory. How can you start using it to serve Him and others today?
Day 2: Discovering and Utilizing Spiritual Gifts
Many believers have untapped potential due to fear, past hurts, or simply not being aware of their spiritual gifts. It's crucial to put ourselves in environments that allow us to discover and exercise our gifts, such as serving in the church or joining connect groups. These settings help us identify and develop our spiritual gifts. By actively participating in the life of the church, we can uncover the unique ways God has equipped us to serve and build up the body of Christ. [12:02]
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 steps can you take this week to discover or further develop your spiritual gifts? Consider joining a church group or volunteering in a new ministry.
Day 3: Surrender and Love as Conditions for Effective Use of Gifts
To effectively use our spiritual gifts, we must fully surrender our lives to God and operate in love. Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 13 highlight the importance of offering our lives as living sacrifices and ensuring our motives are rooted in love. Without love, our gifts are meaningless. This means that our actions and service should be driven by genuine care and compassion for others, reflecting the love of Christ. When we operate in love, our gifts become powerful tools for ministry and transformation. [31:28]
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (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."
Reflection: Reflect on your motives for using your spiritual gifts. Are they rooted in love? How can you ensure that love is the driving force behind your actions?
Day 4: Recognizing the Enemy's Tactics
The devil aims to prevent us from using our gifts within the church by sowing division and discouragement. Recognizing this, we must strive for unity and collective functioning as the body of Christ. When we operate on all cylinders, we can profoundly impact our community and glorify God. It's important to be aware of the enemy's tactics and to counter them with prayer, unity, and a focus on our shared mission. By doing so, we can overcome obstacles and fulfill our God-given potential. [42:23]
Ephesians 4:3-4 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."
Reflection: Are there any areas of division or discouragement in your church community? How can you contribute to unity and collective functioning within the body of Christ?
Day 5: The Healing Power of Serving
Serving in the church not only helps others but also brings healing and joy to our own lives. Scripture teaches that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. By stepping into community and serving, we allow God to stir up our gifts and passions, leading to personal and communal growth. Serving is a powerful way to experience God's love and grace, as we see the impact of our contributions on the lives of others and on our own spiritual journey. [41:03]
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: How can you serve others in your church or community this week? Consider specific ways you can use your gifts to bless and refresh those around you.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I was just thinking about this message and I was thinking about the first time I said yes to Jesus. Now for some of you who know Jesus I want you just for a moment to go back to that place when you first said yes to Jesus... I remember the pastor preached the message my youth pastor at the time and I don't remember what he preached about I don't remember the message for the life of me but I know at the very end of the moment he offered an invitation to come accept Jesus and I knew the Holy Spirit was just speaking to me was doing something in me." (74 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Mom and dad if you have children that grew up that you raised in the ways of this with the Lord and they are not walking with him anymore and you question do your children still hear the voice of God I want you to know that yes we still hear the voice of God it doesn't matter what dark pit we've been in God has met us in that pit and God has spoken to us as he's spoken to me." (21 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you come to faith and when you say yes to Jesus and when the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in you and no longer just amongst you and the spirit of God lives in you the Holy Spirit gives you a gift or gives you good gifts and when you come to faith you receive gifts and it's irrevocable meaning that there is nothing that you can absolutely do for God to ever take that gift from you." (21 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Sometimes the cure to your depression, sometimes the cure to your lack of joy, sometimes your cure to your lack of peace is in serving because scripture says those who, him who refreshes others will he himself be refreshed. Sometimes the cure is not to sit and wallow and scroll. It's to serve when you don't want to. It's to go to church when your obedience has to override your emotion to want to quit every time." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Can you imagine the church of Jesus Christ operating on all cylinders? Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Imagine that. Imagine what it would look like. Imagine what it would do to our city. Imagine what it would do in our community. Imagine what it would do in the lives of those of you who are here. And imagine what it would say to those out there. There's something profound that happens when we come together. And the enemy knows it." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "There are some of you in here who you have a gift and you know your gift but you've been sleeping on that gift you've been in church you know the gifting that you have but you've been not utilizing it you've been allowing it to sit dormant for several different reasons out of fear out of anxiety out of insecurity out of previous hurts or previous church abuse for whatever reason but you have a gift and there's some of you in this room that you didn't even know that you had a gift because you'll never know you have a gift until you put yourself in a position to be able to exercise that gift." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The purpose for spiritual gifts is to build each other up not tear each other down. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to take you into deeper revelation on the things of God. The purpose of the gifts of the spirit are to empower you by the spirit and to give you authority and anointing to operate in the supernatural so that you would walk in the anointing so that you would operate and move even in the prophetic so that you would move in the supernatural those things that we go through are in the bible what is scary are in the bible just because it was abused in one season of your church life doesn't mean that God wrote it out in this season." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You can operate in your gifts all day long, but if your heart is not in the right place, God said it's meaningless. It's like clanging cymbals. When you think your worship sounds beautiful, God is like, Oh my gosh, turn that off. Good grief. What channel is that? Mute it. It's like a clanging cymbal. And so to fully operate in your gifts in alignment and accordance with Scripture, give your life fully over to God and make sure you're operating in love." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The devil is trying to prevent you from using your gifts and talents within the church. He will. He'll give you every excuse not to come to church. You know the sermon series is called I Don't Need Church. I said last week, I'm not preaching this message because our seats are empty and I want to guilt you when I come into church. I didn't tell you that because I want to make sure that our camera angle looks good when they get a sick shot from the corner and it shows the room looks filled. That's not what I'm here for. I'm more concerned with the condition of your soul." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What I'm trying to show you is that when we come together and we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing unto God and we utilize with the right heart what he has for us, it not only builds you up but it edifies the church. It builds the church. Worship team, if you can come up. Let me tell you something. Sometimes the cure to your depression, sometimes the cure to your lack of joy, sometimes your cure to your lack of peace is in serving because scripture says those who, him who refreshes others will he himself be refreshed." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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