Title: “Where Do You Fit In”?
Text: Romans 12:3-6
Paul said, “It isn’t good for anyone to think of himself more highly than he needs to because everyone is important in the body of Christ.” Every member has a purpose.
Over the last several weeks, we have looked at several different Motivational Gifts;
1. The Prophetic Insight Person.
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-They are very straightforward.
-They see past our Masks.
-They are Black & White People.
-They care enough to confront us.
-John the Baptist was this type of Person.
2. The Server.
-They show their love through Serving.
-They see things that need to be done.
-If you want a job done, ask a Server.
-True Servers have no desire to Rule.
-Martha is a perfect example of a Server.
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3. The Teacher.
-They get a lot of joy in Research.
-They tend to think their gift is Fundamental.
-They need to validate the Truth.
-They won’t receive teaching from anyone.
-Apollos is an excellent example of a Teacher.
I believe that the Motivational Gift is different than a Talent or Natural Ability. I believe that it is something that God places within you when you are Born-Again. God places these Gifts within you, so you can be a Blessing to the Body of Christ.
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-The Body of Christ needs you.
-You need the Body of Christ.
-Every person has a Purpose.
-If you don’t use your gift, it affects the Body.
The Devil wants to make you feel insignificant. Several years ago, we had a very small part on our car that quit working. It was just a small part, but we sure missed it because it was the thermostat to the Heater & it was the middle of winter.
-The car still ran.
-We could get to where we were going.
-But it was so cold.
-You are just like that small, unseen part.
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I am so glad that we aren’t all alike in the Body of Christ. Maybe you aren’t like me, & I’m not like you, but that isn’t bad, it’s good. We need to learn to appreciate one another.
-You’ll never be Sister ___________.
-You’ll never be Brother __________.
-Quit trying to wear Saul’s Armor.
-Relax & just be you.
-And let me be I.
Remember I told you that the most natural person, is the most Spiritual Person. Tonight, we are going to be looking at another gift that God placed within the Body.
Exhorter- It is the God-given ability to
Comfort & Encourage People.
Exhorters are Encouragers. They have something that God has placed inside of them that sees the best in people. Exhortation is a strong Life related Gift. It centers on people.
-Teachers cause us to say, “I see that”.
-Exhorters cause us to say, “I can do that”.
-We need them both.
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Do you remember when you got saved & there was someone there to Encourage you? An Exhorter wants you to become everything that God called you to be. They want your life to count.
I. The Biblical Profile of an Exhorter.
1. They want you to live a life that pleases God.
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1 Thessalonians 4: 1
“Finally, dear brothers & sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to Live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, & we encourage you to do so more & more.”
2. The Exhorter gets involved with your Life.
1 Thessalonians 2:10-12
“You yourself are our witnesses- and so is God- that we were pure & honest & faultless toward all of you believers.
“And you know that we treated each of you as a Father treats his own children.
“We pleaded with you, encouraged you, & urged you to live you lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For He called you into the Kingdom to share His Glory.”
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-They are open & honest with you.
-They call & check on you.
-They encourage you to live a godly life.
-They know God has a plan for you.
-They don’t want to see you fall through the cracks.
-They are willing to go the extra mile.
3. The Exhorter Loves People & he Encourages
You to Love Others.
-He has a lot of love for people.
-They want to see people walk in Love.
-They want you to see the good in people.
-He wants you to Love & Respect one another.
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1 Thessalonians 4: 9-10
“But I don’t need to write you about Christian Love that should be shown among God’s People. For God Himself has taught you to love one another.
“Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christians in all of Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers & sisters, we beg you to love them more & more.”
4. The Exhorter encourages you to continue in
the Faith in spite of hardships.
The exhorter is the person that even though you might be going through a difficult time in your life says, “you can make it.”
Acts 14:21-22
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city & made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium & Antioch,
“Strengthening the souls of the Disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, & saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.”
Paul had just been stoned & left for Dead, But God raised him up. This didn’t stop this man of God, but he continued to preach & encourage the church.
-He strengthened the souls of the Disciples.
-He Exhorted them to hold to the Faith.
-He didn’t let hardships stop him.
-He didn’t whine about his wounds.
5. The Exhorter focuses on working with People.
-He loves his people.
-And his people love him.
-He is a hands on type of person.
6. The Exhorter encourages others to develop
their personal ministries.
-He wants you to be involved.
-He wants you to use your gifts.
-He wants to see you grow.
-He gets involved with your life.
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7. The Exhorter prefers information that
has practical application.
If you preach a message, he doesn’t care so much as to what the Greek means. What he is concerned about is, “How can I apply this message to my Life?”
8. The Exhorter accepts people as they are
without Judging Them.
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Barnabas was an Exhorter. When all of the Christians didn’t want to have anything to do with this new convert by the name of “Saul”, it was Barnabas that gave the apostle Paul a chance.
9. An Exhorter wants to Clear up Problems
with others Quickly.
-They don’t like division.
-They don’t like problems between brothers.
-They want to deal with the situation.
-They want you to walk in Love.
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10. An Exhorter expects a lot from himself,
but also from others.
-He pushes himself to be the very best.
-And he wants you to be the very best.
-He can come across pushy.
-But he wants to see the best in you!
11. The Exhorter wants a visible response
when Teaching or Speaking.
If they are teaching a S.S. class, they don’t just present the Lesson……….
12. The Exhorter needs a Sounding Board for
Bouncing off ideas & thoughts.
II. Barnabas is an Excellent Example of an
Exhorter.
Acts 4:36-37
“And Joses, who was named Barnabas by the apostles which is translated “Son of Encouragement”), a Levite of the country of Cyprus.
“Having Land, sold it, & brought the money & laid it at the Apostles’ Feet.”
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The Early Church was growing & doing well & a man by the name of Barnabas saw a need;
-He sold a piece of his land.
-He gave the money to the Disciples.
-He wanted to bless the Church.
-He wanted to be an Encouragement.
-Barnabas means, “Son of Encouragement”.
-Barnabas wasn’t a Selfish Man.
1. His Message appealed to the Will.
There is a great similarity between a newborn baby & a new Christian;
-The first 48 hours are crucial.
-The first 72 hours are very crucial.
-The first week is Vital.
Many times we see people saved & we shake their hand & send them on their way. But they don’t know how to feed themselves & how to continue to grow in the faith. They need help within the body of Christ. This is the kind of guy that Barnabas was.
Acts 11:21-23
“And the hand of the Lord was with them, & a great number believed & turned to the Lord.
“Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, & they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
“When he came & had seen the grace of God, he was glad, & encouraged them all that with purpose of Heart they should continue with the Lord.”
-Barnabas was a good man.
-He was full of the Holy Ghost.
-He wanted to see people saved.
-He was an encouragement to the Body.
-He knew how to build you up!
2. He is Aimed at Christian Growth and
Successful Living.
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Acts 14:22
“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the Faith, & saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.”
Paul went through a lot of things in his Life. But he had a friend by the name of Barnabas that said, “Paul, you can make it because God has a plan for your Life.”
3. His Emphasis was Practical & Personal.
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Paul was newly saved & he wanted to be accepted by the church, but they didn’t want to have anything to do with him, because of his Reputation! But thank God for a Barnabas!
Acts 9:26-27
“And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, & did not believe that he was a Disciple.
“But Barnabas took him & brought him to the Apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the Road, & that He had spoken to him, & how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”
4. He was always Positive & never gave up on
People.
Barnabas never wrote a book of the Bible, but if it wouldn’t have been for him, half of the New Testament wouldn’t have been written.
When Paul was ready to give up on John Mark, Barnabas still believed in him. And later on, the apostle Paul needed John Mark.
Acts 15:39-40
“Then the contention became sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark & said to Cyprus;
“But Paul chose Silas & departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.”
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5. His Ministry might be described as a Father
Speaking to His Children.
I believe that Bro. Jackson is an Exhorter. When he writes to us, he refers to us as His Kids. He’ll send me an e-mail & say, “Son, I am so proud of you.” The body of Christ, so desperately needs this Gift!
1 Thessalonians 2:11
“As you know how we exhorted, & comforted, & charged every one of you, as a Father does his own children.”
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III. Typical Problem areas of the Gift of
Exhortation.
1. They tend to interrupt others in Eagerness
to give their Opinion or Advice.
2. They may be cut & dried in Prescribing
Steps of Action.
-They don’t want to see you down.
-They don’t want to see you lose your joy.
-They are different than Mercy People.
-They will push you!
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3. They may be Outspoken & Opinionated.
4. They can be overly self-confident.
5. They want so much for you to Achieve that
they might have a Tendency to Push You.
6. They are so hard on themselves, that if they
aren’t careful they don’t enjoy the journey.
7. They want so much to see the good that if
they aren’t careful they can’t see things
as they really are.
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