Sermon Central
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Spiritual Gifts Series
Contributed by Carl Kelleher on Jun 3, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: Learn where your giftings fit in
Title: “Where Do You Fit In”?
Text: Romans 12:3-6
I like how Paul starts out in verse 3. Paul says, “Don’t think of yourself more highly than you need to, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
He said, “There are many members in the body & every member is needed.” But the members need to recognize that we aren’t all the same because we have been given different functions by God.
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In order for the body to be Healthy, it needs to work together as one. One member can’t say, “This is my Spiritual Gift & I am going to do my Thing.” But the various parts works together!
I like how Paul starts out in 1 Corinthians 12: 1. He said, “Now concerning Spiritual Gifts brethren, I don’t want you to be Ignorant.” Paul used the same Greek work in 1 Thess. 4:13
“But I would not have you to be Ignorant brethren, concerning them which are Asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
The Thessalonian Christians were very concerned about their fellow Christian friends that had died before Christ came back. Paul said, “I don’t want you to be Ignorant about these things.”
Ignorant- Lack of Information, to ignore, to
Not understand, unknown.
I say this not to be Critical but to be very Truthful. I believe that many times we are ignorant of the various gifts that God has placed within the Body of Christ, & because of this it creates problems & tension.
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I. God Wants to bless the Body with Various
Gifts.
So many times I hear people say things like;
1. If God wants me to have the Baptism in the
Holy Spirit then He will give “It” to me. Wrong!
2. If God wants to me one of the Gifts or use
me in one of the Gifts then He will
give “It” to me. Wrong!
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It doesn’t work that way. This is almost like someone saying, “If God wants me to be Saved, then I will be Saved.” God wants everyone to be Saved, but there are still many people who are Lost.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son……”
Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit & being used by God in one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is God’s Will for our Lives. But;
-We have to Ask.
-We have to Believe they are for us.
-We have to be Thirsty.
“If you then, being Evil, know how to give good gifts unto your Children; how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that Ask Him.”
“If any man Thirst, let him come unto Me, & Drink.
“He that believes on Me as the Scriptures have said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water.”
God has placed these Gifts within the Body for us. Have you ever known of a Child that didn’t want a Gift? It is time to begin to seek God for the Gifts that He has placed within the Body!
Pastor, are these Gifts essential for our Salvation? No! Then why do we want them? Because they;
-Edify the Body of Christ.
-They lift up a Brother.
-They give us Direction.
-They make the Body Stronger.
-They are of God.
-They Equip for the Body for Ministry.
Many times when we don’t understand something, we have a Tendency to Ignore it or say this just isn’t for me! But God tells us to Desire or Pursue after Spiritual Gifts!
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When we pray, we need to say, “Holy Spirit use me in the Gifts that you have placed within the Church.” Ask the Holy Spirit, “What are the Gifts that this Body needs right now?”
God doesn’t give you these Gifts to Glorify you & to make you stand out, but He gives us these gifts to build up the Body. The Church at Corith didn’t always understand this principle.
II. There are Three Different Kinds of Gifts
That God has placed within the Body.
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1. The Support Gifts.
“And He gave some Apostles; & some Prophets, & some Evangelists, & some Pastors & Teachers.
“For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the Edifying of the Body of Christ.” I believe in the 5 Fold Ministry Gifts.
2. Motivational Gifts. Romans 12:6-8
A. Prophesy- The Ability to declare God’s truth which touches the heart
& brings Conviction.
B. Serving- The Ability to show Love by meeting the practical needs of others.
C. Teaching- The Ability to Clarify Truth after Thorough Study & Research.
D. Exhortation-The Ability to Encourage others to grow Spiritually, even during difficult times.
