Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-7
I think the church of the western world has bitten off and swallowed the lie. I think we have been blinded and deceived by the evil one. What is that lie or deception? Let me explain through a personal story from India. As we visited a particular Indian in the town we were doing mission work in, he excitedly pulled out from behind his TV a framed picture of Jesus that he proceeded to kiss. In broken English explained his thoughts about Jesus. What was disturbing were the other icons and statues on the shelf and the others also hidden behind the books and TV. I suspect he simply pulled out the appropriate god for the appropriate person.
In the west we think that believing in Jesus is like having a picture of Jesus and pulling it out when necessary. We pull Jesus out when times are tough or when our health goes down hill. We pull Jesus out when we hate ourselves or feel bad about something that’s happened. But most of the time we are happy to sit Jesus on the shelf next to the god of money, status, power and popularity. We might even have a few iffy books on the shelf next to Jesus as well. Sometimes we are keen to put Jesus back behind the TV so that friends and family aren’t upset and put off by Him.
The picture painted by 1 Corinthians 12 is a radically different Jesus. Jesus is not a lucky charm or picture to be adored. He is the living Lord who died for our sins and rose to eternal life. He is the living God who gives each of his children a gift to use for the benefit and edification of the church. This living God of the Scriptures wants to be up front and personal with each of us, not hidden behind the TV. He wants to be at work in us and through us 24/7, not sitting idly on the shelf until the next Sonday you happen to be at church. To that end God gives each of His children a spiritual gift, a gift that He expects us to be using.
If you don’t’ know what your spiritual gift is, here’s a quick run down of what you can do to find out.
Prayer: Spend time praying that God would show you what role He wants you to have in the church. Sitting on the bench or the sideline is not optional for any believer. There are no reserves in God’s church.
Passions: Think about where your passions life. Are you passionate about ministry? Do you love to serve people? Do you enjoy hospitality. God often gives us passions in line with our spiritual gifts.
Perceive: Look around and talk to people so that you can perceive the needs of your church. Find out what’s happening and what needs to happen.
Practice: Practice filling that need for a reasonable amount of time. If you make a difference in people’s by blessing them then you can reasonably assume that this is one of your gifts.
Painful Analysis: Finally, get together with a mature believer and ask them how you’ve been going in that ministry or service area. Take their feedback on board and prayerfully consider what they have to say. If this particular area isn’t your gift start the process again and get praying. Pretty soon you’ll be serving God in a rich and blessed ministry.
Prayer:
Use today’s Bible reading and notes to pray along the following lines.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray that everyone in your church would know their spiritual gifts and that they would be using them for the common good.
¨ Pray that the saints in your church would be edified and built up in their faith as more and more people use their gifts for God’s glory and the church’s benefit.
Being committed to Christ mean being committed to His body, the church. As the world sees this commitment they will be drawn to Christ. No body out there wants to worship a God whom you can’t even commit to.
1. If a person doesn’t want to know their spiritual gift, what can you do?
2. How can a church encourage everyone to be using their spiritual gifts?
3. How should our spiritual gifts be used?
Intro: God is keen for both girls and boys to share in the Church and to be involved in the church. He thinks every single person in the church is so important that they have to be involved.
Discuss Share different ways that young people could be involved in the local church. Write down your ideas and pass them onto the leadership of the church.
Read Romans 12:4-8
?What are some of the ways that are listed here to be involved in the church?
In what ways would you like to be involved?
Pray together that God would open doors for your to be involved.
Intro: God is keen for both girls and boys to share in the Church and to be involved in the church. He thinks every single person in the church is so important that they have to be involved.
Discuss Share different ways that young people could be involved in the local church. Write down your ideas and pass them onto the leadership of the church.
Read Romans 12:4-8
?What are some of the ways that are listed here to be involved in the church?
In what ways would you like to be involved?
Pray together that God would open doors for your to be involved.
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