Don’t Sit On Your Gifts! (Finding Your Gifts pt. 4)
Sunday Morning
Pastor Jim Lowe III
Sunday Morning, 9:30am Stream
6/06/21
{All scriptures are NIV84 unless stated}
Have you taken your Spiritual Gifts test?
Here is the online link:
https://giftstest.com/test
This is part 4 talking about Spiritual Gifts
We’ve learned:
God has poured out many things on us.
Each of us has a purpose for being here.
That purpose is something that is created to give God glory.
But not only do we have a purpose, we have gifts that God has given us also!
Every person has gifts given to them from God himself.
1 Corinthians 12:7
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To each one meaning we EACH have the manifestation of the Spirit.
We all have gifts.
Why do we have them?
For the common good.
We have been talking about the various gifts.
So far we’ve done:
Administration
The ability to organize, plan and govern
Discernment
The ability to distinguish what something is vs what it isn’t.
Evangelism
The ability to share the gospel with others.
Exhortation
The ability to inspire someone to do something.
Faith
The ability to believe God for something big.
Giving
The ability to be generous with your finances to help others.
Helps/Serving/Ministering
The ability to work to meet the needs of others.
If you have those gifts and haven’t heard the message, please listen to some of the previous messages.
Whatever you do:
Don’t Sit On Your Gifts!
Let’s talk about some more gifts:
Spiritual Gift:
Knowledge:
(Our Spiritual Gifts Test)
- The spiritual gift where the Spirit gives certain Christians the supernatural ability to understand God’s Word and to effectively communicate it to others.
I used this definition because I like the way it is worded.
The SUPERNATURAL Ability To Understand God’s Word
We all have bibles available.
We all read God’s word…or we should be.
Those with the gift of knowledge seem to retain things differently.
Many different references say that those with the gift of knowledge have an interest in details.
If You Have The Gift Of Knowledge, You Are The Fact-Checker!
You are gifted in understanding.
Your gift is to provide clarity.
Why?
Because the bible doesn’t say everything we think it does.
And unfortunately, **people don’t read the bible that much**
Naturally our minds begin to merge ideals together.
Over time we might start confusing bible scriptures with other stuff.
for example:
How Many Kings Went To See Jesus At His Birth?
We know the Christmas carol named: We THREE Kings!
But what if I told you we don’t know the number…
AND they weren’t KINGS!
*reading from the NIV84 version*
Matthew 2:7-11
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
NIV says Magi
ESV says Wise Men
KJV says Wise Men
AMP says Wise Men
MSG says Scholars
All of these versions mostly say Wise Men, but NONE of them mention a number.
This is just an example.
The Gift Of Knowledge Helps Us To Remember What The Bible Really Said!
Let’s look at common statements:
“God Don’t Like Ugly!”
This teaches that if you feel unattractive, God doesn’t love you.
This teaches that you are doomed from the beginning for something you can’t help.
This teaches that God is superficial and “loves” only what he finds pretty.
That’s NOT the mindset of God.
Those with the gift of knowledge have to remind us that Christ died for us ALL!
That John 3:16 said that he loved the world…when it was full of “sin,” something that would be ugly.
THAT’s when he died for us ALL!!
“Money Is The Root Of All Evil!”
This teaches that being wealthy is evil.
This keeps people trapped thinking they cannot accumulate wealth.
This makes people not want to plan or save or store.
Those with the gift of knowledge have to remind us that God is a God of prosperity!
That many of the people who followed God were wealthy.
- God is a giving God!
- God is a God of Overflow!
- God is a God that enlarges territories!
- God is a God that pours out blessings we won’t have room for.
But without those with the gift of knowledge…people would be lost.
Hosea 4:6
…my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
Meaning that God gave us what we need in his word.
If WE don’t make sure it’s accurate…it’s our fault.
How Can You Help Your Ministry?
- Working With A Small Group
Being able to help people and groups remain consistent with biblical truths.
- i.e. finance groups; Divine Potential groups… etc
Working With The Youth
We need people who understand biblical truth to help our youth.
- Kids/Teens have questions…and many times they are led away from the church when they’re older by something someone else tells them the bible says.
Being An Encourager
- People need hope. People need encouragement. Your knowledge of what God really says about his people can go a long way.
1 Thing Those With The Gift Of Knowledge Need To Be Careful Of:
Misusing Your Gift
Your primary gift is the knowledge and understanding of God’s word.
You have to stay in it.
Don’t Go By What You Were Taught As A Child. Go Back And Read It!
If this is your gift…YOU are needed!
Don’t Sit On Your Gift!
Spiritual Gift:
Mercy:
{One of my gifts}
(Dictionary of Bible Themes)
- a quality of compassion
(Our Spiritual Gifts Test)
- The spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to minister to and have compassion for those who are suffering and afflicted.
If you have the gift of mercy, you have a very strong heart for others.
Luke 10:30-37
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The priest didn’t help the man.
The levite didn’t either…
But the samaritan, who was least likely to help…did.
The Jews and Samaritans didn’t like each other.
Yet when the man was robbed:
The Samaritan didn’t care WHO he was.
He took care of him.
Those With The Gift Of Mercy Have A Heart For Anyone Hurting
You have the ability to sense hurt and respond to it.
You respond with love, patience and understanding.
That’s not normal today!
We live in a world now where WHY someone got hurt matters more than they did.
We care more of WHY someone was killed as opposed to caring for THE person who died.
Those with the gift of mercy realize that we are ALL people!
Your status doesn’t matter…because you are a person!
Those With The Gift Of Mercy Look For The Good In People
Galatians 6:2
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
When some one is hurting, be there for them!
Romans 12:13
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
We are to have a heart for one another!
How Can You Help Your Ministry?
{If your gift is about caring for others…you should place yourself in position to do so!}
- Working With Pastoral Care
{your words can reach, comfort and strengthen others. You can call and pray with people, encourage others going through life, even help as God leads you to do so}
- Working With A Small Group That Does Outreach
{your words can reach, comfort and strengthen others. You can call and pray with people, encourage others going through life, even help as God leads you to do so}
We need people like you!
They say Christians can be some of the most judgmental people out there.
We need people who will take care of others when others won’t!
This is your gift!
1 Thing People With The Gift Of Mercy Need To Be Careful Of:
- Make Sure To Pray About Everything You Do
People with the gift of mercy can be hurt also.
They can be so ready to help someone hurting, they do too much.
They can be easily hurt by others because they give so much.
Their desire to help can be misinterpreted by someone else.
Especially by the opposite sex.
Ladies trying to help men can be misinterpreted!
Not everyone is ready to be helped.
That’s why you let God lead you.
But:
Don’t Sit On Your Gift!
If you have it, use it!
Spiritual Gift:
Pastor/Teacher:
{One of my gifts}
(Our Spiritual Gifts Test)
- the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to preach and teach the Word of God and take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a body of believers.
Depending on the test, these two might be combined.
Some of you might have pastor OR teacher.
We’ll talk about them both.
Starting with Pastor:
Having “pastor” may scare many people.
ESPECIALLY if it’s in your top 3!
Having The Gift Of Pastor Does NOT Mean You Have To Start A Church!
Ephesians 4:11-12
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…
HE gave some…
to be PASTORS
Why??
Verse 12:
to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…
The Goal Of The Pastor Is To Build Up The Body Of Christ
If you have the gift of pastor, you enjoy caring for others and discipling.
If you have the gift of pastor, you are able to guide others towards maturity!
You can help individuals see the traps they fall in and warn them of others.
With The Gift Of Pastor, You Desire To See Everyone Being The Best They Can Be
What’s crazy is you might be using parts of the gift and don’t know it.
If You Have A Strong Desire To Pull Someone From Something They Keep Getting Into, That’s A Trait Of A Shepherd!
You’d be surprised how you’re probably doing some of the work you’re afraid of!
What About Teachers?
Teachers are what you expect.
Teachers are able to explain things from scripture.
Teachers are able to make difficult things easier to understand.
They put the candy on a lower shelf.
Teachers Love To Search For What The Bible Says
Just like those with knowledge…they help to make sure the church stays moving in the right direction.
They have good study habits.
A Good Teacher Can Make Difficult Things Easy
Teachers can use examples.
Teachers can use games.
Teachers can use personal experiences.
Teachers can make it REAL!
Is this you?
We need you!
Pastors and teachers can be combined as a lot of Pastors have the teaching gift as well.
So how can you help?
How Can You Help Your Ministry With A Pastor Gift?
{If your gift is about helping…you should place yourself in position to do so!}
- Working With Pastoral Care
- your love for people goes a long way.
- You can be there to help guide someone through a tough time under the leadership of your ministry.
- You can help represent the ministry whenever needed.
- Working With A Small Group
{Your gift is to help build the body of christ up, so do so under church leadership}
Small groups are great because you can grow at a great level in smaller groups.
You can potentially catch someone who may be going through or slipping away faster.
2 Things People With The Pastor Gift Need To Be Careful Of:
- If You Are Working In A Ministry, Staying UNDER It’s Leadership
Something that happens a lot is people can step outside of their lane.
We are to be under the leadership of the Pastor of that ministry.
Don’t make it about you.
- If You Have Your Own Ministry, NOT Working With Other Pastors
For some odd reason, it’s hard to get churches together.
Many pastors take their title as a moment of pride.
They want their name biggest on the flyer.
They want to stand in the front when the media comes.
They want to be the one to speak.
But we serve the same God.
We believe the same things.
We all teach from God’s word.
We should be able to work together!
Contrary to popular belief, Pastors CAN work together!
You hear of some churches having Pastors over certain things.
How Can You Help Your Ministry With A Teacher Gift?
{If your gift is about helping…you should place yourself in position to do so!}
- Working With A Small Group
- My teaching started seriously with my Young Adult Group a few years ago.
- It was a small group.
- I wasn’t trying to do anything big.
- It worked really well!
- Submitting Messages Through Facebook And YouTube
- Bishop has been asking for you to share what God has placed on your heart.
- We have the church page where we can send to everyone.
- We have youtube where we can share your teachings.
- If God has given the gift we want you to use it!
If Pastor/Teacher Is Your Gift, We Need You!
It’s for the common good and we need you!
Don’t Sit On Your Gifts!
We’ll end on a scripture from last week.
This is why we work together!
1 Corinthians 3:6
6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
We work together because it’s all of our efforts.
For the common good!
We All Work Together But GOD Makes The Change
Have you taken your Gifts Test?
Online Spiritual Gifts Test:
https://giftstest.com/test
This test will tell you the top 5 gifts you have.
The physical copy will rank 12 different gifts for you.
If you haven’t taken a test like this in over a year, you should retake it.
One gift might have gotten stronger than the other.
Because we are working towards purpose and achieving your divine potential here.
We want to know your results so we can help you find a place in ministry to help us.
Many times we want to serve but don’t know where to start.
Knowing your spiritual gifts is a GREAT start!
