Using Your Gift(s) | Grace Bible Church

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Pastor Scott L. Harris

Grace Bible Church, NY

October 3, 1999

Using Your Gift(s)

Selected Scriptures

I have been stressing the purpose and nature of the church for a couple of months now. The reason? We can not fulfill our purpose if we do not know what it is. We cannot function effectively if we do not know how God has designed us to work.

I have also stressed the church as the Body of Christ. Why? It is the most comprehensive analogy used. The body needs every part.

Last week I went over the different spiritual gifts because we need to understand that God has equipped every true Christian to serve Him. The gifts listed in scripture are just a sampling. You are gifted. Are you serving the Lord?

At the end of last week’s sermon I talked briefly about how to determine what your spiritual gift might be. Let me review that again with you.

The first question you must ask yourself is, "How is your walk with God?" Serving the Lord must start with your walk with Him. If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then you need to start there. He gives spiritual gifts only to those who belong to Him. Once Jesus is your Lord and savior, then better you know Him and the closer you walk with Him the greater will be your ability to serve Him. The greater the harmony between your will and God’s will the more He can use you.

Next, as you walk closely with the Lord, see what desires He has He placed in your heart. That is the point of Psalm 37 where it says, "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." As you delight yourself in the Lord, your desires change to match His, then He grants those desires because they are according to His will.

Next, you need to try and serve Him in some specific area. How can you know whether the Lord has gifted you in an area or not if you have not tried? Too often fear keeps us from the blessings God would have for us if we would just trust Him and step out in the face of our fears.

Next, evaluate whether the Lord used you. What did you see Him do through you? Do other mature believers confirm you as having that gift? You do not know if you have a gift until you try to serve in that area and see the Lord use you in it.

Finally, check out what I will call your compulsion-joy level. If we are properly serving the Lord He will do one of two things. He will either give us a great joy in the midst of the service or He will compel us to do it. We will either have a sense of pleasure in the serving because we know we are doing God’s will, or we will be like Jeremiah. God called him to a thankless ministry of rebuking the people and even told him that the people would not listen. Not surprisingly Jeremiah did not like that ministry, yet when he refrained he described it as "burning fire shut up in his bones" and he was compelled to continue preaching to those stubborn people. What is your joy/compulsion level.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR GIFT.

Let’s go back now to a basic that is important if we are going to use our spiritual gifts properly. I Cor. 12:7 states the purpose of all the gifts clearly, "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit of the common good."

Your gift(s) is not give for your benefit, but for that of the whole body. That is the point of Paul’s whole discussion of spiritual things in 1 Corinthians 12,13 & 14. The Church at Corinth was a mess. They had fractured and divided into all sorts of groups – see 1 Cor. 1:10-13.

There were those that were becoming boastful. They had forgotten their calling (1:26) and that any boasting should be for the Lord. Their spiritual understanding did not arise within themselves, but was given by the Holy Spirit (2:12-14). They had thought themselves to be wise, but were in fact still babes (3:1) and carnal (3:3). They should have been able to handle more in depth doctrine, but they could not (3:2). Paul called on them to cease their boasting in themselves and be more diligent in seeking after God (3:18-23).

They had even grown so self pious that they thought themselves superior to the apostle Paul and judged him (4:3-5). Paul uses sarcasm in verses 7-13 as an admonishment to them to set aside their arrogance (4:18). Paul would come in person to admonish them if needed (4:21).

What were the nature of some of their problems. In chapter 5 we find the Corinthians are arrogant about how tolerant they are of sin in their midst. Toleration of sin is not love and it is dangerous (5:6) It is not something to boast about, but rather something to mourn (5:1,2).

In chapter 6 we find them taking each other before the civil courts. These who saw themselves as spiritually superior could not even decide basic legal matters among themselves. Instead they aired their problems before unbelievers who are not qualified to give wise, godly judgements (6:1-8).

They also continued to be involved with the cult prostitutes (there were 1,000 prostitutes of Aphrodite in the city) (6:15f). Some among them were failing in even basic morality.

In chapter 7 we find they did not know how to handle marriage or singleness.

In chapters 8-10 we find they abuse their liberty in Christ and in flaunting their freedom they caused their Christian brothers to stumble into sin (8). They should have used their liberty as Paul did for the sake of the gospel. Paul buffeted his body and made it his slave. Apparently they must have been slaves to their bodies and ate at buffets as is evidenced by their misuse of the Lord’s supper in chapter 11:20-22. They bore the consequence of the Lord’s judgement for that in that some were weak and sick and some had died (11:30). They did well in their services at keeping the traditions Paul had handed down to them (11:2), but they let the services become disorderly and fractioned (11:17,18).

This was a church in disunity largely due to the selfishness and pride of those within it. The same thing was true in how they used their spiritual gifts. They sought after the showy ones that made themselves feel superior. They wanted prestige and honor for themselves. The body was fractured by the divisions and so chapters 12-14 deal with the proper use of these gifts. Spiritual gifts are not for individual gain, but for the benefit, for the good, of the whole body. They would have to be unselfish and not self-seeking if they were to be used properly.

This is why Paul made such an issue of this in chapter 12:21f. Each part of the body needs all the other parts. The body must work in harmony to function.. In verse 22-24 Paul says that it is the weaker parts, the parts that are hidden, the parts that are un-attractive that are the most needed parts. There is no room for pride.

I said it before, I will say it again. It is not me or the musicians or anyone else up front that are essential for the church to be successful. It is the people who faithfully serve where no one sees them. People faithful in praying. People faithful in witnessing to the people around them. People faithful in discipling others one on one. Parents faithful in raising a godly heritage. Get rid of me and the church can still make it, but get rid of these people behind the scenes and this church will collapse and shut down. The body will be weak and feeble to the degree that people who make up the church are proud, selfish and divided for then. It may even cease to function.

Paul says in 12:25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Why? because we are all in it together. Verse 27, Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.

Verses 28-30, It is God that gives each of us our gifts and appoints us to the place He wants us to serve in. There is no gift that everyone has, and no one has every gift.

In verse 31 there is a translation problem. I believe there is a much better translation for this verse. Most English versions translate this verse as "But earnestly desire" or "but covet earnestly" etc., because they translate the verb as a 2nd person plural present active imperative. However, the verb form here is exactly the same in both the indicative and the imperative. The imperative is the voice of command and the indicative is the voice of being – i.e. this is what you are doing. If this verb is translated as an indicative, it would be "you are coveting earnestly." Only the context can determine if it is imperative or indicative. I submit to you that the indicative is in better keeping with both the context and the normal meaning of the word "covet" used here.

Paul has been correcting them for their arrogance and selfishness all the way through the book. Here he tells them that they have been coveting what they think are the greater gifts, but now he is going to show them a more excellent way. The way of love.

God does not give us gifts for our own use, our own prestige, our own glory. They are given for His glory and the benefit of the whole body of Christ. For that to occur properly their must be love among the members of the body.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE is the first thing Paul points out in verses 1-3. No matter how prestigious a gift you may have or how well you use it, unless you use it in love it is worthless. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but to not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is the most important factor when it comes to spiritual gifts, for without it their usage is in vain.

What kind of love is this? The soft, sentimental feeling so often promoted in our society? Fond feelings of affection? No. This is a strong, bold, decisive and selfless love that can only exist with God’s assistance. This is agape, the love that God has for us and the love that He wants to produce in us.

This love has the following characteristics:

PATIENT: μακροθυμεῖ – "to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart; hence 1) to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles, 2) to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others; to be mild and slow in avenging; to be long suffering, slow to anger, slow to punish. Cf. 1 Thess 5:14; Mt. 18:26,29; 2 Pet 3:9.

KIND: – "to show one’s self mild, to be kind, use kindness" – (opposite of being hard, harsh, sharp, bitter).

NOT JEALOUS: – "to be heated or to boil with envy, hatred, anger" cf. Acts 7:9; 17:5, 1 Cor 13:4, James 4:2.

NOT BRAGGING: – "to boast one’s self" – "to be vain-glorious, braggart"

NOT ARROGANT: – "to be puffed up, to bear one’s self loftily, be proud, conceited" cf. 1 Cor 4:6,18; 5:2; 13:4; Col 2:18

DOES NOT ACT UNBECOMINGLY: ἀσχημονεῖ – "to act unbecomingly" i.e. "indecent, unseemly" cf. 1 Cor. 13:5, 7:36 – see also 1 Cor 12:23

DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN: -"does not seek, pursue, , strive, desire, endeavor" for one’s self.

IS NOT PROVOKED: – "provoke, irritate, rouse to anger, exasperate" cf. Acts 17:16, 1 Cor. 13:5

DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A WRONG: – "reckon, count, compute… impute" An accounting term. cf. 1 Cor 13:5; 1 Tim 4:16; Rom 4:6, 2 Cor 5:19 the "bad, evil, wrong"

DOES NOT REJOICE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS: – "rejoice, be glad" … "injustice, unrighteousness of heart and life, a deed violating law and justice"

REJOICES IN TRUTH: – "to rejoice with, take part in another’s joy, congratulate" in the "truth – what is true in any matter or thing"

BEARS ALL THINGS: – "to cover" i.e. "by covering to keep off something which threatens, to bear up against, hold out against, and so to endure, bear, forbear." cf. 1 Cor 9:12; 13:7, 1 Thess 3:1,5.

BELIEVES ALL THINGS: – "believe, to think true, place confidence in, to trust"

HOPES ALL THINGS: – "to hope, hopefully to trust in…. have expectations of good"

ENDURES ALL THINGS: ὑπομένει – "to remain, tarry, abide, persevere, endure" cf. 1 Cor 13:7, 2 Tim 2:10, Heb 10:32; 12:2, James 1:12.

LOVE NEVER FAILS: – "not ever – never" "to fall… to perish – i.e. to come to an end, disappear, cease."

These are the characteristics of love. How do you rate? There is a love self test on the back of that sheet so that you can examine yourself to see how well you are doing in this area. Have your spouse or a close friend evaluate you too so that you can work on the areas that you are weak.

THE SUPERIORITY OF LOVE is Paul’s theme through the rest of the chapter.

Verse 8: The gifts will fail, but Love will not. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease (note that this is future, middle indicative. They will cease of themselves). if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. The gifts will come to end. There usefulness will cease and so will they.

When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. Paul grew up, so too must the Corinthian believers, so too must we. for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. but now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Love is superior to all gifts for without it, the gifts become useless. Does that mean we neglect using our gifts? No, but it does mean that love must take a first priority and our gifts must be used with love. Love is other-centered, not self-centered. Love seeks the best for others, not just the best for one’s self. Love seeks to give to others, not get for itself.

Let me state it one more time. Every gift is given for the good of the whole body. That is the point of chapter 14. Selfish use of a gift is not loving and it does not fulfill the purpose for which it was given. The same is true when you neglect to use your gift(s).

Folks, God has gifted every believer to serve Him and His church, the body of Christ. Are you using your gift(s) in the way He intended? If you are using it for yourself, then you are selfish and God has a problem with you. If you are not using it at all, then that is also selfish and God has a problem with you. Either way you leave the rest of the body handicapped.

When I think about how this church is doing in this area in comparison with some churches I know, I think we are doing pretty good. Many churches have 10 percent or less of the people doing 90 percent of the work. As a percentage of the congregation we have much more than 10 percent involvement. However, to compare ourselves with those churches is not good. We are to compare ourselves with the standard God had given, not with other people. And in practical terms, those churches are stagnant or dying.

God’s standard is that we truly worship Him, that we truly care for one another in the practical demonstration of fulfilling all the "one another" commands (most of which are listed on the bulletin insert), that we build each other up in Christ and that we proclaim the gospel to our community. If I compare our church with that standard, then we are sorely lacking. Even a 50 percent active involvement in ministry would not be sufficient. Tell me, if half of your body did not work, what would you be able to accomplish? You would be doing well just to live at all! How then is the church supposed to fulfill its purposes unless every part of it is alive and fulfilling its function within the whole body?

There are some that think or at least act like the "pastor," the paid professional, is the one that is supposed to be doing the work of the ministry. Some add the Deacons and the Deaconess to those who do the work of the ministry. Sorry, but that is simply not sufficient either. Ephesians 4:11-12 is very clear that the role of a pastor is to equip each of you to go do the work of the ministry. Each of us is gifted and we all rise or fall together. We all suffer with one another or we rejoice with one another.

I realize that I will be stepping on some toes here, but we must take an honest look at our church and you must take an honest look at yourself. I know what my gifts are and I am using them. Do you know what yours are? Are you using them? If not, why not?

Let me give you a few reasons why people, perhaps you, do not serve the Lord as you should. None of them are good. None of them are right. But they can all be corrected.

1) Your relationship with the Lord is not right. Now it may be as fundamental as not being a Christian yet. If that is true, then certainly you will not be serving Him. You need to repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ before you die in your sins and enter eternity under God’s condemnation.

For those of you who are Christians, perhaps something has come between you and our Savior. It might be some sin that is blocking your relationship with Him. That happens to all of us at times. It happened to King David too. You need to confess your sins to Jesus. He is faithful and just to forgive you and restore you once again. Perhaps you cannot name a specific sin, but something is not right. Then ask God to search your heart and reveal what the problem is so that you can get right with Him (Ps. 139:23,24).

Perhaps your love for Christ has diminished. If your love for Christ does not compel you to serve Him, then there is a problem. You need to remember what you were, what Jesus did for you and repent of your attitude toward Him. But that leads to another reason.

2) Selfishness. If you are selfish you will not be serving the Lord as you should. You will be looking to see what is in it for you before you do anything. I pointed this out before, but that is a prevailing attitude in our society now even among most Christians. They do not look for a church in which they can serve the Lord, they look for a church in which they will be served. If all their needs are met, then perhaps they will serve themselves, as long as it doesn’t require too much of them.

Serving Jesus Christ is about giving to others, not getting for yourself. James 1:27 tells us that "pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, is to visit orphans and windows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." A selfish person cannot do any of those things. Personal holiness is contrary to the desires of the eyes, flesh, and pride. God is delighted when we serve those who cannot give back anything in return, like orphans and widows in distress.

Selfishness demonstrates itself in not only a lack of service, but also in complaining about what little service you do and criticizing others in what they are doing. The fundamental problem with selfishness is the "I." I want this, I want that, I am not getting what I want so I will complain. If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem. It is time to repent and put your eye on Jesus instead of yourself.

3) Some people do not serve because they are fearful. They are afraid of failure, or of being criticized, or not meeting their own expectations. Fear affects all of us to one degree or another. There are things I fear and it is a hindrance to doing what I know I should do. It is only overcome by placing your trust in Jesus and stepping out in the direction of the fear. Yes, you might fail, but failure with effort is acceptable, but failure without effort is not. If you try and fail, you learn. If you never try you remain a failure. Yes, you will be criticized. But who are you trying to please, God or people? Keep your eyes on Jesus for He is the one we should desire to please (1 Thess. 4:1, etc.). You also need to make sure your expectations are realistic. You cannot do more than what God asks of you.

4) Laziness are a fourth reason people do not serve the Lord as they should. The other reasons fit in with this because laziness is a sin (The Bible often uses the term, "sluggard" to describe such people), a selfish person will not expend themselves for others, and fear can immobilize a person from action. If you are someone given over to laziness then follow the advice of Proverbs 6 and go to the ant and learn her ways of work and diligence.

5) Complacency and its related lack of commitment are a fifth reason people do not use their God given gifts. This is a characteristic of our times and even more so in the younger generations. People are not as committed as previous generations. Some of this is because of selfishness, fear or laziness as above. Some of it may be due to being overwhelmed with so much that we retreat from doing anything. Some of it is due to the paradigm shift taking place in our society in which there are no absolutes, so it is hard to commit yourself to ever changing opinions. None of these should affect a Christian’s commitment to serving God.

It takes commitment to use your gifts in serving the Lord. You will have to give of yourself without any expectation of getting something back. It will often be inconvenient. Others will sinfully criticize you. Some will even call you a fool for it. I certainly have.

Why then serve the Lord? Simply because our master commanded it and it pleases Him. No more complex than that. Jesus know better than I about what my life is to be about, what I am to accomplish and He said to do it. Jesus is the one I desire to please. What about you? Who do you think is smarter – you or Jesus? Who do you think knows better how to run your life – you or Jesus? Who is it that you want to please the most – yourself, others or Jesus?

Let me make the following very pragmatic point as I conclude today’s message. The future of this church, whether it accomplishes all that God’s desires for it or not, is dependent on you. The church goes forward into reaching the community or retreats into a religious social club as her people either go forward and use their gifts or retreat into just wanting their own wants met.

There is a list in the bulletin of many ideas of ways in which to serve the Lord. I can think of a lot more. Don’t just sit in your seat. Do something with the gift(s) God has given you. Come see me or talk with whoever you need to, but get involved. Lets find out how God may have gifted you and what He may want you to do. The success or failure of this church in accomplishing God’s purposes for it is dependent on every single believer here using his or her gift. Are you willing? Will you commit yourself to do it? Then start today! Pray about it this afternoon. Then go do it!

Sermon Study Sheets

KIDS CORNER

Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help.

Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up later. 2) Count how many times the term "love" is used in the sermon. Talk with your parents about how you can demonstrate the love of Christ to others.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others.

How is your walk with God? What does Psalm 37:4 mean? How does it apply in your own life? How would you figure out what your spiritual gift might be? What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? What caused the disunity in the Corinthian church? Do you fall into that sin? Why is love so important in the use of spiritual gifts? Take the Love Test bulletin insert. How did you do? What were your strong areas? What areas are more difficult? How can you improve your weak areas? Why is love superior to spiritual gifts? How do you think the people of Grace Bible Church do in using their gifts? Who is supposed to do the work of the ministry? Are you doing your part? Is there any sin blocking your relationship with the Lord? Confess it. Are you guilty of selfishness? Repent and serve Jesus. Are you fearful? Place your trust in God and see Him work in your life. Are you lazy? Get up and get going! Are you complacent? Why? What needs to change? What is your commitment level? If you are not a member of the church, why not? Would God recognize that reason as legitimate?

Sermon Notes – 10/3/1999 a.m.

"Using Your Gifts"

Introduction

What is the Purpose of Your Gift

1 Cor. 12:7

Problems in Corinth

Chapters 1-3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapters 8-11

Chapter 12 – The need for unity.

The Importance of Love

(See Love Test for Definitions)

The Superiority of Love

Reasons People do not Serve the Lord

1) Broken Relationship with God: Sin; lack of love

2) Selfishness

3) Fear

4) Laziness

5) Complacency / lack of commitment

Love Test

Using the characteristics of Love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (Definitions on reverse side), evaluate yourself on a scale of 1 – 10. Then have a friend evaluate you. By this process you may be able to point out areas that need improvement.

	Flop   Worse   Good    better	  best

Patient
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
					
Kind
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
					
Not jealous
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
					
Does not brag
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
					
Is not arrogant
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
					
Does not act unbecomingly
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
					
Does not seek its own
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
					
Is not provoked
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10
					
Does not take into account a wrong [suffered]
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Does not rejoice in unrighteousness
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Rejoices with the truth
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Bears all things
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Believes all things
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Hopes all things
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Endures all things
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Love never fails
	1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Take the time to write out some practical ways that you can improve yourself in each weak area of Biblical love.

Short Analysis of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – Love

KIND: – "to show one’s self mild, to be kind, use kindness" – (opposite of being hard, harsh, sharp, bitter).

NOT JEALOUS: – "to be heated or to boil with envy, hatred, anger" cf. Acts 7:9; 17:5, 1 Cor 13:4, James 4:2.

NOT BRAGGING: – "to boast one’s self" – "to be vain-glorious, braggart"

NOT ARROGANT: – "to be puffed up, to bear one’s self loftily, be proud, conceited" cf. 1 Cor 4:6,18; 5:2; 13:4; Col 2:18

DOES NOT ACT UNBECOMINGLY: ἀσχημονεῖ – "to act unbecomingly" i.e. "indecent, unseemly" cf. 1 Cor. 13:5, 7:36 – see also 1 Cor 12:23

DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN: -"does not seek, pursue, strive, desire, endeavor" for one’s self.