Finding My Place In The Body Series

Stewardship Series #1 - Finding My Place in the Body (spiritual gifts)

Pastor Glenn Newton Sept. 11, 2005

1CO 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

1CO 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

This morning before you leave this service, I want you to understand one of the greatest truths that is found in the Bible, it is an awesome thing that God has done to help us in our Christian life. God’s Plan for you is that you will understand that you are a part of His Body, you represent, you actually become His Hands, His Feet, His voice, His healing agent wherever you are, whoever you talk too…. What an awesome responsibility!

This morning I want to encourage you with the Word, I want you to Find Your Place in the Body…. I want you to know what your Gift is and then use that Gift for the Glory of God as you build up the body with your service, with your life.

Isn’t it great that we are not all alike? God has created us all different. Do you see anybody in here that looks just like you? Do you know anybody in here that thinks just like you do? We are all different, the same Maker, just different models.

* How many here this morning know if the Razorbacks won or lost yesterday?

* How many people don’t really care?

* How many people here this morning drink Pepsi? How many Coke?

* How many people here always get things done on time? How many here wait till the last minute?

We could go on this morning, but what I want you to understand is that we are a very diverse group of people, but the Spirit of God living in us, brings us together, molds our hearts together for a common purpose… and we can love each other in spite of our differences…. This is one of the things that marks us as Chrisitians… it makes us unique.

So how do I find my place in the body? Thanks for asking… let me give you some steps to follow as you search for your place in His Body. Always remember that these gifts, and this Body belong to the Lord, it’s our privilege to be able to partake, to participate in God’s Kingdom work….

1st Step in Finding My Place in the Body - v.1-3 1CO 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

It’s kind of like driving a car, unless you learn how to start the car… you don’t need to learn about how to drive the car.

Paul is teaching the Christians in Corinth that the first step in finding their place is that the Spirit of God must be alive in their lives. You can’t discover your spiritual gift when you are not spiritually alive. That is just not possible. First things first.

The truth is there are a lot of people who call themselves Christians, but the reality is they don’t live for Christ, they haven’t repented of their sins, they don’t follow God’s commands. By definition, a Christian is a Christ Follower, a spirit filled believer who is obedient to the Word of God.

Paul says you can’t curse God, by using His Name in vain or any other means, and then Call Him Lord…. Those things don’t mix.

So, very simply this morning, the very first step in Finding Your Place in the Body is to Find your way to the Cross, where Christ died for your sins, He has paid our penalty that we all deserved, and He calls you out of your life of sin, and calls you to a life of Love and service, a life of Kingdom work. Are you living For Christ this morning? You will have the chance to make that life altering descision today when we close… what a difference Christ will make in your life when you put your faith in Him!