“Teamwork”
May 20, 2007
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you. 11 Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)
Everyone who is a follower of Christ has been given a gift.
There are several passages of scripture that describe these gifts:
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
“He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher 12 to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, 13 until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 (The Message)
Spiritual gifts are not just given to church leaders, but to all believers.
Gifts are given to followers of Christ for two purposes:
1) To serve one another.
“Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
2) To demonstrate God’s love to the world.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)
Our combined gifts are more effective than our individual gifts.
(Shane comes up and talks about “Teamwork” and ARK cards)
Using our gifts together brings glory to God.
“Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)
What gifts do you have that you can use to serve the church and to reach those outside the church?
