Spiritual Gifts part 2
Identifying your spiritual gift
In the last couple of weeks we have been looking at the issue of spiritual gifts. Last week we looked at ‘Using your gifts to serve others’, this week we are looking at ‘identifying your spiritual gift’.
It can be difficult in life to find your place, your purpose. What function did God specifically create you to do? Why are you specifically here on earth for? How do you know what God intends to use you for? We are all so different and unique.
The gifts of nature are infinite in their variety, and mind differs from mind almost as much as body from body.
Marcus Fabius Quintilian
Ancient Roman, Philosopher (35 – 100 A.D.)
Today I am preaching from the whole book of Ephesians. To look at the general themes of the book and how it can help us find out spiritual gifts.
This letter has so many great truths in it.
Whenever you read the Word of God you should always try to see to whom it is addressed. Is it to an individual or to a church? This will help with your understanding and interpretation of it.
The Ephesians letter is to a church. This changes the context of much of what we can first assume.
Let us look at the whole book today.
Whatever the letter is talking about it must be in the context of it having been written to a church. A group of people is to respond to it. They may have things to do personally, but it is still talking to them in relationship with others. Paul speaks of unity, and it is easy to understand how we are all to relate to one another. But when he speaks of spiritual warfare we have often looked at it as if he is speaking to us as individuals. This is not the case. We are to put on the whole armour of God as a group.
THE MAJOR THEME
Every letter in the New Testament has one major theme. In Romans it is the story of salvation. In James it is faith and works. In Philippians it is joy.
The major theme of Ephesians is God’s spiritual gifts working through us and our response to it.
Chapters 1-3 speak of God’s work on our behalf.
Chapters 4-6 speak of our work for God.
However, there is also a progression of thought that we need to see, for it will help us in our understanding of moving from prayer to praise to worship and serving God with our spiritual gifts.
Identifying your spiritual gift
1) Finding your spiritual gift, starts with the Holy Spirit
2) Finding your spiritual gift is about trust in Jesus Christ
3) Rest in the presence of God
4) Unity in the Spirit
5) Spiritual gifts lead to greater joy
6) Stand firm against evil
1) Finding your spiritual gift, starts with the Holy Spirit
13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
The Holy Spirit makes a man a Christian, and if he is a Christian through the work of the Holy Spirit, that same Spirit draws him to other Christians in the church. An individual Christian is not Christian at all
R. Brokhoff (Lutheran Minister, Professor Emory University, 1913 – 2003)
When a thing is sealed we can make some assumptions about it.
1. In the case of a bottle of water we look for a seal. The seal means that the water is pure. There is a guarantee on the contents. There has been no tampering with the contents. The suppliers of the water are saying that it was right when it left the plant. They are also telling you that it should still be o.k. when you buy it.
2. In the case of a document, a seal tells us everything in it is legal and above board. So, the downpayment of the Holy Spirit into our lives establishes that we are pure. The contents are guaranteed. They cannot be tampered with. Also, everything is legally established.
This is what took place at our conversion. Having been instructed to set us apart for God’s business the Holy Spirit did this by sealing us. He was tying us in with God on an eternal basis. Our spirit is now safe by His work in us. No longer could the devil cause us any permanent or eternal damage. God came into us and this meant that we were now the temple of God.
Only when we have accomplished this can we properly move on to the next step.
2) Finding your spiritual gift is about trust in Jesus Christ
18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
If what is going on in that building is the real thing, if the transforming love and power of Jesus Christ is being experienced, you can sit on a metal folding chair or in a plush theater seat.
Bill Hybels
(American Preacher Born 1951)
Nobody can really serve God unless they have taken the first step.
The first step says that God comes into our presence. The second step says that we move into God’s presence. The Holy Spirit enters us and challenges us to come before God.
16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
When you are looking for your purpose in life and how you may serve God, it is important to know that your relationship with God is going well. From that foundation you are freed from worrying what others think about you.
3) Rest in the presence of God
Unfortunately your pursuit for finding your spiritual gifts can become selfish and self centred. Even caring for other people can be selfish, if it is for that smug feeling. So how do we reach our full potential with humility. We take time out and rest in God’s presence, asking Him what he wants us to do with our lives.
2Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Hebrew 3
Human nature is the same now as when Adam hid from the presence of God; the consciousness of wrong makes us unwilling to meet those whom we have offended.
Matthew Simpson
Methodist Bishop (1811 – 1884)
You do not move into God’s presence by accident. It is a deliberate act on the part of both you and God. Even those who have amazing experiences of God’s presence have usually been available to Him in the first place.
Being in the presence of God is attending prayer meetings. For the younger men and women it is seeking out a relationship with the older men and women of the church. For the older people of the church we become a Christian community when you personally disciple a younger person in the church. When we pray for each other as a community we enter into God’s presence.
When we have been in praise and worship, our first feelings may be of awe and peace. But soon we will have the confidence to ask for gifts and we will start to understand our place in the world.
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
I like the French word for ask. It is DEMAND. In French we are to “demand.”
As a church we receive revelation in a number of ways:- through the preaching and teaching; through the gifts of the Spirit; the words of songs; God speaking to us individually during times of personal ministry. But we have to go into His presence to understand our purpose in life.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10: 9, 10)
One of the things most of us want, but do not ask for, is knowledge about our place in the scheme of things. We just expect it to happen. However, in the same way as we ask for other things we should ask to understand our spiritual gifts. As we ask Him for it so He will speak to us.
4) Unity in the Spirit
3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
We've observed that people who stall in their personal growth work often have counterproductive soft addictions that stand in their way of growth and having the life they say they want. It can be a simple thing, such as watching TV instead of finishing a project.
Judith Wright
(Australian, Poet 1915 – 2000)
Many people think of unity as compromise. We have to agree together so let’s find ground where we can agree and do it. Others will try to get to the lowest common denominator so that they do not give offence. Both of these are wrong.
If we try to compromise we will end up looking foolish. Two people who disagree on something may decide to do this. One says, “Two plus two equals six.” The other says, “Two plus two equals eight.” Then they decide to compromise. “Two plus two equals seven.” That is not the way to reach unity.
Then, there are others who achieve unity by saying nothing at all. These are very quiet people who are frightened of offending anyone. A diet coke Christianity, bland and secular. Nothing that challenges us at all. Their faith is boring and tepid.
Unity can only be achieved by forcing yourself to discover your purpose in life. When you open your life to people who are different to you, your weaknesses and strengths come to the surface.
It is interesting that Jesus told us how the world will know that we are His disciples.
It is not because of our praise and worship. Neither is it because of the way we pray.
It is nothing to do with fancy buildings, plain buildings or no buildings; nor the way we dress, the books we read, the Bible version we use.
No.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
Loving one another means that there is unity. There is tolerance for people’s faults. There is a recognition that each of us are stronger at some things and weaker at others. It is by allowing other people into our lives we discover each other’s gifts. We learn about our own strengths and weaknesses, we learn about the gifts God has given us.
Living in community, and trying to find innovative ways to serve each other, over time will reveal the gifts God has given you. You will discover your life’s purpose.
5) Spiritual gifts lead to greater joy
Perhaps one of the hardest parts about discovering your spiritual gift, is the seriousness of some people. They believe that a good Christian is never smiling, never joking and never has a laugh. Unfortunately this very serious approach to life can turn people away from God.
18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20
There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go.
Jean Paul
(German, Writer 1763 – 1825)
Whatever God has called us to do, you need to ask yourself ‘Am I known for being a happy person?’ If the answer is ‘no’ then maybe you are doing the wrong thing, maybe it is not your gift or maybe you need to see your gift in a different light. Happy joyous people, who serve God and don’t take themselves too seriously tend to be humble people. Serious people, who never smile and are always proper run the danger of focusing too much upon themselves and not following the bible.
6) Stand firm against evil
After praying, worshipping, trusting in Jesus, God the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Christian community around us we eventually have to try out our spiritual gifts. From preaching, teaching the bible, hospitality, giving, evangelism or serving the poor we eventually have to try something.
17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:17-18
Moral authority has been laid to rest, world opinion is no more than a game show and the difference between good and evil is about as relevant as changing channels.
Ralph Steadman
British, Cartoonist (born 1936)
There are too many Christians being picked off by evil. This is simply because they are trying to fight by themselves. Any Christian who is fighting a lonely battle is in danger.
Jesus sent out His workers two by two. Paul worked in partnership, firstly with Barnabas and then with Silas. Peter worked with John.
This epistle is to the church at Ephesus. It is saying that we need one another’s help to participate in this battle of doing wrong. From not praying, to being mean, to eating too much, to not sharing about Jesus, we should be doing battle against evil as a team; you, the person next to you and the Lord. Spiritual gifts are used to advance God’s cause in a dark world, every week we are teaching English to migrants, running a playgroup for local mums, caring for the poor, praying for people, running bible studies etc. We are trying to be a light in the darkness. But we cannot do it alone.
Identifying your spiritual gift
1) Finding your spiritual gift, starts with the Holy Spirit
2) Finding your spiritual gift is about trust in Jesus Christ
3) Rest in the presence of God
4) Unity in the Spirit
5) Spiritual gifts lead to greater joy
6) Stand firm against evil
Let us pray that we can find our spiritual gift
(the powerpoint for this sermon can be found by emailing pastor@southperthbaptist.org)
