DO SOMETHING #3: WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND?
INTRO TO TOPIC: As we’ve been talking about doing something in our world, the first place we should start is in our own back yard – in our own church!
ILLUSTRATION:
A man applied for a job as a handyman. The prospective employer asked, "Can you do carpentry?" The man said, “No.” "How about bricklaying?" Again the man answered, "No." The employer asked, "Well, what about electrical work?" The man said "No, I don't know anything about that either." Finally the employer said, "Well, tell me then what is handy about you?" The man replied, "I live just around the corner."
• Sometimes the greatest ability we can have is availability.
THE BIG IDEA: “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.” (1 Peter 4:10, NLT).
• God wants everyone to do something – what is in your hand?
THE MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS:
“4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. 6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money (giving), share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness (mercy) to others, do it gladly. 9 Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.” (Romans 12:4-11, NLT).
1. PROPHECY: OBJECT: lighter
Perceiver: Declares the will of God. (Not to be confused with the ‘office’ of the prophet).
• Characteristics: Quickly identifies good and evil and hates evil. Sees everything as black or white; no grey areas. Is frank and outspoken. Speak God’s Word with fire.
• Problems: Tends to be judgmental and blunt. You can use the fire to warm or consume!
• Biblical Examples: John the Baptist, Hosea, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jonah.
2. SERVING: OBJECT: Windex; paper towels
Server: renders practical service.
• Characteristics: Easily recognizes practical needs and is quick to meet them. Has a hard time saying no. Greatest joy in doing something helpful. Likes to be in the background.
• Problems: Easily hurt when unappreciated, finds it hard to be served by others.
• Biblical Examples: Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Not many listed = behind the scenes!
• Jesus said those who serve are the greatest in the kingdom!
3. TEACHING: OBJECT: dictionary, handbook, Bible
Teacher: researches and teaches the Bible. (this is one of my gifts)
• Characteristics: Presents truth in a logical, systematic way. Loves to read, study and do research. Believes truth has the intrinsic power to produce change.
• Problems: Slow to accept viewpoints of others. Can develop pride in intellectual ability.
• Biblical Examples: Jesus. Apollos (Acts 18:24-28; 1 Cor. 3:6). Luke.
4. ENCOURAGMENT: OBJECT: stationary, Hallmark cards
Encourager: encourages personal progress.
• Characteristics: Loves to encourage others. Encourages others to develop their personal ministries. Loves to do personal counselling. Loved because of their positive attitude.
• Problems: Tends to interrupt others in eagerness to give advice.
• Biblical Examples: Barnabas (son of encouragement - Acts 4:36; 11:22-26). Silas.
5. GIVING: OBJECT: purse & wallet
Giver: Shares material assistance.
• Characteristics: Gives freely of money, possessions, time, energy and love. Loves to give without others knowing about it. Gives to support and bless others or to advance a ministry. Believes God is the Source of their supply. Natural business ability.
• Problems: Tends to pressure others to give. Can spoil own children/relatives.
• Biblical Examples: Abraham (Gen. 13-14). Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42). Lydia (Acts 16).
6. LEADERSHIP: OBJECT: iPhone (day-timer)
Leader: Gives leadership and direction.
• Characteristics: Expresses ideas and organization in ways that communicate clearly. Is a visionary person with a broad perspective. Is willing to let others get the credit in order to get a job done. Is a natural and capable leader.
• Problems: Becomes upset when others don’t share same vision. Tends to drive self.
• Biblical Examples: Joseph (Gen. 37-50). Nehemiah.
7. MERCY/COMPASSION: OBJECT: a box of Kleenex
Compassion Person: provides personal and emotional support.
• Characteristics: Has tremendous capacity to show love. Always looks for good in people. Is attracted to hurting or distressed people. Takes action to remove hurts in others.
• Problems: Tend to take up another person’s offense. Is easily hurt by others.
• Biblical Examples: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:35-35). Jeremiah (weeping prophet).
EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENT GIFTS IN OPERATION:
Your neighbour is sick and bedridden for a month.
1. The perceiver will pray for healing, strength and endurance for her.
2. The server will take over meals, offer to do housework, run errands.
3. The teacher will bring over some good books or encouragement from the Word.
4. The encourager will go right over to encourage her with Scripture.
5. The giver will bring food and other gifts, spending time talking and listening.
6. The leader will find out what she needs and organize the neighbourhood to help.
7. The compassion person will ask how she feels, empathize, hug and weep.
BIBLE STORY:
“1 After this, Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miracles as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up into the hills and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the annual Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a great crowd of people climbing the hill, looking for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, "It would take a small fortune to feed them!" 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. 9 "There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" 10 "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus ordered. So all of them -- the men alone numbered five thousand -- sat down on the grassy slopes. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and passed them out to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate until they were full. 12 "Now gather the leftovers," Jesus told his disciples, "so that nothing is wasted." 13 There were only five barley loaves to start with, but twelve baskets were filled with the pieces of bread the people did not eat! 14 When the people saw this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” (John 6:1-14, NLT).
• You might feel like you don’t have very much in your hand – one small boy’s little lunch – but when you put it in the hands of Jesus, He does great things with it!
• When God called Moses, He said, “So the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod.” (Ex. 4:2). All he has was a stick!
QUOTE: “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
A RESPONSE TO PEOPLE’S EXCUSES:
1. I can’t. Yes you can. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13).
2. I don’t want to. Then change your mind. Jesus said, “Not my will but yours be done.”
3. Someone else will do it. No they won’t. Besides, it’s your job to do something!
4. I don’t know what my spiritual gift is. Then find out! Discover and develop them.
5. There’s nothing to do. Yes there is! Besides 20% of the people are doing 80% of the work.
6. I don’t have the time. Yes you do. We all have the same 24 hours in a day.
7. I’m too busy. Find a place to serve on Sunday mornings since you’re here anyway!
8. I don’t know what do to. “Find a need and fill it!” There are many opportunities to serve.
9. I’m too tired. Then wait upon the Lord and renew your strength!
10. Nobody asked me to help. I’m asking you now, and God already asked you in the Bible.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE IN THE CHURCH:
Youth, Children’s Ministry, Nursery, Ushering, Greeting, Prayer Team, Worship Team, Sound Ministry, Hospitality, Janitorial, Home Group Leader/Host, “What’s in Your Hand/Heart?”
BIBLIOGRAPHY: “Discover Your God-Given Gifts” by Don & Katie Fortune; “Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts” by Pastor Dave Koop; “God, Gifts, Glory” video series by Pastor Boy Coy
APPENDIX: OTHER GIFTS: If we start using our gifts, we will bless those around us!
• Craftsmanship: to work with their hands to create, build, craft, operate or repair things to help facilitate ministry. (Exodus 31:1-5).
• Hospitality: to provide for the physical well being of others by offering lodging, food, comfort or rest. (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9; Acts 16:15).
• Intercession: to stay in close personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, and be directed into frequent and prolonged periods of prayer. (Rom. 8:26-27; Eph. 6:18-20).
• Creativity: to communicate God’s truth through creative acts such as worship leading, musical instruments, singing, dance, drama, graphic arts. (Col. 3:16-17; Ps. 150:6).
• Preaching: to be a herald, announcing the full proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel. (Mark 16:15; 2 Tim. 1:11).
• Counselling: to understand the whole counsel of the Bible well enough to be an advisor to those who seek Biblical choices. (Prov. 11:14; 24:6).
• Deliverance: to discern the presence of demons and expel them. (Mark 16:17).
• Evangelist: to effectively communicate the gospel of Christ to unbelievers in such a way that they are challenged to respond to Christ.
• Pastor: to guide, care for, and nurture people as they grow in their faith.
• Apostle: to start new churches or missions works
Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
