According to I Peter 4:10, you and I are to serve each other
using the gifts God has given to each of us. While these gifts
vary, which is good, they come from the same source, the Holy
Spirit of God, and are to be used for the same purpose, the building
up of the community of faith. Using these gifts for this purpose
is not optional for those in the body of Christ. Rather, this
work is something we are to do with joy since it is what pleases
God.
This morning I am going to describe nearly one dozen gift possibilities
citing Scripture support for each of them. Listen for which areas
you enjoy doing and which areas stir your passion. Think not
only of your own gifts but as each one is listed think of others
you know who would be good serving in these areas.
In the 18th chapter of Exodus, Jethro, the father-in-law of
Moses, suggests an idea to Moses to help him care for all the
decisions that had to be made between and among the thousands
of people who were traveling and living together in the desert.
Moses had been attempting to do all this by himself. Jethro suggested
that Moses choose wise and discerning people from the community
to help the whole society live together. These individuals had
the gift of administration. They were people of mature faith
who were able to work and plan together to set goals and directions
for the community. They were called elders and their work continues
to this day.
When the Temple was to be built Solomon called together the
artisans and craftsmen who had the skill to work with their hands
to produce the beautiful structure that was needed. Long before
that God had called upon Noah to build an ark longer than a football
field. In Exodus 31, we read of how Moses called together talented
people to build the Ark of the Covenant and the tent of meeting.
Jesus himself was a carpenter. We have skilled people here who
make things from wood cabinets to new walls to beautiful bulletin
boards. Craftsmanship is the second gift on our list.
Some people seem to have a natural ability in being able to
tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ. In Acts 8, we read
about Philip who had this gift. No doubt the person today who
first comes to mind in this area is Billy Graham. Not all who
have the gift of evangelism are going to be like Billy Graham.
However, God needs a variety of evangelists whose unique styles
appeal to a variety of people. If you enjoy telling others about
the love of God, evangelism may be one of your gifts.
A very important gift is often overlooked and not considered
to be a way we are called to help each other. This is the gift
of exhortation or encouragement. In Acts 14:22, we read of how
Paul and Barnabas "strengthened the souls of the disciples
and encouraged them to continue in the faith." These two
men knew of suffering and persecution because they had experienced
it. Often those who are best at encouragement are the very ones
who have experienced similar trials and have lived through them.
Sometimes we just need to be gently reminded of how we are to
live. We do not need to be judged or severely reprimanded. We
just need to know there are others who care about how we are.
I have said on many occasions that you are a very generous
congregation. Most of us have been blessed with significant financial
resources. It is a gift when people give of these resources in
order to help the lives of others. This giving is not only in
the church but in other charitable or civic organizations as
well as gifts to individuals. Jesus talks about money and its
proper use almost more than any other topic He addresses. Giving
is never a matter of the quantity. It is always a matter of faith,
trust and priority. One who has given their heart to God is always
generous.
Healing is a gift that takes many forms. Jesus was a healer
as were many of the disciples in the early church. Today we have
many who are doctors, nurses, technicians and many others who
serve in health related fields. In Acts 3, we have a story of
how God used Peter to help heal a crippled man. We need to know
that we are called upon to forgive others in the name of Jesus.
This brings about healing. We are to lay hands on people and
anoint them with oil and pray for their healing. It is always
God who is the healer; we are God's instrument. Keep in
mind a kind word often brings about as much healing as major
surgery.
Two weeks ago I quoted Father Henri Nouwen on the gift of hospitality.
This is a powerful gift which enables others to feel welcome
and safe. It enables others to believe they are loved and cared
for because they are important to their host. Fixing meals, serving
coffee and providing lodging are all part of hospitality. In
Acts 16, we read of the conversion and baptism of Lydia who immediately
invited the disciples to stay in her home. All of us know those
special places where we feel welcome and those special people
who help us feel good about ourselves. These are people who have
the gift of hospitality.
If you ever pray for another person or a specific situation
you probably have the gift of intercession. Those who truly have
this gift have the ear of God because they have regular conversation
with God and understand what God wants for others. In love they
simply remind God of specific needs and offer themselves if God
chooses to use them as part of God's response. Intercessors
have the gift of faith trusting that God cares and pays attention.
They believe in God's command, "Ask and you shall
receive," and they act in faith believing this is true.
There are those who have the gift of music. Our choir members
and musicians help us in our worship of God. They also bring
healing for our souls. Young and old alike can have this gift
as we can easily see in our congregation.
There are those who quietly go about doing tasks behind the
scenes. Without these who have the gift of serving, the machinery
of the church would come to a screeching halt. Many of these
people do not want any attention focused on themselves but without
them many others who are much more visible simply could not function.
Teaching is a special gift that allows someone to share information
in such a way that others can incorporate the information into
their own lives. Teachers, be they parents, friends, Sunday school
instructors or small group leaders are absolutely essential for
our faith development. Teachers have an awesome responsibility,
and the Bible says they will be held accountable for their students
not by the student's response but by whether or not the
teacher told them the truth.
There are dozens of other gifts. We are each reminded by the
admonition given to Timothy in I Timothy 4:14 "Do not neglect
the gift that is in you." Within the body of Christ we
are to help one another discover our gifts and put them to use
in serving the Kingdom of God.
Each person is unique and each person's gifts are necessary
for the well-being of the whole church. We are not to compare
or contrast ourselves with others because each one of us is different
with something special to offer. The secret is discovering our
special gift. Our joy comes from using it to serve others. |
