Gifted For More

There are 3 kinds of people in every church.

1. Those who make things happen – “Doers”
2. Those who watch things happen – “Watchers”
3. Don’t even know anything is happening – “Goobers”

“The job of the church is not to impact the church, but to impact the world”

God has called you to serve Him, equipped you to serve Him

1. We live in an era of “Convenient Christianity” – serve God when/how it’s convenient.
2. But I’ll stand before God one day – I must let you know we’ll all give an account for what we did with HIS GIFT.

9. What Does God Want Me to Know About the Gifts? 1 Cor 12:1 NKJV “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.”

Message “This is complex and often misunderstood, but I want you to be informed and knowledgeable.”

1. A spiritual gift is not a natural talent; it’s a supernatural ability

2. What makes it so different? One word  DESTINY!!!

Diversity of the Gifts.

1 Cor 12:4-7, 11 MSG God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit and to all kinds of people…All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God.

People are different and so are God’s gifts to them.

1. God knows exactly what to give to whom to accomplish a perfect mission.
2. God is great at giving out gifts.

God knows exactly what you need in your life.

1. In fact, He’s already put it there. He just wants you to find it and use it.
2. He wants us to work in unity.
3. Not unison, but unity.
4. We’re all different, but there must be UNITY.

UNITY says, “I believe in God’s plan for this church more than I care about my opinions.”

GIFTING:

Gift of Leadership or Administration. Rom 12:6-8 NIV 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. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 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.

1. The Greek word used here refers to the work of a ship’s pilot who steers the ship through rocks to safe harbor.

1. This is a God-given capacity to organize and administer with efficiency to reach the desired end.

2. To see this gift in operation, go read the OT character Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.

2. Strengths:

1. Able to see the big picture and set long-range goals.

2. Motivates through organization (if you’re scattered, this one ain’t you – hand on we’ll get to you)

3. Knows how to delegate: what can and cannot be delegated.

4. Tends to stand on sidelines until those in charge tell him/her to get involved.

5. If no structured leadership exists, they take over.

6. Able to endure criticism from others to see the project through to completion (if you get your feelings easily hurt, this ain’t you – hold on we’ll get to you).

3. Weaknesses:

1. Delegation appears to be laziness.
2. May appear calloused or uncaring because of focused determination.
3. Expects others to work at their pace/dedication level and become insensitive and unfeeling.

Gift of Mercy.

Prov 17:22 NIV A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

1. If you’ve been hanging around the administratively gifted too much, you may have a crushed spirit.

1. Just spend some time with the mercy gifted, and you’ll feel much better.
2. No doubt, mercy people are easier to live with.

2. To be merciful is to be understanding, compassionate and loving, to have pity on.

1. This is not just feeling sorry for someone; it’s truly a supernatural gift from God.
2. God placed it within the body b/c He knew how much and how often this world would need MERCY!
3. Some say, “If they need mercy, they should come to the cross.”
4. True but until they get there, YOU are His Mercy extended to them where they are.

3. This person is much opposite of the Leadership Gift.

4. Strengths:

1. Ability to sense distress, misery, pain, suffering, grief.
2. Able to discern what a group/individual is going through emotionally.
3. Looks for the good in people. Non-critical.
4. Attracted to the hurting or those in need.
5. Peacemaker – helps restore good relationships.
6. Easily detects the motives of others (especially insincerity).

5. Weaknesses:

1. Guided by emotion, not logic. Drives Administrators crazy.
2. Compassion can be taken advantage of easily.
3. May offer pity when rebuke is needed, therefore may hinder healing or growth.

6. A person with the gift of Mercy is extremely loyal.

1. John the beloved is the NT example of this.
2. While he was meek and lowly to everyone, when the Samaritans rejected Jesus, John wanted to call down fire from heaven on them.

7. Above all, the Merciful live by one creed:

1 John 3:17-18 NIV If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.