Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”
Our Bible verse for today: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “You can and should be serving others.
I once knew a man who had the spiritual gift of criticism. Seriously, he was an expert at finding fault in others and he was committed to utilizing his special ability with enthusiasm and gusto. So whenever you encountered this guy you could count on him to be prepared to tell you exactly what was wrong with other people – and with you.
What a blessing! As long as you had him around you didn’t need to waste time and effort on deep introspection, trying to discover your flaws and faults and looking for ways to improve – he was happy to help you with that.
Obviously I’m being sarcastic. Criticism is not a gift of the Spirit, it’s a sin inspired by Satan. And if that guy had spent a little time searching his own heart he would have discovered the truth of 1 Corinthians 12:7 that God has given each of us a spiritual gift, along with skills and abilities, that can and should be used for the common good. We are to use our spiritual gifts, our skills and abilities as a means of blessing others and making the church stronger.
There are four main passages in the New Testament which teach about spiritual gifts. They are Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Corinthians 12:28-30; and Ephesians 4:7-12. The spiritual gifts listed in those passages are things like preaching, teaching, administration, service, mercy, leadership, and more.
It’s also commonly understood that God has given each of us skills and abilities such as musical talents, handyman skills, financial understanding, and much more, which are also intended by Him to be used by us as a means of blessing others. All of these things are collectively known as “ministry gifts” – or ways in which you are uniquely suited for serving God and others for the common purpose of building up the body of Christ.
The point is that God has intentionally equipped each of us in different ways so that we can serve Him and bless others. When each of us serves in the way in which we are best suited, all of the areas of ministry are covered. I can preach and teach, but I can’t drive a nail straight or turn a wrench in the right direction. Fortunately there are others who may not preach or teach, but they are very gifted at fixing things. I’m also not musically inclined, but God has brought us others who are. And the examples go on.
What gifts, skills and abilities has God developed in you that you should be using as a means of serving Him and blessing others? If you’re not sure what your gifts and skills and abilities are, please let me know and I will help you to discover them. In my office at the church I keep a supply of a handy little booklet called “The Ministry Gifts Inventory”. It’s a short test which will help you to better understand how God has equipped you to serve.
As we approach 2017 I urge you to consider the ways in which God intends for you to be using your gifts and skills and abilities in ways that matter.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 