Church series - # 6

REVIEW – What should my church be doing in this world?

I spoke to the church last week about these universal functions of the Church -

∙ Teach for the purpose of creating disciples,

∙ Fellowship with each other to build strong relationships,

∙ Worship together to have an experience of the Holy Spirit of God,

∙ Minister (serve) in ways that God equips, and

∙ Evangelize, bringing others into the Family of God!

These are the purposes of every church, in every age, for every culture!

The ‘what’ is universal; the ‘how’ will vary.

The church, the Body of Christ, is designed by God to save the world!

_________________

For me the next logical question is this:

How do I fit into the plan?

Thursday, I traveled to spend the day at my Dad and Mom’s house. Two of Dad’s sisters and their husbands were visiting and I wanted to see them again. I had not seen Uncle Don and Aunt Elsie since 1991! They live in N. California, so dropping in for a cup of coffee isn’t all that likely to happen! And given that they are both in their mid-80's, the stark reality is that next time I see them might be in Heaven! So, I took the day and went to see the family. On my arrival, there was no need to make formal introductions, no rituals of protocol to be observed. I just walked in, sat down, and starting visiting. Why? Because I’m part of the family. My place in the Scott Family is secure and my ‘fit’ is already defined.

I have been in situations where I felt acutely uncomfortable because I did not know my place. How about you? (Pause) I hate being in places where I wonder, ‘do I speak or remain silent?’ ‘Am I expected to take the lead here or wait for somebody else to do something?’ ‘What are the guidelines here?’

Basically, I want to know - ‘Where do I fit in?’

This I believe!

In the Church (the universal Body of Christ) and in the church (this local congregation) God has a perfect fit for everyone of us!

There is a place within the purposes of Teaching, Worship, Service, Fellowship, and Evangelizing that uniquely fits your personality, experiences, and more importantly - your gifting!

It is that last part that I want to explore with you today. I want to talk with you about God’s Plan to make your life count for something in the context of His purposes, about His Power to make you a person who makes a difference in the world as part of His Church.

My text is found in the letter to the Ephesians 4:7

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." (Ephesians 4:7, NIV)

The meaning of that sentence is perhaps clearer when stated this way,

"God has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ." (Ephesians 4:7, NLT)

Let’s set that promise in a bit of context. I ask your patience as I read these scattered texts:

TEXT - Ephesians 1:3, 17-19a; 2:19-22; 4:1-7 PB 1817

"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." (Ephesians 4:7, NIV)

Every Believer fits into God’s Church and is given the ability by the Holy Spirit to make his unique contribution to the work of God within the Body of Christ, the Church.

Isn’t that simply amazing?

We live in a culture where we often feel isolated and disconnected. Loneliness is an epidemic in America!

Family networks are often broken by divorce and/or our mobility as we move apart in pursuit of new opportunities.

We no longer sit on the front porch in our neighborhoods. We often do not even know the people who live two houses down the street!

We communicate less by written letter or even phone calls and more with emails or text messages.

From all this anonymity, an unspoken question forms in our minds -

‘Do I matter in this world?’

God’s answer is a resounding ‘YES!’ And, He loves you and me so much, He promises to give us a place in His service that nobody else can fill and for which He equips us with supernatural ability or abilities!

There are some Scriptural principles that wrap around His promise.

First is, there are No Lone Rangers!

One fact that is either explicit or implicit about finding our fit in the Church is this -

God is not looking to turn us into the Lone Ranger.

Super-heroes are great for the movies and comic books, but God’s church does not function around them! God does His best work with Believers who are ordinary mortals. Paul reminds us that our weakness makes it obvious that the good that is accomplished is due to the power of God and thus causes others to give Him the praise.

Many Believers are so infected with the individualism that is the curse of our culture, they remain fiercely independent, separate, and alone.

All too often I observe that this kind of Believer is seriously underdeveloped in many areas of his spirituality. Whatever his passion may be, whatever gifts the Spirit gives him, are usually out of balance or even largely unused because others are not partners with him in the full work of the Kingdom of Christ.

∙ If you want to be a spiritually gifted AND effective Christian, the importance of cultivating your relationships with other Christians and your connection with a local church cannot be overstated!

We each have a differing role to fill. Some of us, get to stand up front and look important. Others do what they do way behind the scenes, but every one of us is critically important to getting the mission accomplished!

Second is - God is more Creative than we can imagine!

In the NT passages that deal with here were 20+ different spiritual gifts mentioned. They illustrate general ways in which God works through us today to bring benefit to this world and to bring honor to Himself through the church.

Here’s a list compiled from those passages.

Administration, Apostleship, Craftsmanship, Communication,

Discernment, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Healing,

Hospitality, Intercession, Knowledge, Leadership, Mercy,

Miracle working, Prophecy, Serving, Shepherding, Teaching,

Speaking in Tongues, Interpreting Tongues, Wisdom.

In addition, many believe that there are gifts of celibacy, martyrdom, missionary work, exorcism, and voluntary poverty. These things are not specifically described as gifts of the Spirit in the NT, but they are alluded to as ways that people are equipped to serve God and His Church.

Spiritual gifts are critical to the church’s mission, therefore it is important that each Believer understand his/her gift. Yet, many do not!

If I asked you to describe the way or ways that God has called you to serve Him and/or how He is equipping you to do that work - would you be speechless or excited to share?

Many Christians are unsure of how they fit, what they are to be doing for God; even frustrated in their desire to find the way they can accomplish Kingdom purposes in their lives.

Here’s the third principle - There is a process of Discovery and Development of our gifts!

Elizabeth O’Connor wrote, “We ask to know the will of God without guessing that his will is written into our beings. We perceive His will when we learn to discern our spiritual gifts.”

Virtually every serious Christian I know wants to know what the will of God is for his life.

In my library there are many books that are dedicated to explaining how to find the will of God. Some make their quest for the will of God quite tortuous. In truth, discovering the will of God is primarily about knowing ourselves. His will is not written in some mysterious place hidden far away. His will is written into that person called YOU.

Want to become useful to God?

First, make sure that you’re alive to Him, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Being that we are ‘in church’ I’m going to skip the details of this and hope that you understand what it means to be converted, born again, and alive to God!

The next step is to believe that He will sanctify you (make you a person who is uniquely His) and let Him do that work in you.

The process of becoming Christ-like is not simple, quick, or painless! The Bible of ‘dying to self.’ We let God put pride to death and get our attention focused on Him. Often this requires fiery trials!

Third, we faithfully ask and expect that He is equipping us for who He is calling you to be and what He is asking us to do with a gift or gifts of the Spirit.

This involves some efforts on our part, some willingness to work and to take risks! Discover is a great word. One writer says, “Gifts are received, not achieved.”

Nobody works hard in church and then is rewarded with a spiritual gift. They are not merit badges handed out to especially holy people!

Spiritual Gifts are the tools given to people by the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work of God. I’ve seen people with serious character flaws, with great personal problems, lacking in theological knowledge exercise spiritual gifts in a way that is remarkably effective. The Bible is quite clear that gifts are {1 Corinthians 12:11} “the work of one and the same Spirit, and he (God) gives them to each one, just as he determines.” (NIV) Still discovery of spiritual gifts is a process requiring time and effort. There are dozens of tools available that can help you. Discovery, however, won’t happen very well outside of life experience. We can begin by serving in ways that fit our present abilities and where we think we can be most effective. The Bible teaches us that we should pray and ask God for gifts!

How?

Begin broadly and serve in ways that fit your style.

Continue to practice spiritual disciplines of prayer, meditation, and regular study of the Bible. Over time you will find that you do certain things well, that other people express appreciation for what you do and that you feel particularly fulfilled by that service. Probably you are onto discovery of the gift or gifts that God has given to you to complete your calling for this season of your life!

I should mention that few people will find that their spiritual gifts exactly fit the definitions that various teachers create. Most of us have gift mixes that make us unique.

Develop is a second important word. In Romans 12:11 we are directed to “never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Paul encouraged a young preacher named Timothy with these words: 1 Timothy 4:12-14 “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. . .14 Do not neglect your gift.” (NIV) The Message translation says it like this: “that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.”

Our spiritual gifts though inspired by the Spirit of God require constant use. The old adage applies well to spritual gifts, “Practice makes perfect!”

In the parable of the servants entrusted with the master’s estate that is found in Matthew 25, we are told that the faithful servants applied themselves to investing and putting to use what was entrusted to them with diligence in order to produce gain. Diligence will be required of you in your ministry for Christ.

Some Believers regard spiritual service as a spare time kind of thing. God is their hobby, and they try to fit Him into spare time, open weekends, and select evenings.

Truthfully, doing what we do for God is the most important thing in life.

And, it isn’t just about what you do here in church. In fact, the most significant work you do for the Lord will most likely be in your home and at work!

Take a hard look at your priorities and your understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Whether you are teacher, a plumber, a counselor, a musician, a real estate agent, a home-maker, financial advisor, landscaper, laborer, or pastor: you are first a servant of Christ.

The Bible tells us - {Colossians 3:17} “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (NIV)

When we grasp this fact, the significance of our spiritual gifts becomes evident!

Whatever you’re doing each day should reflect the priorities of the kingdom of God.

IF you cannot do whatever it is that you do while inviting Christ to be with you, to use you, and to make His Presence known through you, as a Christian it is time that you established His Lordship in that area of life and changed occupations!!

Don’t neglect your gift. Use it! Perfect it! Let God be glorified.

The Benefit of Spiritual Gifts

When Believers get serious about spiritual gifts, several benefits accrue.

1. Those who discover and develop an awareness of the gifts of the Spirit are fulfilled and secure in their walk with Christ.

Believers who are functioning in areas of giftedness are much more healthy and satisfied members of the church. They spend less time criticizing others or protecting their turf.

They are more faithful in service and ready to rejoice in the success of others.

Christians who know their spiritual gifts and accept that God has gifted them according to His will and design are secure and have a good self-esteem.

They are content to be who God calls them to be without envy or inferiority. In other words, they are filled with humility. Humility is not saying, “I don’t matter, I don’t count, I am worthless.”

Humility is understanding who you are.

[Romans 12:3-5] Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (NIV)

2. Those who are aware that the Spirit will empower them with His gifts are excited about being effective, productive members of the Church who are consistently ‘on the grow’ with God.

In my text, I read this -

"Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. . . . made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit." (Ephesians 2:20-22, NLT)

Most importantly-

3. People who are receiving the gifts of the Spirit and PUTTING THEM TO USE HONOR their Lord.

In 1 Peter 4:10-11 we are told.... “Each one should use whatever gift he has received . . . so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.” (NIV)

A secure, fulfilled, effective, productive Believer becomes a person through whom the Holy Spirit draws other men and women to Christ. They are living demonstrators of His goodness and His grace!

What was it that Jesus said to the disciples just before He returned to His Father?

Acts 1:8 “You will receive power (be enable and equipped) when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses (living demonstrations of the truth) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Start the process of discovering what God is calling you to do and how He is equipping you to do it!

ASK to be equipped, but don’t sit around waiting for someone to make it easy!

LOOK for opportunities to serve Him in everyday life, not just here at church. Don’t be afraid of failure. DISCOVERY always means some false starts, some wrong turns. Just be honest enough to admit when you’re wrong and smart enough to turn to someone for help in finding your way back to the right road.

BE A LEARNER who is always ready to respond to teaching and improve your use of God’s wonderful gifts.

“Holy Spirit, I am yours. Take charge, I’m listening, send me to do your work.”

Keep praying it and you’ll be off on the adventure of being God’s partner in the eternal business of building His kingdom. Amen