Gifts

 

  Pastor Fred continued our series by peaching out of Ephesians 4:7-16. The crux of the message is that we all are a part of the body of Christ with various gifts and that we need to use them not only for the church to run well but it is our form of worship. Using our gifts causes us to be stretched and to grow. 

  My first observation is that God calls us to something unique and special. In essence God gave us a particular gift to use so that we can glorify Him. Even though the two same people may have the same gift, it looks different because of how God has wired us and how He wants us to use it. For those who are gifted with kids, some might be called to children’s ministry and others are called to the foster care system. Same gift, it is just being played out in two different ways. I know when I am out taking pictures, I have met some unique people and the conversations have been random at best. I have even shared by faith with people that I have encountered.

  My second observation is that the gifts are suppose to bring growth and unity. How often when we are using our God given gifts do they stretch us and take us out of our comfort zone. Gods gifts are not only designed to bring Him glory, but for us to rely on Him. How often does God call us out of our comfort zone? Whether it is public speaking, to God having us call out the elephant in the room with family or friends. We can’t always be true Minnesotans and be passive aggressive about everything. If we are truly to use our gifts for God and to do great things, we need to rely on Him and not on our own strength. 

  How Gods gifts bring unity is that our gifts can not operate independently from each other. Just as a baseball pitcher relies on their catcher and defense to have a good game, we need other Christians using their gifts to make our gifts go and to make more of an impact. We all have a role and how our we using it? In order to make something go and run well, everything needs to work and work well. Just like a vehicle, if the battery doesn’t work, neither the lights will work and the vehicle won’t start. This is the same with the Christian faith, if we don’t do what God calls us to do, the church will not run as efficiently as it could or should. This is where unity comes in, it is going in the same direction for the same purpose.

  My third observation is that no one gift is greater than another. How many of us want what I call the big beautiful gifts. Whether it is teaching from the stage to running the sound board. We all have that one gift that we desire and we think is a little better than the rest of the gifts. I will be honest, one gift isn’t better than the other, because they all are used to glorify God. Whether it is sweeping up Cheerios after kids church to fixing a single mom’s car for free, it’s all about glorifying God. Gods gifts are perfect and He gives is those gifts because He has wired us a particular way so that we can reach out to particular people. So instead of whining about the gifts we do have or the lack of the big and beautiful gifts we don’t have, how about using what God gives us to glorify Him

  I will close with this, and that is we all have gifts and God expects us to use them. How often do we think that something isn’t our job or someone is better suited to do it and then it doesn’t get done. When this happens, things don’t run as smoothly or they fail. Also, when we use those gifts, we tend to grow and mature. In essence, God is calling us to get off of our hands and to grow up so we can use our gifts to worship Him. Using our gifts doesn’t save us, but should be a response of what God has done for us and through us.

Grace and Peace

Tom Boustead