At Christmas we give gifts to those we love, know and
cherish. It is a fun tradition here in
the United States and in many places of the world. Often times these gifts are given to show others
love, and as a reminder of our devotion and dedication. I was thinking this week about the gifts God
has given to us.
At our salvation there are gifts given to us by God. I was preaching about this Wednesday night
and you can listen to the podcast to find out what I said. I did not finish that sermon and so I wanted
to give you come concluding thoughts on
my blog.
Not only does every Christian receive a gift from God that
he or she is responsible for but EVERY CHRISTIAN RECEIVES STRENGTH TO USE THEIR
SPIRITUAL GIFT.
We read about this is 1 Peter 4:11
Peter uses the word “Ministers” or “serve”
the root of the word is the word for deacon. It can refer to all kinds of service (menial
tasks), same word Jesus used of His service; service in general. This teaches me that all service is
important.
“If anyone ministers (serves), let him do it as with the
ability which God supplies.”
I want to take notice of the SOURCE OF STRENGTH v11
Both Peter and Paul understood this principle. Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Peter used the word “ability”, the NIV says “strength”; if
God is to be glorified by ministry in His name, it must be ministry performed
in His strength, not ours.
Remember what the prophet Zechariah said in chapter 4 verse 6?
“'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts.”
This teaches me two things:
1. Dependence
God lavishly supplies the strength and without Him I can do
nothing. I am always to depend on him
and not me. My strength is useless and
void of any real power.
Jesus was clear and without question taught that without him
we can do nothing. See what he said in
John 15:5.
Depending on His strength, and empowerment is my only hope.
2. Confidence
I am talking about spiritual confidence. A faithful supplier {GOD} will replenish a confidence exhausted
in faithful stewardship.
Warning: Ministry performed by merely human energy and for
one’s own status in the eyes of others can soon become a wearying activity and
increase one’s pride rather than one’s faith.
Keep in mind Peter teaches that the goal of our service, the
heart of our giftedness is to glorify God.
There is the SUPPLY
OF STRENGTH that is important.
This is also found in v11
“Which God supplies” – the source of the supply of
strength. Points to someone who defrays
the expense of something; verb means to supply lavishly.
When we think of God who provides I think of the name:
Jehovah Jireh – God Our Provider.
God abundantly supplies the Christian worker with the
necessary strength to accomplish the task that he has called him to. The tasks assigned again are for the praise
and glory of God.
The word depicts the training of a choir; the idea of equipping
one for a task; to lead a chorus, providing for needs with unlimited
liberality. To furnish or supply that which is needed.
Peter in this passage mentions two kinds of Gifts:
1. Speaking Gift.
Preaching, teaching, evangelism, singing, sharing words of
encouragement, praise, and testimony are all verbal gifts.
“Let him speak as the oracles of God” – utterances; used of
Scripture; the very words out of the mouth of God; the sayings of God. (Rom 3:2, Acts 7:38).
We must always remember that the teacher or the preacher is not
the originator of his own notions, but the transmitter of the sayings of God. I like what William Barclay said, “If a
man has the duty of preaching, let him preach not as one offering his own
opinions or propagating his own prejudices, but as one with a message from
God.”
Paul said to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 5:20,
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through
us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.”
Speaking gift has to do with the presentation of the gospel.
It is God speaking through Him. Those who now speak the Word must depend upon
the gift of the Spirit to proclaim the Scriptures. As we speak we must speak the very words of
God!
2. Serving Gift.
“If anyone ministers (serves)” – there is an emphasis that
insists we should treat our giftedness as a unique responsibility and honor.
Speaks of any kind of helping. This could include acts of encouragement for
the benefit of others. Someone who is a
servant seeks to meet needs, often times this person will free others to
accomplish their task. A servant will
most often be behind the scene accomplishing ministry that help to make the
public ministries possible.
Possible servant ministry in the local church:
·
Greeters
·
Nursery workers
·
Ushers
·
Cameras/ video equipment personnel
·
Media Team
·
People who open and lock up the building
·
Count money
·
Make deposits
·
Chair committees
·
Organize ministry efforts
There are all many other service areas in the church. What
can you think of?
The real heartbeat of this passage is simple: EVERY CHRISTIAN
SHOULD GLORIFY GOD WITH THEIR SPIRITUAL GIFT
v11
“That in all things God may be glorified through Jesus
Christ, to whom belongs the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen”
This is to be the aim and goal of all services done in
Christ’s name.
1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink,
or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Since the ability to serve is a gift, and the strength for
the ministry comes from God, why should a man boast?
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