February 12, Our Savior s Way Worshiping 8:00, 9:30, 11:00. Pastor Bill Mann

Transcription

1 Spiritual Gifts February 12, Our Savior s Way Worshiping 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Pastor Bill Mann A man sat alone on the floor of his bedroom. His life was in shambles. The week before his wife had run away with a writer from Rolling Stone Magazine. On this day, he had learned that his son had been diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes. He would soon lose his graphic arts business. This man was alone, abandoned and despairing. His name was Steven Lavaggi and in that moment Steven Lavaggi turned to God s Word. He says, I skipped over the black letters in the Bible and went right to the words of Jesus the ones in red. Jesus spoke to me, Steven Lavaggi says, and he pointed me to his promise on Psalm 91:1 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Today Steven Lavaggi is a world renowned artist. He sculpts and paints angels. Some years ago he was in Soweto, South Africa, speaking before a crowd of 3500 people he lifted up a 20 sculpture of an angel. The angel had a black patina. The crowd jumped to their feet in joy. The leader of the group revealed that recently a prophetic speaker had declared that God would soon send an international artist who would express the love of God by doing something like painting angels in black. Steven reached down and lifted up a second angel that was pearl white. Holding the two angels high above his head, he said, You can imagine these angels were created to be like brothers, even as God intends us to be. Today, through his art, Steven Lavaggi is using the gift God gave him to bring the message of Jesus Christ and hope to the world. This morning I want to talk to you about SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The key idea this week is: I know my spiritual gifts and use them to fulfill

2 God s purposes. There is an old Roman aqueduct near Segovia, Spain. It was built in 109 AD. For 1800 years it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly 60 generations drank from its flow. Then came modern times and a new generation. They wanted to preserve the aqueduct and protect it. So they hired contractors to lay iron pipes that would carry the water. They wanted to give the ancient bricks and mortar a rest. It didn t take long and the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating down on the dry mortar caused it to crumble and crack. The bricks and stones began to sag. And the aqueduct threatened to fall. What ages of faithful service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. My friends, God made you for a purpose to use the gifts he has given you and to be an aqueduct of his love to the world. If your faith is feeling a little dry and crumbly, maybe it s because the aqueduct is not being used. In Romans 12:4-5 Paul writes For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. What is God trying to teach us about spiritual gifts? First, Paul begins by saying, EACH OF US and ends by saying, EACH OF US. In other words we all have gifts and they are different gifts. I heard it put this way When God got ready to organize his church, he didn t set up a dictatorship with the pastor at the head. And he didn t set up a democracy where everybody has an equal say in everything. When God got ready to organize the church, he set up a body with Christ as the head and each and every Christian is a part of the body. This is the picture Paul uses ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS. I ve seen what happens when one part of the body shuts down and quits working. It s a disaster. For the body to be healthy all the parts need to be working together like a team! Last week we all watched the Superbowl. Did you see the Microsoft commercial about teamwork? with the deaf football players and coaches. Teamwork builds excellence and everyone on the team has a role

3 to play. Whatever your gift is you need to bring it! VIDEO: BRING IT by 1529 Productions I believe that it is vitally important that you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, discover the gift God has given you and then use your gift? Why? BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT YOU WILL CLARIFY GOD S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. Your spiritual gift is like your own personal job description from God. When you discover your gift and begin to use it, you will find fulfillment and satisfaction. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Lidell explains to his sister why he has delayed his return to the mission field in order to run in the Olympics. Because when I run, he says, I feel the pleasure of God. If your gift is giving you will feel God s pleasure in helping to meet the material and financial needs of others. If your gift is evangelism you will feel God s pleasure in sharing your faith. If your gift is administration you will feel God s pleasure in organizing others to do God s work. If your gift is hospitality you feel God s pleasure in opening your home, or fixing meals, or setting up the coffee on Sunday mornings. There are signposts that point the way to your gift feeling God s pleasure when you use your gift; the affirmation you receive from other believers; the fact that God s work gets done. And know this when God give you a job to do, he will give you the gifts you need to be successful. BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS YOU WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE CHURCH. This is Paul s point in Ephesians 4:16. Paul says Under his direction (that is Christ) the whole body (that is the church) is fitted together perfectly as each part does its own special work (that s the key--you and me working together). It helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (that s the key). BY DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS YOU WILL GLORIFY GOD. Listen to the words of 1 Peter 4: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks,

4 he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. In other words, when believers together are using the gifts God has given, there is no more competition, no more resentment, no more jealousy, or burn out or resentment or ill-feeling. God is glorified. When we yield ourselves to him, he is free to use us for his greater purpose and for the good of all. The next step is for you to discover and start using your spiritual gifts. May I suggest four places to start: Just do it. There is no better way to discover your gifts than by trying something out. Stop by Pastor Kumfer s class Discover Your Discipleship Path. It s all about helping you discover and use your gifts. Read a book. I suggest 19 Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie Flynn or Unwrap Your Spiritual Gift by Kenneth Gangel. Join a small group. All of our small groups are involved in serving. Do you like to cook? try Cooking With Spirit. Music? try the choir or the praise team. Missions get involved with one of our mission teams. Giving and helping? talk with the folks involved in social ministry. My point is this There is a place for you. We are all Christ s body and you are a part of it.

5 Spiritual Gifts February 12, Our Savior s Way Worshiping 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Pastor Bill Mann A man sat alone on the floor of his bedroom. His life was in shambles. The week before his wife had run away with a writer from Rolling Stone Magazine. On this day, he had learned that his son had been diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes. He would soon lose his graphic arts business. This man was alone, abandoned and despairing. His name was Steven Lavaggi and in that moment Steven Lavaggi turned to God s Word. He says, I skipped over the black letters in the Bible and went right to the words of Jesus the ones in red. Jesus spoke to me, Steven Lavaggi says, and he pointed me to his promise on Psalm 91:1 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Today Steven Lavaggi is a world renowned artist. He sculpts and paints angels. Some years ago he was in Soweto, South Africa, speaking before a crowd of 3500 people he lifted up a 20 sculpture of an angel. The angel had a black patina. The crowd jumped to their feet in joy. The leader of the group revealed that recently a prophetic speaker had declared that God would soon send an international artist who would express the love of God by doing something like painting angels in black. Steven reached down and lifted up a second angel that was pearl white. Holding the two angels high above his head, he said, You can imagine these angels were created to be like brothers, even as God intends us to be. Today, through his art, Steven Lavaggi is using the gift God gave him to bring the message of Jesus Christ and hope to the world. This morning I want to talk to you about SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The key idea this week is: I know my spiritual gifts and use them to fulfill

6 God s purposes. There is an old Roman aqueduct near Segovia, Spain. It was built in 109 AD. For 1800 years it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly 60 generations drank from its flow. Then came modern times and a new generation. They wanted to preserve the aqueduct and protect it. So they hired contractors to lay iron pipes that would carry the water. They wanted to give the ancient bricks and mortar a rest. It didn t take long and the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating down on the dry mortar caused it to crumble and crack. The bricks and stones began to sag. And the aqueduct threatened to fall. What ages of faithful service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. My friends, God made you for a purpose to use the gifts he has given you and to be an aqueduct of his love to the world. If your faith is feeling a little dry and crumbly, maybe it s because the aqueduct is not being used. In Romans 12:4-5 Paul writes For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. What is God trying to teach us about spiritual gifts? First, Paul begins by saying, EACH OF US and ends by saying, EACH OF US. In other words we all have gifts and they are different gifts. I heard it put this way When God got ready to organize his church, he didn t set up a dictatorship with the pastor at the head. And he didn t set up a democracy where everybody has an equal say in everything. When God got ready to organize the church, he set up a body with Christ as the head and each and every Christian is a part of the body. This is the picture Paul uses ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS. I ve seen what happens when one part of the body shuts down and quits working. It s a disaster. For the body to be healthy all the parts need to be working together like a team! Last week we all watched the Superbowl. Did you see the Microsoft commercial about teamwork? with the deaf football players and coaches. Teamwork builds excellence and everyone on the team has a role

7 to play. Whatever your gift is you need to bring it! VIDEO: BRING IT by 1529 Productions I believe that it is vitally important that you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, discover the gift God has given you and then use your gift? Why? BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT YOU WILL CLARIFY GOD S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. Your spiritual gift is like your own personal job description from God. When you discover your gift and begin to use it, you will find fulfillment and satisfaction. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Lidell explains to his sister why he has delayed his return to the mission field in order to run in the Olympics. Because when I run, he says, I feel the pleasure of God. If your gift is giving you will feel God s pleasure in helping to meet the material and financial needs of others. If your gift is evangelism you will feel God s pleasure in sharing your faith. If your gift is administration you will feel God s pleasure in organizing others to do God s work. If your gift is hospitality you feel God s pleasure in opening your home, or fixing meals, or setting up the coffee on Sunday mornings. There are signposts that point the way to your gift feeling God s pleasure when you use your gift; the affirmation you receive from other believers; the fact that God s work gets done. And know this when God give you a job to do, he will give you the gifts you need to be successful. BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS YOU WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE CHURCH. This is Paul s point in Ephesians 4:16. Paul says Under his direction (that is Christ) the whole body (that is the church) is fitted together perfectly as each part does its own special work (that s the key--you and me working together). It helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (that s the key). BY DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS YOU WILL GLORIFY GOD. Listen to the words of 1 Peter 4: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks,

8 he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. In other words, when believers together are using the gifts God has given, there is no more competition, no more resentment, no more jealousy, or burn out or resentment or ill-feeling. God is glorified. When we yield ourselves to him, he is free to use us for his greater purpose and for the good of all. The next step is for you to discover and start using your spiritual gifts. May I suggest four places to start: Just do it. There is no better way to discover your gifts than by trying something out. Stop by Pastor Kumfer s class Discover Your Discipleship Path. It s all about helping you discover and use your gifts. Read a book. I suggest 19 Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie Flynn or Unwrap Your Spiritual Gift by Kenneth Gangel. Join a small group. All of our small groups are involved in serving. Do you like to cook? try Cooking With Spirit. Music? try the choir or the praise team. Missions get involved with one of our mission teams. Giving and helping? talk with the folks involved in social ministry. My point is this There is a place for you. We are all Christ s body and you are a part of it.

9 Spiritual Gifts February 12, Our Savior s Way Worshiping 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Pastor Bill Mann A man sat alone on the floor of his bedroom. His life was in shambles. The week before his wife had run away with a writer from Rolling Stone Magazine. On this day, he had learned that his son had been diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes. He would soon lose his graphic arts business. This man was alone, abandoned and despairing. His name was Steven Lavaggi and in that moment Steven Lavaggi turned to God s Word. He says, I skipped over the black letters in the Bible and went right to the words of Jesus the ones in red. Jesus spoke to me, Steven Lavaggi says, and he pointed me to his promise on Psalm 91:1 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Today Steven Lavaggi is a world renowned artist. He sculpts and paints angels. Some years ago he was in Soweto, South Africa, speaking before a crowd of 3500 people he lifted up a 20 sculpture of an angel. The angel had a black patina. The crowd jumped to their feet in joy. The leader of the group revealed that recently a prophetic speaker had declared that God would soon send an international artist who would express the love of God by doing something like painting angels in black. Steven reached down and lifted up a second angel that was pearl white. Holding the two angels high above his head, he said, You can imagine these angels were created to be like brothers, even as God intends us to be. Today, through his art, Steven Lavaggi is using the gift God gave him to bring the message of Jesus Christ and hope to the world. This morning I want to talk to you about SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The key idea this week is: I know my spiritual gifts and use them to fulfill

10 God s purposes. There is an old Roman aqueduct near Segovia, Spain. It was built in 109 AD. For 1800 years it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly 60 generations drank from its flow. Then came modern times and a new generation. They wanted to preserve the aqueduct and protect it. So they hired contractors to lay iron pipes that would carry the water. They wanted to give the ancient bricks and mortar a rest. It didn t take long and the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating down on the dry mortar caused it to crumble and crack. The bricks and stones began to sag. And the aqueduct threatened to fall. What ages of faithful service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. My friends, God made you for a purpose to use the gifts he has given you and to be an aqueduct of his love to the world. If your faith is feeling a little dry and crumbly, maybe it s because the aqueduct is not being used. In Romans 12:4-5 Paul writes For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. What is God trying to teach us about spiritual gifts? First, Paul begins by saying, EACH OF US and ends by saying, EACH OF US. In other words we all have gifts and they are different gifts. I heard it put this way When God got ready to organize his church, he didn t set up a dictatorship with the pastor at the head. And he didn t set up a democracy where everybody has an equal say in everything. When God got ready to organize the church, he set up a body with Christ as the head and each and every Christian is a part of the body. This is the picture Paul uses ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS. I ve seen what happens when one part of the body shuts down and quits working. It s a disaster. For the body to be healthy all the parts need to be working together like a team! Last week we all watched the Superbowl. Did you see the Microsoft commercial about teamwork? with the deaf football players and coaches. Teamwork builds excellence and everyone on the team has a role

11 to play. Whatever your gift is you need to bring it! VIDEO: BRING IT by 1529 Productions I believe that it is vitally important that you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, discover the gift God has given you and then use your gift? Why? BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT YOU WILL CLARIFY GOD S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. Your spiritual gift is like your own personal job description from God. When you discover your gift and begin to use it, you will find fulfillment and satisfaction. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Lidell explains to his sister why he has delayed his return to the mission field in order to run in the Olympics. Because when I run, he says, I feel the pleasure of God. If your gift is giving you will feel God s pleasure in helping to meet the material and financial needs of others. If your gift is evangelism you will feel God s pleasure in sharing your faith. If your gift is administration you will feel God s pleasure in organizing others to do God s work. If your gift is hospitality you feel God s pleasure in opening your home, or fixing meals, or setting up the coffee on Sunday mornings. There are signposts that point the way to your gift feeling God s pleasure when you use your gift; the affirmation you receive from other believers; the fact that God s work gets done. And know this when God give you a job to do, he will give you the gifts you need to be successful. BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS YOU WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE CHURCH. This is Paul s point in Ephesians 4:16. Paul says Under his direction (that is Christ) the whole body (that is the church) is fitted together perfectly as each part does its own special work (that s the key--you and me working together). It helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (that s the key). BY DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS YOU WILL GLORIFY GOD. Listen to the words of 1 Peter 4: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks,

12 he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. In other words, when believers together are using the gifts God has given, there is no more competition, no more resentment, no more jealousy, or burn out or resentment or ill-feeling. God is glorified. When we yield ourselves to him, he is free to use us for his greater purpose and for the good of all. The next step is for you to discover and start using your spiritual gifts. May I suggest four places to start: Just do it. There is no better way to discover your gifts than by trying something out. Stop by Pastor Kumfer s class Discover Your Discipleship Path. It s all about helping you discover and use your gifts. Read a book. I suggest 19 Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie Flynn or Unwrap Your Spiritual Gift by Kenneth Gangel. Join a small group. All of our small groups are involved in serving. Do you like to cook? try Cooking With Spirit. Music? try the choir or the praise team. Missions get involved with one of our mission teams. Giving and helping? talk with the folks involved in social ministry. My point is this There is a place for you. We are all Christ s body and you are a part of it.

13 Spiritual Gifts February 12, Our Savior s Way Worshiping 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Pastor Bill Mann A man sat alone on the floor of his bedroom. His life was in shambles. The week before his wife had run away with a writer from Rolling Stone Magazine. On this day, he had learned that his son had been diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes. He would soon lose his graphic arts business. This man was alone, abandoned and despairing. His name was Steven Lavaggi and in that moment Steven Lavaggi turned to God s Word. He says, I skipped over the black letters in the Bible and went right to the words of Jesus the ones in red. Jesus spoke to me, Steven Lavaggi says, and he pointed me to his promise on Psalm 91:1 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Today Steven Lavaggi is a world renowned artist. He sculpts and paints angels. Some years ago he was in Soweto, South Africa, speaking before a crowd of 3500 people he lifted up a 20 sculpture of an angel. The angel had a black patina. The crowd jumped to their feet in joy. The leader of the group revealed that recently a prophetic speaker had declared that God would soon send an international artist who would express the love of God by doing something like painting angels in black. Steven reached down and lifted up a second angel that was pearl white. Holding the two angels high above his head, he said, You can imagine these angels were created to be like brothers, even as God intends us to be. Today, through his art, Steven Lavaggi is using the gift God gave him to bring the message of Jesus Christ and hope to the world. This morning I want to talk to you about SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The key idea this week is: I know my spiritual gifts and use them to fulfill

14 God s purposes. There is an old Roman aqueduct near Segovia, Spain. It was built in 109 AD. For 1800 years it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly 60 generations drank from its flow. Then came modern times and a new generation. They wanted to preserve the aqueduct and protect it. So they hired contractors to lay iron pipes that would carry the water. They wanted to give the ancient bricks and mortar a rest. It didn t take long and the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating down on the dry mortar caused it to crumble and crack. The bricks and stones began to sag. And the aqueduct threatened to fall. What ages of faithful service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. My friends, God made you for a purpose to use the gifts he has given you and to be an aqueduct of his love to the world. If your faith is feeling a little dry and crumbly, maybe it s because the aqueduct is not being used. In Romans 12:4-5 Paul writes For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. What is God trying to teach us about spiritual gifts? First, Paul begins by saying, EACH OF US and ends by saying, EACH OF US. In other words we all have gifts and they are different gifts. I heard it put this way When God got ready to organize his church, he didn t set up a dictatorship with the pastor at the head. And he didn t set up a democracy where everybody has an equal say in everything. When God got ready to organize the church, he set up a body with Christ as the head and each and every Christian is a part of the body. This is the picture Paul uses ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS. I ve seen what happens when one part of the body shuts down and quits working. It s a disaster. For the body to be healthy all the parts need to be working together like a team! Last week we all watched the Superbowl. Did you see the Microsoft commercial about teamwork? with the deaf football players and coaches. Teamwork builds excellence and everyone on the team has a role

15 to play. Whatever your gift is you need to bring it! VIDEO: BRING IT by 1529 Productions I believe that it is vitally important that you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, discover the gift God has given you and then use your gift? Why? BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT YOU WILL CLARIFY GOD S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. Your spiritual gift is like your own personal job description from God. When you discover your gift and begin to use it, you will find fulfillment and satisfaction. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Lidell explains to his sister why he has delayed his return to the mission field in order to run in the Olympics. Because when I run, he says, I feel the pleasure of God. If your gift is giving you will feel God s pleasure in helping to meet the material and financial needs of others. If your gift is evangelism you will feel God s pleasure in sharing your faith. If your gift is administration you will feel God s pleasure in organizing others to do God s work. If your gift is hospitality you feel God s pleasure in opening your home, or fixing meals, or setting up the coffee on Sunday mornings. There are signposts that point the way to your gift feeling God s pleasure when you use your gift; the affirmation you receive from other believers; the fact that God s work gets done. And know this when God give you a job to do, he will give you the gifts you need to be successful. BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS YOU WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE CHURCH. This is Paul s point in Ephesians 4:16. Paul says Under his direction (that is Christ) the whole body (that is the church) is fitted together perfectly as each part does its own special work (that s the key--you and me working together). It helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (that s the key). BY DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS YOU WILL GLORIFY GOD. Listen to the words of 1 Peter 4: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks,

16 he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. In other words, when believers together are using the gifts God has given, there is no more competition, no more resentment, no more jealousy, or burn out or resentment or ill-feeling. God is glorified. When we yield ourselves to him, he is free to use us for his greater purpose and for the good of all. The next step is for you to discover and start using your spiritual gifts. May I suggest four places to start: Just do it. There is no better way to discover your gifts than by trying something out. Stop by Pastor Kumfer s class Discover Your Discipleship Path. It s all about helping you discover and use your gifts. Read a book. I suggest 19 Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie Flynn or Unwrap Your Spiritual Gift by Kenneth Gangel. Join a small group. All of our small groups are involved in serving. Do you like to cook? try Cooking With Spirit. Music? try the choir or the praise team. Missions get involved with one of our mission teams. Giving and helping? talk with the folks involved in social ministry. My point is this There is a place for you. We are all Christ s body and you are a part of it.

17 Spiritual Gifts February 12, Our Savior s Way Worshiping 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Pastor Bill Mann A man sat alone on the floor of his bedroom. His life was in shambles. The week before his wife had run away with a writer from Rolling Stone Magazine. On this day, he had learned that his son had been diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes. He would soon lose his graphic arts business. This man was alone, abandoned and despairing. His name was Steven Lavaggi and in that moment Steven Lavaggi turned to God s Word. He says, I skipped over the black letters in the Bible and went right to the words of Jesus the ones in red. Jesus spoke to me, Steven Lavaggi says, and he pointed me to his promise on Psalm 91:1 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Today Steven Lavaggi is a world renowned artist. He sculpts and paints angels. Some years ago he was in Soweto, South Africa, speaking before a crowd of 3500 people he lifted up a 20 sculpture of an angel. The angel had a black patina. The crowd jumped to their feet in joy. The leader of the group revealed that recently a prophetic speaker had declared that God would soon send an international artist who would express the love of God by doing something like painting angels in black. Steven reached down and lifted up a second angel that was pearl white. Holding the two angels high above his head, he said, You can imagine these angels were created to be like brothers, even as God intends us to be. Today, through his art, Steven Lavaggi is using the gift God gave him to bring the message of Jesus Christ and hope to the world. This morning I want to talk to you about SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The key idea this week is: I know my spiritual gifts and use them to fulfill

18 God s purposes. There is an old Roman aqueduct near Segovia, Spain. It was built in 109 AD. For 1800 years it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly 60 generations drank from its flow. Then came modern times and a new generation. They wanted to preserve the aqueduct and protect it. So they hired contractors to lay iron pipes that would carry the water. They wanted to give the ancient bricks and mortar a rest. It didn t take long and the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating down on the dry mortar caused it to crumble and crack. The bricks and stones began to sag. And the aqueduct threatened to fall. What ages of faithful service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. My friends, God made you for a purpose to use the gifts he has given you and to be an aqueduct of his love to the world. If your faith is feeling a little dry and crumbly, maybe it s because the aqueduct is not being used. In Romans 12:4-5 Paul writes For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. What is God trying to teach us about spiritual gifts? First, Paul begins by saying, EACH OF US and ends by saying, EACH OF US. In other words we all have gifts and they are different gifts. I heard it put this way When God got ready to organize his church, he didn t set up a dictatorship with the pastor at the head. And he didn t set up a democracy where everybody has an equal say in everything. When God got ready to organize the church, he set up a body with Christ as the head and each and every Christian is a part of the body. This is the picture Paul uses ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS. I ve seen what happens when one part of the body shuts down and quits working. It s a disaster. For the body to be healthy all the parts need to be working together like a team! Last week we all watched the Superbowl. Did you see the Microsoft commercial about teamwork? with the deaf football players and coaches. Teamwork builds excellence and everyone on the team has a role

19 to play. Whatever your gift is you need to bring it! VIDEO: BRING IT by 1529 Productions I believe that it is vitally important that you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, discover the gift God has given you and then use your gift? Why? BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT YOU WILL CLARIFY GOD S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. Your spiritual gift is like your own personal job description from God. When you discover your gift and begin to use it, you will find fulfillment and satisfaction. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Lidell explains to his sister why he has delayed his return to the mission field in order to run in the Olympics. Because when I run, he says, I feel the pleasure of God. If your gift is giving you will feel God s pleasure in helping to meet the material and financial needs of others. If your gift is evangelism you will feel God s pleasure in sharing your faith. If your gift is administration you will feel God s pleasure in organizing others to do God s work. If your gift is hospitality you feel God s pleasure in opening your home, or fixing meals, or setting up the coffee on Sunday mornings. There are signposts that point the way to your gift feeling God s pleasure when you use your gift; the affirmation you receive from other believers; the fact that God s work gets done. And know this when God give you a job to do, he will give you the gifts you need to be successful. BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS YOU WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE CHURCH. This is Paul s point in Ephesians 4:16. Paul says Under his direction (that is Christ) the whole body (that is the church) is fitted together perfectly as each part does its own special work (that s the key--you and me working together). It helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (that s the key). BY DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS YOU WILL GLORIFY GOD. Listen to the words of 1 Peter 4: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks,

20 he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. In other words, when believers together are using the gifts God has given, there is no more competition, no more resentment, no more jealousy, or burn out or resentment or ill-feeling. God is glorified. When we yield ourselves to him, he is free to use us for his greater purpose and for the good of all. The next step is for you to discover and start using your spiritual gifts. May I suggest four places to start: Just do it. There is no better way to discover your gifts than by trying something out. Stop by Pastor Kumfer s class Discover Your Discipleship Path. It s all about helping you discover and use your gifts. Read a book. I suggest 19 Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie Flynn or Unwrap Your Spiritual Gift by Kenneth Gangel. Join a small group. All of our small groups are involved in serving. Do you like to cook? try Cooking With Spirit. Music? try the choir or the praise team. Missions get involved with one of our mission teams. Giving and helping? talk with the folks involved in social ministry. My point is this There is a place for you. We are all Christ s body and you are a part of it.

21 Spiritual Gifts February 12, Our Savior s Way Worshiping 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Pastor Bill Mann A man sat alone on the floor of his bedroom. His life was in shambles. The week before his wife had run away with a writer from Rolling Stone Magazine. On this day, he had learned that his son had been diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes. He would soon lose his graphic arts business. This man was alone, abandoned and despairing. His name was Steven Lavaggi and in that moment Steven Lavaggi turned to God s Word. He says, I skipped over the black letters in the Bible and went right to the words of Jesus the ones in red. Jesus spoke to me, Steven Lavaggi says, and he pointed me to his promise on Psalm 91:1 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Today Steven Lavaggi is a world renowned artist. He sculpts and paints angels. Some years ago he was in Soweto, South Africa, speaking before a crowd of 3500 people he lifted up a 20 sculpture of an angel. The angel had a black patina. The crowd jumped to their feet in joy. The leader of the group revealed that recently a prophetic speaker had declared that God would soon send an international artist who would express the love of God by doing something like painting angels in black. Steven reached down and lifted up a second angel that was pearl white. Holding the two angels high above his head, he said, You can imagine these angels were created to be like brothers, even as God intends us to be. Today, through his art, Steven Lavaggi is using the gift God gave him to bring the message of Jesus Christ and hope to the world. This morning I want to talk to you about SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The key idea this week is: I know my spiritual gifts and use them to fulfill

22 God s purposes. There is an old Roman aqueduct near Segovia, Spain. It was built in 109 AD. For 1800 years it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly 60 generations drank from its flow. Then came modern times and a new generation. They wanted to preserve the aqueduct and protect it. So they hired contractors to lay iron pipes that would carry the water. They wanted to give the ancient bricks and mortar a rest. It didn t take long and the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating down on the dry mortar caused it to crumble and crack. The bricks and stones began to sag. And the aqueduct threatened to fall. What ages of faithful service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. My friends, God made you for a purpose to use the gifts he has given you and to be an aqueduct of his love to the world. If your faith is feeling a little dry and crumbly, maybe it s because the aqueduct is not being used. In Romans 12:4-5 Paul writes For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. What is God trying to teach us about spiritual gifts? First, Paul begins by saying, EACH OF US and ends by saying, EACH OF US. In other words we all have gifts and they are different gifts. I heard it put this way When God got ready to organize his church, he didn t set up a dictatorship with the pastor at the head. And he didn t set up a democracy where everybody has an equal say in everything. When God got ready to organize the church, he set up a body with Christ as the head and each and every Christian is a part of the body. This is the picture Paul uses ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS. I ve seen what happens when one part of the body shuts down and quits working. It s a disaster. For the body to be healthy all the parts need to be working together like a team! Last week we all watched the Superbowl. Did you see the Microsoft commercial about teamwork? with the deaf football players and coaches. Teamwork builds excellence and everyone on the team has a role

23 to play. Whatever your gift is you need to bring it! VIDEO: BRING IT by 1529 Productions I believe that it is vitally important that you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, discover the gift God has given you and then use your gift? Why? BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT YOU WILL CLARIFY GOD S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. Your spiritual gift is like your own personal job description from God. When you discover your gift and begin to use it, you will find fulfillment and satisfaction. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Lidell explains to his sister why he has delayed his return to the mission field in order to run in the Olympics. Because when I run, he says, I feel the pleasure of God. If your gift is giving you will feel God s pleasure in helping to meet the material and financial needs of others. If your gift is evangelism you will feel God s pleasure in sharing your faith. If your gift is administration you will feel God s pleasure in organizing others to do God s work. If your gift is hospitality you feel God s pleasure in opening your home, or fixing meals, or setting up the coffee on Sunday mornings. There are signposts that point the way to your gift feeling God s pleasure when you use your gift; the affirmation you receive from other believers; the fact that God s work gets done. And know this when God give you a job to do, he will give you the gifts you need to be successful. BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS YOU WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE CHURCH. This is Paul s point in Ephesians 4:16. Paul says Under his direction (that is Christ) the whole body (that is the church) is fitted together perfectly as each part does its own special work (that s the key--you and me working together). It helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (that s the key). BY DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS YOU WILL GLORIFY GOD. Listen to the words of 1 Peter 4: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks,

24 he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. In other words, when believers together are using the gifts God has given, there is no more competition, no more resentment, no more jealousy, or burn out or resentment or ill-feeling. God is glorified. When we yield ourselves to him, he is free to use us for his greater purpose and for the good of all. The next step is for you to discover and start using your spiritual gifts. May I suggest four places to start: Just do it. There is no better way to discover your gifts than by trying something out. Stop by Pastor Kumfer s class Discover Your Discipleship Path. It s all about helping you discover and use your gifts. Read a book. I suggest 19 Gifts of the Spirit by Leslie Flynn or Unwrap Your Spiritual Gift by Kenneth Gangel. Join a small group. All of our small groups are involved in serving. Do you like to cook? try Cooking With Spirit. Music? try the choir or the praise team. Missions get involved with one of our mission teams. Giving and helping? talk with the folks involved in social ministry. My point is this There is a place for you. We are all Christ s body and you are a part of it.

25 Spiritual Gifts February 12, Our Savior s Way Worshiping 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Pastor Bill Mann A man sat alone on the floor of his bedroom. His life was in shambles. The week before his wife had run away with a writer from Rolling Stone Magazine. On this day, he had learned that his son had been diagnosed with juvenile onset diabetes. He would soon lose his graphic arts business. This man was alone, abandoned and despairing. His name was Steven Lavaggi and in that moment Steven Lavaggi turned to God s Word. He says, I skipped over the black letters in the Bible and went right to the words of Jesus the ones in red. Jesus spoke to me, Steven Lavaggi says, and he pointed me to his promise on Psalm 91:1 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Today Steven Lavaggi is a world renowned artist. He sculpts and paints angels. Some years ago he was in Soweto, South Africa, speaking before a crowd of 3500 people he lifted up a 20 sculpture of an angel. The angel had a black patina. The crowd jumped to their feet in joy. The leader of the group revealed that recently a prophetic speaker had declared that God would soon send an international artist who would express the love of God by doing something like painting angels in black. Steven reached down and lifted up a second angel that was pearl white. Holding the two angels high above his head, he said, You can imagine these angels were created to be like brothers, even as God intends us to be. Today, through his art, Steven Lavaggi is using the gift God gave him to bring the message of Jesus Christ and hope to the world. This morning I want to talk to you about SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The key idea this week is: I know my spiritual gifts and use them to fulfill

26 God s purposes. There is an old Roman aqueduct near Segovia, Spain. It was built in 109 AD. For 1800 years it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly 60 generations drank from its flow. Then came modern times and a new generation. They wanted to preserve the aqueduct and protect it. So they hired contractors to lay iron pipes that would carry the water. They wanted to give the ancient bricks and mortar a rest. It didn t take long and the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating down on the dry mortar caused it to crumble and crack. The bricks and stones began to sag. And the aqueduct threatened to fall. What ages of faithful service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. My friends, God made you for a purpose to use the gifts he has given you and to be an aqueduct of his love to the world. If your faith is feeling a little dry and crumbly, maybe it s because the aqueduct is not being used. In Romans 12:4-5 Paul writes For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. What is God trying to teach us about spiritual gifts? First, Paul begins by saying, EACH OF US and ends by saying, EACH OF US. In other words we all have gifts and they are different gifts. I heard it put this way When God got ready to organize his church, he didn t set up a dictatorship with the pastor at the head. And he didn t set up a democracy where everybody has an equal say in everything. When God got ready to organize the church, he set up a body with Christ as the head and each and every Christian is a part of the body. This is the picture Paul uses ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS. I ve seen what happens when one part of the body shuts down and quits working. It s a disaster. For the body to be healthy all the parts need to be working together like a team! Last week we all watched the Superbowl. Did you see the Microsoft commercial about teamwork? with the deaf football players and coaches. Teamwork builds excellence and everyone on the team has a role

27 to play. Whatever your gift is you need to bring it! VIDEO: BRING IT by 1529 Productions I believe that it is vitally important that you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, discover the gift God has given you and then use your gift? Why? BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT YOU WILL CLARIFY GOD S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. Your spiritual gift is like your own personal job description from God. When you discover your gift and begin to use it, you will find fulfillment and satisfaction. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Lidell explains to his sister why he has delayed his return to the mission field in order to run in the Olympics. Because when I run, he says, I feel the pleasure of God. If your gift is giving you will feel God s pleasure in helping to meet the material and financial needs of others. If your gift is evangelism you will feel God s pleasure in sharing your faith. If your gift is administration you will feel God s pleasure in organizing others to do God s work. If your gift is hospitality you feel God s pleasure in opening your home, or fixing meals, or setting up the coffee on Sunday mornings. There are signposts that point the way to your gift feeling God s pleasure when you use your gift; the affirmation you receive from other believers; the fact that God s work gets done. And know this when God give you a job to do, he will give you the gifts you need to be successful. BY DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS YOU WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE CHURCH. This is Paul s point in Ephesians 4:16. Paul says Under his direction (that is Christ) the whole body (that is the church) is fitted together perfectly as each part does its own special work (that s the key--you and me working together). It helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love (that s the key). BY DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS YOU WILL GLORIFY GOD. Listen to the words of 1 Peter 4: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks,