SESSION 6 USED IN GOD S SERVICE What s one of the more useless gifts you ve received? QUESTION #1 #BSFLpriceless BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 53
THE POINT God expects us to use the gifts He has given us. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE It s the thought that counts. That s what our parents taught us when we received a gift that was ugly or unique. The giver may have meant well, but you knew never in a million years would you use it, wear it, or display it. We ve all been guilty of giving those kinds of gifts. It typically happens in situations where social convention requires us to give a gift, but we just don t know what to buy. So, we search the aisles until we finally find something decent and then hope for the best. God gives gifts, too, but He knows exactly what you need. You may not know it at the time, but the gifts He gives what we refer to as spiritual gifts are perfect for you. You might wonder at first how you ll use those gifts. But as we ll see in this session, God has a plan for both you and your gifts. And He expects you to use them. 54 SESSION 6
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? 1 Cor. 12:12-16,21-22; 1 Pet. 4:9-11 12 For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 So the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot should say, Because I m not a hand, I don t belong to the body, in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 16 And if the ear should say, Because I m not an eye, I don t belong to the body, in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, I don t need you! Or again, the head can t say to the feet, I don t need you! 22 But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. Made to drink of one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13) Paul was probably alluding to the words of Jesus found in John 7:37 39. When an individual trusts Jesus as Lord and Savior, Jesus satisfies his or her deepest thirst by sending the Holy Spirit into that person s life. All believers are able to drink from these streams of living water (John 7:38). 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 55
THE POINT God expects us to use the gifts He has given us. 1 Corinthians 12:12-16 When you look at a woman, you don t see her as a collection of hands, feet, facial features, and kneecaps. Instead, you see her as a complete person. Jesus is the same way with His followers. When He looks at us, He sees us as a collection of individuals who make up a single body: the church. Paul wanted to make it clear that all believers regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender are part of Christ s body, the church. Racial and social diversity does exists in the church, which is why he said whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free. But we all have the same Holy Spirit. Still, our differences can become a source of conflict. That s a subject Paul continued to deal with in his letter to the Corinthians. We saw in the previous session that the church in Corinth had separated into different factions (see 1 Cor. 1:10-13). Sadly, it seems even their approach to spiritual gifts caused conflict. When some people became proud and arrogant about their abilities, it made others feel inferior which caused disunity. Ever feel like a nobody? Sometimes people thrust that feeling on us through their boastfulness. Other times we invite that feeling ourselves when we choose to play the comparison game. After all, when we take the time to look around, we can always find someone who s better than we are in some way. It s all too easy to compare yourself with others and feel like you re less than you ought to be. Frankly, it s especially sad when we play the comparison game inside the church. Paul wanted to correct that in verses 15-16: If the foot should say, Because I m not a hand, I don t belong to the body, in spite of this it still belongs to the body. And if the ear should say, Because I m not an eye, I don t belong to the body, in spite of this it still belongs to the body. Your role in the body of Christ may not be as visible as others, but it s no less important. Your spiritual gifts are important, and the way you use them in the body of Christ is important. The bottom line: inferiority has no place in the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit that lives in your pastor is the same Holy Spirit that lives in you. No one has cornered the market on His presence or His gifts. Why are we often tempted to compare ourselves to others? QUESTION #2 56 SESSION 6
THE ENCOURAGEMENT GAME Encouraging others is one of the best ways to combat the comparison game within the church. For that reason, use the following template to write a note of encouragement to someone in your congregation. Dear, I really appreciate the way you serve our church as. I have noticed the way you and I affirm your dedication. Your work has impacted our church in a number of ways, including, You are an inspiration to me, and I wanted to make sure you knew that your efforts are both seen and valued. Thank you!. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 57
THE POINT God expects us to use the gifts He has given us. 1 Corinthians 12:21-22 We shouldn t feel inferior about ourselves in the church; neither should we feel superior. Paul focused his attention on those who boast about their gifts, but both extremes are harmful. We re not to question our value or the value of others. Don t be proud of your gifts, thinking they raise your value or importance in the church. Your effectiveness has nothing to do with you, but it has everything to do with the One who gave you that gift! God has planned and gifted every one of us to bring the greatest glory to Himself and the greatest good to the body of Christ. Of course, some Christians in the church are more visible than others. But those who are more private or who like to work behind the scenes are every bit as essential. When was the last time you made a big deal about your big toe? Probably the last time you stubbed it. Even though we don t think about it very often, the big toe is crucial to the human body. The first toe is known as the hallux and is responsible for 40 percent of the foot s heavy lifting when we walk. Our big toes keep us balanced. Believe it or not, a recruit who is missing a big toe will be disqualified from the military, and someone who loses a big toe typically has to learn to walk again. That s Paul s point in verse 22: But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. What s true for the human body is true for the church. We may not think it s important to be the big toe in the church, but Paul says otherwise. Maybe it s time we toot the horn of those who serve without much notice. The church should give special honor to its members who do not attract attention to themselves. We can do this to remind them and all of us that every member of the church is vitally important for it to function as God intended. How do these verses help you understand your place within the church? QUESTION #3 58 SESSION 6
1 Peter 4:9-11 We find some brief instructions in 1 Peter about how to use our gifts. We can sum up the main idea like this: serve others as Jesus would serve them and speak to others as He would speak to them. Everything we do must be immersed in an attitude of love. Hospitality is a very tangible expression of love, which is why Peter wrote, Be hospitable to one another without complaining (v. 9). Even among non-christians in the first century, hospitality was simply a common courtesy. God s people don t welcome others out of duty; rather, we do it cheerfully, without complaining. That speaks of a joyous and loving attitude. How can we ensure that we use our gifts in a way that glorifies God instead of ourselves? QUESTION #4 Love is expressed in whatever spiritual gift we use. We receive our spiritual gifts by the grace of God. So when we use our gifts in a loving manner doing so in a way that extends grace to others we point to the One who has extended grace to us. In Peter s words, we use our gifts so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything (v. 11). No two people will serve in exactly the same way, but each of us will serve with the gifts God has given us and wherever He s placed us. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God (v. 10). I like that word varied. It means multi-colored. When you serve and I serve each in our different ways, as God has gifted us together we bring glory to God like a beautiful rainbow! What are some practical ways to appreciate and celebrate the spiritual gifts of others? QUESTION #5 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 59
THE POINT God expects us to use the gifts He has given us. LIVE IT OUT How will you actively use your spiritual gifts this week? Consider the following options: Just do it. Don t let yourself fall into the trap of waiting for circumstances to be just right before you use the gifts God has given you. Make a plan right now to take action and do something in service to God s kingdom. Find help. Using your spiritual gifts doesn t have to be a solo operation. Find someone to join you in serving God and serving others through your spiritual gifts. (Doing so will provide the added value of accountability.) Encourage others. Find a way to encourage someone who is struggling with his or her sense of value in the church. Send a note or seek out a tangible way to remind that person of his or her value in the body of Christ. We ve all received gifts that left us unsatisfied. But your spiritual gifts from God need never drift into that dreaded territory of it s the thought that counts. Your spiritual gifts are both useful and valuable in your context. The next step is up to you. My thoughts 60 SESSION 6