Session 6 Stewarding Talent/Gifts My goal today is to show you the significance God places on every member of Christ's body and how He desires us to utilize the unique talents and gifts He gives for His glory. Big Ideas: • Stewarding talents and spiritual gifts • Experience, Grow, Share Gift/Present-something transferred to a person as an object to be received without compensation. Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. In the Bible there are closely related words translated gift from the Greek. In accordance with the significance and the realistic character of the thought of love in the NT, i.e., as a gift and not merely a disposition (Jm. 2:16; 1 Jn. 3:17), the word δίδωμι is of frequent occurrence. Particular attention should be paid to its use in John’s Gospel. Jesus is what He is by God’s gift. Objects of God’s giving are the works of Jesus (5:36), His disciples (6:37, 39 etc.), the name of God (17:11), everything (3:35). Jesus’ act of love in His death is described as δοῦναι τὴν ψυχήν (Mk. 10:45; cf. Mt. 20:28), ἑαυτόν (Gl. 1:4; 1 Tm. 2:6; Tt. 2:14), τὸ σῶμα (Lk. 22:19). James 1:16-18 (same root) Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. These gifts are freely given by God and not a response to our work or earning them. Talent- Something that you are naturally good at. This is still from God and to be stewarded for His glory. (people have talent and can choose not to use it for God’s glory) Spiritual gifts are a little different in that the Holy Spirit gives them as He wills, for His purpose, and for the profit of others. The concept of stewarding gifts in a biblical context is deeply rooted in the idea that God has given every believer unique talent and ability, and it is their responsibility to use these gifts for the benefit of their family, the local church, and the broader community to make Christ known. If we are going to be good stewards in these areas we must get a broader and higher vision for why it matters. 1 Peter 4:10-11 As each one has received a gift, (charisma) minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Unity in Diversity of Gifts “The church is not made up of natural “friends.” It is made up of natural enemies. What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything of the sort. Christians come together, not because they form a natural collocation, but because they have been saved by Jesus Christ and owe him a common allegiance. In the light of this common allegiance, in light of the fact that they have all been loved by Jesus himself, they commit themselves to doing what he says - and he commands them to love one another. In this light, they are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake.” — D. A. Carson 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but they are all the same, Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but the same God works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all". The body of Christ has to get the body of Christ thing right. • Many members, one body. • Many gifts, one body. • Many functions, one grace that empowers them all. • Love • Grace • All members have been given a measure of faith. • Brotherly love. • Honor • Preference • Diligence • Fervency in spirit • Serving the Lord • Patient in tribulation • Continued steadfast in prayer • Hospitable • Unity • Same mind • Compassion • Empathy • Humility • Education on the gifts of the Spirit • Diversity of gifts, same spirit • Differences of ministry, same Lord • Diversities of activity, same God who works all in all. • Manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. • All significant • All from God • Not all do all • Earnestly desire the best gift • Equipping of the saints • Work of the ministry • Edification of the body of Christ • Truth in love • Grow up in Christ. • Christ is the head • The entire body functions in health and is knit together by what every joint supplies. Ephesians 1:4-7 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But to each one of us grace (Charis) was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. • The greatest manifestation of the power and Spirit of God is that we will walk in love and unity. • Unity is Gods heart for His body. I want unity in my physical body. (Anatomy and physiology) John 17:20-23 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. In scripture, the church is referred to as Christ’s body and Bride. Those are both huge analogies that God chooses to show us how important the church is to Him and should be to us. A tool of the enemy is always division. Unity is where God commands the blessing. LOVE-If we can get this love thing right, everything else will work out. Romans 12:1-8 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Comparison kills 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. James 3:16-18 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Serving in the Local Church: You will never feel truly connected to the local church until you begin to serve in it. There is something sacred about discovering the beauty of the Bride of Christ that only comes when you serve her. Serving gives you love and ownership that does not come any other way. The story about coffee. As an individual, I cannot fully express the image of God. That is to be experienced and shared in the context of the larger body, not just the individual. The first place we are called to minister after our family is within the context of the local church body. Stewardship and Accountability: All believers are ministers and will give an account for the stewardship of the gifts God has given them. This underscores the responsibility to use one's gifts wisely and for the glory of God. Fruits of Pentecost (you are empowered!) Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Dunamis- power, might, strength: ability, mighty, miracles, miraculous powers. I believe that when you walk in discipleship, the Holy Spirit will empower you for daily living with many fruits and gifts. I believe there are many common characteristics that all believers should walk in with the Holy Spirit. I strive to honor the person of the Holy Spirit and allow each member to receive the gifts that God has for them. I want unity of the Spirit, not division. If you have a gift that others don’t have or if others have a gift you do not have, we should humbly submit and serve one another in our giftings without demanding everyone have the same experiences. Churches are made up of many people with many different gifts. Charis- Translated grace in many places in scripture and means grace, blessing, favor, gift, empowerment. Charisma/Charismata-gift of grace, free gift, favor, spiritual gift, bestowed freely, empowerment, Abilities the Holy Spirit gives to the church. Chrisma-anointing, to anoint, an unction 1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. The word anointing in 1 John 2: 20 and others is Chrisma. Us Ephesians 4:7 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Charis) Romans 12:3-8 For I say, through the grace (Charis) given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Charisma/Charismata) Take Away: Experience- We desire to create platforms that get you into proximity with Christ where you can cultivate an intimate, abiding relationship with Him. We desire that as you experience more of Him, this will develop into a lasting, abiding fellowship at work, rest, and play. Grow- We desire that you engage in one of our platforms of discipleship to grow your intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus and discover how the Holy Spirit has gifted you and where He has called you to bear fruit. This part of the process involves discovery and growth in every way possible. Discover who God is and who you are in your relationship with Him, then discover what He has created you and your purpose. He will unfold your purpose over the next seasons of your life. Grow in the gifts that God has given you. Grow in fellowship with Him. Grow in the knowledge of the Word. Grow in your faith. Grow in His love for you. You should find practical ways to develop your relationship with God every day. Share- Jesus has called and equipped His disciples to go and invite others to follow Him. He desires that you use your unique gifting and placement to point others toward Jesus Christ. When you experience God and grow in Him every day, sharing Him will be a natural outflow of your life with God. You will find ways to share His love with people in your area of influence. There are people God has placed in your life who may never hear the message of Christ unless you share it with them. This is a responsibility and a privilege. Remember, your life is about bringing glory to God.