St Theodore's

Wattle Park

Sermon of the Week

Look up the passage

3/8/03

Discovering your Spiritual Gifts 1 - Foundations for Ministry
Eph 4:7-10

Adapted from "Discovering My Ministry, Baptist Union of NSW, from work by Rick Warren, Saddleback Valley Community Church and "Heartbeat" by Drew Mellor, Deep Creek Anglican Church, Melbourne

Foundations for Ministry

Over the next four weeks, we're going to be thinking about spiritual gifts. In particular we're going to be thinking about the particular gifts that God has given you and me for ministry. I hope this is going to be a fairly practical exercise, so each week I'll be handing out an outline of the talk with spaces for you to fill in as we go along. If you can't manage to work out what goes in the space, please don't get hung up by it. Just listen on and you can get the blanks filled in later if you need to.

God's intention for Me

Well, let's start by thinking about what God's word has to say about gifts. Listen to what Ephesians 4:11-12 says: "The gifts (God) gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." Eph.4:11-12. Notice what that says about me and you: It says the people are the ministers and the pastors and teachers are the equippers, the preparers, the ones who prepare you for ministry, the trainers or coaches.

So what does that tell you about God's gifts and what he intends us to do with them. Well, it says that if God has given you a gift or gifts, he's given them to you to use in his service. So if I want to understand what ministry God has in mind for me, I'd better understand the way God has made me, the particular gifts, talents, interests that he's blessed me with. That'll have two effects, both good. First, if I begin to minister in areas where God has gifted me then I should expect that I'll be more fruitful. And second, if I'm using my gifts more effectively then I should feel more fulfilled.

Our Focus

So our focus over the next few weeks, and indeed in our ministry in general will be on a personal, individual approach to ministry rather than an institutional approach. That is, it's not what the Church is doing through its programs that will determine our fruitfulness. They're just an aid. Rather it's what the individual members are doing that really matters.

Over the next 4 weeks, we'll be focussing on 5 personal factors that combine to make up the real you. Next week we'll be using an acronym based on the word SHAPE that describes these 5 factors. The letters stand for Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experience.

Our Goals

And as we go through this process of discovery we have 2 main aims:

1. That we'll each discover our own unique SHAPE for ministry and commit ourselves to developing and using our gifts and abilities to serve God and others

2. That we'll choose and begin to serve in one of the Church's ministries that best fits what God has made us to be.

So let's begin by thinking about

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MINISTRY

What is Ministry?

The word ministry translates the Greek word diakonos which means "to serve". So when we talk about our ministry we mean the thing God has given me to do which will help me serve him and others. Now if you think about it, you may wonder why it is that some people think that if they go into ordained ministry it'll give them some sort of extra status in the kingdom. The only status it's giving them really is the status of official servants.

The Parameters of Ministry

Ministry means serving. And we serve, if you like, in three directions.

In the vertical directions we serve the Lord. (Acts 13:2 NRSV) "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" It's the Lord who calls us to do the work. When we serve, we're serving him.

But on the horizontal plane we serve first, one another. So, if you remember from last week, 1 Cor 12 reminds us that "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." And the writer to the Hebrews assures his readers that "God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do." (Heb 6:10 NRSV) So our gifts are given to serve one another.

And thirdly, they're given to serve unbelievers. So Jesus told his disciples that they were the salt of the earth; and the light of the world. They were the ones who would show the way to God, who would provide a cleansing and healing influence in this broken world. (Mat 5:13,14 NRSV)

Not only do we serve in 3 directions, but we also minister to 3 areas of need.

1. To People's Physical Needs

In Matthew 25 Jesus points out that when we care for the physical needs of people it's as though we were ministering to him. In the early days of the church the apostles decided they needed to appoint seven men who were called deacons, that is, ministers, to provide for the daily distribution of food to those who were in need. An important part of their fellowship together was the sharing of physical resources with those who were in need, probably due to the persecution the early church encountered.

2. To People's emotional needs.

Paul urges the Thessalonians to "Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all." (Thess.5:14)

Paul encourages Timothy to "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction."

Part of our ministry to one another is to encourage, to build up, to help the weak, to be patient with those who are lacking in confidence, or maturity, or emotional, physical or psychological strength. We're to emulate Christ of whom it was said, "He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick."

3. To People's spiritual needs.

I guess the greatest service we can do for another human being is to show them how they can be at peace with God. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, we're told in 2 Cor 5:18. Paul says he "proclaims Christ, counseling and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone mature in Christ." (Col. 1:18) Romans 10 puts it in the form of a series of questions: "'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' ¹⁴But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"

I read, recently, a commentator asking the question, "Why, when we have such a great message of salvation, about such a powerful God, are we so timid in sharing it with people?" Well, it may be that you have a particular ministry in that area. Not as the sort of person who stands on street corners preaching to passers by, but maybe as a friend who just talks about your faith. If you think about it, the age in which we live may be the best time ever to share our faith with people. There's a great interest among people out there about spiritual things. And there's a great longing for meaning and purpose. There's also an awareness in many people of the emptiness of life. So why aren't we sharing with people this good news we have?

The Purpose of Ministry

Well, let's go back to the purpose of Ministry. As we read last week, from 1 Cor 12: "there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; … To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. … You are the body of Christ and individually members of it."1 Cor. 12:2-27.

The reason God gives us these gifts is so we can build up his body, the Church. He wants me to use my gifts so that the whole church, the whole body, might grow.

The Priority of Ministry

Well, let me ask you, why should you be interested in this matter of spiritual gifts? Let me suggest 10 reasons why ministry, using our spiritual gifts should be a priority for each one of us.

1. God has created us for ministry!

Eph.2:10 tells us that "we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." 2.God has saved us for ministry!

2 Tim 1:9 tells us that "God saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace [which] was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." (NRSV)

In other words we've been "Saved to Serve!" It's a bit like one of those old war movies where the criminals are taken off death row in order to take part in a suicide mission, on the understanding that if they survive they'll be pardoned. Except of course that we've been pardoned already and we know that we will survive because of Jesus' death and resurrection.

3. God has called us into ministry!

Paul tells us in Gal 1:15 "God, in his grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him." (GNB)

He urges us in Eph. 4:1 "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received"

Peter tells us (1 Pet 2:9-10 NRSV) "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, … God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people;"

Once upon a time we had no real identity outside ourselves. Now we have an infinite reference point from which we can gain our sense of identity. Now we are God's people. Now we are ministers of Jesus Christ.

4. God has gifted us for ministry!

Just as we found in 1 Cor 12, so again, Peter tells us "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." God's grace is overflowing in his gifts to his people. So whatever gift you have, make sure you use it in the ministry God intended it for.

5. God has authorised us for ministry!

Jesus' last words to his disciples were: "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples…" (Matt.28:18-19). And that authority to make disciples continues to be passed on to each successive generation of disciples.

Paul reminds us in 2 Cor 5:20 that when we proclaim the gospel we do it with the authority of an ambassador: "We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us."

6. God has commanded us to minister!

(Mat 20:6-28 NRSV) Jesus told his disciples "whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, …²⁸just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

7. God has provided for us to be prepared for ministry!

We just read Eph 4:11-12: "God gave … pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry, so that the Body of Christ may be built up…" Why would God waste all that talent on coaches and trainers if the ministers, that's you, aren't going to use the preparation they provide for you?

8. The Body of Christ needs our ministry!

"You are the body of Christ and individually members of it." 1 Cor.12:27 (NRSV). Whenever we see ministry talked about in the New Testament, it's in the context of the Church body.

In Matt 9:36-37 Jesus sees the crowds, and we're told "he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said, 'The harvest is great but the workers are few. Ask the Lord to send out workers into his harvest field'" In fact one of the major factors holding us back here at St Theodore's is the shortage of workers for the harvest.

9. God holds us to account for our ministry!

Paul tells us in Rom 14:12 that "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." 1 Cor 3 tells us that on the last day the work of each person will be visible because it will be tested by fire. The parable of the talents speaks of the day when God will hold us to account for the way we've used our gifts.

10. God will reward us for our ministry!

Finally, God's graciousness is such that he always holds out an incentive, a reward for those who are faithful stewards.

So in the parable of the talents the master says "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things Come and share your Master's happiness:" Matt.25.23

In Col 3:23-24, Paul encourages us like this: "Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, ²⁴since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ."

Well, next week we'll be looking at how we can begin to discover what our particular ministry might be. The last page of your handout is a short worksheet, based on Rom 12:1-8, that you can take home and work on during the week to prepare yourself for discovering more next Sunday.

How to Discover my Ministry (Romans 12.1- 8)

Step 1: Dedicate __________________

"I urge you ... to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - which is your spiritual worship." (v. 1)

Step 2: Eliminate __________________

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (v. 2)

Step 3: Evaluate __________________

"Don't cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance, but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith God has given to you." (v . 3 Ph)

Step 4: Cooperate

"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 who are many form one Body, and each member belongs to all the others: " (v. 4-5)

Implications from Paul's Anatomy Lesson: (See also 1 Cor.12:1-31)

Every member is a minister in Christ's Body.

Every member has a different function.

Every member's ministry is important.

Every member belongs to the others.

"Each of us is a part of the one Body of Christ… The eye can never say to the hand, `I don't need you.' The head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you.' And some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary!… So God put the body together in such a way that extra honour and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important." 1 Cor.12:13,21-22,24b (LB)

Step 5: Activate __________________

"We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us: .. prophesy…serving…teaching....encouraging...contributing...leadership...showing mercy…" (v. 6-8)

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	Sermon of the Week	Look up the passage
	3/8/03
	Discovering your Spiritual Gifts 1 - Foundations for Ministry	Eph 4:7-10
	Adapted from "Discovering My Ministry, Baptist Union of NSW, from work by Rick Warren, Saddleback Valley Community Church and "Heartbeat" by Drew Mellor, Deep Creek Anglican Church, Melbourne

	Foundations for Ministry
	Over the next four weeks, we're going to be thinking about spiritual gifts. In particular we're going to be thinking about the particular gifts that God has given you and me for ministry. I hope this is going to be a fairly practical exercise, so each week I'll be handing out an outline of the talk with spaces for you to fill in as we go along. If you can't manage to work out what goes in the space, please don't get hung up by it. Just listen on and you can get the blanks filled in later if you need to.
	God's intention for Me
	Well, let's start by thinking about what God's word has to say about gifts. Listen to what Ephesians 4:11-12 says: "The gifts (God) gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." Eph.4:11-12. Notice what that says about me and you: It says the people are the ministers and the pastors and teachers are the equippers, the preparers, the ones who prepare you for ministry, the trainers or coaches.
	So what does that tell you about God's gifts and what he intends us to do with them. Well, it says that if God has given you a gift or gifts, he's given them to you to use in his service. So if I want to understand what ministry God has in mind for me, I'd better understand the way God has made me, the particular gifts, talents, interests that he's blessed me with. That'll have two effects, both good. First, if I begin to minister in areas where God has gifted me then I should expect that I'll be more fruitful. And second, if I'm using my gifts more effectively then I should feel more fulfilled.
	Our Focus
	So our focus over the next few weeks, and indeed in our ministry in general will be on a personal, individual approach to ministry rather than an institutional approach. That is, it's not what the Church is doing through its programs that will determine our fruitfulness. They're just an aid. Rather it's what the individual members are doing that really matters.
	Over the next 4 weeks, we'll be focussing on 5 personal factors that combine to make up the real you. Next week we'll be using an acronym based on the word SHAPE that describes these 5 factors. The letters stand for Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experience.
	Our Goals
	And as we go through this process of discovery we have 2 main aims:
	1. That we'll each discover our own unique SHAPE for ministry and commit ourselves to developing and using our gifts and abilities to serve God and others
	2. That we'll choose and begin to serve in one of the Church's ministries that best fits what God has made us to be.
	So let's begin by thinking about
	WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MINISTRY
	What is Ministry?
	The word ministry translates the Greek word diakonos which means "to serve". So when we talk about our ministry we mean the thing God has given me to do which will help me serve him and others. Now if you think about it, you may wonder why it is that some people think that if they go into ordained ministry it'll give them some sort of extra status in the kingdom. The only status it's giving them really is the status of official servants.
	The Parameters of Ministry
	Ministry means serving. And we serve, if you like, in three directions.
	In the vertical directions we serve the Lord. (Acts 13:2 NRSV) "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" It's the Lord who calls us to do the work. When we serve, we're serving him.
	But on the horizontal plane we serve first, one another. So, if you remember from last week, 1 Cor 12 reminds us that "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." And the writer to the Hebrews assures his readers that "God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do." (Heb 6:10 NRSV) So our gifts are given to serve one another.
	And thirdly, they're given to serve unbelievers. So Jesus told his disciples that they were the salt of the earth; and the light of the world. They were the ones who would show the way to God, who would provide a cleansing and healing influence in this broken world. (Mat 5:13,14 NRSV)
	Not only do we serve in 3 directions, but we also minister to 3 areas of need.
	1. To People's Physical Needs
	In Matthew 25 Jesus points out that when we care for the physical needs of people it's as though we were ministering to him. In the early days of the church the apostles decided they needed to appoint seven men who were called deacons, that is, ministers, to provide for the daily distribution of food to those who were in need. An important part of their fellowship together was the sharing of physical resources with those who were in need, probably due to the persecution the early church encountered.
	2. To People's emotional needs.
	Paul urges the Thessalonians to "Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all." (Thess.5:14)
	Paul encourages Timothy to "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction."
	Part of our ministry to one another is to encourage, to build up, to help the weak, to be patient with those who are lacking in confidence, or maturity, or emotional, physical or psychological strength. We're to emulate Christ of whom it was said, "He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick."
	3. To People's spiritual needs.
	I guess the greatest service we can do for another human being is to show them how they can be at peace with God. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, we're told in 2 Cor 5:18. Paul says he "proclaims Christ, counseling and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone mature in Christ." (Col. 1:18) Romans 10 puts it in the form of a series of questions: "'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' ¹⁴But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? ¹⁵And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"
	I read, recently, a commentator asking the question, "Why, when we have such a great message of salvation, about such a powerful God, are we so timid in sharing it with people?" Well, it may be that you have a particular ministry in that area. Not as the sort of person who stands on street corners preaching to passers by, but maybe as a friend who just talks about your faith. If you think about it, the age in which we live may be the best time ever to share our faith with people. There's a great interest among people out there about spiritual things. And there's a great longing for meaning and purpose. There's also an awareness in many people of the emptiness of life. So why aren't we sharing with people this good news we have?
	The Purpose of Ministry
	Well, let's go back to the purpose of Ministry. As we read last week, from 1 Cor 12: "there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; … To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. … You are the body of Christ and individually members of it."1 Cor. 12:2-27.
	The reason God gives us these gifts is so we can build up his body, the Church. He wants me to use my gifts so that the whole church, the whole body, might grow.
	The Priority of Ministry
	Well, let me ask you, why should you be interested in this matter of spiritual gifts? Let me suggest 10 reasons why ministry, using our spiritual gifts should be a priority for each one of us.
	1. God has created us for ministry!
	Eph.2:10 tells us that "we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." 2.God has saved us for ministry!
	2 Tim 1:9 tells us that "God saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace [which] was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." (NRSV)
	In other words we've been "Saved to Serve!" It's a bit like one of those old war movies where the criminals are taken off death row in order to take part in a suicide mission, on the understanding that if they survive they'll be pardoned. Except of course that we've been pardoned already and we know that we will survive because of Jesus' death and resurrection.
	3. God has called us into ministry!
	Paul tells us in Gal 1:15 "God, in his grace, chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him." (GNB)
	He urges us in Eph. 4:1 "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received"
	Peter tells us (1 Pet 2:9-10 NRSV) "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, … God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people;"
	Once upon a time we had no real identity outside ourselves. Now we have an infinite reference point from which we can gain our sense of identity. Now we are God's people. Now we are ministers of Jesus Christ.
	4. God has gifted us for ministry!
	Just as we found in 1 Cor 12, so again, Peter tells us "Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received." God's grace is overflowing in his gifts to his people. So whatever gift you have, make sure you use it in the ministry God intended it for.
	5. God has authorised us for ministry!
	Jesus' last words to his disciples were: "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples…" (Matt.28:18-19). And that authority to make disciples continues to be passed on to each successive generation of disciples.
	Paul reminds us in 2 Cor 5:20 that when we proclaim the gospel we do it with the authority of an ambassador: "We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us."
	6. God has commanded us to minister!
	(Mat 20:6-28 NRSV) Jesus told his disciples "whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, …²⁸just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
	7. God has provided for us to be prepared for ministry!
	We just read Eph 4:11-12: "God gave … pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry, so that the Body of Christ may be built up…" Why would God waste all that talent on coaches and trainers if the ministers, that's you, aren't going to use the preparation they provide for you?
	8. The Body of Christ needs our ministry!
	"You are the body of Christ and individually members of it." 1 Cor.12:27 (NRSV). Whenever we see ministry talked about in the New Testament, it's in the context of the Church body.
	In Matt 9:36-37 Jesus sees the crowds, and we're told "he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said, 'The harvest is great but the workers are few. Ask the Lord to send out workers into his harvest field'" In fact one of the major factors holding us back here at St Theodore's is the shortage of workers for the harvest.
	9. God holds us to account for our ministry!
	Paul tells us in Rom 14:12 that "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." 1 Cor 3 tells us that on the last day the work of each person will be visible because it will be tested by fire. The parable of the talents speaks of the day when God will hold us to account for the way we've used our gifts.
	10. God will reward us for our ministry!
	Finally, God's graciousness is such that he always holds out an incentive, a reward for those who are faithful stewards.
	So in the parable of the talents the master says "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things Come and share your Master's happiness:" Matt.25.23
	In Col 3:23-24, Paul encourages us like this: "Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, ²⁴since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ."
	Well, next week we'll be looking at how we can begin to discover what our particular ministry might be. The last page of your handout is a short worksheet, based on Rom 12:1-8, that you can take home and work on during the week to prepare yourself for discovering more next Sunday.

	How to Discover my Ministry (Romans 12.1- 8)
	Step 1: Dedicate __________________
	"I urge you ... to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - which is your spiritual worship." (v. 1)
	Step 2: Eliminate __________________
	"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (v. 2)
	Step 3: Evaluate __________________
	"Don't cherish exaggerated ideas of yourself or your importance, but try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith God has given to you." (v . 3 Ph)
	Step 4: Cooperate
	"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 who are many form one Body, and each member belongs to all the others: " (v. 4-5)
	Implications from Paul's Anatomy Lesson: (See also 1 Cor.12:1-31)
	Every member is a minister in Christ's Body.
	Every member has a different function.
	Every member's ministry is important.
	Every member belongs to the others.
	"Each of us is a part of the one Body of Christ… The eye can never say to the hand, `I don't need you.' The head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you.' And some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary!… So God put the body together in such a way that extra honour and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important." 1 Cor.12:13,21-22,24b (LB)
	Step 5: Activate __________________
	"We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us: .. prophesy…serving…teaching....encouraging...contributing...leadership...showing mercy…" (v. 6-8)