Sunday 12/04/16
Series: …but by My Spirit XXIV
Message – Knowing the Holy Spirit through your Gifts
Point #6 We express the heart of our Father through giving ourselves entirely to our giftings.
Key Text:
1Tim. 4:14-16,
“(14) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. (15) Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. (16) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
Today we are going to use Paul as our example of giving yourself entirely to your ministry….
Discovering & developing your gift and call
Gal 1:15-24,
“(15) But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, (16) to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, (17) nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. (18) Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. (19) But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (20) (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) (21) Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. (22) And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. (23) But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” (24) And they glorified God in me.”
As we have discussed recently, Paul…
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was a Jew
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I strict Hebraist
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studies under Gamaliel
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KNEW the scriptures
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Understood the fulfillment of the Old Testament writings in the person of Christ Jesus.
Let’s read it from Paul’s own mouth…Turn to Phil. 3
Php 3:3-7,
“(3) For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, (4) though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: (5) circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; (6) concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (7) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”
While from a purely human perspective all of these things seemed to qualified him most to minister to the Jews…God called him to the Gentiles.
Callings are not always obvious
THIS should tell you about your calling!
Not everyone who is called into the ministry – desires the ministry they are called into.
DANGER – Many people believe that the things that happened to them in their lives both determines their calling and qualifies them for it.
But that is NOT what we see in scripture…in fact as we read concerning Paul…those very things may disqualify you to be used in that capacity.
1Cor. 15:8-11,
“(8) Then last of all He (Jesus) was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. (9) For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
(10) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (11) Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”
Paul gave himself entirely to his calling…
2Tim. 4:6-8,
“(6) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
…Blessings!
I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
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Blessings!