A Gift For You!

During this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Richie asked an important question.

Is our gifting given to the Lord, or to the world?

Some might argue that we are, in a sense, called by Christ to be salt and light in the world. That is true. But we are also called to be godly influences upon each other. Paul says in Ephesians 4:10-12,

“He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ.” (italics mine)

Where do we exert our best energies? What can we offer to the body of Christ, which is our beloved family?

It is helpful to remember that Paul’s letters to Timothy, though addressed to an individual, became part of the canon and have been read by countless Christians throughout the centuries. God wants us to learn some things, and He has permitted us to eavesdrop on this profound student-teacher, son-father relationship that these two men modeled. What have we learned?

*Spiritual gifts can be imparted by legacy and by leadership.
*Spiritual gifts should be developed by those who receive them.
*Spiritual gifts must be exercised in the atmosphere God intended: not in fear, but in power, love, and self-discipline.

I encourage you to exercise your spiritual gift: in a spirit of humility, under submission to godly leadership, with the goal of building up the body of Christ. God be with you as you become equipped for the work of ministry.