WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.200 What would you think of a tall, athletic member of a basketball team who never wanted to play in the game? 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:16.940 Or what about a talented trumpet player who's in the band but never wants to play in a concert? 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.660 Neither would make sense, would they? 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:36.019 Well, what do you think about a gifted Christian who joins a church but never uses their gift in any of the ministries of the church? 00:00:37.380 --> 00:00:40.060 That really doesn't make sense either, does it? 00:00:41.159 --> 00:00:43.879 But most of us, we're sensible people. 00:00:44.879 --> 00:00:45.780 We are. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:56.200 So there must be a reason why every church member is not involved in the ministry of their church. 00:00:57.060 --> 00:00:59.219 It may be that they don't understand. 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:10.879 It may be that some church members just don't understand that when God saved them, He gifted them. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:17.979 Or maybe just chose to use the natural talent that they were born with and developed. 00:01:18.899 --> 00:01:29.199 But God has gifted them in some way to serve Him and other people in and through their church families' ministries. 00:01:30.780 --> 00:01:38.120 Well, what we're going to do this morning is educate those church members that do not know that. 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:45.439 The only other thing could be a church member just doesn't care. 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:52.900 But I can't imagine a Christian who understands God has gifted them 00:01:52.900 --> 00:02:00.240 and that God has actually commanded them to use what He's given them in the life of their church. 00:02:00.340 --> 00:02:04.320 I can't imagine them just absolutely not caring and saying, 00:02:04.320 --> 00:02:07.000 God, I'm not going to do it. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:10.500 So I want to give everybody the benefit of the doubt this morning 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:18.180 that there's just some things you're unclear of if you're not involved in service. 00:02:19.020 --> 00:02:23.379 And our prayer this morning is that God will open your eyes, 00:02:24.300 --> 00:02:30.099 clear up the uncertainty as we go through Romans chapter 12, verses 6 through 8. 00:02:30.099 --> 00:02:36.079 We began looking at this two weeks ago under the heading, 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:40.840 Living Like a Christian by Thinking Rightly About Ourselves and Our Church. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:43.240 But we didn't finish it last week. 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:48.500 I wanted to wait until this week when we're doing the graduate recognition. 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:51.019 And at one point later on in this message, 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:54.740 I want to really focus on some things that I hope you'll think about 00:02:54.740 --> 00:02:58.620 as you think about what you're going to do next in your life. 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:01.360 Not just in church, but everywhere. 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:03.360 Let's look. 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:04.680 Romans chapter 12. 00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:10.700 Let's do a quick review of what we saw two weeks ago in verses 3 through 5. 00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:15.879 First thing we saw was we need to think objectively about ourselves. 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:19.180 Think objectively about yourself. 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:20.620 He's talking about in verse 3. 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:23.080 First, he says, don't think too highly of yourself. 00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:24.340 Look at what he says. 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:29.500 I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. 00:03:29.920 --> 00:03:31.220 Don't be prideful. 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:32.180 Don't be arrogant. 00:03:32.760 --> 00:03:35.500 Don't think more highly of yourself than you should. 00:03:36.860 --> 00:03:37.900 But look what else he says. 00:03:38.540 --> 00:03:40.580 Instead, think realistically. 00:03:41.700 --> 00:03:44.580 Think with sober judgment is the actual phrase. 00:03:45.820 --> 00:03:47.180 Some people would have the idea, 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:51.220 if when Paul writes, he says, don't think too highly of yourself, 00:03:51.219 --> 00:03:55.319 then he's talking about what we should do then is think just very low of ourselves. 00:03:55.419 --> 00:03:56.800 Well, no, that's not the case. 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:02.900 Don't be arrogant, but don't think, I don't have anything to offer. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:05.620 I don't have any gifts or talents or abilities. 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:06.099 No. 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:08.439 He just says think with sober judgment. 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:14.180 New Testament scholar Leon Morris tells us what he's talking about there. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:15.240 Look at what he says. 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:20.360 Being sober minded means recognizing what God has given us 00:04:20.360 --> 00:04:25.620 and being zealous in its use as well as humble. 00:04:27.220 --> 00:04:32.079 Thinking objectively about ourselves will cause us to realize 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:38.000 I'm not the most gifted and talented person in the church or wherever, 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:41.800 but I am talented, I am gifted. 00:04:42.139 --> 00:04:45.959 God has given me something that I need to humbly accept, 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:47.680 take ownership of, 00:04:47.860 --> 00:04:52.180 and use in a way that will honor Him and help other people. 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:58.019 We also learned two weeks ago to think biblically about your place in the body of Christ. 00:04:58.600 --> 00:04:59.839 That's in verses 4 and 5. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:05.319 Paul explains that the church is the body of Christ. 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:09.040 You may be more familiar with the idea that the church is the family of God, 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:10.920 but either way, the church is not a building. 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:16.159 One of the great mistakes people today think of is 00:05:16.159 --> 00:05:20.180 when you ride down East Main Street and you look over here, 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:24.740 this is not Dickens First Baptist Church. 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:29.959 This is our church. 00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:35.439 We are the body of Christ together. 00:05:36.159 --> 00:05:38.459 We are the family of God. 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:40.919 The church is a group of individuals, 00:05:41.299 --> 00:05:44.299 like different parts of the human body. 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:49.479 We come together and function like one body. 00:05:49.599 --> 00:05:50.979 Look at what Paul says in verse 4. 00:05:51.539 --> 00:05:56.039 For as in one body we have many members or many body parts. 00:05:56.040 --> 00:05:57.379 Verse 5. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:00.800 So we, though many body parts, 00:06:01.340 --> 00:06:02.920 are one body in Christ. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:05.879 On one hand, 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:08.700 we're the church. 00:06:08.960 --> 00:06:10.420 We're the family of God. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:11.740 We're the body of Christ. 00:06:12.080 --> 00:06:13.080 We're one. 00:06:14.460 --> 00:06:15.520 But on the other hand, 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:18.980 each one of us as individuals, 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:21.820 we're a certain body part. 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:24.140 Look at what he says in verse 4. 00:06:24.139 --> 00:06:27.180 The members do not all have the same function. 00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:28.860 Verse 6. 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:32.139 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:34.159 let us use them. 00:06:37.459 --> 00:06:39.519 Every member of our church is important 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:41.019 because every member of our church 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:45.000 has been given gifts, talents, or abilities by God. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:48.439 And God wants you to use what he's given you 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:51.819 like a part of your body works. 00:06:51.819 --> 00:06:54.120 Some people in this room, 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:57.120 from this analogy, 00:06:57.860 --> 00:06:59.939 you're like the hands of the church. 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:01.740 Some are like the feet. 00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:04.339 Some are like the eyes. 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:07.759 Some are parts we won't mention this morning. 00:07:08.659 --> 00:07:12.039 The key to us being a healthy and effective church 00:07:12.039 --> 00:07:14.339 is for each of us 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:16.800 to recognize what part we are 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:20.199 and function accordingly. 00:07:21.960 --> 00:07:23.000 So let me ask you, 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:24.920 which part of the body are you? 00:07:25.900 --> 00:07:27.379 And I know we have people here today 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:29.699 who are not part of our church family, 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:31.540 but a lot of you are members of another church, 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:33.180 so you apply it to your church. 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:34.540 You're not off the hook this morning. 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.220 This applies to you 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:38.819 and how you serve 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:41.199 the ministry you're involved in 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:42.240 or should be involved in 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:43.620 in your church. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:45.220 That leads us to 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:47.319 what we're going to look at new today, 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:50.180 Romans 12, verses 6 through 8. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:51.259 Let's look at it. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:53.579 Beginning in verse 6, 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:55.840 having gifts that differ 00:07:55.840 --> 00:07:57.560 according to the grace given to us, 00:07:58.199 --> 00:07:59.459 let us use them. 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:03.060 If prophecy in proportion to our faith, 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:05.980 if service in our serving, 00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:08.379 the one who teaches in his teaching, 00:08:08.660 --> 00:08:10.620 the one who exhorts in his exhortation. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:13.399 Let's talk about giving encouragement 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:15.680 or the word exhortation 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:17.680 really sort of means 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:22.420 firm counsel, 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:25.500 direct instruction. 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:27.600 That can be encouragement 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:29.340 and some translations use the word 00:08:29.340 --> 00:08:30.680 encourage here 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:32.259 instead of exhort. 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:37.120 Go back to where we were there, 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:38.360 the one who contributes, 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:41.139 the one who gives in generosity, 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.379 the one who leads with zeal, 00:08:43.800 --> 00:08:45.580 the one who does acts of mercy 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:47.480 with cheerfulness. 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:49.860 These verses are telling you 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:51.019 to think responsibly 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.419 about your spiritual gifts. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:55.300 Think responsibly. 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:57.060 Paul's telling us, 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:58.220 you've got gifts, 00:08:58.480 --> 00:08:59.139 use them, 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:01.279 take responsibility for them. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:02.500 They're in verse 6. 00:09:03.080 --> 00:09:03.279 Now, 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.720 what we're talking about 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:07.200 is you're looking at verse 6, 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:08.620 we're talking about gifts 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:10.240 of God's grace, 00:09:10.900 --> 00:09:12.040 God's undeserved favor. 00:09:12.900 --> 00:09:14.500 God chose to give 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:16.440 each one of his children 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:18.320 certain gifts. 00:09:18.900 --> 00:09:19.500 And God just, 00:09:20.640 --> 00:09:21.580 within himself, 00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:22.480 it's not because 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:24.540 you deserved it, 00:09:25.140 --> 00:09:25.680 it's not because 00:09:25.680 --> 00:09:26.560 you have done something 00:09:26.560 --> 00:09:27.520 to earn it, 00:09:28.520 --> 00:09:29.040 no, 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:30.520 God just chose you 00:09:30.520 --> 00:09:32.160 to gift you 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:33.900 or give you the talent 00:09:33.900 --> 00:09:34.780 that you have 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:36.120 because he wanted you 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:36.620 to have it. 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:38.100 Because his plan 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:39.259 was to use you 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:40.639 and that gift 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:43.579 to serve his purpose 00:09:43.579 --> 00:09:44.839 in this church 00:09:44.839 --> 00:09:46.699 and really in this world. 00:09:48.199 --> 00:09:48.919 Paul provides us 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:49.620 with more details 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:51.000 about these gifts 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:52.839 in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. 00:09:53.339 --> 00:09:54.379 If you ever want to 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:55.779 do a serious study 00:09:55.779 --> 00:09:57.360 of spiritual gifts, 00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:58.079 things we're talking 00:09:58.079 --> 00:09:58.720 about this morning, 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.399 look at 1 Corinthians chapter 12. 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:03.980 There's a lot of things 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:04.759 he tells us 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:05.620 that'll help us 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.899 better understand them. 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:08.459 Here's two things. 00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:09.679 God assigns us 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:10.139 the gift 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:11.579 he wants us to have, 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:12.679 we don't get to choose it. 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:16.579 Look in 1 Corinthians 12, 11. 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:17.840 He alone 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:19.720 decides which gift 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:21.220 each person should have. 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:21.679 That's from 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:22.879 the New Living Translation. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.179 Then God gives us 00:10:25.179 --> 00:10:26.460 the gift that he gives us 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:28.079 for the benefit of the church. 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:29.679 Not to make us a star 00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:30.899 if it's something 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:31.359 where we're up 00:10:31.359 --> 00:10:31.919 in front of people. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:33.679 But to benefit the church 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:34.259 in some way, 00:10:34.339 --> 00:10:35.459 look in verse 7 00:10:35.459 --> 00:10:36.679 of 1 Corinthians 12. 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:38.239 A spiritual gift 00:10:38.239 --> 00:10:38.739 is given 00:10:38.739 --> 00:10:40.699 to each of us 00:10:40.699 --> 00:10:41.479 so that we can 00:10:41.479 --> 00:10:42.539 help each other. 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:43.839 Now, 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:47.019 we're talking about 00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:48.819 spiritual gifts here. 00:10:49.739 --> 00:10:51.539 What is a spiritual gift? 00:10:52.439 --> 00:10:53.359 There's a lot of different ways 00:10:53.359 --> 00:10:54.559 people define that. 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:55.679 Some of you here 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.319 have studied it. 00:10:56.319 --> 00:10:57.479 We've done studies 00:10:57.479 --> 00:10:58.219 at various times 00:10:58.219 --> 00:10:59.079 over the years 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:00.340 Sunday morning, 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:00.840 Sunday night, 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:01.639 and Wednesday night. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:04.180 Here's my favorite definition. 00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:05.879 It's from Wayne Grudem, 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:07.680 the theologian. 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:10.379 He defines these gifts 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:11.580 as any talent 00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:12.420 or ability 00:11:12.420 --> 00:11:13.600 which is empowered 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:14.700 by the Holy Spirit 00:11:14.700 --> 00:11:16.700 and able to be used 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.720 in the ministry 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:18.820 of the church. 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:21.220 Your spiritual gift 00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:22.060 may be something, 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:22.460 really, 00:11:23.660 --> 00:11:24.680 that God gave you 00:11:24.680 --> 00:11:25.440 at birth. 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:26.480 A talent 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.820 that you have developed. 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:29.300 And when you became 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:29.840 a Christian, 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:32.420 God has channeled 00:11:32.420 --> 00:11:33.160 that talent 00:11:33.160 --> 00:11:34.840 or moved you 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:35.980 to serve Him 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:36.600 in that way. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:37.340 Let's take for example, 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:38.300 some people are just 00:11:38.300 --> 00:11:40.240 natural born singers. 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:40.660 Now, 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:41.960 they may develop 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:42.580 that gift, 00:11:43.300 --> 00:11:44.200 but you may be 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:45.300 when you were little. 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:47.060 Some of you, 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:48.200 y'all have grown up 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:49.140 in children's choir. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:50.780 Grew up singing. 00:11:50.779 --> 00:11:52.819 Some of you 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:54.399 playing instruments. 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.579 Some of you still do it 00:11:56.579 --> 00:11:57.139 every Sunday. 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:58.159 Well, 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:59.480 some of you had this talent, 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:01.319 this musical ability. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:03.519 And as time has gone on, 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.779 God's just used it 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:07.199 as you have become a Christian 00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:08.019 and started being serious 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:08.919 about living after your faith. 00:12:09.459 --> 00:12:11.959 God's using you 00:12:11.959 --> 00:12:12.600 with a talent 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.339 He gave you 00:12:13.339 --> 00:12:14.339 many years ago 00:12:14.339 --> 00:12:15.480 to serve Him. 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:17.039 Some people, 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:17.319 though, 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:19.879 when God saves them, 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:20.879 He gives them 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:21.720 a new gift, 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:22.660 something that's maybe 00:12:22.660 --> 00:12:23.900 totally out of character 00:12:23.900 --> 00:12:24.379 from the way 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:25.160 they used to be. 00:12:25.520 --> 00:12:26.840 I know a man today, 00:12:28.040 --> 00:12:29.200 one of the most kind 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:31.140 and easygoing guys 00:12:31.140 --> 00:12:31.820 you'll ever meet. 00:12:32.260 --> 00:12:33.280 He has the gift 00:12:33.280 --> 00:12:34.060 of service. 00:12:34.180 --> 00:12:34.760 He just wants 00:12:34.760 --> 00:12:35.760 to serve people, 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:36.980 meet people's needs. 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:38.260 He also has 00:12:38.260 --> 00:12:39.160 the gift of mercy. 00:12:39.660 --> 00:12:41.000 He has a real heart 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:41.660 for people. 00:12:42.160 --> 00:12:43.200 He cares 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.340 as well as serving. 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:46.140 That guy told me 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:48.199 when he was younger, 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.000 teenager, 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:49.600 growing up 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:50.779 and in the military, 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:51.480 in the Navy. 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:52.580 He said, 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.539 back in those days, 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.080 I was not what I am today. 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:56.860 God has changed me. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:57.879 Back in those days, 00:12:57.939 --> 00:12:59.259 I was basically mean, 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.059 I was selfish 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:00.799 and self-centered 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:02.199 and the way he put it is, 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:03.240 I didn't take anything 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.980 off anybody. 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:06.539 But when God saved him, 00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:08.100 God changed him 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:09.939 in ways that a lot of people 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.919 never change. 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:12.879 Instead of being 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:13.580 that selfish, 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:14.179 self-centered, 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:15.120 I don't take anything 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.419 off anyone kind of guy, 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:18.019 he became a more 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:19.000 humble, 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:22.039 focusing on the other person, 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.599 recognizes when people 00:13:24.599 --> 00:13:25.459 have needs, 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.159 they're hurting, 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.979 his heart goes out to them, 00:13:28.579 --> 00:13:29.659 and he really wants to help. 00:13:30.219 --> 00:13:31.179 He really cares. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:33.959 It's his gift 00:13:33.959 --> 00:13:35.539 to serve people. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.059 It doesn't matter 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:38.000 where it comes from. 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:38.899 If you want to call it 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.179 a talent, 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.219 a gift, 00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:40.859 or an ability, 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:42.379 a spiritual gift 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.100 can be any talent 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.680 or ability 00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:44.340 which is empowered 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.180 by the Holy Spirit 00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:47.960 and able to be used 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:48.580 in the ministry 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:49.399 of the church. 00:13:50.560 --> 00:13:51.500 But let's don't forget 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:51.899 something. 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:53.680 Throughout this whole message, 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:55.300 the key statement, 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:58.440 use your gifts. 00:13:58.700 --> 00:13:59.240 Verse 6, 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:00.800 having gifts that differ 00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:01.680 according to the grace 00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:02.379 given to us, 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:04.740 let us use them. 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.360 That's what we're talking about. 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:09.580 Using our gifts. 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:11.520 Then Paul gives seven examples 00:14:11.520 --> 00:14:12.620 of spiritual gifts 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.600 in verses 7 and 8. 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:16.000 He wants to emphasize 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.980 whatever your gift is, 00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:18.980 just do it. 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:19.879 Use it. 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:20.920 Now, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.740 the fact is, 00:14:23.160 --> 00:14:23.840 if you read 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.360 these verses, 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.879 you see seven gifts. 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:27.759 If you can read 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.400 1 Corinthians 12, 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:31.340 you see a bunch more. 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.740 If you read 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:34.440 Ephesians chapter 4 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:35.140 and verse 11, 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.420 you see four more 00:14:36.420 --> 00:14:37.700 actually gifted people 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.620 God gives to the church. 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.500 If you put all these 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.220 lists together, 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:43.960 there are some duplications 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:44.740 and some people 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.460 would even debate 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.500 what is duplicated. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.879 But all the gifts 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.500 that you read 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.540 that Paul writes about, 00:14:49.900 --> 00:14:51.320 there's probably 18 or 19 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.540 or even more of them. 00:14:53.400 --> 00:14:54.240 And the point 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.000 I want to make is, 00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:56.560 when you read about 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:57.820 the spiritual gifts 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.500 in the New Testament, 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.500 in Paul's letters, 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.360 Peter has something 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.080 to say about it too 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.020 in his first letter, 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.920 chapter 4. 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:06.740 The gifts are always, 00:15:07.079 --> 00:15:07.759 there's a different 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.620 group of them 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.099 every time. 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:09.799 Some of them 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:11.199 are in different groups. 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.159 But there's never 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.179 just one list 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:14.000 of spiritual gifts. 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.779 Some are listed here. 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.000 Some are listed here. 00:15:18.319 --> 00:15:18.799 Some are listed 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.659 in different orders. 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:22.019 What that means is, 00:15:22.099 --> 00:15:22.899 when Paul is writing 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.699 about spiritual gifts, 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.719 he's not trying 00:15:24.719 --> 00:15:25.319 to tell us 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:26.120 what they all are. 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.599 He's just trying 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:28.159 to say there's 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:28.959 a bunch of them. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.960 And what you need 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:31.519 to do is, 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.940 be aware of which one 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:34.160 it is that God 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:34.780 has given you, 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.980 or which ones 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.480 God has given you. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:40.040 Now, in this list 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:40.480 we're looking at 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:40.900 in Romans, 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:42.759 verses 7 and 8, 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.879 prophecy is the most 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.660 difficult one 00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:46.400 to understand. 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.940 The ESV study Bible 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:50.300 has this comment 00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:51.639 explaining what 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.379 he's talking about here. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.100 Prophecy here, 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.800 speech that reports 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.980 something that God 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:59.860 spontaneously brings 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:01.539 to mind or reveals 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.460 to the speaker. 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.820 But since this is 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.519 human speech, 00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:06.039 we're not talking 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:07.080 about an infallible 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.180 word from God. 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.300 Because it is 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:11.060 human speech, 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.159 it must be tested 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:13.620 or evaluated 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:15.080 as 1 Corinthians 14, 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.080 29 points out. 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:17.200 Now, there's 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:19.779 differences of opinion 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:21.899 of what the gift 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:22.720 of prophecy is 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:23.700 in today's church. 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.920 Some people would say 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:26.659 it's just clearly, 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:28.360 plainly, boldly 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.139 preaching 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:31.579 the word of God. 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.259 Either way, 00:16:34.219 --> 00:16:34.980 Paul's point 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.799 is that 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:37.199 this is your gift. 00:16:38.459 --> 00:16:39.579 Use it in proportion 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.159 to your faith. 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:41.719 Use it to the extent 00:16:41.719 --> 00:16:42.299 that you believe 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.679 God is leading you. 00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:45.679 The other gifts 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:46.419 are basically 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.699 self-explanatory. 00:16:48.699 --> 00:16:49.959 And if you just read it, 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.259 you understand. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.679 Paul is just saying 00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:54.539 this is a representative list. 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:56.799 If your gift is this, 00:16:57.699 --> 00:16:58.699 just do it. 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.279 He's saying to us, 00:17:00.599 --> 00:17:01.539 recognize what your 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.579 spiritual talent, 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.139 gift, 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.420 ability is. 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.700 Recognize it. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.899 Acknowledge it. 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:09.079 And use it. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.859 If it's to teach, 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.460 teach. 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:12.740 If it's a gift 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.259 of service, 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:13.839 serve. 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.279 Whatever it is, 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:17.740 do it. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:20.380 Now the question is, 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.519 the question we need 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.460 to be asking ourselves 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:22.900 right now, 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:24.859 am I? 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.720 Am I using 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.480 the gifts, 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.259 the talents, 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:29.839 the abilities 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:31.000 that God has given me 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.839 in the ministry 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.079 of this church? 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:36.180 And we have a lot 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:36.920 of people who are. 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.859 You've seen some people 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.680 this morning already. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:40.839 They have been 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:43.120 exercising their gifts 00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:44.900 in helping us worship. 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:46.440 Some people you've heard 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.040 sing, 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.340 teach. 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.840 Some people you've just 00:17:49.840 --> 00:17:50.700 seen what they're doing. 00:17:51.280 --> 00:17:52.200 Things with a screen. 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.380 Things with a sound. 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.800 There are some people 00:17:54.800 --> 00:17:56.120 whose spiritual gift 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.519 is such, 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.500 you see them 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.640 or you see what they do 00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.240 on Sundays. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.720 Some people use their gifts 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.500 and you never see them 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:01.960 on Sunday. 00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:03.440 They're serving the Lord 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.759 during the week 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:06.700 outside of our gatherings. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:11.039 Some people, 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.319 let me rephrase that 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:15.059 for an example. 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:18.140 We've got over 70 people, 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.880 70 members of our church 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.860 who have volunteered 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:23.259 to use their talents, 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:23.720 gifts, 00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:24.360 and abilities, 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.440 and time 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:27.640 in our Truth Journey 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:28.460 sports camp 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.340 that's coming up 00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:30.960 in just a few weeks 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.940 out at J.C. Park. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.460 Over 70 members 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.299 of our church 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.960 are using the talents, 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.640 gifts, and abilities 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.160 they have. 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:37.920 They're doing everything 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:39.140 from teach children. 00:18:40.340 --> 00:18:40.740 Some of them 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.380 are not going to teach. 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:41.980 They're going to try 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.539 to herd children. 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:45.920 Some of them 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.759 are going to set up games. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:48.779 Some of them 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.000 are going to come up here 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.920 and get water 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.819 and ice 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:53.380 and bring it out there 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:54.299 for people to have. 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.420 Some people are going 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.279 to do security. 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.380 Some people are going 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.799 to run the games, 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.180 make sure everything 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.180 is in order 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:02.160 what it's supposed to be. 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:04.220 We've got also 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:06.799 over 40 individuals 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:09.000 who have signed up 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:11.019 to use their gifts 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.740 and abilities 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:13.180 in a music camp 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.880 that'll be a couple 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:15.400 of weeks after 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.240 the sports camp. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.360 Now some of those, 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.339 some people, 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.920 some people are gluttons 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:20.579 for punishment 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.299 and they're doing 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.039 both weeks. 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.720 And we thank you 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.279 so much 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.920 that you're a glutton 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.420 for punishment. 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:28.779 But not all 40 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.620 who are doing 00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:30.240 the music camp 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.600 are doing 00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:31.200 the sports camp. 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:32.759 I say all that 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:34.099 to say there's a lot 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.980 of people in our church 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:38.140 who are using 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.200 their gifts. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:42.160 They are using 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.680 the talents 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.420 God's given them. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.559 They are using 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.660 what they have learned, 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.700 what they have developed, 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.759 their abilities. 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.180 And in all of this, 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:51.879 I want you to think, 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.680 what these people 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.160 are doing, 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.119 they are choosing 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:56.839 to use their time 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:58.980 to serve God 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.440 this way 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:01.180 and serve other people. 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:03.200 sometimes on Sunday, 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:04.779 sometimes during the week, 00:20:05.100 --> 00:20:06.160 sometimes both. 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.220 Now, 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:12.740 many people in our church 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:14.880 are involved 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:17.180 and that is great. 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.240 But are you? 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.299 We're not talking now 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.340 about many people. 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:28.939 I want you to think, 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:31.079 what are you doing 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:33.220 if you're a Christian 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:34.819 with the gifts, 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.220 talents, 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:35.839 and abilities 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:37.220 that God has given you 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:39.519 for the purpose of, 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.579 according to His Word, 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:42.799 serving in 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.619 or through 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.879 the ministry 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:46.339 of this church. 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.519 Now, 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.199 it may be, 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:51.980 as I said 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.439 at the beginning, 00:20:52.439 --> 00:20:55.139 you don't really 00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:56.019 understand this 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.019 or you don't know 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.779 how or where 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:00.460 you should be involved. 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.279 And I want to try 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.480 to help here. 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.220 Rick Warren 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.900 has put together 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.539 what I think 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:07.379 is the best little tool 00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:08.759 to help a person 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.400 understand 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.839 how they're gifted 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.619 and where they ought to serve. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:15.379 And it's a one-word acronym, 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.500 SHAPE. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.379 You know, 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.180 a lot of us, 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.879 we don't want to really 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:23.039 think about how we are 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.599 shaped 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:25.139 this morning. 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:27.920 But all of us 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.020 can look at 00:21:29.020 --> 00:21:30.040 how God 00:21:30.040 --> 00:21:31.500 has shaped us 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.640 for ministry 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:34.759 and profit from it. 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:36.200 We can be either 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.860 affirmed in what we're doing 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:38.700 or we can learn 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.460 how God wants 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.480 to use us. 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:41.420 So right now, 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.300 let's real quickly, 00:21:42.800 --> 00:21:43.360 I want you to think 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:45.120 about your shape. 00:21:46.300 --> 00:21:47.620 As we go through this, 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.460 you graduates, 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:51.740 I hope you'll think 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.240 about how God 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.120 shaped you to serve 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:53.920 in this church. 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.480 But also, 00:21:55.600 --> 00:21:56.039 I want you to think 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.640 about how God 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.720 has shaped you 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:59.579 to work in this world. 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.500 What I want to show you 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.660 here is very practical. 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:03.519 It can help you 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.519 if you don't know 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.680 what you need to be doing. 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:08.019 This can help you see 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.319 how God's made you 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.880 and maybe help you 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:12.200 zero in on 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:14.559 where to go to school, 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:17.659 what to major in, 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:20.220 what kind of profession, 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.240 what kind of job 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.319 to pursue. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.460 One thing, 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.599 it's not going to come out 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.059 in this 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.799 that I want to say here 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.980 so I don't forget it. 00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:29.779 Whatever you do, 00:22:29.919 --> 00:22:30.579 whatever you think 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.879 your shape is 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:32.599 when it comes to 00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:33.619 working in this world, 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:34.879 you make sure 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:36.039 you can make a living at it. 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.679 God has not shaped you 00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:40.799 to go out 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.779 and spend four years 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.679 and a ton of money 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.900 for an example, 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:47.380 majoring in philosophy 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:49.019 just because you want 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.460 to be a deep thinker. 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:54.140 There are very few jobs 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:55.920 even for PhDs 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.900 in philosophy. 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.680 I give that as an extreme example 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.180 because I don't think 00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.580 any of y'all 00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.200 are going to do that. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.920 But I also want to say 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.460 to parents, 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:06.140 you students, 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.279 you're making an investment 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.600 as you go to college, 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.660 you go to tech school, 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.299 you go to whatever 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.279 you're going to do next. 00:23:12.560 --> 00:23:13.180 You parents, 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.680 you're making 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:15.120 a big financial investment. 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.779 It's none of my business 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.620 but I'm going to say it anyway. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:21.539 I wouldn't invest 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:22.340 my money 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:23.380 in something 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.660 that there's absolutely 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:26.120 zero percent chance 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:26.740 of them being able 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.560 to make a living at. 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.640 That's foolish. 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:33.019 They need to be able 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.380 to work in this world 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:36.440 and get off your payroll 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:38.080 and make a living. 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.880 But don't just find something 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.720 that pays a lot of money. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.880 That is not the way. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.259 But whatever you are 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.400 shaped to do, 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:46.860 you've got to be able 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.460 to make a living. 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.440 You can't live 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.160 with your parents forever. 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.880 And if they're smart, 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.779 then it won't let you 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.519 live with them forever. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.200 Now, let's think 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.680 about our shape. 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.140 Number one, 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.900 spiritual gifts. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.740 We've been talking 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.259 about that. 00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:00.079 Any talent or ability 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.559 which is empowered 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.319 by the Holy Spirit 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.360 and able to be used 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:02.779 in the ministry 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.339 of the church. 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.980 Listed in the scriptures 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.900 as we point out here, 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.779 still on the screen. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:08.139 If you don't know 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:09.319 what your spiritual gift is, 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.899 try something. 00:24:11.399 --> 00:24:11.839 Experiment. 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:15.039 What gifts do people 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:16.759 affirm you in? 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:19.799 What gifts do you just sense 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.059 this is what God 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.839 made me to do? 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.119 Think about it that way. 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:24.440 Number two, heart. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.859 You're thinking about 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.440 your shape. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.099 How has God gifted me 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:29.139 to work in this church? 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:31.200 How has God gifted me 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:33.000 to do whatever I do 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.700 with my life? 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.059 Think about your heart. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.319 What's your heart's desire? 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.439 What's your passion? 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:39.099 What do you enjoy doing? 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.579 Now, that doesn't mean 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.460 it's easy. 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.460 Some of the things 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.339 you enjoy doing, 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.559 it takes a lot of time. 00:24:46.659 --> 00:24:47.579 It takes a lot of sweat. 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.679 It takes a lot of mental 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:49.460 toil maybe. 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.839 But what are you 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.619 passionate about? 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.119 What excites you? 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.079 You're thinking about 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.980 your spiritual gifts 00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:56.339 or in the case of your job, 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.460 think about your strengths. 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.359 Next, think about your heart. 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.119 What do you want to do? 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:01.539 What are you passionate about? 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:01.980 Number three, 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.819 your abilities, 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.899 your natural talents, 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:05.019 your developed abilities. 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.299 What can you do? 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:08.319 What are you good at? 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.139 What do other people affirm? 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:14.679 I can think in my mind 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.559 that God's given me 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.939 the gift to sing. 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:21.139 And I can be passionate about it. 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.579 I can sing the top of my lungs 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.099 in the shower 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:26.200 because it thrills my soul. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:29.460 But I can't do it. 00:25:31.080 --> 00:25:31.840 Last week, 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.980 I had the opportunity, 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.779 I was asked 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:36.279 to sing with those twins, 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.700 Stewart girls. 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.819 I only had two words, 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.580 one line. 00:25:41.580 --> 00:25:42.380 He said, 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.500 I said, 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:43.740 no, 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.720 I can't do that. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.799 When they sung it 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.819 and Brian did that part, 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.600 Lisa looked at me 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.019 and said, 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:51.199 I'm glad you didn't do that. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.619 So I'm saying, 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.639 that's all that to say, 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:57.219 your shape 00:25:57.219 --> 00:25:58.299 will include 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.719 what you can do. 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.959 This is not talking 00:26:00.959 --> 00:26:01.740 about some kind of 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.719 wishful thinking, 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:03.879 pie in the sky stuff. 00:26:04.760 --> 00:26:05.680 If God's given you 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.520 a spiritual gift 00:26:06.520 --> 00:26:07.460 or a strength, 00:26:08.060 --> 00:26:08.680 he's given you 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.960 a heart's desire, 00:26:10.760 --> 00:26:11.700 you will be able to do it. 00:26:11.760 --> 00:26:12.880 You may have to work at it. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.740 You may take some time 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.560 to develop it. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.680 But you need to think about 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.560 what can I do? 00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:17.360 What are my abilities? 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:17.760 Number four, 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.620 personality. 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.300 Your uniqueness, 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.140 your temperament. 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:23.000 Are you an outgoing person? 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:24.780 Are you a people person 00:26:24.780 --> 00:26:25.760 who thrives 00:26:25.760 --> 00:26:27.020 on interaction with people? 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:29.040 Or are you a more 00:26:29.040 --> 00:26:31.120 task-oriented person? 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.780 You don't want to be 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:34.079 around a lot of people. 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.639 You don't want to, 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.200 for certain, 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.579 get up in front of people. 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:38.759 But you love to be quiet. 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.879 You love to be 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:40.779 behind the scenes. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.839 You love to work 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:42.779 on something, 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:44.119 do stuff. 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.019 This doesn't require 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.059 a whole lot of people 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:47.319 interaction. 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.960 That's how you're made. 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.740 There's nothing wrong 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.019 with that. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.319 There's people in this world 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:53.200 who are people-oriented 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.899 and they do well. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.480 There's people in this world 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.359 who are task-oriented 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.399 and they do well. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.299 Number five, 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.059 experiences. 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.639 What have you done? 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:06.539 God sometimes prepares us 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:08.059 for a particular ministry 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.579 in the church 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:10.059 or vocation even 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:12.839 by enabling us, 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.799 causing us 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.599 to have certain 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:16.079 life experiences, 00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:17.319 good and bad. 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.660 That's why it's important. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.059 This is sort of 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.940 on the side here. 00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:24.039 All of you, 00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:24.720 I don't know what 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.720 all of y'all have done, 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.500 but I know some of y'all 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.879 have done a lot of stuff. 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.700 I don't mean the bad stuff now. 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:31.180 I know you've done that too. 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:32.080 We're talking about 00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:33.100 good stuff you did. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.299 You know, 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:35.460 you worked different kinds 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:35.880 of jobs, 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:36.980 tried different things. 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.700 That's good. 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.160 You've learned some things 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.900 that you like 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.840 and that you don't like. 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.560 You've learned some things 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.380 that you're good at 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:43.080 and some things 00:27:43.080 --> 00:27:43.759 you aren't good at. 00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:44.920 That's what every person 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.420 ought to learn. 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.220 You ought to get your children. 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.080 Don't let children 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.759 just sit in the house 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.340 and watch TV, 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.180 play video games. 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:50.060 They need to get out 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:51.100 and learn some things 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:51.640 about life. 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.400 Get life experience. 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.759 That is vitally important 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:56.100 for all people. 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:59.119 It helps us to understand 00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.819 who we are, 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.639 how we're made, 00:28:00.719 --> 00:28:01.599 what God wants us to do 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.000 in the church 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.659 and in the world. 00:28:03.219 --> 00:28:04.659 If we will seek to serve God 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.819 according to our shape, 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.679 our gifts, 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:08.799 our heart, 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.059 our abilities, 00:28:10.199 --> 00:28:11.059 our personality 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.119 and experiences, 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.759 if we'll seek to serve God 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.619 faithfully 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.599 in the church 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.240 and in the world, 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:19.500 we will not only honor God, 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.259 but we'll find joy 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.000 and satisfaction 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.679 in what we do. 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.599 We'll like it. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:25.859 And we will make a difference 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:27.019 in some people's lives 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:28.539 because we're doing 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.599 what God called us to do 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.559 and what means something 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.359 to us. 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:34.079 If you're doing something 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:35.179 right now in ministry 00:28:35.179 --> 00:28:36.439 that you find no joy 00:28:36.439 --> 00:28:37.619 or satisfaction in, 00:28:37.959 --> 00:28:39.259 you just dread coming, 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.159 you hate it, 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:40.899 you don't see that 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:41.679 you're doing any good, 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:43.219 you probably are not shaped 00:28:43.219 --> 00:28:44.099 for that ministry. 00:28:44.639 --> 00:28:45.399 So don't do it. 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:48.099 You shouldn't do things 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:50.219 in the life of the church 00:28:50.219 --> 00:28:52.819 just because somebody else 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:54.399 wants you to do it. 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.059 Because your friend does it, 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.679 you think you've got to do it 00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:58.279 with your friend. 00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.899 Because somebody inflicted guilt 00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.379 on you. 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.619 Serve God according to the way 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:04.119 He has shaped you. 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:07.019 And there is a way 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.960 He has shaped you 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:09.700 that you can plug in 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:11.939 to some way of ministry, 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.939 some type of ministry 00:29:12.939 --> 00:29:13.419 in our church 00:29:13.419 --> 00:29:14.779 that'll matter to you 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.819 and it'll matter to the people 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.639 who are involved. 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.579 And you'll look forward 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.179 to doing it. 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.659 People will look forward 00:29:19.659 --> 00:29:21.000 to you doing it. 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:23.059 Serving God according 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.539 to our shape, 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:25.039 let me reemphasize, 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:26.279 it is not always easy. 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.819 It may take a lot of time, 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.359 it may be a lot of work, 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.299 but serving God 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:32.140 according to our shape 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:33.900 will be worth it. 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:35.519 It might be a labor of love. 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:38.180 Now if you haven't figured out 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:40.180 what your ministry is, 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.039 or you haven't figured out 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:43.200 what your calling in life is, 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.859 take the time 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:49.019 to just talk to God about it 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.000 on a regular basis. 00:29:51.139 --> 00:29:52.139 Ask God to help you 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:52.460 to understand 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:54.579 how He has shaped you. 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.559 Seek His guidance. 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.079 Pray. 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:58.039 Ask God for wisdom. 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:59.059 He wants to give it to us. 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:01.220 Evaluate what we're looking 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:01.759 at this morning. 00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:03.279 Take some time. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.500 Ask some other people. 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:06.960 Experiment. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.460 Ask other people 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.259 who know you well 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.200 and will tell you the truth. 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:12.559 You know, 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:12.980 a lot of people 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.599 will just tell you 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.839 what you want to hear. 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.480 A lot of people 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:16.139 will tell you things 00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:17.079 that make you feel good, 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:18.480 especially when you're young. 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.179 A lot of times 00:30:20.179 --> 00:30:20.639 people don't, 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.879 people are just not willing. 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.859 They may love you a lot. 00:30:23.939 --> 00:30:24.460 They're just not willing 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:24.980 to say, 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.399 you stink at this. 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.679 Or you just can't do this. 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.980 Or you got a long ways to go. 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.960 When I was first called 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.439 to preach 00:30:32.439 --> 00:30:33.199 and I used to preach 00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:34.000 and different people 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:35.159 take the risk 00:30:35.159 --> 00:30:35.839 and let me preach 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.839 when I was 20 years old. 00:30:39.199 --> 00:30:39.960 Everybody used to come up 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.460 to you after. 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.039 No matter what. 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:42.500 Oh, you did just a good job. 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:42.939 Blah, blah, blah. 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.720 Just making you feel good 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.220 about yourself. 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.359 Well, I went to one church 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:45.779 one time. 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.939 There was this older lady there. 00:30:47.080 --> 00:30:47.920 She knew my family. 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:48.620 Thought she knew me. 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.440 But I didn't know her. 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.700 Well, I was there 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.400 and people came up 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.440 making you feel good. 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.120 She came up to me 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.880 and looked me in the eye. 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.059 She said, 00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:57.000 don't worry about it, son. 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.900 You're going to get better. 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.779 And that's the exact word 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.380 she said. 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.360 I remember to this day. 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.920 Don't worry about it, son. 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.799 You're going to get better. 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:07.259 She was telling the truth. 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.259 And I needed to hear that. 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.860 Our children, 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.220 people we're trying 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.759 to influence, 00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:15.820 they need to hear the truth. 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.939 It's spoken kindly. 00:31:16.939 --> 00:31:19.059 She wasn't mean about it. 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:20.179 She was just matter of fact. 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:23.259 A healthy physical body 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:25.220 requires all the individual body parts 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.980 to function properly, doesn't it? 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:29.720 Well, healthy church body 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:32.079 requires all the individual parts 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:34.439 to function properly as well. 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:37.059 I want to encourage everyone here. 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:41.440 Use your God-given gifts, 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:42.420 talents, and abilities 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:45.080 in the life of our church. 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:50.259 Whatever that means for you to do, 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:51.100 whether it's on a Sunday, 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:52.000 during the week, 00:31:52.820 --> 00:31:53.620 once a week, 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.420 once a month, 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.360 whatever it is. 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:58.500 And I believe when we all use 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.600 what God's given us 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.500 the right way, 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:02.279 three things will happen. 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:04.720 Other people will be helped. 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:06.539 God will use us 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.539 to touch other people's lives 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:08.420 in a meaningful way. 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.539 Number two, 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.240 we will be fulfilled. 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:13.480 We'll be satisfied. 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.940 We'll be content 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:16.119 because we're functioning 00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:17.799 as God designed us, 00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:19.700 as God shaped us to function. 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.019 Number three, 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.799 and most importantly, 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.799 God will be glorified. 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.399 God is pleased 00:32:25.399 --> 00:32:26.559 when His children 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.980 serve Him 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:30.079 like He made them 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:32.160 and intended them to serve. 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.059 Question again, 00:32:34.120 --> 00:32:34.680 one more time. 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.460 How are you serving God 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.240 in the life of this church 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.980 or some other church? 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.740 Let's pray together. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:42.960 Dear God, 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:46.880 we thank You 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:47.380 that You 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:49.460 love us 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:53.279 and have made us 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.799 like we are 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:56.539 as individual 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:58.160 parts of this body. 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:01.140 Help us, dear God, 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.640 to understand 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.440 who we are, 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:06.440 how You've shaped us, 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:08.400 and help us to serve. 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:11.740 Lord, 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.240 I pray that You 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:12.859 will affirm 00:33:12.859 --> 00:33:13.960 each person in this room 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.920 who is serving You 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:15.440 this way, 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.559 and many people are. 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:19.519 I pray, dear God, 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.140 that You'll just give them 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:22.380 a sense of just rightness. 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.799 They're seeking to please You 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:27.160 with what You've given them. 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:29.059 Father, 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:29.539 if there are people 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.200 in this room 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.640 who are not serving, 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:33.460 help them to know 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.839 that there is no excuse. 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:38.000 Help them to know 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.480 that for them 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.180 to be a Christian 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:40.579 and a member of a church 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.799 and not serve 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:44.899 makes no more sense 00:33:44.899 --> 00:33:45.339 than a person 00:33:45.339 --> 00:33:45.980 who chooses to be 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.960 on a baseball team 00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:47.980 and never wants 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.740 to be in the game. 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.559 Convict them, dear God, 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:54.460 of the need 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:56.879 to serve You 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:59.399 in and through 00:33:59.399 --> 00:34:00.099 this church 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:00.740 or whatever church 00:34:00.740 --> 00:34:01.460 they're a member of. 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:03.599 Help them, dear God, 00:34:03.639 --> 00:34:04.399 to get serious 00:34:04.399 --> 00:34:05.480 about discovering 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.899 how You've shaped them 00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:09.380 and then get involved 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.519 in some kind 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.059 of ministry. 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.320 Father, 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:14.099 for people in this room 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:14.559 this morning 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:16.579 who think to themselves, 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:17.519 I don't have a clue 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:18.660 as to what's been said. 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.840 I don't understand. 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.260 Help them to know, dear God, 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:22.800 that it's because 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.680 they're not a Christian. 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.340 Your Spirit 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.519 does not dwell in them 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.940 and they can't understand 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.760 the things of God, 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.599 the things of the Spirit, 00:34:29.720 --> 00:34:30.680 the things of gifts. 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:33.639 But I pray, dear God, 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:34.319 that You will use 00:34:34.319 --> 00:34:34.819 this message 00:34:34.819 --> 00:34:35.539 to give them 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:40.219 what they need 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:40.960 to understand. 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.940 They're separated from You. 00:34:44.859 --> 00:34:45.539 They don't have 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.579 a relationship with You. 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.960 They're doomed 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:50.480 unless something changes. 00:34:51.799 --> 00:34:52.339 Help them to know 00:34:52.339 --> 00:34:53.339 that what needs to change 00:34:53.339 --> 00:34:53.719 is for them 00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:54.919 to admit their situation, 00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:56.339 to turn from their sin, 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:57.579 to change their mind about it, 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:58.619 to grieve over it, 00:34:58.619 --> 00:35:00.519 and to put their faith 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.319 and trust in Jesus 00:35:01.319 --> 00:35:02.639 that when He died on the cross 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.460 He actually took 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.299 their punishment. 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:06.579 Help them, dear God, 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:06.900 right now 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.699 to call upon Jesus 00:35:07.699 --> 00:35:08.880 to save them. 00:35:10.359 --> 00:35:11.279 Help that man 00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:11.599 or woman 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.299 or young person 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:14.079 to commit their life 00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.480 to Jesus 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:16.139 as their Savior 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:18.059 and Lord, 00:35:19.339 --> 00:35:20.699 leader of their life. 00:35:22.319 --> 00:35:23.079 And just in an attitude 00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:23.440 of prayer, 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.139 let's listen to the Lord, 00:35:24.199 --> 00:35:24.759 all of us, 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:26.339 and respond to Him 00:35:26.339 --> 00:35:27.519 in obedience. 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:28.480 I'll be here at the front 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:28.519 of the Lord. 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.240 I want to pray with you. 00:35:29.320 --> 00:35:30.260 Be happy to do that 00:35:30.260 --> 00:35:31.300 if you'll come 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:32.039 during this time. 00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:33.300 But the main thing 00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:33.940 is that we just do 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:34.960 what God tells us to do 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.820 and make the kind of commitment 00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:37.380 He's made clear to us. 00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:37.460 Amen.