All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

A Winning Team

A Winning Team.

[What makes your heart sing? #2 ~ on purpose and so much more!]

Hello.

Yesterday I watched my youngest son, Danny (17), eke out a 1 – 0 San Clemente High School soccer win over local rivals, Mission Viejo. I love watching him run down the field like a gazelle, and play the ball. But if you know anything about soccer, you know it takes a minimum of 11 players to field a team—10 field players and a goal keeper--each player has a unique role to fulfill. If any one of them lets down, the ball may get through, or a penalty called, and the whole team potentially suffers. On the other hand, when every member is playing his individual position well, the team thrives, and it is beautiful. Guess that’s why they call it the beautiful game.

That is a great picture of the Christian community. When an individual comes to put her trust in the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within, and a spiritual gift is given. That ‘gift’, which is what the apostle Paul called it, is to be shared with the people of God—to bless and encourage. But besides that, we individually realize our highest purpose when we exercise our spiritual gift(s) as well. Seriously!

Believer, you are gifted . . . in more ways than you know. This is fascinating stuff, if we understand the import of what it means to us as individuals, as well as to the Christian community to which we belong! Paul is the describer of these gifts in three different passages in 1 Corinthians, Romans and Ephesians—links included at end of Briefing.1 And one thing is sure – ‘Each one of us is meant to use whatever gift we have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.’2 Paul makes it clear—each redeemed person is given a gift or gifts; it is the Holy Spirit who determines it, and no one gift is meant for all to have.

The gifts intended to build up your Christian community include:

Leadership – leads with God-given authority and humility; others follow Administration/organization Teaching – instructs the truths of God’s Word to challenge and grow others Knowledge – able to learn, know, and explain the precious truths of God’s Word. A word of knowledge is a Spirit-revealed truth Wisdom – discerns the work of the Holy Spirit and its application to the Body
Prophecy - preaching and teaching the Word of God boldly – a little more to this one Discernment - tests the messages/actions of others for the well-being of the body Exhortation – encourages, spurs others on Shepherding – leads and looks out for the spiritual welfare of others Faith - trusts in God in the face of apparently insurmountable odds Evangelism - leads others to Christ effectively and enthusiastically Apostleship - motivates the body to look beyond its walls in order to carry out the Great Commission Service/Helps - recognizes practical needs in the body and joyfully gives assistance to meeting those needs Mercy – aware of hurting members, practices acts of compassion and empathy Giving - gives freely and joyfully to God’s work and people in need Hospitality - makes visitors, guests, and strangers feel at ease, often uses their home to entertain guests3

This list leaves off three gifts that Paul mentions—tongues, interpretation of tongues and healing, because these three fall within/out of denominational lines. I do believe these gifts are given and exercised within the body of Christ today.

Let me ask you, ‘do you play your position on the soccer team?’ Do you know your spiritual gift, and exercise it? The health of the team depends on you—that is to say, the vitality of your Christian community depends on each one knowing and exercising her spiritual gift. Be a contributor.

Which position does Danny play? He is a midfielder--distributing the ball to other players, moving the ball downfield--sometimes defense player, and as he has trained and physically grown, he is more of a force for his team. Same with you—as you realize your gifting, exercise it, you become more and more valuable in your team’s growth and success.

If you have never taken a Spiritual Gifts Survey, (or it has been a while), I highly recommend it. Not perfect, but a great starting place. There is a link at the end of this Briefing.

In considering what makes our heart sing,

In the perspective of our God-given purpose,

Our spiritual gifts must be part of the equation.

The question is: how has God ‘gifted’ you?

Christine

www.pastorwoman.com ;

1 – 1 Corinthians chapter 12: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012 ;

>Romans 12.6-8: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:6-8 ;

>Ephesians four: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A7-16&...;

2 – 1 Peter 4.10 3 – An abbreviated version of Gene Wilkes’ “Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, LifeWay Christian Resources - http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_wmn_SpiritualGifts_List.pdf 4 – Spiritual Gifts Survey: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_MYCS_030526_Spiritual_Gifts_S...