As we age we all learn and acquire different sets of skills or talents which may be used in many different ways. Some people are especially gifted in artistic ways and can create great masterpieces of art, or giant sculptures that are incredibly detailed. Some people are very athletic and can run marathons, or are very strong and can lift massive amounts of weight. Some are very intelligent in certain subjects and are able to decipher difficult mathematical equations, and then others may have the gift of being in front of a crowd of public and are very gifted in the fluent use of their speech. So many gifts that a person may have, or can have, and each one of those gifts, talents, and abilities has its use in some manner.
Each person has different gifts in the church as well, different gifts or abilities for each individual. For some the Lord may have blessed them with the ability to prophesy, or the gift of evangelism. Some may have the gift of tongues, or its companion gift of the interpretation of tongues. Someone may have a beautiful singing voice or is very gifted in the use of musical instruments and may use them to sing and write songs that bring praise to the Lord. So many gifts that may be had, and all of them have their place in the church. Certainly there are certain gifts that are better than others, and we should all seek to attain the best gifts, but each spiritual gift that you may have is important, and we must be certain that those gifts don’t remain dormant or unused.
1 Corinthians 12:4-12 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Some men may be called by God to preach the gospel to a single congregation, nurturing them and helping them to grow up strong in their faith, and others may have the calling to reach as many people as possible, planting the seed of faith into hearts, and then leading them to another man who will then help them mature fully. A woman in the church, while forbidden to teach the Scriptures, can still have a very important role in the church, and their families, in the aid and support of the men of the church. A woman’s set of gifts may be different than a man’s, but it doesn’t mean that they are unimportant, because the Lord has a purpose for each of us in our faith in Him. What matters is that you use those gifts, because they have been given to you to use by the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Like a body that has many different parts and purposes, the body of the church has many members who each have their own purpose. A motor in an engine has many different parts, and they are all there for a reason: to propel the car. A spark plug wire may seem small and insignificant, but without it a car will not run. Without an oil filter the oil that runs through the engine will increasingly become dirtied and may eventually destroy the entire motor. But all of these parts when they work together and properly as they should result in the finished product of a smooth, well oiled, running engine.
We have been given a purpose by the Lord the moment that we become His servants, and it is to serve Him and bring glory to the Father. When we use the gifts that He has bestowed upon us, we will, like a well oiled machine, use all of our abilities to the best of our ability for His glory.
What gifts have you been given, and are you using them for Christ?
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 