June 11th 2017, Gifts, Romans Ch 12:1-8, Menai-Illawong.
Introduction.
Series - “Growing in our relationship with Jesus”.
- The foundation has been laid. No other than Jesus. When we build our lives on Jesus, we will be strong.
- Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to his followers. It comes as power, fruit and gifts. We are told not to quench, to grieve or resist the Holy Spirit’s presence and influence. Through the help of God we can grow and develop as the people God wants us to be.
Today I want to share about the gifts of God in general and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I want to share some of my life journey. My hope is that through hearing this, you will be encouraged to see that God can change people’s lives for the better and we can grow. I give the praise and thanks to God for the improvements he has made in my life.
Background.
I was the youngest of 4 children, my parents separated when I was 11 and my father was lost at sea when I was 15.
I grew up shy, with a lack of confidence, I struggled at school, mostly because I misbehaved;I received a lot of criticism and was lost in life. One thing I had going for me was I was good at was playing sport.
At 18 I had the opportunity to play my first Rugby League A grade game for Cudgen a small village just south of the NSW and QLD border. Larry Corowa – Balmain winger started there also. I was going fine until a big forward came running at me. Jason Taumalolo– cowboys and set up to tackle him on the left side but he sidestepped at the last minute and his knee crashed into my shoulder. Crumbled. I gave up rugby league because of it. Had other sports to play. I never grew up in the church, but at 19 through beach mission, God came into my life and for me it was like I was born again. New life with Jesus.
I then gave up all sport, and went to bible studies, church 2 times on a Sunday and read the bible from cover to cover. The bible was the first book I ever read from beginning to end, I couldn’t put it down as I became absorbed in this amazing story of God, of salvation, of history and Gods unfolding and future plan.
After a year in the church I began to feel unsettled. Church was great but we weren’t reaching out to anyone. I wanted to share my faith, but the church struggled to know what to do in mission. Sport was the only thing I was good at so decided I would use these gifts to try to reach out to others.
I share a couple of weeks ago I managed to talk the church into buying a pool table for a youth night at the community hall and that was a good start.
I went back to Rugby League after 3 years out, strapped my shoulder up, made first grade but I could not tackle anyone on my right side. I always tried to position myself on their right side or head on.
I played 2 seasons of first grade before leaving the area and did quite well. Almost everyone when I came back asked me - where have you been? (They would not print my faith journey) “I had an injury and have come to know Jesus and follow him”. They thought I was a religious nut.
I eventually gave up my roof fixing job, got married, went back to high school at age 23 and did year 12 so I could study at a college. I then came to Sydney to college to train for ministry of some kind.
All through my life I have had this desire to share my faith and when I eventually decided to become a minister, I also became a chaplain of the PGA.
I wanted to use the gifts in sport I had for God. I have loved both being a minister and a chaplain.
When thinking about the gifts you have, it is important to use whatever gifts God has given us for his kingdom. Each of us are born with certain gifts, graces if you like, talents that become obvious. Gifts that we inherit through being made in the image and likeness of God. Gifts for example are some have great singing voices, creative gifts with crafts, playing music, sport, practical gifts like building, drama and dance, intellectual gifts like those that understand complex formulas and machines like computers. Our gift to God and each other may be being a good mother or father.
This is what I have come to understand and practice, it comes from Col Ch 3: verse 17 – “whatever you do in word or deed do, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God through him”. Rise.
Our gifts are different – I can’t sing well at all, some of you can. Some of you are crafty, some can fix computer problems in a flash. Whatever gifts we have I encourage to pray to the Lord and say to Jesus; “Lord use these gifts I have to be a blessing to others”.
The gifts we have we enjoy, and when we use them to bless others, everyone is a winner.
When we talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, there are 4 passages in the NT that mentions these gifts. Judith read one passage earlier. The others are from Ephesians Ch 4, 1 Cor 12 and 1 Peter Ch 4. There is no need to think these are the only gifts of the Holy Spirit, there can be many others.
These gifts can be very different to the creational gifts I have spoken about already. These are gifts of the Holy Spirit and there is no limit to what God can do. And God sometimes takes us places where we would normally not go.
God wants us to grow to maturity as his people and these gifts help us to do that.
For me – giving, serving and evangelism were the 3 gifts identified in me from those of the NT. I want to grow in and develop these more. What are your gifts given to you by the Holy Spirit?
There is a great benefit in identifying your gifts and seeing them grow. There is a great benefit in what Paul says - desire the greater gifts. Those greater gifts are centred on proclaiming Jesus to the world and speaking the Word of God.
Our life is the most richest when we are using our gifts to be a blessing to others.
In Ephesians - the gifts of the Holy Spirit are primarily about order and leadership in the church to train and equip every member for ministry. We read this passage a couple of weeks ago. These gifts provide the structure for the church to operate.
In 1 Corinthians the gifts of the Holy Spirit are of a supernatural order to do with things like healing, prophecy, tongues and miracles. These gifts need love to be exercised properly.
In Romans and 1 Peter the gifts of the Holy Spirit are more to do with speaking and serving gifts.
Each of these gifts are for the benefit of others. To bless others, to encourage them, to help others, to see God at work through us.
Every one of us has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit to grow, prosper and bless others. Use those gifts. Let us help you discover them if you are not sure what they are.++++
Prayer.