OUR GIFTS CAN OPEN DOORS FOR US

Proclamation:

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”  Proverbs 18:16 (NASB)

Explanation:

This proverb was written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here he states that a person’s God given gift will make room for him.  It will make a way for him, it will enlarge his presence and gain respect for him among men.  It will also open doors to the presence of great men and allow him to keep company with influential people.  It will get him the opportunity to speak to, and gain the favor of, them that are esteemed and thought well of.  The same is also true for our tangible gifts, or monetary gifts, which can open doors and influence people.

Application:

The Lord God has blessed each one of us with at least one gift, which if we are wise we will use to His glory.  The gifts of The Holy Spirit of God are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing of spirits (discernment), speaking in tongues (in languages that one has neither learned or understood), and interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)  These are not gifts which we give away but which we use for the benefit of others.  We are also each blessed with different individual talents and abilities which we should use for the glory of God.  These gifts, along with our tangible and monetary gifts, can also be used for the benefit of others as well.  Jesus, The Christ, said that as we do things to the poor and needy, we are doing it to Him. (Matthew 25:40)  We should use our gifts and our influence in order to benefit others.

GOD HAS BLESSED EACH OF US WITH A GIFT

Proclamation:

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.  If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."  Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Rome.  After warning the people of God not to think too highly of themselves, (Romans 12:3) Paul told them that each one of them is a member of the body of Christ and each of them has a purpose and function to fulfill. (Romans 12:4-5)  Then he shared with them that they all have been given gifts, thanks to the grace of God, and they have not been given the same gifts.  Then Paul admonished them to use the gift which they had been blessed with to the best of their ability.

Application:

God has also blessed each one of us today with a gift.  Some have more than one gift.  All of us have been given gifts but we do not all have the same gifts.  God has a purpose for each one of us to fulfill which compliments the purposes that He has for other believers to fulfill.  However, it is up to us to determine how we will use our gift.  God does not interfere with our free will or our freedom of choice.  It is up to us to choose whether or not we use our gift, and if so, then how we will use it.  We should use our gifts to the best of our abilities, and do so in a way that gives God glory.

WE ARE ALL CALLED TO SERVE GOD

Proclamation:

"I keep asking that The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you ..." Ephesians 1:17-18 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this prayer were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Ephesus.  Paul prayed that God would bless them to know Him better, and that they would embrace that which The Lord had set forth for them to do for His glory.

Application:
God has a special purpose for each one of us. (Jeremiah 29:11)  We are not all called to preach the gospel or to teach it.  However we are all called by The Lord God to serve Him in some capacity.  We are not all given the same gifts or abilities, but we all have been blessed with at least one gift that we can use in His service. (1 Corinthians 12:7)  We should all pray for ourselves and for each other that we would recognize our gifts that we have been blessed with, and with the wisdom and understanding to know how we can use our gifts for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

USING OUR GOD GIVEN GIFTS

Proclamation:

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are The Holy Spirit inspired words written by the apostle Peter to the believers in order to expose, counter, and thwart the false teachers of his time.  His point was that every man has received a gift from God, and he should use that gift to the benefit of others and to the glory of God.  Some have been given a combination of various gifts blended uniquely for each individual for the benefit of others within the body of Christ.

Application:

As we study The Word of God we learn that we each were uniquely and wonderfully made by God. (Psalms 139:14)  We each have a unique and different set of God given abilities, talents, and gifts.  We are blessed with them according to our ability to handle them. (Matthew 25:15)  We were not blessed for us to brag or boast or for the exaltation of ourselves.  We each should use what we have as best we can to be a blessing to others, for by blessing others we will be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)  As we help and bless the less fortunate, Jesus said that we have done it to Him. (Matthew 25:40)  In all that we say and do, we should use our abilities, gifts, and talents as if we are using them for The Lord God, to please Him and to give Him glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31)  We should be good stewards over the abilities, gifts, and talents which God has given us.  Let us also remember that to whom much is given, much will be required. (Luke 12:48)  We need to use our blessings wisely for one day we will have to give an account of our stewardship. (Romans 14:12)