“Discovering Our Varied Gifts” Part 2

Jan.22, 2012 Rom.12:1-8   Play AUDIO (32 kbps mp3)

SHAPED BY GOD’S WILL NOT THE WORLD’S PATTERN

•    called to follow a worldly star?
•    God invites on path of discovery / inner renewal

EXALTING CHRIST BY YOUR OFFERING

•    given grace, mercy, faith by God
•    respond by presenting offering of our whole bodies as ‘living sacrifices’

LOVING OTHERS, BUILDING THE BODY

•    let love be genuine; mutual affection, devotion to others
•    dependent on others, members of one another, diversity / complementarity

PROPHESY: SHARING WHAT GOD SHOWS YOU

•    prophet sees / forth-tells in strengthening / comforting way
•    e.g. Agabus’ personal message for Paul: later - affirming

ENCOURAGING, GIVING, SHOWING MERCY

•    catcher on team ‘talks it up’
•    givers derive joy by generosity
•    show mercy as on streets of Calcutta

STEPS TO DISCOVER YOUR GIFTS (REVIEW)

•    recognize your motivational pattern
•    confirm your spiritual gift mix
•    understand your temperament / personality

ASSESS YOUR LIFE SITUATION

•    age, career, marriage, education, children, health, etc.

IDENTIFY YOUR PASSION

a.    complementary with what inspires us
b.    accentuated by our spiritual gifts
c.    tempered by biblical responsibilities and life situations and
d.    Directed by God for His global purposes
•    Samaritan’s Purse organizers

FOCUS YOUR MINISTRY CALLING

a.    seeking the Lord
b.    examining your heart
c.    getting involved at the level of your availability, maturity and giftedness
d.    seeking godly counsel and guidance (ask other believers who know you well)
e.    developing a plan for personal and ministry growth
f.    seeking mentoring and accountability relationships and
g.    checking your compass regularly
•    ministry-gifts help us not be put off by the ‘buts’