Sunday, May 11, 1997 In Your Absence:
In this week's lesson, we looked at I Corinthians 12:4-6, 8-10, 31b, Romans 12:6-10a, Ephesians 4:11-13, and I Peter 4:8, 10-11 and studied about the importance of spiritual gifts. We learned from where such gifts come, how to identify our own spiritual gifts, and then, how to use those gifts for the right works and in the right spirit. When a person acknowledges and accepts Christ as Savior, the first step of the spiritual process is that the Holy Spirit comes in and indwells the person. While none of us can really explain this indwelling, it is still something which happens. It is also something which gives us our assurance that we are really in Christ. Once we are in Him and He is in us, then the Holy Spirit tries to make us fit for work in God's Kingdom. We have seen in earlier lessons how that the Holy Spirit is our perfect Teacher and how that He teaches us about Christ. We have also seen how the Spirit can use us as witnesses and ministers to others. In my opinion, it is in this second undertaking, that of witnessing and ministering, that our gifts become most important. We might on occasion look at someone within our church, perhaps the Pastor, maybe the Minister of Music or the Minister of Evangelism, and tell ourselves that we could never do what any of those people do. Such a comment is probably true but only because the Holy Spirit does not call all of us to the same ministry. He gives each of us unique talents and then shows us how to use those talents for Him. How confusing it would be if we were all called to do the same thing.
One of the important conclusions of our lesson this week was that we should not try to copy the ministry of others. Instead, once we know that we are secure in Christ (see I John 5:12-13), our goal should be to find that unique ministry to which we have been or are being called. Then, we should strive to be as faithful to that ministry as we can be. There is no greater joy in this life than to serve our Lord in that area of life which He has given us. According to the Apostle Paul, some are called to be preachers, some teachers, some to encourage, some to lead, some to give of their finances above and beyond the call, some to show mercy, and some to evangelize. There are many ways that a person can be used of the Lord, so sometimes there is anxiety or confusion over how and where to serve. Knowing what the Lord has called you to do may not always be easy to determine. Nevertheless, a simple spiritual principle is still true. If you have a sincere desire to know how the Lord wants to use you, then He will find a way to reveal your gifts and ministry to you. I often tell people that the Lord wants to save you more than you want to be saved. He also wants to use you probably more than you want to be used. If you will study, pray earnestly, and seek the wisdom and spiritual guidance of proven spiritual leaders, then I am confident that the Holy Spirit will appoint you to your proper place of service. If, after that, you will obey His leading, then I am equally confident that you will see that He can use you in mighty ways to accomplish His work on this earth. Never underestimate what the Lord can do through you! The devil will do all that he can to make you feel insignificant, unworthy, and unable to serve. But these are lies, and you must not let yourself fall for them!
From this week's lesson, we have seen that we are to seek out our special ministry, serve the Lord faithfully from a heart of genuine love, both for Him and others, and then watch all the wonderful things that He will be able to do through us. As always, please remember these things. Also, make it your goal to serve Him as you go through the week, and be sure to tell others what He has done for you.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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