God's Equipping Strategy
Ephesians 4:11-13
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are Christ's gifts to the church. They are to equipt the rest of the Body for ministry. The five-fold gifts are to prepare every believer so that they would grow up spiritually and be ready to do the works of ministry. This is best facilitated through the local church. Therefore, it is crucial that every believer be committed to a local church so that he can receive this equipping.
God's Special Enablement
Besides equipping us through the five-fold ministries, God has also endowed us with special abilities. These special abilities go beyond our natural abilities or talents. They enable us to serve God and serve people even more effectively.
1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
As a carecell, we can use our spiritual gifts to build up one another and touch our community (SMU!). We can do acts of kindness, visit and pray for the sick, minister to families, help the needy and share the gospel.
As we do the work of ministry, we will discover and develop our spiritual gifts. And as each part does its work, the whole body will grow! When every believer exercises the spiritual gifts given to him or her, the church becomes a more powerful, dynamic instrument that is able to meet the needs of both believers and unbelievers.
What steps will you take to discover and develop your gifts?
1) Pray & ask God to show you. Or pray & ask God to give. Jesus said, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11)
2) When others prophesy. Ridwan shared that a year ago, a pastor prophesied that God will use him in music and now he's developing his gift in leading worship.
3) Confirmation from your brothers & sisters-in-Christ.