~Open in prayer~
Icebreaker
• If you were to set a Guinness world record, what would it be?
• What’s a cause or purpose you deeply believe in?
• What is your favorite item you’ve bought this year?
MESSAGE REVIEW
THE MINISTRY GIFTS= SERVICE
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers , for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:7, 11-13, emphasis added).
The ministry gifts, which they are often called, are the callings and various skills given to the body of Christ. God has given saints certain gifts that allows them to stand in certain positions such as apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher. These various gifts allow believers to serve as members in the body of Christ. Although we all have different gifts for different purposes, they all serve for one general goal for the “equipping of the saints for the work of service” (Eph. 4:12)
1. How can you serve others at church?
2. How can we serve others on behalf of God?
3. How can you motivate others to serve in the kingdom of God?
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!
1 Kings 10:1-5-6-9 The Message (MSG)
Pastor Ron last Sunday gave a great example about service. He talked about the queen of Sheba. Queen Sheba heard about Solomon and his connection with the Name of GOD. She came to put his reputation to the test by asking tough questions. She made a grand and showy entrance into Jerusalem—camels loaded with spices, a huge amount of gold, and precious gems. She came to Solomon and talked about all the things that she cared about, emptying her heart to him. Solomon answered everything she put to him—nothing stumped him. When the queen of Sheba experienced for herself Solomon’s wisdom and saw with her own eyes the palace he had built, the meals that were served, the impressive array of court officials and sharply dressed waiters, the lavish crystal, and the elaborate worship extravagant with Whole-Burnt-Offerings at the steps leading up to The Temple of GOD, it took her breath away. Solomon’s servants had the right heart posture to serve and served in the spirit of excellency. Let’s challenge ourselves to be a people of God who serves in the spirit of excellency and serve as an anointed servant of the holy ghost!
Are you serving in the body of Christ? and if so, are you serving with the right attitude and heart posture?
Reference Scriptures
•Galatians 4:1&2 According to the scriptures God has given us a beautiful promise, an inheritance which is a prearranged blessing to be released at a specific time of maturity. This scripture shows us that a person can be in position to gain positionally meaning he is master over everything his dad owns, but conditionally he is not able to master it. Furthermore, “God will put you under someone of authority. Someone you can serve until you come to a place of maturity. Meaning your inheritance is locked up in other people.” (Ron Carpenter) It is more important who you are under than who you are over. Out inheritance is our identity. Are service to men is are service to God!
•1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. Maturity improves your ability to make wise decisions. And with wise choices comes more stability in your life overall. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
•Hebrews tells us that because of Christ’s death, “those who are called may receive the ultimate promise eternal inheritance.” This inheritance is the “eternal salvation” and “eternal redemption” in Hebrews 5:9 and 9:12. Think about it! Because of Jesus’ death for our sins, God gave us the gift of eternal life with him as our inheritance. And in Christ that new life begins even now!
PRAYER FOCUS & REQUESTS
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