Fire & Wind: A Summer of Renewal // Body of Christ - Part 2
Fire & Wind: A Summer of Renewal //
Body of Christ - Part 2
Pastor Charlie Weir
The Holy Spirit’s connection to the church.
• The Holy Spirit’s presence and power was essential in the birth of the Church.
• The Holy Spirit’s presence and power is essential in our becoming the church.
• The Holy Spirit’s presence and power is essential in fulfilling the mission of the church.
• The Holy Spirit’s presence and power is essential in renewing us as the church.
The church is the embodiment of Jesus’ counter-cultural message and the champion of His cross-cultural mission.
God has personally called you out of a dark place into a dawn place for a specific place for something bigger and better than you could have ever imagined.
Romans 12:3-5 (AMP) 3 For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment [self-aware], as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. 4 For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, 5 so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].
Romans 1:11,12 (AMP) 11 For I long to see you [in person] so that I may share with you some spiritual gift, to strengthen and establish you; 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Our spiritual gifts and our individual faith strengthens, establishes, encourages and comforts one another.
“A spiritual gift is an expression of faith that which aims to strengthen faith. A spiritual gift is an ability given by the Holy Spirit to express our faith effectively (in word or deed) for the strengthening of someone else’s faith. Spiritual gifts are a way to disperse God’s grace to others!” Pastor John Piper
A key differentiator between a spiritual gift and a talent is…
A talent turns the spotlight on me. A spiritual gift imparts strength to you.
1 Peter 4:10 (AMP) 10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
Romans 12:6-8 (AMP) 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.
The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy : Prophecy helps others live out scripture and purpose in a current circumstance or context.
The Spiritual Gift of Service : The Greek Diakonia can be translated ministry or serve and the frame of that service is love not duty.
The Spiritual Gift of Teaching: The Spiritual gift of teaching is the gift to instruct and/or mentor from scripture for Christian living, discerning truth from lies.
General Thoughts Regarding Spiritual Gifts
• We can’t take credit for a Spiritual Gift, we don’t own it, we steward it.
• As a Body, we don’t worship the gift but the gift giver.
• A talent isn’t a spiritual gift until it is submitted to God, anchored in Christ and yielded to the Holy Spirit.
• Our spiritual gifts mature as we spiritually mature.
In the Body of Christ our gifts coordinate with one another, cooperate with one another and compensate for one another. We don’t compete with one another or compare ourselves to one another.
Jesus picked you. You picked Gateway. The Holy Spirit is renewing us as a Body for the work He has called us to and the more gifted people serving with their gifts the healthier we will be and the more we will accomplish together.