OUR GIFTS & SEED
1-4-10**My disclaimer..I am not a expert in the realm of ministry giftings or callings. This is just a general overview of some insight God shared with me. I recommend you contact my Pastor if you want more detailed revelation on the 5-fold ministry callings and gifts of the Spirit**
I. 1 Corinthians 12:4
I. 1 Corinthians 12:4
A. We have all been given gifts & spiritual gifts from God
*We all have gifts and everything we do, no matter how small or insignificant it MAY seem, matters and is impacting the world around us. Using our giftings and doing good is a gift/blessing and/or seed to those around us. It is usually both. Even being kind to others, is sowing seeds..you're sowing seeds of kindness.
II. There Are Two Categories of Giftings.
A. GIFTS THAT EVERYONE HAS- 1 Peter 4:8-11
1. These are little things programmed in our personality that are a joy to do, that come naturally to us & that we usually excel in pretty easily. Doesn’t always come easy though, could just be doing good, even when we don’t feel like it.
Example #1 Natural Gifting: I love coffee...when I worked at Starbucks I realized I had a love and natural ability to make lattes. I enjoyed learning about coffee, making coffee and talking to people about coffee. This opened up the door for me to work in the church’s coffee shop and be able to witness and encourage and share with patrons & fellow church members about what God is doing, has done and can do. I did this while doing a job that I enjoyed.
Example #2 Doing Good: 2 Timothy 1:16 & 17....Not sure how challenging visiting Paul in prison was for Onesiphorus, but this seemingly simple act of going to visit Paul in prison made a huge difference in Paul’s world. This act of kindness provided Paul with so much encouragement and support, he prayed a special pray of blessing on Onesiphorus and his entire family.
B. Ephesians 4:11&12 GIFTS FOR THOSE IN MINISTRY/CHURCH LEADERS
1. There are special gifts and specific assignments for those God has called into ministry:
a. Apostles - one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up of especially of Christ’s twelve original disciples; one sent on a mission; a person who initiates great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system
b. Prophets - one who utters divinely inspired revelation; one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight
c. Evangelists - one who evangelizes, a protestant minister or layman who preaches at special services; an enthusiastic advocate
d. Pastors - a spiritual overseer, a clergyman serving a local church or parish
e. Teachers - one that teaches; one who’s occupation is to instruct
* I also believe those called into ministry as helpers and provide support and assistance to the above listed folks are included in this category. I believe they are given additional giftings that help them to fulfill their assignment within the ministry field and/or church
2. 1 Timothy 4:14 & 2 Timothy 1:6
a. Sometimes we are born with these giftings and sometimes we receive them divinely imparted/given to us when others already within the ministry calling of God lay hands on/pray for us.
III. YOU CAN ONLY REAP WHAT YOU SOW...KINGDOM PRINCIPLE
A. Galatians 6:7 “Don’t be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” NLT
1. You can only reap the type of seed you sow. If you are constantly lying, or causing division then you’ll reap those things. If you sow seeds of blessings, kindness, good deeds, then that’s what you’ll reap.
B. Galatians 6:9&10 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.”
1. Don’t give up on doing good and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results from the good things you do. It’s like my Pastor says, harvests have different time frames before the fruit is ready. Some seed has a longer gestation/growing season than others before it’s ripe and ready.
**Every action/seed affects those around us and our own lives/futures. Our actions are seed**
IV. WHAT ALL FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE CALLED TO BE IN THE WORLD
A. Isaiah 32:1&2 -“Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a parched land.” NLT
All followers of Jesus are princes in the Kingdom, given authority and enabled by God. As rulers/servants/representatives/princes of God, there are three things I believe these verses tell us we are to be in this world:
1. Shelter from the Wind
a. Shelter- something that covers or affords protection; to protect
b. Wind- a destructive force or influence; a force or agency that carries along influences
**Through prayer and sowing seed and sharing our faith we offer a means of protection to others from the destructive influences of the world. This can be for the sinner or the saint. For the sinner we can show them the way to Jesus who provides our ultimate protection and deliverance;we can also allow our lives be a good example and witness of the love and promises of God. For the saint, we can support and encourage them and remind them of the ultimate prize that awaits us for fighting the good fight**
*We all have gifts and everything we do, no matter how small or insignificant it MAY seem, matters and is impacting the world around us. Using our giftings and doing good is a gift/blessing and/or seed to those around us. It is usually both. Even being kind to others, is sowing seeds..you're sowing seeds of kindness.
II. There Are Two Categories of Giftings.
A. GIFTS THAT EVERYONE HAS- 1 Peter 4:8-11
1. These are little things programmed in our personality that are a joy to do, that come naturally to us & that we usually excel in pretty easily. Doesn’t always come easy though, could just be doing good, even when we don’t feel like it.
Example #1 Natural Gifting: I love coffee...when I worked at Starbucks I realized I had a love and natural ability to make lattes. I enjoyed learning about coffee, making coffee and talking to people about coffee. This opened up the door for me to work in the church’s coffee shop and be able to witness and encourage and share with patrons & fellow church members about what God is doing, has done and can do. I did this while doing a job that I enjoyed.
Example #2 Doing Good: 2 Timothy 1:16 & 17....Not sure how challenging visiting Paul in prison was for Onesiphorus, but this seemingly simple act of going to visit Paul in prison made a huge difference in Paul’s world. This act of kindness provided Paul with so much encouragement and support, he prayed a special pray of blessing on Onesiphorus and his entire family.
B. Ephesians 4:11&12 GIFTS FOR THOSE IN MINISTRY/CHURCH LEADERS
1. There are special gifts and specific assignments for those God has called into ministry:
a. Apostles - one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up of especially of Christ’s twelve original disciples; one sent on a mission; a person who initiates great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system
b. Prophets - one who utters divinely inspired revelation; one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight
c. Evangelists - one who evangelizes, a protestant minister or layman who preaches at special services; an enthusiastic advocate
d. Pastors - a spiritual overseer, a clergyman serving a local church or parish
e. Teachers - one that teaches; one who’s occupation is to instruct
* I also believe those called into ministry as helpers and provide support and assistance to the above listed folks are included in this category. I believe they are given additional giftings that help them to fulfill their assignment within the ministry field and/or church
2. 1 Timothy 4:14 & 2 Timothy 1:6
a. Sometimes we are born with these giftings and sometimes we receive them divinely imparted/given to us when others already within the ministry calling of God lay hands on/pray for us.
III. YOU CAN ONLY REAP WHAT YOU SOW...KINGDOM PRINCIPLE
A. Galatians 6:7 “Don’t be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” NLT
1. You can only reap the type of seed you sow. If you are constantly lying, or causing division then you’ll reap those things. If you sow seeds of blessings, kindness, good deeds, then that’s what you’ll reap.
B. Galatians 6:9&10 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.”
1. Don’t give up on doing good and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results from the good things you do. It’s like my Pastor says, harvests have different time frames before the fruit is ready. Some seed has a longer gestation/growing season than others before it’s ripe and ready.
**Every action/seed affects those around us and our own lives/futures. Our actions are seed**
IV. WHAT ALL FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE CALLED TO BE IN THE WORLD
A. Isaiah 32:1&2 -“Look, a righteous king is coming! And honest princes will rule under him. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a parched land.” NLT
All followers of Jesus are princes in the Kingdom, given authority and enabled by God. As rulers/servants/representatives/princes of God, there are three things I believe these verses tell us we are to be in this world:
1. Shelter from the Wind
a. Shelter- something that covers or affords protection; to protect
b. Wind- a destructive force or influence; a force or agency that carries along influences
**Through prayer and sowing seed and sharing our faith we offer a means of protection to others from the destructive influences of the world. This can be for the sinner or the saint. For the sinner we can show them the way to Jesus who provides our ultimate protection and deliverance;we can also allow our lives be a good example and witness of the love and promises of God. For the saint, we can support and encourage them and remind them of the ultimate prize that awaits us for fighting the good fight**
2. Refuge from the Storm
a. Refuge - a shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty.
b. Storm - a violent assault on a defended position
**This one, I believe, is specifically related to the follower of Jesus. People who are in the world/sinners are not a defended position. They are rejecting Christ and therefore are still under the curse and not under the divine protection of God. When storms/attacks of the enemy come against our brothers & sisters in Christ, we are to be their refuge. I’m not saying we take the place of Jesus...He is our ultimate refuge, but we can be Jesus hands and feet so to speak. One way we can do this is by praying over their lives. Speaking God’s Word into their situations and over their lives. Another way is by praying for them when they can’t pray. I”ve been in the middle of a storm-a violent attack from the enemy- and all I could do was text a dear friend in the Lord and say please pray for me right now. My emotions were so crazy and my mind racing so that I didn’t even know where to begin praying. This friend prayed, the peace of God fell on me and the storm passed. Was my situation that caused the storm suddenly changed at that moment?..heck no!..... but my frame of mind was changed and I was able to reposition and get my mind right and do my own warfare. **
3. Streams of Water in the Desert
a. Refuge - a shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty.
b. Storm - a violent assault on a defended position
**This one, I believe, is specifically related to the follower of Jesus. People who are in the world/sinners are not a defended position. They are rejecting Christ and therefore are still under the curse and not under the divine protection of God. When storms/attacks of the enemy come against our brothers & sisters in Christ, we are to be their refuge. I’m not saying we take the place of Jesus...He is our ultimate refuge, but we can be Jesus hands and feet so to speak. One way we can do this is by praying over their lives. Speaking God’s Word into their situations and over their lives. Another way is by praying for them when they can’t pray. I”ve been in the middle of a storm-a violent attack from the enemy- and all I could do was text a dear friend in the Lord and say please pray for me right now. My emotions were so crazy and my mind racing so that I didn’t even know where to begin praying. This friend prayed, the peace of God fell on me and the storm passed. Was my situation that caused the storm suddenly changed at that moment?..heck no!..... but my frame of mind was changed and I was able to reposition and get my mind right and do my own warfare. **
3. Streams of Water in the Desert
a. Stream - body of running water; constantly renewed or steady supply; an unbroken flow; a ray of light
b. Water - I believe in this case symbolic of the Holy Spirit
c. Desert - a wild uninhabited, uncultivated tract; desolate or forbidding area
**We are to be carriers of the anointing and Holy Spirit into the world. Into the places that don’t know Jesus Christ. Into places that are dry and barren and in need of saving and renewal. We have a constant and steady supply and our minds are to be renewed daily (Ephesians 4:23 ‘Instead there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.’) so that we can be that constant unbroken supply between Jesus Christ and the world...leading the world to Christ. We are also to be a light in this dark world around us (1 Thessalonians 5:5 ‘For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.’) & (Ephesians 5:8 ‘For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it.’) & (2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”)
4. Cool Shadow of a Great Rock in the Desert
**We are the reflection of and made in the image of God ( Genesis 1:26-28 “And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. They shall rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the cattle, the whole earth, and all creeping things that creep on earth.’ And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and God said to them, “Be fertile and increase, fill the earth and master it; and rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and all living things that creep on earth.” -JPS Bible). We are to reflect Him in this world. We were created to have dominion over and govern or be masters of this world God created. **
In closing.... As followers of Jesus Christ, we have an awesome honor and responsibility. Like my Pastor says, we are to be carriers of God’s love. We are also to be God’s representative in this world. Both of those things are huge and seemingly impossible to do.... actually on our own they are pretty impossible. However, with Christ all things are possible. We just have to trust and believe God’s word and most importantly ACT upon it. We keep moving forward, following God’s direction and leading and WE CAN”T FAIL!!!!!!!! :)
b. Water - I believe in this case symbolic of the Holy Spirit
c. Desert - a wild uninhabited, uncultivated tract; desolate or forbidding area
**We are to be carriers of the anointing and Holy Spirit into the world. Into the places that don’t know Jesus Christ. Into places that are dry and barren and in need of saving and renewal. We have a constant and steady supply and our minds are to be renewed daily (Ephesians 4:23 ‘Instead there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.’) so that we can be that constant unbroken supply between Jesus Christ and the world...leading the world to Christ. We are also to be a light in this dark world around us (1 Thessalonians 5:5 ‘For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.’) & (Ephesians 5:8 ‘For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it.’) & (2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”)
4. Cool Shadow of a Great Rock in the Desert
**We are the reflection of and made in the image of God ( Genesis 1:26-28 “And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. They shall rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the cattle, the whole earth, and all creeping things that creep on earth.’ And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and God said to them, “Be fertile and increase, fill the earth and master it; and rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and all living things that creep on earth.” -JPS Bible). We are to reflect Him in this world. We were created to have dominion over and govern or be masters of this world God created. **
In closing.... As followers of Jesus Christ, we have an awesome honor and responsibility. Like my Pastor says, we are to be carriers of God’s love. We are also to be God’s representative in this world. Both of those things are huge and seemingly impossible to do.... actually on our own they are pretty impossible. However, with Christ all things are possible. We just have to trust and believe God’s word and most importantly ACT upon it. We keep moving forward, following God’s direction and leading and WE CAN”T FAIL!!!!!!!! :)
-ff
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