Grace Community ChurchGrace Community ChurchMarch, 2009March, 2009

Talents of A Steward Talents of A Steward Romans 12:6-8Romans 12:6-8

A Living SacrificeA Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:3Romans 12:33 3 For by the grace given to me I say to For by the grace given to me I say to

everyone among you not to think of everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has measure of faith that God has assigned. assigned.

Acts 2:42-47 & 4:32-37Acts 2:42-47 & 4:32-37

• They thought like Stewards…They thought like Stewards…

• How? Their minds were renewed…How? Their minds were renewed…

Yesterday’s Word won’t cover today.Yesterday’s Word won’t cover today.

Brooks SimpsonRandy Couture

1989 Iowa Vs. Oklahoma St.

Randy Couture 20 Years Later

His Book

Brooks Simpson20 Years Later

His Book

Doing Doing NothingNothing

The Natural WayThe Natural Way

By Brooks By Brooks SimpsonSimpson

Doing Doing NothingNothing

The Natural WayThe Natural Way

By Brooks By Brooks SimpsonSimpson

Do you want to grow?

Romans 12:4-5Romans 12:4-54 4 For as in one body we have many For as in one body we have many

members, and the members do not all members, and the members do not all have the same function, have the same function, 5 5 so we, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of and individually members one of another. another.

What is my “function”?What is my “function”?

Romans 12:6-8Romans 12:6-86 6 Having gifts that differ according to the Having gifts that differ according to the

grace given to us, let us use them: if grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 7 if if service, in our serving; the one who service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; teaches, in his teaching; 8 8 the one who the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.mercy, with cheerfulness.

A spiritual gift is an ability in some way to A spiritual gift is an ability in some way to express, celebrate, display, and so express, celebrate, display, and so communicate Christ. We are told that communicate Christ. We are told that gifts, rightly used, build up Christians and gifts, rightly used, build up Christians and churches. But only knowledge of God in churches. But only knowledge of God in Christ builds up, so each charisma must Christ builds up, so each charisma must be an ability from Christ to show and be an ability from Christ to show and share Christ in an up-building way.share Christ in an up-building way.

J.I. PackerJ.I. Packer

Romans 12:6-8Romans 12:6-86 6 Having gifts that differ according to the Having gifts that differ according to the

grace given to us, let us use them: if grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 7 if if service, in our serving; the one who service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; teaches, in his teaching; 8 8 the one who the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.mercy, with cheerfulness.

How do I discover my How do I discover my Spiritual Gifts?Spiritual Gifts?

Inorganic – Spiritual Gift InventoryInorganic – Spiritual Gift Inventory– Example: Example: www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/intro.php– Pros: increases awareness that gifts are to be used.Pros: increases awareness that gifts are to be used.– Cons: surveys measure likes and personality. Cons: surveys measure likes and personality.

Organic – Think less of self and more of ChristOrganic – Think less of self and more of Christ– Abide in Christ (John 15)Abide in Christ (John 15)– Be involved with His Body (Romans 12:3-5)Be involved with His Body (Romans 12:3-5)– Ask Christ to reveal needs.Ask Christ to reveal needs.– Ask Christ to show you how to meet the need.Ask Christ to show you how to meet the need.– Act on the need according to God’s gifting.Act on the need according to God’s gifting.