EXPOSE | His gifts for His glory
“When we use our spiritual gifts, we are joining in God’s mission to reconcile the world to Himself. It is an act of obedience and surrender, allowing God to work through us to bring about His purposes and transformation in the lives of others.” – D.A. Carson, former Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and president and co-founder of the Gospel Coalition
EXPLORE | The journey of purposeful service
I grew up in the era of Wayne Gretzky, as he started his magical reign in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers.
He was a scoring machine, which in part, earned him the nickname “the Great One”.
His vision and skill on the ice became legendary. Most will argue that he was the greatest to ever play the game of hockey.
“Following his retirement in 1999, Gretzky became the ninth and final player to be immediately ushered into the Hall of Fame, and the first in history to have his jersey number retired league-wide.”
– Biography, gretsky.com
The Great One had the gift–and he unleashed it.
As you would imagine, this gift carried with it, a significant burden of responsibility, not to mention expectation.
It was Uncle Ben’s words of wisdom to Peter Parker in Spider-man that captured this well: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Understandably, we expect of those to whom much has been given, that much will be required.
This idea finds its basis in a statement from Jesus in Luke 12:48.
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
Luke 12:48b
While addressing the crowds, Jesus was telling the part of a parable where the wicked servant was not only surprised by the return of his master but was found “using and abusing” what the master had entrusted to him.
Jesus’ response to this wicked servant?
“…the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.”
Luke 12:46
One important point we can take from what Jesus said is that we should be wary of being the unfaithful servant surprised by his master’s return.
By contrast, we want to be the “faithful and wise manager” who is ready for his master’s return, and who handles the responsibility of his master’s household wisely. When the master returns and finds the faithful servant managing his resources well, he “will set him over all his possessions” (Luke 12:42–44).
The idea of “to whom much is given, much will be required” is that we should, and will be, held responsible for what we have been given. It is reasonable to expect that we glorify God and benefit others having been blessed with our time, talents, and treasures.
Each of us has been entrusted with certain gifts–that is, spiritual gifts, and faithfulness requires that we manage those gifts wisely and honorably.
In one sense, we are no different than Gretzky. We are to appropriate, nurture, and wield with faithfulness the gifts given to us by God.
When we speak of spiritual gifts–the unique abilities bestowed upon believers by the Holy Spirit– we are talking about the crucial role our giftedness plays in building up the Church and advancing God’s kingdom.
For this reason, we must explore and understand the significance of spiritual gifts and their proper use, keeping in mind that these are spiritual gifts, not talents or skills. As John Piper describes them, they are diverse, “supernatural manifestations of God’s grace… and encompass a wide range of abilities, including teaching, evangelism, prophecy, mercy, administration, and many more.”
EXECUTE | Unleashing the power within
One of Gretsky’s often repeated quotes is: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
It would be a big miss on our part if we don’t take our shot at not just being a ‘wise manager’, but fully realizing our purpose and the impact that our lives were meant to have.
The Holy Spirit is the giver of spiritual gifts. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, and the gifts are imparted. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are equipped to serve God effectively.
This is what it means to truly unleash the power within.
Discovering (or, rediscovering) our spiritual gifts is an exciting and transformative journey that requires self-reflection, prayer, and seeking guidance from mature believers. The process involves a sincere examination of our passions, interests, and areas where we have experienced God’s blessing and confirmation.
There are a number of good articles, studies, and resources that can help you work through each gift and how God bestows them upon us, but before you begin to identify how God has gifted you, there are several points to be made about how we approach appropriating our spiritual gifts.
Seek God’s Guidance. There is some truth to the saying that “no one else is supposed to understand God’s call on your life… [because] it wasn’t a conference call.” To discover and understand our spiritual gifts, we must first seek God’s wisdom and guidance through prayer and diligent study of His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your unique gifts and how they can be used to serve God and others effectively. Knowing which spiritual gifts we possess requires both biblical introspection and external affirmation. The guidance of qualified leaders and mentors can play a vital role in helping us discern and confirm our gifts, but, it is the Holy Spirit that plays the primary role in revealing them to us.
It’s about God’s Glory. Most importantly, the purpose of spiritual gifts is to bring glory to God. Use your gifts with humility, pointing others to Him, and magnifying His name in all that you do. They are tools to serve and build up the body of Christ, demonstrating God’s love, extending His grace, and advancing His kingdom.
Be Humble. Recognize that spiritual gifts are not earned but graciously given by God. We don’t get to pick them. We don’t submit a request. Because they are God-given, all gifts are valuable and essential for the Church’s flourishing–as God sees fit. This means we are not justified in comparing or devaluing the gifts of others. Instead, our focus should be on using our gifts as God leads us.
Invest in Growth and Equipping. Ligonier Ministries emphasizes that while spiritual gifts are given by God, they can be developed and refined through practice, study, and mentorship. Invest time in honing your skills, acquiring knowledge, and seeking mentorship or training opportunities. This dedication allows you to use your gifts more effectively and with greater impact.
Engage in Community. Spiritual gifts are not meant to be used in isolation but find their fullest expression within the context of the church community. Our gifts are meant to bring about positive transformation, foster unity, and meet the needs of those around us.
Spiritual gifts are a precious and powerful manifestation of God’s grace in the lives of believers. Understanding and utilizing these gifts with humility empower us to serve God, edify the Church, and impact the world around us in very unique and specific ways. Exercising our gifts in collaboration with the body of Christ allows us to experience true personal fulfillment and contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom.
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