May 20, 2007 Sunday Evening,

Sunday night we continued the study in Ephesians 4:1-14, discussing Spiritual Gifts and their purpose.  This lesson was just an introduction to the gifts and didn’t discuss individual gifts in detail.  Again, there was much interaction from the audience as many had very good points to add to the lesson. 

Bro. Dillow explained the purpose of the gifts is to bring us as Christians to perfection.  When the Bible talks about perfection, it means spiritual maturity.  The gifts are given to help us grow in our walk with God so we are no longer spiritual “babies”, depending on someone else to tell us what God would have us to do.  The Lord desires all His children to be strong, mature Christians, knowing what they believe (not tossed back and forth with everyone’s interpretation of specific doctrines), able to hear God’s voice and determine what kind of “ministry” God would have them be involved in.  All these gifts are to perfect us so God can use us in our own ministry (Eph 4:12). 

Gifts of God are not appointed; they are given by Him.  It is not the position you are in that qualifies you for the job, but the supernatural gift that is working within you.  When a person has a gift from God, others will recognize that gift and be blessed by it.  Do not let someone suppress your gift.  Don’t neglect it, but use it as God leads you.  Only you can really know what God is calling you to do with your gift.  You are responsible for it.  We should not feel “threatened” by one another’s gifts.  Such feelings have their roots in pride and jealousy – both are sins which have no place in the work of God.  Each person should be free to operate in the gifting God has given them.  If they are trying to operate in a gift God has not given them, it will be like wearing an ill-fitted shoe.  It will rub you and the people you are trying to minister to the wrong way causing irritation. 

When a gift is operating correctly, it will lift up Christ, not the individual.  A truly gifted person will have a spirit of meekness and humility.  Also, that gift will bring people into a deeper relationship with Christ.  They will be growing and edified.  We as saints have the responsibility to evaluate other’s gifts to see if they are genuine.  

May we take time to discover our gift and then use them to edify the church so the world will see Jesus in us.