CHRISTIANS SERVING CHRIST (Part 5)
Bible Passage: Rom. 12: 1-13.
Memory Verse: “And whatever you do, whether in word or
deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him.” Col. 3:17 (NIV).
LESSON OBJECTIVE
We
should, at the end of the Study, have learnt that we are not called to be
“spectators” or “on-lookers” in God’s Kingdom. God intends that we serve Him
with the gifts He has given us for that purpose.
LESSON
INTRODUCTION
While
we are not meant to be self-appointed servants of God, at the same time God
does not expect us to hide the gifts He has given so that on His return we
bring out them and tell Him, “Here they are! Sorry I didn’t use them.”
LESSON OUTLINE
1: THE USE OF OUR GIFTS IN THE LORD’S SERVICE
i). We all have
different gifts according to the grace given to us by God.
I Cor. 12:
8-11; Rom. 12: 6-8.
ii). Some people do
not use their gifts – they bury the latter. Matth. 25: 18.
iii). Christians
should use their gifts to serve God – II
Tim. 1: 6.
What are you
good at?
Singing?
Comforting and encouraging the sick, lonely, needy, or the discouraged? Are you
good at building up the faith of others, organising children, refreshments,
etc?
Are you good
at numbers, PC work, etc?
How are you
employing these gifts in serving God? If not, what are you waiting for?
I thank the
Lord for the young men who carry chairs every Sunday, as well as the old men
who vacuum and clean the Auditorium every Sunday. When the Owner of the
Vineyard rewards them, those of you who are reluctant to dirty your fingers
shouldn’t complain.
LESSON OUTLINE
2: LEVEL OF DIVINE CALL IN THE LORD’S SERVICE
i). The Holy
Spirit may separate a believer into a particular ministry or responsibility – Eph. 4: 11-13.
ii). Anyone
appointed by the Holy Spirit will operate fully in the spiritual dimension and
will edify, or build up, the body of Christ, i.e. the Church.
Eph. 4: 11-12.
See Gal 1:
11-12; 2 Cor. 10: 8; 13:10 for the way Paul understood and used the gifts and
authority the Lord gave him in the Gospel.
iii). A
self-appointed person will operate in the flesh and will therefore fail.
3 John 9-11.
What are the
dangers in being a self-appointed servant of God?
SUMMARY
Divinely
appointed servants of God will use their gifts (= talents and skills) for God’s
glory, and they will bear fruit that will last.