Finding Your Gift

• Finding Your Gift
• Romans 12:3-8
• A Living Sacrifice
• Romans 12: 1-2
• A Living Sacrifice
• The Goal –
• The Method –

• The Motivation –
• Romans 12:3-8
• 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
• Romans 12:3-8
• 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
• Romans 12:3-8
• 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
• Does this apply to us?
• Are these the same as the miraculous gifts of 1 Corinthians 12-14?
– Related to the divine revelation of God’s word
– Romans 12:6 mentions prophecy

• Does this apply to us?
• 1 Peter 4:10-11 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, …
• God has gifted each of us …
• We are stewards of God’s gifts, similar to the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
• God has given you a lot …
• A talent in the Bible was worth a lot of money…
• Some don’t use their gift to the glory of God…
• 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
• Some don’t use their gift to the glory of God…
• Christians are very talented, but some use these only for themselves …not for God
• Paul’s real message: “You’ve been gifted by God, now use it!”
• God wants you to use these abilities He has given you for His glory as one of many in the body …
• Use Your Gift for the good of the body …
• 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
• Some think more highly of themselves …
• 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

• Some think more highly of themselves …
• Is this due to false humility (thinking that my ability is not enough to serve) … ?

• Or is it because of only using my skills to help myself, but not in church … ?
• Find your gift and use it in a loving way …
• Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy...
• Find your gift and use it in a loving way …
• Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy...
• Find your gift and use it in a loving way …
• Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy...
• How can I find my gift?
• 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

• Prophets
• Ability to speak forth God’s truth boldly
• Want to correct problems
• Stand up and speak out against error
– Examples: Jeremiah, Amos, Isaiah, Hosea
• Ministering or Serving
• A servant’s heart
• Want to do something to help
• Always ready to serve

• Teachers
• Ability to analyze and find answers
• Skill in helping others understand and apply God’s word
• Love studying and developing knowledge to present lessons
• Exhorters or Encouragers
• Very positive, look on the bright side
• Ability to motivate and uplift
• Make others feel valuable
• Givers
• Blessed with the ability to do what most others cannot do financially
• Provide assistance in practical ways
• When needs arise, they are willing and eager to supply needs

• Leaders
• Take charge, jump in and give orders when no one is in charge
• Ability and skill in organizing things or events
• Good motivator, not a procrastinator
• Mercy Showing
• Able to feel sympathy with or for others
• Can always relate to those with problems
• God given desire to identify with and comfort those in distress
• We see these in the Bible …
• Peter – a prophet always speaking up, bold
• Jeremiah – a prophet, but also with mercy
• Timothy – a minister, caring, tender hearted
• Tabitha – a quiet servant making garments
• Luke – a teacher, wrote Jesus’ life in order
• Centurion at Capernaum – built things for the Jews
• Nehemiah – a leader who was able to build the walls

• Not sure of your ability …
• Prophets – want to correct things, bold
• Ministers – want to do something to help out
• Teachers – able to analyze and make clear
• Exhorters – positive motivators
• Givers – generous in sharing their abundance
• Leaders – able to organize and take charge
• Mercy Showing – relate to those in distress

• Not sure of your ability …
• 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
• God has given you a lot …
• A talent in the Bible was worth a lot of money…
• Finding Your Gift
• Romans 12:3-8