Sermon: “You Have the Gift -Use It Properly!”

Series: The Work of the Holy Spirit

Presenter: Rev. Dr. JoAnne P. King

Date: June 4, 2023

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus told His disciples and followers that after His departure, He would send them another Comforter who would lead and guide them into all truth, and show them things to come. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit who had many assignments given regarding Jesus’ followers.

In Acts 1:4-8, Jesus commanded His disciples, after His departure, they should remain in Jerusalem until they have been baptized by the Holy Ghost (Spirit) not many days from then. Once baptized with the Holy Ghost, “they will receive power and ability and they will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”

When Jesus spoke of power and ability, He was referring to the Holy Ghost’s distributing gifts to the Saints as He willed. These ministry gifts are initiated and directed by the Holy Ghost for divine service and to bring glory to the Lord.
These gifts for divine service are enumerated in:
1 Corinthians 12:4-13 Amp.

“Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers].

And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served].

And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them].

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit) for the common good.

To one is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and understanding according to the same Spirit;

To another [wonder working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit.

And to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues;

But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

All Saints have been given one or more of the above gifts by the Holy Spirit but most Saints don’t know or have not been taught how to use these gifts, God’s way.

Each of us has been assigned a gift or gifts by the Holy Spirit but it is important that we don’t expand the gift or gifts that we have been given.

Some scriptures that refer to this matter are:

Romans 12:1-8 Amp.

“Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs] but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think, but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].

For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use,

So, we who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts some of another [mutually dependent on each other].

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed.

If service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in their act of teaching;

Or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.”

The above passage is informing us that our capacity to discern the gift, with which we have been endowed for service by the Spirit, rests on knowing the will of God. And, that God makes His will known to those who present themselves in a sacrificial manner to Him. We are cautioned to not overvalue ourselves, but be of sound mind, and careful to observe our duty (be faithful) to stay within the function that has been granted to us.

I Peter 4:10-11 Amp.

“Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].

Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

An example of thinking more highly of yourself than you ought would be: you have been given the gift of interpreting divers tongues. You believe that you are better at interpreting divers’ tongues than anybody else in the congregation. You get upset, if you aren’t called on every-time someone speaks in tongues to interpret. In fact, you think you are so good, you start to call yourself a prophet or prophetess.
Another example is God has given you the gift of singing. You sing in the choir and everyone has praised your singing and said how anointed your singing is. You have gotten a puffed head behind all of these compliments and think not only should you be given more songs to lead but you should be paid to sing in the choir! Certainly all, if not most, of our Gospel singers got their start by singing in their church’s choir and I never read where any of them asked to be paid to sing in the choir! Your singing is supposed to be about worshipping God and giving Him the glory.

The passage in 1 Peter is admonishing us to be faithful to what the Lord has given us for service, that He might be glorified, not you.

In using our gifts, we who are strong in the Lord should bear the infirmities of the weak: This is confirmed in the following scripture:

Romans 15:1-9 Amp.

“Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves.

Let each one of us [make it a practice to] please his neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually.

For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written [in Scripture], ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You (the Father) fell on Me (the Son).’ [Ps 69:9]

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

So that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God.

For I tell you that Christ has become a servant and a minister to the circumcision (Jews) on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm and verify the promises made to the fathers,

And for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy to them, since God had no covenant with them]. As it is written and forever remains written, …”

In the above scripture, it is made clear that in ministering with your gift, you are to bear the infirmities or weaknesses of the person. Not judging them for their weaknesses, or the sins that may have put them in the position that they are in. As Jesus was merciful to us, the Gentiles who had no covenant with Him as the Jews had, we are to do likewise with those that we minister to. So, that you and the person(s) that you minister with can praise and glorify God as the Gentiles were told to do in Ps 18:49; Deut. 32:43; Ps. 117:1; Is 11:1,10; Rev 5:5; and 22:16.

An example of bearing the infirmities of the weak is: You have been given the gift of healings. A person comes to you for healing who has a disease that is caused by having lived a sinful life. You are not to judge the person for living a sinful life and half-heartedly pray for the person. Or pray a faithless prayer because you don’t think the person deserves to be healed!
Or, better still, the person has harmed you or your family in some way, can you pray for them like it was your mother? In bearing the infirmities of the weak, you must pray for them like it was your mother.

Whatever your gift or gifts are they should me ministered with love.

It is not a coincidence that the gifts of the Spirit are located right before 1 Corinthians 13, as many of you may recall, is the love chapter.

As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, the last verse of 1 Corinthians 12:31Amp. says: “And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].”

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Amp.:

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].

And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.

If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.

Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious, love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant.

It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.

It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail].

Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away, as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete].

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child. I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes, we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.” And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.”

An example of not ministering in love is: You have the gift of faith and you are a missionary. Your next assignment calls for you to go to a third world country, that you feel is undesirable. Your last assignment was in a rich country where people lived in luxury. Instead of going to the undeveloped country determined to use your gift of faith to work miracles and improve the living conditions and uplift the people, you try to get the assignment given to someone else and when that fails you go grudgingly. Because you are going grudgingly, you will not be ministering in love, and your gift will not prosper.
Another example, this time in ministering in love: You have a friend (not particularly close) are both in a community gospel choir. This friend has fallen on hard times and asks you for assistance. It’s December and she has applied for a loan in order to pay her rent. If she doesn’t pay it before Christmas, she, her daughters and grandchildren will be evicted. She asks you to co-sign the loan and says she will pay the loan. You agree because you don’t want to see the family set out on the streets before Christmas.
When the payment becomes due, she doesn’t pay the loan and gives you some excuse for not paying it. You have to make the payments in order not to mess your credit up. She continues to make excuses for not paying the loan and comes to rehearsals driving a new Oldsmobile and wearing new clothes while you are driving your old car and old clothes. She never
makes a payment on the loan.
Fast forward a few years, and you receive a phone call. Guess who it is from? You got it right, it’s the friend that didn’t pay the loan! She is calling you asking for prayer for a serious spine surgery that she has had. She tells you that the reason she is calling you is because she knows that you can get a prayer through!!
In spite of all that she has done to you, you pray for her because the love of God that He has placed in you compels you to pray for her.
God has a way of bringing people who have done you wrong back to you to be prayed for. It’s the only way they can receive what they need.

Saints, as you can see all of the “gifts of the Spirit” work by unselfish love. Everything God does is motivated by love, for God is love. Therefore, He expects us to imitate Him and have love for those we are ministering to. In this way, we will bring glory to God and whatever we do in the line of using our God given gift(s) will be blessed and prosper.

If you are trying to minister your God given gift(s) by expanding your gift, not bearing the other individual’s weaknesses or without love, your gift will not prosper and you will not bring glory to God.

On the other hand, God is so loving--His gifts are without repentance. He will continue to give you assignments until you get the message, that all gifts are to be administered in love.

If we all live in the Spirit of loving service, we will know that each of us is the note of a great melody that God is writing in history. It is up to us then to live to the rhythm of the Spiritual gifts.

Finally, living this style means that you have at least a little experience of who God is: A God who cares about everyone and everything!

Give the Lord a praise offering for His teaching on “You Have the Gift-Use It Properly!”