“USING OUR SUPER POWERS IN SERVICE”

1 Peter 4:10-11
¹⁰ Based on the gift they have received, EVERYONE SHOULD USE IT TO SERVE OTHERS, as good managers of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, [his speech should be] like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, [his service should be] from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. • Amen.

[1 Peter 4.10 in the New American Standard Bible: ¹⁰ As each one has received a special gift, EMPLOY IT IN SERVING ONE ANOTHER, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.]

• Week 1: Discovery
• Week 2: Employment
• Week 3: Deployment

Last week: Discovering Your Super Power (Gifts)

We looked at four keys to discovering what our gifts are. I don’t expect that everyone had an “AH-HA” moment in the past seven days, but I do pray that there are people who started really seeking what it is God has given you and how to use that in His purpose and plan.

• Faith
• Prayer
• Awareness
• Activity

This Week we will Develop that Thought a little More

THE PURPOSE OF THE POWER (Eph. 4.11-16)

¹¹ And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing] into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. ¹⁶ From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

A. To Glorify the Lord

“God has given me abilities and powers to develop in the best way I can. He created me for a purpose. He gave me life and through service to Him I return both life and talents.” – A High School Graduate

B. To Edify the Church

C. To Solidify our Faith

THE PRACTICE OF THE POWER

A. You Have Not been Saved to be Shelved

B. You Have Opportunities that ONLY You Will Have

C. You Have a Responsibility to Use Your Gifts for God

 

THE PLACE OF THE POWER (1 Cor. 12)

Paul’s Illustration – The Body

A. Your Gifts are Significant in THIS Body

B. Your Gifts are Vital to THIS Body

C. Your Gifts are Strategically Placed in THIS Body

 

Three good tests of a Spiritual Gift are:

• You will enjoy using this ability
• You will be effective using this ability
• Others will see God using this ability in you.

“WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY” – Spiderman

 

THE POWER BEHIND THE POWER (1 Cor. 13)

Love

COMMITMENT TIME

• Salvation through the Savior
• Become a part of this church through membership
• Commit to using the gifts you have in ministry here.
• Seek the greatest gift, Love, and let that be the motivation