DISCIPLESHIP Being a spiritual personGrace………….. Growth………… Groups…………. GIFTS God is the ultimate gift – giver James 1: 1-17 Spiritual gifts 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 “To each one.” How many of you see yourselves as a minister? Have you taken your gift out of the box? Our gifts must be used with a servant heart. Spiritual gifts are gifts given by the Holy Spirit as He determines 1 Corinthians 12: 11 As we use our gifts in servanthood then the heart of a servant is shaped in us. .John 13: 1-17 Humility. One of God’s most treasured virtues. 1 Peter 5: 5 Serving is one of the most important training exercises in which we can grow into humility. “The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honour and recognition.” Richard Foster “Celebration of Discipline” Vital distinction between Choosing to serve and Being a servant. When we choose to serve we stay in control. Being a servant involves responding to the Holy Spirit. Colossians 3: 24 Jesus calls each one of us to the ministry of a towel. It has as much to do with the work He is trying to do IN us as the work He is trying to do THROUGH us. Romans 8: 29 Parable of the Talents Matthew 25: 21, 23 Matthew 25: 26 Pointers to think about and act upon this week.
Keep track of how the week goes. What difference did it make to live your week this way? When was servanthood joyful and difficult? How did the desire for recognition rear its head? Did you win last the week or throw in the towel? |