Easter 2014

Easter 2014

My Chains Are Gone

Lord of All

Under the Water

Our Narrator

Peter

John

Mary Magdalene

Mary

And those who were inspired ...

And How Did God Do This?

GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT

The Gift of Salvation

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

- Acts 4:12

The Gift of the Spirit

• On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. - Acts 1:4

• We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. - Acts 5:32

• When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do? Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Acts 2:37 -38

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

- Eph: 2:1-3

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

-- Eph. 2:4-10

What God, by grace, did for us at our baptism:

• But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace - Eph. 2:4-7

• Made us alive with Christ

• Raised us up with Christ

• Seated us with Christ

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

-- Eph. 2:4-10

1. God has Great Work for Each One of us to

do!

• poiema - “God’s work of art, his masterpiece”

• We are not saved by our good works but we are saved FOR good works

• Our “good works” were designed by God for us before our birth

• “That we might walk in them” - that we might live doing them all the time!!

2. He Gifts You BY THE SPIRIT to do it

Grace is custom-fitted to each one of us:

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

- Eph. 4:7

1 Pet. 4:10-11Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they shouldshould do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Rom. 12:4-8Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Gifts (Rom. 12:6-8)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, then do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

1. Prophesying - (Preaching)

2.Serving - (personally serving others)

3.Teaching

4.Encouraging - (building up, inspiring others)

5.Contributing - (generously sharing of your means)

6.Leadership - (leading; organizing)

7.Mercy - (helping the poor, tending to the sick, the elderly or disabled)

Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.

Exodus 35:30-34

And more...• These are the last words of David: “The

oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs...2 Sam. 23:1

• David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals. - 1Chr. 15:16

Other God-given talents...

• Theatrical: acting, directing

• Artistic: decorating, painting, sculpting

• Writing

• Athletic skill

• Mathematics, Science, Computers, Technology

• Mechanical, building

• Cooking

• Hospitality

Enemy #1: Pride

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

- Rom. 12:3

Enemy #2: Insecurity

But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.”

- Ex. 3:11-12

Finding your gifts:

• We (usually) enjoy doing it!

• We are good at it, and get better

• Others are encouraged and blessed

• We feel closer to God, more fulfilled

• Spiritual leaders affirm us

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Eph. 4:11-12

To develop our gifts, we must be equipped...

What blocks us?• Unspiritual - talented, but not walking with

God

• Lack of confidence - Feel we might be selfish or prideful

• Fear of failure

• Selfish - use our gifts for worldly attainment

• Just plain lazy!

• Unrepented sin in our life disqualifies us

• Can’t work with others, won’t be equipped

• Trying to succeed in area that is NOT our gift

Why Use our Gifts?

• Brings God glory

• Helps others

• We will never be truly fulfilled and happy until we do!

• When we do, God’s church is glorious!

Where Are You Today?

• If you gave your life to God...what would/could He do with you?

• If you are a disciple who is unfulfilled, bored, frustrated, empty...

• FIND YOUR GIFTS AND PUT THEM TO WORK! IT WILL TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND.

As we take communion...

Thank God for the gift of salvation and of the Spirit

Offer your gifts back to God