So What?: Putting to Use Our God-Given Gifts

Today's episode of a new beginning is brought to you by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God. Learn more@harvest.org and while you're there, browse our library of free e-books designed to help you grow in your faith is given you certain bullying developed with the last days of today. Pastor Gregori urges governor spiritual use for God you don't know God has in store for you. We find our church.

We want to be serving the Lord is going to work on core tools. Months later, there was in the original box page canvases and brushes your daughter what I'm talking about maybe how God feels with spiritual makes available to you and me today on you Gregori job like you. You would services be attended faithfully what you dear everyone frayed like you pray would would be a praying church. Whatever everyone worship like you would we feel worshiping church or would we be a silent church. One of everybody have been July's as often as you evangelize. Would we be at church reaching the lost culture. What if everybody came as faithfully of their finances as you give what we have a church that had the needs met, or what they be neglected using the church is made up of all of us together and we either contribute to its strength and growth or to its weakness and decline. But every one of us plays a role in the church while people say things and I don't know I'm so over the church really seriously, what would this world be without the church were with this country be without the church I mean where do people turn on crisis When a marriage is unraveling.

When you're having problems with your kids of incumbent church.

Trust me, we see them all week long for people going a loved one dies, especially about was unexpectedly they come to the church where they want the service to be done for that level. And even if they didn't attend church. All they wanted done in the church when her child is having struggles maybe with addiction your teenage order they go they go to the church for help wanted you meet your husband or wife. Good chance you met them at the church 40 want to get married. I'll probably at the church. And that's good. We are here to serve you. We were rushing to go the YMCA. The gym this fall. The mall retail therapy or does it every time will it talk about the bar for your troubles out to the bartender all the movie theater that will flow to see a good film.

The movies can help you. The bartenders can help you feel good teacher can help you, but the church can and God has raised up the church wasn't the only organization Jesus ever started. We all need to be a part of the church okay now. With that in mind, let's look now at the words of Jesus in Matthew 25. This is a parable that he told me know what a parable is right parable of the story.

It's an illustration it's been defined as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning so to make this point Jesus would tell a story we all love a good story. Don't wait. We remember stories Jesus illustrated his messages a lot and told stories to bring the point home.

So Matthew 25 is one of those stories showing us how we are to live as we wait for the Lord's return.

Matthew 25, 30, number 14 and him and read from the new living translation.

Jesus is again the kingdom of heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a trip he called together his servants, and give the money to invest for him while he was gone he gave five bags of gold one, two bags of gold to another. One bag of gold to the last dividing it in proportion to their abilities. Then he left on his trip. This revenue received by bags of gold begin immediately to invest the money and he soon doubled the server with two bags of gold went right to work and doubled the money but the servant will receive the one bag of gold dug a hole in the ground and get the Masters money for safekeeping.

After a long time. Their master return from his trip and he called them to give an account and how they use their money and the servant to whom he entrusted the five bags of gold said Sir beginning five bags of gold to invest and I doubled the amount the master was full of praise will my good and faithful servant. You been faithfully and handling the small amount now will give you many more responsibilities let's celebrate together. Next comes the servant received two bags of gold with the reports are beginning to bags of gold will invest and I doubled the amount the master said well done good and faithful servant. You been faithful in handling the small amount now give you more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together.

Then the servant with one bag of gold came and said Sir I know you're a hard man harvesting crops you didn't planning gathering crops you didn't cultivate.

I was afraid it would lose your money so I hit it in the earth.

And here it is so look at how the master deals with this one. You're responsible servant.

He says take the money away from the servant given to the one with the 10 bags of gold to those who use well with their given even more will be given the have an abundance but from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. Interesting in God's kingdom.

The redistribution of wealth has a different meaning doesn't does not take it from the guy was alive and given to the guy who doesn't have anything in this story. It's taken from the guy who didn't do anything with what he was given, and give it to them in with faithful with what the Lord gave him so maybe we need to be thinking about what God is given to us is, as I said, he's given to us gifts when you become a Christian US God to fill you with the Holy Spirit.

The Bible promises that he gives gifts of the spirit to Christians that Romans 12 says we have different gifts, according to the grace that's given to us of your gift is prophesying the prophesy according to your proportion of faith that your gift is serving, then Sir, if your gift is teaching then teach if your gift is encouraging.

Then encourage if it's contributing to the needs of others in give generously of his leadership, then govern diligently if it's showing mercy to it carefully. We have different gifts, but the kids don't come fully developed. You have to take that gift any development through use.

It's even the talent can be compared to it though gifts and talents are different in many ways but maybe you have a musical ability, but you get good at what you do do practice update these musicians they practice. They work hard at what they do and if you have a gift in another area you work at that on the same way God gives you these gifts of the spirit so you develop the here's what the Bible says.

First Timothy 16 stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of hands, stirred up Dorchester means to stand in the full flying. It's like when you go camping you know you want to build that fire and when you're done camping you extinguish the fire. The promise some of us are extinguishing the fire. When we are to be building because the Bible also warns do not quench the Spirit. And that word quench can be translated extinguish it or don't extinguish the work of the spirit.

Don't take a gift that God has given you and buried in the ground like the fullest servant God has given you certain kips. Maybe you overburdened for lost people maybe are called to be an evangelist, you know, you don't have to have a pulpit to be an evangelist, you noticed a priest in a stadium to be an evangelist.

Some of the best evangelists I've ever seen God one on one and share the gospel with people when I'm around them.

I'm in all of their abilities to regrade our June event just yet, but there are different kind of evangelist and I and they have abilities that I don't happen. I see I have to push a pulpit around everywhere now on wheels. It's weird neither but my point is that some people are then kept one on one. I've watched it.

Then again, maybe your gifting is different. You might find that that you always see things that need to be fixed and things that that need to be corrected. So maybe you have the gift of complaining know you have the gift of helps give her her that The gift of helps me to see a problem and you fix the problem of evil goes there will think this is right about right. Okay you do to fix it you have any ideas with problems coming with some ideas in light of the changes that will and student acquittal to do all I just kind of like to complain more than actually you might be one of those detail people. John not a detail person. Everyone that knows me knows I'm not a detail person, but there are people who are detail people and thank God for them through the minutia of their into the smallest of goods.

We need those people to maybe like to encourage people you like to encourage people to reach their potential. Maybe you have the gift of exhortation to maybe you like to take people into your home and feed them and bless them that's the gift of hospitality is what that's a real spiritual gift. I know people that have when I go over there home and they just have a way of making you so comfortable and they take care of you and your refreshed in every way. After spending time with them. That's a real spiritual gift feel people talk what we are but you have the gift of tongues.

You have the gift of prophecy. Those are gives to what about the gift of helps. What about the gift of hospitality. What about the gift of exhortation there SO this spirit that God gives. And guess what you've got some of those in your life. So what are your gifts water no more than it's time to start finding just start volunteering and seeing what God will do in your life Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. You know sometimes we can always make the picture, here's the good news in church is coming to you is coming due on your TV screen or on your tablet or your computer or even your phone. We do it every weekend and it's called Harvest at Home. We worship we have a message of the word of God. If you want to find out more, just go to harvest.org enjoy this this weekend for harvest at all. Pastor Greg continues now with his message about spiritual gifts message called so what sometimes someone else can help you identify your gift better than you can identify yourself the casino. I think you have the gift in the certain old not be no really into me think, you know, maybe they're right, Leonard Bernstein, you're probably hurting him famous composer and conductor was one staff what is the most difficult instrument to play in the orchestra's answer was surprising. He said second fiddle. He said I get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone to play second violin with as much as enthusiasm or second French horn.

Our second flute that is a problem. CI would be them. The person in the spotlight. I want to be the lead guitarist. I don't want to be the rhythm guitarist. I want to be this guy… Will competently just be the guy the girl that God calls us in habitable.

He just be people in the little things because if you're faithful in the little things, God will give you greater opportunities right so these folks that were faithful with the bags of goal and multiplied the more was given the know they have enough take away, no, no more was given because they show their faithful with opportunities and resources Lords is him and open more doors for the person that hordes and hold onto it up.

That's a minute I'm taking away majority Because you're not using what I gave you. Everyone had an ability, God does not expect the same results from every person, but he does expect the same, effortless, and God is and compare you with anybody else. He compares you with you. This is all about you just reaching your potential or not competing one with another. I am not your opponent you're not my opponent my opponents. If you will of the world the flesh and the devil. I'm not trying to beat anybody. I'm not trying to beat some other pastor or church is nurtured out. If you know you went okay so shut up.

Who cares let's just do it for the glory of God. You know not who has the biggest one who has hey let's just be faithful with what the Lord is given to us and run our race well and remember who the real enemy is notice. Jesus calls the unproductive servant lazy and wicked. It can be a sin to not use God is given then repeat that it can be a sin to not use what God is giving you sadder understand that well it's a sin of omission see a sin of commission is doing what is wrong. I know this is wrong, but I do it anyway but a sin of omission is knowing what's right and I don't do it in the Bible says to him that knows to do good and does not do it to him it is sin see your blessed to be a blessing. So the Lord might be nudging you to take a little step of faith maybe shown you at your work and other some other Christians there.

He's been nudging you that you start a little Bible study with your coworker, when not a Bible scholar will you have to be a Bible scholar delete little Bible study. You can do is read a few verses and Cheryl got shown you and them and do some preparation before you get to what I could never do it.

Why don't you dig a little step update and see what the Lord will tell you don't know what God has in store for you but to blow this all can actually be a sinful thing we want to find our place in the church. We want to be faithful serving the Lord, until Christ comes again. You know sometimes people study Bible prophecy almost as a form of entertainment W do all the latest information and get all excited about it and sort of miss the point. All there might be a war breaking on the Middle East will wait no were not supposed to get excited about wars in the Middle East, Jesus is coming, people get die in the war so as to perspective, let's not be thrilled at how old are during an earthquake and all we job will signs of the times you have when the second. Let's have a little compassion for people that are suffering to. It is not just about exciting that's it's about that penis in the way that we live as followers of Christ. That's the focus of this parable as it's been said earlier tonight. We all want to find our place in the church and we all want to have skin in the game, you know, no one had more skin in the game to use that expression than Jesus Christ or destroy the little boy that was very scared one night because it was a lightning storm happening and he called out to is that dad dad I'm scared, to my room. Father said son I am trying to sleep. This God is with you little boy pause for moments that dad I need someone with skin on right now that Sue Jesus was. He was God with skin on they walked among us and showed the father's love for us and his love for us by going to the cross, dying in our place because he loves each one and ask you were told in the Bible that has been should love their wife as Christ loves the church when we come back to the church one last time before we wrap this up. You want to get on my bad side insult my wife.

You and me were not to be friends much longer because I love my wife so don't diss my wife okay the same way when he insult God this is Brian goos's brine euros drive. I'm his pride were his broad some you guys and I don't want to be a bride. General read your bride.

You're the bride of Christ, Noah's church is not perfect. Noah's church is not flawless, but he loves his church and he died for us and not just the church but he died for the whole world and that's because of his love and I wonder if there's not some you here tonight that come with your troubles and I've talked about where people go where that when they have difficulties in life. They go to the church anywhere you going to go in the bartenders and I can help you drugs that can help you. Alcohol is not getting help you in your fitness regime is not can I help you, your wardrobe is not getting help for your cool cars not getting help you look your house is not going to help you. Your education isn't going to fix it.

Your friends are going to fix everything you walked out on you already. So here you are church feeling pretty bad. I think you should feel pretty good. As you just came to the right place. I want you to think of this as the emergency ward, there were here to help you, the church, as I've said many times is not a museum for St. it's a hospital for sinners.

As I said earlier, if someone is overtaken in a fault. Our job is not to kick you to the curb. It's to lift you up and help you get on your feet virtually again to get right with God.

If you don't know God. Yet we want to tell you how to come to Christ because this hospital is one thing. No other hospital does this hospital. People get raised from the dead. By that I mean their product is spiritual life is no hospital that can do that but in God's church. It happens every day and every night. I don't just mean this church honey churches all around the world doing the work of God. But we do it in this church to recall people to believe in Jesus and of their sins forgiven and have their eternal address changed and come into a personal relationship with God is a need to happen for you. Maybe you are brought by a friend maybe didn't really want to come here you are, I'm telling you right now that God can change your life in Christ can forgive you of your sin and listen to this.

He can take that guilt away that guilt that keeps you up at night that guilt that drives you crazy, the guilt is just the symptom of the deeper problem. The guilt is not the problem. This sin is the problem.

It's like having a pain in going to a doctor and he treats the problem and then the symptom goes away the guilt is just saying you have trouble subjective trouble fixed nets by coming to God and say Lord I am sorry and I've broken your commandment and I've fallen short of your glory and I ask you to forgive me now and I need Jesus. If you do that.

He'll forgive you and give you a fresh start in life. Jesus said, he that would come to me I would in no way cast out will forgive you and accept you so when you pray now, to give you an opportunity to pray and ask Christ to come into your life. Let's all bow our heads. Father, I pray for everyone here in folks that are listening this well. We need you to her spiritual need is so real help them become to you now in Jesus name I pray for Greg Laurie important word of prayer. And if you'd like to make a change in your relationship with the Lord today. Pastor Greg will come back in just a moment to help you before today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes if you weren't able to hear the whole presentation.

You can listen again online, free of charge@harvest.org just look for the title. So what, and they were excited to have Sally Lloyd Jones with us today. We are making available. Her books called near and babies carry along Bible pestering Sally. Thanks for being on with this again. It's always a joy to talk to you and I love these resources that you produced, especially this new book called near what inspired you to write a book really about the omnipresence of God damn well it seems as if it came out in the middle of the pandemics that you would think I write it because everyone wants to know that God isn't socially distant from us is that I actually wrecked it several years before because I thought, what's the most comforting thing to know is that wherever we got is with us. If it's a happy day if it's a sad day if we feel lonely if we stand for.

Lanny and I took the children.

It such a beautiful way to express God's love because you can show them whatever the world they could be climbing a mountain. They could be getting down deep into the ocean. Sin facially.

It's a very good sum for children because it's a visual in concrete and for child to know that the Neverland and I think a child is so small and vulnerable to know that the Neverland this is, it may be even more important for a tiny one.

Tonight we want to send that comfort your way. It's in Sally's new book called near and will also send a second resource babies carry along Bible. It's a sturdy board book a young child can carry with them just like mom and dad do on the way to church with comforting truths told in rhyme in Sally's own special way. So letter sent both of these children's resources to you to thank you for your investment.

So Pastor Greg's teaching can continue to come your way. Each day we so much appreciate your partnership. You can write a set a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and then Pastor Greg just before we go. Would you mind praying with that person listening who wants to make a change today, in their relationship with the Lord. I'd be happy to Dave you know is you been listening to this today.

Maybe you've heard another voice.

By that I mean you've heard me say a few things, but you heard God's voice speak to you deep in the recesses of your heart and it suddenly dawned in you.

This is what I need order stated more accurately. This is who I need I need Jesus. And I want Jesus, but maybe you don't know how to make that connection. Let me help you pray this after me right now if you want Jesus Christ to comedy your life Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin and I need your forgiveness right now. Would you come in the my heart, my life as Savior, as God is friend I choose to follow you from this moment forward.

Thank you for calling me and accepting me and for giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen.

I know there was a relatively short prayer. Maybe you felt something as you prayed it.

Maybe you felt nothing, that doesn't really matter because God's word says these things we write to you that believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. It doesn't say so. You may think you have it or you may hope you have it of gods in a good mood. No that you can know it and I want you to know if you pray that prayer and minute Jesus Christ, the son of God has come into your life. So congratulations, you're now a Christian now continue to follow the Lord yeah to help you as you follow the Lord would like to send you some resource materials we call our new believers growth bracket. It will answer many of the questions you might have and get you started in your new relationship with the Lord to get in touch and ask for will send it free of charge.

Write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call any time night or day 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and click the two words know God ever known a fair weather friend, someone you could always count on until you really needed to count on them. What next time.

Was he God is our provider and comforter at all times, but he wants our devotion on the same basis. That's next on your new beginning and everybody thinks or listening to an beginning this is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. So for more content can help you know God and equip you to make him known to others or to learn more about how you can become a harvest partner. Just go to harvest.org