Exercise for Your Soul - Part B

Timothy was in danger of not developing the gifting the God given him over the first 14 do not neglect your gift which was given to you through prophecy when the bodybuilders laid their hands on you. 16 and into flame the gift of God in the laying on of my once you discover your gift that you can do is start using doing God has given you special gifts and abilities through the Holy Spirit and today on connect with Skip like Skip Sunday-explains how you can discover and practice your spiritual gifts to begin as a resource that will help you tackle your fears by praying stronger prayers. No wonder the guys asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. We need direction. What we would still be saying now I lay me down to sleep instead of just playing God. Would you do this for me dangerous boilerplate is God.

What did I do for you, terrific idea.

Don't you think that's Craig Rochelle from his book dangerous prayers.

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This book could bring a major milestone in your life over your lifetime. I believe that if you follow Jesus there will be certain messages that when you hear the encounter God in such a way that it literally changes the trajectory of their life unlocking for a potential trigger shows both dangerous prayers is our gift to you when you give $35 or more today to help keep this ministry on the request your copy when you get online securely connectwithskip.com/offer or you can call 800-962-1888 now another clip from Craig's book dangerous prayers.

Prayer of availability of reply. A very, very dangerous permanently when you pray this prayer God directed a lot of life may lead to a different city may reveal a calling in your life and you never ever expected before she may stay somewhere when you know you were supposed to go somewhere else. Dangerous prayers by Craig Rochelle connectwithskip.com/offer call 800 922 now. This challenge when you make yourself available to God is an incredibly dangerous prayer. We learn to pray today. Let's get into today's teaching of Romans chapter 12 in our study with me. Leaders are learn you can never be a leader unless you're willing to learn never be a teacher must you're willing to let God's gift to you in this area study begin to build yourself up on what the word of God says. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit will bring to remembrance, whatsoever.

Jesus has said to us. This means, first and foremost you have to know what Jesus said to you if you want the Holy Spirit to bring to your remembrance. You know, for a one hour sermon that I prepare my that prepares of probably about 24 hours of study or more that goes into it, just get up and read in ramble and open the Bible. Some people do, but it's not great to listen to. Maybe it's not that great to listen to me. I'm not sure but you need to study. You need to prepare.

You need to learn need to dig in the word of God.

You need to study to show yourself approved. Billy Graham was one of the greatest communicators of our day and age, sadly, is no longer alive. And sadly, many kids today don't even know who he was one of the greatest communicators and Bible teachers whose ever existed was asked if he had to do it all over again what would you change means that I preach half as much in study twice. The second next. If we see is the gift of encouragement. Look at verse eight. It says he who exhorts an exhortation see where teaching gives you the foundation gives you the nuts and the bolts of working out the truth of God in your life the gift of exhortation makes you want to do it. The gift of exhortation makes you desire to grow.

This is why I'm so thankful for all the incredible disorders who live within our church through connect groups. The connect group leaders who want to take what were teaching in the pulpit and exhort one another, encourage one another to live it. Encourage one another to grow and be strengthened to keep fighting the fight to encourage each other when we fall down that it's okay to keep back up and keep trying again to build one another up if you asked me this is the biggest reason why being a part of a brick-and-mortar church is important because sure you can watch services online. You can experience the gift of teaching online. You can experience the gift of exhortation unless you in a room with other people who know you who love you, who will exhort you and encourage you to keep fighting the fight to keep running the race to keep getting up the word exhortation means to correct to motivate to encourage and stimulate the body of Christ is Paul and Barnabas visited one of their churches in acts 1422 it says confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. Hebrews 1024 says and let us consider one another to provoke him to love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a matter of some is, but exhorting one another, so much the more as you see the Day approaching the next gift that we see is the gift of giving.

Look at verse eight he says he who gives liberality. Now we know the Scripture teaches that each and every believer should regularly give of their resources to the work of the kingdom of God. But it's also true that God is given some the gift of giving the gift of generosity. How do you know if you been given the gift of giving one way to tell is of God has gifted you financially more than other people around.

If God is giving you the gift the resources of finance and there's a possibility. God has given you the gift of giving. See, God blesses us so that we can bless others, God blesses us so that we can be a blessing so that we can give and give more and continue to make an impact within people's lives. Jesus that is more blessed to give than to receive. God also promises that if we remember him with our tithe that he will rebuke the devourer for our sake and open up the windows of heaven and there will not be room enough to receive it. You know what I found with people been given the gift of giving, they can never out give God. God always pours back into them. God always gives back to them. Often times in a greater capacity than they even gave out, and these people are so generous with what God has given them and so God continues to give the more you know they do with the more that God gives them.

They use it to give more. I have friends I people that I know who are incredibly wealthy and I've had a friend of mine tell me before that he wants get to a place where he can live off the 10% so that he can give the 90% believing that his God gives him more as God continues to pour into their lives. They can continue to use that to give more to others to bless others and have a greater impact in the kingdom of heaven. And guess what he who sows generously will reap generously, and he who sows sparingly will reap sparingly.

First Timothy 617 speaking about this exact topic that this command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good to be rich in good deeds to be generous and willing to share in this way they will lay out for treasure treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

That's the key to giving the last gift we see here in our list is the gift of caring look at verse eight he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness again. The NIV translates this is caring. This speaks for caring for the sick caring for the poor, caring for the aged, caring for the people groups. The society that the rest of society has cast out and doesn't want to be a part those orphans, those widows, those who are cared for by the world were so blessed to have a multitude of people in our fellowship will been gifted with this gift of mercy. People like Holly Slade who started the New Mexico kids, people like Clay and Michelle Shroff to start a project like Aspen project and project so way to care for those who society doesn't.

We have many more people like that who have this incredible gift serving the needy. And guess what, when you do it. It should be a delight.

Not a chore.

How do you know if you have the gift of mercy, will, if you find yourself constantly caring for those who you see or without for those you see who were forgotten for those who you see who are shut-ins and societies and care for. If you care for them and when you do so brings you joy. You likely have the gift of mercy, showing compassion to these people in a merciful way. If you do this ministry are not to do it out of bondage or duty with a real sense of cheerfulness. In other words, if you're going to minister to someone who's miserable. You better not do it in a miserable way. You better be happy about it. Joyful about left the list of seven. The Paul gives us here now want to move on to our second point exercising your distinct gifts. Look back at verse six with me. He says having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. Let us use them to see two things here.

One discovering your gifts and into developing your gifts.

I want to help you discover what your gifts might be. I want to point out that this list again is by no means exhaustive. If you didn't see any of your gifting's on that list. It doesn't mean that God has in gifted we have other lists in first Corinthians and Ephesians. I don't know why Paul picks D7 for this passage in Romans, or why he lists them in this order, but there's other gifts. There's more than just the seven but none of these lists give us a complete list and some of the gifts that we read out in Romans even though they have a different name seem to be the same gift that is listed in first Corinthians and Ephesians. For instance, the gift of administration and leadership appear to be the same gift one is listed in first Corinthians 1228 one here in Romans 12 it the gift of helps in the gift of ministry and serving seem to be the same gift one is mentioned in first Corinthians 12 the other.

Here in Romans 12. Now the big question though, is how do you discover what your gifts are, how do you find the ways that God is gifted, you know, of course, you can take a spiritual gifts assessment which we offer and can be a good place to start. But I don't think it's the best way to spiritual gifts assessment can help you started to identify things that you might have innately within you, but too often people trust these test to lock in on a specific gift they didn't know they have what it actually does is it boxes them in the later on when someone says hey you have been watching you, and I think you have the gift of teaching they say no, no, no, I don't have a gift. I took the test I have the gift of helps. Thank you very much. I know my gifting and it boxes you is that you're not open to other possibilities and ways in which God wants you one of the ways that I find the best to discover your gifts will first and foremost I think prayer asking God to reveal to you what gifts he's given to then get involved start serving in a number of different ministries in a variety of different ways of heard it said before, God only directs moving vehicles. So if you want God to direct you start moving start serving. If God needs to redirect you.

He's going to because I found as you serve and serve in a number of different areas.

You begin to discover that you enjoy doing some things more than other thing you find that your desires being the scary was a man I really love serving that ministry.

I really love doing that and when I give a gift of the gift. I just it fills me up with joy when I serve those who are needy and destitute. I feel a sense of joy when I encouraged people lead a connector up and exhort them. I feel joy when I teach in kids ministry. I feel joy to find some things you love to do and some things you hate to do and God uses our desires to direct us again. We are, he said before what Pastor Skip shared love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and then do what you your desires will direct you if you're being true to what God is said now this doesn't mean that you're going to find your area of gifting easy to do it. I find teaching God's word to be incredibly difficult and stressful at times there some tax that I really wrestle with and struggle with. There's times when I get off the stage. I feel incredibly defeated and discouraged like man I was just a lousy mess. I heard my dad come off the stage on Saturday nights and say that messages didn't hit. I just didn't feel like it was there but like all hard work. There is satisfaction after the work is done and also when you serve in a certain area that you're gifted in God will give a measure of blessing to others and others will in turn give a measure of blessing to you and let you know how much your ministry meant you know I began teaching the Bible in 19 I was terrible.

It was so bad I member the first message I ever taught was in California and I was driving on the 73 freeway. I was listening to on the CD player and I pulled over on the side of the road, pulled it out of the CD player crying broken in half and threw it out the window so that no one would ever be forced to listen to that abomination ever again is that this is so bad.

This has to hide and yet I was surprised when people would come up to me.

Weeks later a month later and tell me the God use something I said in their lives to minister to them after this happened a few times.

I began to discern that God might use me in teaching. Now, on the other hand, over the years, my efforts at personal evangelism is seen very little fruit. I believe God is gifted me in large-scale evangelism and altar calls when it comes to personal one-on-one evangelism.

I haven't seen a ton of fruit.

I can't report that I seen a ton of people saved through personal evangelism, at least that I know you plan to see but guys like Jesse Lesko are incredibly skilled and gifted a personal evangelism will talk to Jesse and José man I talked this guy in the copy shop. He told me was an atheist and then two weeks later, like Nate, he saved me serving the Westside like that doesn't make sense he's gifted and skilled at personal evangelism but for me, teaching people to help them grow or understand the Christian life has often seen fruit my life. So based on that. I believe that God is gifted me as a pastor teacher.

Now it is me.

I quit trying that I stop evangelizing to God as he gifted me and that I keep trying.

If I'm the one who sows the seed in guys like Jesse are the ones who get to experience the fruit. I'm okay with that.

Here's a final way to discern your gift, it might surprise you what you complain about at church delight when they have a list if you like I can come on stage and read it aloud we can see if anyone else has my know scarcely what you complain about in church because people tend to complain in their area of giftedness. Gifted teachers complained that the teaching is weak those gifted in administration grumble about the church being poorly organized those gifted in mercy, gripe the church neglects the shouting. Those gifted in evangelism, shake their heads. The lack of interest in outreach goes on and on in the solution of course is very simple. Quit complaining and start serving, stop looking at the things you don't like and start volunteering, serving in the things so that you can make them better start serving in your area of giftedness of the church can improve in that area don't just point out problems be the solution.

So once you discovered your gifts is important you follow the next step nest that you develop your gifts and this is what exercise for the soul is all about exercising those gifts that God is giving you. Once you know they're there. Use them. See, even though the Holy Spirit gives and empowers the gifts. There is a need for the gifted to develop the gift a gifted evangelist is to study biblical evangelism and apologetics that they can improve their skill and claim of the gospel, a gifted teacher needs to study and learn throughout life.

Artie said if you want to be a teacher need to be a student, a pastor needs to grow in their ability to shepherd people with grace and wisdom.

Timothy was in danger of not developing the gifting God given him and Paul urged him in first Timothy 414 do not neglect your gift which was given to you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Also in first Timothy 16 Paul said fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Once you discovered your gift. The most important thing you can do is to get busy. Start using start doing. How do you learn how to ride a bike you buy a book you read the book you underline things in the book and highlight things in that I now know how to ride a bike know the way you learn to ride a bike as you get on the bike and you do it you practice, you might fall but you can backup you keep doing it. That's how you learn how to ride a bike. The same is true with the gift of the Spirit.

The only way to learn how to use your gift is to practice doing it, you might fall. You might mess up to get back up. Keep practicing, keep doing it, maybe right now you don't enjoy using your gift, but perhaps people are benefiting from and the more you do it the more comfortable you'll get, you might fall the first few times.

That's the only way to learn. It was a close, I want to point out that is important to remember that almost all of the spiritual gifts that we read have corresponding commandments for all believers, which means that you can't opt out of doing some things because you say, why not gifted and that she can't say Nate, I don't want to help stack chairs or help clean things up because God's gift to me as an evangelist and I just don't want to be a helper or a servant because I'm a gifted evangelist. There is a gift of exhortation, but were all called to exhort one another in the things of God. There is a gifted teacher bore all called to teach one another and to teach our children the truths of Scripture summer gifted in evangelism but were all commanded to share Christ with the loss summer given the gift of service that we all must serve. There's a gift of mercy.

We should all be merciful to the suffering there is a gift of giving, but were all told to give with what God has entrusted to us and you might ask Nate if that's the case then what's the benefit of me knowing my specific gifts.

If were supposed to do them all.

If were supposed to use them all. Anyways, then why should I know my specific area of gifting the answer is that it helps you know where to focus your time helps you know where to focus your effort so that you can have the greatest impact upon the kingdom of God. We see in acts six. A controversy arose in the early church because the Hellenistic Jews felt that their widows were being overlooked by the Hebrew believers in the daily serving of food and so we read in acts chapter 6, verse two, so the 12 summoned the congregation of the disciples and said it is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables so they directed them to find seven godly men who can take the care ministry to the widows and then explained in acts six verse four, but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. It wasn't that serving tables was beneath the apostles.

Rather, the apostles recognize that there gifts were in the realm of prayer and the teaching of the word and they needed to focus their energy. There they needed to put their time there focus their energy into the gifts that God had given them, and let other people focus on the gifts that God had given them that the body of Christ could have the greatest impact in the world that they were living, look, we should all be looking for needs in the body we should all be quick to help no matter what your spiritual gifts are if you're in a church event and the workers need help cleaning up. You don't have to have the gift of helps to pick up a vacuum and wipe some tables you shouldn't say what I can do that because I'm a gifted teacher so I don't want to pick up trash. Just do it just be a servant.

But if you have the gift of teaching. You shouldn't make cleaning up your main ministry. That's where the need for balance comes in.

Learn your gifts know your gifts focus the majority of your time and energy on your gifts and trust the other people in the body are to do the same still be willing to do the other things. Even if you're not a gifted evangelist.

Don't give up on evangelism. Even if you're not a gift and encourager don't stop trying to encourage people but focus your time and energy and where your gift. I want to close by saying this as well.

When you exercise when you work out is normal to get sore and you feel your muscles hurt and pain is normal to get done working out the next day wake up and say I never want to lift another dumbbell ever again that her I should stop, but any good trainer will tell you that you need to push to the pain and orders the results. The more you push through that pain. The greater results are to senior to get stronger uranium better because of it.

It's getting easier as you do it more and I recognize there might be people in here today who are hurting, you're in pain you say Nate God's given me the gift of encouragement, but I feel really discouraged right now so I don't want to pour out. I don't want to be in encourager I don't want to use my gift because I've been hurt. I'm in pain I'm feeling sore. We just tell you is so important you push through the pain because when you do.

God pour something into you, which is the opposite of what you thought you'd get you say man, I'm discouraged. I don't want to encourage God's given you the gift of encouragement when you do it doesn't give you joy, he will give you joy when you use the gifting that he is giving you. He will encourage you as you use that gift and got me the gift of a servant. You say man I'm just tired hours that I work if you serve the poor, and you joy and rest. You didn't think you could get from doing the things you thought would be painful and hurtful for you operate in the gifting that God is giving you. God will pour back in an abundance of blessing message from the sewage heart and soul Jewish gift to share how you can keep these messages going strong to connect people to Jesus. The Bible teaches how we can be better spouses, parents, friends and even citizens.

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Thank you for your generosity and come back tomorrow as Skip I should share to practically show Jesus love to your family in Christ so far in the book of Romans. The only time always pulled out the word of God say he wants to talk about how God loves us. Now he takes the term is used to describe God's love for us. That is the love to have one another. Why, because God say love is the gold standard Christian love and so they Skip presentation of connection communications changing truth