Gifted to Serve

June 6, 2019

He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. Ephesians 4:7-13 MSG

Through serving, we will learn that our fullest joy comes from serving others. Ephesians 2:10 tells us why: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.” Think about that. You are God’s masterpiece, and He created you with a singular purpose: to do good works. The service you offer fulfills that purpose. You can do the works with confidence because God is personally involved. He prepared the opportunities in advance; way before you even knew Him. Knowing you are fulfilling the reason you are here is a source of fulfillment and joy.

You have been gifted by God, and you are incredibly valuable to Him and the church. Paul in Ephesians 4 goes on to explain how important each individual is to the church. Instead of trying to look, speak, and act the same, we are called to train each other up using the gifts, skills, and abilities God has given us. When we do, we’ll find “we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ” (Ephesians 4:7-13 MSG).

When the church is working together in this beautiful rhythm and harmony, we are empowered to make a tremendous impact on the world. It’s not just me, “letting my little light shine.” Together we are a city on a hill. Together we are making a big light that illuminates the world and shows the way. We are valuable to the world too.

God also uses our serving, and those we serve with, to reveal our gifts to us and help us grow. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” When we are operating in our gifting to serve God and others, we experience the kind of joy and growth we were made for!

• Are you serving with others in any scheduled or planned way? If not, sign up to serve this weekend.
• Whom do you know who is gifted by God but hasn’t discovered the joy of serving together yet? How can you invite them to serve?