Notes of Faith July 17, 2025
Gifted
As each one has received a gift, minister with it to one another.
1 Peter 4:10
Earlier this year, an Ohio woman bought a painting for $2.99 at a thrift store and sold it for nearly $3,000 when she discovered it was the work of a gifted artist. Most of God’s children are like that. We underestimate our value and the value of the spiritual gifts God has given us. Maybe we worry too much about finding our gifts and spend too little time exercising them. As we serve the Lord, our gifts will emerge. But anxiety over finding our own distinctive set of spiritual gifts may keep us from today’s tasks.
The apostle Peter simply said, “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies” (1 Peter 4:9-11). That’s something you can do today!
The New Testament’s teaching on spiritual gifts focuses not on self-discovery but on loving service. In fact, the anxiety about discovering “my” spiritual gift will probably fade completely when you focus on what you can do to build up the body of Christ.
Jonathan Threlfall
God has made each one to be the people that we are. Most of us are too “self” aware and not others aware. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through prayer and meditating on the Word of God, our “gifting” from the Lord will be clearly exposed as we live focused on God and others, not ourselves. Focus on ourselves is not in the Scriptures except for the need for repentance to receive salvation. After that the focus is always God and others. Remember the greatest commandments as spoken by Jesus…
Matt 22:37-40
"'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Pastor Dale