Spiritual Gifts
Part 12
Craftsmanship
Discerning and Exercising Your Gift
Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 35:30-36:1
30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, "Look, the LORD has chosen BEZALEL [name sign?] son of URI the son of HUR, from the tribe of JUDAH.
31 The LORD filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God. And the Lord gave Bazelel skill, ability, and knowledge for doing various kinds of work.
32 He can design things for gold, silver, and BRONZE,
33 Bazelel can cut valuable stones and JEWELS and put them in metal. He can carve wood, and do many other kinds of work.
34 Also, the LORD gave Bezalel and OHOLIAB... ability for teaching other people those various skills.
35 The LORD gave them the skill for doing all kinds of work. They can cut designs in metal and stone. They can plan and sew blue, purple, and red designs in the fine cloth. And also they can weave things.
36:1 So BEZALEL, Oholiab, and every skilled person will do the work the LORD commanded, because HE gave them wisdom and understanding for doing all the skilled work they need for making the Lord’s worship tent."
Epistle Lesson: 1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The time is near when all things will end. So think clearly and control yourselves. Then you can pray.
8 Most important, love each other deeply, because love forgives many sins.
9 Open your homes for other people, and don’t complain about that.
10 God gave each of you a gift for helping other people. Become good managers of God's various gifts of grace.
11 Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives. Then in everything God will get praise through Jesus Christ. Give Him power and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Lesson: John 15:1-17
1 I am the true Tree and MY Father is the farmer.
2 The farmer breaks-off every branch that grows no more fruit, and cuts every branch that grows fruit to make it grow more fruit.
3 The things I said to you finished forgave you.
4 Stay joined to ME, and I will stay with you. A branch can't grow fruit by itself separate from the tree. You can't grow in faith without ME.
5 I am the Tree, you are the branches. If you stay with ME, and I stay with you, then you will grow in faith. Without ME you can do nothing.
6 If anyone doesn't stay with ME, then they are thrown-out same-as a branch and becomes dead wood. Those branches are gathered-up and thrown into the fire.
7 If you stay with ME and you remember MY words, then you will ask for anything and you will have it.
8 You give glory to MY Father every time you grow in faith and show that you are MY friends.
9 The same-as the Father loved ME, the same I loved you. Stay in MY love.
10 If you obey MY commandments, you will stay in MY love, the same-as I obeyed MY Father and stay in HIS love.
11 I told you that MY happiness will stay in you, and you will stay very happy.
12 This I command you to do: Love one-another the same-as I loved you.
13 Anyone giving-up his life for his friends shows the greatest love.
14 You are MY friends if you do the things I command you to do.
15 I don't name you servants any more, because a servant doesn't-know the thing the lord is-doing. But I named you friends, because I told you everything I heard from MY Father.
16 You didn't choose ME, but I chose you, and I gave you this work - go and make fruit that will continue. Then the Father will give you anything you ask in MY name.
17 This I command: Love one-another.
Today we finish our study about Holy Spirit gifts.
Remember...
Remember...
|
Spiritual gifts are skills
for doing jobs that God gives, for us doing His work, with His power and skill, that He leads us, for serving in Christ's Body, the Church while Christ does His work on earth through us. |
Various chapters in the Bible list several gifts from the Holy Spirit.
ROMANS chapter 12.
1st CORINTHIANS chapter 12.
EPHESIANS chapter 4 and
In those three chapters we can count
18 different gifts from the Holy Spirit.
18 different skills.
18 different ways for serving.
We saw how those various kinds of service fit together,
as a body has various parts that benefit the whole body.
But that list of 18 different gifts from the Holy Spirit is not closed.
That list is not finished.
In the Bible, and in our experience, we find other gifts, other skills
that the Holy Spirit gives people for serving.
Example:
Our Old Testament lesson today says that God chose two men
and He gave them special skills for doing various kinds of work:
And then God also gave those two men wisdom and skills
for teaching other people how to do those various things.
What for?
So [for] they can establish their own business and become rich?
No! God gave them those skills for making the Lord's worship tent, named THE TABERNACLE.
That is only one example of additional gift skills
that the Holy Spirit gives to His people.
That list can continue forever!
But those special skills that we read about today forces us to stop, think, and ask:
What is the difference between
"natural ability" and a "spiritual gift"?
A few weeks ago when we studied about the Holy Spirit's gifts to people for leading the church and using God's Word for touching hearts in other people, we clearly see that is the Holy Spirit's work. Human effort can't give God's Word power. Only God can do that.
Human efforts can establish organizations and manage human institutions, but that can't convert hearts.
That's the Holy Spirit's job. We need His help for that.
But what about regular, everyday jobs?
weaving cloth
carving wood
cooking
sewing
printing
making shoes
building houses
farm work
etc.
Can those skills also become gifts from the Holy Spirit?
Yes!
That happens when we use our skills for honoring God
and serving other people.
Back in Martin Luther's time, people had the idea that
church work was high [elevated]
and regular work was low.
Regular people looked-up to priests, monks, bishops.
Church workers looked-down on farmers, meat cutters, and shoe makers.
That upset Martin Luther.
The idea that church work is better than other work --
Martin Luther said that is false.
And when he saw that high and holy priest and bishops
stealing, lying, and acting dirty,
while the humble people in the city worked hard,
honoring God, and helping other people,
Martin Luther emphasized that
ALL work is holy.
ALL work is spiritual.
ROMANS chapter 12.
1st CORINTHIANS chapter 12.
EPHESIANS chapter 4 and
In those three chapters we can count
18 different gifts from the Holy Spirit.
18 different skills.
18 different ways for serving.
We saw how those various kinds of service fit together,
as a body has various parts that benefit the whole body.
But that list of 18 different gifts from the Holy Spirit is not closed.
That list is not finished.
In the Bible, and in our experience, we find other gifts, other skills
that the Holy Spirit gives people for serving.
Example:
Our Old Testament lesson today says that God chose two men
and He gave them special skills for doing various kinds of work:
- making things in gold, silver, and other metals
- carving wood and stone
- weaving cloth and making fancy designs
- sewing
- etc.
And then God also gave those two men wisdom and skills
for teaching other people how to do those various things.
What for?
So [for] they can establish their own business and become rich?
No! God gave them those skills for making the Lord's worship tent, named THE TABERNACLE.
That is only one example of additional gift skills
that the Holy Spirit gives to His people.
That list can continue forever!
But those special skills that we read about today forces us to stop, think, and ask:
What is the difference between
"natural ability" and a "spiritual gift"?
A few weeks ago when we studied about the Holy Spirit's gifts to people for leading the church and using God's Word for touching hearts in other people, we clearly see that is the Holy Spirit's work. Human effort can't give God's Word power. Only God can do that.
Human efforts can establish organizations and manage human institutions, but that can't convert hearts.
That's the Holy Spirit's job. We need His help for that.
But what about regular, everyday jobs?
weaving cloth
carving wood
cooking
sewing
printing
making shoes
building houses
farm work
etc.
Can those skills also become gifts from the Holy Spirit?
Yes!
That happens when we use our skills for honoring God
and serving other people.
Back in Martin Luther's time, people had the idea that
church work was high [elevated]
and regular work was low.
Regular people looked-up to priests, monks, bishops.
Church workers looked-down on farmers, meat cutters, and shoe makers.
That upset Martin Luther.
The idea that church work is better than other work --
Martin Luther said that is false.
And when he saw that high and holy priest and bishops
stealing, lying, and acting dirty,
while the humble people in the city worked hard,
honoring God, and helping other people,
Martin Luther emphasized that
ALL work is holy.
ALL work is spiritual.
Now.... we must ask:
What is your gift?
What ability is the Holy Spirit giving you for serving?
Remember in our first lesson we learned:
Everyone has a job to do.
Everyone has skills giving from the Holy Spirit.
What is your gift?
[Review gift list on the projector or in the bulletin]
Which are you?
Maybe your gift isn't on that list.
Or you more than one gift.
If you see something that needs help before other people see it,
maybe you are the one God wants help answer that need.
In some situations, you can just go ahead and do it.
In other situations, you must ask a leader,
a person who has authority,
for permission and cooperation.
In some situations, you must wait for the right time and
pray for God to lead you,
pray for God to give you the things you need,
In some situations, you must get special training.
In most situations, you need help from other people who have other skill gifts.
But don't let all the frustrate you,
make you give-up
and become lazy.
Ask God to show you how to use those special skills that He gives you.
Remember the Bible teaches that we together are like a body,
and Jesus Christ is our head.
Together we serve under His managing
for helping each-other,
and for help other people know that Jesus is their Savior.
What is your gift?
What ability is the Holy Spirit giving you for serving?
Remember in our first lesson we learned:
Everyone has a job to do.
Everyone has skills giving from the Holy Spirit.
What is your gift?
[Review gift list on the projector or in the bulletin]
Which are you?
Maybe your gift isn't on that list.
Or you more than one gift.
If you see something that needs help before other people see it,
maybe you are the one God wants help answer that need.
In some situations, you can just go ahead and do it.
In other situations, you must ask a leader,
a person who has authority,
for permission and cooperation.
In some situations, you must wait for the right time and
pray for God to lead you,
pray for God to give you the things you need,
In some situations, you must get special training.
In most situations, you need help from other people who have other skill gifts.
But don't let all the frustrate you,
make you give-up
and become lazy.
Ask God to show you how to use those special skills that He gives you.
Remember the Bible teaches that we together are like a body,
and Jesus Christ is our head.
Together we serve under His managing
for helping each-other,
and for help other people know that Jesus is their Savior.
Supplemental
2 Timothy 1:3-9
2 Timothy 1:3-9
[Paul wrote to Timothy:] I thank God as I always mention you in my prayers, day and night. I serve him, doing what I know is right as my ancestors did. Remembering that you cried for me, I want very much to see you so I can be filled with joy. I remember your true faith. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I know you now have that same faith. This is why I remind you to keep using the gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. Now let it grow, as a small flame grows into a fire. God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed to tell people about our Lord Jesus, and do not be ashamed of me, in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. God, who gives us the strength to do that, saved us and made us his holy people. That was not because of anything we did ourselves but because of God’s purpose and grace. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus before time began.
Augsburg Confession, Article 20: FAITH
For without faith and without Christ human nature and human power are much too weak to do good works: such as to call on God, to have patience in suffering, to love the neighbor, to engage diligently in legitimate callings, to be obedient, to avoid evil lusts, etc. Such lofty and genuine works cannot be done without the help of Christ, as he himself says in John 15, "Apart from me you can do nothing." (#36-39)