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Using
Your Spiritual Gifts
Brings
Rewards
Hebrews 6:9-12
July 23, 2000
· We will grow in unity. The images that the bible uses to portray the Church are several. There is the Bride of Christ, the living stones built into a temple of worship, and there is the body. The one element that each of these images share is unity. The Bride of Christ speaks of our unity with Christ. The living stones built into a temple, speaks of our unity in worship. The image of the body sets forth our unity in service. I know I often speak about the importance of unity in the body. This is not because of a preoccupation with disunity, but because I know that Unity does not happen by accident nor will it be maintained with out conscience attention to its importance. Here in Ephesians Paul points out that the Gifts of the spirit are given to bring us to unity in the body. As we work together we discover our interdependence. Our need for each other even though we will have differing opinions, and view points, yet we have the same purpose under the headship of Christ. Let me share with you two principles to experiencing this kind of unity.
o Understand our purpose – Our purpose is to reach people and develop believers. Our gifts are to be used toward that purpose. We will use them in different ways but we are all headed in the same direction. The Body cannot be in unity if its members are not moving in the same direction.
o Embracing Like-mindedness – If you have any encouragement form being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete my being like-minded, have the same love being on in spirit and purpose… Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:1-5) One is tempted to believe that self-renunciation robes me of my independence. Yet in reality the opposite is true. When I live with the mind of Christ, use my gifts in the power of the Holy Spirit I am freed from the Old value system—in which I had to compete with other people on the basis of power, wealth, and talent – my new identity as part of the body frees me to accomplish in the church what I could not do on my own. Unity and like-mindedness is to the body of Christ what coordination is to your physical body.
·
We will grow in the knowledge of Christ
– As we serve together we will learn of Christ. We learn from each
other. We learn of Him as we let Him work through us to minister to each other.
The word knowledge (epi genosis) is the Greek word that means to experience.
There is no better way to know Jesus by experience than to let Him work through
you.
·
We will grow in maturity—Exercising
your spiritual gift will bring personal as well
as corporate growth. As the members of our body grow and mature our church
matures in faith hope and love. We can then be used in new and exciting ways.
This is why the writer of Hebrews said we are to spur one another to love and
good works because we need the whole body to mature and grow.
The Reward to the Believer In very practical and straight forward ways this passage in Hebrews speaks of the rewards that believers will experience when they exercise their spiritual gifts to minister to the body of Christ. Again these are not the reason we serve. The motivation must be Agape Love. (We learned about this foundation to the use of our spiritual gifts two weeks ago.) But, these rewards are encouraging to hearer, nonetheless.
·
The Faithfulness of God (Heb. 6:9)
o
He remembers our ministry these
are meant to be words of encouragement. He has tenderly addressed us as dear
brothers. And the writer wants to encourage us to continue to be faithful in
service. So the Holy Spirit reminds us that God is just. Each and every
individual act of service will be remembered. Nothing will go unnoticed by God.
Oh many acts of selfless service will be unnoticed by others. But God will miss
nothing.
o
He recognizes our motive – Also
note, God recognized our motivation for service. He makes note of our Love that
prompted our service to others and counts it as service unto Him. You remember
the words of Jesus in Matthew 25. And when did we see you sick or in prison and come to you? And
the king will answer and say to them truly I say to you, to the extent that you
did it to one of these brothers of Mine even the least of them you did it unto
me.
·
The Fulfillment of God’s purpose (2 Cor.
4:7-11) So many in our day are seeking meaning for life. They are trying
all forms of new age religions, and self help groups. Hoping to fill a hole in
their life. Reaching out for meaning. We have the answer for these people.
Seek the answer from the one who is the author of life. The one who
created us with a God shaped vacuum. And the one who fills that hole is Jesus.
Jesus brings meaning to life and fulfillment come from fulfilling his purpose in
us.
o
Manifesting Jesus in our life-
2 Corinthians 4:7 We always carry around in our body the death
of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who
are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake, so that his life
may be revealed in our mortal body. (NIV)
I know of nothing that is more satisfying than the realization that our
actions are visible expression of Christ to others. Certainly this is a great
temporal reward.
o
Making an eternal difference in others
lives- If you are using your spiritual gift then you will be making a
difference in the lives of others. Seeing people come to Christ is exciting,
knowing that you had a part in it is thrilling. Maybe you encouraged this one,
maybe you painted the sign they saw, maybe you cleaned the pew they sat in,
maybe you were in the nursery watching the person who made a decisions child.
You had a part, and there is reward in seeing the difference in others lives.
·
The Future Rewards in Heaven (Matt.
10:41-42) Most rewards will
be received in heaven not on Earth. God
does not forget. God concern is quality not quantity. Just one depiction of the
rewards God has planned for his children can be seen in a study of the eternal
crowns.
o
The Crown of Glory (1 Pet. 5:1-4)-
This crown is promised to those who have faithfully served as a under Shepard.
This does not just mean pastors of churches. Many of you fulfill pastoral
responsibilities. Vs. 2 speaks of the way in which are to we serve. The list
includes: sacrifice, humility, and living a godly example.
o
The Imperishable Crown (1 Cor. 9:24-27) Given
to those who consistently bring the flesh under the Holy Spirits control. Dieing
to self and letting Christ live and serve through them.
o
The Crown of Exultation (1 Thess.
2:19-20) This crown is for those who faithfully tell others about Jesus.
o
The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim 4:7-8) To
those who are fully expecting Christ imminent return. They live each day as if
it might be today.
o
The Crown of Life (James 1:12) This
crown is promised to all those who have faced the triales of life by the grace
of God. They have endured hardship and have held on to Jesus.