Finding Our Place of Ministry

I. Believers Responsibility: (1 Corinthians 12)

A.      While the gifts are unique to each individual, it is the Holy Spirit who gives them. (vs. 4-5)

B.      There are special gifts for everyone.  (vs. 6-7)

C.      God empowers anyone he chooses to manifest gifts through. (vs. 4-7)

D.      We in the church are one body with many members.  Just as in our human body we have many varied and unique parts, God enjoys the uniqueness of individuals within the body of Christ.  (vs. 12-14)

E.       No ministry is more important than any other.  (vs. 14-17)

F.       God arranges the many parts into one collective whole as he sees fit.  (vs. 18-19)

G.     All the parts of the body are dependent for all the others for survival. (vs. 21-26)

H.      We should desire to use our gifts to minister to the body.   (vs. 27-31)

II. Paul’s view of ministry: Romans 12:4-13 (Our Spiritual Heritage as Believers)

A.      We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

B.      God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.

C.      We must use our gifts well.

D.      Love each other and take delight in honoring each other.

E.       Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically

F.       When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

III. Servants in Ministry: As we find our place in ministry we need to remember that Jesus was first a servant.  He came to serve not to be served.  Matthew 20:28 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

We use our talents, training, and spiritual gifts combined to serve our Savior.  1 Peter 4:10-11 “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”

A.      Talents: Things we possess from birth (i.e. singing ability).

B.      Training: Education, learned skills, on the job training, etc.  (i.e book keeping skills).

C.      Spiritual Gifts: Given by the Holy Spirit as he chooses.

Four characteristics of servant ministers:

A.      Sacrifice: Sacrifice always puts others first not matter what personal comforts the believer must release.

B.      Humility: Being humble means surrendering our own rights to minister to others.  Like Jesus, we look at sincere humility as a serious issue in kingdom ministry.

C.      Encouragement: Jesus constantly taught and encouraged His disciples through His careful training and thoughtful words.  Scripture teaches us to encourage one another (Romans 12:8: Hebrews 10:25).

D.      Giving: A giving servant sees the needs of a person whom others overlook.  Giving to others is a ministry of great joy that seeks no repayment (Bright, 2004, 104-107).