Have you ever heard of a car made by Ford called the
Taurus. In the late 1980's and early 1990's this became a very popular car
in the United States. One company, the Roush Racing Company, took a used
Ford Taurus and made it into a NASCAR race car. How much do you think this
car costs? It is a used Ford Taurus. It doesn't have power windows. In
fact, it doesn't have windows at all, it just has a net. It doesn't have
power seats; all it has is one uncomfortable bucket seat, bolted down on
the floor. It gets five miles per gallon (about 5 kilomoter per liter). It
doesn't have air conditioning, but it has plenty of heat. The gas tank
takes up most of the trunk.
A nice used Ford Taurus costs about $14,000 (16,000,000 won). But how
much do you think this car costs now? $14,000? No. $125,000 (1.5 ock).
What makes that car so valuable?" It is because it is not an ordinary Ford
Taurus. It was designed and built for a special purpose and that's for
NASCAR racing.
In the same way God designed and built you for a special job in the
body of Christ. The day you became a Christian the Spirit of God came to
live inside of you and gave you supernatural abilities and gifts. That's
what makes you valuable. You are not some ordinary Ford Taurus. You are a
special, unique design by God.
How many of you know what your spiritual gift is and you are using it
to the best of your ability in the body of Christ?
1. WHY DO YOU NEED
TO UNDERSTAND YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT(S)? At least three times in
Scripture the apostle Paul says that there is something he doesn't want us
to be ignorant, dumb or stupid about three things. It is good that you
came this semester to SYME because we will learn all three of these this
term.
"If someone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as
good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
The purpose of all
spiritual gifts is for others, not for oneself. The purpose of the gift of
prophesy is not to preach to oneself but to preach to others. The purpose
of the gift of ministry or helps is not to help yourself but to help
others. The purpose of the gift of giving is not to give to yourself but
to give to meet the needs of others. The purpose of the gift of mercy is
not to be merciful to yourself but to be merciful to others. And here 1
Corinthians 12:7 says that these gifts are given
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the
saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ.."
3. HOW DOES SOMEONE
RECEIVE A SPIRITUAL GIFT(S)? When you were born you
were born with natural abilities or talents. I have three children.
Benjamin loves to sit and read books. Anna loves to talk with people.
Daniel is more physical and loves to play ball. Each of them are different
and born with natural talents and abilities. You also were born with
natural talents and abilities.
