Belonging to a Ministry In the Local Church

1. Belonging to a Ministry In the Local Church Reid Temple AME Church Dr. Lee P. Washington

2. Relationship Between Spiritual gifts and Ministry • There are two reason generally given for not having a ministry in the local church. • #1 “that is not my gift” • #2 “I don’t know my spiritual gift” • Each of these responses reflect a misconception of the relationship between one’s spiritual gift and one’s ministry as a Christian.

3. Defining the Terms • Spiritual gift: A supernatural endowment of the Holy Spirit whereby Christians are empowered to perform certain functions which edifies the Church and glorifies God. 1 Cor. 12; Rom.12:3-8 • General Ministry: The obligation to minister to others which are common to every Christian, regardless of one’s spiritual gift or calling. Rom 12:9-15,Gal. 6:2,6,10. • Specific Ministry: A unique ministry for which each Christian is gifted to which one is individually called. Rom. 12:6-8, Col 4:17.

4. Biblical Principles Regarding Ministry • General ministry is every Christian’s duty, regardless of their spiritual gift. It’s the key to discovering spiritual gifts and ministry. • Being obedient and faithful in general ministry will enable you to determine your spiritual gifts and specific ministry. Spiritual gifts equip us for a particular ministry, but it does not excuse us from every other ministry. • The Spirit of God is at work in the life and general ministry of every Christian. God is at work in us…both to will and to work His good pleasure. Phil 2:13.

5. Biblical Command To Minister • God’s word tells us that every Christian has a spiritual gift. 1 Cor. 12:7,11, 1 Peter 4:10 • God’s word instructs every Christian to admonish, Rom 15:14 to encourage or exhort, Heb. 10:25, to witness, Col 4:4-6, 1 Peter 3:15, and help, 1 Thess 5:14 one another. • Every function of ministry in the body of Christ is the obligation, to some degree, of every Christian. • For every vital function of the Church, there are some who are specifically gifted to do this function.

6. How To Discover Your Spiritual Gift 1. Fulfill your general ministry, your spiritual gifts will become evident. 2. Be faithful to respond to opportunities for ministries before you, it will soon be evident you do not do all things equally well. Out of your general ministry, a more particular ministry will most likely emerge. 3. By ministering to others we find our ministry and also come to recognize the spiritual gifts with which the Spirit of God has empowered us.

7. Caution In Discerning Spiritual Gifts • Never discern your gifts by comparing your ministry with others. Too often we define spiritual gifts in terms of ministry of well-known servants of God. • Each Christian possesses a spiritual gift, but also they have a specific ministry and a particular degree of effectiveness. • Paul tells us that there are not only diversities of gifts 1 Cor. 12:4 but also of ministries v5 and of levels of success v6. • Be careful to define spiritual gifts from scripture and not from the experience of others.

8. Spiritual Gift Development and Deployment • Your spiritual gift will be expressed in a certain environment, deployed through your personality and individuality. • Gifts may be identical, and ministries similar, but will have differing degrees of effectiveness. • You must find your gifts and specific ministry by ministering, by obeying the commands of scripture to serve one another. • You can’t find your gifts by comparing yourself with others because the ministry of every Christian is unique.

9. We are Stewards of God’s Spiritual Gifts. • As we have received a gift, we must use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 1 Peter 4;10. • We must know the gift that God has bestowed upon us to be a faithful steward. • God is not as much concerned with ability as he is availability but many church leaders have abused this statement. • As a result willing and cooperative Christians are quickly swamped with ministries and commitments.

10. Establishing Ministry Priorities • When ministry gets to the point there are more needs and opportunities than time to do them, establish priorities on the basis of spiritual gifts. • If you are a gifted administrator, don’t get overly involved in some other ministry which will be competitive. • While it is wrong to excuse yourself from ministry because you don’t know your gift, it is just as wrong to allow a ministry to keep you from that for which you are specifically gifted and to which you have been divinely called.

11. How Can You Belong To A Ministry In the Local Church • First you must know what ministry is. Then recognize what our duties are. Next go on to fulfill your obligation to our Lord and others by meeting the needs that are before us. • Constantly evaluate as best we can that ministry which has been of greatest benefit to others. • Strive to improve and develop the abilities God has given us and give priority to what we do best. • Take specific action, Pray, ask God to make your ministry and your gifts evident.

12. Lesson Summary • There are two reasons generally given for not having a ministry in the local Church. • General ministry is the obligation to minister to others which are common to every Christian. • The Spirit of God is at work in the life and general ministry of every Christian. • God’s word tells us that every Christian has a spiritual gift. • Your spiritual gift will be expressed in a certain environment, deployed through your personality and individuality.

13. Next Week Begins Miracle Month • Dr. Claude Alexander • Dr. Arthur Jackson • Bishop Vashti Mckenzie • Dr. Jimmie Balwin (to be confirmed) • Bishop Walter S. Thomas • See You on Sunday !!!!!!!! • Win souls to the Kingdom of God • Tell of God’s Goodness