The Gifts of Grace
God’s grace is not only for spiritual and inward transformation, but it is also for outward service and practical use. When you were saved and made a new creation you were given the ability to access your God given gifts without the hindrance of sin and the devil. Therefore, today’s message is aimed at helping you recognize and utilize your gifts of grace.
SERIES TEXT
Ephesians 2:8-10, “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
GRACE DEFINED
GRACE is God’s undeserved favor, love, help and enablement made available through Jesus Christ and given to believers by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Because of God’s grace, we can experience his mercy, forgiveness and the power to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. (Fire Study Bible).
SERMON TEXT
Romans 12:3-8, “3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts [charismata], according to the grace [charis] given to each of us.
If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
PAUL’S SEVEN PRACTICAL GIFTS LIST
- PROPHESYING: To speak the heart of God to the hearts of people for the purpose of strengthening, encouraging, and comforting their soul (1 Corinthians 14:3). It is also the most common and beneficial of the nine spiritual gifts listed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. Advice: “Prophesy in faith!”
- SERVING: To be like Jesus by helping, assisting, and benefitting those around you, Matthew 23:11. Advice: “Serve like Jesus!”
- TEACHING: To instruct, advise, and inform people of God’s knowledge and wisdom, 2 Timothy 2:2. Advice: “Teach passionately, gently and truthfully.”
- ENCOURAGING: To inspire and fill people with God’s courage, hope, and boldness, Hebrews 3:13. Advice: “Encourage often and consistently!”
- GIVING: To help others by supplying their need, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. Advice: “Give generously!”
- LEADING: To manage, oversee, and guide in righteousness, Proverbs 29:2. Advice: “Lead diligently!”
- SHOWING MERCY: To give others God’s forgiveness, kindness, and steadfast love, Matthew 5:7. Advice: “Show mercy cheerfully!”
The Body of Christ has a place for you to serve that is not based on God’s need, rather your place of belonging and service comes from Jesus’ heart for you!