Together We Have in ALL

The Bible study we are using at church called Believe, is continuing.  We recently passed the half-way point in the 30 week study, and I must say this series of Bible topics just seem to get more and more exciting. Randy Frazee designed the in-depth look into 30 of the Bible's most important topics. Each week, our study groups meet to read and share the things we have learned with the primary focus being on how we can become more like Jesus. 

These study groups meet in various places and each group is learning the same lessons, then we hear a sermon on the weekly topic when we meet each Sunday.  This week, we are learning what the Bible teaches about the subject of spiritual gifts. 

It's always exciting for me to dig deep into this particular subject. Today I saw the excitement spread to others in my group when I received a "reply-all" email between some members in the group.  It was exciting to me, just to see the excitement of those in the group as eyes and hearts were opened which allowed us to see ourselves fitting into God's plans. 

I want to share with you some observations made from the sermon on spiritual gifts, and let you be thinking and praying about your spiritual gift(s).  The exciting times of our lives in Jesus are brought to light when we recognize that God has personally equipped each of us with a gift.  The purpose of these gifts is to help the entire body of Christ, all exercising their gifts, for the benefit of the whole body.  Here are some points from Randy's sermon:

1.  Collectively our identity and mission is to extend the presence of Jesus on earth.
2.  To achieve the mission of Christ, we must work together.
3.  God has given you a gift.

Paul wrote to Timothy, "fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."  This is the excitement we experience when we realize our gift or gifts, and see each member of the Lord's Body utilizing those gifts, and that builds up the church. 

In some other reading I did today, another statement spoke to me which seemed to fit right into the application of our studies this week.  "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."  That describes a church whose members each recognize their gift, using it for the benefit of the entire body.  (Read Romans 12:3-8)

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