Today… Three Key Questions:

1. How do I discover my unique passion/gift?

2. What is the difference between talent and a spiritual gift?

3. What is the key motivation for using my spiritual gift?

How do I discover my unique passion/gift?

2 Timothy 1:6-7… For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Three Key Areas Of Discovery

1. “Fan into Flame” = experiment

2. Observation of friends

3. Personal Assessment

What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift?

Ephesians 4:11-16… It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up .

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching

and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Four Ingredients in “Serving Others”

1. Build up = encouragement

2. Unity In Faith = common bond, safe place

3. Mature = developing, growing spiritually

4. Fullness of Christ = experience Jesus through each other.

What is the Key motivation for using Spiritual gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:31… But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3… If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Spiritual gifts expressed without love do not reflect who God is and do not have a Kingdom Kingdom ImpactImpact

God is more concerned about the way we serve with love, than what we do with our spiritual gifts.

“Agape” Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-8… Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Without Love

With Love

Serves out of Obligation Obedience

Concerned About

What Others see

What God Sees

Has the attitude

It’s Not My Job

Whatever it takes

Without Love

With Love

Mindset Me First Father First

Serves with spirit

Pride Humility

Results Self Seeking

God-glorifying