Recap

Last Sunday we started a new series called Shaped to Serve. The key verse for this series is Ephesians 2:10, which says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

We also looked at verses 8 and 9, which tell us how a person is saved.

Faith + Works ≠ Salvation

Faith − Works = Salvation

Verse 10 tells us why a person is saved. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. We are “[God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” for a purpose: “for good works.”

Faith ≠ Salvation − Works 

Faith = Salvation + Works

God has shaped each of his children in a unique way so that we can serve in a unique way. How has God shaped you? What do you think are some good works that God “prepared beforehand” for you to do? Are you willing to do those good works?

A Consumer or a Servant?

In a church, there are two kinds of people: consumers and servants. I’ve heard it said that in most churches 10% of the people do 90% of the work.

A consumer goes to church with a wishlist. A consumer says, “I want a church that _____. The church is supposed to give me _____.”

A servant goes to church with a to-do list. A servant says, “How can I help this church be _____? How can I give _____?” 

Are you a consumer or a servant?

Spiritual Gifts

To help us be effective servants, God has given us spiritual gifts. A spiritual gift is a God-given ability for service.

Let me give you 8 facts about spiritual gifts.

• Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift (“everyone,” v. 6; “each,” v. 7; “each one,” v. 11). 

• No spiritual gift is unimportant. The church is like a human body (v. 12). Each part of the body has an important ability. So does every Christian. Nobody has all the gifts. We need one another. (The eye shows the hand where to throw the baseball. The hand stops the ball from hitting the eye.) 

• Spiritual gifts are expressed in unique ways. Having the same gift as another Christian doesn’t mean that both of you will use the gift in exactly the same way. And don’t try to be someone else. 

• Spiritual gifts do not determine spiritual maturity. Earlier, Paul writes, “You [the church in Corinth] are not lacking in any spiritual gift” (1:7). But he goes on to say, “I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ” (3:1). Love is the real measure of spiritual maturity.

• Spiritual gifts do not limit a Christian to only one kind of service. [Give an example.] If there’s a pressing need, don’t say, “That’s not my gift!” Don’t use your spiritual gift as an excuse not to serve. Certain spiritual gifts are given to some, but commands (e.g., “Encourage one another,” 1 Thess. 5:11) are given to all.

• Spiritual gifts must be developed through constant use. “Having gifts…let us use them” (Rom. 12:6). Paul wrote to Timothy, “Do not neglect the gift you have” (1 Tim. 4:4). 

• You don’t need to wait until you “discover” your spiritual gift before you start serving. Just do something! 

• We have been given spiritual gifts “for the common good” (v. 7). We’re supposed to use spiritual gifts to help one another. The apostle Peter writes, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). 

A Servant’s Heart

Jesus declared, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). To be a servant is to be like God. God has a servant’s heart.

Don’t ask, “What can I get?” Ask, “How can I serve?” 

re you a consumer or a servant? Do you carry a wishlist list or a to-do list.