A Gift Especially For You

From Women's Retreat 2/2008

SHAPE
S = spiritual gifts
H = heart
A = abilities
P = personality
E = experience

My ministry is determined by my SHAPE.

I HAVE BEEN / AM / WILL BE _______________ FOR MINISTRY!
- created (Eph. 2:10)
- saved (2 Tim 1:9)
- called (Gal 1:15, Eph 4:1)
- gifted (1 Peter 4:10)
- authorized (Matt 28:18-19, 2 Cor 5:20)
- commanded (Matt 20:28)
- equipped (Eph 4:11-13)
- needed (1 Cor 12:27, Matt 9:36-37)
- accountable (Rom 14:12, Matt 25:14-30)
- rewarded (Col 3:23-24, Matt 25:23)

SPIRITUAL GIFT
for the benefit of others, for maturity & harmony in church family
(1 Cor 12:7, Eph 4:11,13-14, 1 Pet 4:10, 1 Cor 12)

LISTS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1 Cor 12:8-10, 1 Cor 12:28, Rom 12:6-8, Eph 4:11, 1 Pet 4:9-10, Exodus 31:3, 1 Tim 2:1-2, Psalm 150:3-5)

TRUTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1) Only believers have them (1 Cor 2:14)
(2) Every Christian has at least one (1 Cor 7:7)
(3) No one has all (1 Cor 12:27-30)
(4) No single gift is given to everyone (1 Cor 12:29-30)
(5) Can't earn a gift (Eph 4:7)
(6) Holy Spirit decides what gifts I get (1 Cor 12:11)
(7) Gifts I'm given are permanent (Rom 11:29)
(8) I'm to develop the gifts given me (1 Tim 4:14)
(9) It's a sin to waste the gifts given me (1 Cor 4:1-2, Matt 25:14-30)
(10) Using my gifts honors God and expands me (John 15:8)

CAUTIONS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1) Don't confuse them w/ natural talents
(2) Don't confuse them w/ fruit of Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)
     Fruits show MATURITY  
     Gifts show MINISTRY  
(3) Don't confuse w/ Christian responsibilities
(4) Don't expect others to serve the way I do and have similar results (1 Cor 12:21)
(5) Gifts w/o love is worthless! (1 Cor 13:1-3)

PRIMARY MINISTRY - serving where I'm gifted
SECONDARY MINISTRY - serving where I'm needed (in the body)