There is a story of how four friends brought their paralytic friend and lowered him from the roof in front of Jesus to receive his healing, because they loved him and wanted him to profit from Jesus’ visit. Just like the friends, we would also want the best for our family, friends, loved ones, colleagues and fellow church members, and want them to benefit from all that God has given us, including the gifts among us.
We are the body of Christ that represents God on this earth. The gifts are given to the body so that we can be edified from the diversities of activities under the same Holy Spirit. We want to discover the gifts that God has given us so that we can be blessings to others. Most importantly, we need to be good stewards of the gifts because we are accountable for them and the rest of the body is dependent on the gifts that we have.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
The Holy Spirit is God and He wants to minister to His people, including the ones who are lost. Although God is able to do whatever He wants, He chooses to minister through us. Therefore, we must not quench the Holy Spirit if He prompts us to speak, reveal or do something by using the gifts that He has given us.
Often when God reveals a matter or a need of a particular person to us, the Holy Spirit will prompt or stir us to do something for Him, like a fire burning inside of us. When we know that it is the Spirit of God who spoke into our hearts, but let our fear of men and the comfort level of moving in the gifts hinder us from acting on what we have heard, we quench Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.
God expects us to use the gifts that He has given us and to minister to one another with them. He will move in and through us with the diverse activities so that people will profit, benefit and be edified by the gifts. God does it because He is the God of mercy, compassion, grace and love.
Sermon Series: CG Campaign – Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow (Part 5)
分享你的恩赐
一个故事讲述了有四个人因着对他们朋友的爱，想让他从耶稣的来访中受益，就 抬着这位瘫子朋友，把他房顶缒下来到耶稣面前，以接受医治。就像这些朋友一样，我们也希望我们的家人、朋友、亲人、同事和教会肢体能得到最好的，深愿他们能从神所赐给我们的一切中得益处，包括我们当中的恩赐。
我们是基督的肢体，在这世上代表神。恩赐被赋予这肢体，得以让我们能在同一圣灵的带领下，从各种活动中被造就。我们想发现神赐给我们的恩赐，好使我们能成为他人的祝福。最重要的是，因为要对这恩赐负责，基督身体的其他部分也依靠我们的恩赐，我们当成为这恩赐的好管家，
哥林多前书 12:4-7恩赐原有分别，圣灵却是一位。 职事也有分别，主却是一位。 功用也有分别， 神却是一位，在众人里面运行一切的事。 圣灵显在各人身上，是叫人得益处。
圣灵就是神，祂要服事祂的百姓，包括迷失的人。尽管神能够做任何祂想做的事，但祂还是选择借着我们来服事。因此，若圣灵感动我们说话、用所赐给我们的恩赐启示或行事；我们就不应消灭圣灵的感动。
通常，当神向我们启示某事或某个特定人的需要时，圣灵会促使或搅动我们为祂做某事，就像燃烧在我们体内的火 。当知道是神的灵在心里说话，却让对人的害怕和运用恩赐的舒适度阻碍我们按所听见的去行时，我们就消灭了圣灵。
帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19-21不要消灭圣灵的感动； 不要藐视先知的讲论。 但要凡事察验；善美的要持守，
神希望我们使用祂所赐的恩赐，并用恩赐来彼此服事。祂将通过各样活动透过我们，使人们因这恩赐得益处‘、被造就。神之所以这样做，是因为祂他是仁慈、怜悯、恩典和爱的神。
讲章系列：细胞小组活动 – 教会通过属灵恩赐得以成长 (5)