GIFTS FOR HIS CHILDREN Romans 12:6-14 Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith: or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches in the teaching; or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in simplicity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy shrinking from evil, cleaving to good; in brotherly love to one another, loving fervently, having led one another in honor. As to diligence, not slothful, fervent in spirit serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in affliction, steadfastly continuing in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.

GIFTS FOR HIS CHILDREN Let us be assured that every one of us has a gift from God to fulfill our purpose on earth. Matt. 7:10 Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a snake? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him? Matt. 7:10 Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a snake? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him? We are bent toward certain fields that hold our interest. We seek to know more about it and we find pleasure being involved in it and we grow to excel because of our interest. It draws us to others who have the same interest and particularly those who have developed in this field. It becomes our major in trade school, college & work.

GIFTS FOR HIS CHILDREN! God is sovereign, he is over all and is everywhere, and God among many things can predict the future. If God can predict the future He must have control over the events that will make up the future. Chance will not work.. This worlds social, economic and political process has definite laws to guide it with skilled & gifted people to make the process serve the purpose God desires. The Church needs definite laws to guide it and gifted people in specific areas for the Church to fulfill God’s purpose. 1 Cor. 12, 1 Cor. 12, for through the spirit to one is given a word of wisdom, to another prophecy, (discernment, teachers, gifts of healing, helps, government, kinds of language, etc.)

THE PURPOSE FOR GODS GIFTS. Eph. 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. If we were prepared beforehand that we should do good works. How are we prepared? This question has several answers but among them is the variety of gifts God has made available to us through the Holy Spirit so we can be prepared. God has designed and gifted us to make a difference. We are to give something back to God and we will find out what it is in our gifted ministry of service. We were placed on this planet for a special assignment.

THERE ARE MANY GOOD WORKS ! Leadership is gifted in two ways, first a gift to lead others and second an area of their gifted interest. Likewise followers are gifted in two ways, first the humility to follow others and a gifted interest. If you have raised more than one child you would know how different they are in areas of interest & ability. God gives an endless variety in our individual make up. You were not only saved by the service of someone else. You were saved for service. Why do you suppose God did not take us out of this world once we accepted His saving Grace? Why leave us in this fallen world exposed to the devil and his evil ways?

WHY DID GOD LEAVE US HERE? God leaves us here to fulfill His purpose. God has a ministry here for each one of us in His Church and a mission for us in this world. 1 Pet 2:9-11 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; you who then were not a people, but now the people of God, those not pitied then, but now pitied. Dearly beloved, I exhort you as temporary residents …. We are here today to worship God, study His Word and become spiritually mature. BUT? Spiritual maturity if not an end in itself.

GOD MIXED YOUR DNA COCKTAIL. 1. When my bones were being formed, Carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there--- you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began. PS. 139: There is no mystery about your make up to God. 3. 1Cor. 2:14 Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit Cor. 12:11 But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.

THE SUMMARY IS THIS! This congregation needs additional leaders or Deacons for us to carry out our purpose for God. We know these men have God’s Spirit the evidence is in their gifts that makes them qualified. We know these men have God’s Spirit the evidence is in their gifts that makes them qualified. Look over the men in our midst and compare them with the qualifications for Deacons. Write their name on a paper, sign it and give it to one of the elders by the end of services next Sunday January 27 th. These men will have an opportunity to accept or reject their consideration as a Deacon. Those who qualify will be recognized and installed later.

1 Tim 3:8-13 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

HOW CAN OUR DEACONS SUCCEED? 1. We as members of the Church who all posses the Spirit of God need to find the area of our gift from God. 2. As members we are to humble ourselves with our gift to those who lead that ministry of work. 3. Every member should be committed and offer support to our leaders as, ( 3. Every member should be committed and offer support to our leaders as, (teachers, gifts of healing, helps, encouragement, prayer, greeting, visitation, etc.) 4. Talk to the Deacons in the congregation and select the area that fits you and chose a man for Deacon to expand our ministry service. 5. Every member belongs a service area.

HOW TO FIND YOUR GIFT. 1. First know that as a Christian you have a gift and pray that God will help you know what it is. 2. With personal insight lists your areas of interests. 3. List your abilities in a preference list of priority. 4. List the areas of life in which you are successful. 5. Match your interests, abilities and successes to the different church ministries to see if there is a fit. 6. If after this you are not sure of your gift, show your lists to one or all of the deacons individually. 7. Consider the Deacons advise and chose the ministry most interesting to you and make your commitment.

NOTHING VENTURED NOTHING …… After a while if the ministry you devote your time to does not succeed, try another, then another, keep trying. Eventually you will know what ministry suits you best. Remember you were saved by His grace and left on this earth for a purpose, when you find that purpose and devote yourself to it, blessings will reward your effort. And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people. Acts 20:32 And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people. Acts 20:32 Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, Rom. 8:17

IT IS A BLESSING TO BE A CHILD OF A LOVING GOD AND SERVE HIS PURPOSE IN DOING THE GOOD WORK HE HAS GIFTED US TO DO.