Better Together

Activate Your Spiritual Gifts! - Episode 1090

August 29, 2025 | S7 E1090 | 52:34

The Church needs YOU! Our spiritual gifts unlock purpose, power, and unity. God has given you unique gifts that help others grow and encourage the family of God--the Body of Christ. When we work together, the Church grows and thrives. | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000

#GiftsoftheHolySpirit #Unity #Church #Leadership #Community #Purpose #SpiritualGrowth #Ministry #Faith #Serving #Love #Encouragement #Boldness #IdentityinChrist #inActive

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Better Together | Activate Your Spiritual Gifts! - Episode 1090 | August 29, 2025

(beeping sound)
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- we have work to do
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And today we're talking about how
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To activate our spiritual gifts and be god's hands
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And his feet to a hurting world.
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Come on, join us.
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(bright music)
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(bright music continues)
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- i think one of my pastors says it best.
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He says the church is god's plan a
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And he doesn't have a plan b.
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And i love that he continues that statement and says,
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"there's nothing we can do in more collaboration
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With jesus than loving and building the church."
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And today we're gonna talk
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About activating spiritual gifts.
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And in the book of 1 corinthians chapter 12,
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There's a scripture that says,
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"now there are a variety of gifts, but the same spirit,
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And there are a variety of service, but the same lord.
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And there are varieties of activities,
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But it is the same god who empowers them all in everyone."
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And i just am a firm believer that every single
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One of us has been gifted and called to be a part
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Of building the house of god, the church.
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It's god's plan a.
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I know for all of us, this story looks different.
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There's many people that have just struggled
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To identify like, "lord, what am i good at?
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Like what do i even have to offer?"
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Or it felt like they've just struggled to step
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Into what god's asking them to do.
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And my story is a tiny bit different.
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Maybe you can tell.
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Like i tend to be a loud, outgoing personality.
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And i've always been driven, like, let me run after things.
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And i've always loved the house of god.
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So i've always like been eager to serve in the house of god.
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And at a young age,
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I felt like the lord just put on my heart
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Just this desire to see women awakened to purpose
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And awakened to the power and the presence of god.
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And so it's always been a joy for me to do anything
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That gathers the girls.
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When my husband and i moved from texas
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To a church plant in arizona, we were stepping out
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Of like a mega church environment
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Into a brand new church plant,
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Which we didn't even know was a thing.
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And we're in this brand new environment.
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In fact, we were setting up church in an elementary school.
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Mind you, we still set up church in a high school.
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So i feel like the lord,
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I'm like, "god, we have done enough of this."
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We were setting up church in an elementary school
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And we were new to the staff
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And we'd come on as their youth pastors
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And we were excited to come help them build this church.
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And i remember we were tearing down,
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'cause that's what you have to do
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If you don't have a church building,
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We were tearing down the church
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And we were putting the desks back in place in the rooms
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Where the kids needed to come to school the next day.
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And i was putting a table against the wall.
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I was in a room to myself.
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And all of a sudden, two women from the staff
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Came in the doors of the room and almost
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Like cornered me up against the table.
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I was like, "hi, hi guys."
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We're relatively new here at this church.
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And they said, "we have to ask you a question."
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And i was like, "okay."
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And they said, "do you like women's ministry?"
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And i was like, "i love it,
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Like i love everything about it.
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I love gathering."
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You know, i was just being myself.
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I'm like, "yes."
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And they were like, "we hate it."
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And i thought, oh, okay.
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Like i have struck a chord here and maybe, maybe i'm crazy.
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Like most people talk about the fact
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That they don't love women's ministry.
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So maybe there's something wrong with me.
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And, you know, went about the journey
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And it didn't cause me to shrink back too much.
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But i remember the specific moment
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Where the lord revealed something to me.
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We went out of the state to attend a women's conference
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With all of the women on our staff.
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And it was a pretty large conference at the time.
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And we were there and we were listening
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To the most amazing speakers.
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And we were encountering the most beautiful worship
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And god's presence was so there.
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And i remember leaving that evening,
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Just like i was just filled up with the presence of god.
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And i got in the car and the two women
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Who had previously cornered me in the classroom
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Were in the front seat.
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And this is exactly how the conversation took place.
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They were like, "did you see
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That the speaker was wearing a sleeveless shirt?
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Like her arms were showing,"
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And they were just going on and on and on,
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And all of a sudden i had this revelation.
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And i was like, "you, you are the reason
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That you don't like women's ministry.
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It's you." (laughing)
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And it was just this like holy moment for me
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Because i was like, there's nothing wrong with me.
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Like these women were struggling
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With embracing, gathering the girls,
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And seeing what god wanted to do in their life
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Because they were struggling with their own relationship
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With women and their own judgment and their own issues.
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And for a moment it could have held me back.
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For a moment i thought,
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"gosh, is there something wrong with me?
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Like should i not be as passionate as i am about this?"
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And i just realized, "oh, wait a second.
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God, you created me like this.
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You created me with this passion for women
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To encounter your presence and to be awakened to purpose.
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And i don't ever wanna shrink back from it."
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Every single one of us has a purpose
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And a function within the local and global church.
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I'm telling you, church is god's plan a.
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He doesn't have a plan b.
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He created the church to be a place
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That goes out to rescue the lost,
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To be the light of the world,
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And all of us have a role to play.
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It's like my family.
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I have a family, my husband, myself, and my two daughters,
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And every one of us has a role to play within our house.
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It's how our family functions.
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And i'm telling you, you were created
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To play a role in the family of god.
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Maybe a role like taking care of kids.
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Maybe it's greeting at a front door.
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Maybe it's running sound
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Or maybe it's administration behind the scenes.
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I don't know what it is,
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But whatever god has gifted you with, i'm telling you,
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Part of his plan and purpose is connected
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To building the local church
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Because the church is the hope of the world.
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But i know my story is not everyone's story.
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And i know that for some, there's been challenges
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That have presented themselves,
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That have made it difficult to step into the gifts
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And the calling of god on your life.
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And i just wonder if any of you
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Might have a different story,
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Like a story where it was like,
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"yeah, i felt like this is what god was asking me to do.
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And it was really, really hard to step into it,"
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Because i know that there's people that are listening
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That are bold and passionate and driven.
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And i know that there's some people that are listening
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That are also like intimidated and feeling like,
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I don't know if i can measure up
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And i don't know if i'm gonna get this right.
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So what's been your experience in stepping
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Into the gifts and the call of god on your life?
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- i love in the pages of scripture,
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Countless and countless times from the old testament
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To the new testament, we see characters
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That were so ill-equipped, non-educated.
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And some even that were unwilling
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And yet god used them in spite of themselves.
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I feel like this season of my life,
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I'm leading as a single female without any children.
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And having gone through a very, very hard season
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And stepping into a place that maybe some
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Might've perceived that caused damage or hurt,
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To lead in love.
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It has been the hardest decision
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And the most rewarding.
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I am privileged and honored to build the church.
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I am privileged and honored to clean up the wounds of people
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Who walk through the doors of church.
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I'm privileged and honored
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To go through the hard and the heavy.
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It is exhausting.
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It is wearisome, but it's rewarding and it's beautiful
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To see now a year,
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Two years of journeying with people,
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See the transformation that takes place in their life.
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I don't think i would've said,
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"oh, i have the spiritual gift of leadership."
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Paul, in ephesians 4, romans 12,
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And in 1 corinthians 12 and 13,
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We see the spiritual gifts that paul lists.
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Now that, i don't believe that that's all the gifts
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That are listed that god created.
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But paul does a really robust job at listing so many.
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I don't think i would've looked at the gift list
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And said, "i am a leader," but neither did gideon.
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I don't think i would've been like,
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"i am a worship leader," but neither would miriam.
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I think that it's just the heart of willing people
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To step into what god has called them to.
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The lord equips them with where he's called them.
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So for me, i just keep on saying yes
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And the lord does the rest.
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- we have to be open to where god leads us,
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Even if it's towards
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Where we're not always the most comfortable.
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And how we do that is focusing on
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Falling in love with jesus.
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There's something about falling in love with him again
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And again and again where it starts
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To eliminate all your nos to the point
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Where all you have left is a yes.
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And so instead of trying to fix yourself
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To become more open, maybe trying to fix yourself
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To become more obedient,
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I would say focus on falling in love again.
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Something that i've seen over the years
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Is like this spiritual exceptionalism
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That's kind of growing, i think, within the church,
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Where people start to feel
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That the kingdom of god is going to expand
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With that one person or these people,
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That these are the gifted ones,
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That these are the ones that are at the center
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Of what god is doing here on earth.
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But me as somebody that perhaps has a gift of service
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Or has the gift of administration
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Or like, you know, these gifts that are often used to help,
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It's easy to feel like,
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Oh, i guess the real work
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Is for the shinier pieces of the body.
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And so i think the consequences of that
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Is that you have a body that's not fully functioning.
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I'm reminded of, in 1 corinthians 12:20,
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It says, "as it is, there are many parts, but one body.
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The eye cannot say to the hand, 'i don't need you.'
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Or again, the head can't say to the feet,
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'i don't need you.'
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On the contrary, those parts of the body
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That are weaker are indispensable."
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You know, and i think a church
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That could really honor all the gifts
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And all the parts of the body
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And not say, "oh, no, the speaker
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And the worship team is the body."
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No, all of us are the body and all of us
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Need to be activated in order for the body
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Of christ to be functional.
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I think that goes a long way.
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- what you're saying is we have,
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I do think it's obvious if you read the gifts,
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Maybe there are some visible and non-visible gifts.
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Some are more visible, but we have equated visibility
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To influence or weight,
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Or we've related it to productivity.
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And i think it's something to be cautious about,
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That just because a gift might be visible,
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It doesn't mean that it's any more weighty.
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In fact, i would say being a part of a church,
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I mean, i've been part of a church my whole life,
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It's the non-visible gifts.
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It's the people who show up at 5:00 am
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And set up the chairs.
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The church doesn't run without those people.
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And so i don't love that our society kinda elevates
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The visible gifts as if they're more important.
00:11:14.029 --> 00:11:18.100
I think we have to really be cautious about that.
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- if you don't see your gifts
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And your contribution as essential to the body of christ,
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Then you are debilitating the body of christ.
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This is extremely important
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Because i think sometimes we marginalize ourselves
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In the kingdom of god, thinking we're not the main player,
00:11:36.585 --> 00:11:39.722
We're not the mvp, but you are part of the body.
00:11:39.722 --> 00:11:42.925
And every nerve and ligament,
00:11:42.925 --> 00:11:44.994
Every limb, every finger counts.
00:11:44.994 --> 00:11:48.364
- growing up in a street ministry,
00:11:49.131 --> 00:11:52.067
A lot of my family members had really obvious gifts.
00:11:52.067 --> 00:11:55.504
Whether they were more seen or unseen,
00:11:55.504 --> 00:11:57.006
It was very clear what this person's gift was.
00:11:57.006 --> 00:12:00.009
This person's gift of preaching,
00:12:00.009 --> 00:12:01.477
This person's gift of leading worship
00:12:01.477 --> 00:12:04.180
In singing and tithing, this person's gift
00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:06.615
Of hospitality, this person's gift,
00:12:06.615 --> 00:12:08.651
Like they were really clear.
00:12:08.651 --> 00:12:10.252
And i would say that i didn't feel like it was clear for me,
00:12:10.252 --> 00:12:13.522
Like something i felt drawn to
00:12:13.522 --> 00:12:15.558
Or even thought i was good at.
00:12:15.558 --> 00:12:16.792
But i don't think i was given any time
00:12:16.792 --> 00:12:19.361
To actually have any feelings about that.
00:12:19.361 --> 00:12:21.530
Very early on doing street ministry, it's all hands on deck
00:12:21.530 --> 00:12:25.534
And there is no hierarchy.
00:12:25.534 --> 00:12:27.203
And so my dad used to say, he goes,
00:12:27.203 --> 00:12:29.171
"hosanna is our gap filler."
00:12:29.171 --> 00:12:31.140
And so when people needed to fold the clothes,
00:12:31.140 --> 00:12:32.508
I'd fold the clothes.
00:12:32.508 --> 00:12:33.876
People needed to set the chairs, i set the chairs.
00:12:33.876 --> 00:12:35.044
There were times where my dad was about
00:12:35.044 --> 00:12:36.345
To lead the altar call, but then the cops came
00:12:36.345 --> 00:12:38.180
And he had to talk to them.
00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:39.515
He says, "hosanna, go lead the altar call."
00:12:39.515 --> 00:12:40.716
And so now i'm leading the altar call
00:12:40.716 --> 00:12:41.951
And then they need someone to take photos.
00:12:41.951 --> 00:12:42.852
So now i'm taking photos.
00:12:42.852 --> 00:12:43.953
But there was no, i never thought
00:12:43.953 --> 00:12:45.287
Any of them were better or worse,
00:12:45.287 --> 00:12:47.556
Not better or worse, though.
00:12:47.556 --> 00:12:48.958
So i was like, "yes, i'm obeying my dad."
00:12:48.958 --> 00:12:50.292
I'm gonna fold the clothes.
00:12:50.292 --> 00:12:51.827
I'm gonna lead the altar call, i'm gonna take the photos,
00:12:51.827 --> 00:12:53.229
I'm gonna preach the sermon, i'm gonna sing the song,
00:12:53.229 --> 00:12:54.530
I'm gonna, you know, and everything's the same.
00:12:54.530 --> 00:12:55.898
I remember my dad saying, "hosanna, you see gaps."
00:12:55.898 --> 00:12:57.533
But he affirmed that in me.
00:12:57.533 --> 00:12:58.968
It wasn't like a lesser-than thing.
00:12:58.968 --> 00:13:00.269
He goes, "you see gaps and you fill gaps."
00:13:00.269 --> 00:13:03.072
So i kind of learned how to do a lot of things.
00:13:03.072 --> 00:13:05.841
And i would say at the time, that was just like a silly,
00:13:05.841 --> 00:13:08.010
Cute thing my dad used to say.
00:13:08.010 --> 00:13:09.311
I was like, "oh, he's trying to believe in me.
00:13:09.311 --> 00:13:11.413
He's trying to tell me that i'm not lesser than."
00:13:11.413 --> 00:13:13.215
But as i've gotten older, i thought, you know,
00:13:13.215 --> 00:13:14.683
What the best, when i'm at my best serving the lord,
00:13:14.683 --> 00:13:17.186
I'm seeing gaps and filling them.
00:13:17.186 --> 00:13:19.054
And it would take a long time to explain
00:13:19.054 --> 00:13:21.090
What i did this week, because i would still say
00:13:21.090 --> 00:13:24.193
That it might not be clear to many
00:13:24.193 --> 00:13:26.862
What specifically is the one thing.
00:13:26.862 --> 00:13:29.098
There is not one thing,
00:13:29.098 --> 00:13:30.733
But i think that god has graced me
00:13:30.733 --> 00:13:32.601
For seeing gaps in my family,
00:13:32.601 --> 00:13:35.404
In my church, in the global church, in this moment,
00:13:35.404 --> 00:13:39.174
And saying, "lord, how can i uniquely fill it?
00:13:39.174 --> 00:13:41.210
Or who do i know who can uniquely fill it?"
00:13:41.210 --> 00:13:44.380
That's a gift i have, is being a gap filler.
00:13:44.380 --> 00:13:47.149
But that was a term that i think my dad just made up
00:13:47.149 --> 00:13:49.551
That i've just owned my whole life.
00:13:49.551 --> 00:13:51.086
Like you mentioned too, like, "oh, i've just said yes."
00:13:51.086 --> 00:13:53.555
So i don't think anything public is better
00:13:53.555 --> 00:13:56.992
Or things that are private are better.
00:13:56.992 --> 00:13:58.661
Like i've never, i was kind of like,
00:13:58.661 --> 00:14:00.362
Some things you're gonna see.
00:14:00.362 --> 00:14:01.363
Some things you're not.
00:14:01.363 --> 00:14:02.798
I'm gonna obey god.
00:14:02.798 --> 00:14:03.832
Hope you are, too.
00:14:03.832 --> 00:14:05.301
And i think that's something good for any of us
00:14:05.301 --> 00:14:07.803
To hear when we feel like, i don't know my thing.
00:14:07.803 --> 00:14:10.472
In the name of jesus,
00:14:10.472 --> 00:14:11.573
You likely do not have one thing.
00:14:11.573 --> 00:14:13.676
You are called to obey one god.
00:14:13.676 --> 00:14:16.011
And that will look like a lot of different things.
00:14:16.011 --> 00:14:18.580
- and we can't be afraid for that time of discovery.
00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:22.718
Like just start serving.
00:14:22.718 --> 00:14:24.520
- start stepping out and finding, where
00:14:24.520 --> 00:14:26.755
Do you have a bent?
00:14:26.755 --> 00:14:28.390
You know, i mean that's the thing,
00:14:28.390 --> 00:14:30.492
You just happened to be able to do a lot.
00:14:30.492 --> 00:14:32.761
You're multi-tasked, multi-gifted.
00:14:32.761 --> 00:14:35.631
But it may be that somebody starts in children's ministry
00:14:35.631 --> 00:14:39.001
And they're like, "that is not my gift."
00:14:39.001 --> 00:14:40.669
- and if you don't like kids,
00:14:40.669 --> 00:14:42.237
Please don't be in the kids' ministry.
00:14:42.237 --> 00:14:43.939
But you're right, the local church
00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:45.274
Is a great place to do this,
00:14:45.274 --> 00:14:46.475
'cause it's safe, it's sanctioned.
00:14:46.475 --> 00:14:48.377
You have to go through a background check anyway
00:14:48.377 --> 00:14:49.812
To be with kids, you know?
00:14:49.812 --> 00:14:50.980
So you can serve or you can cook
00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.815
Or you can do announcements, like try a bunch of things,
00:14:52.815 --> 00:14:55.551
Throw a bunch of stuff to the wall
00:14:55.551 --> 00:14:56.819
And see what sticks to the glory of god.
00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:58.988
The local church is a great place
00:14:58.988 --> 00:15:00.322
To discover your gifts, develop your gifts
00:15:00.322 --> 00:15:02.958
And be around other people
00:15:02.958 --> 00:15:04.493
Where you don't misunderstand,
00:15:04.493 --> 00:15:05.861
Like you are not the center of the world here.
00:15:05.861 --> 00:15:08.664
We are all here to worship jesus.
00:15:08.664 --> 00:15:10.499
Local church is a great place to do that.
00:15:10.499 --> 00:15:12.167
- and don't wait for them to call out,
00:15:12.167 --> 00:15:13.702
"hey, i see this gifting."
00:15:13.702 --> 00:15:14.970
No, you proactively start serving somewhere
00:15:14.970 --> 00:15:19.208
And then i believe your gifting
00:15:19.208 --> 00:15:21.276
Will start rising to the top.
00:15:21.276 --> 00:15:22.511
And then somebody may say,
00:15:22.511 --> 00:15:23.645
"hey, i see that you're good at this.
00:15:23.645 --> 00:15:25.681
Come over here," but don't wait to be called out.
00:15:25.681 --> 00:15:28.384
Go start serving.
00:15:28.384 --> 00:15:30.319
- i learned the art of spoken word poetry on the streets
00:15:31.453 --> 00:15:32.621
Of san francisco.
00:15:32.621 --> 00:15:33.922
It wasn't a god-honoring art form
00:15:33.922 --> 00:15:37.426
In the way that i learned it.
00:15:37.426 --> 00:15:38.794
It was just the way that my friends shared stories
00:15:38.794 --> 00:15:40.796
With each other.
00:15:40.796 --> 00:15:41.897
So when i fell in love with jesus,
00:15:41.897 --> 00:15:43.999
It was just the way i naturally shared the story
00:15:43.999 --> 00:15:45.934
Of jesus with my friends.
00:15:45.934 --> 00:15:48.037
And over time, people who were also christ followers
00:15:48.037 --> 00:15:51.340
Or who worked in churches saw me performing spoken word
00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:53.575
On the streets and said, hey,
00:15:53.575 --> 00:15:54.810
That way you speak to your friends,
00:15:54.810 --> 00:15:56.111
Why don't you speak that way to my friends
00:15:56.111 --> 00:15:57.880
At my church or my youth group?
00:15:57.880 --> 00:15:59.581
And i never thought there was a place for it in the church.
00:15:59.581 --> 00:16:01.884
But then i shared about the story of jesus
00:16:01.884 --> 00:16:03.318
Through spoken word in churches
00:16:03.318 --> 00:16:04.620
And i gotta share it with even more friends.
00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:07.122
So what i learned is that god wants to use
00:16:07.122 --> 00:16:09.324
What you like and what you're good at.
00:16:09.324 --> 00:16:11.226
And he wants to use all of us in our different giftings
00:16:11.226 --> 00:16:13.929
'cause spoken word poetry isn't for everyone.
00:16:13.929 --> 00:16:16.231
But for my friends who love spoken word poetry,
00:16:16.231 --> 00:16:18.500
Hearing about jesus through that art form
00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:20.436
Was absolutely the way for them
00:16:20.436 --> 00:16:21.970
To hear the story of jesus.
00:16:21.970 --> 00:16:23.572
So whatever bet you have, whatever hobbies you have,
00:16:23.572 --> 00:16:26.608
Those are not walls, those are doors
00:16:26.608 --> 00:16:28.577
To share about jesus in your unique way.
00:16:28.577 --> 00:16:31.280
- let's keep the conversation going.
00:16:32.047 --> 00:16:34.283
Connect with us on social media
00:16:34.283 --> 00:16:36.285
And share your favorite moments from today.
00:16:36.285 --> 00:16:38.620
We are better together because of you.
00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:41.623
Let's keep the conversation going.
00:16:41.623 --> 00:16:44.393
You can find the better together podcast
00:16:44.393 --> 00:16:46.395
On your favorite listening platform, subscribe today.
00:16:46.395 --> 00:16:53.003
The person that helped me recognize my spiritual gifts
00:16:53.402 --> 00:16:56.138
Was actually my pastors growing up.
00:16:56.138 --> 00:16:58.440
Even when he has never seen a female pastor
00:16:58.440 --> 00:17:02.077
And even though he's never heard women preach,
00:17:02.077 --> 00:17:05.347
I mean he would just put me in situations
00:17:05.347 --> 00:17:07.950
Where i would have to lead,
00:17:07.950 --> 00:17:09.451
Teach because he felt in the spirit
00:17:09.451 --> 00:17:11.854
That i was gifted in that area.
00:17:11.854 --> 00:17:13.422
So i'm always really grateful for that experience.
00:17:13.422 --> 00:17:19.495
- i wanna add to that, that you said
00:17:20.262 --> 00:17:21.897
That the local church is just a great place to practice
00:17:21.897 --> 00:17:24.967
And activate these spiritual gifts
00:17:24.967 --> 00:17:26.468
Because i think sometimes we, like you were saying,
00:17:26.468 --> 00:17:29.404
We wait for someone to either call it out
00:17:29.404 --> 00:17:31.540
Or we take a spiritual gifts test,
00:17:31.540 --> 00:17:33.242
Which is usually just a record of
00:17:33.242 --> 00:17:34.843
What we haven't experienced yet
00:17:34.843 --> 00:17:36.979
As opposed to what we're actually gifted at.
00:17:36.979 --> 00:17:39.715
But i think when we're in the local church
00:17:39.715 --> 00:17:41.850
And we're challenged to pursue love,
00:17:41.850 --> 00:17:44.219
I think sometimes we overcomplicate this concept
00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:46.955
Of spiritual gifts as in, okay, so what is mine,
00:17:46.955 --> 00:17:50.092
Almost like as if it's like a personality test.
00:17:50.092 --> 00:17:53.061
Like what's mine and how do i activate it
00:17:53.061 --> 00:17:56.064
And how do i use it when actually it's really about
00:17:56.064 --> 00:17:59.201
Pursuing love as it says in 1 corinthians 14.
00:17:59.201 --> 00:18:02.538
And as you pursue love, the holy spirit is actually the one
00:18:03.705 --> 00:18:06.842
That chooses to show up in different ways
00:18:06.842 --> 00:18:10.312
In your actions of love.
00:18:10.312 --> 00:18:12.414
I remember once i had a friend who was like,
00:18:12.414 --> 00:18:14.816
I'm really praying for the gift of healing.
00:18:14.816 --> 00:18:16.818
I'm really praying for the gift of heal.
00:18:16.818 --> 00:18:18.187
I really want the gift of healing.
00:18:18.187 --> 00:18:19.555
And after a while, i was just like,
00:18:19.555 --> 00:18:22.224
Do you care about sick people?
00:18:22.224 --> 00:18:24.092
In honesty, i know it sounds like upfront,
00:18:24.092 --> 00:18:29.097
But i was just curious.
00:18:29.598 --> 00:18:30.999
I'm like, does it bother you that they're sick at all
00:18:30.999 --> 00:18:33.502
Because i feel like if you did, you would pray
00:18:33.502 --> 00:18:36.705
For them whether you think you have the gift or not.
00:18:36.705 --> 00:18:39.508
But when it's really the holy spirit that chooses
00:18:39.508 --> 00:18:42.811
What he distributes the holy spirit in us.
00:18:42.811 --> 00:18:45.714
But what we can choose is to pursue love.
00:18:45.714 --> 00:18:47.883
- i love that, there's a story in the old testament,
00:18:47.883 --> 00:18:50.953
And without giving the whole story there,
00:18:50.953 --> 00:18:52.521
It's about a man named obed-edom and obed-edom found himself
00:18:52.521 --> 00:18:56.792
Exposed to the arc of the covenant
00:18:56.792 --> 00:18:59.661
And it was stored at his house for a little while.
00:18:59.661 --> 00:19:02.464
There's a story behind that,
00:19:02.464 --> 00:19:03.732
But we're not gonna go there right now.
00:19:03.732 --> 00:19:05.133
The arc of the covenant represented the presence of god.
00:19:05.133 --> 00:19:08.103
And after that portion of scripture,
00:19:08.103 --> 00:19:11.006
Over and over again throughout scripture,
00:19:11.006 --> 00:19:13.075
We see obed-edom's name just pop up in little spots.
00:19:13.075 --> 00:19:16.411
One, he was a doorkeeper in the house of god.
00:19:16.411 --> 00:19:18.680
He was serving in the temple.
00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:21.483
I can't even theologically give you the exact things
00:19:21.483 --> 00:19:24.453
That he was doing, but bottom line is he was just found
00:19:24.453 --> 00:19:27.623
Everywhere at the house of god.
00:19:27.623 --> 00:19:29.191
And for me, it was just such a great picture of the fact
00:19:29.191 --> 00:19:32.094
That when we truly encounter the presence of god,
00:19:32.094 --> 00:19:34.896
Like when we truly, like we've talked about this week,
00:19:34.896 --> 00:19:38.066
Develop such a love and a surrender
00:19:38.066 --> 00:19:40.402
And heart for god, we can't help but love his church.
00:19:40.402 --> 00:19:44.439
And it's like anywhere, put me anywhere, god,
00:19:44.439 --> 00:19:47.109
Put me in, coach.
00:19:47.109 --> 00:19:48.710
Like anywhere that there's a need, if i can step in
00:19:48.710 --> 00:19:51.346
And fill it, then it's contributing
00:19:51.346 --> 00:19:53.148
To building the house of god.
00:19:53.148 --> 00:19:55.050
And along the way, like you're saying, belinda,
00:19:55.050 --> 00:19:57.452
Along the way, i think god starts to eliminate giftings
00:19:57.452 --> 00:20:00.122
And things that just are natural wirings
00:20:00.122 --> 00:20:02.457
And the calling, i think so many people are searching for,
00:20:02.457 --> 00:20:04.860
What's my calling lord?
00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:06.328
And all of us are called to build the house of god.
00:20:06.328 --> 00:20:09.765
It's like the scripture 1 corinthians,
00:20:09.765 --> 00:20:11.199
Like we're all part of the body of christ.
00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:13.368
Some are hands, some are noses, some are elbows.
00:20:13.368 --> 00:20:16.004
Like we need it all.
00:20:16.004 --> 00:20:17.539
We all have a role to play in building the house of god.
00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:19.541
And as we just get busy going whatever,
00:20:19.541 --> 00:20:22.711
Like let me fill the gap, lord.
00:20:22.711 --> 00:20:24.379
As we get busy doing that,
00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:25.647
I think god starts identifying the places
00:20:25.647 --> 00:20:27.916
Where we're truly gifted
00:20:27.916 --> 00:20:29.418
Because maybe it's an incredible greeter at the front door
00:20:29.418 --> 00:20:31.653
Who just makes people feel seen and known
00:20:31.653 --> 00:20:34.222
Or maybe it is that you're a child whisperer
00:20:34.222 --> 00:20:36.858
And like man, babies come into the nursery
00:20:36.858 --> 00:20:39.528
And you pray over them and you just speak life over them.
00:20:39.528 --> 00:20:42.464
There's so many places
00:20:42.464 --> 00:20:44.499
And opportunities in the house of god to exercise
00:20:44.499 --> 00:20:47.869
And to learn what our gifts are.
00:20:47.869 --> 00:20:49.438
But you do just have to get started somewhere.
00:20:49.438 --> 00:20:52.074
- if you were sitting and you're listening
00:20:52.974 --> 00:20:54.543
To the conversation and you might be scratching your head
00:20:54.543 --> 00:20:56.078
Thinking, i don't have gifts.
00:20:56.078 --> 00:20:57.546
First, let me tell you, you indeed have a gift.
00:20:57.546 --> 00:21:00.215
I feel like shouting across the screen,
00:21:00.215 --> 00:21:01.917
You have a gift, you have a gift, you have a gift.
00:21:01.917 --> 00:21:03.885
So let's discover what that gift is.
00:21:03.885 --> 00:21:05.887
I'm gonna encourage you to get into the word,
00:21:05.887 --> 00:21:08.357
Look at romans 12 and ephesians 4
00:21:08.357 --> 00:21:11.226
And 1 corinthians 12 and 13 because there,
00:21:11.226 --> 00:21:13.362
Paul lists spiritual gifts that god has given us.
00:21:13.362 --> 00:21:16.231
And then i'm gonna invite you to ask god to reveal to you,
00:21:16.231 --> 00:21:19.768
To highlight to you, to spotlight to you
00:21:19.768 --> 00:21:21.870
The gifts that you have because you are called.
00:21:21.870 --> 00:21:24.639
Where god calls you to, he's gonna equip you to step into.
00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:28.043
So i'm gonna encourage you begin to get inquisitive.
00:21:28.043 --> 00:21:31.179
Where am i naturally gifted in?
00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:33.215
What are the places that i'm just good at?
00:21:33.215 --> 00:21:35.650
Then what are the things that i'm passionate about?
00:21:35.650 --> 00:21:38.520
Then begin to ask yourself where's there need?
00:21:38.520 --> 00:21:40.956
Where can i step into and begin to serve?
00:21:40.956 --> 00:21:43.091
And at the crossroad, the braid of what am i called to,
00:21:43.091 --> 00:21:46.361
What am i good at,
00:21:46.361 --> 00:21:47.662
What are the things that i'm passionate about?
00:21:47.662 --> 00:21:48.897
There, you'll begin to discover gifts
00:21:48.897 --> 00:21:51.666
And i'm gonna encourage you, what if you begin to ask god
00:21:51.666 --> 00:21:54.636
For a supernatural indwelling of these gifts
00:21:54.636 --> 00:21:57.439
'cause sure, you might be a leader,
00:21:57.439 --> 00:21:58.907
But what would he look like
00:21:58.907 --> 00:22:00.108
If you were a spirit-filled leader?
00:22:00.108 --> 00:22:01.910
Sure, you might have the gift of helps,
00:22:01.910 --> 00:22:03.478
But what if you were a spirit-filled helper?
00:22:03.478 --> 00:22:05.847
Sure, you might have the gift of organization.
00:22:05.847 --> 00:22:07.649
What if you were a spirit-filled organizer?
00:22:07.649 --> 00:22:10.318
I think that there's natural giftings
00:22:10.318 --> 00:22:13.088
That we inherit at birth,
00:22:13.088 --> 00:22:14.990
But when breathe upon by the holy spirit,
00:22:14.990 --> 00:22:16.892
That's what takes us to the next level.
00:22:16.892 --> 00:22:18.460
So this is a condemnation, this an invitation.
00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:20.695
Start during the work, go to god.
00:22:20.695 --> 00:22:22.397
Ask him for your gifts
00:22:22.397 --> 00:22:23.965
And ask his spirit to give you a supernatural end dwelling
00:22:23.965 --> 00:22:26.701
And take these gifts to the next level.
00:22:26.701 --> 00:22:29.271
- i think maybe as people in the church,
00:22:29.271 --> 00:22:32.541
There we could do a better job of even the language
00:22:32.541 --> 00:22:36.545
That we use to speak about serving in the church,
00:22:36.545 --> 00:22:40.682
Finding your spiritual gift.
00:22:40.682 --> 00:22:42.050
There's that story about the three men
00:22:42.050 --> 00:22:44.486
Who were working in a field or whatever
00:22:44.486 --> 00:22:46.555
And one was laying bricks.
00:22:46.555 --> 00:22:49.357
And the other, you asked him what he was doing
00:22:49.357 --> 00:22:51.960
And he was building a wall.
00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:54.229
And then you asked the other one was doing
00:22:54.229 --> 00:22:55.764
And he said, well, i'm building a cathedral.
00:22:55.764 --> 00:22:57.466
They were all hired to do the same thing.
00:22:57.466 --> 00:22:59.668
But their perspective of what they were doing was different.
00:22:59.668 --> 00:23:02.304
One saw it as a job, i'm just laying bricks.
00:23:02.304 --> 00:23:04.873
One saw more as a career, i'm building a wall.
00:23:04.873 --> 00:23:08.310
There's something i'm building here,
00:23:08.310 --> 00:23:09.678
But i don't know really what the end game is here.
00:23:09.678 --> 00:23:11.913
But this one saw it as what i'm doing
00:23:11.913 --> 00:23:13.415
Is i'm building a cathedral.
00:23:13.415 --> 00:23:14.983
I'm just doing it brick by brick.
00:23:14.983 --> 00:23:16.685
And i think if we did a better job
00:23:16.685 --> 00:23:18.787
Of really instilling in the people of the church,
00:23:18.787 --> 00:23:24.059
You're building a cathedral.
00:23:24.659 --> 00:23:26.027
Every time you change that diaper,
00:23:26.027 --> 00:23:28.630
You're doing something for eternity.
00:23:29.431 --> 00:23:31.800
It's interesting because yesterday,
00:23:31.800 --> 00:23:33.235
We talked about church heard in a transition i had
00:23:33.235 --> 00:23:35.303
And i had really dealt with the idea that i had spent
00:23:35.303 --> 00:23:38.840
So many years in one place
00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:40.308
And it felt like
00:23:40.308 --> 00:23:41.977
We talk about return on investment like money-wise.
00:23:41.977 --> 00:23:44.346
You always wanna put your money in a good place,
00:23:44.346 --> 00:23:46.047
Have a good return on investment.
00:23:46.047 --> 00:23:47.616
I really went through a season where i probably was...
00:23:47.616 --> 00:23:51.286
Probably could even call it depression a little bit,
00:23:51.286 --> 00:23:53.488
Of just like my return on investment was zero.
00:23:53.488 --> 00:23:57.726
I have nothing to show
00:23:57.726 --> 00:24:00.195
For my years of being there and ministering it
00:24:00.195 --> 00:24:03.098
'cause i'm not a part of that community anymore.
00:24:03.098 --> 00:24:04.699
I'm not a part of that body anymore.
00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:06.935
I have nothing to show
00:24:06.935 --> 00:24:08.270
And we kind of erased from the whole history
00:24:08.270 --> 00:24:11.006
And it was really hard to process.
00:24:11.006 --> 00:24:15.210
And then the lord said,
00:24:15.210 --> 00:24:17.612
Everything you did was for eternity.
00:24:18.380 --> 00:24:22.684
I have stopped everything you did come.
00:24:22.684 --> 00:24:25.720
It was all for eternity,
00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:27.756
You weren't paying anything forward here on earth.
00:24:27.756 --> 00:24:31.226
It was all being paid toward heaven.
00:24:31.226 --> 00:24:34.062
And so that's never gonna be in vain
00:24:34.062 --> 00:24:36.798
Because it was for eternity everything you did.
00:24:36.798 --> 00:24:39.467
So in the same way,
00:24:39.467 --> 00:24:41.236
If you can understand that every spiritual gift,
00:24:41.236 --> 00:24:43.738
Even if it starts small
00:24:43.738 --> 00:24:45.173
And you don't even know really if your contribution is
00:24:45.173 --> 00:24:47.108
Making a difference, every time you show up
00:24:47.108 --> 00:24:50.478
And use that new muscle of gifting,
00:24:50.478 --> 00:24:53.248
You are putting it forward for eternity.
00:24:53.248 --> 00:24:55.917
It is changing eternity.
00:24:55.917 --> 00:24:58.453
Somebody is going to be in eternity that would not have
00:24:58.453 --> 00:25:01.623
Because you changed the diaper.
00:25:01.623 --> 00:25:04.593
In 2 timothy 1:6, it says,
00:25:04.593 --> 00:25:08.196
Fan into flame, the gift of god that is within you.
00:25:08.196 --> 00:25:12.133
I mean, women, i just see us,
00:25:12.133 --> 00:25:13.702
Like we've got to fan into flame these gifts.
00:25:13.702 --> 00:25:16.771
Like there's just across the board,
00:25:16.771 --> 00:25:18.473
You're sitting watching today and it's like fan into flame
00:25:18.473 --> 00:25:22.677
The gift of god that is in you.
00:25:22.677 --> 00:25:24.212
So don't let the spark go away, like fan it into flame.
00:25:24.212 --> 00:25:27.849
Let it become a fire that burns within you.
00:25:27.849 --> 00:25:29.584
You've gotta get into the doors of the church
00:25:29.584 --> 00:25:31.219
And you've gotta start exercising your spiritual gifts.
00:25:31.219 --> 00:25:34.322
For those of you who need encouragement
00:25:35.156 --> 00:25:36.658
And using your spiritual gifts inside the church,
00:25:36.658 --> 00:25:38.293
Lemme remind you of 2 timothy 1:6.
00:25:38.293 --> 00:25:40.495
It says, for this reason, i urge you to fan the flame
00:25:40.495 --> 00:25:44.899
Of the gift that god has given you.
00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:47.302
Fan the flame, think about that.
00:25:47.302 --> 00:25:49.838
If you're at a campfire
00:25:49.838 --> 00:25:51.139
And you see this little tiny fire going
00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:55.076
That's about to burn out
00:25:55.076 --> 00:25:56.378
And you kind of start fanning it a little bit,
00:25:56.378 --> 00:25:58.446
It's going to grow and grow and grow.
00:25:58.446 --> 00:25:59.781
He's saying the same thing.
00:25:59.781 --> 00:26:01.249
He's saying, hey, don't neglect these spiritual gifts
00:26:01.249 --> 00:26:04.152
I've given you because they're so useful
00:26:04.152 --> 00:26:06.087
To encourage and edify the body.
00:26:06.087 --> 00:26:07.989
So if you need encouragement
00:26:07.989 --> 00:26:09.524
To find out your spiritual gifts,
00:26:09.524 --> 00:26:11.726
Maybe spend some time in 1 corinthians
00:26:11.726 --> 00:26:13.461
And just start going through them.
00:26:13.461 --> 00:26:15.430
Is there anything here that starts resonating with me?
00:26:15.430 --> 00:26:17.699
Is there anything that i can kind of enjoy?
00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:19.601
Maybe ask somebody else.
00:26:19.601 --> 00:26:21.036
I mean, i'm telling you, feedback is your friend.
00:26:21.036 --> 00:26:23.838
Hey, when you think of me,
00:26:23.838 --> 00:26:25.573
What are some things that you think about?
00:26:25.573 --> 00:26:27.275
Am i an encourager?
00:26:27.275 --> 00:26:28.843
Do you like let somebody tell you what they see in you,
00:26:28.843 --> 00:26:31.513
But don't forget that the church,
00:26:31.513 --> 00:26:34.382
The body of christ needs you.
00:26:34.382 --> 00:26:37.218
And i think sometimes we forget, maybe we go to churches
00:26:37.218 --> 00:26:39.921
And it seems like everybody has their place.
00:26:39.921 --> 00:26:41.856
We've got the people in the choir,
00:26:41.856 --> 00:26:43.892
We've got the people at childcare, we've got the youth
00:26:43.892 --> 00:26:46.094
And where do i fit in, where do i serve?
00:26:46.094 --> 00:26:48.997
I'm telling you, some department right now is praying
00:26:48.997 --> 00:26:52.701
For a volunteer in their department.
00:26:52.701 --> 00:26:54.335
They need your giftings.
00:26:54.335 --> 00:26:56.037
So just seriously go to a church, go to
00:26:56.037 --> 00:26:58.873
The church you go to
00:26:58.873 --> 00:26:59.808
And ask where can i serve?
00:26:59.808 --> 00:27:01.376
And start serving and start using your gifting.
00:27:01.376 --> 00:27:03.378
And you may find that there is something
00:27:03.378 --> 00:27:05.847
That is birthed in you, you never expected,
00:27:05.847 --> 00:27:08.717
But that brings you so much joy to serve the body of christ.
00:27:08.717 --> 00:27:13.288
- there's a woman at our church
00:27:13.922 --> 00:27:15.857
Who just shared in our last leader huddle
00:27:15.857 --> 00:27:19.060
Before services like a bunch of volunteers and staff
00:27:19.060 --> 00:27:21.463
And parking team and kids team.
00:27:21.463 --> 00:27:22.731
We all come together and pray together.
00:27:22.731 --> 00:27:24.432
And she shared about when she was looking for a church
00:27:24.432 --> 00:27:27.469
And her and her family came to our church
00:27:27.469 --> 00:27:29.738
For the first time.
00:27:29.738 --> 00:27:31.172
And she talked about the parking team
00:27:31.172 --> 00:27:33.742
And the greeters who greeted her and the people who came out
00:27:33.742 --> 00:27:36.444
And helped her know where the kids ministry was
00:27:36.444 --> 00:27:38.346
And the coffee team and the greeters.
00:27:38.346 --> 00:27:40.648
And she's telling all these stories and she goes,
00:27:40.648 --> 00:27:43.585
Before we walked into the auditorium,
00:27:43.585 --> 00:27:45.587
We knew this is our church.
00:27:45.587 --> 00:27:47.021
See, so beautiful.
00:27:47.021 --> 00:27:48.556
That's before the song started, before the word was preach,
00:27:48.556 --> 00:27:50.792
Which i'm sure it was good.
00:27:50.792 --> 00:27:52.761
It had nothing to do with why she picked that church.
00:27:53.862 --> 00:27:56.698
And i thought, i think there's a lot of people
00:27:56.698 --> 00:27:58.633
That are looking for different things.
00:27:58.633 --> 00:27:59.801
They're looking for community,
00:27:59.801 --> 00:28:01.035
They're looking for good kids program.
00:28:01.035 --> 00:28:02.337
Maybe they're looking for a good worship.
00:28:02.337 --> 00:28:03.905
I'm saying that's why we all need to show up with our gifts
00:28:03.905 --> 00:28:06.040
'cause there's somebody that's looking for that there.
00:28:06.040 --> 00:28:08.476
So you have to be who you are so people can find you.
00:28:08.476 --> 00:28:11.246
So when you're there, like i'm good at hospitality,
00:28:11.246 --> 00:28:13.481
I would love you at my church.
00:28:13.481 --> 00:28:14.949
Who would love to have you,
00:28:14.949 --> 00:28:16.050
Because there's friends like mine
00:28:16.050 --> 00:28:17.652
Who are looking for a church that's welcoming.
00:28:17.652 --> 00:28:19.487
I went to the front door, she shared this
00:28:19.487 --> 00:28:21.289
Because she's now been on staff at our church for years.
00:28:21.289 --> 00:28:24.526
She's one of the most welcoming, loving people.
00:28:24.526 --> 00:28:26.561
And i remember hearing the story
00:28:26.561 --> 00:28:27.862
And i'm thinking you just named everyone
00:28:27.862 --> 00:28:29.230
Before the service started.
00:28:29.230 --> 00:28:31.633
And i was just amazed.
00:28:31.633 --> 00:28:34.235
And i just want everyone to know, like these gifts
00:28:34.235 --> 00:28:37.372
Might make someone change their mind
00:28:37.372 --> 00:28:39.207
About if they're attending church or not
00:28:39.207 --> 00:28:41.576
'cause all that church hurt you feel,
00:28:41.576 --> 00:28:43.511
You could be the opposite of that for someone.
00:28:43.511 --> 00:28:49.150
- there's a story that i'd like to share
00:28:49.984 --> 00:28:51.719
With their church members, which is that, we're here.
00:28:51.719 --> 00:28:55.723
I mean, we're still like
00:28:55.723 --> 00:28:56.858
A young church plant three years,
00:28:56.858 --> 00:28:59.060
But i always say like, we're here because one, god.
00:28:59.060 --> 00:29:02.030
But two, gene and so shout out to gene.
00:29:02.030 --> 00:29:05.633
And it's because i remember like, i mean,
00:29:05.633 --> 00:29:07.902
We were already postponed launching our church
00:29:07.902 --> 00:29:10.672
By two years because of covid pandemic and all that stuff.
00:29:10.672 --> 00:29:13.808
But i remember a month before our launch date in 2022,
00:29:13.808 --> 00:29:17.111
Half our team got covid.
00:29:17.111 --> 00:29:18.980
And my husband and i were like, oh my goodness.
00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:21.549
Like, are we even going to make it?
00:29:21.549 --> 00:29:23.952
And not only that, i mean our space,
00:29:23.952 --> 00:29:26.888
The only space that we were able to get
00:29:26.888 --> 00:29:28.256
Was in this dark amc theater.
00:29:28.256 --> 00:29:30.592
And we didn't have enough lights.
00:29:30.592 --> 00:29:32.460
How are you going to...
00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.394
It wasn't like the cool ones
00:29:33.394 --> 00:29:34.696
Where you have like the flat stage space,
00:29:34.696 --> 00:29:36.865
But it was all stairs.
00:29:36.865 --> 00:29:37.966
Like, it was all like an uphill.
00:29:37.966 --> 00:29:39.567
I'm like, how are we gonna do children's ministry and that?
00:29:39.567 --> 00:29:41.736
And we're like looking around and my husband
00:29:41.736 --> 00:29:43.938
And i were like, oh, should we postpone again?
00:29:43.938 --> 00:29:46.140
Like what are we gonna do?
00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.609
But there's this guy named gene who on his second day
00:29:47.609 --> 00:29:51.246
Of showing up, and i really think his gifts are service
00:29:51.246 --> 00:29:56.217
And encouragement, so all he really did the first day
00:29:56.217 --> 00:29:58.820
Was just like, help open doors, help set up tables,
00:29:58.820 --> 00:30:02.090
Help with the signs and lights.
00:30:02.090 --> 00:30:04.792
And the second time, he was doing the same thing.
00:30:04.792 --> 00:30:08.162
And then we're just looking at this dark theater
00:30:08.162 --> 00:30:10.999
With none of the lights on.
00:30:10.999 --> 00:30:13.001
And i just heard him go, this is going to be amazing.
00:30:13.001 --> 00:30:17.906
And my husband and i, we like looked at him
00:30:18.840 --> 00:30:21.109
Because there was something about what he said.
00:30:21.109 --> 00:30:23.845
- we all have a gene.
00:30:23.845 --> 00:30:25.413
- like, it wasn't just the content,
00:30:25.413 --> 00:30:27.315
But there was just an anointing over what he said.
00:30:27.315 --> 00:30:30.151
He was like, this is going to be amazing.
00:30:30.151 --> 00:30:33.955
Because my husband and i, we were this close to being like,
00:30:33.955 --> 00:30:36.958
I don't know, let's push it back another six months.
00:30:36.958 --> 00:30:39.460
But when he said that, we're like, you know what?
00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:41.963
Like this really is gonna be great, you know?
00:30:41.963 --> 00:30:45.333
And we launched on time, god did a thing.
00:30:45.333 --> 00:30:47.869
We're able to experience miracles again and
00:30:47.869 --> 00:30:50.672
Again and again.
00:30:50.672 --> 00:30:51.606
And every time we were like this close,
00:30:51.606 --> 00:30:54.175
They'd be like, oh, you know what, forget it,
00:30:54.175 --> 00:30:55.243
We can't do this anymore,
00:30:55.243 --> 00:30:56.611
Gene would say something along the lines of,
00:30:56.611 --> 00:30:59.480
God's doing something here, or this is amazing.
00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:03.151
And there was just something about
00:31:03.151 --> 00:31:05.320
That simple word of encouragement.
00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:07.088
And you know what, this guy still comes
00:31:07.088 --> 00:31:08.957
First thing in the morning, leaves last every single sunday.
00:31:08.957 --> 00:31:13.094
And he just sets up signs, open doors.
00:31:13.094 --> 00:31:16.030
He remembers everyone's birthdays, every single one.
00:31:16.030 --> 00:31:19.400
He's like some secret genius, i don't even know.
00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:21.936
But this guy, like, i mean, his gift is service
00:31:21.936 --> 00:31:25.206
And encouragement, but yet it has really sustained our body
00:31:25.206 --> 00:31:30.378
And has impacted our leadership.
00:31:31.012 --> 00:31:32.180
- that's so amazing.
00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:33.581
- what if you feel like i'm not called to the church,
00:31:34.682 --> 00:31:39.053
To build the church, so to speak.
00:31:39.053 --> 00:31:41.889
I've heard, i've heard that said a few times
00:31:41.889 --> 00:31:43.825
In my church planting journey.
00:31:43.825 --> 00:31:45.460
In fact, i'll never forget this one story.
00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:47.729
Early in the years of church planting,
00:31:47.729 --> 00:31:51.032
We were just all like you.
00:31:51.032 --> 00:31:53.101
Everything you just described, all hands on deck.
00:31:53.101 --> 00:31:55.670
It's like just everything you can do to survive.
00:31:55.670 --> 00:31:58.172
And so the people that were coming at that moment
00:31:58.172 --> 00:32:00.842
Were like all in kind of people.
00:32:00.842 --> 00:32:02.810
And we had these friends that had been coming
00:32:02.810 --> 00:32:05.580
For a couple weeks
00:32:05.580 --> 00:32:06.881
And then all of a sudden they just disappeared.
00:32:06.881 --> 00:32:08.683
And i didn't see them for months.
00:32:08.683 --> 00:32:10.852
And i thought i tried to reach out,
00:32:10.852 --> 00:32:12.587
Didn't get any response.
00:32:12.587 --> 00:32:14.155
And i was like, i wonder what has happened to this family.
00:32:14.155 --> 00:32:16.524
I was getting a juice one day
00:32:16.524 --> 00:32:18.826
And just happened to bump into this friend
00:32:18.826 --> 00:32:21.162
That had been coming to the church for a little while.
00:32:21.162 --> 00:32:23.031
And i know she didn't want to bump into me in that moment,
00:32:23.031 --> 00:32:26.000
But we ended up in a conversation and.
00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:29.370
- what she said was just so revealing.
00:32:30.204 --> 00:32:31.739
She said, "you know, we just decided to go to another church
00:32:31.739 --> 00:32:34.809
Because i wanted to walk in on a sunday morning,
00:32:34.809 --> 00:32:38.179
Put my kids in someone else's competent hands,
00:32:38.179 --> 00:32:41.149
And not have to do anything."
00:32:41.149 --> 00:32:42.884
And i was like, "oh, okay.
00:32:42.884 --> 00:32:45.453
Whoa, wait a second."
00:32:45.453 --> 00:32:46.754
Because for me and as for me in my house,
00:32:46.754 --> 00:32:49.090
I'm like, "that church is the bride of christ.
00:32:49.090 --> 00:32:50.725
It's the house of...
00:32:50.725 --> 00:32:52.293
We are privileged to build the church in whatever capacity.
00:32:52.293 --> 00:32:54.662
And i'm afraid that too often,
00:32:54.662 --> 00:32:57.165
Church has become a consumer sport."
00:32:57.165 --> 00:32:59.267
And it was never meant to be a consumer sport.
00:32:59.267 --> 00:33:01.035
Like, feed me, give me a word to hold onto for the week,
00:33:01.035 --> 00:33:04.072
Give me some worship that makes me feel good,
00:33:04.072 --> 00:33:05.807
Maybe shed a few tears, take care of my kids.
00:33:05.807 --> 00:33:08.009
And then they go about the week and it's like,
00:33:08.009 --> 00:33:10.278
"oh, you are missing the beauty
00:33:10.278 --> 00:33:12.146
Of what it is to be planted in the house of god
00:33:12.146 --> 00:33:14.649
And to use your gifts to build his house."
00:33:14.649 --> 00:33:17.351
Because church was never meant to be a cruise ship, right?
00:33:17.351 --> 00:33:19.854
It's, like, it's a battleship, it's all hands on deck.
00:33:19.854 --> 00:33:22.657
And we're on mission to actually see people,
00:33:22.657 --> 00:33:26.561
Find jesus, and find mission.
00:33:26.561 --> 00:33:28.596
It's a great commission. - yeah.
00:33:28.596 --> 00:33:30.965
- yes, i challenged you to come to a place
00:33:30.965 --> 00:33:33.801
Where we, as a people, move beyond just going to church
00:33:33.801 --> 00:33:37.438
So that we can be ministered to,
00:33:37.438 --> 00:33:39.841
But we actually recognize that we are ministered to
00:33:39.841 --> 00:33:43.211
So that we can pour out and contribute to helping others.
00:33:43.211 --> 00:33:47.949
That is god's plan.
00:33:47.949 --> 00:33:50.084
There's a sea over in the middle east called the dead sea,
00:33:50.084 --> 00:33:53.554
And water flows into it, but nothing flows out of it.
00:33:53.554 --> 00:33:57.325
And because of that, there's no living thing in that sea.
00:33:57.325 --> 00:34:01.362
And the same thing happens with you and me.
00:34:01.362 --> 00:34:03.631
If all we do is consume,
00:34:03.631 --> 00:34:05.366
If all we do is have something poured into us,
00:34:05.366 --> 00:34:07.735
But we are never the ones to turn around and pour back out,
00:34:07.735 --> 00:34:11.873
Something begins to die on the inside
00:34:11.873 --> 00:34:14.408
Because you were made with purpose for a purpose.
00:34:14.408 --> 00:34:18.312
So, find a place to get your hands dirty.
00:34:18.312 --> 00:34:20.781
Find a place to dig in
00:34:20.781 --> 00:34:22.650
And to serve within your local church,
00:34:22.650 --> 00:34:24.352
Because i'm telling you what's gonna happen
00:34:24.352 --> 00:34:26.287
Is you're gonna come alive to purpose
00:34:26.287 --> 00:34:28.890
And god's gonna reveal to you some things about you
00:34:28.890 --> 00:34:31.259
That you may not have ever known.
00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:32.894
(uplifting music)
00:34:32.894 --> 00:34:38.232
- all right, so let's talk about spiritual gifts.
00:34:39.233 --> 00:34:41.969
- that's good. - so many viewers ask us:
00:34:41.969 --> 00:34:44.305
How do i know what my spiritual gifts are?
00:34:44.305 --> 00:34:47.475
- i think sometimes we might get in our heads
00:34:47.475 --> 00:34:50.444
To make it harder than it is.
00:34:50.444 --> 00:34:52.013
And i think in some ways, let's simplify it.
00:34:52.013 --> 00:34:55.550
What do you like to do, okay?
00:34:55.550 --> 00:34:57.585
Because i do believe that, this is how i think about it.
00:34:57.585 --> 00:35:00.354
The kingdom of god is massive.
00:35:00.354 --> 00:35:02.323
Like, there's so much work to be done
00:35:02.323 --> 00:35:04.158
To get people into the kingdom of god.
00:35:04.158 --> 00:35:06.394
And so whenever god is looking at this harvest
00:35:06.394 --> 00:35:08.863
And he says the harvest is plentiful
00:35:08.863 --> 00:35:10.598
But the workers are few,
00:35:10.598 --> 00:35:11.933
I don't believe he's going to,
00:35:11.933 --> 00:35:13.134
With the few workers he does have,
00:35:13.134 --> 00:35:14.936
Make sure that they're unhappy,
00:35:14.936 --> 00:35:16.304
Not working in things they don't enjoy.
00:35:16.304 --> 00:35:17.872
No, i think he's going to put you where you enjoy.
00:35:17.872 --> 00:35:20.241
So let's first just be simple and practical.
00:35:20.241 --> 00:35:22.677
What do you like to do?
00:35:22.677 --> 00:35:23.778
Where do you find a bent?
00:35:23.778 --> 00:35:25.313
And then when you do that, say, "okay, i like to sing,"
00:35:25.313 --> 00:35:28.649
Or, "i'd like to entertain people in my home,"
00:35:28.649 --> 00:35:30.251
Then you submit it to the holy spirit.
00:35:30.251 --> 00:35:32.053
"holy spirit, how can i use this for the greater good?
00:35:32.053 --> 00:35:35.623
To serve mankind, to show love, how can i serve?"
00:35:35.623 --> 00:35:39.994
And then whenever you have that posture,
00:35:39.994 --> 00:35:42.263
Then you go and you look for ways to step out and do it.
00:35:42.263 --> 00:35:44.865
So it's not as complicated as we think.
00:35:44.865 --> 00:35:47.468
And i do think,
00:35:47.468 --> 00:35:48.836
Let's say that you haven't been towards something,
00:35:48.836 --> 00:35:50.304
And you try it, and maybe,
00:35:50.304 --> 00:35:52.173
You know, it didn't bring you as much life as you thought,
00:35:52.173 --> 00:35:54.442
Then you maybe do the exercise again.
00:35:54.442 --> 00:35:56.377
But i think in general,
00:35:56.377 --> 00:35:58.613
Let's begin thinking about ways
00:35:58.613 --> 00:36:00.748
That we really enjoy doing things.
00:36:00.748 --> 00:36:02.883
If you love prayer, then join an intercessor to you.
00:36:02.883 --> 00:36:06.921
And then see god move through that prayer time,
00:36:06.921 --> 00:36:10.725
And it begins to grow your heart for it more.
00:36:10.725 --> 00:36:13.094
And you begin, 'cause it has to be about loving people.
00:36:13.094 --> 00:36:16.330
- right. - whatever you do,
00:36:16.330 --> 00:36:17.698
The extension of it is your love for people.
00:36:17.698 --> 00:36:19.667
But i do believe god will use you
00:36:19.667 --> 00:36:22.370
In the way that is interesting and fun to you
00:36:22.370 --> 00:36:25.873
'cause i don't think we're supposed to live this life,
00:36:25.873 --> 00:36:28.709
You know, not enjoying what we're called to do.
00:36:28.709 --> 00:36:31.212
- [announcer] be the first to know
00:36:31.979 --> 00:36:33.247
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00:36:33.247 --> 00:36:35.583
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00:36:35.583 --> 00:36:39.353
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00:36:39.353 --> 00:36:43.001
(bright upbeat music)
00:36:43.001 --> 00:36:46.128
- i just think,
00:36:46.128 --> 00:36:47.562
As we're talking about activating spiritual gifts,
00:36:47.562 --> 00:36:49.564
How do we encourage people to take steps
00:36:49.564 --> 00:36:52.968
Of being planted in the house of god
00:36:52.968 --> 00:36:55.203
And doing something to contribute to the house of god?
00:36:55.203 --> 00:36:58.173
Because of stories like jean
00:36:58.173 --> 00:37:00.208
And because of the stories like the woman that you shared,
00:37:00.208 --> 00:37:02.678
The hospitality that was just amazing.
00:37:02.678 --> 00:37:04.780
That blew people away.
00:37:04.780 --> 00:37:05.947
How do we encourage people,
00:37:05.947 --> 00:37:07.482
Like, "you do have a part to play"?
00:37:07.482 --> 00:37:09.251
- i don't think that telling people,
00:37:09.251 --> 00:37:10.719
"you're building the kingdom of god,"
00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:12.754
Is enough motivation for this generation.
00:37:12.754 --> 00:37:14.089
- yeah, that's true. - that's really true.
00:37:14.089 --> 00:37:15.424
- and so i'm like, "then let's do a yes, and...
00:37:15.424 --> 00:37:18.794
The truth is that you're called, that you are anointed,
00:37:18.794 --> 00:37:21.296
And there's opportunities for you
00:37:21.296 --> 00:37:22.397
To serve in the kingdom of god.
00:37:22.397 --> 00:37:24.399
And i'm going to train you."
00:37:24.399 --> 00:37:26.435
- hmm. - good.
00:37:26.435 --> 00:37:27.669
- so inviting people to come and serve,
00:37:27.669 --> 00:37:29.037
Hold a baby, open a door, pour coffee,
00:37:29.037 --> 00:37:31.406
Is not a compelling vision,
00:37:31.406 --> 00:37:33.141
But i firmly believe that we can not just expose or educate,
00:37:33.141 --> 00:37:38.480
But actually train and facilitate
00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:40.115
Development in people.
00:37:40.115 --> 00:37:41.083
- that's great. - so good.
00:37:41.083 --> 00:37:42.584
- so at our church, i do a leadership cohort and i'm like,
00:37:42.584 --> 00:37:44.219
"hey, you wanna come in and learn?"
00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:45.854
This is the leadership development that
00:37:45.854 --> 00:37:47.556
You're gonna get.
00:37:47.556 --> 00:37:48.090
In addition to that,
00:37:48.090 --> 00:37:49.257
We have specific trainings every quarter.
00:37:49.257 --> 00:37:50.592
In addition to that, we do gift tests,
00:37:50.592 --> 00:37:53.328
Like to help people maybe like pick or decide.
00:37:53.328 --> 00:37:56.031
But then we do like trainings on the regular
00:37:56.031 --> 00:37:58.767
And also holy spirit infusions
00:37:58.767 --> 00:38:01.303
Where we're praying over people for god
00:38:01.303 --> 00:38:02.704
To reveal the gifts upon their life.
00:38:02.704 --> 00:38:04.473
Now, what's the fruit of that?
00:38:04.473 --> 00:38:05.674
And we give you some roi.
00:38:05.674 --> 00:38:08.310
What we're seeing now
00:38:08.310 --> 00:38:09.678
Is people step into not just like spiritual gifts,
00:38:09.678 --> 00:38:13.382
But actually being developed.
00:38:13.382 --> 00:38:14.850
So a girl on our team had zero audiovisual lighting,
00:38:14.850 --> 00:38:18.987
Avl experience, zero.
00:38:18.987 --> 00:38:21.156
But she had helping hands and she's like,
00:38:21.156 --> 00:38:22.724
"i don't know what i'm supposed to do."
00:38:22.724 --> 00:38:24.393
She got onto tech team, she got trained in the tech team.
00:38:24.393 --> 00:38:26.862
She was actually quite skilled at knobs, levers,
00:38:26.862 --> 00:38:29.431
Buttons, and lights.
00:38:29.431 --> 00:38:30.999
She ended up being contracted by somebody from our church,
00:38:30.999 --> 00:38:34.536
And now she owns her own production house.
00:38:34.536 --> 00:38:36.438
- wow, come on. - come on, that's awesome.
00:38:36.438 --> 00:38:37.739
- oh, absolutely, a girl that felt called-
00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:39.841
- that's amazing. - that's awesome.
00:38:39.841 --> 00:38:41.209
- to really like pastor people,
00:38:41.209 --> 00:38:42.811
But she felt like she wanted a pastor outside of the church.
00:38:42.811 --> 00:38:45.514
We have a care ministry.
00:38:45.514 --> 00:38:46.815
I think we're one of the very few churches
00:38:46.815 --> 00:38:47.716
That have a care ministry.
00:38:47.716 --> 00:38:49.050
It's only licensed counselors and therapists.
00:38:49.050 --> 00:38:50.619
We do not therapize,
00:38:50.619 --> 00:38:52.020
But we love to put people into a healthy place.
00:38:52.020 --> 00:38:55.023
We pastor them, we love them,
00:38:55.023 --> 00:38:56.458
And then put them in the hands of an outside therapist.
00:38:56.458 --> 00:38:58.226
Well, she started serving on the care team just as admin.
00:38:58.226 --> 00:39:01.029
She loved serving the therapist.
00:39:01.029 --> 00:39:02.764
She's now in school to get her mft.
00:39:02.764 --> 00:39:04.833
She masters in family therapy.
00:39:04.833 --> 00:39:07.102
- so cool. - like, i just feel like it's,
00:39:07.102 --> 00:39:09.571
"yes, you can build the kingdom
00:39:09.571 --> 00:39:11.740
And we are gonna come alongside-"
00:39:11.740 --> 00:39:13.108
- we're gonna be with you. - and fan the flames
00:39:13.108 --> 00:39:14.709
Of your gifts and talents. - yeah, that's good.
00:39:14.709 --> 00:39:16.311
- because telling people that they're gifted called anointed
00:39:16.311 --> 00:39:17.979
Feels very overwhelming.
00:39:17.979 --> 00:39:19.080
Going through paul's giftedness.
00:39:19.080 --> 00:39:20.615
Some are prophetic, some are ministers, some are leaders.
00:39:20.615 --> 00:39:23.452
This generation doesn't know what that means.
00:39:23.452 --> 00:39:25.053
- that's right. - yeah.
00:39:25.053 --> 00:39:25.987
- let's make it real plain.
00:39:25.987 --> 00:39:27.088
Put the cookies on the lower shelf
00:39:27.088 --> 00:39:28.690
And equip them to go out to do what god's called them to do,
00:39:28.690 --> 00:39:29.991
Whether it's inside or else in the church.
00:39:29.991 --> 00:39:31.760
- 1 corinthians 12:7 says,
00:39:32.327 --> 00:39:33.929
"spiritual gifts are given to us so we can help each other."
00:39:33.929 --> 00:39:37.599
Nowhere in that does it say,
00:39:37.599 --> 00:39:39.034
"so we can just help the people in the church."
00:39:39.034 --> 00:39:41.603
So the question that we're asking is:
00:39:41.603 --> 00:39:44.506
Are spiritual gifts just for use in the church
00:39:44.506 --> 00:39:47.175
And for people in the church
00:39:47.175 --> 00:39:48.410
Or for outside the walls of the church?
00:39:48.410 --> 00:39:49.978
And of course, they're used for outside the walls as well,
00:39:49.978 --> 00:39:53.048
Because that's where the law start.
00:39:53.048 --> 00:39:54.716
And the spiritual gifts shift.
00:39:54.716 --> 00:39:56.284
Remember, why would he give us,
00:39:56.284 --> 00:39:57.686
Why would he equip us with spiritual gifts?
00:39:57.686 --> 00:40:00.388
So we can edify ourselves,
00:40:00.388 --> 00:40:01.690
So you can see what a great singer i am,
00:40:01.690 --> 00:40:03.992
Or how great i know how to put a charcuterie board together
00:40:03.992 --> 00:40:07.395
And have you over at my house?
00:40:07.395 --> 00:40:08.430
No, he gives us spiritual gifts
00:40:08.430 --> 00:40:11.066
So that we can be an extension of jesus to the world.
00:40:11.066 --> 00:40:15.237
And so of course he wants us
00:40:15.237 --> 00:40:17.339
To use those gifts inside the church.
00:40:17.339 --> 00:40:19.040
I mean, the church needs us.
00:40:19.040 --> 00:40:21.643
We need your gifts,
00:40:21.643 --> 00:40:23.011
We need all the ways that we've been equipped.
00:40:23.011 --> 00:40:25.814
But also take those to your workplace,
00:40:25.814 --> 00:40:29.117
Take those to the pta meeting,
00:40:29.117 --> 00:40:31.286
Take those to the soccer field
00:40:31.286 --> 00:40:33.121
Because there's a hurting world out there.
00:40:33.121 --> 00:40:34.789
And all of a sudden, you have a gift of wisdom.
00:40:34.789 --> 00:40:37.592
You maybe have a gift of faith, a gift of healing,
00:40:37.592 --> 00:40:39.694
And you're sitting by someone
00:40:39.694 --> 00:40:41.162
Or you're standing by someone at the grocery store,
00:40:41.162 --> 00:40:43.265
And maybe the the lord puts on your heart.
00:40:43.265 --> 00:40:46.101
You see them limping,
00:40:46.101 --> 00:40:47.602
And you're like, "okay, i have an opportunity here
00:40:48.637 --> 00:40:51.373
To extend the gift of healing
00:40:51.373 --> 00:40:52.774
That i believe the lord's given to me.
00:40:52.774 --> 00:40:54.976
I'm gonna pray for their leg."
00:40:54.976 --> 00:40:56.278
I mean, are you bold enough to do that?
00:40:56.278 --> 00:40:57.812
Let's increase that in our spiritual walk.
00:40:57.812 --> 00:41:01.149
Are we living with boldness to walk out our spiritual gifts?
00:41:01.149 --> 00:41:04.686
Maybe.
00:41:04.686 --> 00:41:05.687
I'm just thinking of it now,
00:41:05.687 --> 00:41:06.721
But maybe it's an excuse to say,
00:41:06.721 --> 00:41:08.423
"the gifts are just for the church,"
00:41:08.423 --> 00:41:09.658
Because we don't have boldness
00:41:09.658 --> 00:41:12.327
To walk the gifts out outside the walls of the church.
00:41:12.327 --> 00:41:14.963
Let me encourage you.
00:41:14.963 --> 00:41:16.264
The church needs us, but so does the world.
00:41:16.264 --> 00:41:18.733
So use your gifts to encourage and edify everyone
00:41:18.733 --> 00:41:23.371
That god puts in your path.
00:41:23.371 --> 00:41:25.006
We do have to make them aware of what is available
00:41:26.041 --> 00:41:28.276
And what the needs are.
00:41:28.276 --> 00:41:29.144
- yeah. - yeah.
00:41:29.144 --> 00:41:30.245
- i said earlier that we're working
00:41:30.245 --> 00:41:32.147
With the young adults in the church that we're in.
00:41:32.147 --> 00:41:33.915
And what i'm finding is,
00:41:33.915 --> 00:41:36.518
Man, you want young adults to rally, they will rally.
00:41:36.518 --> 00:41:39.487
And then you start talking about serve opportunities
00:41:39.487 --> 00:41:42.257
And, "you know, here's the qr code and sign up here,"
00:41:42.257 --> 00:41:45.393
And it's very few.
00:41:45.393 --> 00:41:46.227
And what we're learning
00:41:46.227 --> 00:41:47.629
Is it's not just making the awareness of the needs,
00:41:47.629 --> 00:41:52.701
But it's giving them the why,
00:41:53.335 --> 00:41:54.903
That what they're doing with their time is going to matter.
00:41:54.903 --> 00:41:57.839
- right. - and how this xyz
00:41:57.839 --> 00:42:00.642
Is building this church.
00:42:00.642 --> 00:42:01.943
And so we're spending the whole summer
00:42:01.943 --> 00:42:03.678
On a series called "rooted."
00:42:03.678 --> 00:42:05.013
We're just teaching them about...
00:42:05.013 --> 00:42:06.715
Not just being rooted in the word and rooted,
00:42:06.715 --> 00:42:08.283
But rooted and planted in a church that you're gonna say,
00:42:08.283 --> 00:42:11.453
"i'm taking ownership, this is my house.
00:42:11.453 --> 00:42:14.623
This isn't just the senior pastor's house.
00:42:14.623 --> 00:42:16.625
This is my house, and so i'm going to do
00:42:16.625 --> 00:42:19.160
What needs to be done to be the hands and feet."
00:42:19.160 --> 00:42:20.996
- that's good. - "so i'm gonna identify needs
00:42:20.996 --> 00:42:22.163
And i'm going to start meeting them."
00:42:22.163 --> 00:42:23.698
And that's hard whenever...
00:42:23.698 --> 00:42:25.333
Especially some of the age groups, maybe,
00:42:25.333 --> 00:42:27.402
That are more used to just coming and receiving.
00:42:27.402 --> 00:42:29.971
- right. - changing.
00:42:29.971 --> 00:42:31.506
But because i believe they're the future of the church.
00:42:31.506 --> 00:42:33.575
- yeah. - right.
00:42:33.575 --> 00:42:34.609
- we have to instill it now.
00:42:34.609 --> 00:42:36.878
- and as you're building god's church,
00:42:36.878 --> 00:42:38.480
Like something's being built within you.
00:42:38.480 --> 00:42:40.348
God is not asking something from you
00:42:40.348 --> 00:42:42.884
And not giving something to you.
00:42:42.884 --> 00:42:44.552
There is something in you that is not going to be activated
00:42:44.552 --> 00:42:48.089
Unless you say, "yes."
00:42:48.089 --> 00:42:49.391
- that's so good, right. - to serving someone,
00:42:49.391 --> 00:42:51.292
Giving somewhere,
00:42:51.292 --> 00:42:52.694
Saying, "yes," to something god's called you to do.
00:42:52.694 --> 00:42:54.429
Like, something in you is lying dormant.
00:42:54.429 --> 00:42:56.464
So god is not building his church separate from you.
00:42:56.464 --> 00:42:58.667
You are part of the church that god is building.
00:42:58.667 --> 00:43:00.869
- that's good. - so good.
00:43:00.869 --> 00:43:01.803
- and i think it's important
00:43:01.803 --> 00:43:03.071
That we are engaged in a local church
00:43:03.071 --> 00:43:04.673
So that we have an appropriate viewpoint
00:43:04.673 --> 00:43:07.375
Of ourselves and god and people.
00:43:07.375 --> 00:43:08.910
- yes. - that's very good.
00:43:08.910 --> 00:43:10.045
- the church is not catered to me.
00:43:10.045 --> 00:43:11.946
- right. - come on.
00:43:11.946 --> 00:43:13.114
- the church is not in my algorithm.
00:43:13.114 --> 00:43:14.182
- right. - they're not playing
00:43:14.182 --> 00:43:15.550
All my favorite songs, preaching the sermon.
00:43:15.550 --> 00:43:17.085
I need that day, you know, with all my favorite people,
00:43:17.085 --> 00:43:19.954
With all my favorite snacks. - right.
00:43:19.954 --> 00:43:21.356
- at the time of morning i wanna wake up at.
00:43:21.356 --> 00:43:23.692
No, this is not a house of hosanna.
00:43:23.692 --> 00:43:25.960
This is a house of god. - right.
00:43:25.960 --> 00:43:27.362
- and it's important that we go to a place
00:43:27.362 --> 00:43:28.930
So we remember that we're not the center of the universe.
00:43:28.930 --> 00:43:30.498
We have an appropriate relationship with god
00:43:30.498 --> 00:43:32.400
And with people and remember who we are.
00:43:32.400 --> 00:43:34.836
And serving keeps you in that appropriate place.
00:43:34.836 --> 00:43:38.773
It keeps you- - it does.
00:43:38.773 --> 00:43:40.041
- knowing who you are humbly before god,
00:43:40.041 --> 00:43:42.377
Knowing who you are and who you're not.
00:43:42.377 --> 00:43:44.312
Have you ever wondered who you are?
00:43:44.312 --> 00:43:45.580
Have you ever wondered your purpose?
00:43:45.580 --> 00:43:47.182
You know where it can be found? in the house of god.
00:43:47.182 --> 00:43:48.483
- yep. yep. - with god's people.
00:43:48.483 --> 00:43:50.618
It's important that you're engaged
00:43:50.618 --> 00:43:52.253
In a good, healthy, local church
00:43:52.253 --> 00:43:53.755
And that you're a part of creating that healthy community.
00:43:53.755 --> 00:43:56.324
- yeah. - absolutely, absolutely.
00:43:56.324 --> 00:43:57.592
- for the next gen that kind of feels like,
00:43:57.592 --> 00:44:00.228
"i wanna be used for the big things of god.
00:44:00.228 --> 00:44:02.430
God, use me, tell me where to go, show me where to go."
00:44:02.430 --> 00:44:05.834
And then they have this opportunity to
00:44:05.834 --> 00:44:07.001
Serve in the church.
00:44:07.001 --> 00:44:08.269
A negative thing that i'm hearing is people will serve,
00:44:08.269 --> 00:44:11.272
And then they'll walk away and say,
00:44:11.272 --> 00:44:13.007
"that church used me."
00:44:13.007 --> 00:44:14.609
- right. - yeah.
00:44:14.609 --> 00:44:15.643
- oh, yeah. - but you said,
00:44:15.643 --> 00:44:16.911
"lord, use me," and now you feel used.
00:44:16.911 --> 00:44:19.547
So, which one is it?
00:44:19.547 --> 00:44:21.116
- i think there's something to be said
00:44:21.116 --> 00:44:23.118
About even practically,
00:44:23.118 --> 00:44:25.120
Like you still need to be in charge of your schedule.
00:44:25.120 --> 00:44:26.955
- absolutely. - so if you say,
00:44:26.955 --> 00:44:28.022
"hey, i wanna help,"
00:44:28.022 --> 00:44:29.424
And then five different departments heard you say that,
00:44:29.424 --> 00:44:31.392
And all of five of them asked you,
00:44:31.392 --> 00:44:33.328
"hey, could you come on this saturday?"
00:44:33.328 --> 00:44:34.796
You can be like, "everyone wants a piece of me,
00:44:34.796 --> 00:44:36.698
And i said yes to everybody, now i'm exhausted."
00:44:36.698 --> 00:44:39.067
It's like, "oh, no, you could have said no."
00:44:39.067 --> 00:44:40.668
Like, you need to say yes to god,
00:44:40.668 --> 00:44:42.771
But, you know, everyone
00:44:42.771 --> 00:44:44.105
Is following the call of god on their lives,
00:44:44.105 --> 00:44:45.940
And it's been very hard for them
00:44:45.940 --> 00:44:47.242
To follow your call of god for your life.
00:44:47.242 --> 00:44:48.810
You are going to need to say, "yes," in faith
00:44:48.810 --> 00:44:51.079
And, "no," in faith.
00:44:51.079 --> 00:44:52.614
Like, you are going to have to also spiritually,
00:44:52.614 --> 00:44:55.150
You know, lead yourself in this very practical way.
00:44:55.150 --> 00:44:57.819
So i think that's one thing.
00:44:57.819 --> 00:44:59.154
I know we can all say many things.
00:44:59.154 --> 00:45:00.288
I'll pick that one thing.
00:45:00.288 --> 00:45:01.823
(mellow music)
00:45:01.823 --> 00:45:03.024
- as a church planner and a pastor,
00:45:03.024 --> 00:45:04.526
I'm gonna be very honest with you.
00:45:04.526 --> 00:45:06.161
The needs are incredibly great within church.
00:45:06.161 --> 00:45:08.763
I mean, if you were to ask me,
00:45:08.763 --> 00:45:10.331
"where's a great need to serve in ministry?"
00:45:10.331 --> 00:45:12.700
Every ministry.
00:45:12.700 --> 00:45:14.235
In any local church,
00:45:14.235 --> 00:45:15.537
If you walk in and ask, "where's the need?"
00:45:15.537 --> 00:45:16.905
They're gonna tell you kids,
00:45:16.905 --> 00:45:18.139
They're gonna tell you greeters,
00:45:18.139 --> 00:45:19.607
They're gonna tell you admin, they're gonna tell...
00:45:19.607 --> 00:45:20.608
Because the church is growing.
00:45:20.608 --> 00:45:21.943
A healthy church is gonna have big needs.
00:45:21.943 --> 00:45:23.378
And we invite people into building the kingdom.
00:45:23.378 --> 00:45:25.947
Not building a platform, or building a building,
00:45:25.947 --> 00:45:28.016
Or building a movement, or building the kingdom of god.
00:45:28.016 --> 00:45:30.218
And everyone is invited, everyone's needed.
00:45:30.218 --> 00:45:33.354
You are valued and you're needed.
00:45:33.354 --> 00:45:35.523
I also wanna encourage you to protect your identity.
00:45:35.523 --> 00:45:39.360
An unhealthy person coming to church,
00:45:39.360 --> 00:45:41.462
Looking for validation,
00:45:41.462 --> 00:45:42.697
Looking for a sense of identity
00:45:42.697 --> 00:45:44.799
Is gonna find a place on a team.
00:45:44.799 --> 00:45:47.168
But the problem with you trying to find your identity,
00:45:47.168 --> 00:45:49.771
You trying to find your specialness on a team
00:45:49.771 --> 00:45:54.409
Where you feel very wanted,
00:45:54.409 --> 00:45:55.877
Is that it could be your mistaken identity.
00:45:55.877 --> 00:45:58.413
First and foremost, you are a loved child of god.
00:45:58.413 --> 00:46:01.416
Yes, you are wanted in the kingdom
00:46:01.416 --> 00:46:03.117
And even needed to build the kingdom.
00:46:03.117 --> 00:46:05.119
But at the same time,
00:46:05.119 --> 00:46:06.087
I want you to be very cautious
00:46:06.087 --> 00:46:07.589
About not finding your identity and what you do,
00:46:07.589 --> 00:46:10.124
But find your identity in who you are.
00:46:10.124 --> 00:46:12.193
The greatest gift you can give to a ministry
00:46:12.193 --> 00:46:14.162
Is the healthiest version of you.
00:46:14.162 --> 00:46:16.064
The healthiest version of you
00:46:16.064 --> 00:46:17.432
Knows that you don't have to show up and serve
00:46:17.432 --> 00:46:20.268
To gain a sense of favor,
00:46:20.268 --> 00:46:24.272
But you are giving out of a place of health.
00:46:24.272 --> 00:46:26.474
"i'm here to build the kingdom.
00:46:26.474 --> 00:46:27.775
I don't need to do this, i want to do this.
00:46:27.775 --> 00:46:30.311
I'm not forced to serve, i want to be here."
00:46:30.311 --> 00:46:32.580
I think there's a healthy dynamic in that.
00:46:32.580 --> 00:46:34.249
But the only person that's gonna be able
00:46:34.249 --> 00:46:35.416
To control your perception of identity
00:46:35.416 --> 00:46:37.485
And your calendar is you.
00:46:37.485 --> 00:46:39.153
So commit, build, be healthy in doing it,
00:46:39.153 --> 00:46:41.823
So that you're here for the long haul,
00:46:41.823 --> 00:46:43.625
Not for a flesh in the pan.
00:46:43.625 --> 00:46:45.260
- there is work to be done for the kingdom of god.
00:46:46.294 --> 00:46:48.830
There's people who need to know jesus.
00:46:48.830 --> 00:46:50.932
And the church, like i said in the very beginning,
00:46:50.932 --> 00:46:53.568
It's god's plan a.
00:46:53.568 --> 00:46:54.836
He doesn't have a plan b,
00:46:54.836 --> 00:46:56.104
Like the church is the greatest depiction
00:46:56.104 --> 00:46:57.805
Of heaven here on earth.
00:46:57.805 --> 00:46:59.240
With all of its messy, broken, and beautiful parts,
00:46:59.240 --> 00:47:02.176
Like all of it.
00:47:02.176 --> 00:47:03.444
And so i just think every one of us stopping
00:47:03.444 --> 00:47:06.447
To recognize that we all play a part,
00:47:06.447 --> 00:47:08.583
That we're part of the body of christ.
00:47:08.583 --> 00:47:10.551
It's like a symphony.
00:47:10.551 --> 00:47:11.653
You know, you have your flute,
00:47:11.653 --> 00:47:13.354
And your saxophone, and your piano,
00:47:13.354 --> 00:47:15.123
And all of the different pieces.
00:47:15.123 --> 00:47:16.724
I don't play a single instrument,
00:47:16.724 --> 00:47:18.826
But i love sitting and listening to a symphony.
00:47:18.826 --> 00:47:22.196
And every single instrument
00:47:22.196 --> 00:47:24.132
Makes up the most beautiful sound.
00:47:24.132 --> 00:47:26.567
And i think that's what the church is supposed to be.
00:47:26.567 --> 00:47:29.137
Every single one of us finding our giftings
00:47:29.137 --> 00:47:32.740
And going, "i'm gonna just...
00:47:32.740 --> 00:47:34.342
I'm gonna use this to lift up a sound of praise to our god."
00:47:34.342 --> 00:47:38.613
And there's something beautiful about that.
00:47:38.613 --> 00:47:41.482
Romans 12 in the message paraphrase says,
00:47:41.482 --> 00:47:44.686
"so here's what i'm gonna do.
00:47:44.686 --> 00:47:46.254
I'm gonna take my every day, ordinary life
00:47:46.254 --> 00:47:49.357
And lay it before god as an offering.
00:47:49.357 --> 00:47:51.326
Because embracing this,
00:47:51.326 --> 00:47:52.794
Like doing this thing that he has inside of me,
00:47:52.794 --> 00:47:55.630
And laying it before him
00:47:55.630 --> 00:47:56.998
To serve him in whatever capacity i can, like..."
00:47:56.998 --> 00:48:00.101
I'm paraphrasing here, the message paraphrased,
00:48:00.101 --> 00:48:02.036
That's where there's such beauty, and there's joy,
00:48:02.036 --> 00:48:04.072
And there's rest that's found
00:48:04.072 --> 00:48:05.239
Because it's honoring our creator.
00:48:05.239 --> 00:48:07.942
So does anybody have one piece of advice
00:48:07.942 --> 00:48:10.378
For someone who is trying to identify their gifts?
00:48:10.378 --> 00:48:15.183
Who's going, "yeah, i probably...
00:48:15.183 --> 00:48:17.552
Like, i want to be a part of serving in my church,
00:48:17.552 --> 00:48:21.222
But i just don't know where to start."
00:48:21.222 --> 00:48:22.557
Does anybody have a piece of advice
00:48:22.557 --> 00:48:23.925
For that person who's listening?
00:48:23.925 --> 00:48:25.660
- so proverbs 11:25.
00:48:25.660 --> 00:48:27.695
It says, "a generous person will be enriched."
00:48:27.695 --> 00:48:30.331
- oh, good. - "and the one who gives
00:48:30.331 --> 00:48:31.499
A drink of water will receive water."
00:48:31.499 --> 00:48:34.235
And i think it's just as simple as just divine hospitality.
00:48:34.235 --> 00:48:37.772
Let's just be kind, you know? - so good.
00:48:37.772 --> 00:48:40.208
- let's pursue love,
00:48:40.208 --> 00:48:41.476
Kind of what we were saying before, you know?
00:48:41.476 --> 00:48:43.011
It doesn't have to be grand, you know,
00:48:43.011 --> 00:48:44.846
It could just be giving a cup of water.
00:48:44.846 --> 00:48:47.749
It could be holding a door.
00:48:47.749 --> 00:48:49.584
Doing these things where we serve, we give.
00:48:49.584 --> 00:48:52.553
And i think in a generation of hoarders,
00:48:52.553 --> 00:48:55.289
As christians, we could be hoarders.
00:48:55.289 --> 00:48:56.724
Like, we have this manifest destiny
00:48:56.724 --> 00:48:58.760
Of what it means to be a christian,
00:48:58.760 --> 00:49:00.061
And i need a destiny,
00:49:00.061 --> 00:49:01.429
I need knowledge, i need experiences, i need this.
00:49:01.429 --> 00:49:04.232
I think jesus has laid it out.
00:49:04.232 --> 00:49:06.934
The way to the more is always to give.
00:49:06.934 --> 00:49:09.337
You know, and for somebody that wants to know
00:49:09.337 --> 00:49:11.906
Their spiritual gifts starts with giving.
00:49:11.906 --> 00:49:13.908
- yeah. - that's beautiful.
00:49:13.908 --> 00:49:15.309
- that's beautiful. - i would also say,
00:49:15.309 --> 00:49:16.778
Don't be paralyzed by not knowing where to start.
00:49:16.778 --> 00:49:22.050
Just do something.
00:49:22.483 --> 00:49:23.818
- yeah. just do something, just get started.
00:49:23.818 --> 00:49:25.186
Well, let me pray,
00:49:25.186 --> 00:49:26.587
And we're gonna pray for the person who's listening,
00:49:26.587 --> 00:49:27.889
Who's maybe just been wrestling with the idea
00:49:27.889 --> 00:49:30.525
Of plugging in and engaging in your church.
00:49:30.525 --> 00:49:32.827
And this is maybe the moment that god's saying, "it's time."
00:49:32.827 --> 00:49:35.596
So, lord jesus, i just thank you
00:49:35.596 --> 00:49:37.665
For every individual god who's listening today.
00:49:37.665 --> 00:49:40.501
God, i thank you that you created them with purpose,
00:49:40.501 --> 00:49:43.171
For a purpose.
00:49:43.171 --> 00:49:44.672
God, i just pray right now in the name of jesus
00:49:44.672 --> 00:49:47.475
That you would just fill your people with boldness,
00:49:47.475 --> 00:49:51.345
With courage, god, with compassion, god, with joy.
00:49:51.345 --> 00:49:55.016
God, i pray you would just remind them of, god,
00:49:55.016 --> 00:49:58.719
The beautiful piece that they have to play in your body
00:49:58.719 --> 00:50:02.323
That is the church.
00:50:02.323 --> 00:50:03.658
God, what a privilege and an honor it is
00:50:03.658 --> 00:50:06.094
To partner with you, to build your house.
00:50:06.094 --> 00:50:08.996
God, i thank you, lord, that you have had us in mind.
00:50:08.996 --> 00:50:12.133
From the very beginning,
00:50:12.133 --> 00:50:13.468
You had each of us in mind as a part to play
00:50:13.468 --> 00:50:16.204
In building your kingdom.
00:50:16.204 --> 00:50:18.139
God, i pray that you would just go before us,
00:50:18.139 --> 00:50:20.341
God, that you would make our way straight.
00:50:20.341 --> 00:50:22.043
Lord, i pray for blessings
00:50:22.043 --> 00:50:23.377
Over every person who is tuned in this week.
00:50:23.377 --> 00:50:25.813
God, i thank you for what you're gonna do
00:50:25.813 --> 00:50:27.348
And unlock in their life, god,
00:50:27.348 --> 00:50:28.983
And we just thank you for your great church.
00:50:28.983 --> 00:50:30.985
In jesus' name, we pray.
00:50:30.985 --> 00:50:32.653
- [group] amen.
00:50:32.653 --> 00:50:33.488
(mellow music)
00:50:33.488 --> 00:50:35.289
- [announcer] connect with us on social media
00:50:35.289 --> 00:50:36.891
And let us know how our team can pray for you.
00:50:36.891 --> 00:50:39.994
(upbeat music)
00:50:39.994 --> 00:50:41.395
Stream full episodes of "better together" on demand.
00:50:41.395 --> 00:50:44.799
Go to bettertogether.tv
00:50:44.799 --> 00:50:46.601
To stream all of our latest conversations.
00:50:46.601 --> 00:50:49.137
(bright upbeat music)
00:50:49.137 --> 00:50:49.137

Activate Your Spiritual Gifts! - Episode 1090

August 29, 2025 | S7 E1090 | 52:34

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