The two
readings we have heard this morning contain challenges which are highly
practical and relevant to every one of us.
The parable
of the talents contains two elements:- the first are the gifts and
abilities with which we each have been endowed either by nature or by God as
gifts. The second is the positive investment which the Master made in each
of them (5 talents, 2 talents and one), and without which they could have
achieved very little. To their natural abilities the Master added the means to
put them to use. And notice the Master’s expectation that they would not be
wasted but put to maximum use within a given time-frame. We need to apply this
to ourselves and to our church.
So what are
our individual gifts that we can maximise and offer to the church and to each
other as individuals? God has made a big investment in each of us in terms of gifts
and talents. We have to identify ours; develop them; and put them to the best
possible use.
In the
reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans chapter 12, he identifies 7 by way of
examples. Prophecy, service, teaching, encouraging, contributing money,
leadership, showing mercy. For this
morning, just a sentence or two on each to show the wide range of gifts we
share and can contribute, - and to start you thinking!
Prophecy. People tend to think of prophecy as
predicting the future. It may include that, but it’s not the word’s basic
meaning in the Bible. It means attending to God, and hearing him tell you that
he has a special message for a church or perhaps an individual. It may be a
word of encouragement – or of warning – or of challenge, and even of judgment.
These are messages from God which we very much need to hear – and they can come
to any Christian at any time. You don’t have to have any special knowledge, or
pass any exam to be a prophet!
If you
believe that God is telling you something the church needs to hear – or maybe
someone in the church – you have a responsibility to make it known. Go first to
Bruce or one of the clergy because it needs to be tested. It has to be tested
against scripture and mature Christian judgment, because not all such messages
really come from God. But check it out, because God’s Word needs to be heard,
and God’s Word can come to any Christian, however humble they may consider
themselves – God is no respecter of persons.
Service. Helping people in a practical way is
just as much of a gift as the others. Many people have skills and time to share
which can be invaluable assets. Think about what yours are, and how you might
fit into a church team.
Encouragement. This is a gift which somehow
remarkably few people possess naturally, but which can be developed in prayer
and with practice. Most people only comment on someone else’s work or
contribution to the church when they have something to criticise. Always think
about what was good and went well, and tell people. It doesn’t have to be
dishonest or ridiculously lavish – we must be honest. But especially if you
have a word of implied criticism, make sure you also have praise for what was
good. Encouragement is a wonderful gift – use it.
Contributing
money (and perhaps goods of one kind and another). If you have a little more than you
need, give some away. It will be a blessing to you, and to the person or church
that receives. And do it GENEROUSLY. Not the minimum but the maximum. Paul
tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. A church and its family needs
generosity. God has been so generous with us. If we want to be like him, we
will be generous too – if necessary to the point of sacrifice.
Leadership.
You may not have been
put in an official position of leadership, but many people have the gift of
coming up with an initiative and taking a group of people with them. You may
well have a gift of leadership which you never imagined until you gave it a try
and saw what God can do with you.
Mercy. You are probably unlikely to be
dispensing justice in a court of law, but I am going to interpret this word
this morning in the sense of Paul’s famous chapter on love in 1 Corinthians 13.
Thinking the best of people and not the worst. Not keeping a record of past
misdoings by someone, which can be produced like winning card to put someone
down. Paul says in1 Corinthians 13: 7,8 : Love “always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
These are a sample of the gifts and
talents we may possess as gifts from God
and which we can develop and practise
– with prayer and if necessary with some
training. Whether we are a five star
talent person, a two star or a one star – think
of how this church could be
transformed by God into a place of joy, peace and
blessing to us personally, to the
church family, and to those who come in from
the outside, if each one of us learns
to discern our natural abilities and the gifts
God has given us, and we all put them
into full-scale use. It would be amazing –
and it would be absolutely wonderful.
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Discussion.
1. Discuss
what prophecy means in biblical terms; whether we might have prophets in St
Michael’s; and what difference it might make.
2. Pick out
two or three of the gifts mentioned by Paul in Romans 12 and unpack them more
than has been possible in this sermon.
3. Add to the
list gifts which come to mind and which you feel are both important and
relevant. Share and discuss.
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