Serve God and Others with the Motivational Gifts (service, ministry) 7-15-25

The verses below are being reiterated because they pertain to every aspect of ministry.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly (don’t act like someone who is drunk), as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,  so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

This is a great verse! The pastor’s parents were visiting from North Carolina, his mother and I  had a conversation after the service discussing how awesome book of Romans is, about Paul’s life; his transformation and humility.

It brought thoughts of the pastor and how he studies and is a truly graced to deliver God’s Word, yet he is humble and puts himself on the same level with everyone else, even though he is in a leadership position. In other words, he does not think of himself more highly than he should. When the pastor meets people, he addresses himself as Luther; we are family!

The Gifts (ministry, service)

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;  or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;  he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:6-8).

Prophecy – This is the preacher gift; those who go out and preach (forthtell) at different places (this is different from the gift of prophecy in 1 Corinthians 12:10); the pastor is supposed to take care of his own congregation, and preachers in that particular ministry go outside the walls.

Example: the nursing homes need preachers to come in and minister to the patients. Prophecy is what we all do in proclaiming the Word of God, but prophecy is a gift with a special grace. According to the proportion of faith, don’t try to minister beyond your capabilities. All of us start off in the elementary stage of ministry, and our level of maturity is progressive. Even though we have been graced (given the ability) we still must grow. but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Ministry - There are different aspects of ministry – in 1 Corinthians 12:28 the gift of helps is mentioned, which is broad – intercession (intercessory prayer), whatever you have a passion to do that doesn’t seem to be in one of the gifts listed in this message, more than likely that is your gift (ministry/service).

Remember this, each gift that is mentioned is similar to what every Christian does in a broad sense. However, these gifts are for specific people and the grace causes them to exceed beyond the capacity given to those who are not called in that specific area.

I don’t want you to be confused so I will give another example in addition to prophecy. I have the office of evangelist, but al of us are commissioned to evangelize (Matthew 28:19-20), yet the office of evangelist supersedes evangelism. I am one of the gifts given to the body of Christ that has the special grace that goes beyond evangelizing. The evangelist is enabled to break yokes, heal and set the captive free by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The spiritual gift of helps is God’s provision for the behind-the-scenes service and support that enables ministries to thrive. Those with this gift have a heart for what they are doing. In other words, which are passionate when it comes to serving that specific capacity.

To be continued.

His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnattministries.org