#1523. Everyone of us has received grace gifts from God (25/5/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Stewardship series.

Everyone has been given grace-gifts from God - God does not exclude us and so we must not exclude ourselves. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

https://youtu.be/CFgOEbJXZ8Y

1. Gifts are by grace 

Paul could say, ‘by the grace given to me…’ and ‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us…’  In Ephesians we read something similar:‘

Paul, a former persecutor of the church, could speak about the grace-gifts that were given to him in order to serve Jesus and His people. 

‘Grace’ translates the Greek word ‘charis’ which means Grace, favour, kindness, blessing. 

We are saved by grace, and we are also gifted to serve God by grace. 

‘Gift’  translates the Greek ‘charisma’, meaning Gift, grace-gift, spiritual gift.

Both of these words come from the same root, and so we might put it like this: God gives grace (charis), and out of that grace come gifts (charismata)- Grace is the source and gifts are the expression. 

Think of Christmas, someone gives you a new drill! It’s a gift by grace - by ‘charis’, however, you have to unwrap it and use it - use the gift, that’s ‘charismata’. 

None of us are excluded. Most of us are used to gifts and opportunities being given as a reward or because we have the right name or ‘right background… However, in God’s Kingdom, all gifts are given by God’s grace, and not because we merit them. 

2. What are gifts?

What are we to understand by the grace and gifts that are given to us?

The Bible gives many examples of spiritual gifts. As we saw in our devotions on Ephesians 4, in the New Testament, we find several passages that together list around twenty distinct gifts, all essential for the life and health of the church:

• Romans 12:6–8 – Prophecy, Service, Teaching, Encouragement (exhortation), Giving, Leadership, Mercy.

• 1 Corinthians 7:7 – Marriage and Celibacy. 

• 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 – Word of wisdom, Word of knowledge, Faith, Gifts of healings, Working of miracles, Prophecy, Discernment of spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of tongues. 

• 1 Corinthians 12:28 – Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracles, Healings, Helps, Administration, Tongues. 

• Ephesians 4:11 – Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers

• 1 Peter 4:10–11 – Two broad categories: Speaking gifts and Serving gifts

Spiritual gifts, in essence, are God-given enablements, that build the church and prepare her for works of service, as we read in Ephesians 4:

A grace-gift is any ability used and empowered by the Spirit to serve others. 

Gifts are to be used in the church, however, they are used in the church so that we can serve the world! Additionally, we can use our gifts in the various places that God has put us so as to be a light in this world. 

Response

Everyone has been given grace-gifts from God - God does not exclude us and so we must not exclude ourselves. 

Paul could say, ‘‘For by the grace given me I say to every one of you…’ Do we live and serve according the the grace and gifts given to us? 

This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:

Community Group Study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our series: 

Stewardship - A teaching series on how we are to use the good things that God gives to us. 

Please read Romans 12:3-8 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• How would you define a spiritual gift and what they are for? 

• What are the ways that we can have poor ‘sober judgement’ and so can hinder the use of our gifts?

• How do we find our gifts - Could one of you retell the oil illustration used by Lucy? 

• How would you like to grow in the use of your gifts? 

• Notice - If you are not already on a team, why not think about joining a serving team - this is the greatest way to find and grow in your gifts. 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• Why will a church that pursues the use of spiritual gifts be effective at bringing the gospel to their community? 

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the “people of peace” in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.