The Christian Church: Clueless – Go Make Disciples – The Nexus Between Spiritual Gifts and Disciple Making Efforts – How can I Use my Spiritual Gift to Making Disciples – Part 6 of 12
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Subject – The Christian Church: Clueless – Go Make Disciples – The Nexus Between Spiritual Gifts and Disciple Making Efforts – How can I Use my Spiritual Gift to Making Disciples – Part 6 of 12
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Sunday, 23rd June 2019
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The Christian Church: Clueless – Go Make Disciples – The Nexus Between Spiritual Gifts and Disciple Making Efforts – How can I Use my Spiritual Gift to Making Disciples – Part 6 of 12
NUGGETS OF WISDOM
“True dexterity is not just in books; It is giving from above, we learn it, it is nurtured, it is applied and it is developed. He who does not know what has been giving to him from above, shall never know how to use what he has been giving effectively and efficiently”
― Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
“In order for the assembly (ekklesia) to be built up, every believer needs to rise up and be actively seeking the Lord and functioning according to the gifts that the Spirit has given each one.”
― Henry Hon
“A person is on the right track if he develops his gift and turns it to minister to God”
― Sunday Adelaja
“Can a fish survive outside a water environment? Can an introvert overnight become an extrovert? My Spiritual gift and your spiritual gifts will make room for DISCIPLE MAKING – Don’t try to be a copycat, be yourself by dancing your dancing style – We are wired and kitted for ministry, this is our primary assignment, everything else is secondary”
― Monday Ogwuojo Ogbe
Key verses for Today:
Proverbs 18:16 Amplified Bible (AMP)
16
A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him
And brings him before great men.
1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same
Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds
of service, but the same Lord,
Matthew 28:18-20 Amplified Bible (AMP)
18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
Ephesians 4:7-16 Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 Yet grace [God’s undeserved favor] was given to each one of us [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ’s [rich and abundant] gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And He bestowed gifts on men.”
9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had previously descended [from the heights of heaven] into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the very same as He who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things [that is, the whole universe]). 11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], 12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; 13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. 15 But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up [b]in [unselfish] love.
Acts 9:36-43
36 Now in [i]Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, (which translated into Greek means Dorcas). She was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37 During that time it happened that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the [j]tunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all out [of the room] and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise!” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and helped her up; and then he called in the [k]saints (God’s people) and the widows, and he presented her [to them] alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord [that is, to adhere to and trust in and rely on Jesus as Christ and Savior]. 43 And so it was that Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with Simon, [l]a tanner.
Introduction
Dear brethren, welcome to the sixth series on the Christian church – Go make disciples. Today, we are exploring the nexus between our spiritual gifts and disciple making.
My God and Your God is not an author of confusion for He knows what He wants and who is best kitted to get the job done effectively. No spiritual gift is insignificant. Some will be in the forefront, while others will operate in the backyard. Some can shift between forefront and backyard. Whatever it is God has wired us with, it is to be used to expand His kingdom by making disciples that go on to make other disciples. We should be comfortable to exercise and tailor our spiritual gifts to reaching souls for Christ.
Let’s explore a few scenarios here that can help drive this point home. If you still have issues identifying your Spiritual gift and applying this gift to disciple making, we are available by the help of the Holy Spirit to provide you more scenario that could help you make a decision on the way forward
The Holy Spirit has equipped the body of Christ with gifts for equipping and reaching out to the lost. We should ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to discern and yield ourselves as vessels to obey when situation demands it.
Whilst we are evangelizing or discipling converts, we must as much as is in our ability, by the grace which Christ provides to be authentic, compassionate and sacrificial in words, thoughts and deed.
Here are seven (7) evangelism personality style / gifts from scripture and see if that is your style and get additional resources to help:
1) Peter’s direct approach
Acts 2:37-39
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
All Peter needed to take action was to be convinced he was right, and there was almost no stopping him. He was confident, he was bold, and he was right at the point. Do you realize there are people in our world that would not make a decision for Christ until someone like Peter holds their feet to the fire? If you think this approach is for you, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to know how, when, and where to direct your words as well as wisdom you will need to do it with an appropriate mix of grace and truth. The Holy Spirit is waiting for you to ask in the place of prayer.
2) Paul’s Intellectual Approach
Acts 17:22-23
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;
23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
Paul was an educated Jew and his organized mind and prove it to me kind of person even informed the approach Christ used to reach out to him on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus. Paul’s presentation of the gospel was logical and reasoned and Christ sent him to philosophers in Athens. Is intellectual approach one that fits you? Are you an inquisitive type who enjoys working with ideas and evidence? This style has become more important as our society has become increasingly secular. Seekers need to hear the gospel not only declared but also defined and defended.
3) The Blind Man’s Testimonial Approach
John 9:24-26
24 So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”
25 He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
26 Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”
No theological debate for the Blind man. He spoke from his experience and confidently declared, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Could that story be yours? Do you, like the man who had been blind, feel comfortable telling others how God led you to Himself? Stories like yours can be powerful tools.
4) Matthew’s Interpersonal Approach
Luke 5:27-29
27 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.”
28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.
29 Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them.
In Luke 5:29, he put on a big party for all his friends and invited Jesus in. He relied on his relationship circle to have someone with the tools to do the speaking. Are you the people kind of person? Why don’t you partners with the local church or persons that could communicate the gospel clearly to be part of your celebration and give room for the gospel to be shared at some point? If you can’t find one, we have materials at http://www.otakada.org using the discovery process and have Jesus speak for Himself.
5) The Samaritan Woman’s Invitational Approach
John 4:39
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”
Do you have conviction that Jesus is the Messiah? Then why don’t you invite people and tell them about Him, share your encounter and have Him speak to them? You can begin a discovery process by allowing people to discover Jesus for themselves from the pages of the bible.
6) Tabitha’s service approach ( Acts 9:36)
Acts 9:36
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
Are you passionate about works of charity? Can you give and out give without complains? Then you already have a platform to reach others in your community like prisons, the homeless, those in hospital, orphans or even your neighbor in need, drivers, security man, house help , work colleague, the list is endless.
7) Be Yourself approach
John 8:57-59
57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
To be yourself, you have to know yourself and the gift the Holy Spirit has deposited within you for service. There are people you cannot reach by direct contact. Just be available, with prayer, you can initiate the process through another person. Sometimes, it takes Jesus to intervene directly. Key word is to be willing to join the army of laborers and be available to do whatever it takes
Conclusion and prayer.
In our Christian race, the call to discipleship or disciple making is the core of the matter. Everything else rises and falls to the level of our commitment to discipleship or disciple making. That is the last command to us by Christ Jesus and we must of necessity make it of utmost priority. The way to be committed to disciple making is to make one. At conversion, a disciple is kitted with ministry gifts by the Holy Spirit to help them operate in the office or calling God has called them into. Discipleship is not a cloning or copycat business. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, distinct for every believer in Christ. Just be yourself, fine-tune the gift, apply and the needed grace will be provided for the next step and the next step. By all means, don’t stay idle, don’t wait until everything adds up. You are never going to get the full picture. With every step of obedience, God unfolds the next step and the next step.
Thank you Lord for helping us to make disciples as you have commanded. Help us to be willing as we wait on You to provide the needed grace to take the first step and the next step in Jesus name, amen
Shalom!
Monday Ogwuojo Ogbe – E-discipleship @
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Originally posted on June 23, 2019 @ 12:07 am
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