Discovering our place in God’s church by using the gifts he has given
- Introduction
- Biblical Foundations
- Exploring the Gifts
- Stepping Out
1. Introduction
Spiritual Gifts
James 5 13-18
In James 5:15 we read that the elders of the church/Christian community can pray over a person and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord, and that “the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.” Although this promise is very clear there are many that have suffered and died, despite having been anointed with oil. So what is going on? Is the lack of results due to lack of faith, or maybe failure because the correct procedures were not followed?
Worship
- What is worship?
- When we stop worshipping God, what happens?
- What is the difference (if any) between worshipping and worshipping in spirit and in truth?
- How important is worship?
In worship we focus on all that God has already done, and recognise that we are blessed because of His hand of grace and not our own achievements.
“…Israel’s worship shows the same dynamic as Israel’s ethics; namely, that it is based on God’s prior action. God had already acted in blessing; therefore Israel was to celebrate that in worship and praise.”
Spirituality
You were thought of in the mind of your Creator before the world came into existence. Before atoms and molecules were spoken into being there was a reason for creating you. Before the movement of this planet, or the touch of the sun and moon upon our orbiting world your Creator knew of a time when you would arrive. You were thought of before the painting was on the canvas, or the ingredients of the Universe were mixed together in a pageantry of colour and harmony. Before the advent of time there was, in the mystery of eternity, a plan to create mankind. There was a plan to create beings able to partake in all the wonder and beauty of this world, and also reach beyond it to fullness of life with their creator. Yes, before mountains and valleys were shaped and moulded, or the orderliness of seasons was set in place there was a decision made in eternity. There was a decision made to create a being, able to benefit from the love of another. You are special, you are unique, you are noticed; you were created to be loved and to love.
The Law Of Love
Dusk settles over the city of London as golden rays of sunlight gently caress trees and rooftops alike. This soft natural light then slowly retreats before the enveloping darkness, being but a brief interlude before artificial light illuminates the city like a Christmas tree. As the air thins out and pollution no longer asphyxiates the streets of London, a Gregorian chant issues forth from deep within the walls of an ancient Monastery. Voices harmoniously intertwine and reach outward and upward, beyond the listening ear, proclaiming the majesty and mysteriousness of God, as they seek to express their spirituality. Elsewhere a Mullah calls the Muslim community to prayer and thousands of men bow down to recite endless prayers in submission to Allah.
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