For years,
the church has struggled to find and retain enough volunteers and staff to meet
the needs of the community but, as I suggested in last week’s sermon, too many
people are being selected to be a part of an “exciting ministry” because they
have a pulse rather than a passion. What does this really mean though? To have
a pulse without a passion is to subsist but to understand one’s own passion will
help energize that pulse and spark a desire to excel. These are not my words
but rather an interpretation of the Word and a encouragement to seek out the
gifts He has bestowed upon you. Allow me to expand on this. My wife is an extraordinary
singer and understands that God has bestowed this amazing talent upon her.
Natalie can get people involved in the worship in a way that I cannot. Now,
take her out of this gifting and ask her to design the budget for next year that
includes the stats and figures required for the congregation to fully
understand the necessities of a 1.5 percent increase in expenditures for the
custodial contract is rather outside her comfort zone. She has a pulse though.
There
are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There
are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different
kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at
work.
Now
to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Cor
12:4-7 NIV
To Peter, Holy Spirit gave the gift of preaching and
exhortation. Peter, filled with Spirit’s power and wisdom, spoke up in front of
thousands in a place where, just a short time before, Jesus was captured,
flogged, sentenced to death and hung on a cross. Without fear for self, Peter
spoke the Truth to the masses and thousands gave their lives to Christ. Peter
did not realize his passion until he found, realized and was compelled by Holy
Spirit to explode with the power and energy of God. So the question is this;
where is your passion? Have you taken time to listen to the promptings and
guidance of God? Do you feel like you are out of your element or rather lost in
your service? Do you feel like you were put into spot because you had a pulse
and you are just going through the motions because you don’t want to upset or
disappoint? In Matthew, Jesus talked about letting God show the way and to let
His wisdom be the guide. Leaders need to realize this and recognize the talents
or gifts when building a team. Seek first the wisdom of God.
This
Sunday, we continue with the series on encouragement in the Master. Join us if
you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or you can watch us live online on
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/)
or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).
Blessings
Pastor Todd
Pastor Todd