Jim Jarvis Teaching 11/25/07

Jim's teching was humorous and with grace. His three finger stock figure was soon replaced by love.
As his friend, I bless him!
lee

The Body of Christ, which part are you? Read Romans 12:3-11

Administration Apostle
Encouragement Prophet
Giving Teachers
Hospitality Evangelist
Mercy Pastor / Shepherd
Serving
Teaching
Prophesy

I would like start by us looking at our human body Romans 12:4 NLT
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special
function, 1 Cor 12: 18 But God made our bodies, and He has put
each part just where He wants it.

(Draws body on the board.)

So it's by God’s own design that are bodies are made the way
they are. We say 2 heads are better than one, why don't we have 2?
How many times have you heard "I wish I had another pair of hands,"
or sometimes “I wish I had eyes in the back of my head.”
And we read in Gen 1:26 and could said, Let us make man in our
own image, in our likeness. You see God made us perfect and
that’s the way He intended the body of Christ to be. Him as the Head,
and born-again believers to make up the rest of the body. It is
up to each one of us to find our place in the body.

1 Cor 12:11 NLT Reads It is the one and only Holy Spirit who
distributes these gifts, He alone decides which gift each person
should have. 12:31 And in any event you should desire the most
helpful gifts.

We should seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in finding our place in
the body of Christ

TALK ABOUT THE GIFTS

Lets look what we call mega church Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers,
David Wilkerson and Benny Hinn. The people here in this room are just
as important to God as them. You see there churches are made up
of just what we have here.

Talk about the lives.

They may have their name up in lights, but if they didn't have all
the rest of the body, the people behind the scene, the ones we don’t
see they couldn't function as they do.

What I’m trying to say is that, not one part is less important than
the others, not one part is less important in the Eyes of God.
Romans 12:5 so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of His body
And each of us has different work to do. And since we’re all one
one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs
all the others.

Tell about my brother.

You see my brother lost part of a thumb and part of his fore finger,
after he healed up he would find himself trying to use the part of the
thumb and finger that were not there so he had to adapt and overcome the loss of his fingers
What I am saying is he could still function? Yes. Is he 100%? No.
The same is with the body of Christ, it will continue in it's work
but, you will have to find a way to fill in the parts that are missing
that’s why it is important that we use the best gift that God has given
you, no matter if we think our gift not important in the body. All
parts are equally important to the functioning of the body of
Christ.

Romans 12:6-8 NLT God has given each of us the ability to do certain
things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out.
when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is
that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good
job teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others do it! If you have money,
share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the
the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift of showing
kindness to others, do it gladly.

You see what is the most important is that whatever your gifts may be
do it whole heartedly; give a 110% in everything you do. Does God
deserve any less? NO! He deserves our best all the time.
And don't think that serving is less of a gift than the others. Here's
two examples. Read Acts 6:1-8

We see here that Steven was called to serve, does that mean that God
couldn't use him to do other things? NO! God used him to do
many signs and wonders. No matter what your gift is if the Holy Spirit
can still use you in another the capacity.
Matt 20:28 NLT Jesus speaking For even I, the Son of Man, came here
not to be served, but to serve others, and to give My life has a ransom
for many. You see even Jesus came to serve, the King of Kings
and Lord of Lords came has a servant. SO you see no gift is any
less important then the others.

(Go to board an erase body.)

I'm going to leave you with this.
All I have said here to day is nothing, it's meaning less with out this
Read 1 Cor 12:31 And in any event, you should desire
the most helpful gifts. First however, let me tell you about some
thing else that is better than any of them! LOVE
You see it's a commandment from God. John 13: 34 So now
I am giving you a new commandment, Love each other. Just
as I have Loved you, you should Love each other.

What has Love got to do with the gifts of the body of Christ?
Everything! If we serve out of selfish gain, to be up front teaching,
preaching, leading worship, for any other reason than the love of
God and the building up of His body then we're doing it for the
wrong reason. It has to be from the heart or its meaning less.