Hit the Mark – Unlimited Possibilities
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat” That was uttered by Sheriff Martin Brody in the iconic movie “Jaws.” In search of a killer shark, it was an admission that everyone had underestimated the size of their target.
Photo by Nynne Schrøder on Unsplash
Similarly, at my first glance at this week’s topic, Unlimited Possibilities, I expected that I would share routine thoughts about discovering one’s gift – what you think you may be good at, what others say you’re good at, or what you want to be good at. Once you’ve done that, you can join an auxiliary in the church and get to work. After looking more into spiritual gifts, I realize I’m gonna need a bigger boat.
The manifestation of spiritual gifts in the church is essential. The proper appreciation of all spiritual gifts in the church (not just preaching and singing) is necessary for unity and growth in the body. However, outside of the early church’s organizing during the days of the apostle Paul, the silence of the biblical record of believers trying to determine identifiable spiritual gifts is deafening.
One possible reason is that attempting to determine a spiritual gift in order to serve God is an indication that life has become compartmentalized; this part is for God, and this other part is for me. That seems to be foreign to the biblical champions we emulate. Although they had to live, provide, and care for the responsibilities of life, their complete focus revolved around serving the God they loved.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20.
For the individual believer, every gift, every talent, every ability they possess must be recognized as coming from and belonging to the God that saved them.
The essential question that challenges us today is not what role we play in the organized church on Sabbath or special church endeavors. We must ask ourselves, what is the focus of our life Sunday through Friday? If our energies are primarily for our ease and prosperity while neglecting the needs of those around us, we may be on the wrong track.
If we accept that we have been “bought with a price,” we must conclude that the purchase was for the entire being. All that we have has been purchased. Not just unique, identifiable spiritual gifts, but our time, money, influence, voice, strength, etc., is expected to be used as the Purchaser sees fit.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17
While trying to find out what my special spiritual gift is, I hear the voice of Jesus asking, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” Matthew 20:6. All around us are people in great need. Some need help with clothing. Some need help with food. Some need a temporary place to stay. Others need a listening ear and a sympathetic smile. All need encouragement by hearing the story of what great things God has done for you.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” Ecclesiastes 9:10
Jesus is telling us to first concentrate on meeting the needs we do see, and the question of spiritual gifts will take care of itself. I think we’re gonna need a bigger boat!
Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:
- What is a spiritual gift?
- What, if any, is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift?
- Which, if any, spiritual gift is most vital to the growth of the church?
- Can a person reach their full potential without knowing their spiritual gift? Why yes or no?
- Is the following statement True, Mostly True, Somewhat True or Not True: if one doesn’t know their particular spiritual gift(s) they will not be held responsible by God for not using what they didn’t know they possessed. Explain your answer.
We close this week with a small portion of Paul’s words as he discussed spiritual gifts to the church in Corinth. Regardless of any gifts possessed, the bottom line has always been and will always be Love, both to God and our fellow man.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2
Until next week, let’s all continue to Hit the Mark in Sabbath School!
(18)