Whoes Call?

Rev Philip Lim

Sermon Sunday 21st July 2013

Wesley Methodist Church

Whoes Call?

Sermon illustration began with real life case of Mr Jason Chee

Navy accident: 

Working on RSN Warship RSS Endeavour

Caught between winch and rope:
lost both legs, left arm and three digits of right hand.

Whole medical team at work for initial surgery and rehabilitation.

Ordinary citizens came forward with cash support

It was a team effort.

In a similar way, we are called to be part of a team
God's team
Church team
To exercise the gifts God has given us.

 

 Paul says

We are to lead a life WORTHY of your calling

ie OBEY your orders

FOLLOW the DIVINE strategy.

Church is an ARMY under the command of the KING ie Jesus Christ

Our CALLING is to maintain UNITY of the spirit.

(Not create unity but maintain it)

AVOID

bickering

Quarelling

Dissention

Hate

DO ENGAGE IN

Humility

Gentleness

Patience

Bearing with one another in love.

Indeed this is how the church works
through the impartation of spiritual gifts
Our responsibility to recognise and exercise these gifts.

What are your gifts?
What does God want you to do with them?

How do you develop these gifts?
Two main groups of gifts
A) General support ministries
B) Working gifts

A) General support minisitries
    Apostolic: lay foundations
   Prophetic: speak for God, unfold the mind of God
   Evangelists: Build up the body: communicate the gospel to pre-believers
                      speaking in a compelling way
   Pastors: looking after the flock
   Teachers

B) Working gifts
(See Rom 12, I Cor 12)
Wisdom: ability to understand truth, apply it to a situation
Knowledge
Faith
Miracles: enabling natural things to occur in an unnatural way.
Prophecy
Tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Healing
Vision
Discernment
Adminstration
Exhortation
Motivation
Shredness
Gift of help, service
Generous giving
Contribution
Gift of making money