Men’s Study: June 10, 2021

Last week we talked about the value God places on us and how that value gives us purpose. We also determined that your value doesn’t require purpose but you have purpose because of your value. God placed each one of us where we are and when we are for His purpose. You have a reason to be here.

As a quick review, what were some of the things Jesus told us to do or have purpose for?

Now that you know you have value and purpose with God, how do you fulfill the purpose God has for you?  We cannot serve the Lord’s purpose under our own power and abilities. Even the Apostles couldn’t go out under their own power or abilities. Jesus gave the disciples what they needed to serve His purpose.

Matthew 10:1, And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease

Jesus isn’t standing here with us so where do you and I get the power and ability to serve God’s purpose?

Acts 1:4-8, “4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (John 14:26; 1Cor. 1:18)

You are empowered and gifted with the Holy Spirit upon your declaration of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Like salvation it is a free gift of God!!

Acts 2:8, “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Your power, abilities and strength to serve God’s purposes will be provided for you. God will never ask you to do something and not give you the ability to carry it out.( 2 Cor. 12:9; 2 Tim 4:17)

How has the Holy Spirit Dwelling in you Helped you and how is He helping you today?

In addition to the gift of the Holy Spirit, God also gave us each individual gifts for us to serve Him and each other!!

You have your own specific gifts given to you by God to uniquely serve His purposes.

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

What gifts has the Lord given you and how can you use your gifts to serve the Lord, yourself, and others? (refer to Spiritual Gifts guide and Gifts definition Guide below these notes)

What do you receive physically and spiritually as you serve others?

Do you notice that the more you give to others the more you will receive yourself? (Matt 10:42; Acts 20:35, Mark 10:21)

Next Week: “To be first you must be last!!”