Tonight Is my last lesson of 2008, and I am going to be challenging my students to search out their talents/gifts and apply them to ministry for the 2009 year. We will be looking at the testimony of a young DJ named Noel who was once caught up in the partying club scene where he found himself in a mindless trance of hard, rave, techno triphopping (music). He was drinking and getting wasted with no hopes of a future or purpose. The club where Noel worked eventually got shut down, and he felt like he had no where to go. Lord willing Noel eventually found himself in church where God changed his life. Noel never thought his love for DJ-ing and the music scene could ever be used in church. He now uses his talent to draw other young people to Christ by DJ-ing in praise and worship concerts with Young Life Student Ministries.
1 Timothy 4:12-16 (NKJV) states:
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
Just as Paul states that Timothy was given a gift; so have you and I. God has blessed everyone with a gift that will further His kingdom. (1 Cor. 12:1-11) Many times it comes in the form of a talent, and sometimes we have to search it out. Paul states in verse 13 that our priority should be in giving attention to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. If we fail to do that, many times we become ignorant to the spiritual gift that God has bestowed upon us. Take note that the word attention means to devote and absorb, exhortation is the encouragement and application of the Word, and doctrine means to teach. So not only are we suppose to read it, we are to absorb it, apply it, and teach it. Only then will our spiritual gift be fully manifested to us. Verse 14 goes on to mention that we are not to neglect our gift. The word gift is the Greek word “charisma” which is translated “a gracious gift from God.”
In verses 15-16 we see the goal and purpose for Scripture and gifts. Purpose, isn’t that what everyone truly is searching for. Well here is the greatest purpose you and I can have; “that our progress may be evident to all.” Why? So that others might come unto the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
What talents or gifts do you posses? Are you using them to glorify God and reach others for Christ?
Colossians 3:23-25 (NKJV) states:
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”
If you use your gift wisely, you will receive a reward, however if you misuse it you will be repaid. Repaid with what you might ask; let’s not find out. Merely, you will be responsible for the way you live your life.
This New Year live life to the fullest, and live it for Christ in every way.
If you have no clue what DJ-ing is check out this cool video of a pretty talented guy.
