ENGAGED

VOLUME 2 ISSUE # 8

...In Favor
WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT: 2.20.11 ROMANS 12:6-8
6Having then gifts
differing according to Luke 19:13
the grace that is given
to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, let us
prophesy in
proportion to our
faith; 7or ministry, let
us use it in our
ministering; he who
teaches, in teaching; Day 1
8he who exhorts, in Bud Wilkinson, former OK football coach who was inducted into Personal
exhortation; he who the Football Hall of Fame in 1969, was once asked his opinion of
gives, with liberality; football as a national sport. He replied that football was definitely
he who leads, with lacking, for it consists of "twenty-two men who are desperately in
diligence; he who need of rest, being watched by twenty-thousand people who are desperately in
shows mercy, with need of exercise."
cheerfulness. Unfortunately, today this statement fits the church like a glove. And so, Peter
Romans 12:6-8 calls us away from the bleachers and our private tea parties, by writing, "As each
Giving our best for the effort... one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the
During World War II, Americans manifold grace of God.” (See poem on reverse)
were called upon to sacrifice and Relational
give of their best to the war effort.
They willingly did so because there One of the joys of relating to others comes from differences, whether
it be long-time friends, new acquaintances, distant relations or a
was an awareness that our very
beloved spouse. We sometimes get frustrated at the very thing that ultimately
freedom was at stake. brings true meaning to life. These verses tell us that we are purposely given
different gifts by the grace of God. Make a commitment today to enjoy the
Using our spiritual gifts is our way of “clash” of being unlike one another.
giving to the effort...the effort of Generational
building up the Body of Christ. It is
a worthwhile “campaign” and What do you think are the gifts that have been given to your family
worthy of our best. Will you step members?
up to the challenge?
24/7 faith Relational Faith Generational Faith

A 24/7 faith is the only faith that is authentic. It
is unselfish and God-centered. This type of
faith is personal and real. It is not produced by
community, but community enhances it. This
section is for the individual believer.
Relationships define who we are. God has
placed us in community with others with whom
we must relate. Whether it is marriage,
employment, social, civic, worship, etc., we must
learn to relate to others as Christ.
God expects us to pass on our faith to the
next generation. Scripture is full of commands
to leave a legacy of faith. However, it is not for
the faint of heart. This section will provide
fodder for you to talk about faith at home...
 Day 2 Personal
Each one (hekastos) means
each, every one, of any number
separately. It means every single Believer.
Therefore, hekastos teaches a very
important truth. Peter's point is that each
and every Believer has received at least
one specific gift.   Most certainly each
Believer has a combination of many gifts.
John Piper adds that...
Gifts are not for a few but for all; and
every Believer has abilities, which the
Holy Spirit has given and can use to
strengthen others. And it is the  supreme
joy of life to discover what they are and
then pour yourself out to others through
these gifts. And you will find them if you
really desire to be God's instrument in How wrong is it to desire gifts that you
bringing about faith and joy in other do not have?   Two things bear out: 1) It
people.
Relational
What is the value of being
given different gifts? Why can’t
we all do everything by the almighty, all
powerful Spirit of God, if He dwells
fully in each of us?
Generational
How are the gifts of your
family being used at church? How
about for others outside of the
church?
Day 3
Personal
A spiritual gift cannot be
earned, pursued, or
worked up but can only be
“received” through the grace
of God. Spiritual gifts are controlled by
the Spirit. Paul writes that...
4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the
same Spirit. 5And there are varieties
of ministries, and the same Lord. 6And
there are varieties of effects, but the
same God who works all things in all
persons. 7But to each one is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the
common good11But one and the same
Spirit works all these things,
d i s t ri b u t i n g t o e a c h o n e
individually, just as He wills. (1 Cor
12:4-7, 11)
proves discontent with God’s will for
your life. 2) Inability to practice the gifts
you were given, therefore depriving the
body of your specific God-called mission.
Relational
As you read these verses, do you
sense the difference in simply discharging
your responsibilities, and living with
excellence? Who benefits from your
striving for excellence? Would you say
there is a gift for the giver in this striving?
Generational
What is God’s grace? How
d o e s yo u r f a m i ly h e l p o t h e r s
experience God’s grace?
Day 4
Personal
Good (kalos) means inherently
excellent and providing some
special benefit. It conveys the idea of the
beautiful, admirable and honorable. Is this
the way you would describe the usage of
your gifting?
Stewards (oikonomos) is literally “one
who governs a household.”  It can mean
manager, but never means owner.   You
are God’s house, His body.   This speaks
of the responsibility and disposition of
something entrusted to one’s care.
You see, stewards had no wealth of their
own, but distributed the Master’s wealth
according to the Master’s direction.
Similar to a steward, a Christian does
not own his gifts. God owns them and
has given gifts for the proper functioning
of His body, the church, and ultimately
for His glory.   Are you using your gifts
for His glory? Are you employing them at
all? Write any follow-up decisions,
takeaways or applications for your life.
How many of the gifts Relational
listed in these verses deal
with interpersonal
relationships? Do you get the sense
that the Christian life cannot be fully
lived apart from embracing a closeness
with brothers and sisters in Christ?
Generational
Faithful. God calls us to be
faithful with what we have
been given. How would you
grade your family when it comes to
being faithful to the church? To God?

Day 5 Guy King gives an interesting illustration of the word “manifold.” Manifold (poikilos) – varied/various
We find that Peter joins Paul in magnifying the grace of GOD. There is an interesting Greek word, poikilos, which
occurs several times in the New Testament, and which Peter uses twice, both in his First Epistle, and is translated
"manifold":


(a) "You have been grieved by various (poikilos) trials." 1 Peter 1:6



(b) "As good stewards of the manifold (poikilos) grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
Put those two things together. On the one hand, let the five digits, all so different in character from the thumb to the little finger,
stand for the manifold trials and testings of life that we all experience. On the other hand, let the five digits stand for the manifold
grace of God. Now put the right hand over the left, and observe how the fingers of the grace hand exactly correspond to those of
the temptations hand. It is…an illustration of a beautiful fact - that whatever may be the need, there is at hand just the very grace
to meet it. Are you meeting those needs?  Are you allowing others to meet your needs?
How often can we see ourselves in Take stock of your Christian “social” life. Are you practicing a salvation
this little poem? that benefits only you? Do your prayers focus mostly on you? Do you
"I gave a little party this afternoon at three ever seek interaction with others simply for their benefit? Do you ever
'Twas very small, three guests in all sense God calling you to give of yourself in sacrifice? In light of what these verses
Just I, Myself, and Me. call you to do, are you ready to make a commitment to excellence in living for
Myself ate up the sandwiches
While I drank the tea Every person in your family is different. God uses our differences
And it was I who ate the pie to make your family, and the family of God in our church, stronger.
And passed the cake to me." ~Jessica Nelson How can you see differences being good in your family?

NEXT WEEK: 1 Peter 4:10