Have you ever played on a sports team or been a part of a project or service team? If you have, you understand what it feels like to make a difference. Today’s message is about showing our Heart for the House by using our God-given gifts. For me and others I know, serving in the local church saved my life. It does cost something to serve but the blessing experienced as a result of serving far outweighs the cost.
When I was in school, I was good at defense, especially in basketball and soccer. In fact, on my basketball team, I was a Defensive Specialist. My coach developed a play where I defended one on one while my teammates stayed in a zone pattern. I was excited to contribute and make a difference. I want to let you know that you have a specialty. God has given you a gift. It’s time to get in the game, to jump in with both feet.
You are a gift. The local church is the hope of the world and you are the church. Psalm 139 assures that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and God’s works are wonderful. You are a wonderful gift made by God Creator. I see my wife and kids, parents and neighbors as gifts. I have a great neighbor that I have a reciprocal relationship with. He is like a grandparent to my kids. He and his wife are gifts to my family. As the church, you’re a gift to each other and to the world. As you serve in children’s ministry or as an usher or on the parking lot crew, you make a difference. God has put a gift inside of you. Have you ever made something and been excited about the finished product? You are God’s workmanship. He loves you so much and He has a plan for you.
You have a gift. Your gift is God-given. First Corinthians 12:4-9 says your gift is for the common good. This passage also says to get wisdom and knowledge. Another way to say it is to be a lifelong learner. Study. Research. Pray. Ask. As you seek wisdom and knowledge you will expand your life. As you develop your gift with God’s help, people will see that gift and respond to it. I love the gift of faith that manifests through prayer. It’s amazing to see people come to the altar during services to pray for others. They have a heart for someone else’s house. Prayer allows us to impact people across the world, for generations and generations. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, helps, service, craftsmanship, whatever it may be - you have a gift.
Here’s the caveat. Your gift is for other people. As a defensive specialist, my gift was not for me. There weren’t even any stats for that position. My gift was for my coach, and for the team, not for me but for others. Your gift is not for wealth and comfort in life, but it is for others to come to know Christ. We’re fighting for people’s freedom. My wife and I have a gift for hospitality. In my younger days, I wanted people to think highly of me because of our hospitality. As I matured, I realized the gift of hospitality is so much greater and grander than this. Now, when you come to my house, I don’t want you to feel better about me, but about yourself. It’s about you. At Motor City Church, the lobby decor for Christmas is amazing and it’s for those who walk through our doors, to make them feel good about themselves - that we did this for them. Our events team sacrificed to have the lobby ready for our guests, so that those who visit will feel great. That’s why we have teams to clean and to teach the kids. This is God's house and if there’s one house that should be welcoming and serving, it is God's house. Having a heart for the house is really just having a heart for people.
Gifts are diverse. My wife and Coach Dave have gifts of wisdom and discernment. I’m growing in these but my best gift is pulling people together for a purpose. We’re better together. You have a gift that I don’t have. Our gift is not for us to receive accolades and acknowledgements. It is for Kingdom purposes. At MCC, we have had hundreds of salvations over this past year. Those of you who have served and given contributed to this harvest. First Corinthians 12 explains that the Body of Christ is one but has many members. All members are part of the Kingdom of God. You have a gift God gave you and that He wants to use to bless the world and to bless the Body of Christ. We are many parts in one body.
Here’s the challenge, the action point; share your gift. Get plugged in. We need you. You’ve been placed in MCC for a reason. Put your hands to the plow. Join the serving and giving community.
You are a gift.
You have a gift.
Your gift is for others.
Your gift needs to be shared.
If you have a heart for the house you will get involved. If you have a heart for the house you will want to make an impact. We have a great team but we need a bigger team. A small foundation supports a small house. A larger foundation can support a mansion. Our volunteer base needs to expand so we’re ready for the new people God is bringing. Commit to serve once or twice a month and make a difference. Step up and use the gift God has given you.
Just a final thought; don’t overanalyze. Just choose something. You won’t be stuck. Do whatever your hand finds to do. If you see another area you think you will enjoy more, you can switch! Just do something. Colossians 3:23 says it well, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” By being a part, you impact dozens, even hundreds. God gave us Jesus and Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for us. He did this so we can serve and bless others. Show your Heart for the House. Get involved.
