ARE YOU NEGLECTING YOUR GIFTS?

ARE YOU NEGLECTING YOUR GIFT?

Last weekend we saw God work through us as we proclaimed the truth of Jesus Christ. It was incredible to see around 90 people on Sunday morning using their talents and gifts to help lead worship. From the choir, praise team, band, orchestra, drama team and the technical team, everyone did a marvelous job! My prayer through all the preparation and Sunday was that Jesus Christ be exalted and that the Holy Spirit would have room to move in lives and transform them. That is exactly what we were allowed to participate in this past Sunday. To use that old Hebrew expression again: WOW!
Now that Easter is over, it is not time to sit back on our laurels and relax, satisfied with our past. No it is time to drive ahead and continue to mature and grow in the Lord and in our worship leadership. In 1 Timothy 4:12-16, Paul is instructing Timothy on the importance of being a good example and on the dangers of neglecting the gifts that God had given him. Paul also warns against neglecting the doctrine of Timothy’s faith. If that were to happen, Timothy would neither be protecting himself nor his congregation. What does this mean for us? First we are to be examples to the church and to the world “in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in truth, and in purity (v. 12).” You may not be aware that you are being watched by church members and the lost world. As a leader in worship every week, you are placed in front of people that need to see growth in your faith and your love of God. Whether you like it or not, who you are and how you act really does matter. Secondly, Paul tells us to not neglect our gifts. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts when we accept Christ as our Savior. These gifts are given in order for us to edify and build up the body of Christ. I believe that God gives us specific gifts but he also can give us gifts that help us fulfill the area of ministry where He puts us. Here at FBC Canton, we are in the worship ministry. I think this passage is reminding us not to neglect our role in this ministry. People need to see the worship ministry of FBC constantly growing in maturity, in faithfulness, and in worship leadership. WILL YOU DO YOUR PART?