Passage:

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

http://bible.com/114/eph.4.11.nkjv

Paraphrase:

God gifted some people with supernatural ability to be missionaries, speakers of truth, sharers of the gospel, shepherds of His church.

Premise:

There are some people who have been gifted with a special touch from God to fulfill certain roles in God’s kingdom. Not everyone is specifically gifted or talented to do everything. However, certain people have a special calling on their lives and dedicate their entire lives to a certain place or people, or perhaps they have a gifting that they can learn or speak several languages. Some people may have the gift of leading larger groups of people or wisdom of the Bible and teaching it to others. Regardless of what gifting we have, it is all from God and meant to draw other people to Him.

Principle:

SOME people have one gift while others may have another gift. Regardless of what the gift is, give thanks to God by using it for His Kingdom.

Give thanks to God for the way He uses others in building His kingdom.

Everyone isn’t alike. Celebrate the differences we have and use the gifts God has given with gratitude.

Ponder:

What spiritual gifts do I have?

How have others’ gifts blessed me?

Am I using my gifts to build God’s kingdom?

Practice:

Give thanks for the local church and celebrate the differences of others’ gifts.

Use my gifts in a way that blesses others and bullds God’s kingdom.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the way you have worked in each person. In your wisdom you have given us all different gifts and abilities. Thank you for the church and the way that we all serve together. Thank you for the people you have put in my life who have shaped me and guided me by the use of their calling. Help me to live out your calling on my life.