SERMON - WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL ABILITY AND ARE YOU USING IT

What is YOUR

Special Ability

And

Are YOU USING IT

 

 

In His wisdom God endowed each of us with not only life but He bestowed upon each of us a ‘special’ ability.

 

I ask each of you to search your life’s work and ask yourself, ‘have I used my ‘special’ ability?’

 

As examples I will list several ‘special’ abilities that God has given us and ask that you give a great deal of thought to this and truthfully reply to your own question asked of, ‘have I used my ‘special’ ability?’

 

Genesis 47:6 ⁶ and the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen. And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge of my own livestock."

 

Although it was the Pharaoh that voiced the words it was God that granted any ‘special’ abilities. In this instance the ‘special’ ability grated is the raising of livestock. That may be equated with ranching. 

 

Exodus 31: ³ and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- ⁴ to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ⁵ to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.

 

In this Scripture God names ‘crafts.’ This includes artists, jewelers, woodworking, writing, speaking before crowds and many other God given talents.

 

Exodus 35: ³⁴ And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others

 

We see teachers as recipients of ‘special’ abilities and there are many others.

 

An example of ‘special’ abilities might be seen as my own ability to teach. In my business days I taught specialized courses in certain business and legal practices as well as being a race car driving instructor. My goal in each was to assist others to realize their own business successes and racing goals. Fortunately I had a number of ‘students’ in both areas that became very successful which I give the Lord thanks for allowing me to be a part of their lives. 

 

Amongst the other ‘special’ abilities we learn of builders, designers, dream interpreters, writers, and (Daniel 3:12 ) and even the ‘special’ ability to spiritually heal, with the Holy Spirit being the power and man being the one to ‘lay hands’ upon a person.

 

Acts 8: ¹⁹and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

 

At a later date in my life God called me asking that I “Feed My sheep.” Hence my now being ordained and sending our sermons that seek to edify His Word.

 

Now, you may be asking why am I hearing this. How does this help me in any way whatever?

 

That answer is something you must determine for yourself!

 

Each of us has lived a certain number of years and each of us must answer for our time here on earth. The real question is, ‘what am I doing to aid my fellow man to gain a happy life here on earth? Am I showing care for my fellow man or simply out for myself?’

 

God gave us this life and explicitly commended us to, “Love one another as you would love yourself.” To love yourself you must use your own ‘special’ ability in order to realize personal fulfillment

 

If you truly fulfill that command then you must utilize that ‘special’ ability God endowed you with. Whether it is teaching others, ranching, craftsmanship, being a seamstress, designing and any number of other ‘special’ abilities, you must perform according to what God allows you to perform.

 

We see all too many that do nothing to fulfill God’s command. They rely on others to provide for them and fill their every need. You must realize that I am not talking about the infirm or those afflicted with illnesses that prevent them from working according to God’s commands. I am talking about what I see and know to be is the ‘takers.’

 

Matthew 25: 14-30 teaches us the, ‘Parable of The Talents.’  If your substitute the word ‘talent’ and replace it with the words ‘special abilities,’ you lean that God does intend for each of us to fail to use the ‘special’ abilities He gives us and in failing using such we are subject to being thrown out as worthless servants.’

 

In particular Matthew 25: 30 teaches us what God thinks of the “worthless.”

 

Matthew 25: 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

 

To fulfill the way God intends for us to live our lives here on earth and to be seen as worthy of His salvation we cannot be seen as spiritually dead.

 

Proverbs 21: ²⁵ The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

 

In addition to the ‘special’ ability God has blessed us with we must also take on the duties of true Christians and spread the word of Christianity.

 

Each of us accepts all that God has bestowed upon us and does so with pleasure. I caution any, as you should as well, simply saying the words, I am a Christian, does not make you a true Christian. Being a true Christian is to be willing to take up your own cross and walk with it as you follow Christ. Whether that cross be one of infirmity, hardship, or a matter beyond your control, we each must face what lies in store for us with the knowledge that God is in control and will never forsake us. As we bear our crosses we must continue to use the ‘special’ ability God has granted us willingly and with love.

 

You, as I, must gain understanding of that ‘special’ ability God has blessed us with and stand ready to use it to the very best of our ability. That does not mean we must perform our work at no cost to others but it does mean that to perform with the knowledge that nothing on earth is gained without God having a ‘hand’ in it.

 

Lastly, take no pride in your ‘special’ ability as you did not gain that ‘special ability/ talent through anything other than God having bestowed it upon you. What you can do is rejoice in the knowledge of God’s gift and what you must do is perform your ‘special’ ability at 100 percent of your effort.

 

(Closing prayer)  

 

Abba, Almighty God, we come to You with prayers of thanks, praise for You and the heartfelt desire to have You accept all that we wish to give. You have blessed each of us with so many things and we give You our love, our hearts, or everything in return. You are our God and we know of Your most powerful ways and stand in awe of all that You do.

 

In particular we wish to thank You for the special abilities You have given each of us and hope that we have each exhibited the use of such ability as given in a manner that is pleasing to You. You are our God and pleasing You is our every desire.

 

Lord, You know everything and the things we know are nothing compared to the wisdom and knowledge You possess. You have sent our Lord and Savior to teach us the way and He, in turn, sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. Our hope is in the desire of being seen as following Your Path and being seen as worthy in Your Eyes.

 

We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is one with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever,

 

Amen, amen and amen.