What To Do With What God Has Given You

 

Have you ever wondered what you are called to do? Ever just thought, “God I am available use me if you want?” But what if it wasn’t what you thought you were called to do?

What if you thought you were called to preach but didn’t get the opportunity?

· Every preacher is required of the Lord to be a soul winner.

· Every Sunday school teacher is required to be a soul winner. Are you?

What if it was just being a door greeter or a helper of some sort?

What if you never did anything great for God but you did what you could to serve him. That would even be pleasing unto the Lord.

God expects our best not our least.

Mark 10:42-45

42 But Jesus called them to him and said unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.

Most people are looking for titles and positions.

Custodian is a title, yard mower is a title, tither is a title, visiting the sick is a title.

The list goes on and on but most of them are not what people are looking for.

To be an assistant Pastor you must learn to assist, learn to be available, learn to do whatever it takes to keep the Pastor from having to do it.

Really the title is server or servant to.

Titles are not just given they have to be earned just like in the world you aren’t giving recognition until you have done something to be recognized for.

If I gave you the title of teacher I would expect you to teach bible studies.

Sunday school teachers teach Sunday school but they are also required to be soul winners.

There are many types of ministries in the church.

Being a deacon (Board Member or Trustee) is a ministry.

I spoke recently of the parable of the talents:

Matt 25:14-30

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

{Jesus gave us a commission}

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one; to every man according to his several ability and straightway took his journey.

Evidently this man had shown his faithfulness that is why he was chosen.

{the master knew what they were capable of doing and didn’t expect as much from one as he did another but wanted each to do something with what he gave them.

The Holy Ghost is more than speaking in tongues.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same and made them other five talents. [ here this man was given a commission and He used what he had and gained more.]

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. This man did the same. [We need to at least double what we have.]

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth and hid his lord’s money. [Did he think he could just say well here’s what you gave me and now that is all I have to offer.]

Maybe the master thought I will give him a chance to prove himself and if he does I will give him more to do the next time.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents,saying, Lord, thou delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. [I’ve doubled what you gave me that was pleasing.]

21 His lord said unto him Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

What he was saying I intrusted you with a task and you exceeded it now the reward will be great.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.[I Doubled your money.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He did what was expected of him. Have we?

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

Ask the people to Name some excuses they use.

25 And I was afraid and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him and give it unto him which hath ten talents

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

He was given a job to do, he was entrusted to at least get something back but he decided it wasn’t going to help any or maybe he thought what he would have done wouldn’t be enough so he didn’t bother to do anything.

The servant who wasted his life tried to blame the character of his master for wasting his life.

· In effect he said, “You are the kind of master that makes servants like me afraid.

· You are just too hard to please. So I didn’t try. I did not use the gifts you gave me to live life. I lived my life on my terms, not yours.

· But the Lord does not accept responsibility for the servant’s failure.

So you say you have the Holy Ghost, what have you done with this talent?

You have power to witness, to cast out devils, to speak with tongues, lay hands on the sick, power to overcome.

But do you have power to be faithful and use what you have? Or will we make an excuse why we can’t do what God has given us the talent to do?

Is your business more important than obeying God?

Think of the excuses we have when it comes time to do something for God.

Have you doubled your talents? Or have you dug a hole and put them in it?

What I am saying is, are the talents hid in you and you are like this person, you are afraid to use what you have, so you decide not to use it at all.

Speaking in tongues is not a talent. Shouting is not a talent.

The disciple of Christ risked it all after they received the Holy Ghost

They preached when they had the chance, they prayed for the sick, they cast out devils, they raised the dead they were willing to do as much as possible.

1. They were faithful,

2. they didn’t make excuses why they couldn’t

3. They looked for an opportunity to be used of God.

They were volunteer martyrs willing to die to serve the Lord. Sometimes we aren’t willing to serve to live.

Are you willing to sacrifice to hear well done? Where would we be today if the disciples had just kept what Jesus gave them?

We have faith because they were willing to take the talent and do something with it.

What will happen to this slothful generation?