★ MY SERMON NOTES
@ Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)
(Now Church of Christ in Nations)
Gigiring, Hwolshe, Jos
Plateau State-Nigeria
9th November, 1997
SERMON
* Speaker: [No data]
* Topic: The Use of Spiritual Gifts
* Text: Romans 12:1 →"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
* The only way you can judge whether a Church is growing is by the way spiritual gifts are being used by members
* The use of spiritual gifts depends on one's personal/intimate relationship with God
* Spiritual gifts should not be used to test "spirituality" over others
★ How is one Supposed to Relate to God?
* Relate with God in intimacy through personal study of the word of God
* Spiritual gifts cannot be used in isolation, but through contact with other believers
* You must regulate (through humility) the use of the gift given to you by God in order to avoid pride
* You must offer Every member of your body to the service of God
* God is a God of mercy, that is why He has lavished us with several spiritual gifts
★ 1st Corinthians 6:20 →"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
* You need to surrender your mind and affection to God
* Your relationship with God can be affected by sin if you do not surrender the whole of your body to God
* The Holy Spirit cannot be effective in a body used for sin
★ Romans 12:2 →"Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect."
★ Psalm 119:9-10 →"How can a young man keep his behaviour pure? By guarding it in accordance with your word. I have sought you with all of my heart; do not let me drift away from your commands."
* Paul expressed concern for the (stunted) growth of the Church in relation to the world's standards
* You must come to terms with the Holy Spirit, if not, you cannot be effective in utilizing your spiritual gifts
* Christians are supposed to relate effectively with God
★ Romans 13:14 → "Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and do not obey your flesh and its desires."
