Every year I peach a sermon on gifts of the Spirit. There is a category, Motivational Gifts, which are practical in nature and, reveal the personality of God. Included in this category of gifts is the gift of Helps or Service.
Helps is the divine enablement to attach spiritual value to the accomplishment of physical tasks within the Body of Christ. This is a special anointing by which one stands alongside and serves, in a very personal way.
People with this gift are absolutely essential to the life of the church. They are the ones who flow to the obvious needs automatically. They don't need a lot recognition, just appreciation. They are the ultimate team players of Christ's church.
Jesus Christ had this gift along all the other Spiritual Gifts and is the perfect example of dying to serve. His sacrifice was the ultimate one in that He gave His life to meet the need of mankind as the perfect sacrifice for sin. In order for that sacrifice to result in a harvest of of redeemed humanity for the kingdom of God He had to die. He described his death as one of a seed being planted, dying, multiplying itself and resulting in a tremendous harvest.
John 12:23-26 (NLT)23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Helps is the divine enablement to attach spiritual value to the accomplishment of physical tasks within the Body of Christ. This is a special anointing by which one stands alongside and serves, in a very personal way.
People with this gift are absolutely essential to the life of the church. They are the ones who flow to the obvious needs automatically. They don't need a lot recognition, just appreciation. They are the ultimate team players of Christ's church.
Jesus Christ had this gift along all the other Spiritual Gifts and is the perfect example of dying to serve. His sacrifice was the ultimate one in that He gave His life to meet the need of mankind as the perfect sacrifice for sin. In order for that sacrifice to result in a harvest of of redeemed humanity for the kingdom of God He had to die. He described his death as one of a seed being planted, dying, multiplying itself and resulting in a tremendous harvest.
John 12:23-26 (NLT)23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Dying to be a Servant A Parable
Charles Stanley has written a devotion that is one of the best explanations of the Christian making the decision to use the Spiritual Gift of Helps.
Once upon a time there were two grains of wheat lying on the floor of a warm and cozy barn. But one day, the farmer came in and told them, "I want to take you out of this comfortable barn and plant you in the earth. I'm going to place you in the cold ground and cover you with soil. It will be dark, and you will die. But I promise that you will multiply and become very fruitful."
The first grain of wheat turned down the suggestion. "No way!" he said. "Count me out. I like my comfort, and I don't want to die." But the second one, after carefully considering the pain and discomfort of dying, decided the promise of a future harvest was worth the sacrifice. So the farmer took him outside and planted him in the ground, while allowing the first grain of wheat to remain inside the barn.
A few days later, a small green sprout appeared over where the seed had been planted. Then it grew and became a tall stalk of wheat that produced one hundred more grains. For the next forty years, the farmer planted all the seeds that had originated from that first grain of wheat, and year after year, the harvest multiplied. However, the grain of wheat that stayed in the barn remained there by itself, never multiplying--but he was very comfortable.
Which grain of wheat are you? Are you playing it safe, or have you let Christ plant you in the world? The only way you'll ever become useful and fruitful in God's kingdom is to abandon your own selfish desires, get out of your comfort zone, and serve the Lord by serving others.
Charles Stanley has written a devotion that is one of the best explanations of the Christian making the decision to use the Spiritual Gift of Helps.
Once upon a time there were two grains of wheat lying on the floor of a warm and cozy barn. But one day, the farmer came in and told them, "I want to take you out of this comfortable barn and plant you in the earth. I'm going to place you in the cold ground and cover you with soil. It will be dark, and you will die. But I promise that you will multiply and become very fruitful."
The first grain of wheat turned down the suggestion. "No way!" he said. "Count me out. I like my comfort, and I don't want to die." But the second one, after carefully considering the pain and discomfort of dying, decided the promise of a future harvest was worth the sacrifice. So the farmer took him outside and planted him in the ground, while allowing the first grain of wheat to remain inside the barn.
A few days later, a small green sprout appeared over where the seed had been planted. Then it grew and became a tall stalk of wheat that produced one hundred more grains. For the next forty years, the farmer planted all the seeds that had originated from that first grain of wheat, and year after year, the harvest multiplied. However, the grain of wheat that stayed in the barn remained there by itself, never multiplying--but he was very comfortable.
Which grain of wheat are you? Are you playing it safe, or have you let Christ plant you in the world? The only way you'll ever become useful and fruitful in God's kingdom is to abandon your own selfish desires, get out of your comfort zone, and serve the Lord by serving others.
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