1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:06,200 When we think about the term of being used for something, one of 2 00:00:06,208 --> 00:00:09,700 the things that happens is, it comes into our mind about 3 00:00:09,700 --> 00:00:14,600 someone has used us to accomplish their betterment if 4 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:18,000 you want to say. You know, we've met have said 5 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:21,600 from time to time, will I got used in that and we didn't 6 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:24,200 intend to? So, in other words, we have to 7 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:29,500 let someone use us and God wants to use you today. 8 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:34,400 God wants to be able to use you for his benefit and for the 9 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:41,800 benefit of the gospel and for his glory, God has used many 10 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:45,000 people in our lives to influence us. 11 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:49,700 Maybe has both or one of our parents, maybe a friend, maybe a 12 00:00:49,700 --> 00:00:53,700 spouse. A teacher, A co-worker, some 13 00:00:53,700 --> 00:00:56,600 small act of kindness. Maybe it was simple, simply 14 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:59,200 listening to you and act of generosity. 15 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:02,500 Maybe they prayed for you. You asked, without you asking 16 00:01:02,700 --> 00:01:05,800 for them to do. So the point is that there have 17 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,300 been too many times, and people who have done things that made a 18 00:01:09,300 --> 00:01:14,200 difference or an impact in your life or my life and sometimes 19 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:16,200 it's the smallest thing that makes the difference. 20 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:18,700 And it doesn't have to be something that's huge. 21 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:23,400 Just sometimes a simple gesture, a simple acknowledgement, a 22 00:01:23,408 --> 00:01:28,600 simple word, a simple act or kind deed, you can be that 23 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:32,000 influence. If you will, let God use you for 24 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,700 his will. And his glory today, God allows 25 00:01:35,700 --> 00:01:41,600 you to be an influence for his purpose, he can use you right 26 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:45,300 now. Just the way you are at this 27 00:01:45,300 --> 00:01:51,600 point in your life, not later on but right now some say, well, 28 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:55,100 I'm not a preacher, I can't preach or I can't teach. 29 00:01:55,500 --> 00:01:57,700 I don't know the scriptures that well. 30 00:01:58,900 --> 00:02:00,600 I'm not good at talking to people. 31 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,500 I'm shy. I'm an introvert. 32 00:02:03,500 --> 00:02:09,199 Maybe later and so on. Well, what are you really good 33 00:02:09,199 --> 00:02:10,900 at? And, you know, there are things 34 00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:14,700 that some people are good at and other people just aren't that 35 00:02:14,700 --> 00:02:18,700 good at and maybe you excel in one thing that you've really had 36 00:02:18,700 --> 00:02:23,300 a passion for, and you do well in your life and ask yourself, 37 00:02:23,500 --> 00:02:25,800 what are you really good at? Are you good at talking to 38 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:28,000 people? Maybe that's what it is. 39 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:32,000 Maybe you can help someone fix something that's broken at their 40 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,700 house. Maybe you're good with your 41 00:02:33,700 --> 00:02:35,300 hands. Maybe you're good with 42 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:40,600 arithmetic and you can help them understand algebra or geometry 43 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:42,900 or something like that. Whatever it is. 44 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:47,600 Maybe you're just good at sitting simply sitting and 45 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:51,300 listening to someone else talk. Maybe you're good at that. 46 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:54,100 You know, there's sometimes a lot of people that are good 47 00:02:54,100 --> 00:02:57,200 listeners and sometimes that a lot of people they're good 48 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:00,900 talkers and sometimes you have to find the one that works best 49 00:03:00,900 --> 00:03:04,400 for you. Maybe it's in the simply just 50 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,100 sitting down and comforting. Someone that's going through 51 00:03:07,100 --> 00:03:11,200 problems or troubles in their life and suffering or in sorrow. 52 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:16,000 Whatever your talent is God is behind it. 53 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:20,200 God gave you that talent. And God is the one that is 54 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:23,800 behind it, and he has blessed you with a talent that you can 55 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,700 be used for his purpose and for his glory. 56 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:29,800 But he doesn't bless us with talents or skills, just so we 57 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:36,800 can get noticed. Earn a lot of money in our jobs 58 00:03:37,100 --> 00:03:38,800 that can be the result of a talent. 59 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:42,200 Absolutely, we may be good at certain things. 60 00:03:43,100 --> 00:03:46,600 And by using those talents, we better ourselves and we better 61 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,800 our environment, but it's so much bigger than that. 62 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,500 God wants us to honor him with those gifts. 63 00:03:52,500 --> 00:03:57,500 He wants us to be a good and faithful servant with our 64 00:03:57,500 --> 00:04:04,200 talents Philippians 1 and 6 says being confident of this very 65 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:10,700 thing that he who has begun a good work in, you will complete 66 00:04:10,700 --> 00:04:15,700 it until until the day of Jesus Christ, I want to focus on that 67 00:04:15,700 --> 00:04:17,899 phrase. He who has begun a good work in 68 00:04:17,899 --> 00:04:20,300 you. Paul is commending the 69 00:04:20,300 --> 00:04:24,500 Philippian Brethren here, the Philippian Church, And he 70 00:04:24,500 --> 00:04:29,900 stating that God uses the Christian to accomplish his 71 00:04:29,900 --> 00:04:35,900 goals or his work. God will conduct our continue to 72 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:41,800 work in the Christian until the end of that Christians life or 73 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:43,900 whether Jesus Christ comes first. 74 00:04:46,700 --> 00:04:49,700 You know, even the seven even the seven churches of Asia were 75 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,800 were admonished or they were disciplined. 76 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:59,800 If you want to say about what they accomplished and so we as 77 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:02,900 individuals want to be aware that today as well. 78 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:08,000 Well what is God's work in us? Are we here on this Earth? 79 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:11,200 Jim just simply for the amusement of God for his 80 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:14,800 Amusement is to see how we do with things in life. 81 00:05:16,300 --> 00:05:19,500 No, we have talents and abilities to be used. 82 00:05:19,500 --> 00:05:24,900 For God we all have a purpose. And we could study about The 83 00:05:24,900 --> 00:05:28,100 Parables of the talents and that's a whole another lesson. 84 00:05:28,100 --> 00:05:30,200 We're not going to talk about that this morning, but we are 85 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:33,300 going to talk about using the talents that we have. 86 00:05:34,300 --> 00:05:38,100 How exactly God does want us to work for him. 87 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,900 How is that? Well, we want to notice three 88 00:05:41,900 --> 00:05:44,400 things this morning that I want to go through. 89 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:48,200 And this is just probably scratching the surface, but I 90 00:05:48,207 --> 00:05:52,500 believe that we can be used by God to bless others. 91 00:05:53,500 --> 00:05:56,600 I believe that we can be used by God to build his kingdom. 92 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:00,400 And I believe that we can be used to be used by God to 93 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:05,000 glorify him. God wants us to bless us, bless 94 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:06,700 others, and be a blessing to others. 95 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:11,200 Number one, and first Peter, one there, excuse me, first, Peter 96 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,000 4, and verse 10. We are called to use the gifts 97 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:19,100 to serve others as faithful stewards of God. 98 00:06:19,300 --> 00:06:24,600 As each one has received a gift Minister, it to one another as 99 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,500 good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 100 00:06:28,100 --> 00:06:33,900 So each one of us has been given at least Gift. 101 00:06:35,700 --> 00:06:40,800 One blessing. God has given us gifts and he 102 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:46,600 says to use that to minister to one another as good stewards of 103 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:51,900 the manifold grace of God, in other words, We've given a gift 104 00:06:51,900 --> 00:06:57,700 or a blessing or as as one commentator says and endowment. 105 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:03,600 By which we can go do good to others or used to contribute to 106 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:09,000 the welfare of others. And the basic idea of blessing 107 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:12,900 others carries over to talents. God doesn't give us anything 108 00:07:12,900 --> 00:07:17,400 only for our own benefit. We are blessed so that we can be 109 00:07:17,500 --> 00:07:23,500 a blessing if we are using our talents only for our own benefit 110 00:07:24,100 --> 00:07:28,100 and we're selfish. And God is Not intending for us 111 00:07:28,100 --> 00:07:32,500 to be. with our blessings, but to bless others as we have been 112 00:07:32,500 --> 00:07:37,400 blessed, God wants us to use our talents and skills for the 113 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:41,200 benefits of others, notice in Galatians 6 and verses 7 through 114 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:45,700 10, do not be deceived, be deceived. 115 00:07:45,700 --> 00:07:51,000 God is Not mocked for whatever a manso's that will he will also 116 00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:54,600 reap for. He Who sows to his flesh, shall 117 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:58,500 of the flesh, reap corruption. But he who sews to the spirit 118 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,800 will of the spirit reap everlasting life. 119 00:08:02,500 --> 00:08:07,500 And let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season, we 120 00:08:07,500 --> 00:08:10,000 shall reap. If we do not lose heart, 121 00:08:10,300 --> 00:08:15,100 therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to 122 00:08:15,100 --> 00:08:19,100 all especially to those who are of the household of faith. 123 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:22,100 So how can we put that into practice? 124 00:08:23,100 --> 00:08:27,400 Well, we need to be aware of the of what is going on around us. 125 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:30,400 We need to be. We're aware of what other people 126 00:08:30,400 --> 00:08:33,299 are going through as well. You know, we take care of 127 00:08:33,299 --> 00:08:37,200 ourselves but when our self is taken care of, let's look at 128 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:40,799 what others need to be taken care of in their lives. 129 00:08:40,900 --> 00:08:44,700 Not just always focusing ourselves but focus on the needs 130 00:08:44,900 --> 00:08:48,600 of others, as well and Philippians 2 and verses 3 and 131 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,700 4. Let nothing be done through 132 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:57,400 selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of Mind, Let each 133 00:08:57,500 --> 00:08:59,800 esteem others better than himself. 134 00:09:00,100 --> 00:09:03,700 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but 135 00:09:03,700 --> 00:09:05,500 also for the interests of others. 136 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:12,200 You know, we've all heard stories and maybe read articles, 137 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:16,500 or books or whatever it is regarding how sometimes during 138 00:09:16,500 --> 00:09:19,600 the Depression and during times that were really, really tough. 139 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:23,500 and people were poor, that sometimes the parents went 140 00:09:23,500 --> 00:09:28,300 without eating to make sure that the kids were taken care of and 141 00:09:28,300 --> 00:09:31,100 sometimes it's not always looking out for ourselves, only 142 00:09:31,300 --> 00:09:34,600 maybe we have to suffer a little bit, maybe we have to sacrifice 143 00:09:34,900 --> 00:09:40,900 a little bit of our own take our own time that we want to take 144 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:46,200 our own selfish interests that we want and instead look after 145 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:52,700 others and what they need and what they are in need of You 146 00:09:52,700 --> 00:09:55,000 might ask well what can I do for others? 147 00:09:56,600 --> 00:10:00,100 I need to take care of myself, but what can I do for others? 148 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:04,200 Well, ask yourself what have others done for you. 149 00:10:05,100 --> 00:10:09,200 That was a blessing to you. I know there are several things 150 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:12,400 that people have done for me here in this congregation. 151 00:10:13,100 --> 00:10:18,600 That has been a blessing to me. Well, what can I do then like 152 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,100 that? To be a blessing to others as 153 00:10:21,100 --> 00:10:23,900 well? Maybe it's simply a phone call 154 00:10:24,300 --> 00:10:27,200 of encouragement, a card or a note, or a letter. 155 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:29,900 Maybe you can run an errand for someone. 156 00:10:30,300 --> 00:10:32,600 Maybe take one, someone a meal and you don't have to do that 157 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,700 only when they're sick, but maybe you can take them a meal. 158 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:40,600 Repair something for someone clean their house. 159 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,300 Visit the sick. Do a kind deed, pay it forward 160 00:10:44,300 --> 00:10:46,800 to someone in line. Maybe that looks like they're 161 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:49,700 struggling or or do a kind deed like that. 162 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:56,300 Here's a good one. We can get off our phones and do 163 00:10:56,300 --> 00:11:00,100 the work of God. Do something for God. 164 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:02,600 Instead of always being on our phones. 165 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,200 Here's another one. Be a better influence. 166 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:15,100 I was looking for examples on being a good influence and I ran 167 00:11:15,100 --> 00:11:18,500 across this one, it's a Peanuts cartoon, it's shows Peppermint 168 00:11:18,500 --> 00:11:21,500 Patty. Talking to Charlie Brown and in 169 00:11:21,500 --> 00:11:24,400 which he said, guess what? Chuck the first day of school, 170 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:26,700 and I got sent to the principal's office, it was your 171 00:11:26,700 --> 00:11:30,600 fault Chuck, Charlie Brown responds my fault. 172 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,800 How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my 173 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,900 fault? Peppermint Patty says you're my 174 00:11:35,900 --> 00:11:37,800 friend. Aren't you Chuck? 175 00:11:37,900 --> 00:11:40,200 Then you should have been some kind of a better influence on 176 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,800 me. Well, that's funny. 177 00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:47,600 But the point is, how can we be a good influence on others? 178 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:50,700 How can we make an impact on other people's lives? 179 00:11:51,500 --> 00:11:54,700 How can we better them? Instead of always, just saw. 180 00:11:54,700 --> 00:11:57,700 So, let's look around at the needs of others and not always 181 00:11:57,700 --> 00:12:02,400 be the one on the receiving end. Number two, God wants us to work 182 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:07,600 and build his kingdom and mark the 16th chapter and verses 15 183 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:10,000 and 16. The Great Commission was given 184 00:12:10,500 --> 00:12:12,800 and he said to them, go into all the world and preach. 185 00:12:12,900 --> 00:12:16,900 The gospel to Every Creature, he who believes and is baptized, 186 00:12:16,900 --> 00:12:19,200 will be saved. But he, who does not believe 187 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:24,100 will be condemned. Also, First Corinthians 3 in 188 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:29,600 verses 5 through 11, who then is Paul and who is Apollo's. 189 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:33,200 But ministers through whom you believe, as the lord gave to 190 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:38,200 each one, I planted Apollo's watered, but God gave the 191 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:42,200 increase. So there then neither he who 192 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:44,300 plants as anything, nor he who Waters? 193 00:12:44,700 --> 00:12:49,900 But God, who gives the increase now, he who planted, who plants, 194 00:12:49,900 --> 00:12:53,600 and he who waters are one. And each one will receive his 195 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:55,800 own reward, according to his own labor. 196 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:02,400 For we are are God's fellow workers? 197 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:07,000 You are God's field, you are God's Building. 198 00:13:07,500 --> 00:13:10,200 According to the grace of God, which was given to me. 199 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,800 As a wise. Masterbuilder, I have laid the 200 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:17,400 foundation and another Builds on it, but let each one take heed 201 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:21,000 how he builds on it. For no other Foundation. 202 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,800 Can anyone lay than that, which is laid, which is Christ. 203 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:31,000 Jesus, the point is that each one of us has an obligation. 204 00:13:31,500 --> 00:13:35,600 If we have a talent, we have an obligation and maybe it's just a 205 00:13:35,608 --> 00:13:38,200 simple word of Jesus to someone else. 206 00:13:38,700 --> 00:13:42,600 Just as our brother that held us a meeting here, brother. 207 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:47,000 Elias said, maybe it's knocking on a door till you tell them 208 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:51,400 about Jesus telling. Person that you meet about Jesus 209 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:56,400 when you have the opportunity. But we are building God's 210 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,200 Kingdom. We are the only ones building 211 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:04,000 God's kingdom and it is through his ability and his power that 212 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:07,600 he's given us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. 213 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:10,400 And to take the gospel to those that are lost in sin. 214 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:13,600 That is our responsibility if that's our talent. 215 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:16,600 We need to use that talent to build God's Kingdom. 216 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:21,800 At a minimum it's our individual responsibility to do in our part 217 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:25,000 to tell others about Jesus and build his kingdom. 218 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:30,600 Number three, whatever we do is all for the glory of God. 219 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:37,500 God made us all different. but together all of us make up the 220 00:14:37,500 --> 00:14:44,000 kingdom and First Corinthians 12, All compares the body of 221 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:50,200 Christ to the human body. Each of us being unique but 222 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,700 together we make the body complete and Christ is the head 223 00:14:53,700 --> 00:14:56,500 of the body, Ephesians 5, and verse 23. 224 00:14:56,500 --> 00:15:01,200 So everything we do points back to him because he directs it 225 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:04,400 all. Listen to what the Apostle Paul 226 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:09,000 says in this chapter, starting with verse 12 and will read 227 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:14,700 through verse 27, for as the body is One and has many members 228 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:19,200 but all the members of that one, body being many are one body 229 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,900 body. So also is Christ. 230 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:26,900 The human body is one body. There's not two separate bodies 231 00:15:26,900 --> 00:15:28,900 here. This morning, our physical body, 232 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:32,700 but it's composed of various members, it's composed of two 233 00:15:32,700 --> 00:15:36,100 arms and two legs. If we have both of those, it's 234 00:15:36,100 --> 00:15:40,400 composed of a chest area, a head and neck, the fingers, and all 235 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:43,700 these different things, but it all makes up the hole. 236 00:15:45,700 --> 00:15:49,500 They all have different and distinct and separate functions, 237 00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:52,600 but they harmoniously work together to accomplish, what is 238 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:56,700 good for the body verse 13. For, by one Spirit, are we all 239 00:15:56,700 --> 00:16:01,000 baptized into one body? Whether Jews or Greeks, whether 240 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:04,300 slaves, or free and have all been made to drink into one 241 00:16:04,300 --> 00:16:08,500 spirit for, in fact, the body is not one member but many. 242 00:16:09,500 --> 00:16:13,500 He talks about many, and he talks about one, we all are many 243 00:16:13,500 --> 00:16:16,800 members, but we are one body of Christ. 244 00:16:17,100 --> 00:16:20,000 We are all baptized into that one body. 245 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:25,600 And when we become a part of that body, Then there is no 246 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:31,300 difference between us. We are all individual Christians 247 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:35,200 within the body. There is no Brig, no, German 248 00:16:35,700 --> 00:16:41,200 Jew, nor Greek, excuse me. There's no difference between us 249 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:50,200 because we are all one. Verse 15, if the foot should 250 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:52,500 say. Because I am not a hand, I am 251 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:56,800 not of the body is it? Therefore not of the body and if 252 00:16:56,800 --> 00:17:00,900 the ear should say, because I am not and I am I therefore not of 253 00:17:00,900 --> 00:17:03,300 the body. Am I not of the body? 254 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:06,900 Is it therefore not of the body? Excuse me, verse 17, if the 255 00:17:06,900 --> 00:17:11,000 whole body were an eye, where would the hearing, if the whole 256 00:17:11,300 --> 00:17:15,099 we're hearing? Where would the smelling Where 257 00:17:15,099 --> 00:17:18,800 would be the smelling the idea is that all the parts of the 258 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:24,000 body are useful for their purpose and plan in their proper 259 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,599 place? And it would be really 260 00:17:27,599 --> 00:17:32,600 ridiculous for us to require something of our hand that are 261 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:33,800 hand. Can't do. 262 00:17:34,100 --> 00:17:38,600 My hand doesn't smell. Well, it might smell if I've got 263 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:42,300 it into something, I shouldn't have, but my hand doesn't smell, 264 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:46,800 it doesn't smell like my nose does and I don't knows is not 265 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,600 able to turn a ranch like my hand will. 266 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:54,800 So each of us have our own individual abilities in Christ. 267 00:17:57,200 --> 00:18:00,900 But if we all want to be a hand, the body can't function. 268 00:18:00,900 --> 00:18:04,700 If think we all want to be a nose, the body can't function 269 00:18:04,700 --> 00:18:08,300 because we need all the individual parts and we need 270 00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:11,800 every individual member of the body of Christ, with your talent 271 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:15,500 that you have to take your part in the body and do your part in 272 00:18:15,500 --> 00:18:20,400 the body. Paul goes on to say in verse 18, 273 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:25,300 but now God has set the members. Each one of them in the body, 274 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:32,900 just as he pleased. God gave you your talent. 275 00:18:34,300 --> 00:18:37,000 You know, there are things in life that I wish. 276 00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:43,400 I had a talent for I see people paint pictures and draw things 277 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:46,600 and have the talent, the artistic ability to draw things 278 00:18:46,900 --> 00:18:49,000 and I wish I had that talent. But you know what? 279 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:54,500 I don't And other people just do it without any effort. 280 00:18:55,500 --> 00:18:58,500 And I can't do that, but they're good at that. 281 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,600 And use a Christian have a certain talent in the body of 282 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:06,300 Christ that you're good at and I may not have that Talent. 283 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:13,000 And we can't always be. A best preacher. 284 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:17,600 Maybe we're able to get up though and do a chapter study or 285 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:19,900 a lesson or a five-minute talk or whatever. 286 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:23,700 It may be a new our part. And maybe that's all we'll ever 287 00:19:23,700 --> 00:19:25,200 do. But maybe we'll get better and 288 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:29,200 better and better as we use that talent, to better ourselves, and 289 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:32,300 be able now to do something that we didn't do in the past, the 290 00:19:32,300 --> 00:19:34,900 thing is to use the talent that's given to you. 291 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:38,800 But God is the one that gave you that Talent. 292 00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:46,600 He has set the members, each one of them in the body, just as he 293 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:50,900 pleased. Verse 19. 294 00:19:51,100 --> 00:19:55,000 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 295 00:20:00,700 --> 00:20:05,200 First 20. But now, indeed, there are many 296 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:08,400 members, yet one body and the eye cannot say to the hand. 297 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:13,700 I have no need of you nor again, to the head head, to the feet. 298 00:20:13,700 --> 00:20:17,900 I have no need of you. Those that are maybe the most 299 00:20:18,100 --> 00:20:21,500 noticeable guess cannot say to those that have different gifts 300 00:20:21,500 --> 00:20:25,500 that there's no need for them. You know, some may think within 301 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:28,800 the church that, well, the church just really can't use me. 302 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:31,400 The congregation really can't use me, I really don't have the 303 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:33,300 talent. I don't have the talent that 304 00:20:33,500 --> 00:20:35,600 Does to be able to teach like Frank does. 305 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:38,100 So I'm really have no good. No, that's not it. 306 00:20:38,700 --> 00:20:40,400 That is not what he's saying here. 307 00:20:40,700 --> 00:20:43,600 He's saying you have a talent and your talent is just as 308 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:50,500 important as anyone elses, You may want that talent, but God 309 00:20:50,500 --> 00:20:52,500 gave you the talent that you have. 310 00:20:56,200 --> 00:20:59,400 Verse 22. No much rather. 311 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:03,800 Those members of the body, which seem to be weaker are necessary. 312 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:08,800 The parts of the body that are indicated here. 313 00:21:08,900 --> 00:21:12,900 He calls weaker are referring to those parts of the body that are 314 00:21:12,900 --> 00:21:16,300 not seen and noticed everyone sees my face. 315 00:21:16,300 --> 00:21:19,600 Everyone sees my head, my ears, my ears do apart. 316 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:22,200 My hands. Do a part, my legs do a part, 317 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:25,600 but you don't see my lungs, and you don't see my heart and you 318 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:30,500 don't see my brain. And so someone may say well 319 00:21:30,500 --> 00:21:34,100 those are the weaker, things will know they don't do anything 320 00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:36,800 physically. Other than the heart keeps me 321 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:40,500 going and the brain keeps the heart going and the lungs. 322 00:21:40,500 --> 00:21:42,800 Keep me breathing oxygen into my body. 323 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,700 You don't see those things but they're very very essential 324 00:21:45,700 --> 00:21:48,600 parts of the body. And there are also enclosed 325 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:51,700 within the body, they're covered and they're protected by the 326 00:21:51,700 --> 00:21:55,900 skeleton around them. My brain is within my skull and 327 00:21:55,900 --> 00:21:58,000 it's protected when I take a hammer sometimes. 328 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:01,100 And, and miss something, and smack myself. 329 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,100 Not that I'm really pointing at my head. 330 00:22:04,100 --> 00:22:06,200 But you know, we bump our head into something. 331 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:09,700 I've been under that car, work on that car, and turn around and 332 00:22:09,700 --> 00:22:11,900 hit my head so hard. And that thing didn't move one 333 00:22:11,900 --> 00:22:14,300 bit, but it protected. My brain right here, and put a 334 00:22:14,300 --> 00:22:19,300 big cut on my head. Lay on my chest and it doesn't 335 00:22:19,300 --> 00:22:22,800 hurt my lungs. If I roll over on something 336 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:26,500 because this is protecting these, very vital, and important 337 00:22:26,500 --> 00:22:29,900 parts of my body. And each member here, even 338 00:22:29,900 --> 00:22:33,000 though they aren't able to do what the hand does even though 339 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,000 they maybe don't not be able to preach or may not be able to 340 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:39,800 lead a song like others do in the in the in the congregation 341 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:42,800 here. They're a very important part of 342 00:22:42,808 --> 00:22:46,400 the body. Even though they're deemed as 343 00:22:46,400 --> 00:23:00,000 weaker, he goes on to say. and verse 23 and those members of 344 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:06,100 the body, which we think to be less, honorable, On these, we 345 00:23:06,100 --> 00:23:14,100 stole greater honor. and our unpresentable parts have greater 346 00:23:14,300 --> 00:23:18,600 modesty but are presentable Parts have no need, but God 347 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:22,700 compose the body, having given greater on to though the that 348 00:23:22,700 --> 00:23:28,700 part, which lacks it So, God is mingled all the parts together 349 00:23:29,100 --> 00:23:35,100 to accomplish his goal. Every part is useful and every 350 00:23:35,100 --> 00:23:40,400 part is suited to the harmony of the hole and God has arranged it 351 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:43,000 this way, God has intended for it to be this way. 352 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:48,600 In order to produce Harmony and to produce the body, functioning 353 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:53,100 the way that he wants it to and it cares for its own self as 354 00:23:53,100 --> 00:23:58,400 well. so we bestow more abundant Honor on those parts of the 355 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:01,700 body, which require protection from the cold and heat and storm 356 00:24:01,700 --> 00:24:05,400 in a sense of comeliness requires us to close and 357 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:09,300 conceal, a greater attention and care of which we bestow on those 358 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:15,800 parts of the body Barnes says First 25 that there should be no 359 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:19,900 Schism in the body Schism or sysm, whatever you call that. 360 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:24,400 But that, the members should have the same Care, One care for 361 00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:29,400 one another want to notice that term, but there should be no 362 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:34,600 Schism or Schism in the body that the body might be United 363 00:24:35,100 --> 00:24:40,100 and be one harmonious, whole harmonious whole That there 364 00:24:40,100 --> 00:24:44,500 should be no separate interests. And that all the parts should be 365 00:24:44,500 --> 00:24:48,500 equally necessary and truly dependent on each other and that 366 00:24:48,500 --> 00:24:52,400 no member should be regarded as separate from the others. 367 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:56,800 If you're here and you don't think that you're you're a vital 368 00:24:56,800 --> 00:25:00,500 part of the congregation. You're wrong. 369 00:25:01,500 --> 00:25:05,300 You're a very important part of the congregation and you should 370 00:25:05,300 --> 00:25:09,800 never consider yourself. An unneeded part. 371 00:25:11,300 --> 00:25:13,500 You said that we should have the same care. 372 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:19,100 Whatever part of the body that is affected with disease or 373 00:25:19,100 --> 00:25:23,200 pain, we feel deep interest in that members suffering. 374 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:27,600 You know, the congregation is good here with that. 375 00:25:28,100 --> 00:25:31,700 When there's someone in need there are several that rush to 376 00:25:31,700 --> 00:25:35,900 take care of that need. When someone has a problem, 377 00:25:36,600 --> 00:25:40,600 there are several that come to the rescue with help. 378 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,900 Ready to help. And so that we should have the 379 00:25:44,900 --> 00:25:48,900 same care for each other and we don't throw preferential care to 380 00:25:48,900 --> 00:25:54,400 some and then not to others. We tear care for everyone in the 381 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:58,800 same way. Verse 26, and if one member 382 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:01,800 suffers all the members suffer with it, or if one member is 383 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:05,200 honored all the members Rejoice with it. 384 00:26:05,500 --> 00:26:08,500 Now, you are the body of Christ and members individually. 385 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:13,500 So God wants you to use your unique role here in this 386 00:26:13,500 --> 00:26:18,900 congregation. And in doing so you glorify him. 387 00:26:20,100 --> 00:26:24,900 You're using the talent that God gave you and by doing that he 388 00:26:24,900 --> 00:26:30,300 gets the glory, not you not me, God gets the glory because 389 00:26:30,300 --> 00:26:33,400 you're using the talent that God gave you. 390 00:26:36,900 --> 00:26:41,300 Colossians 3. And verse 17 says, and whatever 391 00:26:41,300 --> 00:26:44,600 you do in word or deed do all In The Name Of The Lord. 392 00:26:45,700 --> 00:26:49,000 Jesus giving, thanks to God the Father through him. 393 00:26:49,300 --> 00:26:52,800 So whatever we do good in this life for others. 394 00:26:52,800 --> 00:26:57,300 In this life, we do it for the benefit and to the glory of God, 395 00:26:57,900 --> 00:27:00,900 God can use whatever you are, wherever you are in your life 396 00:27:00,900 --> 00:27:02,400 right now. You think you may think well, 397 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:05,800 I've got time. I'll do it later. 398 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:15,400 But it's cool work with your friends, in the community, 399 00:27:16,100 --> 00:27:19,400 whatever it may be. You have a purpose on this Earth 400 00:27:19,400 --> 00:27:23,200 and that purpose is using the talent that you've been given to 401 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:28,300 glorify God, and let God use you in your life, not in a month, 402 00:27:28,300 --> 00:27:31,200 from now, not a year from now, not a week from now, but right 403 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:34,800 now, God wants to use you. And we need to let him do that. 404 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:37,600 Be that Christian, and that influence in your family. 405 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:41,900 With your girlfriend, or with your boyfriend, or with your 406 00:27:41,900 --> 00:27:44,800 wife, or your husband, your children, your grandchildren, 407 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:48,300 your coworker, your neighbor, whatever it may be, whatever it 408 00:27:48,300 --> 00:27:51,000 is, use the talents to glorify God. 409 00:27:54,100 --> 00:27:57,500 Maybe God can use you in the church as a leader as an elder 410 00:27:57,900 --> 00:28:03,800 or as a deacon at some point. But God needs you and can use 411 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:06,100 you with whatever your talent is. 412 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:13,700 The more useful that you are, the more you can be used by God 413 00:28:13,700 --> 00:28:17,200 in the more. Use your to the church and 414 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:20,300 accomplishing the glory and the will of God. 415 00:28:20,900 --> 00:28:26,000 So let God use you this morning. We thank you for listening to 416 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:30,900 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 417 00:28:30,900 --> 00:28:34,400 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 418 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:37,700 information, or you would like to receive a free Bible 419 00:28:37,700 --> 00:28:43,100 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at her 420 00:28:43,100 --> 00:28:45,600 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 421 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:51,400 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 422 00:28:51,400 --> 00:28:55,900 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 423 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:58,600 We would love for you to be our honored guest.