Agora Church

What goes around comes around

Many of the spiritual gifts are made to be given away… and this week’s one is a gift that is given to someone and then, when it is successful, is given back!  What goes around comes around with this gift.  Some of the gifts we should all be using, at least a bit, and this is one of those - so there is something to learn for everyone in this gift. 

Listen and explore how the words we use as we come alongside others can help them to be all God wants them to be, and how we can grow more effective at that. 

Can you imagine a world without google search or "Hey Siri"?
What about flicking through the news headlines and coming across a major article about a world leader who no one knows?
It would be a strange day for both wouldn't it. We live in an age obsessed with information and celebrity.

This week we are unpacking the spiritual gifts of teaching and leadership, both being pretty hot topics. Do these spiritual gifts look any different to what we see around us and if I have them what could that look like?

This Sunday we explored these a little in community, asked some questions, dug into God's word and listened to what Jesus has to say.

Christian Baptism: What does it mean? 

Baptism is an external symbol of what happened internally when a person believes in Jesus.

 

2 Corinthians/Corintios 5.17-18

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.

When you hear someone say, 'Hey, I've invited so and so for dinner tonight.' What is your instant reaction - 'woooo' or 'aaagghhhh'?

Some people are so called by God to show hospitality to others, it is something they love to do. While for others it is almost terrifying - stress of cleaning and cooking and possible judgement and .... So, how do you know if this is a gift you have - or should have?

 

This week Craig continues on through our spiritual gifts series, and tells us that: Along with all of humanity we are gifted life itself, that we are offered the gift of eternal life, and finally that we are gifted by the Holy Spirit with gifts to be a gift to others.

Society loves to lift up those who are considered important, and to sideline those who they consider of little or no importance. Even this ‘importance’ changes as the loves and likes of society change.
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Bible almost YELLS that this is not to be the way in the church. There is no ‘more or less important’. We are ONE equally loved and anointed crazy messed up group called and gifted by God.

Craig brings us the end of the intro into Spiritual Gifts, today he talked on: Knowledge and Wisdom. How that, the gifts that we are given by God are good and are there to build others within the church not to just build yourself up, and unless they are done in love they are a total waste of time.

Society is fascinated with leadership! It brings out the best in some and the worst in others... So, what's the deal and does Jesus and His Kingdom have anything to say on the matter?

We are unpacking the spiritual gift of leadership and taking a look at an unlikely leader in the Bible and how Jesus journeys with them. 

Maybe if you gave me a digger and like 50 years I could dent the mountain ... maybe? Haha - probably not to be honest.

 

Jesus said even if we have tiny faith we would do amazing things in His name. How come some people have incredible faith in God, while others kind of have a 'sort of' faith in God? Is it how strong I am, or how strong someone else is? 

 

Please note: There were two videos in the sermon, however we were not able to share them on the podcast. Thanks for understanding!

There are some folks who seem to be super helpful - right? They see needs that most of us just walk past and totally miss. 
On Sunday we started a new series looking at spiritual gifts and how the Spirit empowers people to serve the body of Christ and beyond.
What spiritual gift(s) has the Spirit given to you?