I want to begin this message with a fundamental and powerful truth: You are unique, you are special, you were extraordinarily created by a God who loves you deeply. He knit you together in your mother’s womb, and every detail of your existence, every capacity, every ability, was intentionally placed within you. David, in Psalm 139:13-16, reminds us:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” What a glorious truth!
You are a unique, special being, brimming with talents! You may not have been planned by your earthly parents, but you were divinely purposed in the heart of God!
- Unmasking the Enemy’s Lies and Discovering Your Inner Treasures
Perhaps the enemy has tried to whisper lies in your ears: “You have nothing to offer,” “You came from a simple family,” “You lack ability,” “You are not good enough.” But I tell you today: Do not believe these lies!
No one has what you have. You are a divine, unrepeatable fingerprint, with a specific plan and gifts given to you by God.
The biggest lie you can believe is that you cannot do anything, or that you have no talent. Yes, you do! God has given you gifts and talents!
What talent has God given you? What are your qualities? What do you do well? What are your skills? Think about it:
- Are you good at looking after children?
- Can you play an instrument?
- Do you speak more than one language?
- Are you good at cooking? Cleaning?
- Do you have a knack for IT?
- Do you enjoy teaching?
- Do you feel for the homeless, for drug addicts? Or to help people in need?
- Do you have a passion for evangelism?
- Are you good at administration?
- Do you enjoy welcoming people into your home, being a host?
What you do exceptionally well, what earns you praise from others, is a talent, a gift given to you by God.
He created you with a purpose, He gave you talents and abilities not just for you to prosper in your career or build your family, but, above all, to fulfil the eternal plan He has for your life.
- The True Meaning of Life and the Higher Calling
Yes, you may have a profession, personal aspirations, and God delights in blessing you in them. But our ultimate calling, the true purpose that fills the soul’s void, is to serve our Creator and do His will.
Jesus said in Matthew 5 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
If you lose your “saltiness,” if your light goes out, it is a sign that something is out of alignment with the purpose God has given you.
You were born to be the Light of this world! Wherever you are – whether at your workplace or in your school – your presence carries a divine purpose: to advance the Kingdom of God and make the light of Christ shine brightly.
- Natural and Spiritual Gifts: Divine Empowerments for Service
God has blessed us with gifts in two main ways:
- Natural Gifts and Talents: What we inherit, develop, our inclinations and aptitudes from birth.
- Spiritual Gifts: Special empowerments granted by the Holy Spirit after we are born again, for the edification of the Church and the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 show us the vast diversity of these gifts. The Bible reveals a rich variety of spiritual gifts – over twenty distinct gifts. The crucial point is: All these gifts need to be used!
Here are some examples of spiritual gifts, so beautiful and useful for the life of the church and for the Body of Christ:
- Hospitality: The special ability to joyfully and generously welcome and host people, making them feel loved, important, and a sense of belonging, whether in your home or at church gatherings. It is essential for our Life Groups!
- Serving: Also known as “Ministry” , or “Deacon” from the Greek diakonian, meaning “service of any kind”. It is the ability to identify and meet the practical needs of the church and others, with an attitude of helpfulness and dedication, alleviating burdens and promoting well-being.
- Encouragement (Exhortation): The gift of motivating, comforting, and strengthening the faith of others, encouraging them to persevere in their Christian walk, to apply God’s truth in their lives, and to act with purpose.
- Giving (Contribution): The ability to give with generosity and joy, whether materially, financially, or by dedicating one’s time and personal attention, always with the purpose of blessing others and advancing God’s work.
- Mercy: The gift of feeling deep compassion for those in suffering or distress, and translating that compassion into practical acts of help and comfort, demonstrating genuine sensitivity and caring abilities.
- Helping: Intimately related to the gift of mercy, those with the gift of helping have the ability to offer practical and concrete support to assist others in the church, easing tasks and cooperating to ensure things run smoothly, with compassion and grace.
- Evangelist: The ability to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly, convincingly, and passionately, leading others to believe in Jesus and surrender to Him.
It is important to clarify that: Although the Bible says that some receive the Gift of Faith, all of us need to have faith to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Some have the Gift of Intercession, but we are all called to have a life of prayer.
Some have the Gift of Hospitality, but we are all instructed to welcome people into our homes (Romans 15:7). And, although some have a special gift for Evangelism, we all have the command to share the good news of Jesus.
A gift is a grace from God, something you do effortlessly well, that you enjoy doing, and that you feel a burden, a passion for.
The Purpose of Gifts: Not for Your Benefit, But for the Body
However, we need to understand something fundamental about gifts: Gifts are not given as a benefit for you as an individual!
Why do we receive spiritual gifts? 1 Peter 4 clearly answers us: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received TO SERVE OTHERS, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
We receive a spiritual gift so that we may use it in the Body of Christ, that is, in the life of the church and for the advancement of the Kingdom. God has given you a specific empowerment to fulfil His purpose on this earth!
God, in His sovereignty, determined our days and wrote our future, as we saw in Psalm 139. We will be complete and happy when we start living according to His plans. But these plans are not given automatic ! God has given us free will. It is your daily surrender, your obedience and seeking, that will lead you to live the plan God dreamed for you.
- The Church: The Living Body of Christ
The Bible teaches us that the church is a body, and each of us is a vital member. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 about the beauty and necessity of each part: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ… If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body… But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NIV)
Connection with the body is fundamental. Many Christians come to lose spiritual protection, strength, and joy by living disconnected from the Body of Christ. It’s like an arm or a leg that gets pulled apart from the body: there’s no blood flow, life fades away. A part that is not 100% connected to the body is in danger of death! People who, for some reason, stop coming to church services, stop participating in Life Groups, and begin to live isolated lives, are running a serious spiritual risk. The church is not optional; it is the Body of Christ, and we need to be connected to fulfil our calling.
- There is a Place for You Here!
Just as the different parts of the body – hand, foot, mouth, eyes – each have their unique function, you also have yours. And in this church, there is room for everyone! We are an active and living church, and we have 18 ministries where you can find your place and use your gifts:
List of the 18 Ministries of Shalom in Monaghan
- Hope Cafe
- Children’s Ministry
- Youth and Teen Ministry
- Deacons’ Ministry (serving the church)
- Worship Ministry
- AV Team (Audio and Visual)
- Translation Team
- Tea and Coffee Team
- Welcome Team (greeters/ushers)
- Intercessory Prayer Ministry
- Evangelism / Outreach Ministry
- Drama and Dance Ministry
- Media Ministry (sharing the life and message of the Gospel digitally)
- Life Group Leaders
- Events Decor Team (for church events, Lord’s super, etc)
- Women’s Ministry
- Men’s Ministry
- Pastoral Team
Praise God for each of these brothers and sisters who dedicate their time to serving in these 18 ministries! However, many of these ministries are in need of volunteers as they continue to grow and expand!
- Importance Beyond Visibility
Many of us naturally think of roles that are more visible, such as preaching or singing. People like to be seen. But just as a liver, a kidney, or a heart are absolutely essential for life, even though they are not visible, many ministries are equally crucial, even if they are not in the spotlight. Every member has a vital role. You need to find your place in the body.
- The Parable of the Talents: Our Responsibility
Jesus told us the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), which clearly illustrates our responsibility. Each servant received talents according to their ability, and the expectation was that they would make good use of them.
One day, we will all give an account to the Lord for how we have used the gifts and talents He entrusted to us.
Which of these responses do you want to receive from God?
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'” Matthew 25:21
“But His master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.'” Matthew 25:28
May we be found good and faithful servants!
Conclusion and Challenge
My prayer and challenge for each of you today is:
- Recognise Your Uniqueness: Believe that God has made you wonderfully unique and He has equipped you with everything you need to succeed.
- Seek Your Calling: Ask God to reveal your place and the ministry where your gifts can be best employed, remembering that gifts are for the benefit of the Body.
- Connect and Serve: Find your place in one of our Life Groups and in one of our 18 ministries. Do not be disconnected! Your participation is vital for the health and growth of the body.
- Be Salt and Light: Take the presence of Jesus to your work, your school, your neighbourhood. Be a living witness wherever you are.
May this church continue to be a beacon of hope in Monaghan and may we, together, as a united body which functions in love, fulfil the Great Commission to make disciples of Jesus, people who are transformed, healed, set free, full of character, who will bless this community and all of Ireland.
God bless you all!