Sermon Reflections from Heart, Mind and Strength | Dr. Mary Hendrickson | November 24, 2024
We had the privilege of hearing Dr. Mary Hendrickson this last Sunday as she spoke about spiritual gifts and how God intends for us to use our gifts. Her sermon was followed by a 2 hour workshop on discovering our gifts.
She began with the text from Ephesians 4:11-13 that describes gifts given to believers for expressed purposes. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” The gifts given when one comes to faith, by the Holy Spirit, are meant to help the believer grow and support the church as a whole. When used, they will bring about equipping of other believers, unity, knowledge of God and maturity. Using these gifts brings glory to God and allows for the sanctification of believers by the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the spiritual growth in a believer brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives to that makes them more and more like Jesus as they walk with Him.
Mary reminded us of our own calling to faith. Each of us is called to witness, grow in the knowledge of God and reflect Jesus in our lives. We are to live life fully and humbly before God. She challenged us to consider times when we have sought unity with other believers in love, played a part in a ministry of service or caring, or an outreach to the lost. All of these are part of our calling as believers. Using our gifts given by God, when we came to faith, brings glory to God and makes a difference in the world.
As God leads you in life and your experiences broaden, He will show you how to refine your gifts or bring out latent gifts you are now ready to use for Him.
Mary’s workshop called Heart, Mind and Soul was enlightening as she lead us through self-discovery to better expose to our minds those gifts we possess. Her key verse was Mark 12:30 “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Each area- heart, mind, soul and strength were explained and examined. After we thought about each, we were led to take a self-examination quiz online to help point to our gifts. It was quick and insightful journey of self-discovery. I would encourage you to take the quiz and see for yourself.
You can find by putting this in your browser. giftstest.com
We need to be reminded daily of our love for God and what He has done and is doing on our behalf. The Jews had a portion of scripture referred to as the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” Moses was telling the Israelites, and us too, to know God the one and only. Love Him with all of our being. Teach our children about God. Talk about God, think about Him and have Him ever before us- morning, noon, and night as we seek to live for Him. Have saying of scripture surrounding you in your home, greetings on your doors, etc. Surround yourself with God and thoughts of Him.
What about you? Do you have thoughts or prayers to God daily as you go about your work, chores and discussions? Is God a driving or motivating source of power and strength for you each day? If not, take a look at Mark 12:30 again and meditate on how you can show God that He is the center of your life both physically and mentally. He will give you clarity and empower you to show others the Jesus you love and serve.
Linda
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