GIFTED SERMON 3
GIFTED — Sermon 3
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about the subject of being gifted — how God has given every believer gifts and how we are to use those gifts to serve the Lord. We have talked about how everybody has a gift, and we have also talked about how easy it is to overlook our own unique gifts.
But tonight, I want us to talk about the gift that is in us, the gift that helps us operate in our gifts — and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
You can have talent without power.
You can have ability without effectiveness.
But God never intended for us to serve Him in our own strength.
He gave us His Spirit.
I. The Holy Spirit Is a Gift to All Believers
Jesus told His disciples:
John 14:16–17
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
When a person places their faith in Christ, the Spirit of God takes up residence inside that believer. Salvation is not just forgiveness of sins — it is the indwelling presence of God.
Paul said it this way:
1 Corinthians 6:19
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
Too often, when we think about serving the Lord, we think only about our external talents and forget about the internal power that we possess.
I am glad that Jesus did not leave us comfortless to serve Him.
He gave us the power to serve Him through the person of the Holy Spirit.
II. The Holy Spirit Guides Us into Truth
Jesus also said:
John 16:13
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
When it comes to discovering our gifts or surrendering our lives to God’s will, people often act like it is some big secret between God and everybody else.
You will hear people say, “I’m praying God will show me His will.”
Five years later, they are still praying that same prayer.
Ten years later, they are still saying, “I just want to know God’s will.”
May I remind us — that is exactly what the Spirit living inside of you is for.
Yes, He will tell you the truth about sin.
Yes, He will tell you the truth about the Savior.
But He will also tell you the truth about your service and how you are to serve Him.
Sometimes I do not think we are ignorant of God’s will as much as we are resistant to it.
Sometimes the opportunities are made available by the Spirit, but they are ignored by our selfishness.
The Spirit will lead us into service, but He is not careless to place us into areas without preparation. And sometimes the very places He puts us are part of our training. And if we are in line with what He has asked us to do, where He has led us, and what He has shown us — then we are doing the maximum for the Kingdom of God.
III. The Holy Spirit Does a Work We Cannot Do
Jesus said:
John 16:8
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
Let us be reminded that our giftedness is not about transactions — it is about obedience.
Sometimes we say, “If I could explain the gospel better, more people would be saved.”
Or, “If I were more talented, I could reach more people.”
And to some degree, yes — we should grow in our abilities. We should work at our ministries and improve our delivery. But the Holy Spirit of God can do what no human ability ever can.
Your gift, your passion, your talent is only a hobby without the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible tells us:
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
And Peter wrote:
1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
There is responsibility on our part — but notice that verse begins with, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.” Our witness is not a replacement for the drawing of the Holy Spirit. It is the obedience that demonstrates faith, and faith is the arena where the Spirit works.
I am reminded of when Jesus went to His hometown:
Matthew 13:58
“And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
IV. The Spirit Empowers Our Witness
The Bible says:
Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Notice — He does not witness for us, but He witnesses with us.
I often hear people say, “Pray that I will have the right words.”
Or, “Pray that I will remember the verses I studied when I talk to my loved ones.”
And I understand that feeling. But let us also pray that the Holy Spirit will arrange the meetings, open the doors, and set up divine appointments where He can work. Then let us ask Him for the courage to simply be obedient and share what we know.
And then may the power of God convict men of their sin and convince them of the righteousness of Christ.
Paul said:
1 Corinthians 3:6
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”
Closing Thought
We should prepare our hearts and minds.
We should learn what we can.
But the Spirit performs the spiritual work.
Our responsibility is faithfulness.
God’s responsibility is fruitfulness.
If we are not walking in the Spirit, how can we expect to witness in the Spirit?
We are more gifted than we think — but it is because of the greatest gift of all, the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of every believer.
God did not just save us and send us out on our own.
He saved us — and then He moved in.
And because He lives within us, we can serve, we can witness, and we can walk in confidence that God is at work through us for His glory.
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