Title: The Gift of Dexterity/Acts 18:3
Contents
Introduction
The gifts given as gifts of the Holy Spirit are called “charisma”, which means “there are various gifts {1 Corinthians 12:4 }”, which means that spiritual gifts have various talents.
We have been able to discern the three gifts through the illumination of the Holy Spirit over the past chapters, but now we have reached the final chapter, thanks to God's infinite grace. The Bible says that anyone with a pickaxe and digging it belongs to any mines that are innumerable hidden gems.
If the church is the body of Jesus Christ and we are members of that body, just as each member is given intelligence, we still have not been able to find all the roles of the gifts that are the mission of the members. We must study the Bible more and become saints who find and enjoy various hidden gifts of God.
The true meaning of the gift of dexterity given as the subject of this chapter is specified in advance as “productive arts, skills, occupations, craftsmen, public figures, founders, architects, and artisans”. , Hebrews 11:10, Acts 17:29, 19:24, Exodus 35:31}.
1. Definition of the gift of dexterity
If we define the attributes of the gift of dexterity, it can be defined as the ability to take charge of all tasks in the church by demonstrating their skills from detailed and elaborate work to great work as skilled craftsmen with the gift of hands as members of Christ. In today's text, it is said, "Because the karma is the same, we live and work together, and that vocation is to make a tent."
Acts 17:29 also says, “In this way, being a child of a god, God should not be regarded as gold, silver, or stone carved with human skill and craftsmanship”, and also in Acts 19:24, “the silversmith named Demetrius They made Artemis’ silver thread so that the weavers could earn a lot of money.”
In the Old Testament, when the tabernacle was built in the wilderness, in Exodus 35:31, “God appointed Bezarel and called him, and filled him with the Spirit of God to do various things with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.” It is seen as a gift given to those who serve with certain functions in the temple.
It can be seen that the apostle Paul gave the gift of building a tent, and Priscilla and Aquila worked together in Corinth. Also, among the people Paul met in Athens, “Demetrius” was a silver maker and made idols out of silver and made idols out of silver. There was also a scene where a commotion broke out in an attempt to get approval from the teachers, but Paul said that idols are not gods.
As such, the gift of dexterity is a gift given to serve the church of God as needed by his members for the glory of God.
2. Characteristics of the gift of dexterity
The saints who have been gifted with dexterity also exhibit various characteristics. Let's take a look at a few
1) There is always the ability to develop new things.
2) Possessing a better function than others.
3) There is art and skill with meticulous observation.
4) It has the ability to preserve the holy things of the temple.
5) We are also interested in repairing and building.
Therefore, it can be said that these gifts are characterized by having the ability to undertake all the functional tasks of the church with the skill given by God. It is generally said that what a person is gifted with comes from the mother's womb when giving birth.
However, I believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit is received when we receive grace and experience regeneration, that is, when we become members of the body of Christ. Therefore, it is clear that the gift of dexterity is also a gift given by God to revitalize the body of Christ, the Church.
The gift of dexterity to repair broken parts of the church, to keep the various scriptures, to drive and repair vehicles, to control and manage the electrical lighting facilities, amplifiers, microphones, video, heaters, air conditioners, etc. It is used to build up the body.
In today's church, you will find the gift of dexterity among carpenters, plasterers, electricians, and drivers during various works. When the tabernacle was being built in the wilderness, God called “Bezarel and Ohliab” to do various clever things with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. (Ex 35:3) He says.
In the members of the body of Christ, we can see that God is producing these gifted gifts of dexterity and is planning the smooth growth of the church.
3 Self-diagnosis of the gifted messenger
Today, let's try to discern if we have these gifts.
1) I have the ability to go ahead of anyone in my church or group and have the creativity to develop new things.
2) I feel that I have a superior function than a general engineer, and I am recognized by others.
3) Has delicate observation and understanding in handling instrumental music and drawing pictures.
4) Our hearts are focused on those that repair and preserve various sacred objects and facilities within the church.
5) They want to build a new church and actually jump into the field of work and get things done.
4 Discernment of the gift of dexterity
1) The gift of the Holy Spirit = The ability to serve God's members by demonstrating their skills with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2) Human talent = It is a skill that is learned and used in the workplace of the world.
3) Satan's analogue = refusal to use worldly skills on God's members for life. Rather, they are trying to use the members of God.
conclusion ; Now, let's summarize today's sermon.
As such, the gift of dexterity refers to the ability to undertake all the functional tasks of the church with God-given skills. Among the positions in the church, they serve in the English ship, architecture, or music department, or in general occupations such as gold, silversmithing, and carving. I hope that you will become the members of the church who are the body of the Lord, realizing that you have given them various talents such as crafts, galleries, and calligraphy as the ability to serve the Lord or his members.