Page 2 - Gift - May 2017 - Truth & Tidings

us do next? Below is a list of principles from then use your gift for His glory. If so, then
specific Bible passages, not a book of rules you must prioritize the assembly where your
from the author, that show us what we gift is to be primarily exercised. The book of
should do as we move through life in order Acts makes it clear that believers who were
to find fulfillment and joy, to answer these added to the church were actively involved
questions according to the will of God. in that they “continued steadfastly in the
Be part of a local assembly. The New apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in
Testament is devoid of examples of believ­ breaking of bread and in prayers” (Acts
ers exercising their spiritual gift appropri­ 2:42). There are no examples in the New
ately outside the fellowship of a local Testament of spiritual believers who only at­
church. The chapters teaching about gift tended the breaking of bread meeting on
(e.g. 1Cor 12, 14) show that the exercise of Sunday, or who regularly chose not to attend
those gifts is within the context of a local certain meetings of the assembly. Un for­
church as an expression of the body of tunately, Satan has engineered modern life
Christ. Clearly, we are not intended to be so that it wreaks havoc on commitment to
free agents, acting alone in the world. the local assembly and regular meeting at­
Apollos tried, and after joining a local tendance. Whether it be homework, work
church, had to be taken aside and instruct­ schedules, work travel, city traffic, kids’
ed in the “way of God more perfectly” (Acts sports teams, none of which are bad in and
18:26). Acts 2 shows the pattern for every of themselves, many issues will sidetrack you
genuine believer in that “they that gladly and your family in usefulness for God unless
received his Word … were added” (Acts you prioritize the assembly. To be active in
2:41). This pattern continues throughout the assembly, you will have to sacrifice and
the Acts and the rest of the New Testament, also not expect other believers to thank you
where believers were expected to be part of for doing so. We look for the Lord’s com­
a local church, and only because of moral mendation, “well done thou good and faith­
sin (1 Cor 5) or doctrinal error (1Tim 1:20) ful servant” (Matt 25:21).
were found outside that regular fellowship. Keep Short Accounts with God. David
Being part of a local church that follows the shared his own intensely personal prayer
Biblical church pattern means that you are with us when he wrote “Search me O God
walking in obedience to the Lord, having and know my heart: try me, and know my
obeyed him in baptism (Matt 28:19, Act thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way
2:41) and in breaking bread (Luke 22:19). in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”
As Samuel noted to Saul, “to obey is better (Psa 139:23). If you wish to be useful for
than sacrifice (1Sam 15:22).” If you are not God, sin in your life has to be dealt with first
yet part of a local assembly of believers that before you can be “led” related to your gift
is following the New Testament pattern, and place in the assembly.
obeying the Lord by finding that spiritual If your conscience is bothering you as
home has to be step one before any attempt you read this section, I challenge you to go to
at service (i.e., “sacrifice” for him) or the God in confession right now asking for for­
discovery and exercise of a spiritual gift. giveness of the specific sin you have done
Be an active participant in the assem- (1John 1:9) and the strength to forsake
bly. You want God to help you identify and whatever it is so you can be useful to Him.

2 TRUTH kTidings I Our Clothing