Pastor Ricky Powell

A Priceless Document

As I write this, I am looking at a Vacation Bible School certificate of completion. It is dated July 7-11, 1980. It reads, “The Vacation Bible School of Corinth Baptist Church at Lake Park, Georgia, for enrollment attendance and cooperation awards this certificate to Richard Powell.” The certificate was signed by the Youth Department Teacher, Winston Yingling, the VBS Director, Carolyn Lineberger, and by the Pastor, Frank O’Brien. The certificate is not impressive to look at. I doubt anyone would give me a penny for it. But I wouldn’t sell it for a million dollars. Do you know why? Because this certificate reminds me of when I first heard the Good News that Jesus Christ could and would save me from my sins! It was through VBS that I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. How can I ever repay that team of dedicated, compassionate people who volunteered a week of their time to tell a 12 year old boy about Jesus? How can I ever thank them for the difference salvation has made in my life?

I suppose they would say, “Ricky, don’t try to repay us. Just follow our example. Do for someone else what was done for you. There are children in your neighborhood who need to know the Lord. Reach out to them through VBS and tell them that Jesus loves them!” That is exactly what I am going to do. Our church is forming a team of dedicated, compassionate men and women who will reach boys and girls for Jesus through VBS during the week of June 14-19. The theme for this year’s VBS is, “Boomerang Express. If you are already on the team I say, “Thank you.” If you have not yet signed up to help, do it today. Call the church office and say, “I want to make an eternal difference in a child’s life. How can I help in VBS?” 

Do you have some fond memories from your VBS experiences? I would love to hear them!

Here are some other ways you can help reach boys and girls for Christ:   

• Volunteer to help during the week of VBS.

• Invite the children in your neighborhood to VBS.
• Pray for God to work in the hearts of the boys and girls and their families.
• Pray for your staff and fellow VBS workers.
• Lead your Life Group to follow up on the people God sends to us.

 

 

 

A Sneak Peak At Tomorrow's Sermon

 

I am beginning a new message series tomorrow called, "It's Your Serve." I want to help you discover your place in ministry through God's Church. Here is the sermon outline for the first message. I look forward to seeing you in worship and Life Group! (And the entire parking lot is paved!)

Series: It’s Your S.E.R.V.E
Sermon: You Are Gifted! (Using Our Spiritual Gifts To Serve God and His Church)
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11

10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.   11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.   1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV)

 

S---Spiritual Gifts
E---Experiences
R---Relational Style
V---Vocational Skills
E---Enthusiasm

I. The Reception of Spiritual Gifts (4:10a)

A. Spiritual gifts are a manifestation of the Spirit.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.1 Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV)

There are five lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament. Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 12:28-30; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:10-11

Since no one gift is on every list, and no list contains all the gifts, it is logical to conclude that the lists are suggestive, not exhaustive. It seems that spiritual gifts fall into one of two categories: speaking gifts, or serving gifts.

B. Spiritual gifts are not marks of spiritual maturity.

1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NKJV)

7 ...so that you come short in no gift… 1 Corinthians 1:7 (NKJV)

II. The Reasons for Spiritual Gifts (4:10b)

A. Gifts are given so we can minister to one another.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.1 Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV)

B. Gifts are given so we can manage God’s grace.

III. The Results of Spiritual Gifts (4:11)

A. The church is edified.

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Ephesians 4:11-13 (NKJV)

B. God is glorified.

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)

Application Steps:

Discover, develop, and deploy your gift through observation, prayer, and ministry involvement. Fort Caroline Baptist Church needs your involvement.

For a FREE Spiritual Gift Analysis Visit http://www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/intro.php