C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR MARCH 17, 2024 : TOPIC – GOD’S GIFTS FOR HIS GLORY
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH Nigeria And Overseas
2024 SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
THEME: SPIRITUAL POWER AND GIFTS FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST
LESSON NINE : 17th March, 2024
TOPIC: GOD’S GIFTS FOR HIS GLORY
MEMORY SCRIPTURE : 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 4:11).
The exercise of your gift(s) should give God the glory, immediately and ultimately. Otherwise, you have failed, God forbid!
BRIEF COMMENT : The memory scripture emphasises the importance of public ministry of the Word, specifically in relation to divine subjects. It states that if any person speaks, they should speak as the oracles of God, speaking the scared Scripture, divinely inspired and authoritative, and should be spoken in a manner agreeable to God’s word. The speaker should declare the whole counsel of God without mixing up the sound doctrine. The Gospel should be spoken boldly and authoritatively with openness, plainness, and freedom. For God, the Owner of all gifts, to receive all the glory, we must cooperate with Him and use our gifts in ways that bring Him glory.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 11: Believe You’re Made For God’s Glory (Isa. 43:6-7)
Tue, 12: Be Ready to Honour Christ (Col. 3:23-24)
Wed. 13: Bring All Glory To God (1 Cor. 10:31).
Thur. 14: Bear More Spiritual Fruits (Jn. 15:8).
Fri. 15: Bring Praise To God’s Name (Psa. 69:30)
Sat. 16: Beware Of Self-Glory (Acts 5:1-6)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
1. The gifts that God, the Creator of All, freely gives to believers are there, so that we can both immediately and ultimately glorify Him.
2. The grace to gainfully utilise your gifts for God and humanity is an indicator of spiritual growth. Use your talents and gifts to glorify God immediately, in order to avoid being replaced by God.
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: James 1: 17
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
AIM: To show that God’s gifts to us should be used for His Immediate and Ultimate Glory.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, learners should:
i. be able to show that all gifts and abilities come from God; and
ii. have begun to better dedicate and utilise their gifts to God’s glory, and not selfishly.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL TEXT: ROMANS 12:6; 16:1-2; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31; COLOSSIANS 3:17,23-24; 1 PETER 4:10,11
Glory, glamour and praise unto God for the release of soul lifting, and destiny-moulding spiritual facts for His Church, through the instrumentality of His Word. The previous lesson, the 8th lesson under the first unit centres on Receiving Spiritual Power and Gifts. Hope we have not forgotten that Conversion is essential, and that, to use our gifts wisely, we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. May the good LORD help us on this. Amen.
This week, we are moving the train to the 9th lesson, titled: GOD’S GIFTS FOR HIS GLORY. Historically, after the founding founders of Christ Apostolic Church broke ties with Pastor A. Clark of Faith Tabernacle, Philadelphia, in 1926, between 1926 and 1930, the Nigeria Faith Tabernacle continued praying to God for Great Revival that eventually broke out in 1930. Their aim was to bring glory to God, immediately and ultimately, as people experienced true revival. This lesson under perusal will explain to us that God has given us His Gifts for a purpose, and all usage of the gifts must bring glory and honour to Him, now and forever. May God help us to be sunk in this lesson and never to dishonour Him by abusing His gifts in our lives, in Jesus’ name.
LESSON OUTLINE
I. HIS IMMEDIATE GLORY
II. HIS ULTIMATE GLORY
LESSON EXPOSITION
1. HIS IMMEDIATE GLORY (Rom. 12:6; 16:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:10)
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith (Rom. 12:6).
a) Every believer has at least a gift from God. Which is yours? How are you obeying 1 Pet. 4:10, using it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace?
b) 1 Pet. 4:10a: ‘Gift’ translates Grk. charisma, from Grk. charis (grace). Charis becoming charisma speaks of Grace-given Gifts, Le, these gifts (faculties, talents, qualities (Rom. 12:6 AMP)} are imparted supernaturally and divinely by God’s grace.
c) Rom. 12:6: Of a truth, each gift came because of the grace God gave us (ERV), and these are differently given to us for doing certain things well (NLT), i.e., in ways that glorify God (Jer. 9:23-24; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; 10:3; Eph. 2:10; Col. 3:17,23-24).
d) 1 Pet. 4:10: ‘Steward’ (Grk. oikonomos) here shows that God has indeed made us stewards of His own personal treasures and we should give Him the glory by using them wisely the way He wants. Don’t keep your gifts to yourself, but use them to bless Christ’s body, and that immediately glorifies God (Col. 3:17,23-24).
e) Rom. 16:1-2: Deaconess Phoebe faithfully helped many with her gift, including Paul in his church planting stride. By this, the Church was edified, the ministry grew, and the Lord was glorified. Is this your testimony with your gifts?
f) By doing our different ministries according to God’s desire (Rom. 12:6; Col. 4:17), we know God as the Giver of the gifts (Mk. 13:34; 1 Cor. 12:11,18; Eph. 4:7-8; Jas. 1:17), and as such, glorify Him.
e) God gives His Church gifts for His glory, and He gives gifts and power as He wills. Our role is to be faithful, and reflects His glory as we demonstrate the gifts of God to seek ways to serve Him and others with what Christ has given us.
II. HIS ULTIMATE GLORY (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17,23-24; 1 Pet. 4: 11)
…that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Pet. 4:11b).
a) 1 Cor. 10:31: God made us for His glory, ultimately (Isa. 43:6,7) This should be the goal of the use of our gifts. He desires that all we do will glorify Him, ultimately. Why? We are shining His light in the world, to glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:14-16).
b) Col. 3:17,23-24: Never forget that using your gift for service ultimately serves to bring the LORD, praise and glory. He is the ultimate Rewarder (Heb. 11:6).
c) 1 Pet. 4:11: Have you discovered God’s gifts in your life? Fan the embers into flame and use them as stewards of His grace (v. 10;2 Tim. 2:6), such that only Him would receive the glory forever and ever.
d) The ultimate goal of investing our gifts is that, in all things God may be glorified… This only happens….through Jesus Christ, as we exercise them by His power, according to His design. After all He is the Giver, by His Spirit.
e) The exercise of our gifts should end with doxology, i.e., recipients should be able to say, “To the good, loving and kind God be the glory and dominion forever and ever” (cf. Php. 4:20; 1 Tim. 1:17).
f) How is God glorified when we use our gifts? These gifts are are of God’s glory and humanity’s benefits. Our unity in Christ doesn’t obliterate our uniqueness. Each Christian has a unique gift from the Holy Spirit that he/she can use to strengthen the Church. It is essential to put these gifts to use now that we have them. Are you using the gifts God has given you for His ultimate glory?
LESSONS DERIVED
1. Don’t dishonour God by devaluing the gifts He has given unto you.
2. When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and utilise our God-given gifts well, we bring glory to God, immediately and ultimately.
QUESTIONS
1. How can you glorify God with your gifts immediately?
2. How can your gifts help you to make heaven and glorify God forever?
SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTION:
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1
* God calls us and blesses us with talents, gifts, and many resources, so that we can invest them in His kingdom, or work.
* Jn. 15:8: When you use your gifts correctly, God gets the glory. God doesn’t expect you to be talented, or gifted at everything. He just wants you to worship Him by using what He has given you.
* The best feeling comes from using your gifts for God’s purpose, knowing you are worshipping God by doing what He made you to do. It is the greatest thrill in the world.
* In the Bible, the words ‘joy’ and ‘gift’ actually come from the same Greek word. When you use your spiritual gifts, it brings joy to God, and it brings joy to you.
* You don’t have to always be doing something ‘spiritual’ to bring God glory. Anytime you are using God’s gifts for His glory, it is worship, and it gladdens God’s heart. Remember Mary and her perfume (Jn. 12:1-8), Cornelius and his alms (Acts 10:1-4), and Lydia and her hospitality (16:14-15).
* When the gifts of God are used to build the body of Christ, God is glorified.
* When God’s gifts are used to meet the immediate need of the People of God, God is immediately and ultimately glorified.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 2
* Gifts are like muscles; the more you use them, the bigger they become. You can, and should strengthen, develop and grow any gift God has given you with the proper utilisation on earth, which will surely guarantee making heaven, though righteousness must be added to the gift. Remember Rom. 11:29.
* When the gifts are used to edify the body of Christ only, not for ostentation.
* Knowing and using your gifts will give you satisfaction; others (the body of Christ) will be edified, and God will be glorified.
* Unlike other kinds of gifts, a spiritual gift is God-given. Through these gifts, God gives His people the ability to excel in particular areas of ministry in order to serve others and further His kingdom.
* When gifts are used purposefully to the will of God only.
* When God is lifted as we are demonstrating the gifts of God.
* When gifts are used liberally and without an iota of sel centredness.
* Each of these gifts is meant to bring us closer to God and to the people around us. There will come a time when we need show/give others love, encouragement, leadership, mercy, service generosity, prophetic words, etc.
LIFE APPLICATION
The story of Tabitha from the Bible serves as a powerful reminde importance of serving others. Tabitha used her sewin skills to help widows in her church community, demonstrating compassion and selflessness in her actions. This story prompts us to reflect on our own service within the body of Christ and conside whether we are actively using our gifts to glorify Him. By joining ministry in our church and using our gifts for His work, we honour Go and make a positive impact on those around us. Ultimately, using ou lives for His glory leads to eternal rest with Him. This emphasises the importance of utilising our gifts to uphold His reputation.
CONCLUSION
Lesson 9 concludes here. We understand that our abilities shoul be used to serve God and others, not just for our own pleasure. It crucial that we use our gifts wholeheartedly for God’s servic without holding back. Let us not be guilty of neglecting God’s gifts and not using them for His glory. Amen.
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