03/26/12 GOING TO A PICNIC
Have you ever played the game, "I'm going on a picnic, and I am taking a..."? I told children and adults Sunday that going to church services is the same. We should all bring something when we come, like we do on a picnic, or at a covered dish fellowship. We don't want to just come and be "getters," we should also be "givers." I talked about natural talents, skills, abilities, and spiritual gifts that God uses to bless other people as we feast together in worship time, fellowships or Bible studies.
1 Corinthians 14:26
(26) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
DLG notes...
I explained the verse and expounded the point.
Since all of the children (4 years and older) in our church have heard the call of God to turn from sin and follow Him, and since each one has responded with faith, repentance and confession, I teach them as little believers.
I talked to the children (and let the adults listen-in) about the special, inidividual abilities, skills and talents that God has given to them. I also talked about gifts of the Spirit (referencing Ro. 12, 1 Co. 12-14, Eph. 4 and 1 Pe. 4).
I told them we should come to feast together as well as feed others; we should all bring something for someone else, not just enough for ourselves; such as a song, a testimony, a prayer, an exhortation, a teaching or a message.
I told them that gifts of the Spirit are like tools of our service to God. Carpenters do not go to work without hammer, saw, level and square; musicians do not go to performance without their instruments; fishermen do not go without tackle and nets and bait. When we come to church we should come prepared to do God's work of service to others, with our skills, abilities, talents and especially our gifts.
Pastor David
