Feb 3, 2026 6 min read Sermons

Finding Your Gift

Remember, God has placed you exactly where you are for a reason. No one else can do what you're called to do in exactly the way you're designed to do it. Your faithful service, however imperfect, matters more than you know.

How God Calls Each of Us to Serve

Today's article is based on the sermon given at Five Mile Church of the Nazarene. View this sermon and other resources here.

Fear can be paralyzing. Whether it's standing in front of a crowd, teaching a class, or simply greeting visitors at church, we all have areas where we feel inadequate or terrified. But what if God has been trying to tell us something important through these very fears?

When Fear Holds Us Back from Our Purpose

Many of us can relate to avoiding situations that make us uncomfortable. Like faking sick to avoid a one-minute speech or having our knees literally knock together when asked to perform. These moments of terror often reveal something deeper - we're afraid of not being good enough, of failing, or of being exposed as inadequate.

But sometimes, in our most vulnerable moments, we hear that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit saying something profound: "I gave you a gift. Use it, do your best, and I'll be more than pleased."

What Does God Expect from Our Service?

God doesn't expect us to use our gifts flawlessly all the time, but faithfully. The key difference is enormous. Flawless performance puts the pressure on us to be perfect. Faithful service simply asks us to show up and do our best with what we've been given.

When we understand this distinction, everything changes. The thing that once terrified us can become something we do regularly and even enjoy. Not because we've achieved perfection, but because we've learned to be faithful with our gifts.

Why Every Person's Gift Matters

In Romans 12, Paul explains that just as our physical body has many members with different functions, the church body needs different gifts to function properly. We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us:

If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy
If it's serving, then serve
If it's teaching, then teach
If it's encouraging, then encourage
If it's giving, then give generously
If it's leading, then lead diligently
If it's showing mercy, then do it cheerfully

The Body Needs All Its Parts

Paul further explains in 1 Corinthians 12 that the hand can't say to the eye "I don't need you," and the head can't dismiss the feet. Every part of the body is essential. When parts don't work properly, the whole body suffers and can't function at its best.

What if the whole body were just an eye? Or just a thumb? It would be worthless. We need all the parts to work together according to their design.

How Does a Serving Church Actually Work?

The book of Acts gives us a perfect example. In Acts 6, the early church faced a problem - widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. The apostles recognized they couldn't neglect their calling to ministry of the Word, so they identified seven men "full of spirit and wisdom" to handle this need.

The result? "The word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

When everyone does their part, the church functions well, and real spiritual growth results in action.

What Are the Different Types of Service?

In any local church, there are generally three levels of service:

Need-Based Serving

These are tasks that simply must be done - cleaning, maintenance, basic operations. Most people don't find joy in these activities, but they're necessary for the church to function.

Interest and Skills-Based Serving

This involves using abilities, experiences, and expertise we've gained through our jobs, education, or life experiences. There's more satisfaction here because we know what we're doing and can contribute meaningfully.

Gift-Based Serving

This is what Paul primarily discusses - serving in areas where God has specifically gifted us. This brings real joy because we sense "God made me for this." These gifts generally fall into categories:

Communication Gifts: Preaching, teaching, motivating, explaining Scripture, counseling

Serving Gifts: Helping others, showing mercy, hospitality, administration, organizing

Leadership Gifts: Pastoring, shepherding, vision-casting, decision-making, guiding others

Support Gifts: Generous giving, mercy, hospitality, sharing resources

How Do I Discover My Gifts?

Most of us already have some sense of our gifts - we just need to be reminded or prompted to recognize them. Look for areas where:

You find joy in serving
Others have affirmed your abilities
You have natural interest and developed skills
You feel energized rather than drained

The sweet spot is often where your gifts, interests, and skills intersect with the church's needs.

What If I'm Afraid or Feel Inadequate?

Remember Brennan Manning's powerful words: "Everything I do is significant and important in your eyes because you love me and you put me here and no one else can do what I am doing in exactly the way I do it."

Your call isn't to serve like someone else or to do things the way others do. It's to serve the way God has uniquely created and equipped you to serve.

Moving Beyond the 80/20 Rule

In most organizations, 20% of the people do 80% of the work. But what if the church became a place where 100% of the people accomplished 100% of the work? Where everyone was involved and contributing according to their gifts?

This isn't about doing more work - it's about everyone finding their place and serving with joy rather than obligation.

Life Application

This week, take time to honestly assess how you're currently serving or could begin serving. Listen for that still, small voice reminding you: "I gave you a gift. Use it, do your best, and I'll be more than pleased."

If you're already serving, consider whether you're just meeting needs or if you're also serving in areas that bring you joy and utilize your gifts. If you're not yet serving, prayerfully consider where your gifts, interests, and the church's needs might intersect.

Ask yourself these questions:

What activities or types of service energize me rather than drain me?
Where have others affirmed my abilities or contributions?
What skills or experiences from my work or life could benefit the church?
If fear wasn't a factor, how would I want to contribute to God's work?
Am I serving faithfully with what God has given me, or am I holding back out of fear or perfectionism?

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