THE GIFT THAT IS WITHIN THEE

By Jay Pearson

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

God has created us in Christ Jesus for a purpose. He also ordained us or prepared us for that purpose. The creation of the Gift of God in us is beyond human knowledge and usnderstanding. To more fully understand this Gift requires the Lord’s revelation and his Will. To begin to understand and reap the benefits of the Gift require action on our part. Not just hearing the words of instruction but doing them as we walk in Christ. The Gift is perfect, but we are not. Forgetfulness of this commission of good works in Ephesians 2:10 along with, idleness, distractions, and complacency, erode our faithfulness to walk in obedience to our Lord and God. Therefore, we need to stir up the gift within us to be ready to minister from that gift to others.

2 Timothy 1:6 
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Colossians 4:17 
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

These gifts and abilities are in us with the Holy Ghost’s residing. The doing of those things produce fruit in our lives and others. In the Word we are encouraged, even commanded, to remember. There are many scriptures in God’s Word that remind us of who we are, who we were and who we serve.  We are encouraged to remember these things. I would like to share just a few.

2 Peter 1:12-15 
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

This scripture is in direct reference to 2 Peter 1:4-11, the 8 things we are to do to keep from falling, faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. Brother Tim Sullivan goes into great detailed explanations of these things in his book, “If Ye Do These Things Ye Shall Never Fall”. I hope y’all give it another read soon. I’m endeavoring to call to your attention to remember all the Word of God you have stored in your heart, soul, and gift from God. I encourage you and I, not to forget who we were and who we are now in the Lord. Also to stir up the gift within us.

Ephesians 2:11-13 
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Every one of us have abilities given to us by the Father. They require a stirring up of that ability or usage of that ability. Not just knowing what to do but the doing of what we know.  This sharing is an exhortation to action to all of us. I do not want to be idle and unfruitful. So I’m praying the Lord to help me stir up the gift within me. Whether a gift ministry or helps, or any gift we need to stir up the gift within us.

Romans 12:4-10 
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

We all, have been given gifts unique to us. Along with these gifts from God, he has made us able to do them. You need only to stir up the gift within you to be mindful of the ability God has given you to perform his will.

Philippians 2:13 
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

I want to share with you a parable, a picture of what I’m preaching. Imagine a can of housepaint that's been sitting unused for some time. If you don’t stir it up it will congeal. The longer you don’t use it the harder it is to stir.

We all have a gift or gifts to minister with from God. Along with that gift is the ability to perform it. It is up to us to fulfil that ministry before the Lord. Prayer and faith toward God are excellent places to start to stir up the gift within you.

 

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Presented May 4, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana