1 Peter 4:10-11
 
Peter writes that everyone has some abilities. He also states that we are to use what God gave us to reach the world, not for our pleasure but for serving and edifying God.
Paul mentions various gifts or abilities.

• 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

 
The Holy Spirit determines what our gifts will be, we are responsible for them but cannot take credit what God gives us.

• Romans 12:6-8, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 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.
• Ephesians 4:11-12, And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 
What is a spiritual gift?

• A God-given ability, distributed by the Holy Spirit to enable a person to work through their lives to help the church.

 
What is the difference between natural and spiritual gifts?

• Natural gifts are physical abilities. Sometimes the spiritual gifts will work through the natural, such as a Christian who sings being able to evangelize.

 
Do all Christians have a gift?

• All believers have at least one gift
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

 
So, what did God give us? How do we identify what we have been given from God?

• As we study the Scriptures, do any gifts stand out within us?
• What do we enjoy doing in the church or for the Lord?
• Can we recognize what the Holy Spirit is directing us to?
• Do others see any gifts working in our lives?
• What ministry could God be blessing us with?

 
Whatever God gave you; He did not give it to you for you to hide.

• “If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth,”

One man’s way of teaching and/or preaching may appeal to some and yet another man’s way appeals to others. Give the Word to bring glory to God, not to self.

• Matthew 5:14-16, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
• Luke 8:16, No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but sitteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter may see the light.
• Luke 11:33, No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
• John 1:7-9, The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

This refers to John the Baptist, and like John, we are not God’s source of light. We reflect the Light of Jesus; we shine Christ’s light to a dark world. We are to point others to the Light, Jesus Christ.
 
Even though they are aware of their abilities, some people believe they are entitled to make use of them however they see fit. Others believe they lack any special abilities at all. These verses were spoken by Peter to both groups. Every person possesses some abilities, or “gifts.” We must locate and utilize ours. Every skill we have should be made use of in the service of others; none of them are for our sole enjoyment. Preaching, also known as speaking, and aiding, also known as ministering, are mentioned by Peter (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; Ephesians 4:11).

When we use our abilities, how does it glorify God? They will see Jesus in us and praise Him for the assistance they have received if we use them as He directs to assist others.

1 PETER 2:21 
 
There are numerous reasons why we suffer. Some suffering is the immediate after effect of our own transgression. A few sins happen because of our own foolishness. A few sins are the consequence of living in a fallen world. Peter is expounding on the suffering that is a result of our good works. Christ never trespassed, yet He endured suffering with the goal that we could be liberated. At the point when we follow Christ's model and live for other people, we also may suffer. Our objective ought to be to confront suffering with tolerance, tranquility, and certainty that God is in charge of all things to come. 

• We should be prepared to make a COMMITMENT.
•  Following Christ is not always CONVENIENT.
•  We may need to get out of our COMFORT zone.
•  We need to pick up our CROSS.

  

• Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
•  Mark 8:34, “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
•  Mark 10:21, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
•  Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

  
Questions we may need to ask ourselves: 

• Who is to follow?
• What does it cost?
• When are we to follow?
• Where are we to follow?
• Why are we to follow?
• How are we to follow? 

 

• Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
• 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
• Acts 14:22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

 
 What keeps us from giving all to Christ?

1 Peter 1:18-19
 
For as much as ye know:

• Peter is speaking of the work of God for our salvation.
• We stood under judgment of God.
• Ezekiel 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
• That has not changed for God has not changed.
• All through the Old Testament, the shedding of the blood of an innocent was required.
• God told Moses at the First Passover to put blood of a spotless lamb…
• Exodus 12:5, Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
• Exodus 12:7, And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
• He did not tell them to take a bucket of water out and wash the door!
• In Verse 13, God said, “...when I see the blood, I will pass over you.
• This typified to the time when Jesus our Savior would come to die as the perfect sacrifice.

 
Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things:

• Silver & gold are purified by heating up with intense heat.
• The dross is removed to show only the pure metal.
• However, it still corrupts over time.
• Pull the fine silverware out of the cabinet when you have company for dinner, it is tarnished and must be cleaned.
• We are not redeemed with corruptible things.
• Isaiah 52:3, For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money

 
From your vain conversation:

• Life is vain, nothing more meaningless than life apart from Christ.
• Everything in the world serves a purpose.
• Man without God is meaningless.
• Man has nothing to offer to God for his redemption.
• What can we do to redeem ourselves? Nothing.

 
With the precious blood of Christ:

• The precious blood of Jesus is not mentioned in some churches.
• The Blood has been removed from some liberal hymns for being ‘crude.’
• Peter was with Jesus for three years, he knew Jesus.
• He wrote that Jesus was without spot or blemish.
• Modern writers do not want to mention the blood, because they write to earn a paycheck.

 
John the Baptist:

• John 1:29, The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

If anyone is depending on water baptism, church membership, confirmation, communion, or any type of good work to get into Heaven, they will be rejected like the bloodless offering of Cain’s sacrifice. 

So, what:
People say, “I do not want to hear about the blood. I do not like that “old slaughter-house religion.” How important is “the blood?” It was the price required to purchase our Salvation.

• Hebrews 9:14, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
• Hebrews 12:2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 
Religion will always substitute something besides the blood, but it will not work. The precious Blood of Christ was the price paid for man’s redemption. When we stand before God at the judgment seat, what will be our outcome?
 
Church Hymnal, page 378, “When I See the Blood.”
Christ, our Redeemer, died on the cross, Died for the sinner, paid all His dues;
All who receive Him need never fear, For He will pass, will pass over you.
When I see the blood, when I see the blood,
When I see the blood, I will pass, I will pass over you.