Second Friend Day - Elmer Towns

Faithfulness in a small capacity leads to a promotion in God's sight. Jerry Falwell
preaches to millions over the Old Time Gospel Hour television network, yet he began as a
student at Baptist Bible College, Springfield, Missouri, by teaching one fourth grade boy at High
Street Baptist Church. He faced the usual discouragements but his faithful ministry to that one
boy enabled Falwell to build the class up to 53 students before the year was over.
If you want an opportunity to preach to millions, develop your ability by preaching to the
handful of people who need to hear you now.
4. You find new abilities by exercising your present gifts. A spiritual ability is a gift
of God and when you exercise it, it is an act of stewardship. You are using what is God's. "As
every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of
the manifold grace of God" (I Peter 4: 1 0).
The parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) illustrates the importance of using the gift
given by God rather than letting it he dormant. The man who buried his one talent was not
rewarded; his gift was taken from him. Those with five or ten talents saw their abilities
multiplied. Paul told young Timothy, "Neglect not the gift that is in thee" (I Tim. 4:14). If God
entrusts you with the gift of teaching, now is the time for you to obey.
. When you use your gift, it stirs up your own gift and gifts in other people. Your witness
for Christ will help others to have boldness. Your counsel will help someone else through a
difficulty.
Your gift is not stagnant- it can grow. Just because you can teach, does not mean that is
all God wants you to do. "Covet earnestly the best gifts" (I Cor. 12:31) means the Bible expects
us to grow in our ability to use our gifts or to get more gifts. Don't be satisfied but grow in
service.
5. You find your gift by the "hot poker" method. To get a poker hot, you shove it in
the fire. You will have a warm heart for God by associating with people who are doing God's
will. But you get more than heat by such associations. You will become like your friends and
you will have gifts like those who train you.
Paul told Timothy that he got his gift through preaching. "Neglect not the gift that is in
thee, which was given thee by prophecy" (I Tim. 4:14). When Paul preached he was using his
gift but it had an impact on Timothy. Paul's preaching made Timothy a preacher.
The gift of love is acquired when someone loves you. You develop a gift of teaching
when you enroll in a training course and allow someone to prepare you for service.
6. Since the Holy Spirit magnifies Christ, spiritual gifts emerge as you lift Him up.
A spiritual gift is the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, "He shall
glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you" (John 16:14). One of the
main duties of the Holy Spirit is to magnify Jesus Christ. He wants to use your abilities to do
that.