Worship & Word: Sunday at Empowerment Temple- with Rev. Dr. Robert Turner

Main message: God gives each of us gifts by grace as part of our purpose; those gifts must be honed and used to serve others even when people reject us or trials come, because trials cannot ultimately take away God’s gifting.

Key points:

• Gifts are given by God’s grace, not earned, and may appear as natural talents or sudden abilities. (Romans 12:6)
• Talent must be developed into skill—study, practice and discipline are required to reach full potential.
• Gifts are meant to serve others, not to be consumed selfishly; sharing them glorifies God. (1 Peter 4:10)
• Don’t bury your gift out of fear (parable of the talents); investing it leads to multiplication and blessing.
• Family, friends or communities may not recognize or accept your gift (Joseph example), but rejection doesn’t negate its value.
• Trials and setbacks can accompany gifting, yet they don’t cancel it—God can restore strength and use you despite failure or suffering (Samson example).

Scriptures mentioned: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:10, Matthew (parable of the talents), Genesis 37, Judges 16:28, Isaiah 6, Philippians 2