I know I am supposed to write about being a team.  Because WE are.  We are IN this TOGETHER!

This past Sunday my Pastor had another great Sermon.  Guy can Preach!   It was more on gifts that I plan on sharing with you here in the Collective Connections Series. 

Here was an interesting point my Pastor made in his sermon, when he asked the question:  What gifts did the 12 Disciples have? 

1. Simon Peter was the Influencer – He used his gifts of faith and miracles of healing to convert people by the thousands.  The Leader of the 12. 

2 & 3. James and John were the Son’s of Thunder – also known as Thunderous Preachers of the Gospel. 

4. Andrew was a soul winner – quiet, steady, follower and did his work one convert at a time.

5. Mathew (Levi) We know him as the tax collector – was a quick convert unlikely at that and perhaps the gift of Faith and collaborator of exactness of collecting souls instead of taxes. 

6. Thomas – We all know as the doubter – his show me Faith gives him a bad rap – but this is how awesome our God is:  He will come to you and meet you where you are.

7. Simon of Zealot – Crazy Fanatical Simon!  He had Zeal for the Gospel because his traditional beliefs would have been the complete opposite of the Gospel.  Imagine how close he was to Jesus and he too was most likely sent to spread the Gospel.  I am guessing somewhere radical!

8. Judas Escariot – We all know how Judas gave up Jesus for just 30 pieces of silver.  However, Judas had the gift of healing and he exercised authority over demons.  Now that’s important!

9. Philip – Was a miracle worker and he laid hands on others to deliver the gifts!  He was a Team player, follower of Jesus during His ministry and he preached – his most famous story is Phillip explaining the gospel to an Ethiopian man of Eunuch.  Don’t forget he baptized him as well….laying of hands…

10. Nathaneal (also known sometimes as Bartholomew) – his most famous line – Can anything good come out of Nazareth?  First recorded person to confess belief in Jesus as the son of God and Savior.  He was the Giver of God.  Faith was also his gift – His Mission took him to a tragic ending in Albania.

11. James the Son of Alpheus – little is known of this disciple.  One could surmise he was one of the behind the scenes guys.   The delegator person of the mission is what I was thinking.  Maybe you would call them the coordinator.

12. Judas son of James – little is also known of this disciple.  One could surmise he was also one of the behind the scenes guys. Maybe you would call him the doer.

So here is where I identify with the gifts within the 12: 

• Faith like Nathaneal…and for the record folks I grew up in Nazareth PA.  So yes, something good can come out of Nazareth – The famous line the late great Pastor David Shaeffer would use in my home church in Nazareth PA. (THE RED DOORS!).

• Faith Like Mathew the tax collector and unlikely convert – that’s me!

• Faith like Thomas…when he showed me I was FULLY convicted!

• Simon of Zealot – Yes Crazy and full of Zeal for my Jesus! 

We all have these gifts in some manifestation.  How God uses them in your relationship with Him is His business not mine.  I just need to obey, act/trust, produce, receive and spread!   

It’s an ALLSTAR TEAM!