em•pow•er [em-pou-er] –verb (used with object) 1. to give power or authority to; authorize, esp. by legal or official means: 2. to enable or permit: 1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

There is a passage in 1 John that gives a good illustration of Empowering:

1 John 4:9-11 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

That’s empowering. God loves us and by loving us He empowers us to love others. And the same can be said of forgiveness, service and a whole host of things. By forgiving us, God empowers us to forgive. By serving us, God empowers us to serve.

Empower is the third part of our mission statement here at St. Matthew—“Empower people for Christian living in the world.” Empowering is a big part of disciple making, a big part of what the church is called to do. We are used by God to help people discover the gifts and passions God has given them and then use those gifts for God’s glory. Here is the way Peter puts it:

1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

God has given each of us a unique way to serve Him by serving others—it might be singing, caring, praying, fixing things, gardening, teaching, preaching, athletics—more things than I could possible name. The idea behind empowering is to take whatever talents, gifts or passions God has put within you and use them glorify Him by serving others.

This is so important to us at St. Matthew that we have a ministry team devoted to it. It is called Living Stones. Living Stones exists to be used by God to help you discover your God-given gifts and passions and use them for God’s glory. If you haven’t been through the Living Stones program yet, contact Renee Rewitzer or the church office.