Series: Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gift
#21: The Gifts of Spiritual Expressions – “Gifts of Self-Denial”
Titus 2:11-13 and Luke 9:23-25 (NASB2020)
By John Gill ~ November 12, 2023
Today we come to the last sermon in this long sermon series – Finally! In the process of my planning for this series, I considered ending it with last Sunday’s sermon on “healing.” I had contemplated just skipping the gifts we will be looking at this morning – after all, who wants to have been given the Spiritual Gifts of Self-denial? The three topics this morning seemed to be such a “bummer,” and I knew no one would ever notice if they were overlooked. But then, the more I thought about it, the more I became convinced that these three “gifts” were the perfect ending to a series on living into the Gifts the Holy Spirit pours into our lives. Today we are considering three unpopular gifts that all relate to Christ’s call to “deny ourselves” and live for others: the gifts of celibacy, martyrdom, and voluntary poverty.
None of us like to think about self-denial. We see it as a punishment, or at least an imposition. These gifts are depressing. We would rather just skip over them, pretending they are not in the Bible. But in reality, these are very significant gifts – and so, having done some research, I decided to preach on them.
All three of these gifts share a common theme, a major tenant of Christianity, a theme that runs counter to the culture in which we live: a call to self-denial. Our society teaches just the opposite: self-indulgence, self-gratification, self-pampering, self-serving.
Self-denial is a recurring theme in the New Testament. In order to be able to follow Jesus, we must be “other-serving,” and “God- serving.” Not “self-serving.” In the Bible, we are reminded over-and-over: being self-serving is actually a block to fellowship with God. John Mason expressed it this way, “They that deny themselves for Christ, shall enjoy themselves in Christ.”
So this morning, we will look at the gifts of self-denial. These are the last of the list of the gifts of spiritual expressions. As with the other gifts, all of us are called to self-denial. Some however, are especially gifted in using self-denial as a way to serve God fully.
The definition of self-denial is this: “One of several gifts that exhibit a willingness to deny self for the sake of the Kingdom of God: these include the gifts of celibacy, martyrdom, and voluntary poverty.” So first, let us consider the gift of celibacy.
1. Celibacy.
I have taken spiritual gift inventory surveys a number of times throughout my life. Most of those inventories do not list these spiritual gifts. However, on the most extensive inventory test I took, these were among the gifts rated. Not surprisingly, my lowest scoring gift was celibacy.
Celibacy is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:7, “I wish that all were as I myself am (that is, celibate). But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.”
I think it's great that the Bible recognizes the single life just as much as the married life! As Paul put it: “But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.” There is no shame in singleness! But, is singleness the same as celibacy?
Of course, not all are single by choice. Many are single by circumstances, such as never having the opportunity to marry, going through a divorce, or suffering the death of a spouse. Some singles would like to be married, others are content with singleness. But if you are content to be single, does that mean you have the spiritual gift of celibacy? It all depends. It depends on what you intend to do with your singleness.
The definition of the gift of celibacy is this: “The gift of celibacy is the special ability that God gives to some members of the body of Christ to remain single and enjoy it, and to dedicate their singleness to the service of God.” The key to the gift of celibacy is not sexual denial and suppression. The key is in the freedom their singleness gives a person so he or she might dedicate themselves in ministry. The most obvious examples of course are Roman Catholic priests and nuns.
In a small town, there was a large community banquet that attracted many of the leaders of that community, including a Jewish rabbi and a Catholic priest who were seated at the same table. The main course at the dinner was baked ham with glazed sweet potatoes. Rabbi Cohen regretfully shook his head when the platter was passed to him. Father Kelly scolded him playfully, “When are you going to
forget that silly rule of yours and eat ham like the rest of us?” Without skipping a beat, Rabbi Cohen replied, “At your wedding reception, Father Kelly.”
While we Protestants don't insist that our clergy remain celibate (thank God!), the Roman Catholics do have a valid point. That's because those who are celibate are freed to give 100% to God.
Paul affirms the gift of celibacy in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, “I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be hily in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.”
Those who never marry have no encumbrances. They have fewer obligations because they have no spouse and no children - No distractions. They have plenty of time and resources at their disposal with no one to answer to except God.
When I began my ministry, I was single. In many ways my life was easier and less complicated since I had no one at home. I could give all my time to God and the church, if I wished. Of course, my life was lonelier - and so it was a great blessing when I found Terri to spend my life with.
Of course, the problem for the Roman Catholic Church is that not all priests and nuns have the spiritual gift of celibacy. For some, the vow of celibacy is a struggle for them, and some surrender to temptation.
I don't believe that God intends for anyone to be forced into a celibate lifestyle. For many, it would only bring frustration and temptation. But, those who are gifted for celibacy are freed for ministry. Even within the Protestant church, many missionaries deaconesses, and even pastors elect to remain single so that they may serve God completely.
Yes, some in professional ministry choose celibacy. But celibacy is not limited just to professional persons in the church. Laypeople may also elect to remain single so they have time and energy to serve God. If you are single and comfortable with your life, it may be that you are called by God to serve him with the gift of celibacy - to devote your extra time, your energies, and your passions to God.
Do you have the gift of celibacy? If so, how are you using your singleness as an opportunity to be in ministry?
2. A second gift of self-denial is martyrdom.
In one of the sermons at the beginning of this series, I advised you to “try out the gifts to see which ones fit.” This is the one gift I would not recommend that you “try out!” You only get one shot at “martyrdom, “and to “try it out,” might make you a martyr even if you did not have the gift!
Martyrdom is listed in 1 Corinthians 13, where Paul says, “If I give up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” When we think of martyrdom, we think of the Saints who lived long ago, those who died for their faith. As the church father, Tertullian, expressed it, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
Yes, we tend to think of martyrs as those who lived (and died) long ago. And yet, martyrdom is very real in our world today. In many places around the world, it is dangerous, or even illegal to be a Christian.
On the website, AmericanMagazine.org, we find an article on modern martyrs. Part of the article says this: “Christians are among the most persecuted peoples around the world. Behind the witness of today’s martyrs lies the stark reality of their numbers. More Christians were martyred in the 20th century than in all previous centuries combined… [And] The trend has not abated in this century. Though the statistics are uncertain… the number of Christians killed for their faith every year almost certainly lies in the thousands and possibly tens of thousands. According to the International Society for Human Rights, Christians are estimated to make up 80 percent of those who are persecuted for their religion. They have been killed in India, Vietnam, Iraq, Colombia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Mexico, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Sri Lanka, China, and Indonesia.”1
We Christians in the United States are very complacent, ignorant about our sisters and brothers who face danger and persecution – and even death. We need to constantly pray for them, and we ought to become advocates for them, to use our influence and power to draw attention to their suffering. Yes, the gift of martyrdom is as current as today's newspaper.
But what do we mean by the spiritual gift of martyrdom? Here is the definition: “The gift of martyrdom is a special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to undergo suffering for the faith even to death, while constantly displaying a joyous and victorious attitude that brings glory to God.”
The spiritual gift of martyrdom is not dependent on dying for your faith, but being willing, even eager, to give your life, if necessary, for the cause of Christ. Horace Mann put it like this: “It is more difficult, and calls for higher energies of soul, to live a martyr than to die one.”
One year early in my ministry, I attended a workshop put on for preachers at which I learned something I had not known before. The speaker pointed out that our scripture this morning from Luke is also found in Mark and Matthew, but with an important distinction. In Mark and Matthew, Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow me.” In Luke’s account, Jesus adds one word, “daily” – “Take up your cross daily and follow.” Why?
Well, scholars believe that the Gospel of Mark was written first, during a time of great persecution. The followers of Jesus reading Mark’s Gospel literally might face death on a cross. But the Gospel of Luke was written later, during a period of less persecution – there was less threat of physical death. So, the emphasis shifted to the daily-ness of cross-bearing. You see, in Matthew and Mark, we give our life in death. In Luke, we give our life in life.
Which is correct? Actually, both are true! For those with the gift of martyrdom, we live for Christ and if needs be, die for Christ. So, you don't have to die in order to have the gift of martyrdom, just a willingness to give your life, your all, even to the point of death.
As you know, I love Broadway musicals because I believe the writers of the musicals often are reflecting biblical themes. In the musical, “Man of La Mancha,” there is a song called, “The Impossible Dream.” The main character, Don Quixote, had the gift of martyrdom, for he was willing to, “March into hell for a heavenly cause.”
That’s what martyrs are willing to do. Just as our veterans were willing to die for our nation, martyrs are willing to give their “last measure of devotion” to Christ and his kingdom – to “march into hell” for the cause of Christ.
But there's another dimension to this gift. Those with this gift are willing to sacrifice everything, and they do so joyfully! Church history is filled with inspiring stories of those who marched willingly to death, that by their death they might glorify God. Paul expresses his own feelings in Philippians chapter one (20-21) - a text I quoted in last Sunday's sermon: “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain...”
What is the level of your commitment to Christ? Are you able to entrust him with your entire life, “to march into hell for a heavenly cause” – to devote your life in this world and the next, to him alone? Are you willing, even eager, to live your life for Christ, even if it means dying for him? If so, you may have the spiritual gift of martyrdom, and you can inspire the rest of the church with your unshakable faith!
3. The third gift of self-denial is voluntary poverty.
Like the others, this gift is not dependent on circumstances. Not all singles have the gift of celibacy; not all those who die have the gift of martyrdom; and not all those who are poor have the gift of voluntary poverty (although God does have a bias toward the poor).
Father Truman Johns, an Episcopal priest, asked for a discount at a local hardware store. He told the man behind the counter, “I'm just a poor preacher.” The clerk responded, “I know. I heard you last Sunday.”
Just because you are poor, doesn't mean that you have the gift of voluntary poverty. The keyword here is “voluntary.” This gift is for those who choose a modest lifestyle in order to bring glory to God.
The definition of this gift is this: “The gift of voluntary poverty is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to renounce material comfort and luxury and adopt a personal lifestyle equivalent to those living at the poverty level in a given society in order to serve God more effectively."
Like all the other gifts of self-denial, this gift runs headlong against what the prevailing culture teaches. Our society teaches that money and possessions are gods to be worshipped and served. Not so in the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 6:25), Jesus says, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the
body more than clothing... Look at the birds... Consider the lilies... (God provides for them)… Strive first for the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
The world thinks that those who choose poverty are crazy – but they in fact may be the most sane of us all! There are many benefits to voluntary poverty: 1. A simplified life, with less frustration and no need to “keep up with the Joneses;” 2. It sets the priorities of life in their proper order; 3. It removes distractions to our spiritual life; 4. It helps us identify with those who are truly needy around us; 5. It enables us to be generous in giving to others (John Wesley gave most of his salary away to the poor, and lived only on the bare essentials); and perhaps most importantly: 6. A life of voluntary poverty frees us for a life of service (remember how Jesus told his disciples to travel lightly, not even taking a spare pair of sandals, but instead to trust God to provide their needs).
Jesus is our model of voluntary poverty. In 2 Corinthians 8:9, Paul tells us Jesus is our role model, when he writes: “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”
A young boy wrote to Mother Teresa in India, asking how he could make a difference with his life, like she had. Months went by with no answer. Finally, he received a letter from Calcutta. Expectantly, he opened it. The letter was only four words long. “Find your own Calcutta.” Where is your “Calcutta?”
Can you follow Jesus example of choosing to identify with the poor? Do you have enough faith in God to trust him to provide? Can you give up treasures on earth so you can begin to lay up treasures in heaven? If so, you may have the spiritual gift of voluntary poverty.
This message is timely because, in the mail this week, if you are on our mailing list, you should be receiving a letter with your own personalized “Estimate of Giving” card. I hope you will very seriously pray about your level of commitment to God, and the self-sacrifice you will eagerly make in 2024 so that the cause of Christ is advanced in our community through our church. Next Sunday, you are asked to bring your card with you to worship to be collected and presented to God. If you are not able to be here next Sunday, you may mail the card to the church, or drop it by the office.
You know, I'm glad I preached on these gifts. It is not a bummer to preach on self-denial because self-denial is the only way to put our spiritual houses in order: God first, others second, self last. We all are to live a life of self-denial. But if you discover you do not have these spiritual gifts, that is OK.
Not all are called to celibacy! God created and blesses marriage too. The gifts of marriage and celibacy are both valuable to the body of Christ. Whichever is your gift, dedicate it to the glory of God!
Not all are called to martyrdom! We hope that we would be willing to give our lives, whether by life or by death. But don't feel guilty if you wouldn't do it joyfully. I know I wouldn't. But we can joyfully dedicate our whole lives to God, and stand on our faith.
Not all are called to voluntary poverty! The church has always needed all types of people – the rich, the poor, and everyone in between. Jesus’ ministry to the poor, we believe, was bankrolled by wealthy women. The church has prospered for over 2000 years because of generous benefactors, with financial resources. Even our congregation here at Tomoka is reliant on very generous givers, maybe even you. Yet there are people with the gift of voluntary poverty who have freed themselves from “possessions and wealth,” and therefore are better able to be generous, and then trust God to provide. If God has blessed you with wealth and generosity – or with “voluntary poverty,” – rich or poor, use your gifts for the glory of God.
You see, the gifts of self-denial are not as depressing as we thought. Indeed, those with these gifts, rather than being burdened, discover they are liberated – freed to serve God with all they are, body, soul, and spirit.
As Jesus said, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it.”