Dharius Daniels - Developing Gifts

Well, what’s up, everybody, and welcome to Thrive! I hope you’re doing fantastic; I hope you’re doing incredible; I hope you’re doing amazing! I’m excited about our time together. I know you’re probably thinking, «Darius, every time we do this, you say you’re excited,» and that’s 100% true. Your assignment should create some excitement! Oh, we’re coming out of the gate strong; we’re already going there! Somebody write that down, type it up—whatever note-taking device you have—make sure you log that, right? Yes, your assignment should create some excitement! Come on, your purpose should produce some passion. Think about that! So, yes, I’m excited because I feel like I’m doing what I was born to do. Yes, I’m excited because I know the transformational power of truth. Listen to me: I know the transformational power of truth, and I believe some significant transformations are going to transpire as a result of Thrive and you thriving.

Hey, if you’re watching this for the first time, shout out to you! Glad to have you with us. We believe there are three ways you can live your life: sinking, surviving, or thriving. We’re all about Level Three here; it’s about thriving—not just so we can be our best selves, which is part of it, but so we can do our best work and make the contributions to the earth we’ve been called and created to make! Man, if you’re with me, say, «I’m with you!» We’re about that life! So exciting!

We’re in a teaching series on Thrive, specifically in a series called «I’m Gifted,» where we are exploring and explaining this concept known as spiritual gifts. Why is this important? It is incredibly important because most of the contributions you’re making to the lives of others and to the world are contributions that most people are only making with their natural abilities—that’s talent or acquired skills, competencies, and things they’ve learned. But there’s another type of competence, another kind of personal asset that you have. It’s intangible, but it’s called a spiritual gift. If you’ve been making the impact you’ve been making just with natural abilities or talents and acquired skills, what’s going to happen when you incorporate that spiritual gift?

We’ve been exploring this concept for the past couple of weeks, and today I want to dive a little deeper and talk about developing your gifts. There’s a scripture I want you to check out; it’s in 1 Timothy 4:14. It’s really significant and insightful. Listen to what Paul says to Timothy: «Do not neglect your gift.» Wait a minute! We need to stop right there. Somebody put in the chat, «Hold up! Hold up! No, no—don’t leave the 'D' off! Hold up! Wait a minute! What?!» So, Paul is telling Timothy, «Don’t you neglect your gift.» He continues, «Which was given to you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.»

Okay, we talked a bit about this last week, right? The idea of the laying on of hands; the spiritual gift did not come from the hands that were laid on him, but the hands were symbolic. I think it was more than symbolic; I think it was sacramental. It’s that, Darius; it’s a means of grace. It’s an act that God chose to use. Did He have to use that act? No, He didn’t have to use that act. It’s like in Mark 5. I don’t know if you’re familiar with this story: there’s a woman in Mark 5 who has an issue of blood, and Jesus is actually walking to somebody else’s house. She’s been in a non-stop cycle for 12 years, and Jesus is passing by. She hears about Him and says, «If I can touch the hem of His garment, I’ll be made whole.» Is that the only way she could have been healed? No, but that’s what God chose to use.

Does that make sense? If I’m making sense, say «yes» in the chat. So, that’s what God chose to use! He chose to use this act of laying on of hands to give Timothy what’s called an impartation. I’m oversimplifying this, but Dr. Darius, what’s the impartation? Are y’all okay? This doesn’t feel boring, does it? I know this thrives! We’re going a little deeper, all right?

There’s no high-five your neighbor; turn around—God’s getting you. You know this is on Sundays; that’s inspiration, revelation, and instruction. On Thrive, this is all about transformation through education! So anyway, here’s the point, guys: impartation is almost like a transfusion. It’s when the Holy Spirit distributes something to you that you did not possess prior to that distribution. So that’s one stream of thought. I’m going to give you another stream of thought; remember, you choose which one you want to live with or which one you want to adopt. One stream of thought is that there’s something I didn’t have until hands were laid on me or some other act took place.