This is what Jesus said to His disciples as He sent them out. They were to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons.

As Jesus freely poured into them power and authority to carry out the work, they were to freely pour out.

So it is with us. Christ freely pours into us, and we are to freely pour out into others.

Last Sunday, Pastor asked, “What should be our response when being poured into?” He mentioned that our first response should be to carry what has been poured in, to guard it, use it, and then give it — to share it with others to bless and encourage them. Thus igniting a fire in others to do the same.

God never pours gifts, talents, abilities, and graces into us just for personal storage, but for overflow into others.

Knowing this, what hinders us from pouring out that which God has poured in? Could it be fear, greed, rebellion, or disobedience? These are all excuses, and they will not be accepted when we stand before the Lord to give an account of what we have done with what He has poured in.

In her previous message Pastor Bev warned us to break up with excuses. There will be no excuses. Because Christ freely poured into each of us these gifts and talents, He requires that we freely pour out.

1 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

James 1:17 (KJV)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Therefore, we do not have anything to brag or boast about. It all comes from Him, and it all belongs to Him.

God intentionally pours different gifts into each one of us — prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy, as stated in Romans chapter 12.

The Holy Spirit pours in words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, various kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians chapter 12.

The gifts provided by Jesus Christ are to equip the body — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers and missionaries.

Each of us has freely received these gifts, one or more, and we are to freely give of them.

1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Luke 6:38 (KJV)

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

We are also to pour out what God has poured in through obedience. We show our love for God by obeying Him and His commandments.

Consider the story in 2 Kings chapter 4, of Elisha and the widow’s oil. As long as she poured, the oil continued to flow. God does the same with us. As long as we yield and release the gifts, talents, and treasures He has poured into us, He will continue to fill us to overflow. Lives will be changed. Saints will be edified. God will be glorified, and His kingdom will be expanded.

What God has poured into you and me is valuable, not accidental, not wasted, and not meant to stop with us. We are poured in to be poured out.

Father, we thank You. We thank You for this brief word that encourages us, Lord, to take what You have poured into us and pour it out.

Pour it out into the lives of those we live with, those we work with, those we encounter in our communities, and those within the house of God.

Freely You have given, and freely we are to give. Thank You, Lord, for choosing these weak vessels and pouring into us so that we may be poured out.

We thank You that this is a privilege. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.