Spiritual Gifts and Calling

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I. SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FOR A SPIRITUAL BODY:

  1. On what three occasions did Paul name things which he did not want his readers to be ignorant?
    • 2 Corinthians 2:11
    • 1 Thessalonians 4:13
    • 1 Corinthians 12:1
  2. The word “Gift” in the Greek language.
    • Pneumatikon (1 Corinthians 12:1) means “spiritual matters” (“Gift” is not there).
    • Charismaton (1 Corinthians 12:4, Rom 12:6) means “Grace filled”(“Gift” is not there), yet the Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich lexicon defines the word as:
      • A favor, or earthly goods bestowed.
      • A gift freely given, only gifts of divine grace.
  3. A distinction will later be made between motivational, ministry and manifestation gifts.

II. WHO GIVES AND RECEIVES SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

  1. The Giver (1 Corinthians 12:8,9,11,28)
  2. The Receivers (1 Corinthians 12:7,11,13-14,18)

III. DISCOVERING YOUR GIFTS:

  1. If he is a disciple, get them involved with people.
    • What are the purposes of spiritual gifts?
      • 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
      • Ephesians 4:12-16
    • Your disciple needs to be involved with other people, as they serves others, their gifts will come to light.
  2. Help them exercise any gift that you or s/he suspects they might have.
  3. Generally, a person’s gift lies in the area in which his interests lie and where he can most easily exercise faith.

IV. THE BE-ATTITUDES IN DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

  1. Be informed: research the gifts and know the parameters of each.
  2. Be open: do not zero in on one gift in exclusion of all others.
  3. Be available: be willing to try things even if you feel you can’t do it.
  4. Be sensitive: evaluate the effect of your gift upon others.
  5. Be sensible: do not force yourself to, fit into a particular gift.

V. PASSAGES WHICH LIST THE FOUR CATEGORIES OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

  1. Motivational gifts (Romans 12:3-8) – Primarily Romans 12. These gifts get at the heart of who we are in Christ, recognizes our raw material and why we do certain functions with ease and effectiveness, yet we struggle to serve in other areas.this gift helps explain your motivation for doing certain things, and why you do some things with a certain ease and effectiveness while other things are often difficult.
    • Prophecy—the gift of prophecy is the divine strength or ability to boldly speak and bring clarity to biblical and doctrinal truth. (Romans 12:6, Acts 2:37-40, 7:51-53, 26:24-29, 1 Corinthians 14:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 1:5). The ability to reveal the motives of a man’s heart and see conformity to God’s standards.
    • Service—the gift of serving is the divine strength or ability to do small or great tasks in working for the overall good of the body of Christ. (Romans 12:6, Acts 6:1-7, Galatians 6:10, 1 Timothy 1:16-18, Titus 3:14). The ability to discern and meet needs in a practical way.
    • Teaching—the gift of teaching is the divine strength or ability to study and learn from the Bible, primarily to bring understanding and depth to other Christians. (Romans 12:7, Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-14). The ability to clarify the truth of Scripture through research and instruction.
    • Exhortation—the gift of exhortation is the divine strength or ability to encourage others through the written or spoken word and biblical truth, whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to stand beside fellow Christians in need and bring comfort, counsel, and encouragement. (Romans 12:8, Acts 11:23-24, Acts 14:21-22, 1 Timothy 4:13, Hebrews 10:24-25). The ability to admonish and encourage people to pursue a certain course of conduct by helping them to visualize God’s best.
    • Giving—the gift of giving is the divine strength or ability to produce wealth and to give resources for the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth, whereby the Spirit enables one to offer their material blessings for the work of the church with exceptional willingness, cheerfulness, and liberality. (Romans 12:8, Mark 12:41-44, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:2-7). The ability to share of one’s self and/or material resources to meet specific needs.
    • Leadership—the gift of leadership (or administration) is the divine strength or ability to influence people at their level, while directing and focusing them on the big picture, vision, or idea, directing and inspiring God’s people in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to do the church’s work effectively. (Luke 14:28-30, Romans 12:8, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 5:17, Hebrews 13:7, 17). The ability to help and inspire others to fulfill delegated responsibilities.
    • Mercy—the gift of mercy is the divine strength or ability to feel empathy for others and care for those who are hurting or suffering so that they devote large amounts of time and energy to alleviate it. (Romans 12:8, Matthew 9:35-36, Mark 9:41, Luke 10:30-37, 1 Thessalonians 5:14). The ability to empathize with the weaknesses of others and help them to experience God’s grace in times of need.
  2. Ministry gifts (Ephesians 4:11-12) – this gift helps explain the areas in which you will exercise your motivational gift. These are primarily found in Ephesians 4. Any motivational gift can be expressed in a particular ministry.
    • Apostle—the gift of apostle is the divine strength or ability to pioneer new work for the kingdom, beginning new churches, classes, or ministries. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 15:22-35, 12:1-5, Acts 14:21-23, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Galatians 2:7). Beginning new work in new fields, going out to meet practical needs (possibly missions).
    • Prophet—the gift of prophet is the divine strength or ability to interpret and apply God’s truth in a given situation. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 2:37-40, 7:51-53, 26:24-29, 1 Corinthians 14.1-5, 1 Corinthians 14:30-33, 1 Corinthians 14:37-40). Calling people to godly living and development of a life-style of holiness (possibly the family).
    • Evangelist—the gift of evangelism is the divine strength or ability to help non-Christians take the necessary steps toward becoming a born again disciple of the Lord Jesus. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 8.5-6, 26-40, 14:21, 21:8). Reaching unbelievers for Christ, taking the message to where they are (possibly evangelism).
    • Pastor—the gift of pastor (or shepherd) is the divine strength or ability to care for the personal and spiritual needs of others by nurturing and leading them, whereby assuming responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers. (Ephesians 4:11, John 10:1-18, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5.1-11). The guardian of the flock, called to care for, nourish, challenge and protect (possibly church staff work).
    • Teacher—the gift or teacher is the divine strength or ability to communicate the truths of God’s Word so that others can learn. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21, Hebrews 5:12-14, Matthew 10:25). The guardian of the truth, called to the task of building the body in the knowledge of the truth, to define, describe and declare existing truth (possibly education).
  3. Manifestation gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) – this gift is given to a specific person, at a specific time, for a specific work in ministry where an extra measure of God’s grace is needed to meet a specific need. These gifts are the signs and wonders type gifts primarily found in 1 Corinthians 12. They are given in order for the Christian to perform a certain ministry and is given by the Spirit as he sees that this gift is necessary to fulfill a particular ministry; each believer is given a gift for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). There is debate on whether some gifts continued or ceased after the apostolic age.
    • Wisdom—the gift of wisdom is the divine strength or ability to apply the truths of Scripture in a practical way, producing the fruitful outcome and character of Jesus, understanding God’s will and work as it relates to the living of life. (1 Corinthians 12:8, Acts 6:3, 10, James 3:13-17). Revealing specific insight from God’s perspective.
    • Knowledge—the gift of knowledge is the divine strength or ability to bring clarity and to understand situations and circumstances, often accompanied by a word from God, whereby Christians understand in an exceptional way the great truths of God’s Word and to make them relevant in specific situations in the church. (1 Corinthians 12:8, Acts 5:1-11, Colossians 2:2-3, Ephesians 3:14-19). Knowing or understanding something without having learned it.
    • Faith—the gift of faith is the divine strength or ability to believe God for unseen supernatural results in every arena of life, whereby the Spirit provides Christians with extraordinary confidence in God’s promises, power, and presence so that they can take heroic stands for the future of God’s work in the church. (1 Corinthians 12:9, Acts 11:22-24, Romans 4:18-21, Hebrews 11). Knowing God’s will for a specific matter.
    • Healing—the gift of healing is the divine strength or ability to act as an intermediary in faith, prayer, and by the laying on of hands for the healing of physical and mental illness, whereby the Spirit employs certain Christians to restore health to the sick. (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, James 5:13-16, Luke 9:1-2, Acts 3:1-10, 9:32-35, 28:7-10). The spiritual, emotional and/or physical restoration of a person.
    • Miracles—the gift of miracles is the divine strength or ability to alter the natural outcomes of life in a supernatural way through prayer, faith, and divine direction. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, Acts 9:36-42, 19:11-12, 20:7-12, Romans 15:18-19). Intervention on a natural or supernatural level which reveals God in action.
    • Discernment—the gift of discernment is the divine strength or ability to identify falsehood and to distinguish between right and wrong motives and situations, to know with assurance whether some behavior is of God or of Satan. (1 Corinthians 12:10, Acts 5:1-11, 16:16-18, 1 John 4:1-6). An inward awareness of one’s spirit, and the nature of another’s spirit.
    • Tongues (and Interpretation) – the gift of tongues is the divine strength or ability to pray in a heavenly language to encourage your spirit and to commune with God. This gift must be accompanied by interpretation and should be used appropriately. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-14, Acts 2:1-13). The ability to speak (or interpret) in a language not your own.
  4. Miscellaneous gifts: These gifts are found throughout the Bible whereby God gifts individuals for a particular task, also embracing the Christian’s personality and calling.
    • Intercession—the gift of intercession is the divine strength or ability to stand in the gap in prayer for someone, something, or someplace believing for profound results, praying for extended periods of time with great positive effect for the building of the Kingdom. (1 Thessalonians 3:10-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Hebrews 7:25, Colossians 1:9-12, 4:12-13, James 5:14-16).
    • Missionary—the gift of missionary is the divine strength or ability to reach others outside of one’s own culture and nationality, whereby certain members of the body of Christ exercise whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a cross-cultural setting or second community. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
    • Craftsmanship—the gift of craftsmanship is the divine strength or ability to plan, build, and work with your hands in constructive environments to build up the Kingdom through artistic and creative means. (Exodus 28:3-4, 30:22, 31:3-11, 2 Chronicles 34:9-13, Acts 18:2-3).
    • Hospitality—the gift of hospitality is the divine strength or ability to create warm, welcoming environments for others in places such as your home, office, or church. (Genesis 18:1-15, Acts 16:14-15, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:1-2, 1 Peter 4:9).
    • Music—the gift of music (or worship) is the divine strength or ability to sing, dance, or play an instrument primarily for the purpose of enhancing the worship experience and helping others to worship God. (1 Corinthians 14.26, Deuteronomy 31:22, 1 Samuel 16:16, 1 Chronicles 16:41-42, 2 Chronicles 5:12-13, 34:12, Psalm 150:1-6).

VI. TONGUES AND INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES:

  1. Tongues (the ability to speak in an unknown language):
    • Pentecost was a reversal of Babel. People understood the languages.
      • Tongues was related to the Jews (Acts 2:5, 10).
      • Men understood the Galileans in their own language (Acts 2:8,11).
    • Paul speaks of tongues as a sign (1 Corinthians 14:20-22, cf Isaiah 28:11).
      • The reference concerns the judgment of Israel.
      • “Strange tongues” refers to the Assyrian language, since the people would not listen to the Hebrew of her prophets.
      • Tongues was a sign to the unbelieving Jew that the privilege of being God’s light-bearers had passed to the Gentiles.
    • Paul now moves from Pentecost to present day (1 Corinthians 14:23-25).
      • “Unintellegible tongues” don’t add credibility to the church.
      • Prophecy, on the other hand, will cause what four things to happen (1 Corinthians 14:24-25)?
  2. Interpretation of tongues (the ability to interpret languages unknown to the interpreter – see 1 Corinthians 14:27-28).
    • Speaking in public must not exceed three, and in order.
    • If there is no interpreter, the gift must remain silent.
  3. The Theory of Cessationism, which is the view that the “miracle gifts” of tongues and healing have ceased—that the end of the apostolic age brought about a cessation of the miracles associated with that age. Most cessationists believe that, while God can and still does perform miracles today, the Holy Spirit no longer uses individuals to perform miraculous signs. (from gotquestions.org).

VII. THE CALLING OF GOD:

  1. God never asks a person to do something that he cannot do.
  2. There are times when God will ask you to do something that you think that you cannot do.
  3. What four excuses did Moses give in response to God’s call for him to go to Pharaoh?
    • Exodus 3:11
    • Exodus 3:13
    • Exodus 4:1
    • Exodus 4:10
  4. When was the last time that you responded like Moses (Exodus 4:13)?
  5. Gifts and calling go together: when God calls you to do a task, He will give you the gifts to accomplish that task.
  6. In order to experience fulfillment, the disciple’s life must be in accordance with the way God has made him.

[ More on Spiritual Gifts is found HERE ]

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