17-10 Spiritual Gifts - Healthy Growing Churches...2017/10/17 · Spiritual Gifts • Mercy •...

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SpiritualGiftsAlltoooften,inchurchesandgroupswithinchurchestoday,thereisconsiderabletwistingtogetpeopleinvolvedandwefindthat90%oftheworkisbeingdonebyaweary10%.Whydoesthishappen?PartiallyduetoignoranceandpartiallyduetoavoidanceofSpiritualgifts.First,weshoulddiscoverwhatgiftwasgiventousatourSpiritualbirth,thenweneedtoseewherethatgiftfitsintothefunctioningofthebody.Imagineyouandsomefriendsdecidetoputtogetherafootballteam,butsomehowyourteamendsupinthestadiumplayingaprofessionalteam.Youwouldnotfaretoowellandprobablywouldbeseriouslyhurt.Thisisbecauseofyourlackofequipment,training,conditioning,experience,andskillsatplayingthepositionsrequired.Thesameholdstrueforthechurchtoday.Peoplebecomeinvolvedinachurchwithouttheproperunderstandingoftheequipment;littletraining,conditioning,orbasicskills;andpracticallynoknowledgeofpositionsontheplayingfield.Itisessentialtounderstandhowweallcanministertogethertowardourcommongoal.WemustknowhowGodcanuseus,i.e.,thepositionweshouldplayontheteam.Christ’sstrategyforreachingtheWorldforHimselfwasthroughtheChurch.ReadEphesians3:10-12and4:1-7.Hehascalledeachofustocontribute!Everyoneisexpectedtocontributeinauniqueway.But,howareyoutocontributeandinwhatuniquewayhasGodcalledyou?Aftertoday,youwillknowwhatSpiritualGiftyouhavereceivedandwhereyourgiftcanbeusedintheBodyofChrist.Hehasgivenyouaspecialgiftwithwhichtoservehim!Yet,thereisconfusionoverwhataspiritualgiftis.Let’sbeginbyclearingupwhatisn’taspiritualgift.SpiritualgiftsshouldnotbeconfusedwithFruitsoftheSpirit,atalentoracalling.Eachofwhichisdefinednext.

DefinitionofFruitsoftheSpiritFruitsoftheSpiritcanbedefinedastheresult,productorconsequenceofanaction.Theactionbeing:fillingoftheHolySpirit.Withtheresult,productorconsequencebeingastoldtousinGalatians5:22,23--God’sSpiritmakesusloving,happy,peaceful,patient,kind,good,faithful,gentle,andself-controlled.Thereisnolawagainstbehavinginanyoftheseways.WhentheHolySpiritentersourlives,atthetimewereceiveJesusChristasLordandSavior,HebringstheseattributeswithHim.Wemustmature(bywalkingintheSpirit)inordertogivetheseareasofourlifetotheHolySpirit.InPhilippians4:11-12,Paulstatestwice“Ihavelearnedpatience,faithfulnessandself-control.”ItshouldbementionedthatEVERYChristianshouldexhibitthesequalities(fruits).Therearedifferentlevelsdependingonyourspiritualmaturity.Ifnot,youarenotallowingHimtoworkthroughyouortheHolySpiritisnotinsideyou.



DefinitionofATalentAtalentisoftenmistakenforaSpiritualgift.TheseabilitiesareindependentofouracceptingJesusChristasourLordandSavior.Yet,duetotheinadequacyoftheEnglishlanguage,theyareoftencalledgifts;however,onlyinthesensethatyoursightandhearingarealsogifts.Websterdefinesatalentas“anynaturalabilityorpower;naturalendowment.”Music,art,organizingandathleticsareexamplesoftalentswhichcanbeusedbynotonlyChristiansbutnon-Christiansaswell.Biblicalexamplesoftalentsarefoundin1Samuel16:18,23--David’stalentwasmusic(skillfulatplayingtheharp).Judges20:16tellsusthetribeofBenjaminwereexpertmarksmen;couldsplitahairwithasling.2Samuel18:22,23--Ahimaazwasabetterrunnerthanmost.Lastly,Exodus28:3and31:3--Describespeopleasskillfulatmakinggarments(sewing)forAaron.TalentscanalsobeusedtoaccomplishGod’swill,bothinsideandoutsideofthechurchorforpersonalgain.

DefinitionofACallingAcallingisoftenassociatedwithsomeonelikeapastorormissionarywhoisbeingcalledtoalifeofservanthood,butthroughouttheBibleacallingismostlyassociatedwithallofuswhoarefollowersofChrist.AnyoneofuswhohaveawalkwithChristhasbeencalledtosomesortofministryandoftenthinksofacallinginallthewrongterms.ABiblicalcallingisreallynothingmorethanacombinationofaspiritualgiftandapassion.Wehavespenttimetalkingaboutspiritualgifts;however,beforeyouarereadytoassumeGodiscallingyoutousethatgiftinonecontextoranother,Iwouldsuggestyouevaluatethefourcomponentsofapassion.Yourpassioniscomprisedoffourcomponents:

1. personality,2. background,3. lifesituations,and4. thematurityofyourspiritualwalkwithChrist.

PersonalityNow,let’slookateachcomponent.Thefirstcomponentisyourpersonality.Yourpersonalityverymuchinfluencesyourcalling.Twopeoplewiththesamegiftofteachingmaymanifestthewaytheyusetheircallingindifferentways,dependingontheirpersonality.Ifoneisverytimid,shy,anduncomfortableinlargegroups,thentheircallingprobablyhasmoretodowithteachinginthecontextofasmallgrouporevenonetoone.Whereasapersonwhoisverycomfortableupfrontandenjoysbeinginthepubliceyecouldverywellhaveacallingtoteachinalargercontext.Theuniquepartsofyourpersonalitymayinfluencethewayyouuseyourgiftinyourcalling.BackgroundBackgroundisthesecondcomponentofpassion.Aperson’sbackgroundalsosignificantlyimpactsthewaytheirgiftismanifestedinacalling.Forinstance,oftenpeoplewhoareraisedinanalcoholichomehavearealpassionorburdentoworkwithalcoholicsintheirownlifetimeor



thosewhowereraisedaroundalcoholics.Theuniqueattributesofyourbackgroundmayinfluencethewayyouuseyourgiftinyourcalling.In2Corinthians1.3-5wearetoldthatGodcomfortsusinsituationssothatwecancomfortotherswhentheygothroughsimilarsituations.ThispassagereinforcestheconceptthatGodusesyourbackgroundtoprepareyoutoserverothersthroughyourcalling.PassionThethirdcomponentofapassionisyourlifesituation.Often,howwesenseGodiscallingusislimitedbycertainsituationsinourlife.Ifoneisamotherofyoungchildren,itisveryunlikelysheisbeingcalledtoaforeignmissionfieldifherchildrenandhusbandvehementlydon’tfeelcalledinthesameway.Thesituationyoufindyourselfinlifeinmanywayseitherhindersorclarifiesyourcalling.Asoursituationsinlifechangeaswegrowolder,oftenGod’scalluponustoserveHiminwayschangesalso.LevelofSpiritualMaturityThefourthandfinalcomponentofapassionisyourlevelofspiritualmaturityinyourwalkwithChrist.AsonegrowsintheirwalkwithChristyoursenseofGod’scallingonyourlifewillchange.AsyougrowcloserandclosertoHimsometimesHecallsyoutomoresignificantlevelsofpersonalsacrificeinwaysofservingHim.

DefinitionofASpiritualGiftASpiritualGiftisaspecialabilitygiventousatourSpiritualbirth.WeknowtheHolySpiritcomestoliveinsideofus(John3:5andRomans8:9)whenweacceptJesusChristasourpersonalLordandSaviorandwearetoldwearegiventhemanifestationoftheHolySpirit.WearegivenaspiritualgiftatthepointofspiritualbirthwhichtheHolySpirithasspecificallychosenforus.Whydowereceiveaspiritualgift?

“ButtoeachoneisgiventhemanifestationoftheSpiritforthecommongood.”–1Corinthians12:7

“SeekthatgiftsmayaboundfortheedificationorthebuildingupoftheBody”–1Corinthians14:12

“Aseachonehasreceivedaspecialgift,employitinservingoneanother,asgoodstewardsofthemanifoldgraceofGod.”–1Peter4:10

Agreatdealofconfusionconcerningspiritualgiftsexiststoday,asitdidinPaul’sday.Ratherthanthepeopleignoringspiritualgiftsbecauseofthisproblem,PaultellstheChurchatCorinthhedoesnotwantthemtobeignorantonthesubject(1Corinthians12:1).Hethendedicatesthenextthreechapterstotryingtoclearuptheirconfusion.Let’stakeacloserlookatwhattheBiblesaysaboutourownspiritualgifts.TheyareexplicitlyaddressedinRomans12,1Corinthians12-14,Ephesians4,and1Peter4.ResponsibleBible



studynecessitatesweunderstandthecentralthrustofeachofthesepassagesbeforewebegintolookatthespecificverses.Thecentralthoughtsofeachpassageareasfollows,noticethateachiswrappedinlove:1Corinthians12-14 Everyoneisgivenaspiritualgift,whichisselectedbyGod.Thereisa

greatdifferencebetweengifts,butallareneededandallarepartofonebody;thatis,thebodyofChrist.Withoutlove,theyareuselessintryingtoministerforChristand,infact,canbedivisive.

Romans12 ThesupremeapplicationofalldoctrinalteachingistogiveourentirelivestoChristinministry.Wemusthonestlyevaluatewhoweare,andthenuseourgiftsinservicetoGod.HegivesusgiftsoutofHisgrace,anditislovethatkeepstheserviceappropriate.

Ephesians4 Allofusarecalledtounity,maturityandministry.Asleadershipgiftsareexercisedtoequipandprepareotherstousetheirgiftsinministry,thentheentirebodywillgrowinmaturity,bestableandbecomeone.Again,itisGod’sgracethatisemphasized,andloveholdsthebodytogetherthroughtheprocess.

1Peter4 WeshouldlivetotallyforGod,eveninsuffering;infact,itissufferingthatallowsustokeepeverythinginperspective.Theendisnear;therefore,weshouldactlikeitanduseourgiftstoserveeachotherwiththegracewhichGodhasgivenus.ItstartswithloveandendswithpraisegiventoChrist.

SpiritualgiftsallowustofulfilldifferentrolesintheChurch.Weallfunctioninavarietyofways,likethevariouspositionsonafootballteam.Wemaydodifferentthings,butthegoalisalwaystobuilduptheBodyofChrist—theChurch.Paulusestheanalogyofahumanbodywithitsmanymemberstoenableustounderstandhow,thoughhavingavarietyoffunctions,wehaveaunityofpurpose.In1Corinthians12,herepeatedlyemphasizesthevarietyofgiftsandmembersofthebody,buthealsoemphasizedthereisoneSpirit,God,Lord,andBodywhoweallserve.UnitywithvarietyisPaul’sunderstandingofgifts.



EightImportantQuestionsDoyouknowyourgifts?Areyouusingthem?Fewofushavepresentssittingaroundourhomesstillwrappedup.Mostoften,whenwereceiveagift,weareexcitedandanxioustoopenit.Wewilldoanythingwecantohelpusguesswhatisinside.Whataboutyourspiritualgifts?Haveyouopenedthemyet?AnsweringthefollowingeightquestionsandworkingthroughtheSpiritualGiftsSurveywillhelpyoubegintodiscoveranddeployyourspiritualgifts.Pleaseread1Corinthians12andEphesians4.1.Whogivesspiritualgifts?SpiritualgiftscomefromGod.Theyareagift,notsomethingweearn.FirstCorinthians12:11clearlystatesthatitisGodwhohasgivenusgifts.FirstCorinthians12:11elaboratesfurther,statingitisHisSpiritwhichbestowsthesegifts.Finally,inEphesians4:11,wearetoldthatChrist,aspartoftheGodhead,givesthesegiftsalso.2.Whoreceivesthesegifts?Allbelieversaregivenatleastonegift.FirstCorinthians12:7,11,18,tellsusthat“toeachone”isgivenagift.Therefore,allChristianscancountonthefactthattheyhavebeengivenatleastonegift.3.Whenarewegiventhesegifts?AccordingtoRomans8:9andGalatians3:2-5,wereceiveourgiftatourconversion,whentheHolySpiritentersaperson’sheart.FirstCorinthians12:7statesthatwhenHecomesintoourlivesthatHebringsagiftor“manifestationoftheSpirit.”4.WhichgiftsdoesGodgiveus?GodchoosesthespecificgiftweneedtofunctionwithintheBody.FirstCorinthians12:11,18,tellsusthatwereceivethegift“justasHedeterminedthemtobe.”HowexcitingtoknowthatGodselectedthegiftstogiveus!5.Whatisthepurposeofspiritualgifts?ItistobuilduptheBodyofChristsuchthatitcanfulfillitsGod-givenMission.

• 1Corinthians12:7–giftsaregivenforthe“commongood”ofthebody.• 1Corinthians14:12–theyare“tobuilduptheChurch.”• 1Peter4:10–theyare“toserveothers.”• 1Peter4:11–“sothatinallthingsGodmaybepraisedthroughJesusChrist.”• Ephesians4:12–for“worksofservicesothattheBodyofChristmaybebuiltup.”

RayStedman,inhisbookentitledBodyLife,writes:“Wemustcontinuallyrememberthattheworkoftheministryistotheworld.TheChurchexistsasGod’sinstrumenttoreachtheworld”(p.94).Spiritualgiftsbuildupthechurchtobeaneffectiveinstrument.



6.Whatarespiritualgifts?TheyareabilitieswhichenableChristianstoeffectivelyfunctioninservingandbuildinguptheBodyofChrist.However,spiritualgiftsaredifferentfromtalents.Atalentisanaturallydevelopedabilitywhichisindependentofone’scommitmenttoChrist.Itmaybeusedforanypurpose.Aspiritualgift,however,isgivenaspiritualbirthanditsprimaryobjectiveistobuildupthechurch.Oftengiftscomplementourtalents.Godinhisinfinitewisdomknowswhichgiftswillbebestforourtalents,background,personalityandsituationinlife.7.Howmanygiftsarethere?Thereisnoagreementontheexactnumber,butPaulgivesusfourlistsinthreedifferentletters.Eachlistisdifferentfromtheothers,whichmayindicatethatPaulwasnotoverlyconcernedwithapredeterminedexactnumber.WefindthefollowinglistingsinScripture:Romans12:6-8

• Encouragement • Giving• Leadership• Mercy• Prophecy • Service• Teaching

1Corinthians12:8-10 1Corinthians12:28-30

• Wisdom • Apostles• Knowledge • Prophets• Faith • Teachers• Healing • Miracles• Miracles • Healings• Prophecy • Helps• Discernment • Administration• Tongues • Tongues• Interpretation

Ephesians4:11(APEST)

• Apostles• Prophets• Evangelists• Shepherds(Pastor)• Teachers(Pastor)



8.HowdoIconfirmwhichgiftsImayhave?GodgivesusgiftstobuilduptheBodyofChrist.WeshouldseetheBodybeingbuiltupasaresultofususingourgifts.AsaChristian,youtooarepartoftheBodyofChrist.Therefore,youwillalsobebuiltupthroughyourgifts’use.Ifyouarenotencouragedthroughyourserviceinanarea,itisprobablynotyourgift.Throughexercisingyourgift,youshouldseefruitandreceiveadeepsatisfactionofknowingGodisusingyourlife.Itisimportantforyoutorecognizeyourgifts,asthisstepisonepartoffindingyourtruecalling.Theotherpartisrecognizingandunderstandingyourburden.Yourburdenisthecombinationofyourpersonality,background,lifesituation,andwalkwithGod.Whileitiseasytodescribeyourburden,pinpointingyourgiftsmaybemoredifficult.TheSpiritualGiftsSurveyisdesignedtohelpyoubegintheprocessofidentifyingyourgifts.Oftentimeswefindthereareseveralsupportinggiftsthatareexhibitedwithinadominantgift.Hereareafewexamplestoconsider:

DominantGift PossibleSupportingGiftsAdministration Helps/Service,Giving,WisdomApostleship Wisdom,Prophecy,Evangelism,FaithDiscernment Wisdom,Leadership,Prophecy,EncouragementEncouragement Pastor,Mercy,Discernment,WisdomEvangelism Discernment,Prophecy,WisdomFaith Leadership,Wisdom,KnowledgeGiving Discernment,Mercy,AdministrationHealing Mercy,Miracles,Tongues,FaithHelps/Service Mercy,Encouragement,Discernment,AdministrationHospitality Helps/Service,Mercy,EncouragementInterpretation Tongues,Faith,Discernment,MiraclesKnowledge Teaching,Faith,LeadershipLeadership Faith,Wisdom,Teaching,KnowledgeMercy Pastor,Helps/Service,EncouragementMiracles Tongues,Interpretation,Faith,DiscernmentPastor Mercy,Encouragement,DiscernmentPastor-Teacher Pastor,Teaching,Wisdom,Encouragement,LeadershipProphecy Discernment,Wisdom,KnowledgeTeaching Wisdom,Prophecy,Evangelism,FaithTongues Miracles,Interpretation,Faith,DiscernmentWisdom Teaching,Discernment,Encouragement,Leadership



ListofGiftsandBriefDefinitionsSpiritualGift ReferenceandBriefDefinition

Administration 1Corinthians12:28 Thisgiftistheabilitytodevelop,articulate,andexecuteeffectiveand

specificplansintheaccomplishmentofthelongandshortrangegoalsoftheBodyofChrist.

Apostleship Ephesians4:11 ThisgiftistheabilityandcallingofGodtobesentasamessengerto

bringtheGospeltoplaceswhereithaspreviouslynotbeenacculturated.

Discernment 1Corinthians12:10 Thisgiftistheabilitytoperceivethemotivesofothersandthe

sinceritywithinrelationshipsconcerningtheBodyofChrist.Orinotherwords,itistheabilitytoknowifsomethingisfromGod,ademonicsource,orifitsimplyreflectshumanopinion.

Encouragement Romans12:8 Thisgiftistheabilitytocounsel,model,andencouragepeople

throughyourpersonaltestimony,life,andscripturesothatpeoplearecomfortedandencouragedtoaction.Ifyouhavethegiftofencouragement,you:

Evangelism Ephesians4:11 ThisgiftistheabilitytosharethegospelofChristpubliclyorprivately

withunbelieversinsuchawaythatmenandwomenrespondtobecomedisciplesofJesusChrist.

Faith 1Corinthians12:9 ThisgiftistheabilitytoenvisionwithclarityandconfidenceGod’s

futuredirectionandgoalsfortheBodyofChrist.

Giving Romans12:8 Thisgiftistheabilitytogiveliberallytomeettheneedsofothersand

supportGod’sministrywiththatwhichGodhasentrustedtoyou.



Helps/Service 1Corinthians12:28,Romans12:7 Thisgiftistheabilitytounselfishlymeettheneedsofotherpeople

throughpracticalservice.Itmaybeeitherministeringtothepersonhimselfordoingthingstoenablehimtobefreetodootherministries.

Hospitality 1Peter4:9 Thisgiftistheabilitytoreachouttoothersandwelcometheminto

yourhomeandlifeinaloving,warmmanner,whileprovidingfoodandlodging,suchthattheguestsfeel“athome”inyourpresence.

Knowledge 1Corinthians12:8 Thisgiftistheabilitytodiscover,analyze,accumulate,systematize,

andarticulateideasthatareessentialforgrowthandedificationoftheBodyofChrist.ThisespeciallyinvolvestheabilitytoconcretelyexpounduponOldandNewTestamenthistoryaswellasthehistoryoftheChurch.

Leadership Romans12:8 ThisgiftistheabilitytosetGodlygoals,makedecisions,andthen

communicatethemtotheBodyofChrist,suchthatotherswillvoluntarilyfollowandjoyouslyworktoaccomplishthesegoals.

Mercy Romans12:8 Thisgiftistheabilitytoempathizewiththoseinneed(especially

thosesufferingandmiserable)andtomanifestthisempathyinsuchawayastoencouragethosethatareinneed.

Pastor-Shepherd 1Peter5:1-4;Ephesians4:11 Thisgiftistheabilitytoministertoanestablishedgroupofpeople

(believers)bycaringfortheirspiritualwelfareholisticallyonalong-termbasis.

Pastor-Teacher Ephesians4:11 Thisgiftistheabilitytoinstruct,guide,andcareforalocalexpression

oftheBodyofChrist,suchthatthemembersarepreparedtoreachoutinministrytoothers,bothinsideandoutsidetheBody.



Prophecy Romans2:6;1Corinthians12:10,28-29;Ephesians4:11 ThisgiftistheabilitytopubliclyorprivatelyproclaimGod’sword

suchthatpeopleareconvicted,consoled,encouraged,challengedorstrengthened.AnotheranglealsoinvolvesknowingandspeakingGod’smindintuitivelyratherthan,aswiththeteacher,deductivelyfromscripturealone.Scriptureistoalwayscheckthisintuition.

Teaching Romans12:7,1Corinthians12:28 Thisgiftistheabilitytocommunicateinformationinsuchawaythat

membersoftheBodyofChristunderstandhowtoapplyspiritualprinciplestotheirownlivesandministries.

Wisdom 1Corinthians12:8 Thisgiftistheabilitytogaininsightonhowknowledgemaybestbe

appliedtospecificneedsintheBodyofChrist.ThisinvolvesapplyingBiblicaltruthstoeverydaysituations.ItalsoinvolvesspecialinsightintotheprofundityandimplicationsofhowGodisworkingintheworld,especiallytofurtherthegospel.CompareRomans11:33-35with1Corinthians2:6-10.



DetailedDefinitionsThefollowingpagesprovidedetaileddefinitionsforcommonSpiritualgifts,alongwithexamplesandScripturereferences.



Administration1Corinthians12:28

Thisgiftistheabilitytodevelop,articulate,andexecuteeffectiveandspecificplansintheaccomplishmentofthelongand

shortrangegoalsoftheBodyofChrist.

Thewordforthisgiftisderivedfrom“captain”or“pilot”ofaship(Acts27:11,Revelation18:17).Itimplieskeepingtheshiponapredeterminedcourse,notdeterminingthecourse).ThisgiftisimplementingplansandprogramsconsistentwiththepurposeandgoaloftheBody.Thisgiftisnotnecessaryforleaders,buttheymusthavesomeonewiththisgiftclosebytoexecuteplans(Acts15:40).Thisgiftifoftenusedtocontinueministriesstartedbyothers(Acts17:15)Biblicalexamples:

• Silas:Acts15:22-35;17:14-15• Timothy:Acts17:14-15,1Thessalonians3:1

Probablecharacteristicsofthisgift:

• Youenjoyworkingwithintricatedetailstomakeeverythingworktogether.• YourprayersoftenconsistofaskingforGodtobringmanydifferentfactorstogetherto

accomplishagiventaskforHiskingdom.• Youenjoylonghoursintheofficehandlingbusinessaffairs,suchasstaffproblems,

phonecalls,closingdeals,writingordictating.• Youhavetheabilitytomakeacommitteeororganizationrunlikea“finely-oiled

machine.”• Youareaveryorganizedpersonanduseoutlinesorflowchartstodevelopaplan.• Youoftenworkfromalist.• Youarealogicalthinkerandabletokeepseveralprojectsontarget.• Youenjoyworkingwithpeopletoenablethemtoworktogethersmoothlytowarda

commonobjective.• Youbecomefrustratedwithbrainstormingsessionswhichnevergetaroundto

implementation.• Othersseeyouasaverypragmaticperson.• Youenjoyworkingonandwithinsystems.• Youfeelcomfortableworkingwithoraroundcomputers.• Youareveryloyaltoyourgoals.• Youtendtobeaperfectionistandoftenexpectthesameofothers.



ApostleshipEphesians4:11

ThisgiftistheabilityandcallingofGodtobesentasamessengertobringtheGospeltoplaceswhereithaspreviouslynotbeenacculturated.

Jesuswastheultimateapostle(Hebrews3:1).“Apostles”includedtheoriginal12disciples(minusJudas).TheyhadbeenwithJesusfromthebeginning.TheyhadbeencalledbyChrist(Mark3:14)andreportedbacktoHim(Mark6:30).Theyhadwitnessedtheresurrection(Acts1:22).Theywerethespiritual,structural,anddoctrinalfoundationofthechurch(Matthew16:18,19;Acts2:38-42,15:1-35;Ephesians2:20).Theyworkedmiraclesasasignoftheirapostleship(2Corinthians12:12;Acts2:43,5:12,8:18).Theywillholdspecialpositionsintheeventsoftheendofourworld(Luke22:29-30;Revelation21:14).OtherApostles:

• Paul:Romans1:1;1Corinthians1:1• Barnabas:Acts14:4,14• James(Jesus’half-brother):Galatians1:19;1Corinthians15:7• SilasandTimothy:1Thessalonians1:1;2:6• AndronicusandJunia:Romans16:7• Manyothers:1Corinthians15:7(aboveapostlesmentionedin1Corinthians15:5,6).• Apostleswereimpersonated.(2Corinthians11:13;Revelations2:2)

Probablecharacteristicsofthisgiftare:

• Yourprayersoftenincluderequestsforpeoplegroupswhohavelittleornoexposuretothegospel.

• Youhaveanunusualabilitytosurvivedifficultsituations.• Youadjustwelltoadversity,almostthriveonit.• YouhavearealburdenforsharingtheGospelinplacesthatithasnotpermeated.• Youhavetheabilitytolearnotherlanguageseasily.• Youfeelateasewithothersinspiteofvastculturaldifferenceswiththem.• YoushareChristwithpeopleintermstheycanunderstandandrelateto.• Youcanlivewithsituationswhichareuncertain.• Youareajack-of-all-trades.• Youenjoylearningfrompeoplevastlydifferentfromyou.• Youandyourfamilyeasilyadapttoothercultures.• Youlackrootswhichwouldinhibityourmobility.• Yousometimesbecomefrustratedwithothers’apparentlackofburdenforlostsoulsall

aroundyouandtheworld.• Beingseparatedfromextendedfamilyandfriendsdoesnotinhibityourministry.



Discernment1Corinthians12:10

ThisgiftistheabilitytoperceivethemotivesofothersandthesinceritywithinrelationshipsconcerningtheBodyofChrist.Orinotherwords,itistheabilitytoknowifsomethingisfromGod,ademonicsource,orifitsimplyreflects

humanopinion.

AllChristiansshouldbeabletodistinguishbetweenrightandwrong(Hebrews5:14;1John4:1).Thisgiftinvolvesinsightintocircumstanceswhichordinarilycouldnotbeknown,sothatmotivesmaybeascertained(Acts5:1-10).Attimes,thisgiftwillrevealaperson’ssincerityinthecourseofaconversation(Acts8:23).ThisgiftiseasilycounterfeitedbySatan(Luke4:33,34;Acts16:17).BiblicalexamplesincludeMatthew9:4.Probablecharacteristicsofthisgift:

• Youareveryobservanttowhatpeoplesay.• Youtendtonotice“bodylanguage”thatisnotconsistentwithwhatthepersonis

saying.• Youalmosthaveasixthsenseaboutwhatisbeingsaidorishappeningwhichcannot

alwaysbeexplained.• Yourintuitionsareoftencorrect.• Youhesitatetospeaktoothersoftheirmotivesbecausetheymaynotbereceptive.• Yousometimesgossipabouta“feeling”youhavewithregardtoapersonratherthan

confrontthepersoninvolved.• Youdonotviewyourselfasa“witchhunter”.• Certaineventsoftenconfirmapremonitionyouhavehad.• Youhaveananalyticalmind.• Peopleseeyouasaveryperceptiveperson.• YourprayersoftenconsistofaskingGodwhatyoushoulddowithyourintuitions.



EncouragementRomans12:8

Thisgiftistheabilitytocounsel,model,andencouragepeoplethroughyourpersonaltestimony,life,andscripturesothatpeoplearecomfortedand

encouragedtoaction.

Ifyouhavethegiftofencouragement,you:• Admonishpeopletopursuesomespecificcourseinthefuture(1Thessalonians4:1).• Comfortsomeonewhoisexperiencingsometrialordifficulty,ofteninareasofyourlife

whereyouhavebeenthroughalotandhavealreadybeenhelpedbyGod.• Areabletoencouragesomeoneforsomethingtheyaregoingtofaceinthefuture.• ThegiftofencouragementisthemajorwaythroughwhichGodworksintheBodyto

encourageeachofustolivepracticalChristianlives.Biblicalexample:Barnabas-“SonofEncouragement:”

• Acts4:36,37–Helpedneedysaints• Acts9:27–Endorsedanunwelcomeconvert• Acts11:19-24–Acceptedalienbehavior• Acts11:25,26–Enlistedapromisingteacher• Acts13:2,13–Developedgiftedassistant• Acts15:39–Restoredayouthfuldeserter


• Youfeelfreetocounselothersintocertaincoursesofaction.• Youenjoysharingaverseofscripturewithsomeonethathaschangedsomespecific

areaofyourlife.• Youenjoypeople.• YouhavepersonallyfacedmanydifferentsituationsinyourlifethatGodhasusedto

helpyougrowinspecificareas.• Youareabletoidentifywiththefeelingsandemotionsofanother.• Youaccompanybiblicaltruthwithpracticalstepsofaction.• YoucanseehowGodisusingdifficultiesinpeople’slivestoproducenewlevelsof

maturity.• Youfindyourselfemotionallydrainedafterministeringtosomeonebecauseofyour

abilitytoidentifywithanother’sdifficulties.• Youhavepeoplecometoyouonmanyoccasionstoreceivehelpfromyouwith

problemswithwhichtheyarewrestling.• Youfindpeopleliketobearoundyoubecauseyouhaveatendencytocheeruppeople.• Youfindyourselfjustspontaneouslyencouragingoraffirmingpeople.• YouenjoysharingparticularaspectsofyourlifewithothersbecauseyouknowGodwill

useittohelptheminareasoftheirlife.



EvangelismEphesians4:11

ThisgiftistheabilitytosharethegospelofChristpubliclyorprivatelywithunbelieversinsuchawaythatmenandwomenrespondtobecomedisciples

ofJesusChrist.

AllChristiansarecalledtoevangelize(Matthew28:19,20;Acts5:42;2Timothy4:5).ItisanofficeoftheNewTestamentchurch(Acts21:8).Thisgiftnotonlyevangelizesbutalsoequipsotherstodoitaswell(Ephesians4:11).Therearetwoaspectsofthisgift:

• Public:o Philip(Acts8:5-13)o Paul(Acts17:19-34)

• Private:o Philip(Acts8:26-39)o Paul(Acts16:25-33)

Itprovidesgrowthforexistingchurchesandhelpsestablishnewly-plantedchurches(2Timothy4:5;Acts17:10-15).Itnormallydoesnotincludecross-culturalevangelism.Biblicalexamples:

• Philip:Acts8:5-13;26-39• Paul:Acts16:25-33;17:19-34


• YourprayerliferevealsaburdenforthosewhodonotknowChrist.• Youenjoymeetingpeopleandmakenewfriendseasily.• Youfeelcomfortablewithstrangersandtalkaboutmanydifferentsubjects.• Youareabletoarticulateyourfaitheasilyandpeoplerespondpositively.• Youenjoybeingaroundpeople.• YouhaveaburdentosharethegospelofJesusChristpubliclyorwithindividuals.• YouareabletopersuadeorhelppeoplereachdecisionstocommittheirlivestoChrist.• Youarenotsatisfiedwith“superficialcommitments;”youwantpeopletobecomefull

disciplesofChrist.• Youhaveaninnerunrestatthethoughtofpeopledyingandgoingtohell.• Youhavetheabilitytomoveconversationsinadirectionoftheotherperson’s

relationshipwithChrist.• Whenwithnon-Christians,theirpositionwithChristinevitablycomesup.• YourprayerscontainthenamesofmanypeoplewhoarenotChristiansorthoseyouare

trainingtoshareChrist.• Peopleenjoybeingtrainedbyyoutosharetheirfaith.• Youhavetheabilitytomotivateandtrainotherstosharetheirfaitheffectively.



Faith1Corinthians12:9

ThisgiftistheabilitytoenvisionwithclarityandconfidenceGod’sfuturedirectionandgoalsfortheBodyofChrist.

Everyoneshouldmanifestfaithintheirdailyliving(Colossians2:6;2Corinthians5:7).ThisgiftinvolvesseeingbothshortandlongtermgoalswhichwillenabletheBodyofChristtoaccomplishitsdivinepurpose(Philippians3:12-17).Thevisionarynatureofthisgiftrequiresasignificantnumberofsupportinggifts(helps/service,administration,giving,encouragement,etc.)toactuallyaccomplishtheenvisionedgoals.(2Timothy4:9-13,21-22)ThefewwiththisgiftfacethedangerofexpectingotherstoseewithsimilarclarityandconfidencewhatGodwantstheBodytoaccomplishandhavinglittleempathywhentheydon’t(Galatians3:1;Acts15:38).BiblicalexamplesincludeActs27:13-44--Paulandtheshipwreck.Thisalsoisoneoftheprimarygiftsneededbytheleadershipinlargegrowingchurches.Probablecharacteristicsofthisgift:

• YourprayersincludemanyfuturegoalsandprojectsfortheworkofGod.• Youfindyourselfmuchmoreinterestedinthefuturethanthepast.• Youareapositivethinkerandarefrustratedbynegativepeople.• Youaregoal-orientedandenjoychallengesinvolvingnewhorizons.• Youarenotdauntedbyobstaclesorproblems.• Youarenon-traditionalinyourapproachandfindsignificantdifficultyinworkingwithin

a“traditionalsystem”.• YoufindyourselfdreamingofwhatGodcandointhefuturebutlackthedesireto

attendtoallthedetailstobringHisplanintoexistence.• Youbecomeirritatedbythosewholackyourvisionandcriticizeyou.• YouareseenasacourageouspersonbecauseofyourconfidencethatGodiswithyou.• Sometimespeopleseeyouastooself-assured.• Youfindothersoftenare“infected”withyourvisioniftheyspendtimewithyou.• Youtakerisksandoftenarewillingtopursueavisionatgreatpersonalsacrifice.• YouarenotafraidtostandaloneforGod’svision.• Yousometimesexpecttoomuchofothersandcan’tunderstandwhytheyjustdon’t

“livebyfaith”more.• TrustingGodcomeseasilyforyou.



GivingRomans12:8

ThisgiftistheabilitytogiveliberallytomeettheneedsofothersandsupportGod’sministrywiththatwhichGodhasentrustedtoyou.

Thisgiftisnottobeassociatedonlywithwealthypeople(2Corinthians8:1-2).Thisgiftistobeexercisedwith“liberality.”Theworkmeans“simplicity”or“sincerity”or“purity”(Romans12:8).Thepurposesforwhichthisgiftistobeusedare:

• Tomeettheneedsofbelieverswithinyourlocalassembly.(Ephesians4:28;Galatians6:10;1John3:17)

• Tomeettheneedsofbelieversinotherassemblies.(Romans15:25,26)• Tomeettheneedsofthosewholaborinpreachingandteaching.(1Timothy5:17,18;

Philippians4:10)• Tomeettheneedsofnon-believers.• Theuseofthisgiftwillmanytimesbeusedatconsiderablecosttothegiver.(Luke21:1-

4)• Thegiftshouldbeusedinsecretasmuchaspossible.(Matthew6:2-4)


• Youhaveaninnersenseofunrestwhenyouseesomeoneinfinancialormaterialneed.• Youhaveareluctancetoletthepersonhelpedknowwherethehelpcamefrom.• Yousenserealjoywhengivingtomeetsomeone’sneed.• Youhavetheabilitytomakewisepurchasesandinvestments.• Youareburdenedbecauseyoudon’tseeotherssacrificingfinanciallytomeetneedsyou

seetobeimportant.• Youwanttobeapartoftheworkorprojecttowhichyougive.• Youdon’tneedtobepressuredtogive.• Youavoidthespotlightthatsometimescomestothosewhogivesignificantamountsof

money.• Youwillinglylivealifeofpersonalsacrificesothatothersmayhavetheirbasicneeds

met.• Youaresometimestakenadvantageofbypeopleinneed.• Youhaveatendencytothinkaboutothersbeforeyouthinkaboutyourself.• YourealizethatallofwhatyouhavebelongstoGodandthatyouareonlyastewardof

whatyou“possess”.• Whengiving,youdon’tthinkabouttaxadvantagesbefore decidingtogiveto

something



Healing1Corinthians12:9,28&30

Thesearepresumablyofvariouskindssincethisgiftisdescribedinthepluralform.Thesegiftsresultintherestorationtowholenessofapersonwhois

physically,emotionally,orspirituallybroken,sothattheymayserveChristorasawitnessforHim.

JesusistheUltimateHealer(Matthew9:35).Thewordliterallyisplural(gifts)whichmayindicateseveraltypesofcures:physical,emotional,spiritual,etc.(1Corinthians12:9).Onealsorealizesthatalltheseareasarerelated.HealingwasprimarilyusedtobringpeopletoChristortoallowthemtoserveChristastheyhadinthepast(Acts8:5-7;9:32-43;14:8-13;28:7-10).NoteverysickpersonintheNewTestamentwasmiraculouslyhealed:

• Paul--2Corinthians12:7-10;Galatians4:13• Timothy--1Timothy5:23• Trophimus--2Timothy4:20• Epaphroditus--Phil.2:25-27

Characteristics:

• Aperson’sillnessisnotdirectlyrelatedtotheirfaith(2Corinthians12:7-10;Acts14:9).• Aperson’sillnessisnotalwaysaresultoftheirownsin(John9:1-3;Luke13:1-5;

1Corinthians11:30).• Allphysicalhealingistemporary;eventhosehealedbyJesuseventuallydied.• SomewillhealanduseJesus’name,yetnotevenknowHim.(Matthew7:22,23).This

giftiseasilycounterfeitedbySatan.• Thosewhowerenotapostleshealed(Acts8:6,7).• Healedthroughvariousmethods(Acts5:12-16;9:40;14:9-10;16:18;20:10;28:8).• Theepistlescommandedustoprayforhealing(James5:14-16).

Healinginourcontemporarycontext:

• AsintheNewTestament,itshouldbringpeopletoChristorcausethemtocontinuetheirserviceofHiminalikemanner.

• Asthen,itisnotguaranteeduntilwearewithChrist.(Revelations21:4)• Physicalhealingisalwaystemporary.• Healingwillsometimesoccurmiraculously.• WeshouldfollowtheprocedureasoutlinedinJames5:14-16:• Theeldersshouldassemble(notnecessarilypublicly)• Medicalhelpshouldbeencouraged(anointwithoil–itwasusedmedically).• Prayersaretobeofferedinfaith.



Helps/Service1Corinthians12:28,Romans12:7

Thisgiftistheabilitytounselfishlymeettheneedsofotherpeoplethroughpracticalservice.Itmaybeeitherministeringtothepersonhimselfordoing

thingstoenablehimtobefreetodootherministries.

Thisisthebehindthescenesworker.Thesepeopleenjoysuchtasksas:• Washingdishes• Cookingmeals• Settingupmeetingareas• Operatingsoundequipment

Thisisoneofthemoreimportantgiftsandoftentheleastpracticed.Withoutit,allothergiftsmustperformfunctionsoutoftheirowngiftmix,inhibitingtheireffectiveness.Therefore,thepeoplewiththegiftofhelps/servicefreeothersuptousetheirowngifts.WeallshouldexemplifythisgiftascharacterizedbyChrist.Butapersonwhotrulyhasthisgiftpersonifiesittotheextremeandisrechargedbyexercisingit.Biblicalexamples:

• Acts6:--MenrelievedApostlesofwork• Acts13:5--JohnMarkhelpedPaulandBarnabas• 2Timothy4:11• 1Peter5:13• Acts19:22--Paulhadtwootherhelpers• Romans16:1-4--PriscillaandAquilla• Colossians4:12,13--Epaphras


• Youhaveanuncannyabilitytoseeneeds.• Youworkbyyourselforinsmallgroups.• Youhaveadesiretohelpothers.• Youdonotneedtoreceivepublicrecognitionforwhatyoudo.• Youenjoydoing“littlethings”thatcanhelpotherpeople.• Youdonotenjoyhandlingmajorleadershiporoverseeingresponsibilities.• Youenjoydoingthingsforsomeoneelsethatenablesthemtousetheirgiftsmorefully.• Youdonothavetoaskwhatneedstobedone;youcanseeneeds.• Youhavetheabilitytosensethetemporalneedsofothers.• Inthechurch,youhaveawillingnesstodojobswhichwillallowleadershipgiftstobe

usedinafruitfulway.• Sometimesyoufeelguiltyorenviousbecauseyoudonothaveoneofthemore

“obvious”giftsthatothersseemtopossess.



Hospitality1Peter4:9

Thisgiftistheabilitytoreachouttoothersandwelcomethemintoyourhomeandlifeinaloving,warmmanner,whileprovidingfoodandlodging,suchthat

theguestsfeel“athome”inyourpresence.

ThisgiftisnotclearlydelineatedwithothergiftsandmaybeaspecificapplicationoftheHelps/Service(1Peter4:9-11).Allbelieversaretoexhibithospitality(Hebrews13:2).Hospitalityingeneralisaqualificationforspiritualleadership(1Timothy3:2;Titus1:8)andforwidowswhoaresupportedbythechurch(1Timothy5:10).Thisgiftistobeusedtoprovideforitinerantministers(missionaries,etc.)(3John5-8).Thepeoplewiththisgiftneedtoseethemselvesasanextensionoftheirguest’sministryand,therefore,asaccountablefortheirguest’steachings.Biblicalexamples:

• Lydia:Acts16:15• AccommodatingPaul:Acts21:4,7,8,16• Gaius:Romans16:23;3John5-8• Philemon:Philemon2:22


• YouoftenpraythatGodwilluseyourhometoaccommodatevisitors.• Youenjoymeetingnewpeople.• Youenjoyhavingvisitorsinyourhome,andoften,yourguestregistrylookslikeahotel

registry(i.e.youoftenhavepeoplestayingwithyou).• Youenjoypreparingmealsforguests.• Youarerelaxedentertainingpeopleinyourhomeandenjoyhavingpeopleoverwho

youdonotknowwell.• Youarequicktoinvitepeopleyouhavejustmettoyourresidence.• Peoplefeelverycomfortableinyourhomeanddonotfeelasiftheyareimposing.They

often“kickofftheirshoes”andfinditeasytorelax.• Youarenotupsetifyourhomeisnotinperfectorderwhensomeonedropsin.• Manypeoplejuststopby.• Yousometimesthinkothersmaybetoouptightconcerninghavingguestsvisit.• Youoftenopenyourhomeforbiblestudiesandsocialfunctions.• Youenjoyaskingneighborsover.• Othersseeyouasafriendlyandopenperson.



Knowledge1Corinthians12:8

Thisgiftistheabilitytodiscover,analyze,accumulate,systematize,andarticulateideasthatareessentialforgrowthandedificationoftheBodyofChrist.ThisespeciallyinvolvestheabilitytoconcretelyexpounduponOldand

NewTestamenthistoryaswellasthehistoryoftheChurch.

Thisgiftisintendedtobecommunicated.Thisiswhyitiscalledthe“messageofknowledge”(1Corinthians12:8).Thisgiftsometimes“puffsup”ifkepttoyourself(1Corinthians8:1).Allbelieversshouldexemplifysomeknowledge(Colossians1:9-12).Sometimesthisgiftrequiresapersontosetasidehumanknowledge(1Corinthians1:19-20;2:14-16).BiblicalexamplesincludemuchofJesus’teachings.Probablecharacteristicsofthisgift:

• YourprayerstypicallyinvolvedeeptheologicaltruthsandoftenseekGod’saidinunderstandingmore.

• Youareabletograspspiritualtruthsquickly.• YouenjoyreadingtheBibleandstudyingitindepth.• Youenjoyreadingbooksandarticles.• Youareeagertolearnandhavealongattentionspan.• Youcanabsorbandrememberlargequantitiesofinformation.• YoutendtoneglectothertypesofChristianactivitiesandfamilyresponsibilitiesbecause

ofyourdesiretolearnandstudy.• Whenlisteningtoamessage,youlistenfordeeptruthswhicharebeingcommunicated.• Whenyouareinvolvedinadiscussionaboutspiritualissues,youfindyourselfwithyour

Bibleinhand.• Youaremorecomfortablewithideasthanpeople.• Youliketotaketimebyyourselftothink.• Whenfacedwithadecision,youaskyourselfwhatBiblicalprinciplesareinvolved.• Youaregreatlydisturbedbypeoplethinking“theendjustifiesthemeans”.• Peopleseeyouasmoreideologicalthanpractical.• Youareawareoftimeswhenpeoplesaythingsthatcontradictspiritualprinciples.• Youcontinuallytrytoreconciledifferenttruthsfromscripturesoyoucanunderstand

howtheyrelate.



LeadershipRomans12:8

ThisgiftistheabilitytosetGodlygoals,makedecisions,andthencommunicatethemtotheBodyofChrist,suchthatotherswillvoluntarily

followandjoyouslyworktoaccomplishthesegoals.

Thisgiftistobeuseddiligently(Romans12:8).ThisgiftisinpartexercisedbytheEldersBoard(1Timothy5:17).Thoseusingthisgiftmustfirstexemplifyspiritualmaturityandministryfruit(1Timothy3;Titus1).Ageisnotadeterminingfactorinusingthisgift(1Timothy4:12).Oneshouldbetestedbeforeassumingsuchaposition(1Timothy3:10)Biblicalexamples:

• Paul:2Corinthians• Timothy:1&2Timothy• Titus:Titus


• Youareoftensettinganexampleinbehaviorforothers.• Yourprayersconsistoftaskswhichneedaccomplishing.• Othersreadilyfollowyou,andtheyseeyouconfidentlyknowingwhattodonext.• Ifamale,yourfamilyalsorespondswelltoyourleadership.• Youareawell-disciplinedperson.• Youwillnotaskotherstodowhatyouwillnotdoyourself.• Youarerelaxedwheninleadershippositions.• Youdelegatewell.• Youdonotenjoymaintainingaprogramoradministeringdetails.• Youtendto“takeover”inasituationwherethereisnotadesignatedleader.• Peoplelooktoyouforleadershipanddirection.• Youremaincalmunderpressure.• Youdon’tallowcriticismtodistractfromthetaskathand.• Youdesiretoseethingsmovequicklytoaconclusion;thenyouwanttomoveontoa

newchallenge.• Youcanorganizeandmotivatepeopletoaccomplishadesiredtask.



MercyRomans12:8

Thisgiftistheabilitytoempathizewiththoseinneed(especiallythosesufferingandmiserable)andtomanifestthisempathyinsuchawayasto

encouragethosethatareinneed.

Thegiftistobeusedwithcheerfulness;thatis,joyousnesswhichisreadytodoanything:Romans12:8.WeseethisgiftinDorcasaswellasHelps/Services:Acts9:36.Mercywillbemanifestedingooddeeds:James2:15,16.Allbelieversarecommandedtohavemercy:Matthew9:13;Luke10:37.Probablecharacteristics(oftenlatent):

• Youfinditeasytoidentifywiththefeelingsofsomeoneinpain.• Youcryeasilyorshowemotionswhenyouseeorhearthingsthatsaddenyou.• Whensomeoneissharingsomethingdeepwithyou,youfindyourselfcryingwhenthey

do.• Yourimmediatereactionswhenyouseesomeoneindifficultyistowanttoreachout

andhelp.• Yousometimesbecomebitterbecauseoftheinjusticessomeoneelsesuffers.• Mostpeoplewouldseeyouasanempatheticperson.• Peoplecometoyouwithproblemsnotbecauseofsomepracticalthingsyoudo,but

becauseyouhavetheabilitytounderstandwhattheyaregoingthroughandcanconsolethem.

• Youhavetheabilityto“cheerup”peoplewhoaregoingthroughdeeppersonalstruggles.

• Yourprayerlifeincludestheneedsofthemanypersonalstrugglesyouknowpeopleareexperiencing.

• Whenyouarefinishedhavingsomeonesharewithyou,manytimesyoufindyourselfemotionallydrained.

• Youenjoycallingonpeopleinthehospitalorwhoaresickorgoingthroughsomedifficulty.



Miracles1Corinthians12:10,29,39

Thisgiftinvolvesaneventwhereaphysicallawissuperseded(supernaturally)insuchawaythatitisperceivedbythesensesanddrawstheobservers’

consciencestotheirrelationshipwithGod.ThisespeciallyinvolvedexorcismsintheNewTestament.

JesusChristperformedmoremiraclesthananyoneelseintheNewTestament.Hehadpowerover:

• Disease-Matthew9:35• Demons-Matthew17:14-18• Nature-Mark4:37-41;6:48-51• Matter-John2:1-11• Death-Luke7:11-15;8:49-56;John11:1-44

Characteristics

• MiracleswereusedtoconfirmamessageormessengerfromGod(Romans15:17-19;2Corinthians12:12;Hebrews2:4).

• Miraclesdidnotoccureverytimetheywereneeded(Acts6:8-Stephen).• Peoplewhowerenotapostlesperformedmiracles(Acts6:8-Stephen).• GreatpeopleintheNewTestamentdidnotperformmiracles(John10:41,-Johnthe

Baptist:“…thoughhedidnomiracles…”• Miracleswereusedevangelisticallyandalmostalwaysbroughtconvictionand

conversiontonon-believers(Acts5:12-16;6:7-15;9:40-43;19:13-18;28:3-6).• Seldomweremiraclesdoneforbelievers’sake(Acts9:32-43-Dorcas;12:6-10-Peter

20:7-12-Paul).Followerswerecriticizedforseekingmiraclesfortheirownsake(Luke11:29;Acts8:20-23).AllphysicalhealingmiraclesforeveryonefromtheNewTestamenteraeventuallydied.Satanempowerssometoperformmiracles.(Acts8:9-11,13:8-10)NotallwhoevenusedJesus’nameareauthentic(Matthew7:22,23).Miraclesinourcontemporarycontext:

• Historically,asintheNewTestament,theyaremostprevalentwhenandwhereChristianityspreadsintopagancultures.

• Historically,asthecultureChristianizes,theydiminish.• Historically,theyarealwayspossibleinourculturebutareunusual.• Eternalmiracleshappennotinthephysicalsensebutinthespiritualsenseandarenot

unusual.• “Miraculous”answerstoprayerarealsonotunusual.• MiraclesstillcannotbecommandedofGod.Heissovereign.



Pastor-Shepherd1Peter5:1-4;Ephesians4:11

Thisgiftistheabilitytoministertoanestablishedgroupofpeople(believers)bycaringfortheirspiritualwelfareholisticallyonalong-termbasis.

Theword“pastor”isbasedonthecaringforanimals(sheep),anditsfunctionisnotwellunderstoodtoday.JesusistheGoodandUltimateShepherdofallbelievers(Psalms23:1;John10:11,14;1Peter2:25).Jesushasgiftedsomeasunder-shepherdstocareforHisfollowers(1Peter5:2).Thisgiftisconcernedwithservingandcaringfortheneedsofasmallgroupofpeople(1Peter5:2-4).Thisgiftisconcernedwithprotectingthebelieversfromattacks,bothfromwithinandfromtheoutside(Acts20:29-31).Thisisnotapassiveordocilegift,butmustalwaysbealert(Acts20:29-31).Thisgiftisoftencombinedwithothergifts(Ephesians4:11).ThisisnotthedominantgiftoftheSeniorPastorforalargegrowingchurch.Biblicalexamples:Acts20:28-35--EphesianseldersProbablecharacteristicsofthisgiftare:

• Youareapeoplepersonandenjoybeingaroundothers.• Youtendtobuilddeeprelationshipswithothersanddonotenjoysuperficialorcasual

friendshipsforverylong.• Yourprayersareoftencomprisedofrequestsforthedeephurtsandneedsofthose

whomyouareshepherding.• Othersareattractedtoyoubecausetheysensethatyoutrulycareforthem.• Peopleseeyouasawarmpersonwitharealconcernforthewelfareofothers.• Youarefrustratedwithtasksthattakeyouawayfromministeringtothosearoundyou

forverylong.• Youoftenseeotherstooinvolvedintheirowngoalstocareforthosearound

themselves.• Youdonotfeelcomfortableinatightlyregimentedtimeschedule.• Whenyousharewithothers,youoftenfocusontherelationalaspectsoftheChristian

life.• Youfeelinadequatetomeetalltheneedsofthosetowhomyouminister.• Youhaveagreatburdentoprotectthosearoundyoufromnon-Biblicalinfluences.• Youfeelfrustratedwhenrelationshipswithothersdonotlastlong-term.• Youenjoybeingabletofocusonafewratherthanbeing“spreadtoothin.”



Pastor-TeacherEphesians4:11

Thisgiftistheabilitytoinstruct,guide,andcareforalocalexpressionoftheBodyofChrist,suchthatthemembersarepreparedtoreachoutinministryto

others,bothinsideandoutsidetheBody.

ThisgiftisacombinationofPastoring:ShepherdingandTeaching(Ephesians4:11).TheprimaryresponsibilityofthisgiftispreparingthemembersoftheBodyforministry(Ephesians4:12).OnlyasothersusetheirgiftistheBodybuiltup(Ephesians4:12,13).TheofficesofApostles,Prophets,andEvangelistsalsoincludepreparingothersforworksofministry.Theteachingshouldcorrect,rebuke,encourage,andcontaincarefulinstruction,andconsiderableeffortandtimewillbespentaccordingly.Thegiftshouldnotneglectevangelism(2Timothy4:5).Thispositionmaybesupportedfinanciallytofacilitatepreachingandteaching(1Timothy5:17-18).Biblicalexample:1&2TimothyProbablecharacteristicsofthisgiftare:

• Yourprayersareforyourleadershipoftheflockwithwhichyouhavebeenentrusted.• Peoplelooktoyouforleadership.• Youareadisciplinedperson.• Youoftenfeelinternaltensionbetweenthetaskathandandthepeopleproblems

whichimpedeprogress.• Youaregoal-orientedbutpeoplefocused.• Youaresuccessfulatpreparingandmotivatingotherstobecomeinvolvedinusingtheir

giftsinministry.• Youtrainleaderswell.• Youarticulateyourthoughtswell.• YourdesireistopleaseGodfirst,peoplesecond.• Youareanexampleofagodlylifestyle.• YouareabletoofferdecisiveleadershiptotheBodyyouareshepherding.• Youarefrustratedwhenyoudonotseeothersgrowingintomaturityorusingtheirgifts

forthebuildingoftheBody.• YouareconcernedthatalloftheneedsoftheBodyaremet,thoughnotnecessarilyby

yourself.



ProphecyRomans2:6;1Corinthians12:10,28-29;Ephesians4:11

ThisgiftistheabilitytopubliclyorprivatelyproclaimGod’swordsuchthatpeopleareconvicted,consoled,encouraged,challengedorstrengthened.AnotheranglealsoinvolvesknowingandspeakingGod’smindintuitively

ratherthan,aswiththeteacher,deductivelyfromscripturealone.Scriptureistoalwayscheckthisintuition.

TheprimaryfunctionofthisgiftintheOldandNewTestamentisnottoforetellthefuturebuttotellforththeWordofGod.

“LessthantwopercentofOldTestamentprophecyisMessianic.LessthanfivepercentspecificallydescribetheNewCovenantAge(fromNewTestamenton).

Lessthanonepercentconcernseventsyettocome.”Page150,Fee&Stuart’sHowtoReadtheBibleforAllItsWorth.

Asaresultoftheuseofthisgift,peopleareoftenstrengthenedandencouraged(Acts15:32).Theyareabletospeakaccuratelywithregardtothefuture(Acts1:27-28);althoughtheyarenotalwayscorrect(Acts21:10).WhattheysayshouldbeweighedbyotherprophetsandtheWordofGod(1Corinthians14:29-32).TheNewTestamentchurchhadanofficeforthisgift.Biblicalexamples:

• Agabus:Acts11:27-28;21:10-11• JudasandSilas:Acts15:32


• YourprayersareoftenforcouragetospeakoutagainstinjusticesandtohelpothersunderstandGod’sWord.

• Youhaveagoodunderstandingofmanysocialandpoliticaltrendsofourtime.• YouhaveanexcellentgraspofGod’sWord;frequentlyquotingtheBibletoothers.• Youdonotmindsomeonechallengingyou.• Youareabletostandaloneagainstthetide.• YouhavecouragetoconfrontissueswithinsightsGodhasgivenyou.• Sometimespeopleseeyouasanegativeperson.• Youhavetheabilitytoseethroughsurfaceissuestothetruespiritualproblem.• Peoplehavedifferentresponsestoyourmessages;someareconvicted,othersare

encouraged,butfewareneutral.• Your“…wordscarryGod’sauthorityandhavethepowertobuildbystimulatingand

encouraging.Oftenthisgiftreflectsspecialinsightintothetruthandcallsmenbacktotheobedienceoffaith.”(A.W.Tozer)

• YouseeeventswhichwilloccurifpeopledonotactnowonGod’sWord.



TeachingRomans12:7,1Corinthians12:28

ThisgiftistheabilitytocommunicateinformationinsuchawaythatmembersoftheBodyofChristunderstandhowtoapplyspiritualprinciplestotheirown

livesandministries.

TherewerepositionsintheNewTestamentchurchforsomewhohadthisgift(Acts13:1).Asaresultoftheuseofthisgift,peoplewillnotjustknowmore,buttheirbehaviorwillactuallychange(Acts11:25,26).Everyoneiscalledtoteach(Matthew19,20).Exercisingthisgiftcarrieswithitagreateraccountabilityfortheteacher(James3:1).Thegoalofthisgiftisspiritualmaturity.(Colossians1:28-29;2Timothy3:16-17).Somemayusethisgiftina:

• Largegroup-Acts5:42;19:11;20:20• Smallgroup-Acts2:42;5:42;20:20• One-on-one-Acts18:26;2Timothy2:2

Biblicalexamples:

• Apollos:Acts18:24-28• Paul:Acts18:11;20:20• Timothy:2Timothy2:2;4:11


• Yourprayersareoftenforunderstandingwiththoseyouareteaching.• Youhaveagreatdealofpatienceforthosewhoarelearningfromyou.• Youhavetheabilitytocommunicatescriptureinanunderstandableway.• Youhaveseenothersapplyyourteachingstotheirlivesandgrowasaresult.• Youarenoteasilythreatenedbycriticismwhenteaching.• Youenjoyspendingtimeinstudyforyourteaching.• Yourstudyisintendedtohelpyoucommunicatewithothers.• Asalayperson,youfindlittletimeforotherministriesinadditiontoteaching.• Youmaycommunicatethroughtheuseofvariousmedia.• Youenjoypeople.• Youhaveagenuineconcernforthoseyouareteaching.• Youareconcernedthatprecisewordsandillustrationsyouusecommunicatewhatyou

wanttosay.• Youarealwayslearningandthenwantingtoteachittoothers.• Youareabletoapplytruthstothelivesofothers.• Yousometimesfeelyoucouldcommunicateapointbetterthansomeoneelsewhois

teaching.• Youareadisciplinedperson.



Tongues&InterpretationofTongues1Corinthians12:10,28&30

ThegiftoftonguesistheabilitytospeaktoGodinanutterancenotunderstoodbythespeaker(unlessitisexplainedbyonewiththegiftof

interpretation)insuchawaythatitisasignforunbelievers.

ThegiftoftonguesisoftenconfusedwiththePentecostalexperienceintheBookofActs:Therearesix“fillingoftheHolySpirit”occurrencesinActs:

1. Acts2:1-72. Acts4:313. Acts8:14-17

4. Acts9:175. Acts10:44-486. Acts19:1-7

OnlythreeincludedtonguesasamanifestationofthefillingoftheHolySpirit:

1. Acts2:1-13(vs.6,8,11)-Jerusalem-Judaism2. Acts10:44-48(11:15-18)-Caesarea-RomanGentile“Inthesameway”3. Acts19:1-7-Ephesus-Greek/Pagan

WeconcludeallthreeexamplesinvolvespeakingknownlanguagesbutunknowntothespeakerasasignofGod’suniversalconcernformankind.HemaysochoosetomanifestHimselftodayinthesamewaywhenthegospelinvadesanewculture.Thisisnotthesameasthegiftoftonguesandinterpretation.In1Corinthians12:14,PauldealswiththepublicuseofthegiftoftongueswhichwasbeingabusedatthechurchofCorinth.TheBibleisthebasisforevaluationofgifts,notexperience.(1Corinthians4:6)

• Thesegiftsareasigntounbelievers,(1Corinthians14:22)andtonguesshouldneverbeusedwithoutinterpretation.(1Corinthians14:28)

• Thereshouldbenomorethantwoorthreeinaservice(1Corinthians14:27)andthisshouldbeveryorderly(1Corinthians14:33,40).

• EachinterpretationshouldshowthetonguesspeakingtoGod.(1Corinthians14:2,28)• EveryonewillnothavethisgifteventhoughbaptizedbytheHolySpirit.(1Corinthians

12:13,30)• Thesegiftsareverysusceptibletoabuseandprojection;therefore,theyaretheonly

giftssingledoutforcontrol(1Corinthians14:1-40)• Thesegiftscannotbeshowntohaveconclusivelypassedfromexistence(1Corinthians

3:8;14:39)thoughtheyhavecomeandgonethroughouthistory.• Thesegiftsaretobeusedinlove(1Corinthians14:1)andshouldnotbeuseddivisively.• Theyoftendonotbuildthechurchand,therefore,thegiftswhichdoshouldbesought.

(1Corinthians14:12)Itisconsideredoneofthelessergifts.(1Corinthians14:1-5;18,19)

• Thisgiftshouldnotbedevaluedorover-valued.



TheprivateuseofthegiftoftonguesisnotexplicitlyaddressedanywhereintheNewTestament.

• Wheneverthegiftoftonguesismentionedin1Corinthians12-14,itisalwaysmentionedinthecontextofpublicworship.

• AllgiftsaredesignedtobeusedtobuilduptheBody.AprivateuseofthisprayerdoesnotbuildupothersintheBody.Alloftheprior19giftsaretobeusedtoserveothers.

• Thisdoesnotsaythatthisprivateprayerlanguageiswrong.ItisjustnotthegiftoftonguesasBiblicallydefined.

• Itisahelpfulphenomenonforthosewhoexperiencethisintheirownprayers.• ThisisnotuniquetoChristianity.• Itvariesconsiderablyaccordingtopersonalitytype.• Oneshouldnotfeelinferiorfortheirlackofit.



Wisdom1Corinthians12:8

ThisgiftistheabilitytogaininsightonhowknowledgemaybestbeappliedtospecificneedsintheBodyofChrist.ThisinvolvesapplyingBiblicaltruthstoeverydaysituations.ItalsoinvolvesspecialinsightintotheprofundityandimplicationsofhowGodisworkingintheworld,especiallytofurtherthe

gospel.CompareRomans11:33-35with1Corinthians2:6-10.

Thiswisdomisintendedtobecommunicated.Thisiswhyitiscalledthe“messageofwisdom”(1Corinthians12:8).Allbelieversshouldexemplifysomewisdom.(Colossians1:9-12)ThiswisdominvolvesrevelationfromGod.Itmaybedirectorunwrittenrevelation(1Corinthians2:6-16).Useofthisgiftwillbeaccompaniedby:(James3:13-18)

• Consideration• Fullnessofmercy• FullnessoftheFruitoftheSpirit• Impartiality

• Peace-lovingness• Purity • Sincerity• Submission

Thisgiftcanbeusedto:Answeranunbeliever’sarguments.(1Peter3:15),solveproblemsfacingtheBodyofChrist,applytobeliever’sconduct(seePaul’sepistles)Probablecharacteristicsofthisgift:

• Youfindyourselfprayingforinsightonhowtoapplytruthstoneedsaroundyou.• Youenjoytheapplicationpassagesofscriptureratherthanthedoctrinal.• Sometimesyouseesolutionstoproblemsthatnooneelseseemstosee.• Youbecomefrustratedwhenpeopledonotlistentoyoursolutionbecauseyouknowit

willwork.• Youhavelittledifficultycommunicatingyourthoughtsandusuallyotherslistentoyou.• Youenjoyworkingonsolutionstoproblemsmorethanyoudoapplyingallthedetailsof

thesolutionstotheproblems.• Manytimesinprayer,meditation,orscripturestudy,solutionswillcometomind.• Peoplecometoyouwiththeirpersonalproblemsforinsight.Theyseeyouasaproblem

solver.• Youfeeluncomfortablewithdiscussionswhichremainatthetheoreticallevelfortoo

longaperiodoftime.• Youhaveananalyticalmindwhichisalwaystryingtofigureouthowandwhy.• Youusuallygettotheheartofanissuequickly.• Youfinditeasytodecideonacourseofactionwhichneedstobetaken.• Youobservemanyproblemswhichhavesolutions.• Whenyoulistentoamessage,youaredisappointedifitdoesnotincludesomespecific

applications.



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTIwouldliketothankReverendDonaldLoomerwhofirsttaughtmetheimportanceofSpiritualGifts.Theworkhereisbasedonwhathehastaught,hisnotes,andthoughtsearlyinmylife.SpecialthankstoDavePhillipsformakingthisresourceavailableformanytouseontheirfaithjourney.//signed//GregoryA.Wiens,Ed.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:1. PeterWagner;YourSpiritualGiftCanHelpYourChurchGrow2. TimBlanchard;APracticalGuidetoFindingYourSpiritualGift3. LeslieB.Flynn;19GiftsoftheSpirit4. RichYohn;DiscoveryourSpiritualGiftandUseIt!5. DonaldBridge/DavidPhypers;SpiritualGiftsandTheChurch6. WalterA.Henrickson/WilliamN.Garrison;Layman,LookUp!GodHasaPlaceforYou7. JohnKoenig;Charismata:God’sGiftsforGod’sPeople8. EdwardF.Murphy;SpiritualGiftsandTheGreatCommission.

17-10 Spiritual Gifts - Healthy Growing Churches...2017/10/17 · Spiritual Gifts • Mercy •...

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Transcript of 17-10 Spiritual Gifts - Healthy Growing Churches...2017/10/17 · Spiritual Gifts • Mercy •...