Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts

Why Study Spiritual Why Study Spiritual Gifts?Gifts?

Why Study Spiritual Why Study Spiritual Gifts?Gifts?

• ““I believe God made me for a purpose. But I believe God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast. And when I run, I He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Eric Liddell (Chariots feel His pleasure.” Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire)of Fire)

• When our gifts are outside of “speaking When our gifts are outside of “speaking gifts” it may be harder for us to identify gifts” it may be harder for us to identify our giftingour gifting

• There are divisions between charismatic There are divisions between charismatic churches and non-charismatic churches churches and non-charismatic churches over giftsover gifts

Why Study Spiritual Gifts?Why Study Spiritual Gifts?• We should not be ignorant of our spiritual giftsWe should not be ignorant of our spiritual gifts• 1 Corinthians 12:1 “1 Corinthians 12:1 “Now about spiritual gifts, Now about spiritual gifts,

brothers, I do not want you to be ignorantbrothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.” .” • God’s work can not be done in our own strengthGod’s work can not be done in our own strength• This was the case for Old Testament saintsThis was the case for Old Testament saints• This is how Jesus ministeredThis is how Jesus ministered• John 12:49-50 “John 12:49-50 “For I did not speak of my own For I did not speak of my own

accord, but the Father who sent me commanded accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to sayis just what the Father has told me to say." ."

Why Study Spiritual Gifts?Why Study Spiritual Gifts?

• When Jesus prepared His disciples for When Jesus prepared His disciples for the ministry, He spoke to them about the the ministry, He spoke to them about the power of the Holy Spiritpower of the Holy Spirit

• Today we are called to carry on the work Today we are called to carry on the work of our Lord Jesus, but not in our strength of our Lord Jesus, but not in our strength

• 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “My message and my My message and my preaching were not with wise and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's powerwisdom, but on God's power.” .”

Why Study Spiritual Gifts?Why Study Spiritual Gifts?

• How we understand spiritual gifts is How we understand spiritual gifts is critical to how we do church critical to how we do church

• Understanding spiritual gifts are Understanding spiritual gifts are essential to unity in the body of Christ essential to unity in the body of Christ

• Spiritual gifts are a stewardship given Spiritual gifts are a stewardship given by God for which we are accountable by God for which we are accountable to Himto Him

• The ultimate goal of spiritual gifts is The ultimate goal of spiritual gifts is the glory of God the glory of God

Why Study Spiritual Gifts?Why Study Spiritual Gifts?• Spiritual gifts are divine strengths given by God Spiritual gifts are divine strengths given by God

to minister to areas of weakness in the Body to minister to areas of weakness in the Body • Apply our strength to someone else’s weaknessApply our strength to someone else’s weakness• Spiritual gifts are given to strength someone Spiritual gifts are given to strength someone

who is weak in terms of their service/ministrywho is weak in terms of their service/ministry• Understanding our spiritual gifts should guide Understanding our spiritual gifts should guide

us in many of the choices we have to make in us in many of the choices we have to make in our livesour lives

• Knowing our spiritual gifts will help us Knowing our spiritual gifts will help us determine what ministry God has called us to determine what ministry God has called us to

Understanding Our Gifting Understanding Our Gifting Will…Will…

• Enable you feel the pleasure of God as you Enable you feel the pleasure of God as you do what He has enabled you to do do what He has enabled you to do

• Become a better steward of your time and Become a better steward of your time and resourcesresources

• Help you discern God’s will for life in the Help you discern God’s will for life in the choices you have to make choices you have to make

• Produce supernatural fruit in your life Produce supernatural fruit in your life because it is the Holy Spirit who is at workbecause it is the Holy Spirit who is at work

• Benefit the whole church Benefit the whole church • Glorify God Glorify God