The Differing Gifts Series

Gifts of the Spirit – Part 1

(Note: All scripture used has been taken from the King James Version Bible. Much of this material is from Bill Gothard’s notes on Gifts http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/gifts.html)

The Differing Gifts

1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

John Wesley said...

"As every one hath received a gift - Spiritual or temporal, ordinary or extraordinary, although the latter seems primarily intended. So minister it one to another - Employ it for the common good. As good stewards of the manifold grace of God - The talents wherewith his free love has intrusted you."

(taken from Barnes New Testament notes)

"Verse 10. As every man hath received the gift. The word rendered the gift, (carisma,) in the Greek, means endowment of any kind, but especially that conferred by the Holy Spirit. Here it seems to refer to every kind of endowment by which we can do good to others; especially every kind of qualification furnished by religion by which we can help others. It does not refer here particularly to the ministry of the word—but to all the gifts and graces by which we can contribute to the welfare of others."

What are the Different Kinds of Gifts?

1Cor. 12: 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

The gifts are broken down into three categories:

1. Motivational Gifts:

Prophecy

Helps

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving

Leading

Mercy

2. Ministry Gifts

Apostles

Prophets

Evangelists

Pastors

Teachers

3. Manifestational Gifts

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Faith

Healing

Miracles

Prophecy

Discernment

Tongues

Interpretation

Rom 12:6-8

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Eph. 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

1 Cor. 12:8-10 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Today: Motivational Gifts

WHAT IS MY GIFT?

A possible perspective on these passages is that a Christian is given a motivational gift and then in his ministry role, he is given a variety of manifestations. For example, a person with a gift of teaching may use a word of knowledge in his ministry of evangelism.

Let’s look at the Motivation behind these gifts:

Prophecy: motivated by having people receive revelation from the word of God

Helps: motivated to meet peoples practical needs

Teaching: motivated by having people understand the truth

Exhortation: motivated to have people motivated

Giving: motivated to see people supplied with what they need

Leading: motivated to organize and direct others

Mercy: motivated by the feelings of others

We read Rom 12:6-8, but let’s see what the previous verses had to say…

Rom 12: 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…

So each Christian is given a gift….

HOW do we then discover what our GIFT is?

Which of these 7 persons best describes you?

Person #1 - Prophet

•You see actions as either right or wrong.

•You react strongly to people who are not what they appear to be.

•You can usually detect when something is not what it appears to be.

•You can quickly discern a person’s character.

•You feel a responsibility to correct those who do wrong.

•You separate yourself from those who refuse to repent of evil.