Equipped #2: Speak Truth Series

Equipped 2: Speak Truth

Introduction

You probably wouldn’t have any trouble identifying the top five fears that human beings face.

-The number one fear is Acrophobia (Fear of Heights)

-Number two: Arachnophobia (Fear of Spiders)

-Third is Claustrophobia (Fear of Enclosed Spaces)

-Aerophobia (Fear of Flying)

-Number five: Nyctophobia (Fear of the Dark)

-No real surprises there - the sixth top fear of human beings is Glossophobia - the Fear of Public Speaking.

George Jessel said, “The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.”

Last week we began a series of messages called EQUIPPED and we noted that the church is God’s workshop. Every Christian is given gifts that equip them to work within the church to God’s glory. There are seven gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 - not an exhaustive list, but a vital one. Today we are going to focus on two gifts - what some call ‘the speaking gifts’. Although speaking in front of others is a major fear factor, it is necessary for sharing

the good news. Overcoming that fear is essential to the mission of the church to reach the lost and encourage the saved.

Romans 12:6-8 NIV We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

God equips His church with speaking gifts so that His truth is proclaimed clearly, courageously, and consistently.

1. God Gives Speaking Gifts (what they are & why they matter)

Prophecy - a spiritual gift we still have or one that has ceased? Generally, Churches of Christ are cessationist in principle. We believe that the miraculous spiritual gifts of the first century church eventually faded and are no

longer part of our experience. (Healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues, word of knowledge, and more).

We still believe God is active, answers prayers, and that the Holy Spirit is within us. In the first century, however, these gifts helped the early Christians know how to function and reach out to the world around them - much like the Bible does for us today.

So, is this prophecy in Romans 12 a miraculous gift or something else? Part of the answer comes in how the word Prophecy is used. The definition of the word essentially means one who proclaims openly or states publicly. Often behind this word is a note of authority. Prophecy = boldly proclaiming God’s truth in ways that help the church live faithfully.

Mark Copeland makes a good distinction when he says, “Today, the service most akin to prophecy is preaching, where one proclaims the counsel of God as already revealed and by expounding upon the Word of God, not through direct inspiration.” I think it’s important to note that the preacher is not the only one who exercises the gift of prophecy. We are blessed with several members who have the ability to speak forth the Word of God - and several members who also have the second gift we want to mention today.

Teaching

If prophecy is a gift of evangelism, teaching is a gift of training. 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.” Osborne says that teaching was a critical area in the early church because of the problem with false teachers, and it is even more critical today. Michael Fox described this gift as, “The ability to effectively instruct and to lead clothes to mature discipleship.”

The message of Christ needs not only to be proclaimed; it needs also to be explained. Teaching can take place in many contexts: Bible classes, mentoring, and even in conversations about spiritual matters.

A great example of someone who put this gift into practice can be found in the story of Aquilla and Priscilla, who were gifted teachers Paul called “co-workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3). In Acts 18 they encountered a powerful speaker named Apollos. In this account there were many great qualities of Apollos listed. Among them:

-He was mighty in the Scriptures (vs. 24)

-He was fervent in spirit (vs. 25)

-He was teachable (vs. 26)

The problem was he was unfamiliar with the teaching of Jesus on baptism - so he was only talking about John the Baptist’s message about baptism. Acts 18:26 relates, “When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.”

Because of their willingness to teach, Apollos had great impact in the Kingdom. Acts 18:27-28 “When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.”