Gift Empowered Ministry Part 4 Series

GIFT EMPOWERED MINISTRY

Defining Our Ministry through Our Giftedness Part 2

INTRODUCTION: We want to pick up our lesson by continuing to define the Spiritual Gifts God has given us for our use in order to accomplish his purposes. You will remember that Spiritual Gifts are all about God, and not about us. So, we want to pick up with the gift of Exhortation, and move our way down the list.

I EXHORTATION

A Word means a calling near, or a calling for

B The issue is comfort

C A person with this gift is able to give good counsel and to encourage others in the Lord

1 Urges other to fulfill their practical duties as a believer

a By reminding them of God’s promises

b By reminding them of God’s warnings

c This gift tends to bring out the best in others

2 Exhibited in

a Preaching ministry

b Teaching ministry

c Counseling ministry

D Teaching provides the guidance and exhortation provides the encouragement

E Scriptures applying to this gift

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NIV) 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Acts 4:36 (NIV) 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),

Acts 9:26-30 (NIV) 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Acts 15:36-41 (NIV) 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

The Book of Job. Job’s friend’s DID not have the gift of comfort!

F

II GIVING

A Joyful and cheerful giving to the work and ministry of the body

B Characterized by cheerfulness and liberality

C The word means to share, impart, or bestow

D This gift provides a special readiness and ability to give of material goods and financial resources for the sake of the Body without motives for self-benefit

E Not a gift of the wealthy

F People who gave

1 The poor

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NIV) 1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.

2 Barnabas

Acts 4:36-37 (NIV) 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

3 The widow

Luke 21:1-4 (NIV) 1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

G This does not remove the responsibility for giving from the individual believer, but simply declares that some have a special ability in this area.