Who You Believe: Who Is Gifted ? (Session 8) Series

Four Truths about Spiritual Gifts

Does everyone have spiritual gifts? “God has given different gifts to each of us.” 1 Corinthians. 7:7 (CEV)

Every believer has a spiritual gift. There is no such thing as a believer without any gifts who just goes to church and loves God. The Apostle Peter said: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another” 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)

Your gifts are unique to you. Your gifts are different from others “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12:6

A gift is an ability to do God’s work. In the parable of the property owner, he gave different amounts of money for investment before he went on a trip. The property owner determined the amount of money he would risk on a worker, “To each according to his own ability” Matthew 25:15 (NKJV). God gives us gifts according to our ability.

Your gifts come from God. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Natural talent & spiritual gifts

Is natural talent and spiritual giftedness the same thing?

No. A spiritual gift is not natural ability, nor is spiritual giftedness augmented talent. A spiritual gift is the work of the Holy Spirit through a person.

Some with great natural talent also are spiritually gifted to use that talent because they have yielded to God.

Some with great natural talent are not used of God, nor are their spiritual gifts manifested through that talent. The Bible calls these people “sounding brass and a clanging symbol.” They make a lot of noise, but don’t edify anyone.

Some with little or marginal talent are used of God in a far greater way than their natural talent. Some singers with average talent are used in great ways because it is the Holy Spirit working through them.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t usually give a spiritual gift to someone in an area where they have no talent:

Can’t sing, God doesn’t use them as singers.

Can’t speak, God doesn’t use them as preachers.

But, every rule has its exception because God can do anything He wants to do. The Holy Spirit powerfully uses people in spite of their human limitations.

Spiritual gift giver

The Apostle Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. All believers are part of one body, in unity even as a physical body works as one. In this context, the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts (Greek Charismata χαρίσματα) for the good of the whole body: “The manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). The body of Christ is the place where the Holy Spirit teaches a new Christian to grow, learn and serve.

The work of the Spirit, “to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit. There are differing gifts but the same Spirit… the same Lord… the same God works all of them in all men” (Romans 12:4). There are various opinions about the number of spiritual gifts and how to categorise them. The Gifts of the Spirit that are bestowed on Christians are described in the New Testament, primarily in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. Gifts of the spirit are clearly distinguished from the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22).

The gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 can be divided into three categories, “gifts of knowledge” (wisdom, knowledge, discernment), “gifts of speech” (tongues, interpretation, prophecy), and “gifts of power” (faith, healing, miracles). Gifts mentioned in the New Testament include:

- Apostles (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11).

- Teachers (1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11)

- Help / helping (1 Corinthians 12:28)

- Administration / guidance (1 Corinthians 12:28)

- Ministry / serving (Romans 12:7)

- Encouragement (Romans 12:8)

- Giving (Romans 12:8)

- Leading (Romans 12:8)

- Mercy (Romans 12:8)

- Evangelists (Ephesians 4:11)

- Pastors (Ephesians 4:11)

When we use gifts what happens?

You will have greater results in service when you use your gifts. (Matthew. 25:21). When you use your gifts, you will be obedient (Luke 19:13).

You will lose the gifts you don’t use. God commands, “Do not neglect your gift” (1 Timothy 4:14). The landowner took talents from those who didn’t use them (Matthew 25:26-28).

When you use your gifts, you will grow more gifts. When you faithfully use your spiritual gifts, you will get more gifts you don’t have, or you will grow in the effectiveness of your present gifts. You can get other gifts. “Desire earnestly the best gifts” (1 Corinthians. 12:31). Paul wrote to the Romans that he wanted to come see them and help them get some spiritual gifts they didn’t have. “I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift” (Romans 1:11).

You can grow your present gifts. This means you can become more effective. Paul was not satisfied with Timothy’s use of his gifts, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6). This is a picture of stirring up the coals of fire to make it hotter.