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.
•You explain what is wrong with an item before you sell it.
•You let people know how you feel about important issues.
•You enjoy people who are completely honest with you.
•You are quick to judge yourself when you fail.
You are willing to do right even if it means suffering alone for it.
Person #2 - Server
•You notice the practical needs of others and enjoy meeting them.
•You enjoy serving to free others for more important things.
•You are willing to neglect your own work to help others.
•You sometimes go beyond your physical strength in serving others.
•You can remember the likes and dislikes of others.
•You can usually detect ways to serve before anyone else can.
•You will even use your own funds to get a job done quickly.
•You do not mind doing jobs by yourself.
•You do not want public praise, but you do need to feel appreciated.
•You find it difficult to say "no" to those who ask you for help.
You like to put extra touches on the jobs you do.
Person #3 - Teacher
•You want to make sure that statements are true and accurate.
•You desire to gain as much knowledge as you can.
•You react to people who make unfounded statements.
•You check the credentials of one who wants to teach you.
•You use your mind to check out an argument.
•You enjoy spending hours doing research on a subject.
•You like to tell others as many facts as you can on a subject.
•You pay close attention to words and phrases.
•You tend to be silent on a matter until you check it out.
•You like to study material in a systematic sequence.
Person #4 - Exhorter
•You motivate people to become what you see they could be.
•You like to give counsel in logical steps of action.
•You can usually discern a person’s level of spiritual maturity.
•You enjoy working out projects to help people grow spiritually.
•You sometimes raise expectations of results prematurely.
•You dislike teaching which does not give practical direction.
•You like to see the facial responses of those whom you counsel.
•You often take "family time" to counsel others.
•You enjoy giving examples from the lives of others.
•You soon give up on those who do not follow your counsel.
•You find it hard to follow through on the project you have started.
•You identify with people where they are in order to counsel them.
Person #5 - Giver
•You are very frugal with money for yourself and your family.
•You enjoy investing money in the ministries of other people.
•You have an ability to make money by wise investments.
•You desire to keep your giving a secret.
•You react negatively to pressure appeals for money.
•You like to encourage others to give with your gifts.
•You want the ministries you support to be as effective as possible.
•You enjoy giving to needs which others tend to overlook.
•You sometimes fear that your gifts will corrupt those who get them.
•You desire to give gifts of high quality.
•You enjoy knowing that your gifts were specific answers to prayer.
Person#6 - Organizer
•You can visualize the final result of a major undertaking.
•You enjoy coordinating the efforts of many to reach a common goal.
•You can break down a large task into achievable goals.
•You are able to delegate assignments to others.
•You see people as resources that can be used to get a job done.
•You are willing to endure reaction in order to accomplish a task.
•You require loyalty in those who are under your supervision.
•You remove yourself from petty details to focus on the final goal.
•You can encourage your workers and inspire them to action.
•You move on to a new challenge once a job is finished.
Person #7 - Mercy
•You can sense when people have hurt feelings.
•You react to those who are insensitive to other’s feelings.
•You are able to discern genuine love.
•You desire deep friendships in which there is mutual commitment.
•You seem to attract people who tell you their problems.
•You find it difficult to be firm or decisive with people.
•You take up offenses for those whom you love.
•You need quality time to tell how you feel.
•You want to remove those who cause hurt to others.
•You often wonder why God allows people to suffer.
We all need to find out what our Gift is and really pursue that… be the best we can be.
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.
(See Gifts of the Spirit Part 2 for continuation of this subject)
