DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS #3: UNWRAPPING THE GIFTS
OPENING: Discuss Beausejour Blades hockey game this past Friday night. Why did they lose? No teamwork, no training, no tenacity / passion. What’s our win as a church? Why are we here in our community? Our vision is to become a centre of love, designed for the healing of broken people, and a force for God. We want to provide hope, healing and restoration through God’s Word. But how does this happen? When all of us – the body of Christ – discover and develop our spiritual gifts! This is part of our mission (see the back of our bulletin).
OPENING TEXT:
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.” (1 Peter 4:10).
THE BIG IDEA: God has given everyone spiritual gifts. Our job is to discover and develop those gifts so that we can be a blessing to others.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT IS?
How do you know if you are functioning in your gift? Your life will be characterized by JOY.
REVIEW THE MANIFESTATION GIFTS: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12). (see session #2 for an overview of these gifts)
THE MINISTRY GIFTS: (Gifts from Jesus)
“And He Himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
KEY TEXT:
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.
• We are a family – we’re all parts of the body.
• We belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others!
• IMPORTANT NOTE: No matter what your gift is, all believers are called to serve, share truth with others, encourage people, give, and show compassion.
THE MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS: (Gifts from God the Father)
6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money (giving), share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness (mercy) to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.” (Romans 12:4-11).
1. PROPHECY: ILLUSTRATION OBJECT: lighter
Perceiver: Declares the will of God. (Not to be confused with the ‘office’ of the prophet).
• Characteristics: Quickly identifies good and evil and hates evil. Sees everything as black or white; no gray or indefinite areas. Is frank, outspoken, doesn’t mince words. Speak God’s Word with fire.
• Problems: Tends to be judgmental and blunt. Often intolerant of different views. You can use the fire to consume or warm them!
• Biblical Examples: John the Baptist, Hosea, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jonah.
2. SERVING: ILLUSTRATION OBJECT: Windex; paper towels
Server: renders practical service.
• Characteristics: Easily recognizes practical needs and is quick to meet them. Has a hard time saying no to requests. More interested in meeting others needs than their own. Feels greatest joy in doing something that is helpful. Like to be in the background.
• Problems: Easily hurt when unappreciated, finds it hard to be served by others.
• Biblical Examples: Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Not many listed = behind the scenes!
• Acts 6 describes: people full of faith, wisdom & the Holy Spirit: ministers, not slaves.
• We need your gift or we would have to pay for a janitor.
• Jesus said those who serve are the greatest in the kingdom!
3. TEACHING: ILLUSTRATION OBJECT: dictionary, handbook, Bible
Teacher: researches and teaches the Bible. (this is one of my gifts!)
• Characteristics: Presents truth in a logical, systematic way. Loves to read, study and do research. Believes truth has the intrinsic power to produce change.
• Problems: Slow to accept viewpoints of others. Can develop pride in intellectual ability.
• Biblical Examples: Jesus. Apollos (Acts 18:24-28; 1 Cor. 3:6). Luke.
4. ENCOURAGMENT: ILLUSTRATION OBJECT: stationary, Hallmark cards
Encourager: encourages personal progress.
• Characteristics: Loves to encourage others. Encourages others to develop in their personal ministries. Loves to do personal counselling. Accepts people as they are without judging them. Greatly loved because of their positive attitude.
• Problems: Tends to interrupt others in eagerness to give advice.
• Biblical Examples: Barnabas (son of encouragement - Acts 4:36; 11:22-26). Silas.
• To encourage means to give courage to someone!
5. GIVING: ILLUSTRATION OBJECT: purse & wallet
Giver: Shares material assistance.
• Characteristics: Gives freely of money, possessions, time, energy and love. Loves to give without others knowing about it. Gives only by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Gives to support and bless others or to advance a ministry. Strong belief in tithing & giving above tithes. Believes God is the Source of his supply. Natural business ability.
• Problems: Tends to pressure others to give. Tends to spoil own children/relatives.
• Biblical Examples: Abraham (Gen. 13-14). Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42). Lydia (Acts 16).
• Thank God for this gift – the work of the ministry costs money.
6. LEADERSHIP: ILLUSTRATION OBJECT: day-timer
Administrator: Gives leadership and direction.
• Characteristics: Expresses ideas and organization in ways that communicate clearly. Is a visionary person with a broad perspective. Is willing to let others get the credit in order to get a job done. Is a natural and capable leader.
• Problems: Becomes upset when others don’t share same vision. Tends to drive self.
• Biblical Examples: Joseph (Gen. 37-50). Nehemiah.
7. MERCY/COMPASSION: ILLUSTRATION OBJECT: a box of Kleenex
Compassion Person: provides personal and emotional support.
• Characteristics: Has tremendous capacity to show love. Always looks for good in people. Is attracted to people who are hurting or in distress. Takes action to remove hurts and relieve distress in others. Cries with those who cry (not many guys like this).
• Problems: Tend to take up another person’s offense. Is easily hurt by others.
• Biblical Examples: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:35-35). Jeremiah (weeping prophet).
EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENT GIFTS IN OPERATION:
Your neighbour is sick and bedridden for a month.
1. The perceiver will pray for healing, strength and endurance for her.
2. The server will take over meals, offer to do housework, run errands.
3. The teacher will bring over some good books or teaching CD’s.
4. The encourager will go right over to encourage her with Scripture.
5. The giver will bring food and other gifts, spending time talking and listening.
6. The administrator will find out what she needs and organize the neighbourhood to help.
7. The compassion person will ask how she feels, empathize, hug and weep.
OTHER GIFTS:
• Craftsmanship: to work with their hands to create, build, operate or repair things to facilitate ministry. (Exodus 31:1-5)
• Hospitality: to provide for the physical well being of others by offering lodging, food, comfort or rest. (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9; Acts 16:15)
• Intercession: to stay in close personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, and be directed into frequent and prolonged periods of prayer. (Rom. 8:26-27)
• Creativity: to communicate God’s truth through creative acts such as worship leading, musical instruments, singing, dance, drama, graphic arts. (Col. 3:16-17)
• Preaching: to be a herald, announcing the full proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel. (Mark 16:15; 2 Tim. 1:11)
• Counseling: to understand the whole counsel of the Bible well enough to be an advisor to those who seek Biblical choices. (Prov. 11:14; 24:6)
• Deliverance: to correctly discern the presence of demons and expel them. (Mark 16:17)
• Evangelist: to communicate the gospel of Christ to unbelievers in such a way that they are challenged to respond to Christ. (Eph. 4:11)
• Pastor: to guide, care for, and nurture individuals or groups as they grow in their faith.
• Prophet: to proclaim God’s truth with power for correction, repentance and edification.
• Apostle: the ability to start new churches or missions works.
CLOSING CHALLENGE: Let’s start using our gifts, and bless those around us!
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
“Discover Your God-Given Gifts” by Don & Katie Fortune
“Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts” by Pastor Dave Koop
“God, Gifts, Glory” video series by Pastor Boy Coy
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
