“The Gifted”
Eph 4, 1 Pet 4, 1 Cor 12, Rom 12
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3
II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6
A. Walk in Unity
1. Exhortation to united walk worthy of our high calling 1
2. Characteristics of a united worthy walk 2-3
3. Unifying factors of the church 4-6
4. Individual gifting for the church 7-16
REVIEW
1. Every Christian has been individually gifted by Christ. 4:7
2. Jesus descended to earth and rescued us in order to gift us. 4:8
3. Christ's ascension enables him to permeate and gift the body 4:9-10
4. Jesus gifts the body with gifted leaders. 4:11
5. God gifts leaders to equip members to serve and encourage the body. 4:12
6. We serve and encourage until we attain unity of the faith, knowledge of Christ, maturity, Christlikeness4:13
7. Faithful equipping prevents unstable thinking and living. 4:14
8. Consistent teaching motivates continual growth in Christ 4:15
9. Jesus empowers and nourishes the body 4:16
10. The body grows by the efficient working of individual members 4:16
Spiritual Gifts
What is a spiritual gift?
The topic of spiritual gifts is found in 4 key passages – Eph 4, 1 Peter 4, 1 Cor 12, Rom 12.
The word used in relations to gift is the same Greek word for grace (charis) or blessing.
It is a term applied broadly in connection with the basis of our Salvation to daily empowerment to live the Christian life.
In this case, it is applied to empowerment for specific functioning in the body of Christ.
Just as we need the various systems in our physical body i.e. Respiratory, skeletal, circulatory the body of Christ flourishes by the proper working of various gifts in the body.
A spiritual gift is a special aptitude or ability assigned to each individual member by the Holy Spirit at conversion to serve the body of Christ.
Principles related to all the gifts
"To EACH ONE of us grace was given according to Christ's gift." Eph 4
"As EACH ONE has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4
"To EACH ONE is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." 1 Cor 12:7
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to EACH a measure of faith…Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, EACH of us is to exercise them accordingly” Romans 12:3, 6
• Everyone is gifted.
• Not everyone has the same gift or measure of gifting by Jesus
• The Holy Spirit determines and dispenses the gifts according to his will.
• The gifts are distributed for the benefit of the body of Christ not the individual member.
• Love is the overriding factor for all the gifts.
There are some obvious implications flowing out of these verses.
• Complacency (failing to employ gifts) is not an option. God intends us to employ them.
• Comparison and competition with others is futile not to mention sinful.
It is by God's favor not our fervor that we have been gifted
• Coveting is forbidden since gifts are determined and distributed by the Holy Spirit.
• Cooperation is vital since we are interconnected.
• Conceit (self-focus) is prohibited. Gifts are for the benefit of the body.
Principles related to specific gifts
Paul provides a key to understanding how all passages on gift work together.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Cor12:4-7
Paul mentions three categories in this passage; gifts, ministries and effects.
All three apply to the gifted believer.
Every member of the body has been gifted.
Each member of the body functions in a particular kind of ministry.
The Holy Spirit brings about various “effects” through their core gifting and current ministry.
Some feel the things listed in the four passages are not exhaustive in nature.
There may be more gifts not mentioned.
NOTE
Some make a big deal out of discovering you spiritual gift.
My personal opinion is that more important is out consistent connection to Jesus and our walk by the power of the Holy Spirit.
When we are living by the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we will automatically function in our gifting whether we know it or not.
Know it helps us understand why we may feel the way we do about things an also understand why other are so passionate about he way they see things.
I currently think there is a connection between these three categories and the four key passages that address spiritual gifts.
Ephesians 4 indicates that Christ has gifted every member of the body with gifts.
Romans 12 offers a list of 7 particular gifts.
Ephesians 4 also seem to indicate God assigns particular ministries to these gifted members.
Apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor/teacher
The later part of 1 Cor 12 indicates additional ministries God establishes in the church.
And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28
These appear to differ from the “effects” mentioned earlier in the passage.
They appear to be appointments within the church which we would call ministries or areas of service.
Again, I don’t feel that they are necessarily all inclusive here.
I don’t understand the ministries of some of them.
Some perhaps were more necessary in early development of the church.
They are ministers appointed by God for the church.
Whereas ministries might change – gifting seems to be the same.
The final category is expanded on in the earlier part of 1 Corinthians where Paul lists a number of Spirit manifestations in the course of those serving the body out of their individual gifting.
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:6-11
1 Peter provides a general overview and overriding principles regarding the exercise of gifts.
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
Peter breaks the fits into two basic categories; speaking gifts and serving gifts.
He encourages the body to responsibly employ their gift for the benefit of the body.
If you have a speaking gift – speak with God’s words.
If you have a serving gift – serve with God’s strength.
We learned in Ephesians the every member has been gifted as essential part of the effective functioning of Christ’s body on this earth.
Each member is essential.
Each member is dependent on every other member.
When each member functions out of their specific gifting in their specific God appointed ministry with the needed effects of the Holy Spirit, the body grows in number, effectiveness and love.
Ever member must employ their specific gifting.
Every member must be engaged in some kind of ministry.
Every member must be surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s direction and empowerment.
Some ask whether we will have more than one gift.
If my understanding of gifting is correct (and it may not be) everything we do is driven by our gifting.
Our gifting provides the passion for how we see and do things in ministry.
We feel energized when we function according to our gifting.
When we function outside of our basic gifting we become more easily drained.
Let us look into some greater detail into the specific gifts mentioned in Romans 12.
It is important to note here that every member of the body has a responsibility to cultivate the functions mentioned in Romans 12.
Every Christian is expected and commanded to function in all seven areas.
? Perceive and proclaim truth
? Serve one another
? Teach one another
? Exhort one another daily
? Live an orderly life
? Give of our resources to the Lord's work
? Demonstrate mercy and compassion on all
SEVEN MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS OF ROMANS 12
PROPHECY – the faithful perceiver
SERVING - the serving server
TEACHING – the teaching teacher
ENCOURAGEMENT – the encouraging encourager
GIVING – the generous giver
ADMINISTRATION – the diligent administrator
MERCY – the cheerful shower of mercy
