GIFTED (part three)
What's interesting is when you look at the three main passages on Spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:6-8, 1st Cor. 12:7-11, chapter 14 [tongues and prophecy], Eph. 4:11-16) Paul lists them, explains where they're from and explains what they're for but he doesn't really go into defining them. So, although the definitions aren't decisively laid out in scripture, they can be determined through our understanding of the gifts themselves.
Motivational gifts: The seven gifts listed in Rom. 12:6-8, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
Prophecy, Service, Teaching, Encouraging, Giving, Leading, Mercy. Today we'll focus on the first three.
1) Prophecy.
Receiving and speaking God's message to his people, or in regard to a specific situation, person or culture. A prophet was someone who spoke authoritatively on behalf of God to reveal God's word accurately that it may impact the lives of his people. The message usually consisted of urging to repent or warning people based on what was going to take place.
OT prophecy focused on the foretelling of future events. Today, it could be if someone said this was going to happen tomorrow at Noon. But it would need to happen tomorrow at Noon in order to be legit. And obviously it had to be something previously unknown in order to be legit. I can't say, "The news will come on tomorrow at Noon". That's not prophecy; that's a known fact.
Sometimes a self-proclaimed prophet might say something totally nebulas like, "I'm getting a revelation. Somebody somewhere is dealing with something." That's not the prophetic gift.
The gift of prophecy can also be seen where God gives someone special insight into someone's personal situation; letting them know something that the person could not have known if not for God revealing it to them. This is typically followed by a message or instruction.
If the person has done something wrong chances are the Holy Spirit has already tried to move the person to doing the right thing but he's been reluctant or procrastinating. So, God will use another person to communicate his message to move the person to action.
The characteristics of the one who has this gift are they're outspoken and able to read people well. The temptations one who has this gift can have is to be proud (as it can be with many of the gifts; especially gifts like prophecy, healing or tongues) and to manufacture prophecies. There are true prophets and there are false prophets.
A good example of false prophet/true prophet scenario can be seen in the book of 1st Kings 22. King Jehoshaphat of Judah went down to see King Ahab of Israel. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat if he would join forces with him to attack Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat agreed but he first wanted to inquire from the Lord.
1st Kings 22:6-9, "So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” “Go,” they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?” The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that,” Jehoshaphat replied. So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”
The prophets answered favorably but Jehoshaphat determined they weren't speaking true prophecy; they were false prophets. And we see by Ahab's response that his idea of a prophet is someone who always says what he wants to hear; which is what his 400 crony prophets did. And it's what the one sent to get Micaiah wanted him to do too.
Vs. 13-18, "The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.” But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what the LORD tells me.”
When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” “Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for the LORD will give it into the king’s hand.” The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”
Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’ ” The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”
Ahab knew Micaiah was teasing. And in Micaiah's answer he was saying that they should not go and fight because the troops have no true shepherd; not righteous master-referring of course to King Ahab. And we see that Ahab wasn't too pleased with Michaiah's prophecy.
Then Micaiah went on to explain that he saw the throne of God and the heavenly host. And he detailed how God allowed a lying spirit to entice the 400 prophets to speak falsehood. This doesn't mean they were true prophets to begin with. They were already false prophets because they had a reputation of saying what the king wanted them to as Micaiah had a reputation of going against what Ahab's other prophets said. So, though it appeared that Ahab wanted to hear the truth, he didn't have a good reaction to Micaiah's prophecy.
Vs. 26-28, "The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’ ” Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”
And Micaiah's words came true; Ahab died in battle. You can read about that in the following verses. But it shows the contrast between false and true prophets. A false prophet is about serving his own needs or someone else's but a true prophet will say only what the Lord tells him to regardless of the response.
The OT prophets were not always popular guys. God would command his prophets to speak some harsh words and oftentimes the kings had some pretty heated responses. Isaiah is said to have met his end by being sawed in two by wicked King Manasseh. But the threat of torture and death didn't stop them from saying only what God commissioned them to say. This, along with the fulfillment of the prophecy mark a true prophet today.
2) Service.
To attach spiritual value to the accomplishment of physical tasks within the body of Christ. The ability to demonstrate love by meeting practical needs. "What can I do to help?"
In my section last week on using our primary gift, I read Acts 6:1-4 about how the widow's needs weren't being met but the Apostles needed to focus on praying and the ministry of the word so they delegated the work to seven chosen men. Interestingly, the Greek word used to describe the responsibility of these seven men is the verb from which the noun, 'deacon' comes from. Deacon means servant.
We all should serve but a deacon or someone with the gift of service has a natural pull in the direction of wanting to be useful in just about any capacity for the benefit of the kingdom. They're not about being recognized for their service; they are willing to work behind the scenes without anyone knowing what they're doing. Their joy comes in knowing they've been able to help someone.
And even though they aren't doing it for recognition, it often gets recognized. In his letters, Paul made sure to recognize people who helped him. In Acts 9 we see something special happen with someone who had the gift of service.
Acts 9:36-42, "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord."
I think one of the key words revealing that Tabitha had the gift of service is, 'always' in vs. 36. Obviously that doesn't mean 24/7 but it implies that her primary focus was serving and helping others. And she made an impact with those in her area. These people were weeping over the loss of their good friend.
They showed Peter her works of practical service. It was their way of showing that she was an unbelievable asset to the community. Their tears weren't shallow tears-weeping just because they lost someone who did things for them; they were heartfelt. That's what having the gift of service does-it makes an impact. You might think your little contribution isn't making a big difference but it is. [Twins-knitting].
And we see how God used Peter to bring her back to life. And I think the purpose was two-fold: to allow Tabitha more years of being able to serve and to bring people to Christ; as vs. 42 states. How have you benefited from those who have the gift of service? How have you showed them that you appreciate their service? This is Memorial Day week-end; a time we recognize those who served in the military. Let's not forget to honor those who have given their all in service to the Lord.
3) Teaching.
Someone who searches out and evaluates truth. They're able to give a detailed explanation of biblical truth. People with this gift are inquisitive; they would ask, 'where did you get that information' or 'how do you know that'? They love study and research. They don't just want to know the truth, they want to know why and how something is true. They're trying to determine things on a deeper level.
Those who have the gift of teaching not only possess the gifts of knowledge and wisdom but they also have the ability to successfully impart that information to others. They have the ability to clearly present God's truth. A Teacher has the ability to impart biblical knowledge in a way that causes others to grasp it's truth, concepts and applications. They are looking to teach someone to develop their talent and potential.
Acts 18:24-28, "Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.
When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."
Apollos was an educated man. He had a thorough knowledge of the OT. He had come under instruction about Jesus and was convinced that Jesus was a speaker of the truth and so he taught what Jesus taught. Then he encountered the husband and wife team of Priscilla and Aquila. They could see that Apollos was an educated man but he didn't know some things about Jesus.
We know he didn't know about being baptized in Jesus' name but it is suggested that although he knew about the teachings of Jesus, he probably didn't know about the finished work of Christ on the cross and his resurrection. So, they taught him the way of Christ more fully.
Then, Apollos, now more fully taught, took what he had gained and went to Achaia. When he arrived on the scene Apollos helped the believers and vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate regarding the authenticity of Jesus as the Messiah.
Apollos was on fire; he had a burning desire to teach and debate and convince others that Jesus was the one they had been waiting for. His great scripture knowledge gave him the ability to have rebuttals for anyone who would try to argue with him.
But what's important to note about Apollos was that although he was educated and had a thorough knowledge of the scriptures he was also humble. When he came across Priscilla and Aquila he was open to being taught. We need to be that way.
One of the dangers with those who have gifts like knowledge and teaching is that they can think they know more than anyone else and therefore become prideful. They want to be the teachers; not the students; especially if the one doing the teaching is a lay person and not a Rabbi or professor.
But the one who thinks wisely will always be hungry and thirsty to know more. They will realize that there is always more to be gained. And if they are taught something that counters what they've come to know as true, they will investigate it and determine if they are wrong. That's humility and wisdom combined.
It doesn't matter how long I've believed something, if you can show me a better way I need to be open to it. If you can show me something that reveals I've believed in error, I need to humbly accept that. What good does it do me to hold onto to something that's not true just because I've thought that it was for years?
I've had those experiences where I've believed something doctrinally for years but when I was challenged to look at it in a different light I saw the light. Sometimes we believe things simply because that's what we were taught and we never questioned it. Paul commended the Bereans because they didn't just take Paul at his word.
Acts 17:11, "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
Paul wasn't offended that his teaching was not just automatically accepted; he saw the Bereans as noble. I would say the same. By all means, go and study one your own and if you see somewhere where you think I've made a mistake, come and talk to me.
I don't want to present the truth incorrectly; I want to do what Paul told Timothy to do in 2nd Tim. 2:15, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Another thing teachers need to watch out for is looking at the scriptures merely from a teaching standpoint and not from a personal one. Looking for things to learn and lessons to teach more so than for personal reflection and engagement with the author.
Another problem may be always presenting material from a deep, theological perspective without first recognizing their audience and teaching them where they're at. Since those with the gift of teaching also possess the gift of knowledge we might think because we understand it clearly we assume others will understand it just as clearly. We need to realize that's not always the case.
And we need to present our material so that it's easy for our audience to grasp. What good does it do if it goes over your head? Plus, although I've spent some time learning, studying and preparing, you haven't studied my material; you haven't gone over my questions. So as I'm presenting my material, you might be seeing it or hearing it for the first time. It's not fresh to me but it is to you and I need to take that into consideration when presenting it.
This principle is true for anyone who is well versed in something vs. those who are looking at it for the first time. This is good for all of us to understand because we are all teachers to some degree; especially if we're sharing the gospel. We may have been reading the bible for years but maybe the person we're with has never read it.
So when we use words like sanctification or divinity the other person develops a blank look on their face. Biblical or theological words might be in our vocabulary but they might be completely foreign to our audience. So, we need to choose words that they will be able to understand. So, instead of saying, 'sanctification', just give the definition, 'the process of becoming like Jesus'.
We break it down so they can get it. And we should ask them if they get it. We have to do that with our kids, right? We can't talk to little kids like they're adults; they won't understand. So, we meet them where they're at. When we meet people at their level then our words won't sound like Charlie Brown's teacher.
So, one of the markings of a good teacher is their ability to make the material relative, easy to understand and clear to apply.
Think of the teachers you considered good teachers when you were in school. Which ones inspired you the most and why? Did they break things down so you could understand them? Maybe they invested extra time with you and showed you that they cared about you as an individual. Whatever it was-those traits are ones that come more naturally to those who have the gift of teaching.
