“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31
“For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.” 1 Corinthians 7:7
A. MANY PURPOSES FOR FAITH
1. Get more faith. “From faith to faith” (Romans 1:17).
a. Intensity, you get more faith.
b. Variety, you get different kinds of faith.
2. When faith is not enough. “Oh, you of little faith” (Matthew 14:31).
3. When faith is unable. “Weak in faith” (Romans 14:1).
4. Most believers have faith for a few tasks, but not all faith for all tasks.
B. FAITH ACCORDING TO OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTEDNESS (ABILITIES)
1. We can grow our spiritual gifts. “Desire earnestly the best gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31).
a. Intensity, to use all gifts more effectively.
b. Variety, to manifest different gifts.
2. Each has an identifying gift. “Everyone has his proper gift” (1 Corinthians 7:7).
3. All have all gifts embryonically:
a. The gift is the Holy Spirit and all believers have Him (Romans 8:4).
b. The Bible commands us to do all ministries. God wouldn’t give us a responsibility without the ability.
4. Faith to use your unique gifts to do different tasks. “Having then different expressions of faith according to the gifts that are given to us” (Romans 12:3, 5, ELT).
C. THE TASK OF FAITH
1. Evangelism:
a. Faith is obedience to God’s command.
b. Church outreach. “Go ... make disciples of all ethnic groups” (Matthew 28:19, ELT).
c. Individuals. “He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).
d. Billy Graham and soul winners.
2. Serving or ministering to people (dikonia):
a. Faith to see God work in others.
b. “Or ministry, let us use it (faith) in our ministering” (Romans 12:7). “God has appointed these in the church ... helps” (1 Corinthians 12:28).
c. Ushers, deacons, women’s ministry.
3. Counseling or mercy showing:
a. Faith to see God work through sympathy, empathy, or mentoring.
b. “He that showeth mercy” (Romans 12:8).
c. Counselors, women’s ministry.
4. Teaching or Bible explanation:
a. The passion to study to know and share truth from scripture.
b. “God hath dealt the measure of faith ... on teaching” (Romans 12:3, 7). “And He gave some ... teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). “Though I have the gift ... and understand all knowledge and all mysteries and though I have all faith” (1 Corinthians 13:2).
c. Uses faith for spiritual illumination of scriptures, both to know and to share.
5. Exhortation and encouragement:
a. Positive and practical. Faith to encourage people to overcome difficulties and live for God.
b. “God hath dealt ... the measure of faith ... he that exhorteth” (Romans 12:3, 8).
6. Prophecy, correction, warning rebuke, preaching.
a. To be jealous for God’s reputation and His law.
b. “Let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith” (Romans 12:3, 6).
7. Shepherding, pastoring, leading:
a. Includes pastors, and those who do pastoring tasks.
b. “And he gave some … pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11).
c. Faith to see God’s work in a corporate congregation and individuals.
d. A Sunday school teacher is the extension of the pastor’s ministry into the life of the class.
8. Administration, managing, directing:
a. Faith to use the right person in the right place at the right time, to do the right job, in the right way.
b. “God hath dealt the measure of faith . . . he that ruleth” (Romans 12: 3, 8) “governments” (1 Corinthians 12:28).
9. Giving, supporting:
a. Faith to give money to accomplish God’s purpose.
b. “God hath dealt the measure of faith ... he that giveth” (Romans 12:3, 8).
10. Overcome obstacles, property, and things:
a. Faith to eliminate obstacles that hinder the work of God.
b. “Though I have all faith ... to remove mountains
(1 Corinthians 13:2). “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove ... it shall remove” (Matthew 17:20).
11. Pain, suffering, affliction:
a. Faith to glorify God through suffering.
b. “The trial of your faith” (I Peter 1:7). “Trying of your faith” (James 1:3).
12. Martyrdom, persecution:
a. Faith to glorify God when persecuted.
b. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake” (Matthew 5:11).
APPLICATION OF FAITH
1. To have a vision/dream of task.
2. To make life-changing decisions.
3. To become intimate with God.
4. To manage your time, talent, and treasures for God.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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