1 the purpose of ministry and spiritual gifts. presenter: dr. paul m. mukasa director, reseacrch and...

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THE PURPOSE OF MINISTRY

AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

PRESENTER: DR. PAUL M. MUKASA

DIRECTOR, RESEACRCH AND DEVELOPMENT

ETHIOPIA ADVENTIST COLLEGE

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I. Understanding Spiritual GiftsA. Theological foundations

1. Indispensable tools for church ministry2. Special attribute given by the Holy

Spirit3. Branches of church ministry

B. The Source: Gift of GodC. The channel: Granted by the Holy SpiritD. The receiver: Every ChristianE. The Nature: God’s graceF. Gifts and talentsG. Gifts and Fruits of the Holy SpiritH. Purpose of Spiritual Gifts.

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I. Understanding Spiritual Gifts

A.Theological foundations

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1. Indispensable tools for church ministry

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1. Indispensable Tools for church ministry

•When we talk about the Spiritual gifts, we are talking about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The two are inseparable. Eph 4:7-15. •Discussing Spiritual gifts without the Holy Spirit is attempting to drive a car without petrol. It cannot go anywhere. •Jesus said that “without me you can do nothing” John 15:4.

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•"Without the presence of the spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner be won to Christ.• On the other hand, if they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of his disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts.” Christ's Object Lessons, p. 328

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“ In visions of the night, representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God's people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. . . . Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the word of God….

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“…. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God.”—E.G.White. Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 126.

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•Hence, Talking about SG without the Holy Spirit, we are discussing cosmetics. These may be good church programs, good structures, good painted buildings, but no power to move the world.

•Every one can be engaged in the church without moving the world.

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•“When spiritual gifts are studied in their proper Biblical perspective, •the church recognizes just how dependent it is upon the Holy Spirit. •This doctrine is not something we can use and exploit at our will—even for such a worthy goal as church growth….”

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1. Indispensable Tools for church ministry•“The Holy Spirit, the author of these gifts, must be allowed to utilize them in the church as He sees fit… •It is the Holy Spirit, not we, who makes the church what it is, then guides it in what it does.” (Skip Bell, Ministry, 1987)

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•“Spiritual gifts are the tools the Lord gave to His church to do the work of the His kingdom…”•When spiritual gifts are employed harmoniously, according to biblical organizational patterns, the church is able to evangelize the world effectively” James W. Zackrison “Spiritual Gifts and the Church” Lesson Quarterly 3, January 1997.

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Jesus told promised his disciples to send the Holy Spirit. (John 16:12-14). He urged them not to go out unless they have received the holy spirit (Acts 1:4-8). When He ascended, then He descended and gave gifts for ministry (Acts 2:1-4; Eph. 4:7-15).

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• In the same way, when we talk about Spiritual gifts we are talking about the ministry of the Savior. Jesus said, “I will be with you always”

• In Eph 4:7 Paul said that the one who ascended is the same one who descended and gave gifts.

• So, Jesus is actively engaged. No Jesus, No gifts. All come in one package!



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2. Special attribute given by the Holy Spirit

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2. Special Attributes given by the Holy Spirit for use in ministry"A spiritual gift is a special

attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the body of Christ according to God's grace for use within the context of the body."— Peter Wagner. Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow, p. 42 (Italics mine)

I. Understanding Spiritual GiftsA.Theological foundations


Spirit

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3. Branches of Ministry

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"Ministers frequently neglect these important branches of the work—health reform, spiritual gifts,…. " –Evangelism, p. 256 (italics mine).

3. Branches of Ministryf




3. Branches of church ministry

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B. The Source: Gifts of God

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B. The Source: Gifts from God

“….we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. And … we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us…”Romans. 12:4-6

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B. The Source: Gifts from God

“To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift ….”

Eph. 4:7-8, 11-16




3. Branches of church ministryB.The Source: Gifts of God

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C. The Channel – Holy Spirit

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C. The Channel

Gifts are Granted through the Holy

Spirit

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There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons….

C. The Channel

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…But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. . .

C. The Channel

. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” 1Cor 12:4-11




B. The Source: Gift of GodC. The channel: Granted by the Holy Spirit

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D. The Receiver – Every Christian

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D. The Receiver

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal”1Cor 12:7 KJV

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“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1Cor 12:11 NKJV

D. The Receiver


1. Indispensable tools for church ministry2. Special attribute given by the Holy Spirit3. Branches of church ministry

B. The Source: Gift of GodC. The channel: Granted by the Holy SpiritD. The receiver: Every Christian

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E. The Nature: God’s grace

E. The Nature of Gift: God’s grace“(Eph . 1:7; 2:7, 8; Romans 3:24; Titus 2:11).

“What Is Grace?--The Lord saw our fallen condition; He saw our need of grace, and because He loved our souls, He has given us grace and peace.” {6BC 1117.8} (emphasis mine)

E. The Nature of Gift: God’s grace

“Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost. The fact that we are sinners, instead of shutting us away from the mercy and love of God, makes the exercise of His love to us a positive necessity in order that we may be saved” (ST June 5, 1893

•NOTE: The gift is a means for our salvation. It benefits the receiver before it us used to reach out to others!

To receive this grace, the heart must be right with God. Acts 8:18-22.This grace is not to be considered to be received by offering cash as an exchange, like Simon thought (Acts 8:18-22); It is God’s choice to give and gives to all as He will. It is NOT MAN’S DECISION.

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“The power of truth is to transform heart and character…the whole character is to be transformed, the image of Christ is to be revealed in words and actions. A new nature is imparted. Man is renewed after the image of Christ in righteousness and true holiness. . . . (Letter 2a, 1892). {6BC 1117.15}



B.The Source: Gift of GodC.The channel: Granted by the Holy SpiritD.The receiver: Every ChristianE. The Nature: God’s grace

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F. Gifts and Talents

Gifts and talents“It is easy to confuse spiritual gifts with natural talents. All of us possess inherited talents. Christians dedicate all their talents to the Lord, but the Holy Spirit does not always choose to convert natural talents into spiritual gifts…” Lesson Quarterly. 36

Gifts and talents “The special gifts of the Spirit are not the only talents represented in the parable. It includes all gifts and endowments, whether original or acquired, natural or spiritual. All are to be employed in Christ’s service. EGW. AA 35-46

Gifts and talents“Natural talents may be converted by the Lord into spiritual gifts. But sometimes a person is assigned spiritual gifts that are entirely different from natural talents. Sometimes the two are complementary to each other….” contd..

Gifts and talents“The difference is that spiritual gifts are

designed to be used for the advancement of the kingdom of God, even when matched

with natural talents.”

Gifts and talents…Natural talents alone may be used for personal gain or as the means of a person's lifework. There is no conflict between the two sets of gifts. The difference is that spiritual gifts are specifically assigned by the Holy Spirit.” See Exod 31:1-11; 35:30-35 Temple builders; 1Kings 7:13-14

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B. The Source: Gift of GodC. The channel: Granted by the Holy SpiritD. The receiver: Every ChristianE. The Nature: God’s graceF. Gifts and talents

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G. Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

G. Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit

The Fruits of the Spirit are not spiritual gifts – they characterize the spiritual life of a converted Christian. A Spirit filled life is not barren. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.” Gal.5:22

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B. The Source: Gift of GodC. The channel: Granted by the Holy SpiritD. The receiver: Every ChristianE. The Nature: God’s graceF. Gifts and talentsG. Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

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H. The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

H. Purpose of Spiritual Gifts.

1. The fulfillment of the Gospel Commission. Matt 28:18-20

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John 14:26 ; John 16:7 The holy spirit was promised to assist in the work of ministry.

Acts 1:4-8; Jesus told his disciples to wait before they go out until they receive the Holy Spirit

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Eph 4:7-11: When he ascended he sent the Holy Spirit to equip the church for ministry

1Cor 12:4-10 The whole Trinity is involved in this ministry through the empowerment of the believers by through Spiritual Gifts.

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H. Purpose of Spiritual Gifts


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2. They given for the unity and effective ministry of the church –Eph 4

2. For the unity and effective ministry of the church

The Equipping of the Believers for Works of Service/ministry [diakonia] (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Teach others so that they may also teach others until all may be know and practice the same. 1Cor 14:19; 2Tim 2:2

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2. For the unity and effective ministry of the churchThe edification of the whole church (Ephesians 4:12, 16). Spiritual feeding.

Jesus told Peter: “if you love me, feed my lambs.

A church that does not feed on the word becomes dwarfed. It can become a center of strife, conflict and contention among themselves. No spiritual growth. 49

2. The unity and effective

ministry of the churchThe establishment of the believers (Romans 1:11).

To be founded on solid ground that is Christ, that Satan cannot move them (Eph 4:14,15;

The encouragement of the believes (Romans 1:12). Lift the afflicted, comfort the bereaved and bring spiritual life and vitality in the church.

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2. The unity and effective ministry of the churchThe effectiveness of the whole church (1 Corinthians 12:7). To win souls, to nurture believers and bring them to maturity in Christ.

The enlargement of the church (Eph 4:16). Expansion of ministry.

The exaltation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:7). It is for God’s glory not individuals.

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NEXT, WE WILL DISCUSSSCRIPTURAL

FOUNDATIONS AND CATEGORIZATION!!

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1 the purpose of ministry and spiritual gifts. presenter: dr. paul m. mukasa director, reseacrch and...

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