mclean university mclean bible church welcome to… christianity 401 serving in your god-given...
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McLean UniversityMcLean UniversityMcLean Bible ChurchMcLean Bible Church
Welcome to…Welcome to…
Christianity 401Christianity 401
Serving In Your Serving In Your
God-given MinistryGod-given Ministry
Instructor: Pastor Rick HeleinInstructor: Pastor Rick Helein
[email protected]@mcleanbible.org
703-489-7107 (cell)703-489-7107 (cell)
McLean UniversityMcLean UniversityMcLean Bible ChurchMcLean Bible Church
What are Spiritual Gifts?What are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit and distributed to every believer according to God’s design and
grace for the common good of the body of Christ.
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Scripture Tells USScripture Tells US
Spiritual gifts are:Spiritual gifts are:
God givenGod given 1 1 Corinthians 12:11 - God gives at least one gift to - God gives at least one gift to eacheach of His children when they of His children when they
receive the Holy Spirit at salvationreceive the Holy Spirit at salvation - We can’t choose or earn them
SupernaturalSupernatural 1 Corinthians 12:7 - - They are special abilities or dThey are special abilities or divine endowments from the Holy from the Holy
Spirit to fulfill God’s purposes Spirit to fulfill God’s purposes
Given to build up the Body of ChristGiven to build up the Body of Christ 11 Peter 4:10-11 - Not meant for ourselves - Not meant for ourselves
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Spiritual Gifts Spiritual Gifts
They are not talents, skills or They are not talents, skills or natural abilitiesnatural abilities– Natural abilities given to everyone by God at
physical birth, spiritual gifts given only to believers at spiritual birth
– Sometimes our talents and abilities do enhance our spiritual gifts
– Only the Holy Spirit can bring about supernatural spiritual results in a believers life
– Spiritual gifts are often unrelated to our natural talents so that God will get the glory
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Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts
They are not Spiritual Disciplines
– Every believer should develop good spiritual habits such as prayer, bible study, fellowship
– Spiritual disciplines strengthen the individual, spiritual gifts strengthen others
Spiritual discipline Spiritual giftPrayer ------ FaithBible study ------ KnowledgeFasting ------ Mercy
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Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts
They are not titles or ministry positionsThey are not titles or ministry positions– Titles indicate general roles, spiritual Titles indicate general roles, spiritual
gifts indicate specific functionsgifts indicate specific functions
Ministry PositionMinistry Position Spiritual GiftSpiritual Gift
Pastor ----- TeachingPastor ----- Teaching
Small group leader ----- ShepherdingSmall group leader ----- Shepherding
Mercy team leader ----- EncouragementMercy team leader ----- Encouragement
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Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts
They are not THE fruit of the spiritThey are not THE fruit of the spirit
Example – love, joy, peace, patience, Example – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulnesskindness, goodness, faithfulness
– Fruits of the Spirit are inward Fruits of the Spirit are inward characteristics of the believers heartcharacteristics of the believers heart
– Spiritual gifts are task-orientated functions Spiritual gifts are task-orientated functions that God has equipped us to perform in that God has equipped us to perform in serviceservice
– Both are necessary for effective ministryBoth are necessary for effective ministry
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Activity: 16-18Activity: 16-18
Group discussionGroup discussion
Read 1 Corinthians 12: 1-Read 1 Corinthians 12: 1-3131
Two Kinds of Gifts-20
Permanent edifying or “service ” gifts– These gifts are in use today
Temporary confirming or “sign ” gifts– These gifts were used by God to
authenticate the gospel and it’s messengers during the early church. They are not in use today
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Permanent / Edifying Gifts-Permanent / Edifying Gifts-1919
Serving WisdomServing Wisdom
Teaching KnowledgeTeaching Knowledge
Exhortation DiscernmentExhortation Discernment
Giving AdministrationGiving Administration
Leadership EvangelismLeadership Evangelism
Mercy FaithMercy Faith
PastorPastor//ShepherdShepherd
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Confirming / Sign Gifts -20,49Confirming / Sign Gifts -20,49
Sign giftsSign gifts
– Speaking in tonguesSpeaking in tongues– Interpretation of tonguesInterpretation of tongues– Works of healings and miraclesWorks of healings and miracles– Prophets and ApostlesProphets and Apostles
Sign gifts were not given by God to be used as Sign gifts were not given by God to be used as part of normative church worship and servicepart of normative church worship and service
Lon Solomon’s tape set, “Tongues, Healings, and Miracles”
Gift of Being an Apostle p. 21
Label of being called an Apostle is being misapplied today– Today’s missionaries are not Apostles
– Apostles were a gift to the first century church
– Apostles specifically appointed by Christ – Primary qualification is to have seen the
risen Lord
Gift of Being an Apostle
Apostles had unlimited authority over the entire early church
Apostles were able to perform miracles Not everyone who claimed to be an
Apostle in the early church passed the test
Apostles were the foundation of the church
Gift of Being a Prophet p.22
Purpose of a prophet was to foretell the future and receive new information directly from God then communicate that to mankind
God communicates to us today through His word – not through prophets
A prophet must be able to predict the future with 100% accuracy, without error, EVER
Old Testament men who claimed to be prophets who made even one mistake were stoned to death
Gift of Miracles p. 23
Definition – God setting aside His natural law to do whatever He pleases– Moses parting the Red Sea– Jesus walking on Water
God usually works within His natural law to supernaturally answer our prayers
Person with gift of miracles would need to be able to set aside natural law at will, immediately, completely and publicly
Gift of Miracles
Only three times in history of the world has God poured out true miracles– Time of Moses and Joshua– Time of Elijah and Elisha– Time of Christ and the Apostles
God used miracles to authenticate His message and messengers
Gift of Miracles
Miracles in the bible were performed immediately
A person with the gift of miracles would need to be able to set aside God’s natural laws immediately, completely and publicly
God can and does perform miracles
Gift of Healing-p.27-28
Success of the healing was not determined by the faith of the person being healed
Scriptural healing was done in public before unbelievers
Healings were immediate, instantaneous and complete
The healing was for many illnesses including organic diseases
Sometimes God will have us sick for His purposes
Jesus went to where the sick were Jesus could heal everyone who he encountered Everyone who healed could do it at any time
they wanted to
Speaking in Tongues p. 24-26
Gift of tongues is the supernatural ability to speak in a human language not previously known to the individual-chapter 13 is hyperbole used by Paul to admonish the Corinthians.
Acts 2:6,8 is the only place in the bible where the gift is described in detail as to how it operates– Human language was being spoken such that
those who knew the language understood it No indication in scripture that “tongues” is an
angelic or private prayer language
Speaking Tongues
When Angels spoke anywhere in the bible they used human language.
Private devotional use of tongues is not in keeping with spiritual gifts– Gifts are to used for serving others,
not yourself – Tongues described in 1 Cor. 14 were
always used evangelistically in a public setting
1 Cor. 13:8 says tongues will cease “complete comes” adjective - Cannon
““Since we have gifts that differ according to the Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:them accordingly:
1.1. If Prophesy, according to the proportion of his If Prophesy, according to the proportion of his faith;faith;
2.2. If service [helping], in his serviceIf service [helping], in his service
3.3. Or he who teaches, in his teachingOr he who teaches, in his teaching
4.4. Or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;Or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;
5.5. He who gives, with liberality;He who gives, with liberality;
6.6. He who leads [rules or administers], with He who leads [rules or administers], with diligencediligence
7.7. He who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”He who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Seven Motivational Gifts-Seven Motivational Gifts-1717
We each have one of these gifts as our primary We each have one of these gifts as our primary motivation and ministry (although we can have motivation and ministry (although we can have secondary motivational gifts)secondary motivational gifts)
We must use them – according to the grace We must use them – according to the grace we've been given, in faith, and with sound we've been given, in faith, and with sound judgment.judgment.
We should be secure in our gift – its strengths We should be secure in our gift – its strengths and weaknesses – without envy or trying to be and weaknesses – without envy or trying to be like someone else with a differing gift.like someone else with a differing gift.
Gifts match our core motivation (what makes you Gifts match our core motivation (what makes you light up!), which also match our calling (area of light up!), which also match our calling (area of ministry)ministry)
OUR INDIVIDUAL OUR INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVEPERSPECTIVE
Each of these seven gifts are necessary for a Each of these seven gifts are necessary for a healthy church (the Body of Christ) and are healthy church (the Body of Christ) and are to be vital parts of every church.to be vital parts of every church.
They must be ubiquitous and allowed full They must be ubiquitous and allowed full expression in a church- and its meetings, its expression in a church- and its meetings, its structure, its ministries, its leadership and in structure, its ministries, its leadership and in its day-to-day life as a communityits day-to-day life as a community
No one gift (or gifted person!) is to dominate No one gift (or gifted person!) is to dominate over the others.over the others.
The absence of even one gift means a The absence of even one gift means a crippled church.crippled church.
The body of Christ’s The body of Christ’s PerspectivePerspective
Gift Motivations Means Fruit
Prophetic Transparency & change
Assert what is true, Just & real
Vision
Teacher Understanding & stability
Detailed knowledge & comprehension
Wisdom
Helper Serving & blessing
Fulfill Tasks & meet needs
Completion
Exhorter Peace & harmony Relationships & Encouraging Others
Cohesion
Giver Resources & Creativity
Generate life & seize opportunities
Vitality
Ruler Propriety & Practicality
Rules, structure & Administration
Order
Mercy Intimacy & Grace Compassion, Kindness & Empathy
Acceptance
If those with prophetic gifts are muzzled…If those with prophetic gifts are muzzled…
Your church, your meetings and your life will Your church, your meetings and your life will lack transparency and visionlack transparency and vision
If the Teachers are not encouraged to explain…If the Teachers are not encouraged to explain…
Your church, your meetings and your life will Your church, your meetings and your life will lack understanding and wisdomlack understanding and wisdom
If the helpers are not honored as they serve…If the helpers are not honored as they serve…
Your church, your meetings and your life will Your church, your meetings and your life will lack blessings and things will never reach lack blessings and things will never reach completion.completion.
ApplicationApplication
If the exhorters are not free to reach out and If the exhorters are not free to reach out and relate…relate…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack Your church, your meetings and your life will lack harmony and social cohesionharmony and social cohesion
If the givers are prevented from presenting If the givers are prevented from presenting opportunities…opportunities…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack Your church, your meetings and your life will lack resources, vibrancy and vitalityresources, vibrancy and vitality
If those gifted at ruling are not allowed to If those gifted at ruling are not allowed to administer…administer…
Your church, your meetings and your life will lack Your church, your meetings and your life will lack decency, structure and order.decency, structure and order.
ApplicationApplication
And if those who bring mercy are And if those who bring mercy are not esteemed…not esteemed…
Your church, your meetings and Your church, your meetings and your life will lack intimacy and your life will lack intimacy and grace and will never lay hold of grace and will never lay hold of the full acceptance of the Father – the full acceptance of the Father – or each other– which is available or each other– which is available through Christthrough Christ
ApplicationApplication
Uniquely You
Every believer has at least one gift.
Many have a combination called a gift mix– Mercy – encouragement – hospitality– Administration – leadership – wisdomWARNING- Gift Projection
Next 2 WeeksNext 2 Weeks
UNWRAPPING THE UNWRAPPING THE GIFTSGIFTS
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McLean UniversityMcLean UniversityMcLean Bible ChurchMcLean Bible Church
Welcome to… Week 3Welcome to… Week 3
Christianity 401Christianity 401
Serving In Your Serving In Your
God-given MinistryGod-given Ministry
Instructor: Pastor Rick HeleinInstructor: Pastor Rick Helein
[email protected]@mcleanbible.org
703-489-7107 (cell)703-489-7107 (cell)
Uniquely You
Every believer has at least one gift.
Many have a combination called a gift mix– Mercy – encouragement – hospitality– Administration – leadership – wisdomWARNING- Gift Projection
Service/Helps
Supernatural ability to accomplish practical and necessary tasks which minister to and meet the needs of others
Service/Helps
Receives great joy in meeting the needs of others
Serves behind the scenes as needed Senses God’s purposes and pleasure in
meeting everyday responsibilities Attaches spiritual value to practical
service Interested in serving God by blessing
others
Service/HelpsTraits: Available, selfless, willing, helpful,
reliable, loyal, dependable, whatever-it-takes attitude
Cautions Takes on too much Finds it difficult to say no Be a servant, not a martyr
Teaching
Supernatural ability to communicate biblical truth in a way that leads to spiritual results in people’s lives
Teaching
Communicate biblical truth that inspires greater obedience to God’s Word
Challenge listeners with truths of scripture
Loves to study scripture and present what they discover
Have a deep understanding of God’s truth
Teaching
Traits: Disciplined, perceptive, practical, analytical,
articulate
Cautions: Needs to avoid pride that may result from
“superior” bible knowledge Needs to remember their spirituality is not
measured by how much they know Could become too detailed and fail to make
life application
Encouragement/Exhortation
Supernatural ability to strengthen, comfort, or urge action to those
who are discouraged or wavering in their faith
Encouragement/Exhortation
Come to the side to those who are discouraged to strengthen and reassure them
Challenge, comfort or confront others to trust and hope in promises of God
Motivate others to grow Emphasize God’s promises and
have confidence in his will
Encouragement/Exhortation
Traits:Positive, motivating, challenging,
affirming, reassuring, supportive, trustworthy
Cautions:Can sometimes be overly optimistic,
simplistic, or flatteringShould take time to understand where
others are and what they really need
Giving
Provide resources generously and cheerfully, trusting God for His provision
Supports the work of ministry with sacrificial gifts to advance the Kingdom by managing their finances and limiting their lifestyle
Giving
Traits:Wise stewardship, responsible, resourceful,
charitable, trust in God, disciplined
Cautions:Need to remember the church’s agenda is
determined by leaders, not by the givers gift
The power of money
Leadership
Supernatural ability to cast a spiritual vision, communicate it, and then motivate people to make that vision a reality.
Leadership
Provides direction to God’s people or ministry
Motivates others to perform to the best of their ability
Able to communicate the big picture
Able to set and motivate others to achieve goals
LeadershipTraits:Influential, diligent, visionary,
trustworthy, persuasive, motivating
Cautions: Needs to focus attention on relational
capabilities Needs to remember the biblical model
of the servant leader Do not need to be in a leadership
position to use this gift
Mercy
Supernatural ability to help those who are suffering or in need, having compassion and a tender heart that is moved to action
Mercy
Focus on alleviating the sources of pain or discomfort in suffering people
Address the needs of the lonely and forgotten
Extend love, grace and dignity to those facing hardships and crisis
Serve in difficult circumstances and do so cheerfully
Mercy
Traits:Empathetic, caring, responsive, kind,
compassionate, sensitive, burden-bearing
Cautions: Needs to guard against feeling
unappreciated since some people helped do not show appreciation
Mercy
Cautions: Needs to be aware that rescuing
people from their pain can sometimes hinder God’s work in that person– Repeated sin & bad choices always
have consequences
– Exercising “tough love” may be required at times
Hospitality
Supernatural ability to care and minister to people by providing fellowship, food and shelter
Hospitality
Seems to always be ready and willing to invite guests over or offer their homes for a place to meet
Finds deep satisfaction in providing refreshments or preparing meals
Tirelessly serves others to make them feel comfortable and encouraged
Hospitality
Traits– Sociable, flexible, gracious
Cautions– Avoid ignoring your own family and
personal needs by constantly inviting others over to your home
Wisdom
Supernatural ability to effectively apply spiritual truth to meet a need in a specific situation
Wisdom
Can apply biblical truths to the circumstances of life
Can focus on unseen consequences in determining the next steps to take
Provides God given solutions in the midst of conflict and confusion
WisdomTraits:Sensible, insightful, practical, wise, fair,
experienced, common sense
Cautions: Need to avoid having others develop a
dependence upon them which may weaken their faith in God
Need to be patient with others who do not have this gift
McLean UniversityMcLean UniversityMcLean Bible ChurchMcLean Bible Church
Welcome to… Week 4Welcome to… Week 4
Christianity 401Christianity 401
Serving In Your Serving In Your
God-given MinistryGod-given Ministry
Instructor: Pastor Rick HeleinInstructor: Pastor Rick Helein
[email protected]@mcleanbible.org
703-489-7107 (cell)703-489-7107 (cell)
Knowledge
Supernatural ability to bring truth to the Body of Christ through deep insight into the Word of
God
Knowledge
Ability to search the scriptures for divine insight and understanding
Can apply biblical truths to the circumstances of life
Knowledge
Traits:Inquisitive, responsive, observant,
insightful, reflective, truthful, spiritually sensitive
Cautions:Need to be careful of this gift leading
to pride, “knowledge puffs up”
Faith
Supernatural ability to trust in God’s promises with confidence and unwavering belief in God’s ability to fulfill his purposes
Faith
Believe in the promises of God and inspire others to the same
Act in complete confidence of God’s ability to overcome obstacles
Have an attitude of trust in God’s will
Have a deep dependence on God’s Word
Faith
Traits:Prayer warrior, optimistic, trusting,
assured, positive, inspiring, hopeful
Cautions:
Should remember that those who speak with reason and desire to plan do not necessarily lack faith
Discernment
Able to see clearly through a confusing situation
Can detect when something or someone does not line up with God’s truth
Can distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure
Can identify deception in others with accuracy
Discernment
Traits:Perceptive, insightful, sensitive, intuitive,
decisive
Cautions:May struggle with how to express their
perceptions and feelingsCould be harsh when confronting others,
instead of speaking the truth in love
Administration
Supernatural ability to understand what makes an organization function, and the special ability to plan and execute
procedures that accomplish the goals of the ministry
Administration
Can organize people, tasks or events
Develops strategies and plans to reach goals
Assists ministries to become more effective and efficient
Can create order out of organizational chaos
AdministrationTraits:Thorough, objective, responsible,
organized, goal oriented, efficient, conscientious
Cautions:
Could fail to see God’s purposes being fulfilled in the process of meeting a goal
Could use people simply to accomplish goals without being concerned for their growth in the process
Supernatural ability to communicate the gospel in a way that results in people accepting Christ
Evangelism
Evangelism
Communicates the message of Christ with clarity and conviction
Seeks out opportunities to talk to unbelievers about spiritual matters
Challenges unbelievers to faith and to become fully devoted followers of Christ
Adapts the presentation of the gospel to connect with the individual’s needs
Seeks opportunities to build relationships with unbelievers
Evangelism
Traits:Sincere, candid, respected, influential, confident
Cautions: Needs to remember that the Holy Spirit, not
guilt, is the motivator in a person’s decision for Christ
Needs to listen carefully because the same approach is not appropriate for everyone
Should avoid becoming critical of others who do not have this gift
Pastor / Shepherd
Supernatural ability to nurture, care for and guide people toward maturity in their spiritual journey
Pastor/Shepherd
Provides guidance and oversight to a group of God’s people
Models with their life what it means to become a fully devoted follower of Christ
Establishes trust, loyalty and confidence through long term relationships
Leads and protects those within their span of care
Pastor/Shepherd
Traits:Nurturing, guiding, protective,
supportive, relational
Cautions: Needs to be aware that the desire
to feed and support others can make it difficult to say “no”
Pitfalls and Cautions
Assuming we are automatically useful to God– “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John
15:5) As a reason not to do something
– All of us are to show mercy, share our faith, be encouraging…
Wrong view of our gift– “…do not think of yourself more highly
than you ought…” (Romans 12:3)