Understanding Spiritual Gifts

November 1, 2015

1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-31There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-3128 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

1 Peter 4:9-11Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Romans 12:4-8For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Ephesians 4:11-13So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Introduction• Building Relationships… To Transform Lives… To Impact the

World!

• New Testament church operated by the power of the Holy Spirit

• Don’t need gifts of Spirit because we have revealed word – right?

• Should we do away with utilization of spiritual gifts today?

Why are we given Spiritual Gifts?• Spiritual Gifts were commissioned by Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:8

• Disciples could carry out His ministry objectives. John 14:12

• Gifts given to edify the church 1 Cor 14; Eph 4:12

• Distribution of gifts is completely dependent upon discretion of HS.

• Should seek specific gifts, but with right motive. 1 Cor. 14:12 

• Follow pursuit of love. 1 Cor. 14:1

• Difference between spiritual gifts & fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22-24

• Less structured, spontaneous environment in utilizing spiritual gifts

What is church history of Spiritual Gifts?

• Most churches accept variation of "motivational " & "ministry" gifts

• Others reject modern day operation of charismatic gifts

• Church History refutes notion that charismatic gifts faded away

• Irenaeus, A.D. 150 “We hear many of the brethren in the church who have prophetic gifts, and who speak in tongues… who also bring to light the secret things of men for their benefit." "When God saw it necessary, and the church prayed and fasted much, they did miraculous things, even of bringing back the spirit to a dead man."

• Souer, "Dr. Martin Luther was a prophet, evangelist, speaker in tongues, and interpreter, in one person, endowed with all the gifts of the Spirit."

What is church history of Spiritual Gifts?

• 1900’s - Mighty outpouring of Spirit - Pentecostal Movement

• 1960's – Gifts emerge in all kinds of churches - Charismatic renewal

• Spiritual gifts manifest when congregations were receptive

• Today, charismatic gifts remain available as part of God's plan for His church!

• God's "power tools," given to us to help accomplish work of ministry

What are the Spiritual Gifts?

Ministry Office Gifts - Ephesians 4:11

• Apostle: 1 Cor 12:28 - sent to new frontiers with gospel, provide leadership over churches, maintain authority over spiritual matters

• Prophet: Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:10 - speak forth the message of God to His people, having a discernment toward forth telling.

• Evangelist: a messenger of the good news of the Gospel

• Pastor: responsible for spiritually caring for, protecting, guiding, and feeding a group of believers entrusted to one's care

• Teacher: Rom 12:7; 1 Cor 12:28 - to instruct others in the Bible in a logical, systematic way so as to communicate pertinent information for true understanding and growth

Charismatic Spiritual Gifts – 1 Cor 12:8-30

• Word of Wisdom: supernaturally imparted fragment, with wisdom and prudence. Applying knowledge to make spiritual truths relevant and practical in proper decision-making and daily life situations.

• Word of Knowledge: supernaturally inspired utterance of facts.

• Faith: supernatural impartation of assurance in God. Being firmly persuaded of God's power & promises to accomplish His will & circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction

• Healing: supernatural intervention of natural laws, implies instantaneous results.

• Miracles: enabled by God to perform mighty deeds which witnesses acknowledge to be of supernatural origin and means

Charismatic Spiritual Gifts – 1 Cor 12:8-30

• Prophecy: supernaturally inspired utterance from God which never contradicts, neither is equal to written Word of God. To foretell or speak from the mind of God.  

• Discernment of Spirits: supernatural ability to discern a person's spiritual character & source of his actions and messages.  

• Different Kinds of Tongues: supernaturally imparted utterance in an unlearned language which is interpreted as a prophecy to the body for their edification.

• Interpretation of Tongues: supernatural interpretation of a message in tongues into the understandable language of the hearers

Motivational Spiritual Gifts• Administration: 1 Cor 12:28 - steer body toward

accomplishment of God-given goals by planning, organizing, and supervising

• Helps: 1 Cor 12:28 - to render support or assistance to others in the body so as to free them up for ministry

• Giving: Rom 12:8 - to share what material resources you have with liberality and cheerfulness without thought of return

• Hospitality: 1 Pet 4:9-10 - warmly welcome people into one's home/church as means of serving those in need of food or lodging

• Mercy: Rom 12:8 - sensitive toward those who are suffering, genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion and caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress

Motivational Spiritual Gifts• Service: Rom 12:7 - to identify undone tasks in God's

work, however menial, and use available resources to get the job done

• Leadership: Rom 12:8 - stand before people in such a way as to attend to direction of the body with care and diligence, to motivate others to get involved in the accomplishment of these goals

• Exhortation: Rom 12:8 - to come along side of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be

Conclusion• Eagerly desire spiritual gifts.

• God wants to use gifts through you to: Fulfill His mission Edify the church

• Hunger now for God to bring more of them.

• And… Let’s grow in the fruits of the Spirit!