Spiritual gifts are given by God to build up the church and impact the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit empowers each believer with distinctive gifts and ministries.
Before Christ we are wired to consume. When we meet Christ we are wired to serve. We have been gifted to make a contribution vs. constantly consuming. The eternal consequences of Christian service compel us to serve around Casas and in the community.
Jesus described Himself as a servant and urged His followers to serve one another (Luke 22:25–27). The apostle Paul connected serving one another to the Great Commandment (Galatians 5:13–14). “Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 12:1-13).
What is the difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents? Natural talents result from physical creation. Spiritual gifts are given through spiritual re-creation. Natural talents are often the vehicle through which spiritual gifts can be used.
The spiritual gifts are found in three separate passages in the New Testament (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12–14; and Ephesians 4). The lists are not exactly identical. Some overlap occurs.
Perhaps we should look for our ministry on the left hand side (Ephesians 4 and Romans 12). Once we find our ministry, we look to the right hand side (1 Corinthians 12)) to see which gifts God may give to help us to carry out our ministries.
“MINISTRIES OF CHRIST”
Ephesians 4:11
(Building and Instructing)
Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastor-Teacher
Romans 12:6-8 (Supporting) Prophecy
Helps
Teaching Encouragement Giving Administration Leadership Mercy
Does Every Believer Have A Gift?
Can A Believer Have More Than One Gift?
“GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT”
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (Tools For Ministry)
Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy Distinguishing spirits Speaking in tongues Interpreting tongues
1 Corinthians 7:7 Singleness (celibacy)
How Are Spiritual Gifts Given Out?
An Apostle is one who is sent to establish a foothold for Christianity in unevangelized areas by
proclaiming the Gospel and establishing churches.
A Prophet applies a message from God to a particular situation in relevant terms. This is mostly a preaching gift; however, in biblical times it predicts the future.
An Evangelist is spiritually anointed to persuade people through a variety of relevant methods to surrender their lives to the Person of Jesus Christ. They are quite successful at it.
A Pastor-Teacher oversees the care and spiritual feeding of a church congregation. His/her teaching clarifies and preserves the truths of God.
The gift of Helps is a God-given gift for meeting the practical needs of people.
The gift of Encouragement exhorts people to active to Christian living through loving
encouragement and/or firm discipline if and when needed.
The gift Giving is the ability to make money and/or resources and to give them freely away with joy and delight.
The gift of Administration is the spiritual capacity to organize and manage the church. The gift of Leadership is the spiritual capacity to energize people by creating a vision and
inspiring them to make the vision a reality.
The gift of Mercy brings the empathetic love of God to hurting people in practical ways.
The gift of Wisdom synthesizes concepts, facts and truths in order to find a God-inspired solutions.
The gift of the Word Of Knowledge is a supernaturally revealed communication for a particular reason.
The gift of Faith is the spiritual ability to see something that God intends to do and to live accordingly even before God acts.
Miracle gifts are explained in Scripture in this way:
The gift of Healing refers to the healing of physical disease in response to the Holy Spirit’s promptings through confession, laying on of hands and prayer.
The gift of Miracles is a supernatural event to authenticate the Word and/or reality of God. The gift of Distinguishing Between Spirits is the ability to differentiate between holy, human and demonic powers.
The gift of Tongues is the ability to speak fluently in a previously unlearned language (dialektos) or in a Holy Spirit inspired spiritual prayer language (glossalia).
The gift of Interpreting Tongues is the spontaneous ability to translate the language of one who is using the gift of tongues.
What is the purpose of a spiritual gift?
Spiritual gifts are for the common good. For victory, the church body must work together in harmony, fellowship and love under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
When utilized properly in a church setting, spiritual gifts intertwine to paint a picture of Jesus Christ.
By the way the heed for utilizing spiritual gifts in a group setting speaks forever to the person who wants to go out on the hillside all alone and worship God all by himself/herself as the basis for his/her religion.