Introduction
This
page is one of a number that seeks to provide basic study material for
the Christian who wishes to see what the Bible says about the gifts
of the Spirit.
Because
there are so many Bible references, there will not be links to them
from these pages, and the student is simply advised to copy and paste
the page information into say Word and then study the materials from
there.
1.
Definition
Some
people think gifts of the spirit are something they are to earn to make
them a better Christian.
The
truth is that Gifts of the Spirit are
simply the supernatural moving of Jesus through an individual.
They are the Spirit of Jesus (the Holy Spirit) expressing himself through
the Christian.
In
this series we will see that they are not for personal blessing, but
for serving God and bringing blessing to others within the will of God.
2.
Examples
"Gifts"
are mentioned a number of times in the New Testament and the following
are the main 'lists' that occur:
2.1
1 Cor. 12:4-11
(gifts of
abilities on occasion)
- wisdom
is Jesus showing you how to proceed in a difficult or impossible situation.
- knowledge
is Jesus revealing what you could not know naturally.
- faith is
Jesus giving you the ability to believe for the naturally impossible.
- healing
is Jesus releasing the power to physically restore through you.
- miracles is
Jesus simply doing the impossible through you, for the breakthrough
of his kingdom.
- prophecy
is Jesus speaking God's heart for a person or situation through you.
- discernment
is Jesus revealing the spiritual background of a person or situation
through you.
- tongues is
Jesus releasing your inner spirit in prayer to God for personal blessing.
- interpretation
is Jesus giving you understanding of that unknown tongue for personal
and corporate blessing.
2.2
Rom 12:6-8 (gifts of abilities on occasion,
with a sense of regular use)
- prophesying
is allowing Jesus to speak his heart for a person or situation through
you.
- serving
is allowing Jesus to minister practically through you to bless others.
- teaching
is allowing Jesus to impart knowledge and understanding through you
to teach, strengthen, upbuild and equip others in the body.
- encouraging
is allowing Jesus to speak upbuilding words through you.
- contributing is
allowing Jesus to provide resources through you.
- leadership is
allowing Jesus to provide direction and order through you for others
to follow.
- mercy
is allowing Jesus to bring his love and grace to the needy through
you for their blessing.
2.3
1 Cor 12:27-31 (gifts of abilities in regular
use that we call a “ministry”)
- an
apostle is one
through whom Jesus is expressing the role of a missionary church planter,
specially with the gifts of faith and wisdom and power.
- a
prophet is one
through whom Jesus is expressing the role of a speaker of the heart
of God with faith and revelation.
- a
teacher is one
through whom Jesus is expressing the role of one who imparts knowledge
and understanding with faith.
- a
miracle worker is one
through whom Jesus is often able to perform the naturally impossible
for the breakthrough of the kingdom.
- a
healer is one through
whom Jesus is often able to bring supernatural physical restoration.
- an
administrator is one
through whom Jesus is expressing the role of an organiser with the
gifts of revelation, insight and wisdom.
- a
tongues speaker (in
this context) is one through whom Jesus often releases edifying spirit
prayer and interpretation.
2.4
Eph 4:11-13 (gifts of abilities in regular
use that we call a “ministry”)
- an
evangelist is one through
whom Jesus is often able to speak words of conviction with faith that
bring salvation.
- a
pastor is one through
whom Jesus is able to express the role of a shepherd-carer in the
local church.
3.
Some keys to remember
In
Jn 14:10 Jesus said that it was the Father living in him who was doing
the work.
- Jesus
attributed his abilities to the Father within him (closeness of relationship
needed by us)
In
Jn 5:19 Jesus said he could do nothing by himself, but only what he
saw his Father doing.
- Jesus
watched the Father, sensed the Father's desires, activity etc. and
did it (sensitivity and obedience needed by us)
In
Jn 14:12 Jesus said that anyone who has faith in him will do what he
had been doing.
- If
you believe in AND respond (faith is responding) to Jesus you'll be
doing the same sorts of things that Jesus did in his ministry on earth.
In
Rom 12:6 Paul said that we have different gifts according to the grace
given us by God.
- We
each have different gifts
- They
aren't earned but given as a free gift by God's sovereign choice.
In
Rom 12:3 Paul said we were to think about ourselves in accordance with
the measure of faith God has given us. (Also Rom 12:6)
- We
receive gifts by grace but use by faith.
- That
faith is also a gift from God but it's up to us to exercise it.
4.
Some Conclusions
- The
“gifts” are always Jesus expressing himself.
- We
don't merit or earn being used like this, it's simply an honour bestowed
by him because of his sovereign choice.
- He
determines the nature or type of thing he wants to do through us.
- Regular
use in the same manner increases ability and develops a “ministry”
- Although
a gift to us, it is up to us to exercise it. That is faith, responding
to Jesus' leading in this particular way.
Sunday Services
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