Are They For Us Today?
Rom. 12:3-8
Eph. 4:7-16
I. There Are Three Different Classifications of Spiritual Gifts:
A. Signs of the Apostles --- (Miracles, Healings, Tongues, etc)
B. Foundational gifts --- (Apostles, Prophets, etc)
C. Ministering gifts.
(Those we will be studying in this series)
D. What About --- 1 Cor. 13:13, "And Now Abideth Faith, Hope, Charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
1. Nowhere, in the Bible, is Faith, Hope, and Charity referred to as "Spiritual Gifts" for us today.
2. Every Christian has Faith, otherwise he would not be Saved or Justified in the sight of God.
3. Every Christian has Hope, as a results of his being saved and he therefore Rejoices In Hope.
4. Every Christian has Charity or Love because the Love Of God Is Shed Abroad In His Heart.
5. Every Christian does Not have The Same Spiritual Gift.
Romans 12:6, "Having then Gifts Differing according to the grace that is given to us,"
E. Therefore, Faith, Hope, and Charity Could Not Be the Spiritual Gifts spoken of in Rom. 12.
1. Every Christian Does Have Faith, Hope, and Charity.
2. Every Christian Does Not Have the Same Spiritual Gift --- "Gifts Differing According To The Grace That Is Given To Us."
F. Concerning Faith --- Hope --- Charity ---
Romans 5:1-5, "Therefore being Justified By Faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and Rejoice In Hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only <so>, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; {4} And patience, experience; and experience, hope: {5} And hope maketh not ashamed; because the Love of God Is Shed Abroad In Our Hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
G. These are "Characteristics" which should abide in Every Christian's life.
1. It is true --- Faith, Hope, and Charity are gifts from God ..... however, the spiritual gifts we are talking about are different.
2. They are For Ministry, and they may be Different For Each Individual Christian --- whereas, faith, hope and charity is given To Every Christian --- as we have shown from Romans 5.
H. How Long were These Spiritual Gifts To Last?
1. Eph. 4:13, "Till we all come in the Unity of The Faith,"
a. A.B.A. Preachers don't even agree on the "Unity of The Faith".
b. The Lord's Supper --- The Local Church --- The Rapture of the Church --- The Tribulation Period.
2. Eph. 4:13, "Till we all come in ..... the Knowledge of The Son of God,"
Paul
3. Eph. 4:13, "Till we all come ..... unto A Perfect Man,"
Phil. 3:12, "[Not as though] I had already [attained], either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
4. Eph. 4:13, "Till we all come ..... unto the Measure of The Stature of The Fulness of Christ:
Galatians 4:19, "My little children, of whom I [travail] in birth again until [Christ] be formed in [you],"
5. Eph. 4:14-15, "That we <henceforth> Be No More Children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, <and> cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; {15} But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, <even> Christ:"
II. All Believers Are Given At Least One Spiritual Gift.
A. 1 Cor. 12:1, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." V. 7, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is Given To Every Man to profit withal." V. 11, "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, Dividing To Every Man severally as he will."
1. When this was written, Christ had already ascended into Heaven.
2. Paul was writing to the church at Corinth during the church age about 56 AD.
B. Again, to the church at Roman --- Rom. 12:3-6, "...God hath dealt To Every Man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having Then Gifts differing According To The Grace that is Given to us,..."
C. Eph. 4:7-8, "But Unto Every One of Us is given grace according to the measure of the Gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and Gave Gifts Unto Men."
D. 1 Peter 4:10, "As Every Man hath Received The Gift, even so Minister The Same One To Another, as Good Stewards of the manifold grace of God."
1. This is not talking about Salvation & ministering to the lost --- these gifts are for ministering One To Another.
2. The Discovery, Development, and the Exercise of our spiritual gift is not an option but a command of the Lord.
3. What Are You Going To Do with the spiritual gift that God has given you?
III. You May Ask --- Why Do I Have A Difficult Time Discovering My Ministering Gift of The Spirit?
A. There may be Unresolved Conflicts in your life between you and God so that you cannot know His will.
Baptism --- Church Attendance --- Tithing --- Witnessing, etc.
B. You may Not Be Involved In Any Type of Ministry of serving the Lord --- therefore your spiritual gift will not come to the surface as long as you Live For Self.
C. You may be Trying To Imitate someone else's gift.
D. You may be Confusing Ministry With Gift.
1. You Ministry is the Activity you are involved with in your service to the Lord.
2. You Gift is that which Motivates you in your activities.
E. The Key To Discovering your spiritual gift is to ask yourself
--- "What is my motivation for what I do?"
IV. What Is The Source of Spiritual Gifts?
A. The Trinity --- 1 Cor. 12:4-6, "Now there are diversities of gifts, but The Same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but The Same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is The Same God which worketh all in all."
B. Spiritual Gifts Are Given By God To Whom He Wills.
1. 1 Cor. 12:11, "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally As He Will." V. 18, "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, As It Hath Pleased Him."
2. Eph. 4:7-8, "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."
V. Why Did God Give Us Spiritual Gifts?
A. To Fulfill Needs of The Body --- His Church.
1 Cor. 12:21-22
B. To Fulfill A Need For Honor.
1 Cor. 12:23, "And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness."
C. To Bring Unity In The Body.
1. 1 Cor. 12:25, "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another."
2. No scriptural operation of spiritual gifts never divides the body.
a. Spiritual gifts always bring the body together in love, empathy, unity, honor, and the fulfilling of the needs of the body.
b. When you meet something that divides Christians, it is never of God.
D. To Produce Empathy Between The Members of The Body.
1 Cor. 12:26, "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."
E. To Develop or Mature The Body.
Eph. 4:12-14, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
VI. Spiritual Gifts Do Not Make A Person Spiritual.
A. The Corinthians Had Them All.
1 Cor. 1:5-7, "That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 3:1, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ."
B. Spiritual Gifts Are Not To Prove Spirituality, They Are To Take Spiritual People And Let Them Work Together As God Intended Them To Work.
VII. Jesus Christ Is The Perfection of The Fullest Expression of Each of The Spiritual Gifts.
A. If we Walk In The Spirit and --- Christ lives His life through us --- we will indeed have Some of The Characteristics of All the spiritual gifts.
B. God Commands us to Practice Each of the spiritual gifts:
1. Prophecy --- 1 Cor. 14:1, "desire...that ye may prophesy."
2. Service --- Gal. 5:13, "...by love serve one another."
3. Teaching --- Col. 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another..."
4. Exhorter --- Heb. 3:13, "..exhort one another daily,.."
5. Giving --- Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you;...with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
6. Rule --- 1 Tim. 3:4, "...ruleth well his own house,..."
7. Mercy --- Col. 3:12, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"
C. However, we each do have a Predominate Spiritual Gift --- (We will cover these individually.)
D. Are You Using The Gift God Has Given You --- Or Have You Buried It?
Matthew 25:24-27, "Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: {25} And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, <there> thou hast <that is> thine. {26} His lord answered and said unto him, <Thou> wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: {27} Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and <then> at my coming I should have received mine own with usury."
VIII. Ask Seven Different People (Each With A Different Spiritual Gift) To Evaluate Another Person's Sincerity --- You May Get Answers Like This:
A. Prophecy --- "Does his character match his words?"
B. Service --- "Does he know how to show gratitude?"
C. Teacher --- "Is he accurate in his words and what he says or writes?"
D. Exhorter --- "When he tells someone to do something, does he follow through and tell them how to do it or does he just leave them hanging?"
E. Giving --- "Is he investing his life, time, and possessions in something that is worthwhile?"
F. Organization --- "Is he loyal to the person for whom he works and does he faithfully follow through with the responsibilities he assumes?"
G. Mercy --- "Is he sensitive to other people's needs?"
IX. IF Seven Different People (Each With A Different Spiritual Gift) Wanted To Start A Church --- What Kind of Church/Pastor Would They Want To Have?
A. Prophecy --- "We want a pastor who will preach the Word of God, teach righteousness and warn of judgment to come, and be able to discern evil."
B. Service --- "We want to provide practical assistance to every member of the church to encourage them and to help them fulfill their responsibilities."
C. Teaching --- "We want indepth Bible Study with special emphasis on the precise meaning of words and a pastor who is accurate in handling the Word of God."
D. Exhorter --- "We want a personal counseling department with definite steps for spiritual growth."
E. Giving --- "We want a strong financial department with a strong outreach and missionary program."
F. Organization --- "We want a smooth running church so that all these other things will be successful."
G. Mercy --- "We want a sensitive spirit that is concerned for the feeling of individuals and people who are loving each other."
The Truth Is
X. If Seven Christians (Each With A Different Gift) Visited A Sick Person In The Hospital --- What Would Each Say:
A. Prophet --- "What's God trying to say to you through this illness? Is there some sin you haven't confessed yet?"
B. Service --- "Here's a little gift! Now, I brought your mail in, fed your dog, watered your plants, and washed your dishes."
C. Teaching --- "I did some research on your illness and I believe I can explain what's happening."
D. Exhorter --- "How can we use what you're learning here to help others in the future."
E. Giving --- "Do you have insurance to cover this kind of illness?"
F. Organization --- "Don't worry about a thing I've assigned your job to our partners in the office."
G. Mercy --- "I can't begin to tell you how bad I felt when I learned your were so sick. How do you feel now?"
XI. If Someone Dropped The Dessert On The Floor, And Each of The Seven Gifts Were Present, What Would Each Say:
A. Prophet --- "That what happens when you're not careful."
(Motivation --- To Correct the problem)
B. Service --- "Oh, let me help you clean it up."
(Motivation --- To fulfill a need)
C. Teaching --- "The reason that it fell is that it was too heavy on one side."
(Motivation --- To discover why it happened)
D. Exhorter --- "Next time, let's serve the desert with the meal."
(Motivation --- To correct the future)
E. Giving --- "I'll be happy to buy a new dessert."
(Motivation --- To give to a tangible need)
F. Organization --- "Jim, would you get the mop. Sue, please help pick it up; and Mary, help me fix another dessert."
(Motivation --- To achieve the immediate goal of the group)
G. Mercy --- "Don't feel badly. It could have happened to anyone."
(Motivation --- To relieve embarrassment)
If You Are Not Saved, Nothing Else Matters
