The Purpose of the Different Spiritual Gifts
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning we continue with our study of chapters 12 and the topic of spiritual gifts. A topic the Holy Spirit focuses upon for the next 3 chapters. Already, we have noted that spiritual gifts do indeed exist. However, spiritual gifts are only given to those are spiritually alive. Not every person living on earth at this moment has a spiritual gift. These are only imparted by the Holy Spirit to those who accept Christ as their personal Savior. Every person born into this world is born already a sinner. Such verses as Romans 3:10-14 and Romans 3:23 along with a great number of other passages teach this fact. To be born a sinner means to be born spiritually dead. It is the reason why so many people are consumed with themselves and care nothing about spiritual things. They are dead and totally incapable of anything remotely related to God, His Word, and His Spirit. However, as I already noted, the moment a person believes and accepts with their whole heart, mind, and soul all that Christ did for them in His death, burial, and resurrection, they are spiritually reborn or resurrected. Their spirit is made alive.
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Now that we, as believers, are spiritually alive, we have a job to do for Christ. For that reason, the Holy Spirit gives us an essential resource so that we might accomplish that job. He gives each spiritually resurrected believer a spiritual gift. I emphasize the word “spiritual” because it the Holy Spirit Who adds this special gift to the believer.
Now, as we have begun our journey through these next 3 chapters, we also have learned that there a dangers surrounding spiritual gifts. Essentially, much danger abounds when we misuse or misunderstand spiritual gifts. Such misuse and misunderstanding has the potential to lead us back into a life of false worship, to speak of false message, or even believe a false gospel. All of which is noted in verses 1-3.
Last week, as we considered verse 4-6, the Holy Spirit confirmed that there are many different spiritual gifts. He also noted that there are different spiritual occupations. Along with those thoughts, we learned that using our gifts often result in different outcomes. However, the common denominator for the many gifts, occupations, and outcomes is God as our Spirit, Lord, and God.
Now, today, we are moving on to verse 7-10. Yet, before we do, I must stop and teach you something about spiritual gifts that is extremely important for you to know.
Listing the Spiritual Gifts
Listing the Spiritual Gifts
I contend, based on Scripture, that not all gifts listed in the New Testament are relevant for us today.
There are nineteen spiritual gifts cited in the New Testament.
Some of which we find in our text today.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
The ones noted in our text are as follows:
The Gift of Speaking Wisdom
The Gift of Speaking Knowledge
The Gift of Faith
The Gift of Healing
The Gift of Miracles
The Gift of Prophecy
The Gift of Discerning Spirits
The Gift of Speaking Languages
The Gift of Interpreting Languages
That is a list of nine as given in our text. There are six more give in other passages.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
According this verse, we find four additional gifts not already listed in our text.
The Gift of Apostleship
The Gift of Teaching
The Gift of Helps
The Gift of Administration
There are three additional gifts that are different gifts mentioned in Romans 12:7-8
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
The Gift of Service (Ministry)
The Gift of Exhortation
The Gift of Giving
The Gift of Mercy
Then in Ephesians 4:8-11, we find a couple more.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
The Gift of Evangelism
The Gift of Pastoral Care
If you add them all, you find nineteen different gifts.
Now, comes the real work as we seek to understand each of these gifts. So, we are going to start this morning with our text and the gifts listed there. From there, we will work over to the other passages. When we are finished, my hope is that you will have complete understanding of each gift and how they are used. However, before I go any further, let me give you more important piece of information. This list of spiritual gifts can be divided into two different categories. There are speaking gifts and there are serving gifts.
Speaking Gifts
Speaking Gifts
The Gift of Speaking Wisdom
The Gift of Speaking Knowledge
The Gift of Apostleship
The Gift of Prophecy
The Gift of Teaching
The Gift of Evangelism
The Gift of Exhortation
The Gift of Discerning Spirits
The Gift of Speaking in Languages
The Gift of Interpreting Languages
Serving Gifts
Serving Gifts
The Gift of Faith
The Gift of Healing
The Gift of Miracles
The Gift of Administration
The Gift of Helps
The Gift of Mercy
The Gift of Giving
The Gift of Pastoral Care
The Gift of Ministry
Okay, you now have the list. Let’s begin working our way through our list starting with the gifts listed in our text. With each gift, I will give you its category, description, and application.
Understanding Each Spiritual Gift
Understanding Each Spiritual Gift
Up first is this gift.
The Gift of Speaking Wisdom
The Gift of Speaking Wisdom
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
Category: Speaking Gifts
Description
Description
The word “wisdom” often refers to the practical use of knowledge. It differs from knowledge in this way: the emphasis is on applying what you know rather than just knowing the fact. Wisdom is the ability to take the facts (which is knowledge) and skillfully apply them to daily living. Here are just two examples from Scripture.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Wisdom is a gift that enables a person to discern the spiritual needs of others and to apply God’s truth to their lives in suitable, practical ways.
Note Acts 6:3
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Application
Application
How does this look in real life for a believer? Often you find many pastors, teachers, and even Christian counselors exhibit the gift of speaking wisdom. They have a knack for quickly identifying the spiritual problem, knowing the principles of Scripture that apply to that particular problem, and, then, they give practical solutions which help solve the problem. As for pastors, you will see this when they preach or teach God’s Word drawing out the facts/principles and use those facts/principles by aptly applying them to our daily walk with the Lord. Essentially, in a nutshell, the gift of speaking wisdom is the ability to understand God’s will based on their study of God’s Word and give practical avenues of obedience to others.
The Gift of Speaking Knowledge
The Gift of Speaking Knowledge
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
Category: Speaking Gifts
Description
Description
Now, as we already noted wisdom and knowledge are different. Wisdom emphasizes application. Knowledge, on the other hand, emphasizes facts or principles. Some might even say it is a focus on doctrine.
A person with the gift of speaking knowledge has this wonderful ability to understand, formulate, and state Bible doctrine in an organized way.
In fact, note what is written in 1 Corinthians 14:6
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
Revelation, knowledge, prophesying, and doctrine are all listed together here. And, as we know from the context, the Holy Spirit is emphasizing knowing the truth of God’s Word. Thus, the association of knowledge is always centered on the essential truth of Scripture.
Application
Application
An individual with the gift of speaking knowledge thus knows how to not only teach Bible truth, but also knows how to organize the truth so others can understand. They often will recognize, sort out, and put together a systematic order to teaching God’s Word. Those who do not have this gift often must rely on those who do for their teaching material. Those with this gift possess a passion for digging into the priceless truths of Scripture mining out wonderful nuggets which enrich others. Such people are highly skilled in study and research.
The Gift of Faith
The Gift of Faith
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Category: Serving Gifts
Description
Description
When we talk about the gift of faith, please understand that are not talking about saving faith. Saving faith is when a person believes the gospel message and full accepts all that Christ has done for them.
This faith refers to a believer who great faith and vision for the future.
The Holy Spirit refers to such faith in 1 Corinthians 13:2
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Which, as you read that verse, reminds us of Christ’s words when He told those around Him at the time the following.
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
And then later, Christ said this in Matthew 21:21
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
In both instances, Christ said it was possible for a person to have such an incredible faith they could overcome enormous obstacles that seem like a mountain. It is the same type of faith that we are about to explore in our study of James on Sunday evenings. Note James 5:15
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Application
Application
A believer with the gift of faith is an intense ability to simply trust the Lord. They believe without faltering or wavering that God can do anything even when it seems the whole world is about to fall apart. Yes, everyone is to have faith. However, a person gifted in faith often surpasses everyone else in their belief concerning God’s promises. The great thing about such believers is how they challenge and encourage others around them by their calm assurance that God is in control. For them, the impossible is always possible for they firmly believe God can do anything.
The Gift of Healing
The Gift of Healing
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Category: Serving Gifts
Description
Description
The gift of healing was a gift that enabled a believer to immediately heal sickness and disease in another person.
As we come to this gift, we must understand that certain gifts no longer exist. This gift is one that I believe has ceased to exist. Another one of those gifts would be apostleship. Here is why I believe this based on God’s Word.
Certain gifts were given to first century believers before the New Testament was completed and distributed. These gifts are no longer needed today because we have the complete Word of God in our hands to read and study. Then, it was not finished. Thus, how did others know that was spoken by the apostles was indeed from God? Just as God gave Moses signs that validated God’s messages, so God also gave early first century believers along with the apostles certain signs proving they were of God. Healing was one such proof. Their ability to heal the sick proved they were God’s servants doing His work as He worked through them.
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
These gifts, which included healing, were not just proofs, but they were also signs. The gift of healing signified a very special meaning to many skeptical Jews among which were both saved and unsaved Jews.
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
Thus, in certain situations, this gift also proved that a person was truly baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Application
Application
If you spend time studying this gift, you will know that having the gift of healing did not replace the use of medicine or the practice of medicine.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
Obviously, as you read that verse and consider the gift of healing, it was a gift not alway exercised for every illness. Instead, it was most often reserved for those times when proof was needed that God was the One Who was working through a believer. Now, there is no doubt that God does heal some people miraculously today, and as we know from James, He heals others in response to the prayer of faith. Yet, He does not heal by the same means as those who had the gift of healing in the New Testament. The Benny Hinns of today are false prophets and do not possess the gift of healing. They are nothing more than charlatans seeking to lead people back into a false worship, false message, and a false gospel.
Okay, let’s get one more in this morning and we will stop there.
The Gift of Miracles
The Gift of Miracles
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Category: Serving Gifts
Here is another gift that is no longer exists today. Again, remember that some of these gifts were given to early first Century believers as signs and proofs. Miracles was one of them just as the gift of healing.
Description
Description
This gift enabled a believer to perform miraculous works in the physical realm which were apart from and contrary to natural law.
Note this example.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
Another example would be the apostle Paul.
1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Application
Application
As you can see, two miraculous works were performed by Peter and Paul. Peter raised a girl from the dead. Paul, on the other hand, exhibited immunity to a fatal snake bite. Acts 5:12 states that the apostles did many signs and wonders. All of which was proof certifying their Divine commission. Today, God still performs miracles. However, His method of imparting the gift of miraculous works ended with the apostles and the completion of His Word. Be careful about those who claim they to have the gift of miraculous works. I remember when I was kid that there was church in town that claimed they had the gift of miracles. They were know all around town as the Snake Church. It was reported that they allowed rattlesnakes to roam the church auditorium while they worshipped demonstrating their unnatural immunity to venom. If I remember correctly, that church did not last long for obvious reasons. There is no gift of miracles today.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We have only covered five of the nineteen gifts today. Next week, as the Lord wills, we will study a few more. However, we have learned some important things today. There are nineteen different gifts noted in the New Testament. All nineteen can be divided into two categories. There are speaking gifts and there are serving gifts. However, no all gifts continue to exist today. There are some that have ceased. We know that the gifts of healing and miracles are no longer imparted by the Holy Spirit to believers today. Those were special gifts given to early first century believers validating their message before Scripture was completed. Outside of those two gifts, perhaps one of the other gifts jump out to you as one that you might have. Now, if that is not the case, that is okay, there are plenty more we have yet to study. However, here is my closing thought. If you are a believer, one of these gifts belongs to you. You have a least one and, perhaps, even more. The Holy Spirit has given each believer a special spiritual gift. Which one do you think you have? Think about that as we continue through this study. And, then, as you identify which gift is yours, find out by applying it. The only true way to know which gift is your is to use it. You will know soon enough if that is your gift. If not, try another one. Eventually, you will land on the one that fits you and you will know. When you do, use it.