How to Reach your Full Potential for God (3)

“How to Discover your Spiritual Gifts Part II”

Ephesians 4:1-13 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 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. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for …”

I. Intro

The last time we were together, we introduced spiritual gifts. I gave you a questionnaire to help determine your primary spiritual gifts. These gifts are essential to your walk with God, and reaching your full potential for God. Without discovering and utilizing your God-given gifts, we can never fully reach the plateau that God has intended for each of us.

If I handed you a hammer and then pointed to a log and said, “Go split that wood and stoke the fireplace,” you’d probably look at me as if I had lost my mind. Most likely, you would say, “I need an ax to to the job correctly.” If I gave you a screwdriver, and asked you to saw a two-by-four in half, you would probably say, “I can’t do that.” Tools have been made and refined by craftsmen through the ages to be used for particular purposes. When a good tool is used properly, good work can be accomplished. When a good tool is used improperly, or the wrong tool is used, the results can be disastrous. This same principle applies to the way in which God intended for you to reach your potential in life. He has gifted you in unique and wonderful ways. Our Creator has crafted you with particular abilities and talents. When you develop these God-given attributes, and use them to serve other people in love, great things can be accomplished. But if you try to function apart from your talents, or if you attempt to use your abilities in ways that God did not intend, you are headed for a life filled with anxiety, frustration, and failure.

II. Where do I fit in?

Prophesying/Preaching- This gift is to be in precise agreement to the faith.

The spiritual gift of prophesy is the ability to receive and communicate messages from God to individuals or groups. It involves receiving divine revelation, discerning its meaning, and sharing it with others for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

The gift of prophesy is not limited to predicting future events, but rather involves the ability to speak God’s truth and wisdom in a way that edifies, encourages, and comforts believers, and convicts and challenges non-believers. It may involve speaking forth a message that is personal or general, with an emphasis on repentance, faith, or living a holy life. It is important to note that the gift of prophesy is subject to the authority of Scripture, meaning that any prophetic message must align with the teachings of the Bible. Those who possess the gift of prophesy should exercise it with caution, accountability, and discernment, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the counsel of other mature believers.

The Greek word for ‘prophesy’ is pronounced propheteia. It is derived from the Greek word prophetes and means “prophet” or “one who speaks for God.”

Service/Ministry-Those with this gift should serve.

The gift of service/ministry is given to people to help the work of the church in a supporting role. The NT provides examples of the gift of ministering-In the book of Acts we read the following words.

Acts 6:2-5 “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 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. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:”

Those with the gift of service are often gifted in practical areas such as cooking, cleaning, maintenance, and organization. They have a heart for serving others, and take joy in using their skills to meet the needs of those around them. They are often the ones who quietly work behind the scenes to make things happen, without seeking recognition or praise.

In the list of spiritual gifts in Romans 12, Paul used the Greek word diakonos for the people who serve or minister. This is where the words “deacon” and “deaconess” come from.

Teaching-Those with this gift should teach.

The spiritual gift of teaching is a gift given by the Holy Spirit to some individuals in the Christian community to instruct and educate others in the truths and principles of the Christian faith. The gift of teaching involves more than just imparting knowledge or information. It is about helping others understand the Word of God and apply it to their lives. It involves teaching in a way that not only informs, but also transforms the heart and mind of the listener.

Those with the gift of teaching have a passion for studying and understanding the Bible, and are gifted in presenting its principles and teachings to others. They are able to break down complex concepts and make them accessible to others, and are skilled in using a variety of methods and approaches to help people learn.

The Greek word for teaching is didaskalia which is derived from the verb didasko meaning “to teach.” This word appears frequently in the NT especially in the letters of Paul, and is often translated as “doctrine,” “teaching,” or “instruction.”

Exhortation/Encouragement-Those with this gift should exhort.

The gift of exhortation, also known as the gift of encouragement, is a special ability given by the Holy Spirit to some individuals. Those who possess this gift have the ability to motivate and inspire others to persevere in their faith, to overcome obstacles, and to pursue their God-given purpose.

People with the gift of exhortation often have a deep sense of empathy and can discern the needs of others. They are able to communicate God’s truth and love in a way that encourages and uplifts people, helping them to see their potential and their worth in the eyes of God. They are able to speak words of encouragement, hope, and inspiration that help others to press on in the midst of difficulties and challenges.

The Greek word for exhortation is paraklesis which can be translated as “encouragement,” “comfort,” or “consolation.” This word is used throughout the NT to describe the work of the Holy Spirit, who is referred to as the paraclete which means one who comes alongside to help. The concept of exhortation is closely related to this idea of coming alongside someone to offer support, encouragement, and guidance.

Giving-Those with this gift should give generously with pure single-hearted motives and no desire for gain, power, or prestige.

The gift of giving, also known as the gift of generosity, is a special ability given by the Holy Spirit. Those who possess this gift have a remarkable ability to give sacrificially and generously of their time, talents, and resources without expecting anything in return.

People with the gift of giving often have a deep sense of compassion for those in need and a desire to help meet those needs. They may have a particular passion for supporting ministries and charitable organizations, or for giving to individuals in need. They often have a keen sense of financial stewardship and they use their resources wisely to make the greatest impact possible.

The Greek word for giving is dosis which means “a giving,” “a gift,” or “a contribution.” This word is used in the NT to describe the act of giving, whether it be a financial gift, a gift of service, or a gift of spiritual support. In 2 Corinthians the word dosis is used to describe the attitude that should accompany our giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Leadership-Those with this gift should work hard as a leader and not sit back as a lazy supervisor.

The spiritual gift of leadership is a special ability given by the Holy Spirit, and those who possess this gift have the ability to guide and direct others toward a common goal, to inspire and motivate others, and to provide a vision and direction for the community or organization they lead.

People with the gift of leadership often have strong communication skills, vision, and a ability to make strategic decisions. They are able to delegate tasks, provide direction, and create a positive and productive working environment. They are able to inspire and encourage others to use their gifts and talents for God’s Kingdom, and they lead by example, modeling the behavior and values they wish to instill in others.

The Greek word for ‘elder’ or ‘overseer’ which is used to describe positions of leadership in the church is episkopos. This word is used in various passages in the NT such as Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:1-2 to describe the role of those who are responsible for overseeing and leading the local church. In context of spiritual gifts, the word proistemi is also used to describe the gift of leadership.

Romans 12:8 “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.”

Mercy-Those with this gift should minister to the hurting and needful with an attitude of joyfulness.

The gift of mercy is a special ability given by the Holy Spirit, and those who possess this gift have a deep sense of compassion and empathy for those who are suffering, and they have a natural ability to reach out to them with kindness, care, and support.

People with the gift of mercy often have a special sensitivity to the needs of others and are able to offer comfort and encouragement in times of difficulty. They may have a particular passion for serving those who are sick or poor, and they often have a remarkable ability to provide a listening ear, practical help, or emotional support to those who are struggling.

The Greek word for mercy is eleos. It refers to kindness or compassion shown to someone who is in need or suffering.

III. Conclusion

In closing, spiritual gifts are special abilities that are given to believers by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the church and spreading the Gospel. Each person is given at least one spiritual gift, and these gifts are intended to be used in service to others, not for personal gain or glory. As Paul explained in his letters to the Corinthians, the body of Christ is made up of many parts, and each part has an important role to play in fulfilling God’s plan. By discovering and utilizing our spiritual gifts, we can work together to build a stronger, more effective church that reflects God’s love and grace to the world. Let us therefore seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and use the gifts that we have been given to serve one another and to glorify God.