How Are You Gifted?
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Katie and I have a new favorite show right now: Chicago fire. We’ve been watching it for a while now and enjoying the story lines, the intense moments when the firemen are out on a call, and the fun nature of it.
Do know what is fascinating? How they have to move as one team - one body - during a incident. Everyone has their thing that they do. The chief doesn’t tend to run into the fires, but he is coordinating many men and women as they work the scene. Typically there’s a lieutenant on each fire truck - responsible for their crews. There’s people specifically designated for rescues, or for driving the rigs, or whatever. Then there’s the candidates, who are still kind of figuring out their sweet spot.
It’s awesome to watch a well-oiled machine like that work. I will admit to being totally sucked in during scenes like that.
What I find that is just as amazing is how God designed the church to work in the same way.
If you open your Bible’s to the book of Hebrews, we read in chap.2 about how God revealed salvation:
It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Did you notice that God attested to the reality of salvation through Jesus, through the apostles, by signs and wonders, and by this “gifts of the Holy Spirit” that God gives as He sees fit? That’s awesome! And that’s our focus today.
Big Idea: God gave you gifts - go use them!
Spiritual gifts are God-granted empowerments for ministry. - Holman Bible Dictionary.
God outfits His church by giving each Christian spiritual gifts.
Each one of us has different gifts, talents, and abilities that are necessary for the body of Christ. It’s no accident you are where you are with the gifts and abilities you’ve been given. At lot like the fire crews, every person has their place in the body of Christ, and each is uniquely gifted to serve! God gifted you, so you can be a gift to your brothers and sisters.
Some people here may already have a good idea of what their giftings are. Some may have no clue, or perhaps you’re wondering why it even matters.
I felt the Lord leading us to look at this today because all of us are gifted, but sometimes we’re not sure what those gifts are, or how to get plugged in with them. Moreover, spiritual gifts may change over time, so perhaps you are plugged in but it’s no longer matching your giftings. What then?
Today, we’re going to walk through the what, the why, and the how of Spiritual gifts. Let’s see how God’s Word talks about these different gifitings and ask, “Lord, how have you gifted me to serve You and Your church?”
What Are The Gifts?
What Are The Gifts?
When we talk about spiritual gifts, we need to understand that the Bible never uses the phrase “spiritual gifts,” but uses words like gifts, graces, manifestations, workings, and so on. The term spiritual gifts is widely used to refer to these gifts or manifestations that are given by God through the Holy Spirit so that His people can do the work of ministry! There are several different passages that describe the various gifts given to the church, so let’s start with Romans 12:6-8:
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Prophecy
Service
Teaching
Exhortation
Generosity
Leadership
Mercy
Prophecy - The disclosing of God’s will through Spirit-filled speech. It’s not so much about the future, but focuses on bringing a word from God for the church to build it up and encourage it (Cornerstone). This should always line up with Scripture. His expression “in proportion to faith” is not about quantity of faith, but rather that as God gives the gift, we should exercise it!
Service -
Those with the gift of service are committed to the spread of the Gospel. They serve in ways that benefit others with different gifts and ministries that are more public. They have a heart devoted to Jesus and a desire to follow His command…
Those with this gift do not seek recognition or a position in the “spotlight,” they just love to help out. They are content with serving in the background knowing that their contribution will bless the church, display the love of Christ to the world, and bring glory to God.
Teaching - If you are a teacher, give yourself to that. Throw your weight behind it and lean into the gifting God has given you!
Exhortation - Someone who might give a word of encouragement or advice to spur believers on in their faith.
Generosity - Freely giving. We should all be giving out of what God has given to us, but God gifts some with a love for generosity that goes over and above.
Leadership - To those who lead, Paul tells us here to lead diligently. Leadership is a gift and privilege that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Mercy - Or to the one who serves the poor and the needy - do it gladly, because you are working for God!
These are the seven gifts Paul lists in Romans 12. But we have a couple other passages to consider as well. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 12:7-12
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians gives another list. This has some overlaps with Romans 12, but also lists a lot more “charismatic” gifts, if you will.
Wisdom/Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Working of Miracles
Prophecy
Discernment
Tongues
Interpretation
Wisdom/Knowledge - Wise advice or words of wisdom - both for everyday matters and understanding the Word of God.
Faith - This one is tricky at first glance, because we think “well, shouldn’t we all have that?” Yes, we all need to have saving faith in Jesus! But in this case Paul means those who have a faith to obey God and go where God asks even when others think it’s crazy. They are the ones to lead the church forward in her trust of God and choice to follow the Lord even when it’s hard or uncertain. We probably all have a story or two, or have heard them, of people who have taken great leaps of faith despite the odds. The Spirit gifts such faith!
Healing
Working of Miracles - For both healing and miracles, these gifts probably overlap, and intersect with faith. In this we are not the ones who heal, but God works through us, demonstrating His power to intervene in a variety of circumstances, but notably in terms of illness.
Prophecy - This we have alreayd seen. This is very needed in the church!
Discernment - One who is gifted in distinguishing different spirits/teachings. Such a gift is needed so that, especially when someone gives a word, there is someone who can help discern if the word is from God. They can help recognize the influence of God, Satan, the world or even our own flesh speaking. Discernment is a vital gift for keeping the church free of false teaching and in step with Christ.
Tongues - The gift of tongues - both other human languages and angelic languages - is available. It’s purpose is to spur on your faith, to build you up. It is a sign that God is moving in your life - a testimony to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Interpretation of Tongues - This is most vital in the church. Though the gift of tongues is a personal one, God may give a word for the church in tongues. When this happens - Paul says - there should ALWAYS be someone to interpret. If there is no interpreter, that person with the word should actually keep silent. This then is a gift from the Spirit also.
Finally, there’s one other passage to take a look at this morning:
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Notice the gifts that are listed in Ephesians:
Eph 4 Gifts:
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Shepherds/Pastors
Teachers
Apostle - This is not apostle like Paul , or Peter, or John. In this sense that office is closed, for they were eye-witnesses of Christ and founders of the church. However, there is apostle today in the sense of church planter. Someone who is called to go and break the ground and plant new churches.
Prophets - again, the gift of prophecy is at work here. There is a leadership role here where someone with prophetic gifting should be allowed to speak. This should be done in conjunction with discernment and right teaching.
Evangelists - Those with a specific call to evangelize the lost. Many missionaries are gifted this way! but you don’t have to be a missionary to have a burden to see people saved and a particular gift at sharing the gospel boldly and in a way folks understand. If you can do that, you might be gifted as an evangelist.
Shepherds/Pastors - These are the pastors of the bunch, whose job it is to help steward and oversee the church. They primarily care for the spiritual well-being of the church. They are servant-leaders who help lead the church in the mission and direction that Jesus is sending it. This and the gift of teaching are directly linked in Eph 4 11
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
Teachers - Those gifted with the ability to teach God’s Word, understand its depths and bring out those insights, teaching in a way that folks can understand and apply to their lives. Often this is coupled with shepherding.
Note that their specific function as leadership gifts is to equip the saints for the work of ministry! Their job is even to equip other Christians to use their gifts in the world around them.
So, these are the gifts that are listed in Scripture. Perhaps as we read these together you had one or two - maybe more - stick out in your mind. Keep that in mind for now, and let’s move on to a second question:
Why Did God Give Them?
Why Did God Give Them?
(Their Purpose)
Why are these gifts present in the church? In fact, are they all present, or just some? What’s their purpose?
Firstly, God gives them for His glory:
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter here divides spiritual gifts into two main categories: speaking and serving gifts. Notice what he says about them: If you speak, speak the words of God! If you’re serving, serve with the strength God gives. Why? Because it’s not about you, it’s about Him! In order that God may be glorified through Christ - through His body the church! So the very first reason for gifts is to glorify God. That - I believe - is the chief aim of mankind. Or, it should be: That we glorify our Creator, who is forever worthy of praise.
But there is a second reason: to build up the body of Christ.
Let’s return to Romans 12 for a minute, and look at vv 3-5:
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
We see that humility is the challenge of Romans 12. The word faith here functions a bit unusually, meaning that the measure of grace or gifitings given. It’s not quantitive, but is a call God has given to use all - not just some - gifts. We are all members of this one body, and as part of that body we all have different functions.
Turning back to 1 Cor 12 we also see that…
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Note a few things:
First, there are varieties of gifts. Very similar to Romans, the point here is that there’s not just one gift or two, but many. In fact at the end of the chapter Paul says:
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Keeping in mind that Paul is writing to Christians who had overemphasized some gifts, Paul makes it clear: We’re not all prophets, teachers, etc. But to each is given a manifestation of the Holy Spirit in some way!
They are all given by the same Lord; empowered by the same Holy Spirit. Why?
These manifestations are given for the common good!
So we see that the second purpose of these gifts is actually for the common good of the church. Think of it this way:
The spleen is one of those obscure - who-knows-what-this-thing-does - sort of organs. I think we’re all aware of what the heart does, and the lungs, but what does the spleen do? Actually it has several functions. According to the Cleveland Clinic the spleen:
Stores blood.
Filters blood by removing cellular waste and getting rid of old or damaged blood cells.
Makes white blood cells and antibodies that help you fight infection.
Maintains the levels of fluid in your body.
Produces antibodies that protect you against infection.
Wow! The spleen is literally given for the common good of the body. It’s whole job is to help the body stay healthy, keep it clean and functioning well. That was why it was given. It was given for the benefit of other organs in the body. But the same could be said of the heart, or the lungs - even the hands and feet, could it not?
In the same way, you have been given with some of these gifts for the benefit of the whole body of Christ. Maybe you have been given the gifts of serving and mercy. You might not be the teacher bringing great teaching from Scripture, but you’re the one who often sees needs and steps in even before being asked. You care even when others struggle to care.
Or perhaps you are the one who has been given encouraging messages and prophetic words for the church! Awesome! This gift used with maturity is of great benefit to the church. You may be a teacher, a great host, a leader, or be given discernment. Probably, you’ve got a combination of a number of gifts! God’s done that on purpose.
Remember our big idea:
Big Idea: God gave you gifts - go use them!
You were gifted to be a gift. God gave these gifts for ministry, so that you can build up the body of Christ.
Now, we do need to be clear: We believe that all of these gifts are available for us today. This is not something that all Christians agree on. Some Christians will argue that the gifts of the Spirit that are more miraculous - like those found in 1 Cor 12 - ceased after the apostles died.
Without exhausting us over the “whys” of all this, let us instead understand why we believe that all these gifts are available.
Firstly, in Acts 2:17-18
“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
The last days is the time between when Jesus ascended, and when He’s returning. It is in these days that God has poured out His Spirit on all flesh! Further, Paul wrote a chapter later in 1 Cor 13:
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
The perfect - which is the coming of eternal with Jesus - has not come yet. So while we wait, while things are still partial or imperfect, God has given small tastes of eternity in these gifts. Wow!!
We should have the utmost respect for both sides of this debate. Although we may not agree that some gifts have ceased, we should be careful to note that most traditions that believe this have a strong emphasis on Scripture, on right doctrine, and on following God’s Word. We have much to learn from them, as they perhaps can learn from us.
That said, we stand on the Word, and we can see that God continues to work all these gifts through His people. And that’s awesome!
How Do I Know Them?
How Do I Know Them?
So now finally to ask, how do I know I am gifted? What gifts has God given me?
Firstly, we know that God places his Holy Spirit in each person who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Guess what that means? When you have the Spirit, you are gifted. It’s that simple. Remember 1 Pe 4 10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
But how do you know what your gifts might be? Well, the first and foremost way is through the Bible. As we’ve read Scripture today, perhaps some of these gifts have stood out to you. Often gifts follow natural talents. So, if you’re naturally a hospitable person, the Holy Spirit will amplify that!
Remember too that the Holy Spirit speaks to us. What He says is always in line with the Bible. Take some time to pray - ask God to point out experiences, and natural tendencies that point to your gifts.
Another way is to use tools. In a moment, we’re going to go through this together, but there great tools that have been developed that can help you understand how God’s equipped you.
Now, let us also turn to 1 Cor 12 31 for a moment:
But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Here desiring the “higher gifts” most likely means those gifts most helpful to the church. It’s a good thing to desire that God would equip you even more to be a help and encouragement to fellow Christians! So be encouraged to ask God to continue to equip and gift you to serve the church, especially with those gifts that are helpful!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Big Idea: God gave you gifts - go use them!
Scripture lists many different gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Generosity
Teaching
Shepherding
Healing
Miracles
Wisdom
Administration
Mercy
And many more! All of these gifts are available today. It’s no accident you’ve been placed where you are - God’s given you gifts to be used in the church He’s placed you in!
Moreover, the purpose of these gifts is first to glorify God, and second to build up the church. Your gifts are not for yourself but for others, just as other’s gifts are for your encouragement!
Knowing these gifts can take time, but God will reveal them as you take time to study His Word on these things and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Often these gifts follow natural talents, so perhaps you’ve already had a few stick out to you!
Friends, remember Romans 12 6:
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
God has given us different gifts. The Spirit gives them as God wills! So use them.
To that end, today I’d like to invite you to take a look at that slip of paper you got earlier. This is an opportunity for you to explore your giftings. There’s a link here to a spiritual gifts test. Maybe you’ve done this before. If it’s been a little while, can I encourage you to refresh and do it again? Maybe you’ve never done it before, take the chance!
On the back, there’s a place to write your top three gifts. You can also mark off if you’d like to use these gifts in the church. If so, put this card back in the offering box, and we can talk about how God is calling you to use your gifitings at church.
Maybe you’re here today, and you do not know Christ as Lord and Savior. This opportunity is for you too - God has gifts waiting for you. But more importantly, God has given you the offer of salvation, and a choice about where you will spend your eternity. Notice, these gifts we talked about are little glimpses into what eternity will be like for the Christian. As great as they are, eternity with Jesus will be so amazing it will wash away these gifts in something much better.
But, eternity apart from Christ is the scary reality of hell. God doesn’t want anyone to end up there, and so He made the way back to Him clear through Jesus Christ. Will you accept the free gift and put your faith in Jesus?
For all of us, let us choose to glorify God and bless one another by using our gifts to serve our church. Take some time to fill this out, and then plug back into your church. God’s put you in your church for a reason, so take time to figure that out!
Pray
